Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-11


quite a number, for he was a man Of
wealth, and made them bring up va.
rious troughs from different lots an6
pens, and we had nearly enough to pro-
vide our horses well. The men, OF
course, quartered themselves in fence
could find a place to lay their heads
for his house being but a cabin with
one room, Of course could not lodge
the goodly company. Donom Wither-
spoon and myself, more fortunate than
our comrades, secured the only spare
bed, and bringing in, for fear of acci-
dent, our saddles, and Witherpsoon, in
addition a pair Of saddlebags, we put
them. under our bed for safe keeping,
and soon were locked tightly in the
arms of Morpheus. A few hours before
day We awoke with the cry Of fire ring
ing in our ears, and found the room in
which we were lying, Illuminated. Our
first confused thought was that the
house in which we were lying was
the one burning. Springing up in our
selfish absorption Of one idea, I cried
for my saddle-my friend for his sad
dlebags-thinking Of our Columbia pa
rade instead Of the farmers loss. 1t
was, however, only Negro house, and
the large body Of men rushed up and in
a few minutes extinguished the flames
befo1 1e much damage was done. At
daylight we were on the move, having
taken the precaution to send on ahead
two of the company to Winnsboro to
order breakfast prepared for us. When
we got there, we were divided into two
squads-forty at each hotel. Fasting
had given us good appetites.
Dire was the clang Of plates, Of knife
and fork
That merc'less fell like tomahawks to
work"
One Of our number distinguished
himself by eating 13 eggs. The board
was we'll spread; all played a good
knife and fork and made no apologies,
and in buoyant trim we remounted.
Witticisms were cut on small occa-
sions, and with good natured gibes and
pleasant jests, we relieved the tedium
Of the road. Before sundown we drew
near Columbia. At the edge Of town
we saw two gentlemen coming toward
us who, from their uniform, we knew
were Of the committee Of arrangements
sent out to meet the militia companies.
galloped forward to the captains side
as they drew near, and, in heraldic
style, announced Captain Hill, Of
York." A courteous greetings was CIV
en-, and Capt. Hill was assigned to the
upper part of the market house, as
quarters for his company.
Columbia was crowded from garret
to cellar. Visitors from every section
of the state had f1ocked in, and hotels
and private houses were all filled to
overflowing. For weeks ahead, rooms
were engaged at the hotels, and it was
impossible, if you had not taken this
precaution, to get an apartment at one.
All knew such an occasion would never
come again.
The dumb men thronged to see him
and the blind
To hear him speak"
arrival, the troops were marshaled out
to receive the distinguished visitor,
who came that day from Camden. Re-
lays Of horses had been appointed on
the road to enable him to make the
jaunt in the most expeditions and least
fatigueing manner. Having the posi-
tion of an officer. but being fettered by
no command, I was at liberty to sepa-
rate myself from my company, so I
pushed on to gain the earliest possible
view of the hero.
About a mile out of Columbia the
companies were halted. Governor
Manning-then the executive-with his
staff, awaited to receive Lafayette.
An elegant open barouche, drawn by
two beautiful horses, magniflcently ca
parisoned, stood ready to convey him
to the city. Soon the cynosure Of all
hearts appeared, having been escorted
from Camden by a brigade Of horse,
under General Bradley, Of Chester.
The cannon roared forth it's laundering
welcome, acclamations of hearts alle-
glance greeted him; and from every
voice were cries of welcome. He was
handed into the vehicle prepared for
him, and by his side rode old Colonel
Tom Taylor, the father of Columbia
himself a revolutionary hero-both un-
covered. On the box in addition to the
driver, was a footman-both in livery;
and two fine looking mulattoes, also In
handsome livery, holding an extra rein
to guard against any accident occur
ring from the high mettle of the fiery
steeds, chafed by the measured pace
and excited by the vociferous saluta-
tions of the enthusiastic throng which
continually made the air clamorous
with shouts of welcome. The military
display was imposing. Among the
was Captain Meyer, of New
berry-father of DR.. Meyer-who had
125 men under his command, each one
mounted on a white horse, all hand
somely uniformed and caparisoned. To
this company afterward, was assigned
the special honor of escorting General
LAFAYETTE from Columbia to Charles
ton.
The intense feeling of the crowd
vented itself frequently, as we proceed
ed to the town. in wild hurrahs. The
happy old veteran, his face beaming
with pleasure, bowed low again and
again from side to side, in delighted ac-
acknowledgement of the noble compliment
he was receiving.
hn