Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-16
GEN. EDWARD LACEY.
Lion Hearted Champion of
American Liberty.
YORK's EARLY HISTORY IN REVIEW.


the People Of the Present Generation
Some Idea Of the Part Their Fathers
Played In Establishing Their Inde-
pendenee.
reprint of Pamphlet Published by
DR.. Maurice A. Moore In 1881.
The British and Tories were en-
camped about Williamson's house,
which was enclosed by a fence, form
ing right angle about seventy-fiv
PAGES from their encampment, and
road outside corresponding with the
fence, by which the Wings were en-
abled to commence their attack on
two sides-north and east, The. Whig
divisions having met just as the day
began to dawn, were rapidly formed
In the lane, and began to fire at the
same time, about seventy-five PAGES
from where the British were lying; the
lane fence formed a breast work, as
1t were, and gave the Wings some lit
tie protection against the enemys
musketry, and afforded them a good
rest for their rifles, with which they
took unerring and deadly aim. The
British platoons. under the command
Of Major Ferguson, charged bayo-
nets three times, but from the CALLING
and destructive fire of the American
rifles, were forced to fall back. At
last, Huck. who had at first consid-
cred the attack a small matter. hur-
riedly arose from his bed, mounted his
horse Cd without his coat, and while
riding back and forth, trying to rally
his men for another charge, was shot,
and fell dead; then the word was
passed along the Whig ranks:
Boys. take the fence and every
man his own commander" No SOON
er said than done, the Wings leaped
the fence and rushed upon the enemy,
who, after a feeble resistance threw
down their arms and fed in great con-
fusion. A few on their knees begged
for quarter: the Patriots refused
this to Major Ferguson "a Tory and
put him to the sword, for report said
that he had commanded the squad
that killed young Strong. The Patri-
OTIS soon mounted their horses, and
pursued the flying Royalists for IS
or Ia miles, wreaking their vengeance.
and retaliation, very heavily on the
retreating foe; teaching them a lesson,
that their wanton and barbarous de-
predations were not to be perpetrated
with perfect impunity.
The battle lasted about one hour;
the Wings had one man killed, the
British between thirty and forty kill
ed and fifty wounded, who were mostly
billeted upon a few Tory families In
the vicinity, and attended by Dr. Tur-
ner. who resided near the battle
ground. However, many Of the wound
ed Tories escaped to the woods, and
were afterwards found dead. Lacey's
predictions to old Mr.. Adair were ver-
flied before sunrise, Huck was killed.
and his army scattered to the four
winds. (S)
The battle at Williamson's has been
barely noticed by historians and call
ed a little affair. Nevertheless, 1t
will compare favorably with any ac-
ton Of the American Revolution. 1t
was valiantly fought and won by a
handful Of men, (all true as steel,)
against a much superior force-more
than three to one. 1t was productive
Of very great and important conse-
quences. The entire overthrow of
Hucks army was the first repulse the
British arms had met in South Carroll
ma, after she was considered, by
many. a subdued province, and prov
ed that the British bayonet was not
invincible. It greatly revived the
dropping spirits of the Patriots, and,
no doubt, contributed much to the
victory on Kings Mountain, which
happened little more than two months
afterwards. only twenty miles from
Williamson's. (9)
Soon after Huck's defeat, Colonel
Lacey collected most Of his regiment.
and Joined Sumter, ten miles east Of
the Nation Ford. at Clem's Branch,
where the latter had recently formed
a camp. The North Carolinians had
generously let Sumter have (for that
purpose.) horses, wagons and camp
equipage, taken from the Tories at
the battle Of Ramseur's Mills. Lacey
was with Sumter at the battle Of
Rocky Mount, 1t took place on July
30, 1880. This post was commanded
by Lieut.. Col Turnbull. with a garri-