Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-01

Aisturp ut s. Garplina.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
THE RETREAT OF GENERAL GREENE.
coNT1NUED.]
General Greene was not long in discover.
ing the intentions of the British Earl. He
determined to disconcert all his plans and
frustrate all his strategy. When Morgan left
the Cowpens, the forces of Greene were so
situated that they could not act with any
concert. The main force was on Hicks creek,
in Chesterfield county, and Colonel Lee, with
the main body of cavalry, was sixty miles
below Cheraw, acting in concert with Marion.
The object which Cornwallis at first had in
view, was to rescue the prisoners captured by
Morgan at the Cowpens Failing in this, his
next object was to overtake Morgan and des-
troy his division before it could be joined by
Huger and Lee.
So soon as Greene discovered the condition
of things, he ordered Huger, Williams and
Lee, to join Morgan either at Charlotte or
Salisbury. 1t was not long before it became
evident that this could not be done. Guilford
Court House was then appointed as the place
at which the several detachments should
unite. Apparently, the existence Of Greenes
army depended upon this union. On the
other hand, the success of the British depen-
ded upon keeping the several detachments
separate. To form this junction, required
everything that is requisite to constitute q
military chieftain of the highest rank.
Looking at the thing coolly and dispassion-
ately, the chances were all against Greene
and in favorof Cornwallis. Nothing but dire
necessity could induce any officer to under
take what Greene undertook. He knew that
he was dealing with a general of no ordinary
skill and courage. He was fully persuaded
that every wrong move on his part would be
promptly improved by his enemy. As We
have seen, CORVALLIS, that he might succeed
in his undertaking, had destroyed, on the 25th
of January, all bis superAuous baggage.
Having completed the arrangements for the
advance of Morgan's troops, General Greene
set out from the Catawbs for Salisbury. A
few miles from Torrence's tavern, he and
Smith halted, that Gen. Davidson and the mi.
litia might come up. Here, exposed to the
rain and cold, Greene remained until mid.
night, when he was informed of Dsvidson's
death and the rout of the militia at Torrence's
tavern. Had Tarleton only known where
Greene was, with a few men he could. have
captured him and thus blasted all the plans
of the Southern army. So soon as Greene
learned the actual condition of things with
the North Carolina militia, he set out at once
for Salisbury.
Here he arrived some time between mid
night and. day-break. Cold and wet, hungry
and benunbed, disappointed and distressed ip
spirits, he went to tavern kept by Elizabeth
Steele. DR.. William Read, a surgeon in the
American army, was at this time quartered
in Salisbury. General Greene Immediately
sent for him. Read arose from bis bed, and
having hastily dressed, went at once to meet
Greene. When the two met, Read, with In
tense anxiety, inquired what was the matter.
"Sir," said Greene, ~ am here alone. / am
worn out with fatigue. am hungry and !
am without cent of money"
These words were heard by Mrs. Steele, and
it was not long until breakfast was brought
into his room. While General Greene was
eating his breakfast, his patriotic hostess en-.
tered the room with a small bag of specie in
each hand. This money, the earnings of sew.
eral years, was delivered to her guest. At
first he refused to receive it, but Mrs. Steele
forced it upon him, saying, "take it; you need
it, and 1 can get along without it."
In the room in which General Greene was
breakfasting, there hung portrait Of the
King of England. Greene took it down and
wrote upon the back these words: 20, George,
hide thy face and mourn )" and then hung the
portrait up again with the face turned to the
wall.
General Greene having learned, immediate
ly before his arrival at Salisbury, that the
British were pursuing Morgan, with all posi-
BILE speed sent his aids and other attendants to
bear dispatches to the different detachments
of the Southern army. Some were sent to as
sist Huger, Williams and Lee in joining
Morgan, and others were sent to Morgan to
inform him of the movements of the British.
The news of Davidson's death, the disper-
sion of the militia and the advance of the
British, was known in Salisbury by certain
class of citizens before Greene arrived. A
plundering party, probably part British and
part tories, had that night, but short time
before General Greene's arrival, entered the
town and plundered the houses Of several Of
the citizens. Evidently, it was not prudent
for Greene to remain long in place where
be might be captured at any moment. Nor.
gan's corps-at least portion Of it-soen
passed through the town, and Greene followed
it. Many of the Wings in the surrounding
country abandoned their homes, and with
+be;r w;uea and children folloWed Morgan.
During the day and night of the second Of
February, Morgan crossed the Yadkin at
Trading or Island ford. The horses forded; /;
the army baggage was transported in flats.
Some of the wagons belonging to the country