Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-24

MdJOT CdTQeI.
The disposition OF the British
forces was judiciously made. Hang
ing Rock creek was in the rear; on
the right flank was the British reg
ulars; on the left flank was the North
Carolina Tory regiment. The centre
was held by a part Of Tarleton's le-
gion and Hamilton's regiment Of 10y
alists. The centre was separated
from the left flank by a skirt Of
woods. Such was the position held
by the troops In the centre, that 1t
could not be assailed without expos
ing those who attacked 1t to de-
structive fire. The troops In the GEN.
tire were. provided with a three
FOUNDER and were protected by a
deep ravine. Capt. McCullock COM
manded the centre.
About dark on the evening Of the
fifth of August, Sumter, Davie, La
cey, Irwin, Hill and the troops under
them set out from the neighborhood
of Lansford for Hanging Rock. At
the dawn Of day they arrived within
two miles of the British camp. Here
a halt was called, and the plan Of at
tack settled. Sumter proposed that
the troops march In three divisions
and advance on horseback, directly
against the centre of the British, and
dismount when in sight Of the enc
my This mode Of attack was agree
able to all the officers except Davie,
who advised that the horses be left
at the place where they then were.
His objection to advancing on horse
back was the confusion which nearly
always occurs when troops dismount
In view of the enemy. Sumter's opin-
ion prevailed and the disposition Of
the troops was quickly made. The
command of the whole by universal
consent, was intrusted to Sumter. Da-
vie commanded the division on the
right, which was composed Of his
own corps and a sman number Of
volunteers under Major Bryan. The
column on the left which was COM
posed Of South Carolina refugees,
mostly from Chester and York coun-
ties was commanded by Hill. The
centre, composed entirely Of Meek
lenburg militia, was led by Irwin.
In order to avoid the enemy's pick
cts, the three columns filed to the
left of the road, with the intention to
return to 1t before approaching the
camp Of the enemy The guides went
too far and when the approach to the
enemy was made. 1t was found that
the three divisions were all opposite
Bryan's Tory regiment which consti-
tuted the left flank of the British.
At seven o'clock in the morning the
three divisions dismounted and rush
ed upon the Tories. Irwin made the
first attack, which was soon followed
by Hill and Davie. The Tories fed
for protection to the centre Of the
camp. This post was held by Capt.
McCullock. with one hundred and six
ty of Tarleton's legion Of infantry and
some of Hamilton's North Carolina
Tory regiment. The Wings followed
the discounted Tories under Bryan,
to within range Of the centre Of the
British camp. Here they were unex-
pectedly met by terrific fire from
the British legion. The Wings pass
ed on. Twice they were charged
with fixed bayonets by the British
regulars. A desperate effort was
made to retain the position and save
the three FOUNDER. Nothing could
withstand the impetuosity OF the
Americans. Although the British
centre fought behind a fence and
was protected by ravine 1t was
forced to give way. When Bry-
ans Tory regiment fled, Browns reg
iment was also struck with conster-
nation. When, however, Browns
men saw the determination with
which the British regulars fought,
detachment Of them went to the as
sistance Of McCullock. The Ameri-
cans were not prepared for this ana
before they were aware a heavy hre
was poured in upon the militia now
off their guard on account OF appar-
ent victory. 1t was not long before
these undisciplined Wings rallied, and
getting behind trees and bushes, made
desperate havoc with their trusty RI
fles in the ranks of the enemy. In
few moments every British officer was
shot down and the Prince Of Wales
American regiment nearly annihilated.
Major Davie seeing the condition or
things, rushed out from the right
flank of the American forces and
shouted out: "Britons ground your
armsi YOU have but one officer left;
to the ground, IL your lives are worth
preserving" The order was quick
ly obeyed.
Right at this juncture OF anairs,
when q complete victory seemed to be
within the grasp Of the patriots, the
whole thing was spoiled. The British
commander with great GOODNESS, now
led part Of his remaining troops into
his former position, and formed them
in a hollow square in open ground.
Opposite to this and near the woods
the other part, consisting mostly or
menced forming. After the rout
and surrender Of a portion Of the
British a very large number Of the
Wings. thinking the victory complete,
rushed to plundering the British
camp. Not a few found the rum and
were drunk In a short time. Sumter
made a desperate effort TO restore or
der and make another dash upon the
enemy, but only two hundred men
could be got together. Major DAVE
with his corps. made an attack upon
Te8lllCHts "e-D NaS
persed on the first attempt. DaWe was
prevented, however from accomplish
ing anything Of consequence from the
fact that he was fired upon by two
pieces of artillery. Fortune also
seems to have favored the British
Captains Stewart and Mcdonald with
forty mounted infantry, returned from
Rocky Mount just as the contest was
In a critical condition. These officers
when they came In sight Of the Amer
lean forces, extended their files so as
to make the most formidable appear
ance possible. This added to the con-
fusion Of the Americans and a retreat
became absolutely necessary.
An hour was spent In plundering
the British camp and making litters
for the wounded. The two armies,
both in great disorder were In full
view of each other. The British
shouted three cheers for King George,
and the Americans answered 1t with
three cheers for George Washington.
Loaded with plunder and mani OF
them full of rum. the militia We're
arranged for retreat. All were tired;
some were wounded and were being
carried on litters, whilst many were
struggling Major Davie with his
corps, covered the retreat. Exposed
as were the Americans on their retreat
they were not troubled by Major Car
den. He was satisfied to let we'll
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