Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-30
GEN. EDWARD LACEY.

IGEN. EDWA WARD LACEY
Lion Hearted Champion OF
| American Liberty.
YORK'S EARLY HISTORY IN REVIEW
Interesting Old Pamphlet That Gives
the People of the Present Generation
Some Idea of the Part Their Fathers
Played In Establishing Their Inds.
/ pendenes.
reprint Of Pamphlet Published by
Dr. Maurice A. Moore in 1851.
There was large tobacco house
and other buildings In an open field
near the river; here the Patriots
were encamped. About two hundred
yards from the houses, there was a
strong log fence, one log notched upon
the other, II formed lane and q
strong picket was placed at its mouth
The fence served as breast-w work, and
the Patriots from their destructive vol
leys kept for some time. the British
dragons from making an entrance
The fire from the log houses, also was
felt, sensibly. by the enemy. In the
meantime, Colonel Lacey's mounted
infantry advanced to the west side
through thick wood, within seventy
five PAGES Of the enemy, undiscovered,
when they gave them a fire 80 well d.
rected. that twenty men fell and near
ly as many horses. Many Of the men
then dismounted and would creep up
so near the foe that q shot was never
wasted.
Tarleton's cavalry was afraid to
enter the thick woods, but strove to
press forward through the lane where
the British soldiers and horses fell so
thick that their number, dying and
dead, almost blocked the road. In the
meantime the enemy's infantry (Glen-
adiers) advanced near to the houses,
where they received such a heavy fire
from those in the log barn, as well as
from q number of the reserve force,
who had got around to that quarter
that the enemy was forced to retreat
and. fed in great confusion with
shouts of victory. the Americans pur-
suing. The battle lasted from o'clock
till near sun down, the enemy left on
the field nearly two hundred killed
and wounded. (32) The Patriots had
two or three killed and five wounded
one of whom was General Sumter.
Soon after the battle the Wings cross
ed over to the east side Of Tiger,
where Sumter disbanled part Of his
army.
Colonel Lacey kept the field with
his mounted infantry; his camp and
headquarters (3S) were at Liberty Hill,
on Turkey c:54k. in York District,
South Carolina, at Williams (now
wright's) milI Many Of the Patriots
fiocked to his itandard for safety and
enrolled themselves under his BAN
ner. He greatly annoyed the enemy
by cutting CT their large foraging par
ties. On the 28th Of November, 1880,
CORVALLIS was forced to say, In let
ter to Tarleton, "Sumter's corps has
been our greatest plague In this
state" (sD and on the 18th Of Decem-
ber. the Earl says to Tarleton, "You
must dislodge Lacey from his camp on
Turkey creek, so can move up on
the left-hand road" $3.50
Lacey also kept the Tories In check;
none of the bloody Scout" ever ven-
tured across Broad River.
It was a matter Of great Importance
to the Patriots in this section, to show
that they still had a force In the field
who were always ready to fight on
anything like equal terms.
It was about Christmas 1880. before
General Green left Charlotte. he or
dered General Morgan and Colonel
Washington to go and menace Nine
ty-Six. On their way they Joined
Colonel Lacey (36) at Liberty Hill.
Lacey broke up his camp and march
ed with his regiment under the COM
mand of General Morgan until after
the battle Of Cowpens, January 18th.
1881. where Tarleton met his greatest
defeat. His loss was upward Of eight
hundred killed, wounded, and taken
prisoners. The loss met by the Pa
triots was comparatively light COL
onel Lacey retreated with Morgan as
far as the Tuckaseige Ford on the
Catawba river, (37) where he was or
dered to make a stand to prevent the
enemy from crossing at that point.
Early in February. 1881, General
Sumter had so far recovered from his
wounds as to take the field again.
When he ordered out the militia OF his
part of the state. Colonel Lacey i'm
mediately, with his regiment, Joined
him. and was with Sumter. at the as
sault on Fridays Fort. the 18th Of
February, 1881. After this. Sumter
crossed over to the High Hills Of
Sumter, and on the 9Th Of March had
severe brush with Colonel Fraser.
between Scape Hoar and Ratcliffe
Bridge: here they made a draw game.
neither party wishing to renew the
fight.
Toward the latter part Of April. In
stead Of joining General Greene. Sum-
ter conceived the idea Of investing
Fort CRANKY. His progress was sure.
but slow for want Of artillery. In the
meantime Sumter took Lacey's noun
ted infantry, with other light troops.
and left Colonel Taylor's with suf-
ficient force to prosecute the siege
and by rapid marches arrived at Or
angeburg on the 11th Of May, In time
to capture the garrison at that post.
After two volleys they surrendered
Internationally.
The middle of May, General Greene
wrote to Sumter for as many Of his
soldiers as he could safely spare, as
he intended to lay siege to Ninety
Six. Colonel Lacey's regiment. with
three others, were Immediately sent to
Green. and remained with him until