The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-05-01
Ioca, Tales Of \ Hundred Years Ago.


MR. ED11oa:-During the year 1850 the
paper currency of South Carolina had be-
come SO worthless that it took s700 to buy a
pair of shoes. Our "Partisans" were not
regular troops, received no pay, and, as I
said in last weeks article, were called to-
gether when needed for fight. After the
fall of Charleston Col. White commanded
this section of country. and captured some
of Tarletons men near Moncks Corner
and attempted to bring them off by the way
Of Lenuds Ferry. Tarleton pursued and
overlook them at the ferry, recaptured the
British prisoners, and came near capturing
Col. White and his men. They made their
escape by swimming the Santee River, leav-
ing behind their horses, guns, ammunition,
and everything they possessed. Atthis time
Terletou, the British cavalry leader, who
was like Sheridan in the Rebellion, allowed
his troops to commit deeds of violence,
thefts, ETC., and when it was arousing indig-
nation among his friends, he charged it to
the Tories and Indians. These deeds of
cruelty by Col. Tarletons men brought
many men to Marion help, and the scare
ity Of powder and bal, swords, ETC., was so
great that Marion sent all over the country
to gather up the pewter spoons and basins,
etc., owned by the farmers, and turned them
into bail; and also the saw mills were stop
ped and the saws made into swords for the
use of his men.
Often times Marion would engage the
British with less than three rounds OF pow-
der, and with part Of his men in the rear, un-
armed, waiting to be supplied by a dead
comrade or what they would capture from
the British. When victorious they Sc
cured ammunition for the next fight. There
were many engagements in this section
about this time that history never recorded,
and which is only cherished in local tradi-
ton. After the battle Of Camden the Brit
ish commander sent by e strong military
escort $50 American prisoners to Charles
ton. The Swamp Fox" ever on the alert
recaptured them near Nelson's ferry On the
Santee, placed the guns in the hands Of the
American prisoners, made the British pris-
oners, and hurried them off to North Caro-
lima, where they would be out of reach Of
their friends.
Marion's men when possible would have
their coats lined with red, and when they
thought it would be to their advantage they
would play turn coat" On one occasion
IN this neighbo1hood they were in this con-
dition when old uncle Billy Ridgill, too old
to take an active part in the fray, placed
himself in position on the road side to
take off" their leader Tarleton as he
thought. Fortunately be was discovered and
heard the CRY Don't shoot! don't shoot!
TIN r1a Ril1v 1pa ara fri 5cpn
British money and timid hearts made
Tories of many of our people then. Very
few Tories we're honest in their purpose te-
were paid by the British large sums for
their influence, and in some instances these
Tories would '.hold with the hare and run
with the hounds, and Marion made many
successful dashes by being informed by
them of the intention of the British.
The great Franklin said he became learn
ed because he was not ashamed to ask
Questions. This scribe in his early days
asked many questions about these things,
took notes and preserved them, until in his
IMAGINATION he can see this country as it
was then: the deer bounding through the
forest: wild turkeys on almost every hill
side: fish and game in abundance; our peo-
ple strong and hearty, with bright hopes of
liberty before them, daring to do and die
for freedom. The State then had about
sc, 600 inhabitants; now 100000. Mr.. Ed
itor, who would have thought after all these
things that that grand old hero, Francis
Marion, would be allowed to lie in his na-
i've soil in tie midst of his people, Union
ored and unwept, without even cheap
marble shaft to mark the place Of his bur-
ial?
Unless this article weary you, I will write
again. OLD CITIZEN.