Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-02

ing except the bugler.
Before the affair between Lee and
Miller was concluded, Colonel Williams
had his forces in motion. The road on
which he was marching led to Dix's
ferry and the designated point Of cross
ing was Irwin's ferry. Thinking
Greene of whom he had heard nothing.
was now out Of reach of the enemy, he
filed to the right for the purpose Of
falling into the Irwin's ferry road The
officers having been informed OF the
movement, he hastened forward with
all possible speed. cornwallis was di-
rectly in the rear Of the Americans and
everything depended on promptness Of
action. Many of Lees men had eaten
nothing since the morning Of the 18th.
Having learned from, his guides that
there was a nearer road than that
travelled by Williams. Lee determined
to take 1t, so that he might gain time
sufficient for his men to dispatch
hasty meal and feed their horses.
Having arrived at the house Of a well
to do farmer preparations were made
for substantial dinner. The horses
were fed and the soldiers were pre-
pairing the repast. A few yidettes were
stationed in the rear; but no surprise
was feared since the road which they
had taken was a mere path.
Scarcely had the horses began to eat
when the videttes gave the alarm that
the British van was approaching. The
British were as much surprised as the
Americans. They had no idea that the
two armies were so near together. Lee
saw at once that 1t was now either fight
or fly. In his front was a swollen
stream over which was bridge. The
Infantry were ordered to rush to this
bridge to hold 1t. Lee drew up his
cavalry so as to cover a retreat The
British not expecting to overtake the
Americans. were for>the moment nom
plussed. Before they could advance
they had to form. Whilst they were
forming the Americans crossed the
bridge and were soon out Of danger
The nearer the approach to the Dan.
the more energetic was the pursuit by
CORVALLIS. The night Of the thirteenth
was cold, dark and rainy. Neither the
darkness nor the cold nor the rain put
a stop to the pursuer. On he pushed.
His only hope was to capture Williams.
This he knew must be done either that
night or the next day.
At eight o'clock in the night, the
Americans beheld in front Of them. a
number of camp fires. This filed the
hearts of those brave men with sad
ness. They naturally concluded that
General Greene and the main body Of
the southern army, unconscious Of the
proximity of the foe were warming at
these fires. Williams like q brave man
began to prepare for the conflict. His
plan was to throw his forces directly
in front of the British. and by every
means in his power. retard their prog
ress till Greene should have time to get
out. of danger. Before the conflict be-
tween williams and CORVALLIS began.
It was learned to the inexpressible joy
Of both officers and men that 1t was
Greene's camp, but Greene and his men
were not there. They had camped on
the spot two nights before and were
gone The fires had been kept burning
by the Wings in the neighborhood. De-
liyered from their fears. the Americans
pressed forward. CORVALLIS finding
that he. could not grasp his prey on
that night, halted. So soon as the
Americans discovered this, they en-
camped. Long before day both the
Americans and British were in motion.
This days work was to put an end. II
they were successful to the present
tolls of the former; and 1t was to
crown with success or stamp with de-
feat, the plans Of the latter. On both
parties pushed. through mud. over hills
and across valleys. Neither man nor
horse was allowed time to eat or
sleep.
At midday a courier-his horse COW
cred with foam and the sweat stream
ing down his body-he himself covered
with mud, but with a countenance
bright with joy, met the forces Of VIII
liams. He bore letter from General
Green to Colonel Williams. in which
It was announced that the former with
his forces had crossed the Dan on the
thirteenth. No sooner was this news
known than glad shout was uttered
which echoed from hill to hill. The
British heard the shout and understood
its meaning. At three o'clock In the
afternoon, when fourteen miles from
the river, williams leaving Lee in front
of the enemy, filed off in the direction
of Boyd's ferry Here he crossed the
Dan before sunset. Later in the af-
ternoon, Lee ordered his infantry to
follow williams, whilst he, with his
cavalry still remained in front Of the
enemy. At dark. Lee bade an adieu
to O'Hara and set out for Irwin's ferry.
Here he crossed before nine o'clock.
This for the time put an end to the
tolls Of the southern army. The plans
of CORVALLIS were frustrated and his
hopes blasted.
In reviewing this retreat we are
unable to determine who among the
two thousand and three hundred men
and officers is deserving Of most praise.
All acted their part well. The history
of the world presents few II any cases
in which men suffered so much and so
cheerfully. Lee says of his men, they
were in good health and good spirits"
TO BE CONTINUED.
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