The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14
CHAPTER v.
PREPARING FOR THE SIEGE

CHAPTER
PREPARING FOR THE SIEGE
CAPTAIN Alton reasoned correctly when
he concluded that Major Bridges with his
force was not far away. Had he remained
in Belfast an hour longer he would have
been cut off and forced to surrender.
His force, now swelled to one hundred
and ten-all of whom were armed, though
many had only their own fre-locks-had
not gone half mile when negro boy
came galloping down the road after them.
"Whar's the Cap'n? Whar's the boss?'
he demanded, his eyes rolling with ex-
citement.
Here, here; what do you want" Grit
fifth demanded.
"Golly, msrster, am you the boss?" the
excited boy asked.
Yes; what is the matter?"
DE redcoats, on horseback an on foot,
an in wagons, wild cannons, am comm
Jest as fast as dey kim"
Where are they2"
Right arter ye, marster," the excited
dsrky cried. "Dey was comm when ye
licked dem sojers in Belfast, and now
more'n forty millions O dem jist swarm
in down de road like bees"
Griffith, of course, knew that the negro
boy had greatly exaggerated the number
of the enemy. From all reports he had
heard, Bridges could not have to exceed
five or six hundred men, unless he had
received reinforcements from General
Ross, which was not at all probable.
At any rate, with his poorly equipped
and lily disciplined force, inferior in
numbers as they were, he felt that he
could not hazard pitched battle, and
urged them on at brisk pace. 1t is
difficult matter to get large body of un.
trained men to travel rapidly. Some
would hang back despite all he could do
to urge them.
But little more than half Of the dis
tance had been gone over when the clat.
ter of hoofs in their rear was heard. and
British dragons to the number of twenty
or thirty appeared in sight. They opened
fire and began fanking the Americans on
the right, intending to head them off.
"Oh, We are gone now; they'll hev the
yoke on our necks agin, sure, walled
Zeke Gross, wringing his hands.
"Shet yer mouth" roared Hatchet
cooking his rife. "Ef yer goin' to knock
under at the fust scrimmage like this, ye
better dig hole and crawl in it.
A few shots we've exchanged, but the
dragons kept out of reach of the rifles
of the Americans, and consequently nc
harm had yet been done to either party.
Il Jest know they'll keep on till they gil
the yoke on our necks, said MIR. Gross
in despair.
EFF ye don't shet up I'll lay the butt o
my gun across yer neck" said Hatchet
Dye want to skeer out everybody in the
the Britishere'"
mo talking in ranks" cried the young
commander; and having selected twenty
experienced rihemen, he sent them for.
ward to deploy as skirmishers and drive
back the dragons, who, having fanked
them, were between The Americans and
Manoa.
Although the sharpshooters drove tho
dragons away again and again, they in.
variably returned, and so impeded theil
progress that when they were about two
miles from their fortifcat ons alarge body
of British infantry came up and made 6
furious assault on their rear.
~ 0 day MAS exceedingly warm, ani
though 10th the Americans and English
we're considerably fatigued, the combat
was fierce.
Griffith soon discovered that he would
be compelled to cut his way through the
light orse, who were now directly before
him, or drive them away. He placed
twenty-five of his best t-armed men tc
cover the retreat, and with the remainder
he began to advance hurriedly OH the
dragons in front.
The conflict grew warmer and warmer
until it was little better than running
fight.
Major Bridges sent two small felt
pieces forward, which unlimbered close
on the rear of our friends and began ts
thunder away. The woods doubtless
saved the Americans from heavy loss
The trees grew so thick that not single
shot proved fatal to them, though one Of
two were slightly wounded.
On the other hand, two Of the light
horse had been hit, and the others gave
way.
The Americans reached the hill above
the village of Manoa. The stars and
stripes could be seen flying over the vii.
lage below, and they could hear the
shouts Of their friends in the fort.
Major Bridges had only been able te
bring up hundred of his regulars, and
he realized that whatever was done must
be done at once. lie ordered his soldiers
to fix bayonets and charge the retreatine
Americans. Griffith, comprehending g his
design, halted his men, faced them about
and, taking an advantageous position
met them with volley which greatly
thinned their ranks, and caused them te
retreat in disorder.
e-enforcements headed by Simon Kin.
himself. came M the hill at rur
from the fort. but the last Briton had
left the field. Two dead and one wounded
reGcoat was all that remained. Major
Bridges, doubtless knowing the folly OF
attacking Manoa without the co-opera
ton OF the Xenophon, fell back to Bel
fast. where he was to await the coming
of the man of-war.
ITS pity; yes, sir, it's a darnation
pity" said Kinman, when he saw the red
coats re:reating over the hill. Jest when
feller gets his jinks to workia' easy the
cowardly redcoats skip eout."
He was very much inclined to folio"
them, but Captain Alton ordered all into