Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-09

artillery began splrlteu nre upon tne D'''
ish line. The British replied promptly. From
flank to flank, the Americans poured in
constant fire, and from flank to flank the
British gallantly responded. The conflict
was fearful. The Wing militia stood their
ground like veterans. Stewart brought his
line into action. His artillery played inces-
sanity upon the advancing column of militia.
Steadily they moved forward amid shower
of cannon and musket balls. The infantry
of Lees legion was 6ercely met by the 63rd'
whilst Malmedy and his corps was furioasly
assailed by the 64th. The North Carolinians
gave way, and the enemys left pressed for
ward. The State troops, under Henderson,
were now furiously set upon by the flank bat
talions under Majoribanks, and by the Irish
Bluffs. Just at this critical moment one of
the field pieces of the British was disabled
and both of the three-pounders of Gaines we're
silenced. Left unsupported by artillery, the
State troops still continued to fight like tried
veterans Not until they had fired seventeen
rounds, did they give way, and then only be-
cause overwhelmed by superior numbers:
To gil up the gap made by the giving way
of the militia, General Greene ordered up the
second line, under General Sumner. Stewart,
at the same moment, brought into the action
his infantry reserves. These fresh troops
fought each other with desperate fury for
short time. Unfortunately, Colonel Hender-
son was disabled by a wound. This produced
a moments confusion in the American ranks
Hampton, Polk and Middleton discovering
the critical condition of affairs, exerted them.
selves and soon restored order.
The brigade which Sumner commanded,
being composed mainly of raw recruits, gave
way and fed in confusion. The British rush.
ed forward and were soon in as great disorder
in pursuit as the militia were in flight Gen.
Greene ordered Williams "to sweep the field
with bayonets." The Virginians under Camp
bell, and the Marylanders under Williams,
rushed forward, determined to change the as.
pect of affairs or die in the attempt. At the
distance of forty PAGES from the enemy, these
veterans discharged their muskets, and with
trailed arms and deafening shout, the whole
second line of the Americans rushed to the
charge. The confusion of the British, al
ready great on account of the eagerness with
which they pursued the fleeing militia, was
now rendered doubly great by the furious
charge to which they were subjected. So soon
as the smoke was blown away and the confu.
sion of the British was discovered, Captain
Rudolph, of Lees Legion, wheeled his cavalry
in upon them and swept everything before
him. The Marylanders under Howard, and
the Irish Bluffs, were fighting hand to hand
In number of instances the combatants stood
transfxed with each others bayonets. The
British right and center gave way and the
Americans raised the shout of victory.
During rtrc c1ur oo4 ueaoord
line, Majoribanks, who was posted along the
banks of Eutaw creek, kept pouring in
deadly fire into the American flank. Colonels
Washington and Hampton were ordered to
dislodge him. The position held by Majori-
banks was not capable of being approached
by cavalry, except by small tract between
him and the creek. Washington divided his
cavalry into sections, and attempted to gain
the rear of Majoribanks. The creek was on
one side and dense thcket on the other.
Washington had advanced but short dis
tance on this narrow path, when volley of
musketry, fired by men concealed behind the
thicket, proved fatal to numbers of those
brave men who had fought so many hard
battles. Colonel Washingtons horse was shot
dead, and he himself bayoneted, and but for
the interpostion of British officer, would =.
have been killed in moment. The ground
was literally covered with dead men and hor-
ses. One half of Washington's cavalry was
either killed or wounded, and every officer ex-
cept two.
Hampton, who had not joined Washington
when the latter attempted to gain Majori.
banks rear, now gathered up the scattered
remains of the cavalry. In the meantime,
Kirkwood, with his Delawares, attacked Ma
ioribanks. The whole British line now be-
gan to give way. Majoribanks attempted to
cover the retreat Everything seemed favor
able to the Americans The British were re-
treating in confusion. Some were running
down the Charleston road, depending for safe
ty only in the speed with which they fled
from the field of conflict. The enemy's tents
stood just in the rear of the line of battle. In
their flight they passed through their own
camp, destroying, as far as time would per-
NIT, their stores. In'the British army there
was nothing but confusion. The veterans
were slowly retreatiug, whilst the loyalists
who had sought protection in the camp Of
Stewart, panic.strcken lest they might fall
into the hands of the Americans, mounting
horse where ever they could find one, fled in
terror, many of them, to Charleston.
At the forks of the road was large brick
house with number of servants houses, to-
gether with other out buildings and a garden.
Stewart had erected some defences at this
point. Maoribanks made halt behind the
garden, and Major Sheridan, with number
of New York volunteers, fled into the brick
house. Stewart himself was down the Charles
ton road, rallying his fleeing soldiers.
In the pursuit, the Americans passed d.
rectly through the enemy's camp. The Com
missaries had not been able to destroy all the
stores. The prize was too tempting for the
majority of the American soldiers. Hungry
and nearly naked, as most of them were, they
began to appropriate, without stint, the good