Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-13

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ford had about eight hundred militia in
camp, about eighteen miles northwest
Of Charlotte. On hearing Of Rawdon's
advance to Hanging Rock, Rutherford
The cavalry numbering only sixty-fi
under command Of Gen. Davie, were
formed into two companies and placed
under the command of Captains Sim
mons and Martin. A battalion Of five
hundred light infantry was placed un-
der the command of William P. Da-
wilson. Such were the preparations
made by the North Carolina Wings to
thwart the efforts Of the British.
Before setting out for Charleston,
Lord CORVALLIS had sent man by the
name Of John Moore, into the region Of
country now occupied by the town Of
Lincolnton, North Carolina. This John
Moore was loyalist, and had been in
the British army for some time. His
parents resided some six or seven miles
from Lncolnton. On the seventh of
borhood. He wore a sword and a rag
ged suit of regimentals. The particu-
lar account OF the actual state Of things
in the south was brought to this re-
region by John Moore. This candidate
for military honors, announced himself
as lieutenant colonel Of Colonel Ham,
ilton's regiment Of North Carolina
loyalists. He called upon the loyalists
woods, on Indian creek, on the 10th Of
the month. When the day arrived,
about forty men were on the ground.
Moore proceeded in a set speech to
communicate the general instructions
Of Lord CORVALLIS to the loyal citi-
zens: the purport Of which was that
the loyalists were to lie quiet until af-
ter harvest, but in the meantime 10
get ready for operating with the Brit
ish when called upon.
Just as this meeting was to break up,
a runner arrived communicating the
intelligence that Joseph Mcdowell, who
was out securing the country In search
Of the leaders of the loyalists, was only
eight miles distant and had only twenty
men in his command. Lieutenant Col
onel Moore felt confident that with for
ty men, he could capture Mcdowell
with only twenty. 1t was necessary to
make some arrangements for the en-
Tor hn q III
to assemble for the onset. The next
day came, but Mcdowell was gone.
He was pursued as far as the noun
tains between Burke and Lincoln, but
not overtaken.
On the 18th a general rendezvous
was ordered by Col. Moore at Ramsours
Mills. Two hundred loyalists met
Moore on the 18th, and on the 14th the
number was greatly increased. Mich
olas Welch, a major in Col. Hamil-
toms loyal regiment was among the
number He was native OF the COM
munity, and instead Of being clad in
rags like Moore, he wore q splendid
suit and was able to display a large
amount of gold guineas. 1t was
Welch's time to make speech. He
told the people Of the success Of the
British arms and Of the melting away
Of the American forces. Captivated by
Welch's fine regimentals or thirsting
for his gold guineas, tine loyalists were
inspired with great confidence in the
man and his cause. Poor Moore and
his ragged uniform sunk into contempt.
The camp Of these loyalists or Tories,
was discovered by Col Hugh Brevard
and Major Joseph Mcdowell. These
brave Wings hung around their camp,
and excited within them anything else
but feelings of confidence. Welch at
tempted to capture Brevard and Nc
Dowell, but was unsuccessful.
So soon as Gen. Rutherford learned
that Lord Rawdon had returned to
Camden, he determined to make an at
tack upon this Tory camp at Ramsours
Mills. On Sabbath, the 18th Of June,
he set out from his camp, which at that
time was south Of Charlotte for the
Tuckasege ford on the Catawba.
Whilst encamped at Mallard creek,
General Rutherford, not knowing as
yet what course Lord Rawdon would
pursue, ordered Col Locke. Major Will
son and Captains Falls and Brandon,
together with the other military officers
in the region. to raise men and disperse
the Tories. Rutherford's object in this
was to retain his own force to oppose
Rawdon. On the same day that Gen.
Rutherford set out in the direction of
Ramsours mill, he sent a dispatch to
| Col. Locke and his men to meet him
near Tuckasege ford, on the evening of
the 10Th or the morning Of the goth.
The early part Of the 18th was wet
and unfit for moving. About twelve
o'clock, the rain ceased and the sun
shone out. The guns Of the soldiers
having become wet, were fired on.
This caused a general rush Of the
Wings of the neighborhood to Ruther-
ford's camp. On the evening or the
same day the Catawba was crossed al
Tuckasege ford and that night the men
under Rutherford encamped about six
teen miles from Ramsour's mill.
No plan of operation was concerted
between Rutherford and Locke. The
latter in good faith and with proper
spirit in concert with other kindred
spirits, set about making preparations
in earnest to disperse the Tories. On
the morning of the 10Th, the forces un-
der Mcdowell, Wilson. Falls, Brandon
creek, on the west side Of Catawba,
and Locke encamped on Mountain
about sixteen miles from Ramsour's
mill and thirty-five from the camp OF
Rutherford The whole force amount
ed to about four hundred men. Here
council of officers was held, and their
future movements freely discussed
Some suggested that they should recross
the Catawba and wait for reinforce
ments others proposed that the whole
force should march at once and form
junction with Gen. Rutherford. Both
these propositions, for various reasons
were objected to. Some In the over
flowing of their patriotism, insinuateo
that both propositions indicated a feaI