Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-07-05

between forty and htty prisoners, exniolted
them to the view of the sentinels on the more
advanced redoubts, and retired at his leisure.
Colonel Hampton also burned four vessels
bearing supplies for the British army.
Colonel Lee took the British post at Dor.
chester, secured the whole surrounding coun-
try, capturing large number of wagons and
wagon-horses, conveying provisions from
Charleston to Rawdon.
Whilst Sumter and Hampton were opera
ting in front of Charleston, and Lee in the
neighborhood of Dorchester, Marion and
Maham, having crossed the Cooper river near
its head, and Wadboo creek, were operating
in the neighborhood of Biggin Church.
At Monks Corner, about one mile distant,
Lieutenant-C Colonel Coates was stationed. His
command consisted of the nineteenth reg-
ment. The American officers we're exceed.
ingly anxious to overthrow Colonel Coates
and his regiment. For this purpose Lee and
Sumter, having effected their plans in the
sections to which they had been ordered, led
their troops to join Marion, in the region of
Monks Corner. On the assembling of the
forces, the first object to be accomplished
was to destroy the bridge over Cooper river.
The cavalry of Coates advanced with the
determination to prevent the destruction of
the bridge. Here severe skirmish took
place, in which the Americans we're successful.
Coates drew out all bis force to protect his
cavalry, and Sumter supposing that Coates
was advancing to bring on general engage
ment, retired to a more favorable position.
Coates had no such design. Waiting until
the day had passed away, then, under cover
of the night. he collected the greater part of
bis stores into Biggin Church, and setting fire
to the whole, quietly but rapidly, withdrew
his forces in the direction of Wadboo and
Quinby.
The flames which, ilumined the surround
ing country, revealed to the American officers
the plans of the enemy. Without moments
delay, the Americans began the pursuit. Lee
and Hampton led the van. On crossing the
Wadboo, they discovered that the infantry
and cavalry of the enemy had separated.
The cavalry had directed its course to the
right, keeping close to the Cooper river, while
the infantry had pursued more easterly
route.
Colonel Hampton set out in full pursuit of
the cavalry. whilst Lee followed the infantry.
The enemy's cavalry advanced so rapidly
that before Hampton could overtake them,
they had crossed the bridge and were out of
reach.
Hampton returned to assist Lee, whom he
found nesr Quinby's bridge, about eighteen
miles from Monks Corner. Here severe
skirmish took place. A short distance North
Of the bridge, detachment of the cavalry
of Lee and Marion came upon detachment
of one hundred men belonging to one of the
lately arrived Irish regiments. The Ameri.
can detachment under Marion and Eggleston,
made a furious charge upon the enemy.
Without making the slightest resistance, the
Irish recruits surrendered. No alarm gun
was fred; no effort was made either to retreat
or defend themselves; although b within mile
of the main force of Colonel Coates, he heard
nothing of it.
The greater portion of the enemy's force
had already crossed Quinby bridge. Colonel
Coates, with howitzer, was on the opposite
side, waiting until his rear would pass over,
when the bridge would be demolished. AL
ready the planks were loosened from the
sleepers. Ignorant of the location of the
bridge and the proximity Of the enemy, de-
tachment of Lees legion cavalry, under
Armstrong, came dashing up. Both parties
were taken by surprise. Neither suspected
the other to be within striking distance.
Armstrong reported the condition of things
to Lee, neglecting to mention the fact that
Quinby bridge interposed between him and
Colonel Coates. Lee hastily and imprudent'
ly ordered, in an angry tone, Armstrong to
strike the enemy boldly, without moments
delay. Armstrong obeyed promptly, leading
his detachment hurriedly over the partially
demolished bridge, in the face of Colonel
Coates howitzer Rendered furious by the
angry commands of Lee, Armstrong madly
rushed in upon the British, drove the artille-
rists from the howitzer, and swept everything
right and left before him. Lieutenant Car
rington followed Armstrong. Capt. O'Neal,
at the head Of the third section, attempted to
follow Darlington, but by this time the loose
plsnks had, by the rapid motion Of the hor-
ses been thrown from the sleepers, causing
chasm in the bridge. O'Neal could not urge
his horses to leap the chasm. At this mo-
ment Maham, at the head Of detachment of
Marion's cavalry, came upand passed O'Neal.
Maham's horse was shot down. Captain Nc
Cauley, who was leading Maham's front Sec
ton, leaped the chasm in the bridge, and
Joined in the fierce hand to hand conflict with
the enemy.
The British, by this time, began to collect
in force, and the American detachments which
had crossed the bridge were sorely pressed,
whilst those on the opposite side Of the creek
could render them no assistance. Colonel
Lee, assisted by Maham and DR.. Irving, ex.
erted himself in attempting to repair the
bridge, but without success. Armstrong,
Darlington and McCauley soon found them
selves alone. Of the few soldiers who had
been able to cross the bridge, but single one
remained. Coates, and few followers, un-
der cover of wagon, fought desperately.
His infantry were fast coming to his support.
In this perilous condition of affairs, Arm
strong, Darlington and McCauley, determined