Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-15

$500 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
NO. z.
of Tarleton. The nineteenth and twentieth
were spent in various marchings and counter
marchings, for the purpose Of gaining correct
information respecting the number and move
Wents Of the enemy.
On the twenty-fnt, the Americans crossed
the Haw and learned, as they had suspected,
that the loyalists between the Hsw and Deep
rivers were making rapid preparation to join
CORVALLIS at Hillsboro at an early day.
From Ephraim Cooke, sort Of half way
tory, they ascertained that Tarleton's forces
consisted Of four hundred foot soldiers, two
small brass field pieces and the larger number
of hisoNn legion. From the same indiyid-
usI, they learned that Tsrleton was encamp-
Cd only about three miles ahead. Cooke said,
Tarleton, thinking himself in no danger, had
ordered all the horses to be unsaddled. The
American officers at once determined, al
though their numbers were less than those Of
the British, to make an attack at once They
calculated, from the reports which they had
Just heard, that they would be able to sur
prise Tarleton. They formed themselves for
the attack and dashed forward as stealthily
as possible. On arriving in sight Of the
camp. they discovered that the British were
gone. A few cayalrymen dashed up to the
farmhouse at which the British detachment
had been recently camped. Two officers, who
had remained behind to settle their bill with
the owner of the farm, were captured. From
these prisoners it was learned that Tarleton
had gone to the plantation of Colonel Viii
liam O,Neil. -; .l&lsgix i lsre.os
This Colonel William O.Neil was profess
edly Whig, but in reality an ignominious
swindler. At the ont breaking Of the war he
was poor, but before the war ended had grown
rich. One of the ways by which be increased
his wealth, was to cause the rich in the COM
munity, and all the sons Of large and depen.
dent families, to be drafted for the army and
then, for pay, furnish them with substitute
or permit them to remain at home to be in 8
short time drafted again. From those who
we're unable to pay him money to get off from
going to the army, he would take horses, and
when he had collected drove would send
them off to be sold. he always managed to
keep at respectable distance from the enemy,
/ and consequently was never in battle The
unrighteous acts of this Colonel, pretending to
be acting in accordance with the commands
of the American government, greatly incensed
many Of the citizens of the country between
the Haw and Deep rivers. So great was
their indignation towards the infamous o Neil,
that they lost all affection for the American
cause and determined to give their assistance
to the British. 500 ~
On learning that Tarleton was at O'Neils,
Lee, who evidently was the master spirit Of .
the American detachment, determined to re-
sort to stratagem in order to capture him.
Between the cavalry Of Lees Legion and
that of Tarleton, there was striking resen-
blance. Persons net accustomed to scrutinize
men closely, would be likely to mistake the
one for the other. The South Carolina mill
tia, under Pickens, were 90 placed that they
would be as much out of ight as possible,
and Lee announced to his men that his inten-
ton. was to pass of for Colonel Tarleton, and
his men were ordered to favor the stratagem.
In front Of the whole. at the diataneanf 4 fan
hundred yards, was small scouting party:
The Legion, with Colonel Lee, accompanied
by the two prisoners, at its head, followed.
The prisoners were ordered, on pain Of death,
to favor the deception.
In this order, they had not gone far when
the van was met by couple OF young men,
mounted On splendid steeds Joy beamed in
their countenances. They were evidently
young recruits, and knew nothing Of the wiles
Of war. The van of the Americans, feigning
to be Tarleton's men, halted them and asked
to whom they belonged. These ursuspecting
young soldiers replied that they belonged to
Colonel Pyle's command, and had been sent
out by their commander to find Col Tarie-
toms camp. In the simplicity Of their hearts,
the two young cavalrymen stated frankly all
about the intentions Of their commanding Off.
Ger. They were at once sent back to Colonel
Lee, with an American soldier, who was to
give a correct account of all that had trans-
pired. The two young loyalists saluted Col.
Lee as Col Tarleton, and Lee returned the
salutation. The Adjutant of Lees Legion
was sent to Pickens, requesting him to keep
his riaemen concealed.
Just at this time Captain Graham had join.
ed Lee, and his forces were with Pickens.
All was. intense excitement. A body Of un.
suspecting loyalists we're about to be caught
in trap. "Every thing is fair in wal" isa
motto that will not bear to be closely exam
ined.. Lee, however, designed nothing more
than to disarm Colonel Pyle and his men and
send them back to their own fre-sides, or give
them chance to come out and fight for their
country against the British. The thing turn
ed out far differently; but still Lee was not to
be blamed.
!. One of the loyal young soldiers was sent
forward to bear Colonel Tarleton's coupi-
ments to Colonel Pyle and to ask him to 80
dispose his troops on the ide Of the road, that
his weary forces could pass without incon-
venience. Colonel Pyle promptly replied
that he would be happy 70 comply with the
request Lee, the pretended Tarleton, accom-.
panied by the other unwary horseman Of
Pyle, now advanced. Pyle had drawn his
men as requested, and was himself. at the end
of the column most distant from the approach
of Lee and his men: As Lee rode along the
road past Pyles men, he complimented them
for their good looks and praised their horses.
The poor dupes smiled most .graciously. At
last Lee reached the position occupied BY
Colonel Pyle and advanced towards him.
Then all along their line the loyalists and to-
ries shouted "God save the kingp
The understanding was, that 80 soon as
Lee would grasp the hand of Pyle, that the
cavalry of Lee would close in'upon the 10y
alists and demand an unconditional surrender.
r Al. y =, Ill