Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-09-23
BLUE HENS CHICKENS

The following interesting sketch of the
battle of Camden and the conspicuous and
heroic part in it borne by the Delaware
regiment, under the gallant Kirkwood, was
prepared by Mr.. Edward M. Boykip, for
the Charleston, s. O., Ne,es and Courier,
from whose columns we take it, and it will
be welcome to all who desire to preserve
the fame and good name OF Delaware
soldiers
The old town of Camden, on the
Wateree river, was during the war OF the
Revolution the principal point of interest
in the middle country. II was the head
quarters OF Corvallis, Rawdon aud
Tarleton, and the scenes OF two pitched
battles. There are many localities in aud
about il connected herewith that have
their tale to tell" We will, with your
permission, attempt the description OF Que
of these, thinking that in this Centennial
year it might not be aniss to remind our
Northern cousins, al our own time aud Ia
our own manner, that we, too, fought
with Pompey and his legions," and there
fore claim the right, rs did his old soldier,
to lay chaplet, withered it may be with
the care and sorrows that are around us,
and make libstion, though but single
drop of sacred wine, upon his grave.
HoBKIRR's HILL,
as it was called in those times, and is still
called, is the high bill overlooking the town
of Camden, about two miles from the old
site. 1t was occupied by Gen. Greene on
April "a, 1881, with his army holding III
check Lord Rawdon, the British general,
who was shut up in the town OF Camden.
The large fiat top pine under which Gen
Greenes tent was pitched is still standing
Immediately on the edge of the road and
commands view into the town itself
About quarter of mile or less from this
point, under the crest OF steep hill,
breaks out one of the finest springs, we
say it advisedly, one of the finest springs
of water in the world. 1t was ut this
spring that Greene's men were washing
heir clothes An operation, rs Col. Lee
ellis us, that had long been delayed ami
was much needed. RAwdon advanced
upon our left II ,nk, which Greene con
idered completely covered by the thick
swamp made by the waters OF the spring
rs they flowed for some half mile before
joining the creek the two together form
ing, Ms was supposed, an im'
penetrable barrier. The surprise was
complete in Col Lees own words, I'VE
were absorbed iu these empoymeuts
Cooking and washing !; the period was
very propitious for the enemy's object
mis- advance was new discovered unul his
van fell upon our pickets" Aud 30 Gen
Greene, gallant mau and good soldier
with some of the very best regiments in
Washtngton's army, confident of his
strength, sat at his tent door that pleasant
a A., H. 4
looking down the big road expecting, we
presume, to see and hear Lord kawdon's
trumpet with terms of surrender il Was
10 O'Clock in the day, too it was not to be
expected, But Rswdon took the soldiers
rule, to surprise your enemy, strike hin
where he least expects you, aud that of
course, is where he is strongest. He had
but 900 m to Greene's POO or 800.
We had a great grandfather who was an
officer in Tarleton's egiopary infantry, SO
take quite an interest in what was going
on; we do not mind telling this at this late
day, as we had grandfather on the other
side, who was with Hamptor's cavalry or
the Congaree, which strikes the balance in
our favor.
Old Abram, who had been Col. Eli Ker-
shaws body servant, aud was, when we
knew him, Col. ChestnuIs carriage driver,
has told us that he went out of Camden
with Rawdon's army, with the best Wing
intentions we presume, but which would
not prevent his looking whichever side
might win, and that they were 10 cross two
branches before they made the attack, &c
as to get into dreene's rear, INT made the
mistake of considering small branch
head, that rather made ont of the mair
creek than into it, as one Of these land
marks in the topography of the march
when il was not to have been so held; auC
so turned to the left and marched np the
ridge after crossing the spring branch, G(
/ years after dense thicket as we well re
member, for we built house upon thl
very spot where ltswdon crossed Ia,
branch and turned the head of his colnml
to the left to fall upon Greene, who, sit
ting in his tent-door a quarter of mil,
off, was looking for him down the BIT
road.
IT WAS a BOLD STROKE,
and Rawdon CHANGED it heavily If Green
had heard his approach in time TO form
his line and begin his movement even
lsswdon would have been lost the groun,
was in Greene's favor, down hill. Rawdoi
had swamp on either flank and dee
creek behind him-hut that 'if" was il
his favor as Colonel lac has said "hi
advance was not discovered until his va
fell upon the piokets The two in from
commanded by Captain Benson, OF MARY
land, aud Captain Morgan, of Virginia
received him handsomely, but the picket
must have been very near the main body
this the ground shows and retiring j
order disputed bravely every mch {
ground, supported by Knkwood with III
remains of the Delaware regiment
encamped almost in order of battl,
While the fight with the pickets III
Klrkwood's Delawares was going OF
Greene established his line of BATH
Thus the steadiness of Greeue's trooI
enabled him, in spite of the surprise,
check the British advance. just the
, occurred one of those unfortunate mi
,, takes that happen to the best troo,
and bravest meu. Ia the words of Colon,
Lee, TN this HAttering moment II
: veteran regiment OF Gunhy, having fir.
joined in the fire in violation of order
paused, its right falling back. tiuu!
unfortunately directed the disordere
battalion to rally by retiring 10 its rigl
: company. At this the british, giving
shout, pressed forward with rtdoublt
ardor, and the regiment of Gunby, col
sdered as the bulwark of the army, new
a recovered. Williams, with GnnD
assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Hawar
e who had so Often and 80 gloriousiy born
u down with this very regiment all oppn,
!. ton, vainly exerted themselves 10 bring
to order. Not the menaces OF the on
:, the expostulations of the Other, uur Il
celebrations OF the third, nor the reot
i lections of its pristine fame, could raj
;, its covering spirit We do not mean
{ weary with e special description of Il
fight, which il familiar to all readers
Z Revolutionary history, ana have only do
y this much to surround our locality vi
i the associations that belong 10
u Greene commanded his retreat, which "
Z conducted in good time and order, cover
y by his unbroken regiments and
i col wAsHrNGToN's CAVALRY.
IL who paroled upon the field number
. prisoners he had taken in his succossi
9, operations in their rear. He by spirit
W charge routed the British horse unC
J., Major Coffin, who attempted pureuit, n
10 brought off the artillery. Greene
back to Rugaley's Mills, a fortified pr
on Granny's Quarter Greek, II miles &c
Camden, and held the position, Rlwd
not being strong enough 10 attack hi
'sS The result of this affair, so brilliant II
military point of view on Rawdon's pa
st produced no permanent bene fit to I
be British arms. MaImnvring on both sit
IT. of the river and never strong enough
or attack Greene with any chance of succe
10 who WIS constantly threatening him
evacuated the town of Camden, burnt