Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-25
Misturp ut 8. Garuliaa.
: HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY-.BRITIsH
MOVEMENTS.

MOVEMENTS.
The capture of Charleston and the surrender
of General Lincoln's army, put the British
in full possession of both Georgia and South
Carolina. The Republican cause seemed
hopeless. The Southern army was totally
annihilated. The highest military officer in
the State of South Carolina, not included in
the list of prisoners taken at the surrender,
was General Andrew Williamson. This Of
icer, from the beginning of the Revolution
up to this period, had shown himself warm
friend and brave defender Of the cause Of the
patriots. A man of great common sense, but
singularly. illiterate; Scotchman by birth,
of an enthusiastic temperament but, withal,
double minded and vascillating man.
When, in 1850, General Montgomery was
sent to chastise the Indians in the Northwest
ern section of South Carolina and adjacent
regions, Andrew Williamson, full of military
ardor, Joined him and in the following year
he accompanied similar expedition under
General Grant. On account of his ardor in
behalf of liberty, and on account of his un-
yielding opposition to the tory clan in the
Ninety-Six region-his district-he was pro-
NOTED to brigadier. By occupation he was
cow.driver, and was regarded the best
woods-man of his time. This fitted him for
the position of leader of partisan troops.
Andrew Williamson remained true to the
cause of his country, until after the siege Of
Savannah. After this event he was suspect
ed of completely with the enemy. During
the siege of Charleston, he neglected to render
General Lincoln any assistance. At that time
he had in arms three or four hundred militia,
but made no effort to succor Lincoln. So soon
as the fall of Charleston and the surrender
of General Lincoln's army was announced in
the Ninety.Six district, General Williamson
called his officers together and represented the
cause of the country as hopelessly desperate.
Most of the militia, and, in fact, the greater
part of the citizens in the region, were crushed
in spirits. The militia were disbanded, and
General Williamson returned to his farm.
Those who did not sink into submission, re-
tired some from the State, and others into
other sections more congenial to their feelings.
With the exception of small body Of men
under Colonel Buford, in the Camden district,
there was not an armed body Of men in the
State.
Heretofore the British, although they had
concealed the fact, had been discouraged; but
now, all things seemed to indicate a speedy
and successful close to the war; The curren-
cy of the country was worthless and provis-
ions of all kinds were scarce. The people
Aocked by hundreds to the British camp, and
gave free utterance to the sentiments Of their
hearts, in opposition to the war. Multitudes
of what may, with propriety, be called the
aristocracy Of the State, never contemplated
absolute separation from the British govern
ment These focked to the British comman-
ders and expressed their sorrow for their past
deeds of rebellion, and made fair and honest
promisos of loyalty to tho British crown in the
future. All we're pardoned, and many of them
were rewarded with Office in the British army.
More than two hundred of the citizens Of
Charleston declared themselves the friends of
Great Britain. This was. not all. In the
State there were, at that time, horde Of
merchants and swarm of hucksters, who,
like buzzards, we're growing fat on the desc
lation of the country. This class Of citizens
cared nothing for liberty. One form of gov
ernment was as good in their eyes as another
All they cared for was to amass fortune
In order to save their ill-gotten gains, this
class sought protection beneath the British
lion. The British officers made generous Of
fers to those who would return to their for
mer allegiance, and pronounced harsh threats
against those who persisted to rebel.
The love of their families induced many to
take British protection, and policy or hypoc-
risy urged others to do the same thing In
the lower section of the State, the spirit Of
resistance was, for the moment, crushed out
The country had been plundered by the enc
my and its supplies consumed by the soldiers.
The cry for bread was piteously uttered by the
wife and children ; and the husband and fa-
ther, that he might save those near and dear
to him alive, made what, under other circum-
stances, would have been regarded a disgrace
full allegiance with his enemy.
Sir Henry Clinton, believing that the State
was completely subdued, called upon the cit
liens to come forward and support the Brit
ish government and establish order and har-
mony in the country. The terms proposed
were easy and generous. The young men
were asked to serve six months in the royal
army, but were promised that they should not
be taken out of the Carolinas and Georgia.
They were assured that in every respect they
should be treated as regular soldiers, and en-.
titled to the same pay, and, besides, allowed
the privilege Of choosing their own officers.
This was not all. After six months service
they would be exempt from all military SER
vice, except militia duty at home The men
who had families were asked to arm them
selves for the protection of their homes. How
ever humiliating this offer, its generosity,
honestly, no doubt, made, spoiled the patriots.
There were multitudes whose tender regard
for their dependent families induced them to
accept, at least in appearance, the offer Of
General Clinton.
Some who had fought bravely for freedom,
accepted the offer made by the British COM
mander-iu.chief, and entered the royal army
some as privates, others as officers. Some,
who stood high in position, so far degraded
themselves as to receive commissions as COM