Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-19
Misturp pt s. Garn1ina,

HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement Of South Carolina.
BY Rev. ROBERT LATHAM.
MARION AND HIS MEN.
CAPTURE OF FORT WATSON.
Shortly after the defeat of General Gates
at Camden, General Marion began to operate,
independently, in the southeastern section OF
the State of South Carolina. For some time,
Lieutenant Colonel Lee and he were together,
but on the removal of General Greenes forces
from Hicks creek, near Cheraw, Marion was
left alone. Some times his forces numbered
several hundred at other times they amount
ed to no more than score.
The headquarters Of Marion and bis men
was Shows Island. This place is in Williams
burg county, short distance below the con-
fuence of Lynch's creek and the Great Pee
Dee. On the north, east, and south, Shows
Island is flowed round by the Pee Dee; whilst
on the west it is bounded by Clark's creek
and impossible swamps. The Island itself is
high river swamp, and at the time Of tho
Revolution was covered with canes. From
north to south it is about three miles long, and
from east to west it is about two miles broad.
Nature fortified it and rendered it admirably
adapted to the purposes for which Marion and
his men selected it. From this stronghold
the gallant partizan often lead his few, but
faithful, followers against the tories and
British.
In the exploits Of Marion and his men,
there is more of romance than in the deeds of
any other partizan corps that was in existence
during the Revolutionary war. The military
record of no officer is better than that of
Francis Marion. He never was surprised ;
he never made serious blunder; and he
never was driven from the field of conflict.
He fought according to no military rules.
Wherever be found his foe he dashed in upon
him, fought until his ammunition was ex-
hausted, and then retired. No officer, it is
but just to remark, was ever more faithfully
and energetically aided by bis subalterns than
was Marion. Among these may be mentioned
as worthy of honorable distinction, Peter
Horny, the James brothers, Henry Mouzon,
John McCauley, William McCottry, Gavin
Witherspoon, Joseph Scott, John Baxter,
John Swinton and John Erwin. These are
not all. The Postells, the Bacots and many
others have carved their names on the tablets
of the nations memory.
Major Horny led brigade Of cavalry. All
the implements of offense and defense in this
brigade we're of the most primitive character.
The saws were taken from the mills, and being
placed in the hands of ordinary blacksmiths,
we're converted into swords. From the mid.
die of November, 1880, to the middle Of
April, 1871, Marion and his men kept the
British and tories in and around GeorgetoRn
in state of constant alarm. No great and
decisive battles were fought; but at George
town, at socastee Swamp, at Whites Bridge,
at Wiboo Swamp, at Mount Hope, at Black
River Bridge, at Sampit Bridge, and at va
rious other localities, battles were fought by
Marion or his subalterns, which had favor.
able effect upon the American cause. In all
of these battles, small as they we're, the Amer
ican cause gained something while in all of
them the British and tory loss was very con-
siderable.
On the 18th of April, 1881, Lieutenant
Colonel Lee Joined General Marion in one Of
the many swamps of Black river, in Williams
burg county. The plans of General Greene
we're unfolded to Marion by Lee, and without
a moments delay these two officers agreed
upon a scheme for immediate operations. 1t
was at once determined to make an attack
upon Fort Watson. This place was garrison
ed by about one hundred and twenty men,
two.thirds of whom were regulars the other
third was loyalists. Lieutenant Mckay, a
young man, but brave and energetic officer,
was in command of the fort.
Fort Watson was in Sumter county, on the
left bank of the Santee river. From Kings
tree, the county seat of Williamsburg, it is
distant, nearly west, about thirty-6ve miles,
and south of Sumterville about thirty miles.
The spot upon which the fort was erected was
mound, near fifty feet high. Here it was
thought the Indians had, in times past, de.
posted their dead. The garrison was sup.
piled with water from Scott's lake.
Fort Watson could not be regarded, in the
modern sense Of the word, a strong place. 1t
was simple stockade, with no cannon. It
was, Notwithstanding, an important place. 1t
was link in the chain of fortifcations which
the British had established through the coun.
try and along the rivers, for the purpose of
keeping open their communications with
Charleston. The fall of Fort Watson would
necessitate the evacuation of Camden. De-
termined, if possible, to reduce it, Marion and
Lee set out on the morning Of the 10Th Of
April for the locality. d. ..-,....3y i +. 1rt,I
Colonel Watson, in honor of whom the fort
had been named, was at that time on Catfish
creek, near the site of the present town of
Marion. Captain Gavin Witherspoon, with
a small body of men, was left to watch Wat
sons movements. On the evening Of the 10Th,
Marion and Lee reached the neighborhood Of
Fort Watson, and on the morning Of tho 16ah,
their forces were stationed preparatory to q
regular seige. Marion sent in flag, demand
ing an unconditional surrender of the fort.
This Mckay promptly refused. -. II
The supply of water was soon cut off but
McKay soon sunk a we'll within the stockade,