Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-11-09


the detachment set out for Sumter's camp on
Broad river. The intention of Wemyss was
to make the attack upon Sumter at the dawn
of day on the 9th, but having procured good
guides and bis horses being fresh, he arrived
at Eshdam Ford about one o'clock.
Late in the afternoon of the same day on
which Wemyss left Winns60ro, the recruiting
officers sent out by Sumter, returned according
to previous appointment. As the new recruits
were on their way to camp, it was ascertalned
that there was barrel of whisky few miles
west Of the site of the present town of Chester.
Men and officers all agreed that they were en-
titled to their share Of this whisky. Their
course was soon turned in that direction, and
on arriving, the barrel was, without any great
deal Of ceremony, rolled out and to expedite
matters, it was raised up on one end and the
head knocked out of the other end. Every
man was instructed to help himself. Very
little ceremony was observed. Any kind Of
vessel that would hold whisky was pressed in.
to service, and every man helped himself as
literally as he saw 6t. A halt Of only some
thirty minutes was made, but many of the
men we're full. The order was given to
mount. This was promptly obeyed, and men
and officers dashed off at brisk canter for
Fishdam Ford. A few miles before reaching
the camp, a squad of British scouts was dis
covered. No one knew how many British
there we're, or any thing about them. So far
as either the men or officers knew, the whole
of British brigade might be in the neigh.
borhood. Itmade no difference whether there
were many or few. The men. and officers
too, no doubt all felt the effects Of the whisky
they had recently drank, and no sooner were
The British scouts seen, than q deafen'ng shout
was raised and away all dashed in the utmost
confusion. The British took to fight at once,
and no doubt thought they were ruined.
Farm horses were urged on by their spirited
riders, over the Sandy river hills, at such
fearful gait, that it was not long till they were
completely exhausted. The British scouts
got out of sight, and the new recruits reached
sumter's camp without q scratch and flushed
with victory. .s1.
By some means Sumter had received an
intimation that he would probably be attack
ed on the night of the 9Th. Colonel Thomas
Taylor, who, after the fall of Charleston had
Joined Sumter at Clem's Branch, was connec-
ted with sumter's army. To Taylor's vigi-
lance is mainly due the repulse of Wemyss.
Sumter had no inclination to lay plans by
which he might eutrap his enemy. He was
brave man and dashing soldier, but not re-
markable for strategy. So soon as it became
probable that Sumter's camp would be at
tackled, Col. Taylor began to make prepara-
tions for its defence. The horses we're all
saddled and tied some distance in rear of the
camp. An order was made to have the gums
all freshly primed. Taylor was placed In
command of an advance guard of twenty
eight men. At short distance from the
camp of Sumter was small field. On the
border of this field, Taylor had large fires
kept burning from an early hour in the even
ing. Behind the fence, and at gun shot dis
tance from the fence, the. vigilant Taylor
placed bis picket of twenty-eight men. Sum.
ter Law near the river with his horses bridled
and saddled, ready for whatever might be re-
quired in the event the British made an at.
tack. All was silence. Sumters men were
waiting with sleepless anxiety. About mid
night, the sound Of horses feet, in the distance,
were heard. Taylor's pickets were wide
awake. Their commander ordered them not
to fire until the signal was given. When
Major wemyss came in sight of the camp
fires, he saw that his plans of operation could
not be carried out. He expected to come
upon Sumter off his guard, as Tsrleton had
come upon him at Fishing creek, two months
before. But for the sleepless vigilance OF
Thomas Taylor, this no doubt, would have
been the case.
So soon as Wemyss discovered that the
Americans were spprised of his approach, he
determined to make the attack, at once, and
not wait, as had been previously arranged,
until daylight. He feared that by postponiug
the attack, Sumter would cross the river, du-
ring the night, and by morning be out of his
reach. At one o'clock, Major Wemyss, at
the head of his detachment, charged the pick.
cts under Taylor. An order had been given
not to fire until the enemy came in full view.
The moment the British came within gun shot
distance, the order was given to fire. The
keen crack of Eve rifles was heard echoing
among the Sandy river hills. The aim had
been nnerring. One ball entered the arm,
and another the knee Of Wemyss. The Brit:
ish we're thrown into confusion and dashed in
among the blazing fires Of Taylor's pickets..
This brought them into full view, and volley,
after volley was poured in by the pickets con:
cealed behind the fence. The British could
only discover the hiding place Of the Amer.
cans By the flash of their guns. They fred
in the direction Of the blaze, but only killed
ons man. Wemyss having counted certainly
on victory, had not communicated his plans TO
.ny Of his esubalterns: When phe. fell, the
command of the detachment devolsed uponla'
lieutenant, who ordered aprecipitate retreat,
aud FASTENED, withthe party, back to Winns-,
boroo bro as fast IS possible. The British left on
=, n ~ 80 =. a., b Ls11ad nd vunynd.