The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-11-17


He directed the movements Of this
regimen until the fall OF Char,estonS
Soon after he was taken prisoner
by Tory captsin by the name OF
Brown, AMI confined at Ninety.Six
and At Charleston until near the
close OF the war.
This Brown, with his Tory band,
returned to the homo OF G, Thomas
and carried of his negroes and horses,
and destroyed much Of his property
and family treasures. Col Thomas
had four sons, OF whom two wutered
the tree of liberty with their blood.
r ,hert w-s killed at Roebu"k's de-
feat Ahrsm was wounded ed taken
prisoner at Ninety-Sx and died in
confinement John succeeded his
father in command Of the Spartan
regiment aud made his mark in many
II we'll fought battle, Ind was deeply
o.loved by his men for his daring
spirit and generosity.
He was one Of the four prominent
colonies to confer with Gov Rltledge
tn make full representation OF the
condition OF the brigade, and their
ressors for refusing To accept WILL
Jams as their commander.
Col Thomas had four daughters.
The husband Of each espoused the
Whig cause. and all held commissions
in the army and rendered their cOun-
try most substantial service in secur-
ing victory and freedom.
The women Of South Carolina were,
and are until the present day, proven
bial for being brave and patriotic, but
the zeal and fidelity OF Mrs. Thomas
and her daughters will compare favor
ably with the brightest Of that bright
galaxy which adorns the history of
the State The following Incidents
may illustrate what has been said of
the women of this family:
In the early part OF the war, Gov.
had sent quantity OF arms
and ammunition to the frontier for
The use Of the Wings. Those had
been deposited in the house OF Col.
and kept under the protec-
ton OF guard OF % men. Col.
Moore, OF North Carolina, with 800
Tories was approaching to take pos
session Of the magazine. Col.
Thomas deemed his force inadequate
o a succ, ssful defence Of his home
md retired. The guard having taken
IF and concealed as much of the mil
tary stores as time admitted, Capt.
Josiah Culbertson son .in-law OF
Ir. Thomas, refused to leave the
,ouse. He had been brought up on
he frontier and was thought to be
,ne Of the finest marksmen in the
army. Gle it was who fred the first
shot at the battle OF Cowpens
So with VIM. Thomas, lad, and
the women Of the family, he remain
ed, and as soon as the Tories came in
gunshot fire was opened upon them
with such vigor that the band soon
withdrew from the conflict.
Some time after the fall of Charles
ton Mrs. Thomas was on a visit to
her hus band and sons at Nlnety-Six.
They were prisoners OF the British ut
that post. While there she heard
two women in conversation and one
remarked to the other: "On tomor-
row night the loyalists intend to sur
prise The rebels at Cedar Springs"
This was interesting news to her.
Cedar Springs was few miles Of her
home. Col. John Thomas, Jr., her
son, was in command of the post,
and with him were several of her
children and friends.
She therefore determined without
delay to appsise them of the attack,
though the distance was at least 60
miles.
Without loss Of time she made
ready for the dangerous journey and
with courage as cool as it was determ-
ined, very early the following morn
ing she mounted her horse and rode
away. On and on she rode through
the dark forests and lonely highways
with spirit undaunted, never falter-
ing until she reached her goal, the
camp of her sons, where she Informed
them Of their great danger in time
for them to provide for safety.