Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-16

son Of three hundred men, mostly new
York Tories. After three vigorous as
saults, the garrison was driven into
their log houses, which they held as
a fort, from which, for want Of artil-
lery, Sumter failed to dislodge the
British. He, called for two men as a
forlorn hope-Colonel William Hill and
Adjutant Jimmy Johnson (10) volun-
teered to run 100 yards, directly
In face of the portfolios and guns of
the fort to a large rock within the
abatis (11) each carried an armful Of
rich lightwood, whilst behind the rock
they were safe. johnson ignited the
lightwood, threw the burning faggots
upon the top Of the house and set 1t on
fire, and communicated with the fort.
AN ..atched the enemy. AS soon as
the garrison saw the flames, a detail
sailed forth from the fort with fixed
bayonets and drove them from the
rock. They ran back under fire. not
only Of the port holes, but also OF the
detachment. Although the hair was
absolutely cut from off their heads.
they, providentially, escaped unhurt.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, a
heavy rain fell extinguishing the
flames. Sumter ordered the firing to
cease. and withdrew his army to
Landsford.
Colonel Lacey was in that desperate
and hard fought battle Of the Hanging
Rock, August Z, 1880. This post was
under the command of Colonel Car
den, composed Of eight hundred North
Carolina Tories from Yadkin under
Colonel Morgan Bryan, the Prince OF
Wales regiment, and also part of
Tarleton's Light infantry. The Roy
alists were severely handled and en-
tirely dispersed; as for the Prince OF
Wales regiment, II I may be allowed
to use a cant phrase, 1t was literally
used up. Out OF two hundred and sew
enty-eight men who went into the
field, there were only nine men left.
The Wings had to lament the death of
some brave Patriots; among those
who fell, was the gallant Captain Jno.
Mcclure Of Chester District. (12)
Colonel Lacey was also with General
Sumter at the battle Of Wateree Ford.
the 18th of August. 1880. Here an es-
cort on its way to Ninety-six was
intercepted, there were upward OF for
ty wagon loads Of clothing and a
number of prisoners. General Sumter
started up the Catawba river for
Charlotte, North Carolina, making
forced marches, at the same time elud-
ing Colonel Turnbull at Rocky Mount.
Hearing of Gates defeat he pushed
on day and night, but had to stop at
the mouth Of Fishing Creek, to give
his men a, little rest, on the 18th OF
August. Colonel Tarleton, who was
an unprincipled man, but an active
officer, that night fell on the rear of
Sumter's camp, and routed the Patri-
OTIS with great slaughter, taking three
hundred prisoners. Sumter and Lacey
made their escape with few men In
to Mecklenburg county, North Caro-
lima. Here Lacey was ordered by
Sumter to take what men he had, who
had escaped with him, and to go into
York and Chester Districts, collect his
struggling soldiers, beat up for more
men among the Irish, and reorganize
his regiment into mounted infantry.
(13) Lacey accomplished all Of this In
a short while and rejoined Sumter
whose headquarters were at Clem's
Branch. Colonel williams also Joined
Sumter with seventy or eighty men
from North Carolina Williams had
recently received from Governor Rut-
ledge, a brigadier generals commits
sion, he showed this authority and
wished to take command Of all the
South Carolina troops In that section
of the state. The regiments under
Sumter. notwithstanding the recent
reverse at Fishing creek, refused to
give up their beloved leader, besides
they had felt that they had
cause to dislike Williams from some
thing he had done few months be-
fore, when he was acting as commits
sary for Sumter's brigade. In the
meantime, their scouts brought in the
news that Colonel (LorD Rawdon and
Tarleton, with q large force, were ad-
vancing upon them. General Sumter
moved on up the Catawba and crossed
at Bigger's. now Mason's Ferry. For
their general safety and welfare the
Patriots had to march together al
though they were still wrangling about
who should take command. At Ma
sons Ferry the officers hoped to set
tie the dispute, but Lord Rawdon's
troops arrived on the east side OF the
river and the two armies began to
fire across at each other, this broke
I'D the deliberations. The Wings NOV
ed some miles higher up the river, and
camped in a thick wood, 80 as to be
safe from the enemy's cavalry. Here,
another convention Of the officers was
held, Colonel William Hill was made
the chairman. After due deliberation,
IL WAS ucCiucO " iSiCi thS $1,000
ter to Governor Rutledge. who had die
tatorial power over South Carolina,
and was then at Hillsboro, N. c. The
council appointed Colonel Richard
Winn, Colonel Henry Hampton, Col
onel Thomas and Colonel Middleton
commissioners to go to Governor Rut-
ledge and present the facts Of the case
to him, and return with his decree
In the matter. Sumter was to with
draw from the army until the decision
of the governor was known; In the
meantime Lacey and Hill were to
take command OF all the troops. ex-
cept the North Carolinians In Will
liam's command and few men under
Colonel Brandon. Lacey and Hill
marched the men up the Catawba riv-
er and crossed at Tuckaseige Ford,
with the view of uniting with Davi-
sons command. but their scouts
brought to- them the intelligence, that
there was a considerable body Of men
from the west. as we'll as the east
side Of the mountains, coming with
the intention of fighting Colonel Fer
guson at Gilbert Town. The Patri-