Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-05

had encamped at Blackstock, on the
Tiger river, in Union district, when
Tarleton overlook us with. a part Of
his force. We fought desperately, and
at dusk set Tarleton running for life
and liberty, leaving about two hundred
of his men on the field, nearly one hum
dred Of them dead"
II have heard there were many brave
women in that region" observed.
Brave! Why. they helped the cause
almost as much as the men! There
were Grace and Rachel Martin, Mrs.
billiard, Dicey Langston, and scores Of
others in that lonely country left at
home by the men In arms, and they
performed their part in the contest.
Grace and Rachel were the young wives
Of two sons Of Mrs Martin Of Ninety
Six district, who were In Greene,s
army. These young women were with
their mother-in-law. One evening they
were informed that a British courier,
with two guards, would pass that way,
with important dispatches for Brit
ish post beyond. They put on their
husbands clothes, provided themselves
with arms. and lay in ambush by the
side Of the wood. Late In the evening,
the courier and his escort came along,
when the young women suddenly
sprang before them, presented their
weapons, and bade the travellers sur
render with their papers. Utterly sur
prised, they obeyed, and were paroled.
Returning, they stopped at Mrs. Mar
tins and craved accommodations for
the night. On being asked why they
returned so soon, they said they had
been made prisoners by two lads, and
showed their parole. The young wo-
men allowed their captive guests to
depart the next morning, ignorant that
their captors had entertained them.
The dispatches were sent to Green"
"who was Dicey Langston?" in
quired.
"A girl as brave and patriotic as
Joan Of Arc, and not so old-only If
teen or sixteen. She was the daughter
Of Whig In Laurens district, whose
son was in my company In Sumters
army. She was continually getting
valuable information about the move-
ments Of the Tories, and informing the
Wings. At one time she heard that
Cunningham and his Booty Scouts"
were about to attack settlement in
which her near relatives lived. She de-
termined to give them warning. Leay-
ing her home near midnight, she sped
through swamps and thickets, and
across running streams, until she
reached the Tiger river. 1t was swol-
len, and the ford was dangerous. She
pressed into the river In the darkness,
and in the channel, neck deep be-
came confused. But she reached the
shore, and gave the warning, and when
the scouts came, the inhabitants had
fed to a place Of. safety. One day she
was captured by some Tories, and or
dered to give information about Whig
neighborhood from which she had
come. She positively refused. The
leader placing pistol to her breast,
said. Tell, or you shall die in your
tracks She snatched of long hand
kerchief, which covered her neck and
bosom, and said, Shoot me, If you
dare! I will not tell He was about
to fire when companion threw up his
hand and saved the brave girls life. I
might tell you hundred stories Of our
brave women, but 1t is getting late"
"Tell me, please" said, where
were you at the time Of the battle OF
Kings Mountain?
I'm it," he promptly replied. II was
at home on parole, and volunteered to
resist Ferguson and his Tories. We
met him among these gravel-hills you
saw today. He was killed, and large
portion Of his men were made prison.
ers. You saw the stone that marks the
place where he fell and was buried"
"Yes, and made this sketch of It,"
handing him my rude drawing.
ION that limb" he said, pointing to
one Of the trees nearest the memorial
stone. II saw the Tories hung. They
were a murderous gang, and deserved
their fate"
did you meet Sumter after the
war;" I inquired.
"Often. He died only a few years
ago, 1882. when he was almost a hum
dred years old. was at his home,
Turning to a grandchild, Mr.. Nc
Elwee said, TITS nine o'clock; hand
me the Bible" He read short chap
ter, a hymn was sung, and he conclu-
ded that simple family worship with
most impressive prayer.
bade the venerable man goodnight
with feeling Of gratitude for a rich
entertainment.