The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-21
which they were soconfdent they had

which they were SO confident they had
in their grasp, while one part secured
the neighboring woods in search of
Capt. Rumph, the other part of the
wagons, and after taking such of the
horses as could be serviceable to them.
they stripped the wagons of every
thing they could CARRY away, and
burnt them to ashes with the remain
ing part of their freight. They wor-
ried poor Houselighter until he was
ready to die with fear, and left him.
Capt. Rumph reached home about
sunset, with the determination to give
his pursuers chance of fight with less
odds on one side; and he Immediately
set about collecting the scattered mem
bers of his corps. This was soon ac-
complished- and they, about twenty
five in number, were ready to set off
in pursuit of the Tories by daylight
the next morning.
This party had proceeded for several
hours on their way, and had nearly
reached the spot where the wagons of
their leader had been burned the day
before, and which was the scene of his
perilous escape, when they were in
formed that the Tories, not far below,
were feeding their horses near the road
and were wholly unprepared for an
attack. The patriots were extremely
anxious to be led to the charge. Just
before their eyes were the evidences of
the wanton destruction of property by
the Tories, and their memories could
readily supply numberless instances of
their horrid barbarity, rapine, and
murder. They proceeded at quicken
ed pace along the road, and soon their
enemies appeared in the situation in
which they had been described, with
their horses carelessly feeding with
their saddles on, their bridle-bits out
Of their mouths, and their riders lying
about in groups or sleeping apart from
from the rest on the ground. No sur
prise could have been more complete.
The Tories discovered their opponents
at the distance of three or four hun
dred yards, and at once prepared for
fight. They soon caught their horses
bridled them, and in and instant were
mounted and flying in every direction.
"Save who can" was the only word.
Capt. Rumph and his Troopers dashed
down upon them, and as the Tories
scattered, every one for himself, the
patriots were obliged to single out and
pursue, as they were nearly equal in
number, almost every one his man.
Various were the results of that fight
and pursuit.
It was the fortune of Lieutenant
Parker, the officer in command of the
Tories, to be singled out by Lieutenant
Wannamaker, of Capt. Rumph's s
troop. Wannamaker was man of
singular boldness and true il-may-
care sort of spirit. He was a fine horse
man, and on this occasion was uncom-
monty we'll mounted. In this respect,
however, he was not superior to Par
ker; for after chase of nearly two
miles, Wannamaker had gained but
little if any upon Parker-but, unfor-
tunately for the latter, after keeping
we'll ahead for that distance. and while
looking back to see if the enemy
was gaining upon him, his
horse carried him under a
STOPPING tree, which struck him
a violent blow upon the left shoul.
der as he rode under it and knocked
him nearly off, and in his struggle to
recover himself his saddle turned and
got under the belly of his horse. In
that situation he rode for some dis
tance at an evident disadvantage, and
Wannamaker began to gain upon him.
Parker's horse, however, broke the
girth, and the saddle fell, so that Par
ker was again for while able to keep
Wannamaker at a safe distance. But
it soon became apparent, to Parker's
great dismay, that his hoses wind was
failing from being ridden without a
saddle. In vain he whipped and spur
red his jaded horse. Wannamaker
was shortening the distance between
them at every leap. Parker beheld
him nearly within pistol shot; and,
frightened beyond measure, he took
off his hat and beat his horse on the
sides with it to accelerate his speed.
It succeeded for a moment, but the
tagged horse had done his utmost.
Wannamaker was just behind and
called out to him with presented pistol.
Parker, halt! or will kill you"
Parker needed not, but continued
with renewed violence his blows with
his hat. Wannamaker approached
nearer and called to him again; but
still he rode on. Wannamaker called
to him again, the third time, and Of
fered him quarter; but the unhappy
man knew that he had no right to ex-
pect that mercy which he had never
given, halted not.
Halt, Parker" says Wannamaker
IT have told you the last time"
Parker rode on. Wannamaker fear
ing something might occur to incline
the chances against him, approached
the doomed man within half horses
length and fired. Parker rode erect
for a moment; but his hold soon re-
la1ed-he fell backwards on his horse
rolled heavily off, and expired. j.
Says He Can Restore Life.
SYRACUSE, N. Y, Nov. 13.-Dr. P.
j. Gibbons, of this city, this afternoon
forwarded to Governor Flower an ap-