Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-05-16
For the YOrkville Enquirer.
"REMINISCENCES Of WESTERN YORK.

On the 4th of October, 1866, we attend
ed the celebration Of the battle of Kings
Mountain. This was the largest gathering
of people the writer has ever seen, except
the regular army. At that time our coun-
try was travelling the highway of pros
perity, and this affair was an enjoyable
one. People gathered there from all parts
of the Union. Even the little State Of
Rhode Island was represented in that as
sembly. Different military commands
took part in the proceedings. The Mason
ic and Temperance orders were also rep
resented. The estimated number OF peo-
pie present on that occasion was ten thous-
and. I have no idea it was below that
number. Had it not been for the unpleas-
antness which took place among the States
a few years afterwards in which had
an opportunity to test my estimates OF
bodies of men from actual count, could
never have settled this in my mind. L
cannot tell how long it had been since
similar demonstration had taken place
there (if ever) before. That was the
grandest scene witnessed in western York
since my recollection.
The military organizations were the
Charleston Rihemen, dressed in dark grey
uniforms trimmed in green lace, with
green plumes in their hats. The Colum-
bia Light Artillery, dressed in dark color
ed coats and white pants elaborately trim
med with red lace, and plumes of white
and red feathers in their caps. Each pri-
vate was armed with cutlass. They had
six pieces, each drawn by six richly capar-
isoned horses. Each driver wore boots
with pieces of leather so arranged on the
outside as to protect it from friction with
the harness. The Calhoun Guards, of
Chester, wore dark grey uniforms and
caps tastefully ornamented with lace a
plush ball surmoun; ed the top of the capin
front. This company was commanded by
Major Mills, of Chester, I think. The
Cadets of the Kings Mountain Military
School wore light grey uniforms; their
coats were elaborately decorated with
palmetto buttons. Their pants were trim
med with dark lace: General Jenkins
commanded them, l think. This, in my
Estimation. was one of the best drilled
commands on the field and did credit to
themselves, their officers and the county
they represented. They executed the
commands of their officers with mechani-
cal precision.
Two splendid bands furnished music for
the occasion. TO the speaking | paid but
little attention. The pleasure Of the occa-
sion was marred by the untimely discharge
of a cannon which severed an arm from
the body of one of the artillerists. The
afternoon was principally devoted to re-
freshing the inner man. Long tables were
loaded with the best of baked meats, and
bread in abundance. Whole carcasses
were dumped upon the table at once and
almost as quickly dispatched. After satis-
flying ourselves with the edibles, we as
cended the mountain that rose abruptly
from the table to the ground occupied by
the British during the battle. Chamber
ing up the almost perpendicular heights
we looked below to see the vast crowd
working like bees. Civilians and soldiers,
men and women, white and black, 60 to
make up this sea of humanity. 1t was at
this point 1 reflected: This days proceed
ings commentaries the birth of American
Independence. We are now standing on
spot that is and always will be dear to
Americans. The rustling of the autumn
leaves, crisped by the early frost, seems
to whisper to US "Put off thy shoes from
thy feet for the place whereon thou stand
est is holy ground" My guide pointed
out tree near the top of the ridge that
was claimed to be one on which number
of tories paid the price of treason.
The night before the celebration, Mr..