Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-04-08
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ELLEN GAMIT[PEE1]TllTL,,
KINGS MOUNTAIN.
nv MRS MARY A. EWAET
BY MRS. MARY A. EWAET.

| but l have had much to nerve my al" since
last sa'. you"
81 have heard of it, Mr. Adams" replied
Bowen, not comprehending the full import
of his words, "and I sympathize with you
deeply in your loss, but" he continued with
an eager look, "we are to settle such matters
to-day"
Mr.. Adams could not 6nd it in his heart
to damp, by news of such sorrow, the lmpetu'
osity aud ardor of the young trooper. For
some time he rode by his side in silence, and
listened to the eager hopes of the patriot, or
watched with sickening heart, the excited
flush on his manly cheek and the sparkling OF
his dark eyes. At length, with manner OF
careless security, Bowen turned toward him,
and asked in low tone, with a smile trem-
bling on his lip
"How is Bessie"
"God knows, Ellick," replied Mr.. Adams
with cheek blanched in deep feeling. For
an instant, Bowen gazed upon him. every
particle of color fading from his cheek then
in an unnatural calmness asked:
"What has befallen my Bessie ?"
The manner and the calm tone deceived
Mr.. Adams, and he replied -
The hitherto pale face of Bowen, flushed
to the deepest scarlet the blood started from
the bitten lips, as with shuddering recoil he
involuntarily reined his horse back upon his
launches; tken burying his spurs into his sides,
bounded madly on for few PAGES, as with
thickened utterance he cried
"And that is worse than death? For Gods
sake speak and free me from this terror or my
brain will BURST" and he grasped the good
minister's arm in Gasp that left its black
ened impression.
"Would to God, I could, Ellick," replied
the good man, frightened, as he we'll might
be, at the agony before him. "but can say
nothing-but would to God, Bessie were
dead"
There was pause, and amid the gathering
of the hoof around, Mr.. Adams could dis
tinctly hear the deep suffocating respiration
Of his companion.
At length, with look of the most wretch
ed despair, he turned, and in those painfully
inarticulate tones, said:
"When?'
"Only last night replied Mr.. Adams. the
tears spring.ng to his eyes in his deep SYM
pathy.
"And so near My little wife! Oh q!
Bessie" The strong man was melted. The re-
action saved, perhaps, his reason, and for an
instant his heart was flooded with memory
of ineffable tenderness, but only to be follow
ed by desire of unconquerable vengeance.
"Tell me all" he said when seeing Mr..
Adams hesitate, he continued, "don't be
afraid-see yonder," and he pointed with
his cleaning sword to the heights they were
now rapidly approaching. His active fancy
and knowledge of Ferris hate, filled up all
that Mr. Adams could not understand, and
the wild desire for revenge could scarcely be
restrained to discipline necessary to his
military position. Fortunately, in this mo,
ment of irrepressible vengeance, they came
upon an advanced piquet of the royal army.
The simple and laconic speech of Col. Cleve-
land suited well the excited spirit of Bowen,
and was a speech the men could understand:
"My brave fellows" he said, Eve kave
beaten the tories already, and we can beat
them again. They are all towards. If they
were not, they would support the indepen.
dence of their country. When engaged with
them, you will want 10 word of command
from me. will show you how to fight by
my example l can do no more. Every man
must be his own officer and act from his own
judgment. Fire as fast as you can, and stand
you ground as long as you can. When you
can do no better, run !; but do not run quite
off. Get behind trees and retreat. If re-
pulsed, let us return and renew the fight.
We may have better luck the second time
than the first. If any of you are afraid, let
them retire. and beg they may take them
selves off at once"
The firing commenced. Some of the Amer
leans were on horseback, and others on foot !;
some behind trees and other exposed but
every man, though obedient to the voice of
his commander, was fighting without the
restraints of military discipline, and ANNA
ted with the enthusiasm Of liberty. The
piquet soon gave way, and with loud shouts
the mountaineers pressed them to the main
body, threatening, in their mad career, to
break into their very encampment. Col:
Ferguson ordered his men to charge, and
suddenly the Americans listened to the voice
of Cleveland as he commanded them to re.
tire. They had scarcely given way when
Shelby, who had completed the circuit OF
the mountain, poured in a we'll directed fire.
Facing this new adversary, another bold and
gallant charge of English regulars forced
him down the hill. But another band Of
unerring rifles compelled the British com.
mander once more to change his front, and
wheeling rapidly, the patriots we're again
driven back. Before they could effect a rout,
Campbell had ascended the mountain and
renewed the attack from that eminence, COM
pelling the British to wheel, which they did
in double quick time, but in perfect good
order; and having received reinforcements
from within the line, the charge was made
with the whole British force at the centre
column. With Ferguson at their head, ami
mated by his voice. the shrill notes Of his
silver whistle rising high above the din of
combat, they made their impetuous charge.
Again, the bayonet, in British hands, told,
and Campbell gave way before it. But
Cleveland had rallied, and Sewer was NOV
ing forward, and the double fire was terrific
Campbell's retreating columns heard it. They
knew it was the voice of their compatriots,
and rallying, they wheeled and rushed upon
the advancing columns of the enemy. But
Ferguson, seeing his danger, threw his men
into three columns, facing each column
of advancing patriots, and bore down on the
entire American line But it was too late.
The mountain was encircled by foes as bold
and deliberate as they were prompt, active
and skillful. The British were fighting with
men who knew not what defeat was; men
whose arms they had themselves nerved to
the bloody action of that day. 1t was con-
ouer or die. 1t was the last hope of this bleed
ing State, and Cardinals blood was up
and alike unconquerable, in the unyielding