Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-22

was aware of this. He knew that the men
we're burning with hatred toward the invaders
of their country, and we're anxious to be led
into battle. They needed training but they
must be trained, not in the camp, but on the
battle field. After the affair at Williamson's 8
he began to look around for some enterprise
in which he might engage the people who had
Aocked to his camp. The British post al
Rocky Mount was selected rs the place upon
which to make an attack. ... e. ..
Rocky Mount is in the extreme south east
ern corner of Chester county, between big
Rocky Creek and the Catawba river. Lieu
tenant Colonel Turnbull was in command Of
the post. The garrison consisted of some
thing more than three hundred soldiers-all
loyalists. One hundred and fifty we're New
York loyalists, and about the same number Of
South Carolina tories. The place itself con-
sisted of rocky eminence; hence the name
Rocky Mount. The artificial Notifications
consisted of two log houses, with loop-holes
which were surrounded with a ditch and
abatis, the latter of which was some distance
from the houses. ..,..
The region around Rocky Mount was set
tied by Scotch.Irish Presbyterian-C -Convenant,
ers. They were all Wings. Not one of them
took British protection. They never intend
ed to submit to British rule. They were
ready to do and die for liberty. The Rev
William Martin was, at that time, pastor Of
Catholic Church. In every way that he
could he stirred the people up to resist the
encroachments of the British and the tories.
In the pulpit and out of it, he was the bold
advocate for American Independence. To
keep these Scotch-Irish quiet, was one object
the British had in view in stationing garri-
son at Rocky Mount. The truth is, the Brit
ish hated the Scotch-Irish, because they, had
wronged them, and the British officers frank
ly acknowledged they feared them. They
were troublesome No defeat could discour-
age them no victory could so elate them as
to throw them off their guard. = II. "'' "
East of Rocky Mount, in Lancaster couu-
ty, is Hanging Rock. Here British garri.
son, also, was stationed under the command OF
Colonel Carbon. It was concerted by Sum
ter, and Davie, of North Carolina, that a
simultaneous attack should be made upon
Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock. The OBJ,
iect was to prevent troops being sent from the
one point to the other. The distance between
the two garriscns was about fifteen miles.
To carry out this plan, Sumter moved down
to Davies camp on Waxhaw creek. On the
morning of the thirtieth Of July, Sumter
and Davie set out with their respective troops,
Sumter crossed Catawba river at what was
then Blair's ford. He was accompanied by
Colonels Neil, Lacy and Irvine, and Captain
John Mcclure. Davie passed down the east
side of the Catawba. .... ..'...
Early on the morning of the 31st, Sumter
reached Rocky Mount. A tory had apprised
Turnbull of sumter's approach, and prepa'
rations had been made 70 give Sumter and
his men warm reception. Sumter had no
cannon. The Wings poured volley after vol
lev into the forti6cation, and the British were
soon forced to take refuge in the log houses.
Here the enemy was safe, and no victory
could be gained unless they could be driven
from the houses, or the houses be destroyed
The houses we're situated at the bottom Of q
slope. The idea occurred to Sumter that the
houses might be burned. Accordingly, an
old wagon was loaded with dry brush and
straw, gathered: from the obatis,, and rolled
down against the houses, having Grst been set
on fire. This failed. x ...a I'LL g: i.
Sumter then, in his impetuosity, called out
for two men to volunteer to set the houses on
fire. Colonel William ELL, the grandfather
of General D. H Hill, and James johnson,
the uncle Of Chancellor johnson, stepped out
and offered their services. An armfal of rich
pine was procured and the two heroes set out
to accomplish the task. If they were 80 for
tunate as to succeed, Colonel Turnbull would
be made prisoner; and if they failed, he
would be permitted to live to fight some other
day. They had to face the loop'holes of the
houses. In front of them was large rock.
Protected by this, they boldly proceeded to
accomplish their dangerous undertaking.
Crouching on all fours, keeping the rock be-
tween them and the house, they boldly ad'
vanced. johnson carried the armful of pine
and Hill watched the enemy. When they
arrived at the proper distance, in the face OF
a terrific fire, johnson rushed forward and
threw the burning faggots on top of the
houses. The flames began to roll toward the
heavens. Hill and johnson rushed back to
their fellows. Their clothes were literally
riddled with bullets, and the locks of their
hair shot away. ......
hung out flag indicating his
readiness to surrender. Sumter ordered his
men to cease firing. Just at this moment
when both parties thought Rocky Mount and
Turnbull would soon be in the hands of the
patriots, it began to rain and extinguished the
flames. Sumter, now seeing that nothing
could be done, led his men away, and having
crossed the Catawba at Landsford, went back
to Clem's branch.
At this time there we're number of Whig
prisoners in the houses. Amongst these pris
oners was the brave old covenanter preacher
William Martin. The Wing women of the
neighborhood came to the spot so soon as tht
firing was heard. They came, not to idly
look on, but to act as angels of mercy to tht
wounded, and to fight if there should be neee
for it. No accurate account of Sumters los
was kept. Amongst those who fell, was Coz
onel Neil. The British lost twenty in killed
and wounded.