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


shrow to the right and directly in
front of the old Bratton homestead,
slump of forest trees, with one huge
sycamore standing with its white arms
strctched forth over the field, like
al1, grim spectcr to the front. The
soft signing of the pines seems like .
:cqniem, for their sturdy roots spread
INTO soil that 125 years ago was bath,
sd in blood the rcd hot hearts
blood of the foe that sought to take
some and principle and right from our
brave ancestors.
Here was fought the battle Of IIucks
Dcfeat-a battle which tarly justice
now names as one Of the decisive vic
sories of the American Revolution.
Quoting from recent address Of
he Hon. d. f. Finley, who is sus-
eal2ed in his statement by our own la
1ehted McCrady, by Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge and other present day
Historians, he has this to say: with
out Hucks defeat the battle of Mus
groves Mill would hardly have been
fought, and without these victories
ahercsis little likelihood that the bat
sles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens
would have taken place, and without
ahese battles it is improb able the War
81 the Revolution would have been
successful"
The year 1880 found South Carolina
m the deepest depression and gloom.
PREVIOUS to this the Wings had been
fairly successful in their efforts to
Doute the Tories, but suddenly, with
she fall Of Charleston on the 18th of
May, even the stoutest hearts for q
moment quivered and asked with
sated breath, what will the end be2
Our armies had either been taken
or dispersed, and for several weeks all
military opposition to the British had
ceased. Sir Henry Clinton proudly
Boosted that in South Carolina q: least
che Revolution was at an end
But oh he knew not that
@Hork's brave sons and true
Were never known to quail or quake!
No prisoners they nor deigned to take
Protection offered by the foe p
Seemingly in submission the brave
sons of the upper Carolina were only
laying their pl ls and recognizing
their forces. Under the wise leader
ship of Coils. Lacey, Bratton and
Seel, Maj, Winn, Capt. Mcclure and
others, series Of sudden and desul-
tory attacks were made, which greatly
harassed the enemy, and no doubt
proved unpleasant medicine to Sir
Henry, administered SO soon after his
3ordly boasting.
To crush this bold and determined
spirit, Capt. Christian Huck (his
name belied his character) was sent
out at the head Of 400 cavalry and
we'll mounted body of Tories by Col.
Turnbull Of Rocky Mount, Chester
County, with the following order:
To Capt. Christian Huck:
"You are hereby ordered, with the
cavalry at your command, to proceed
50 the frontier of the province, collect
ing all the royal militia with you, on
your march, and with said force to
push the rebels as far as you may
deem convenient"
This Capt. Huck, says McCrady,
was an American, q Philadelphia law
yer, who had gone to the British at
New York and i>;ned Tarleton when
he was ordered South. In his short
career he became notorious forhi vio-
lence and oruelties.
On the evening Of the 11th Of July,
1850, Huck and his army arrived at
Brattonville, presumably in search of
Col. Bratton, thinking, no doubt, his
capture and death would be a good be.
ginning fer them. Col. Bratton'
home was rudely entered and taken
possession of by the Tory officers.
Capt. Huck used every smooth per-
suasion, followed by threats, inter
mingled with the vilest of oaths to
force Mrs. Bratton to reveal her hus-
bands whereabouts-but to no avail.
She only quietly, calmly replied that
her husband was in Sumter's army.
Finding all threats in vain, Mrs.
sratton was commanded to prepare
supper for the Tory officers, after
which she and her family of little
children were locked in the zarret as
prisoners. After partaking of. the
meal, the self-inficted visitors decided
TO spend the night in vac ant hou sc
not far distant, the property of Mr..
Jamea Williamann Tho