Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-23

dependent of the victory, for he rode
off the black English charger on which
Ferguson was killed. 1t Is known that
Ferguson fell sword in hand. The
number Of British killed was about
three hundred and sixty, and eight
hundred men of the Royal force were
taken prisoners. The day after the
battle, Campbell, Shelby. Cleveland.
Sewer, Clark. Hammond. Brandon,
and Roebuck left with the prisoners
going into the mountains Of North
Carolina, mot following up their VIC
tory; (27) no doubt they had, for
this good reasons. Lacey and Hill
who were still in command of Sum-
ter's brigade, remained In the neigh
borhood and pitched their ca mp on Bull
locks Creek, within six or seven miles
of the battle-ground, waiting the ap-
proach Of Tarleton, for they had
heard, they believed, from good au-
thority that his corps had been sent
some days before the battle of the 7th
Of October-strange. 1t was not until
/
wallis ordered Colonel Tarleton to
march with his Light infantry, the
British Legion, and a three-pounder,
to go and assist Ferguson. When
] Tarleton crossed the Catawba, he re-
ceived positive information of the to-
tai defeat of Ferguson, he learned at
the same time that all the troops, ex-
cept those under Lacey and Hill, had
gone off. Tarleton hurried on intend
| ing to drive them out Of the state;
but In spite of the fear and dread the
people felt toward Tarleton, Lacey and
Hill boldly held their ground In de-
iance of his British Legion, cannon
and infantry Tarleton manoeuvred
about their camp two or three days
without making an attack, he says In
his Southern Campaigns that he was
recalled on the sixteenth Of October
to Join CORVALLIS, at Nation Ford, on
his precipitate retreat from Charlotte
to Winnsboro. The British were pur-
sued by George Graham, Jack Barnett,
Big George Alexander, and many
other Wings from Mecklenburg coun-
ty, N. c. The Patriots took from the
Royalists on their retreat, printing
press, about twenty-five wagon loads
of clothing, and a great many other
articles of prime necessity.
| General Sumter, in November, 1850,
arrived and took command Of the
brigade; (2S) he went in pursuit of
the British and Tories on the rivers
Tiger, Enoree and Broad (Eswawpud-
deenah,) harassing and driving them
them out Of their stockade forts, which
keep up free and safe communica-
tion from Camden to Ninety-Six.
While here Sumter met Colonies
Clark and Twiggs of Georgia, and an
agreement was made to attack the
British post at Ninety-Six in short
time, each party to bring stipulated
number of men into the field for that
purpose General Sumter needed a
hundred and fifty men to make up his
quota. He called on Colonel Lacey,
for he knew that besides being a DASH
ing soldier, he had fine address and
that he had the entire confidence OF
the York and Chester Irish, he ordered
Ihim to beat up the number Of men re-
quired and told him that he allowed
him three days, in which to bring the
new recruits into camp. In the mean
time Sumter was to make feint on
toward Camden, but would really be
on the west side of Broad river; at his
camp at the Fish Dam Ford by the
9th, so he could allow the men a few
days rest. Lacey left Major Charles
Miles in charge Of his regiment, and
took with him the facetious and witty
Adjutant Jimmy Johnston, (29) the
cautious Captain Jim Martin, and the
queer, droll Sergeant, Billy Wylie. (3O)
the "bould" Capt. Paddy McGriff; all
were from the Emerald Isle," more
brave or truer set Of men never lived
So great was their popularity and in
fluence. that nearly every young man
or wee boy Of eighteen. to whom they
talked, would unyoke his horse from
the plough, mount him, and taking
whatever weapon they could get, gal
lantly follow the admired and CHI
valrous leaders ito deeds Of glory and
renown" In less than three days
Lacey dashed into Sumters camp with
a hundred and fifty men. There nearly
came to pass, on the route, an Incl
dent which would have been Of sad re-
suits. But the old Latin adage was
verified-fortuna favet fortibus. 1t was
after taking up the line Of march with
his new recruits, that Lacey, to In
spirit them told them that he knew OF
a barrel of whisky right on their way
In a grocery at Mobley's, and when
they got there he would call halt, for
a short time, so they could refresh
themselves. he himself, for two days
and nights had hardly slept, eat or
drank and felt himself In need OF
stimulant. When they got to the
store, all dismounted, Lacey had the
barrel of whisky rolled out Of the
house. the heading knocked out, every
old tin cup, pan, coffee pot, guard or
crock put into requisition so the
men might help themselves without
any let, hindrance or formality, as
they had but little time to halt. In
half an hour, the word was given to
mount; they were soon all in their
saddles again, with an additional spur
to their native courage. When they
had marched two or three miles on, to
an eminence. about one hundred and
fifty yards from the main crossroads
Heading to the Fish Dam Ford and
Sumter's camp. they came within full
view of a very formidable scouting
party of British Dragons. Lacey
halted and formed his men In the
road At this most critical juncture
the creature comfort taken at the
store had operated on the heads OF
the boys" so that 1t was with much
ado that they could keep their sad
dies Colonel Lacey held a short con-
sultation with his officers-they con-
cluded that their men were not. just
I.t % Och