The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-10-26

Il IL y 1EohIA L. N1\
Bridge, was brought to Ellenton
and was either killed while a prison.
or or died of his wounds received at
the bridge. He was reported dead
in tho morning, Abram Hammond
(coloreO was killed at Silverton
during tho evening. How, I an
unable to learn. He was quite an
old man and was very obnoxious to
the whites. I shall now leave the
Aiken County whites in camp at
Ellenton on Tuesday morning (hav-
ing lost one white man with four
wounded. and having killed eight ne
groes and wounded two)sto describe
the fighting done by the Barnwell
County men. who, under the leader.
ship Of Gen. Hagood, and Sheriff
Patterson (oolored) Of Barnwell
were marching toward the scene.
It will be remembered that Simon
Coker's company, armed with Win
chester rifles, had left Ellenton on
Monday evening for Penn Branch
Swamp, where they intended to
ambush tho white reinforcements.
Before reaching the swamp the
Barnwcll whites were fredupon from
an ambush, and tho Sheriff, James
Patterson (colored;, was severely
wounded. Upon reaching the swamp
the advance guard of whites were
confronted suddenly by
ABOUT SEVENTY ARMED NEGROES
who poured q direct fire into them.
Robert Williams, white, was killed
at tho first flash, Samuel Dunbar was
shot in the hand and breast, j. II.
Killingsworth was shot in tho leg,
and Mike Heyeas in the neck The
whites returned the fire, killing Ed.
w. Bush, colored, Rormdtree, col
ored, and two negroes named
"Paris' and "Henry." Tho negroes
then plunged into tho swamp, leav-
ing Simon Cocker, their captain, in
the hands of tho whites The
whites then pushed Oil toward Ellen
ton, CARRYING Co!1or with them. IGn
route to Ellenton the whites killed
George Turner, colored, and vii.
liam Tut, colorod. I am informed
til 1t these negroes were seen with
guns in their hands, and were fired
upon and shot down. Arriving at
Ellenton, Simon Cocker, prisoner,
who had been the instigator and
leader of the negroes.it was alleged,
was killed by his captors The
Barnwell men then killed sGyen ne
grocs in the march to Ellenton,
losing one man killed and thyeo
wounded. The casualties then
stood fifteen negroes killed, in both
counties, and two wounded whites,
two killed and eight wounded =.
TIE MARCH ON RoUsE's BRIDGE.
On Tuesday morning the Aiken
County whites, who were encampcd
ut Ellenton, started for Rouso's
Byilge, where it was understood the
negroes wero massed in large num-
bors. Upon reaching the bridge it
was discovered that the negroes had
crossed the creek, torn up the
bridge and entrenched themselves in
the swamp.
The decisive moment had now
come. The main body Of the whites,
somo three hundred in number,
were preparing to charge on the
swamp in which wcro ambushod the
main body of the negroes, numbers
unknown, but possibly rs large
as the whites. The whites
we"e delayed ut the torn bridge,
and spent half an hour in arranging
to cross tho stream. A few strag-
CLING shots were fired on both sides,
without damage to either. AS
longth the stream was crossed and
the whites were stlEcning them
selves in the saddle for charge,
when u yell that broke from the
depths of the swamp caused them to
hesitate. A dozen guns were at the
shoulder to fire on the body Of mon
who were evidently approaching the
edge OF the swamp, when Capt.
Croft struck them down and shout
cd:
"rIIosE ARE WHITE MEN COMING THROUGH
THE SWAMP"
In n moment they broke through
tho edge of the swamp, and dis
covered that it was n body of United
States troops. The soldiers came
walking rapidly forward, totally
unarmed, many with thoir coats off,
and many Of them swinging their
hats in the air.
A committee of three whites,
headed by Croft, advanced to meet
Capt. Lloyd, in command of the
troops. After saluting, Capt. Croft
SELL.
ave arc here, sir, for the purpose
of enforcing order. Have you any
orders for us? If so, they shall be
obeyed."
81 have none, sir"
"Under what instructions are you
horo, then, sir?"
simply to preserve the peace"
"Have you any advice to otfer?'
HT O1yian Won tO disnorso vou,,