Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-22

oss l. H. ~ -oAO1I> A-e - 3
aid General Greene. A very considerable
number Of the men in their commands wer
the men who fought 80 bravely at King
Mountain and won soglorious q victory owe
the gallant Colonel Ferguson. The infantr!
commanded by Pickens, we're, many of them
Kings Mountain boys "As iron shsrpenetl
iron," so the meeting of those who had gazet
upon heaps of dead British and tories on tn
morning after the battle Of Kings Mountain
and seen the wagons of Ferguson draw
across his camp fires and burnt up, must hav'
infused new energy into Lee and Picken
and the men in their several commands.
Shortly after midnight, the zen in Lee
command were aroused, and at three O'Clock
in the morning they set out for the camp O.
Tarleton. Before reaching the place, it wa
discovered that Tarleton had, during th'
night, broken up his camp and set out fo'
Hillsboro. This news filled the minds o
both the men and officers in Lees command
with disappointment. All had confidently
counted on surprise. and the chances were
favorable for capturing Tarleton and his
whole command.
Tarleton was also disappointed. Many o.
those belonging to Pyles party, who escaped
the swords of Lees dragons, fled to Tarle
toms camp. Wounded and covered with
blood, they complained that they had been
attacked by the British. So completely were
they deceived BY the appearance of Lees
legion, that it was not until after they reached
Tarleton's camp that they discovered that
they had fallen into the hands of the Ameri
cans. The British were making preparations
to avenge the blood of the loyalists under
Colonel Pyle, who had been wounded and
killed, when Tarleton received orders from
CORVALLIS, to come back to his camp, which
was, at that time, on the west bank of the
Emo. r..
General Greene had crossed the Dan on
the twenty. second and twenty.third, and was
moving into North Carolina. Su soon as
CORVALLIS learned this fact, be began to fear
that his forces might be attacked in detach'
ments and his whole army destroyed. To
prevent this, he ordered Tarleton back to
camp. So intensely anxious was CORVALLIS
for the return of Tarleton, that he sent no
less than three couriers, at different intervals
during the day, with orders for his prompt
return. It is probable that Tarleton would
have measured swords with Lee had be been
ordered to camp but single time. ..~.
From ONeil's, the Haw was distant about
four miles, At this point the river was cross.
ed on ferry boat. One mile below there
was another ferry. Seven miles below was
the ford at which both the Americans and
British. had crossed on the preceding day.
The American officers thought it probable
that Tarleton would attempt to cross at one
or both of the ferries. It was determined to
pursue the trail of the enemy, thinking il
possible to overtake his rear at the river. The
morning was dark and time precious. In or
der that the troops might follow directly in
the track of the enemy, Lees Legion kindled
pine torches and led the way. Tarleton led
his men first along the road leading to the
nearest ferry, then passed to the right and
fell into the road leading to the ferry mile
below, and again inclining to the right, fell
into the road leading to the ford. When day
broke, the Americans, following directly in
the enemy's trail, were within two miles of
the ford. The cavalry, accelerating their
speed, pushed on to the river, leaving the in
fantry to follow. When they came in sight
of the river, the rear guard of the British
we're descending the hill to the ford. The
main body had just crossed, and taken po-
sition to protect the rear.
Again, for the third time in twenty-four
hours, Tarleton had been nearly within the
grasp of Lee and Pickens, and each time e.
capped. Within sight of the escaping foe, a
consultation was held by Lee and Pickens
with regard to the propriety of marching rap
idly up the Haw and crossing at the nearest
ferry and then falling in behind Tarleton with
the view Of crippling him. 1t was thought,
however, on more mature deliberation, that
CORVALLIS had, in all probability, learned
what Lee and Pickens were doing, and would
send succor to Tarleton. Fearing that the
pursuit might result in needless exposure,
they desisted from pursuing the wary foe
and marching up the west bank of the Haw,
encamped and refreshed their troops in the
FIRST settlement that was able to afford them
supplies. :
Tarleton reached the camp of CORVALLIS,
without having experienced any great loss,
but he had failed, completely, to effect the
purpose for which he had been sent out. The
object which he had in view was to encourage
the loyalsts, between the Haw and Deep
rivers, and act as kind of escort to the loyal
Colonel Pyle, in his march to Hillsboro.
Poor Pyle, as we have already seen, fell into
the hands of Lees legion, and was, at single
blow, exterminated. Never was any body of
men more unfortunate than that which was
commanded by Pyle. Whatever interest in
the British government the presence Of Colo
mel Tarleton had inspired in the inhabitants
of the country between the Haw and Deep
rivers, the defeat of Pyle more than counter.
acted it. The hopes of the loyalists were
ready to die. CORVALLIS saw that something
must be done. Under the circumstances,
he concluded to march his whole force into
the region lately abandoned by Tareton. On
the twenty sixth of February, be left his camp