The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-03-19
Lydia Mackev.
AN EPISODE OF TIE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

AN EPISODE OF TIE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
In 1871 South Carolina was completed,
overrun by the British. Lord Cornwai
lis held quiet possession Of Charleston
had defeated Gates and Dekalb ut Gam
den, driven Marion 10 the swamps o.
Pedec, scattered the force Of Sumter
and established his Headquarters in tL,
Wsxhnws, on the borders Of North Caro
lima. while Tarleton had his on the
Hanging Rock Creek, about thirty miles
north OF Camden. Davie alone was left
with small force Oh the left bank Of
the Catawba, making occasional sortics
to harass the outposts Of the British.
Lancaster County was ono Of the
strongholds Of the Wings or rebels
Tho Wings had always made Lancm,tel
too hot for the Tories, and had ruth
lessly driven them out Of the county l,
seek companionship and sympath,
wherever they might find it. But III,
advent OF the British turned the tide q
war completely, and now the Tories
win Iarleton's aid, drove the Whip
from Lancaster, some across the Catawi,
10 JON Davie, and some TO tho Pcdee I,
join Marion. "
Charles Mackey, as the leader OF the
rebels, had made himself very obnox.
ionS to the Tories, and they impatiently
awaited time of vengeance.
lie was II man of medium size. very
active and energetic, II fine horscman n
splendid shot, hot.headed, impulsive,
often running unnecessary risks. and
doing daredevil deeds. No work was
too hazardous for him.
Lydia Mackcy, his wife, was n woman
OF good common-sense, with clear
mead and line Judgment, and in GOODNESS
ana self-possession far superior to her
impetuons husband. They had Young
family OF two or three children md
Charles Mackey Ind not seen or heard
from them for several weeks. Their
nome wns not more than two and n half
miles from Tarleton's camp on the Hang.
ing Rock Creek. He knew very we'll
that 1t would be hazardous for him 10 ~.
turn to his home 10 near TO Tnrleton'a
headquarters, but his anxiety became no
intense on account Of his wife's peculiar
condition that no could no longer re-.
main IN doubt about il. SO he cautiously
made his way homo, where no nnwiscly
ioitered for week, and during this time
he had the temerity to enter Tarleton's
lines more than once in search of infor-
nation which would be valuable TO his
collntry's defenders.
Charles Mackey's house was n double
log cabin, with cultivated patches Of
corn and potatoes on either side of n
lane Leading to the front, while at tho
rear was kitchcn-gardon of half nm
nero or more, extending back to n large
h'cklcberry swamp, which was almost
impenelrable to man or beast. This
swamp covered an area of ten or fifteen
acres, nhd was surrounded by u qung.
mlre from ten to thirty feet wide, thus
making it practically mn island. IL was
entered by jumping from tussock to
tussock Of moss covered clumps of mould
foot or two in diameter, and rising six
or eight inches above the pitch black
-jelly-liko mire, which shook in
every direction in passing over it. A
plank or fence served ~ II temporary
draw-dridge, which was pulled into the |
swamp after crossing over.
When the country was infested by
Tories, Charles Mackey spent his days
In the swamp, If not out scouting. Al
night he veniurcd home. He had good
and they gave the alarm
when any one approached, whether by
night or day. If Mt night, he would
lift loose plank in the
floor Of his bedroom, drop through on
the ground, crawl out in tho rear, then
run thirty or forty yards across the |
garden, gun i'll hand, and disappear in |
the swamp, pulling his fencc-rnil draw.
bridge after him. There VIVA no mp.
proach to the house in the rear, and his
retreat was always Effected with i'm
punity.
Charley Mackey had been Mt homo
now abont week, and was on the eve
of leaving with some valuable informa-
tlon for tho rebel generals, gained by
bis night prowlings In and about the |
headquarters of Colonel Tarleton. But |
arly IN June morning IAN hour or two
'eiore day. his usually faithful watch
ogs failed to give warming of the mp
roach OF strangers, and the first notice
their presence was their shouting
Hello |" III front of the house. Mrs.
lackey jumped ont of bed, threw open
10 wiDdow.shutter, stuck out her head,
nrveyed the half.dozen armed horse.
herer
lome2" q
She promptly answered, "No."
In the meantime Charley had raised
ne loose plank in the floor, and was
'eady to make for the swamp in the
ear, when, stopping for a moment to be
ure OF the character Of his visitors, he
card the spokesman say "Well, we
re very sorry indeed, for there was a
g fight yesterday on Lynch's Oreel
'tween General Marion and the British
I'd we routed the - redcoats com.
etely; and we have been sent to Gen
Al Davie at Landsford with orders to
ito with Marion at Flat Rock as soon ,,
possible, and then to attack Tarleton. y
} don't know the way to Landsford.
we came by for Charley to piloi G
was now nearly DAYLIGHT md tbay 4,