Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-05
THE LAST OF sUMTER's MEN.
Interesting Story That William Noel
woo Told Benson J. Losing.

It was a dreary day in January, 1849,
when, at 8 o'clock in the afternoon, I
arrived at Mr.. Leslie's plantation, with
in two miles of Kings Mountain battle
ground, in South Carolina I had trav-
eled with light wagon the rough road
that skirted the foot Of Kings Noun
tain. The heavens were shrouded with
clouds, and melting snow and mud
more than fetlock deep had jaded my
horse. explained to Mr. Leslie the OBJ
ject of my journey, expressed desire
to visit the battle-ground that after
noon, and asked him to show me the
way.
Your beast Is tired" he said. Il
have two good saddle horses in the sta
BILE"
They were brought out. We rode to
the famous field among the wooded
gravel hills. viewed the topography Of
that strange battle-ground. made two
or three sketches. and returned at twi-
light. William McElwee, Mr.. Leslie's
father-in-law, had just arrived. He
was a stout built man with an unmis-
taxable Scotch face, flowing white hair,
blue eyes, and as vigorous In appear
ance as a hale man Of sixty. He was
the last survivor Of Sumter's famous
partisan band in the old war Of Inde-
pendence. His "reminiscences were the
theme of the evenings conversation.
when did you join SUMTER" I in
quired.
Just before Clinton took Charleston,
and CORVALLIS began to overrun the
state. South Carolinians were dis
courged, and hundreds took British
protection. Sumter would not yield,
but retired into North Carolina. I fol-
lowed him. There he gathered little
band Of exiles and We returned. Sumter
called for recruits. But few came until
we struck the camp Of wicked Houck,
near Brattonsvilie, in York district, one
hot night in July, killed him, and scat
tered his whole army to the winds.
Our party numbered only 130 all told.
Timid men took courage, and Joined
the standard Of Sumter. Governor
Rutlege made him a brigadier and
was commissioned a lieutenant.
1--WE struck British and Tory par
ties here and there 80 Unexpectedly and
sharply that CORVALLIS declared that
Sumter was the greatest plague In the
country. Before the end Of July. our
little army numbered about 600, and
was daily increased. Sumter felt
strong, and determined to attack Brit
ish and Tory force at Rocky Mount.
little west of the Catawba river. They
were only about $50 strong, and were
stationed in three log houses near the
foot of the slope, and surrounded. by
abatis, as the French call it-a row OF
felled trees, laid brush end forward.
We had no cannon, so we got on top OF
the hill, filled an old wagon with dry
brush and straw from the abatis, fired
it, and sent the blazing mass down the
slope against the log g-houses. The
British, seeing their peril, hoisted
white flag. At that moment show
er Of rain. put out the fire and the little
garrison defied US. We could do moth
ing, so We withdrew, crossed the ca
tawba, and pushed on toward Hanging
Rock" ....
What caused your defeat there" I
inquired.
Rum, sir!" said the old soldier en-
phatically. Rum, the deadliest enc
my of mankind. You see, we had
whipped the British and Tories COM
pletely and sent them running like
frightened deer, leaving their camp and
all behind. Their camp was tempting,
and our men, instead Of pursuing, en-
gagged in plundering. They drank free
ly Of the liquor found in the British
quarters. Our force became disordered,
and when the British rallied, two-thirds
of our men were too drunk to do duty.
With about two hundred men, brave
Sumter charged upon the enemy; but
seeing a reinforcement for them COM
ing, we retreated with some prison.
ers and booty"
You were hard pushed at Fishing
creek" remarked.
Indeed we were: surprised-badly
surprised" .
IT thought Sumter was always wide
awake" said.
$50 he was; but accidents will hap
pen in the best of families, you know.
Sumter had been sent by Gates to In
tercept British escort from Ninety
Six. We captured more than forty
wagons, loaded with clothing and
stores, and were returning to the Wa
teree. when we heard Of the defeat OF
Gates, near CAMDEN. So we went up
the river about forty miles. and halted
for needed rest near the mouth of Fish
ing creek We did not dream that an
enemy was near. At noon on not
August day, while our arms were stack
ed, the horses were grazing, and more
than half the men were asleep under
the trees, the fiery Tarleton. with MS
cavalry, dashed among us, seized our
arms and horses, killed about one hum
dred and fifty Of our men. and MADE
three hundred prisoners. Sumter, VINO
seemed never to sleep, seeing MS men
slaughtered and dispersed, sprang upon
his big white horse. and closely fol-
lowed by myself and a drummer boy
with his drum, both on a bay mare,
fed into North Carolina. nor stopped
until we reached Charlotte. We made
sorry figure when we rode into the
village. Sumter was without a hat; l
was without a coat and the drummer
boy, sitting astride behind me, was
nearly naked. having just come out or
..aa1. L., ,,Iioh ho had haan hath.