Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-06-30
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.

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A correspondent of the Southern Chiristia'
Advocate relates the following interesting in
cident in South Carolina Revolutionary His
tory. The heroine, Mrs. Trammel, dice
several years since, in Alabama.
Mrs. Trammel was old enough to have
been familiar with many of the bloody events
which occurred near the.close of The Revou
tionary War, in the immediate neighborhooc
of her home, which was near Kings Noun
tain, in South Carolina. Her husband
Thomas Trammel. had unhestatingly identi
fed his fortunes with those Of the Liberty
Party" as they were familiarly called. and
being good shot and Of unAinching cour
age, he was terror to all the friends of the
King, as far his name was known.
At the time of which we write, that section
of country was over run by band Of Tories
encamped in large numbers at Kings Noun
tain, under Ferguson. There was in this
command a noted Tory, by the name Of
John Towns, who had long been the neighbor
and professed friend of Trammel. At this
time, Towns was-a sergeant, and constantly
upon the scout for the purpose of capturing
men, horses, etc. Young Trammel could not
feel much afraid somehow of Towns. He
thought, surely he will not ipjure me; but in
this he was mistaken, as he afterwards had
occasion painfully to learn. He had been for
sometime hiding and keeping out Of the way
as best he could, until one night he veutured
to sleep in his own house. Just before day,
he was aroused by the heavy tramp Of horses,
and on rising he found the house surrounded
by troop, which proved to be sergeant
Towns and his band Trammel was at once
seized and bound, and carried out into the
yard for execution. Towns produced his AL.
thority, executed in due form, and fourishing
it over Trammel's head, pompously offered to
free him if he would take the oath of alle-
glance to the King, and take up arms against
his own countrymen. This proposition Tram.
mel met with merited scorn, and said in re-
ply, "You can carry me bound to the Kings
army, but you can never make me fight
against my countrymen."
After some consultation, they concluded
to try to get hold of some of Trammel's hor-
ses, knowing that he owned some very fine
ones which were hid out, and they knew not
how to find them without using him as a
guide.
So very anxious we're they to get them,
that they proposed to relieve Trammel upon
condition that he would 60 and drive them
up. He went and found them, but rode and
drove them another way.
After waiting until all hopes of his return
had vanished, drinking and pillaging every.
thing they could turn to account, and feeling
no little chagrin at their disappointment,
sergeant Towns called on Mrs. Trammel for
some clothing for his, men, or goods out Of
which to make some. She replied. 'Sir,
you have already stripped me Of all. I have
nothing more for you, except your nephew
there" pointing to his sisters son, an orphan
boy, whom they in charity had taken some
time before to keep from suffering, "he has
a few clothes, which l made for him; you
can take them if you will" But they did
not suit.
About this time, his eyes rested upon q
strong box, which sat near the fire place, and
he said, "What have you in that box?" She
replied, Indignantly, "Sir, it is none of your
business" "Well," said be sit is my business,
and I'll see what it contains" "No, sir" said
she, "you shall not look into that box" and
Selling heavy iron poker, she placed her.
self between Towns and the box, and planted
herself firmly, resolved to defend her little
treasure The box contained few quilts and
counterpanes, the work of her own hands.
Towns advanced and drew his sword to in
timidate her, but she maintained her position
without moving muscle. He presented his
sword, and sneeringly said, "Now, would
you hit fellow?" She said, "Do you advance
step further, and you will see." He looked
her in the eye, and saw plainly what her de-
termination was, and retired and left her in
possession of her little treasure.