Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-15
Misturp If 8. Garnlina.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
EarIy Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.

BY Rev. ROBERT LATHAM.
THE RETREAT OF CORVALLIS.
About the middle of the afternoon of the
10Th of March, 1881, General Greene drew
off his troops from the field at Guilford Court
House. Neither Greene nor CORVALLIS had
q clear idea of the results Of the battle
Greene retreated to Speedwell's iron works.
and made preparations for another conflict
CORVALLIS was too much crippled to pursue
him. For period Of two months, Cornwall
lis had been exerting all his energies and ply.
ing every strategy his fertile mind could de.
wise, to bring on a general engagement with
Greene. At last, the long wished for NC
ment arrived and the conflict came. While
its management did honor to the military
talents of the British general, its results par.
alyzed his arm and rendered the accomplish.
ing of bis ultimate purpose hopeless. Since
leaving Turkey creek, in York county, on
the 18th Of January, he had lost one half Of
bis army and nearly all his baggage. Instead
of making friends of the inhabitants of the
country through which he passed, his opera.
tions had converted many of the loyalista
into Wings, or caused them or assume pas.
sive attitude.
The night after the battle Of Guilford Court
House was cold and rainy. The dead and
wounded, both of the Americans and British,
lay scattered promiscuously all over the field
of conflict. The grosns ofthe wounded rose
above the noise of the falling rain. More
than fifty of the wounded died during the
night. The next morning was devoted to
burying the dead and caring for the wounded.
This duty devolved upon the British army.
To the honor of CORVALLIS, he devoted as
much attention to the dead and wounded Of
the American army, as he did to those of the
British.
So soon as the dead we're buried and the
wounded cared for, Cornwallis set out for New
Garden meeting house: This was not the
course conqueriug general would have ta-
ken. Had CORVALLIS really believed that
"his Majesty's arms had been crowned with
signal success" he would most certainly have
followed General Greene Instead Of doing
this, he led his depleted and dispirited army
back to New Garden meeting house. There
he was Joined by the baggage wagons, which
had been sent of, before the battle, to aplace
of safety. Notwithstanding his boastings Of
victory, Cornwallis was now actually retreat:
ing from Greene, and in accordance with the
principles of that philosophy which prompts
the little boy to whistle when passing a grave
yard, that he may frighten away the ghosts
the British General issued proclamation in
which ha announced that t-a-eeaplsts- victory
had been gained over the rebel forces on the
18th, at Guilford Court House.
On the 18th, leaving, under flag of truce
seventy of his wounded, who wereunable tc
be moved, and few wounded Americans al
New Garden, he set out for the Scotch settle
ment on the Cape Fear river, at what wat
then called Cross Creek-now Fayetteville
On its way to Cross Creek, the royal army en-
camped at Bells mill, on Deep Abeut
the middle of the afternoon, CORVALLIS and
the van of the royal army reached the house
of.M Bell. The British Earl dismounted
and entered the house. Having taken gen
eral survey of everything in the house, he
asked Mrs. Bell where her husband was.
"In Greene's camp" was the prompt reply
"Well, madam" continued CORVALLIS, ~
must make your house my headquarters for
few days, and take your mill to grind corr
for my soldiers" '
"Sir, you have the power to do ss you
please; but permit me ask, do you intend to
burn my house and mill when you leave p
"Why do you ask that question :"
"Answer me FIRST. and then / will tell you. y
"No," said CORVALLIS, "your house and
mill shall not be burned. will make your
house my headquarters, and your person and
property shall be protected from insult and
injury" "
"Well, sir" said Mrs. Bell, "since you
were so kind as to answer my question, will
answer yours. Had it been your intention to
burn my mill and house after using them,
had determined to save you the trouble by
burning them myself before you used them
At this bold and fearless declaration, Corn
wallis took no offence. As the different di.
visions came in, he gave instructions to each,
in a nervous manner, which attracted the at.
tention of Mrs. Bell. He would sit down
but remain for only moment, and then ri.
sing up excitedly, walk hastily across the
house for few times, and then sit down,
again, and. soon rise and walk across the
house as before.
During the time that he was exhibiting 80
much nervousness, he told Mrs. Bell, in rsth'
er boasting tone, that he had completely
annihilated General Greene's army. "Nevel
again" he said," will Greene be able either to
assist his friends or injure his enemies"
The evening was cold, and Mrs. Bell had
closed the door. CORVALLIS went to the
back door, and having opened it, looked ex'
citedly up the road for few moments and
commenced his tramp across the house. Mrs
Bell got up and quietly shut the door, which
the Earl had left open. Again Cornwsllis
opened the door and gazed up the road, and
in few moments began to walk across the
house, leaving the door open as before. Mrs.
Bell got up and shut the door. For mum.
ber of times CORVALLIS opened the door and
Mrs. Bell closed it. Finally, CORVALLIS
opened it and said, in commanding tone,