Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-22

FEBRUARY 90
induce some of these miserable creatures to
espouse the American cause, or it would ill
them with astonishment and render them neu.
trail. The character of many of Greene's
forces, also made move necessary. With
them arms was not profession-it was ne
cessity. They had no love for lying up in
camp and drilling. They had, in obedience
to the promptings of principle, entered the
army to fight. Not that they loved fighting,
but they hated tyranny. When actively en-
gagged, they were contented; but when idle in
camp, they were restless and inclined to be
insubordinate. Hence, when General Greene
gave the order to cross the Dan and return
into North Carolina, joy beamed in every
eye.
Greene, on entering North Carolina, direct
ed bis course towards the Haw, which be
crossed near its source and camped between
Troublesome creek and Reedy Fork. So soon
as it was ascertained that CORVALLIS had
quilted bis position at Hillsboro, Greene
placed between himself and CORVALLIS q
corps similar to that which had been placed
between them on the retreat The command
of this force was given to the vigilant Colonel
Williams. To this corps, as in the retreat, a
number of able and experienced officers were
attached. Amongst them were Lee, Camp.
pell, Pickens and Preston-men all as brave
as Caesar and true as steel. This force hung
around the British; at one time cutting of
their supplies and capturing their foraging
parties at another time capturing their pick
cts and thwarting the progress Of the main
body. .u.'
For q period of more than ten days, both
Generals kept their armies in continual mo-
ton. Greene changed bis camp every day.
One day he was on one side of the Haw-on
the next day on the other. CORVALLIS was
perplexed. He could obtain no certain in
formation respecting Greene's plans. The
loyalists and tories were hopelessly discour-
aged. During the short stay of CORVALLIS at
Hillsboro and on the Emo, no less than seven
companies of loyalists had been enrolled.
These were disbsnded and scattered to the
winds when he left Hillsboro and retired be-
yond the Haw. On the contrary, small boz
dies Of men and single individuals in the Co.
pacty of volunteers from the surrounding
Whig settlement, we're steadily increasing the
strength of Greenes army. His men, al
though undergoing severe hardships and suf-
fsriug great deprivstions, we're in good health
and bouyant spirits.
Between the British and Williams corps,
frequent skirmishes took place. On the sec.
ond of March, skirmish occurred between 8
part of Tarleton's Legion and Col. Preston's
mountain men, in which the British lost thir-
ty men. At Wetzell's mill, on Reedy Fork,
thrilling incident occurred. Williams had
taken his position near the camp of Cornwall.
lis. Alamance creek lay between them. Un-
der cover of thick fog, a strong detachment
of British cavalry, supported by body of
infantry and few pieces of field artillery,
was sent out to dislodge Williams. Conceal
ed by the fog, the British gained favorable
position and it became necessary for the
Americans to retreat. At first it was thought
the British we're advancing to attack Greene.
A messenger was Immediately dispatched to
Greenes camp to inform him of the supposed
intentions of the British and of the course
proposed by Williams to battle bis underta.
king. Colonels Campbell and Preston were
stationed in thick cluster of trees, near the
ford of the creek at Wetzells mill, to delay
the passage of the enemy at that point.
Near the ford was small log school house.
In this house, Campbell placed twenty-five of
the best rifle men in his command. So ex-
pert were these men with their rifles, that they
were accustomed to amuse themselves, when
in camp, by placing an apple on the end of a
ramrod and whilst one held the ramrod in
bis hand bis comrades would shoot at the ap-
ple Rarely was the apple missed. These
twenty-five skilled msrksmen were placed in
the school house, With instructions to act as
their good sense might direct. The British
were on the opposite hill. Soon an officer
approached them, and after having given the
soldiers some instructions which the marks
men in the school house could not hear, be
turned away and dashed down the bill toward
the ford in the direction of the school house.
Without moments delay he plunged into
the creek. The bottom of the ford was rough
and he was obliged to move slowly. He rode
a beautiful black horse which felt his way
carefully through the stream. The eyes Of
twenty-five riaemen we're upon him. He was
in full view and within rifle shot. One after
another the twenty-five men in the school
house took deliberate aim and fred, each ex-
pecting to see either the horse or rider fall
into the stream. Steadily, as if nothing was
tran,piring, the officer moved on. Thirty-two
balls from accurate rifles, aimed by skillful
marksmen, we're hurled at him as he rode
calmly across the stream. Unframed he
reached the bank near the school house, drew
up his bride reins, and dashed down the
creek to bis own men, whom he Immediately
led against the Americans. The back-moun-
tain men stood gazing upon each other in as
tonishment. They concluded that both the
man and bis horse were bullet proof 1t was
afterward learned from British prisoners that
the officer was Lieutenant-C Colonel Webster.
He was not, however, bullet proof, for he
fell, short time after, at the Battle of Gull
ford Court House. Notwithstanding the fail.
nre of the riAemen to kill Webster, the Brit