The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-05-10
The Last Of Sumter's Men.

The Last Of Sumter's Men.
Copyrighted 1888, by Funk & wagnals.li
1t was dreary day in January, 1s49,
when at three o'clock in the afternoon
arrived at Mr.. Leslie plantation, within
two miles of Kings Mountain battle
ground in South Carolina. I had trav-
eled with single horse and light wagon
the rough road that skirted Kings
Mountain. The heavens were shrouded
with clouds, and snow which had fallen
during the night and mingled with mud
more than fetlock deep had jaded my
horse. explained to Mr.. Leslie the
object Of my journey, expressed desire
to visit the battle ground Of Kings
Mountain that afternoon, and asked him
to show me the way, it being only two
miles from his house.
''Your beast is tired" said Mr.. Leslie.
II have two good saddle-horses in the
stable"
They we're brought out. We rode to
the farmers field, among wooded gravel
hills, viewed the topography of that
strange battle ground, made two or
three sketches and returned at twilight.
The venerable William McElwees, Mr..
Leslie's father-in-law, had just arrived.
He was a stout built man of medium
stature, with an unmistakable Scotch
face, flowing white hair, blue eyes, and,
though eighty-seven years old, seemed
about as vigorous in mind and body as a
hale man at sixty. He was the last
kno wn survivor of General Sumter's fa-
nous partisan band in the old war for
independence. His "reminiscences form.
ed the theme of the evenings conversa-
ton.
"When and where did you join Sum-
ter ?" 1 inquired.
"Just before Clinton took Charleston
and CORVALLIS began to overrun the
State in 1850. South Carolinians were
discouraged, and hundreds took British
protection. Sumter would not yield,
but retired into North Carolina. fol-
lowed him. There he gathered little
band of exiles and we returned. Sumter
called for recruits. Very few came until
after we struck the camp of the wicked
Tory Chris Huck on hot night in July.
We killed the leader and scattered his
followers to the wind. Huck was pro-
fame and profigate wretch. He hated
Presbyterians intensely, murdered one
of them while on his way to place of
worship on Sunday with Bible in his
hand, and burned minister's house.
When we struck Huck he had about
two hundred mounted men. Our party
only numbered one hundred and thirty
all told. Timid men now took courage
and Joined Sumter's standard. Govern
or Rutledge made him q brigadier, and l
was commissioned a lieutenant"
"You were engaged in some stirring
events afterward," said.
"Indeed was. We struck British and
Tory parties here and there 90 unexpect-
edly and sharply that CORVALLIS declared
Sumter was his greatest plague in the
Carolinas. Before the end of July our
little army numbered about six hundred
aud was daily increasing. Sumter felt
strong, and he determined to attack a
British and Tory force about two hun
dred and fifty strong, at Rocky Mount, q
little west of the Catawba. They occupied
log houses at the foot of the slope, which
were surrounded by abatis, as the French
call it-a row Of felled trees laid brush
end forward. We had no canHon, so we
got to the top of the hill, filed an old
wagon with dry brush and straw, fred it,
and sent the kissing mass down the slope
against the houses. The British, seeing
their peril, hoisted white flag. At that
moment a shower of rain put out the
fire, and the little garrison deied us.
We could do nothing, 30 We withdrew,
crossed the Catawba and pushed on
toward Hanging Rock"
"What caused your defeat there ?" !
asked.
"Rum, sir !" said the old soldier en-
phatically. "Rum, the deadliest enemy
of mankind. You see, we had whipped
the British and Tories completely and
sent them running like frightened deers,
leaving their camp and all behind. Their
camp was tempting, and our men, in.
stead of pursuing, engaged in plunder.
ing. They drank freely of the liquors
ioand in the officers quarters. OuI
: force became disordered, and when the
British rallied and returned two-thirda
Of our men were too drunk to do duty
With about two hundred men our brave
leader charged upon the snsmy, but see
ins . reinforcement for them coming
Ne retreated with some prisoner and
booty"
"You were hard pushed at Fiahipi
Cseek," remarked.
"Indeed, We vere-surprissd-badl
suspeised."
u thought ssmtsr wss always vid'
eNakasT I nd.
- - saA ~ sasal6en1s vill happsI
~ ~ ~ = 1pnf2laq ~ kneH. eaa