Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-08


,... f.. .... ...... CONTINUED.
At Guilford Court House, the forces under
Gen. Greene were re.organized. Rather, a
council of war was held and arrangements
made to hasten the retreat and avoid, if pos
sible, general engagement with the British.
To cross the Dan at the Shallow fords was re-
garded, on account of the recent rains, as
barely within the range of possibilities. Corn
wallis was equally as near these points as
Greene, and calculated with certainty that
Greene would direct his course to these cross
ings by the nearest route.
Lieutenant.C Colonel Darlington, quarter
master.general, suggested that the attempt
should be made to cross the Dan at Irwin's
ferry. This point was seventy miles from
Guilford Court House. The suggestion made
by Col. Darlington was regarded as eminent
ly wise, and consequently was adopted. To
keep out of striking distance Of CORVALLIS
required great military skill on the part of
Greene, and promptness of action and much
physical endurance on the part of bis common
soldiers. Having determined to cross the
Dan at Irwin's ferry; the next thing was to
66l6CL D lOICO WulCu plOICCt GuO
body of the Americans whilst retreatipg, and
retard the progress of the pursuing British.
For this purpose, force of seven hundred
men was selected. This force consisted of the
choice of the infantry under Col. Howard,
Col. Washington's cavalry, Col. Lees Legion,
together with few militia riAemen under
Major Campbell. '
The command of this corps was offered to
General Morgan. For some reason, Morgan
refused to accept it, and at the same time re.
signed bis command and retired from the ar
my and never again joined it. The reason
assigned by General Morgan for this strange
conduct, at this critical moment in bis coun-
try's history, was that he was so afflicted with
rheumatism that he could no longer continue
in service. There is no doubt of his being af-
ficted with rheumatism. The kind of life
which he had led from boyhood was sufficient
to impair bis constitution and render him lia.
Bile to an attack of rheumatism at any time.
During the whole winter of 1881 be was ex.
posed to all kinds of weather, and since he was
subject to attacks of rheumatism, we may we'll
suppose that he was actually suffering with that
disease when Greene's army was at Guilford
Court House. Still this, after all, was not
tho only reason, nor was it the principal rea'
son, why Morgan retired from the army.
At Sheriff. Ford, on the last day of Janua-
~, Greene and Morgan disagreed with re.
spect to the plan of the campaign. Sharp
words passed between them, and whilst it is
certain that Greene forgot the whole affair,
and in the fullest sense forgave Morgan, such
was not the case with Morgan. This is not
by any means saying that General Morgan
was revengeful. Such was not the case, but
the kind Of warfare which General Greene
was at that time conducting, was not the kind
in which General Morgan delighted. He had
no taste for systematic retreats. His idea of
war was, meet the foe on your ground, if you
can if not, meet the foe anywhere
General Morgan having retired from the
service, the command of the select corps was
given to Col. Williams, of Maryland. Col.
Darlington was sent forward to make ar
rangement for the army to cross the river.
All the boats above and below Irwin's ferry
we're conducted to that point. On the tenth
of February, General Greene set out for the
Dan. The distance is about seventy miles,
but the roads we're almost impossible. Corn
wallis had commenced his march on the pre-
vious day, not directly in the rear of Greene,
but on his left on parallel road ..
After Greene had left Guilford Court
House, Colonel Williams. on the same day,
broke up his camp and filed to the left, for
the purpose of throwing his forces between
those of Greene and CORVALLIS. Evidently,
the greater the distance which intervened be-
tween the two armies, the greater the proba.
bility that Greene would escape unharmed