The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-05-11

death came TO this honest white heart
in it's ebony setting, he was tenderly
and carefully buried by lis master,
and today his grave may be seen not
far distant from the historical old
home, marked by marble slab bear
log the following inscription
Sacred to the memory Of
WATT
Who died December, 1927.
During the Revolutionary war
He served his master,
Col. William Bratton,
Faithfully, and his children
With the same fidelity
Until his death.
Having heard of the order given by
Col. Turnbull, Col. Bratton guessed
rightly that his own home would be
in the path Of danger. Hastily COL
lccting his forces, he left Meoklen-
burg County, North Carolina, with
125 men. About so of these dropped
off, leaving only 75 determined souls
to meet the monster IIuck.
Most Of these were neighbors of
Col. Bratton, living in the vicinity,
and possibly this accounts in part for
the signal victory they won. Their
loved ones-helplcss women and little
children-were in danger; their homes
and property were surrounded by the
hated Red Coats, and strung to o
mighty tension by recent atrocities,
they fought with c strength born Of
despair, strength that knew no fail
ing, knowing that before them lay VIC
tory sweet or death in its bitterest
form no compromise for that brave
little band.
Arriving at Brattonville under cover
of darkness, the Whigs carefully con-
cealed their horses in nearby thicket
and awaited the order to attack. Col.
Bratton realizing that each momen :
was precious. and that a lost minute
might mean lost victory, did not
even take time to make known his
presence unto his wife, but proceeded
at once to reconnoitre Huck encamp-
ment.
He passed within the line Of senti-
neis, and ascertained where each was
stationed, where the horses were
picketed and other valuable informa-
ton. Returning, he held consulta-
tion with his officers, and it was de-
cided that they should advance at
once. The time was about q q. m.
Even nature lent her assistance to
this supreme hour, for, according to o
manuscript account Of the battle by
DR.. William Bratton, son of Col.
Bratton and father Of the late Gen.
John Bratton, of Fairfield, brilliant
aurora boreal,s assited their move
ments. Col. Bratton, With one-half
of his men, cautiously approached The
upper end Of the lane, while Capt.
Mcclure, Of Chester, brave, dashing
officer, approached from the opposite
end. They advanced to within Is
yards of the enemy and taen opened
fire. Huck was asleep at the time,
and was aroused from his slumbers by
the unwelcome sound Of gun firing.
Iu his fancied security he did not i'm
msdiately arise, but not many mo.
ments passed ere he realized the dan
ger; hastily rushing out aud mount
ing his horse, he attempted to rally
his troops. This he partially suo-
ceeded in doing, but in the second
charge ho was shot from his horse,
and fell dead.
Col. Adamson then assumed con-
troll, but pandemonium reigned among
his men, aud when q clarion voice
rang out on the July morning, "Boys,
take the fence and every man his own
commander" the Wings ieaped ths
fence and rushed upon tho enemy
while the latter threw down their guns
and fed in confusion.
The victory was complete. The bat.
tie lasted one hour, aud at its close
Coils. Huck and Ferguson, with 30 or
40 of their men, lay dead upon the
field; many were wounded and others
taken prisoners. Strange to relate,
the Wings lost only one man-Camp-
bell, by name.
This was the first encounter since
the fall Of Charleston with British
troops. In the clash at Mobley's
meeting house, at Fishing creek and
other points. it was Wing against
Tory 1T is true, but it was brother
against brother, 4eighbor against
nas~Lhh~ 9~s~~l .-s. rs aIS