Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-17

tuous repast, but to poison the food and
take of her dainties. She had the pois-
on in her house; but when the time
came to make use Of 1t, she refrained
! from the desperate act; lest she might
do more harm than good.
Whilst supper was preparing, Huck
nursed John Bratton, the father Of
large family, many of whom are res
idents of York county. Huck asked
Mrs. Bratton where her husband was?
She replied. "In Sumter's army" Huck
told her IL she would send for him and
induce him to join the British, he
should have a commission in the regu-
lar army" This offer Mrs. Bratton
treated with indignity, telling him she
would rather her husband would fight
the British and Tories than to fight
with or for them. Huck became en-
ragged and dashed the child from his
knees, and an ill-bred soldier, seized
sickle which was near by, and with 1t
was about to cut the throat Of the
brave woman. He was only prevented
from perpetrating this savage deed by
the officer second in command to Huck.
After supper their camp was formed
at Williamson's, less than half a mile
from Bratton's. The road ran by VIII
liamson's house on the east. The
house and yard were fenced UP. The
British and Tories were inside of this
enclosure. Just as day began to dawn,
the patriots began the attack on the
north and east Of the house. They
were only about seventy-five yards
from where the British and Tories were
lying, sound asleep In their tents 1t
was complete surprise. They sus-
pected no harm. When the firing first
commenced, Huck woke up, but thought
It was only some struggling patriots
who had stolen in upon his camp and
that the whole thing would be over as
soon as the British regulars poured In
one volley. With the impression on his
mind, he turned over to finish his
morning nap. Still the firing contin-
ued. In haste he arose from his bed,
put on his shoes and pants and ran out
without coat and commenced to ride
back and forward along his line.
Thomas Carroll, who lived and died on
Toole's fork, near the present residence
of DR.. Calvin P. Sandifer, seeing him
and regarding him as Of more than or
binary Importance rested his gun in
the fork Of plum tree, saying to his
companions near by: II am going to
try that fellow on horseback in his
shirt sleeves, and II kill him you will
know 1t, for l have two balls in my
gum" He fired, the man fell and after
the battle was over, Huck was found
dead with two bullet holes In his head
one only a short distance above. the
other.
Before Huck rose from his bed, Fer
guson had attempted. to drive the pa
triots away by the bayonet, but he fail
ed They fought behind the fence,
which surrounded the house, and were
not exposed. Ferguson and his British
regulars were forced to give way be-
fore the murderous fire OF the patriots.
So soon as 1t was learned by the Brit
ish and Tories that Huck had fallen,
they became confused. The patriots
were not long in making this discovery
and the command was given: Boys
take the fence and every man his own
commander" No sooner was the or
der given than 1t was executed. Over
the fence the Wings leaped and were
In a moment, right among the Britieh
and Tories. The cry for quarters soon
became universal. Even Ferguson
raised his voice and pleaded for mercy.
This could not be granted, because 1t
was known that either by him or by
his orders, William Strong was shot In
his own house on the 11th OF June.
Ferguson was killed on the spot. The
British and Tory force was scattered
to the winds. Near forty were left on
the battle ground, amongst which num-
Der was the profane Huck and the
cruel Ferguson. About fifty were
wounded; at least fifty were found
wounded on the battle field and others
wounded, fled but afterwards perished
in the woods. How many were taken
prisoners Is not known; but the officer
second in command was amongst the
number and his life was spared on ac-
count of the entreaties Of Mrs. Brat
ton. whose life he had saved on the
previous evening. The conflict lasted
about one hour; and strange to say
only one Whig, whose name was Camp
bell, was killed.
On the evening of the battle, whilst
at Bratton's house, Capt. Huck sent
James McRanell, Thomas Clendenin,
Robert Bratton, Charles Curry and
John Moore-all old men-to crib
there to be guarded during the night.
When the battle began, the old men
rose upon their guard and when John
Moore, Jr., went during the fight, to
release the old men. he found them
guarding the guard which had been
placed over them.
The wounded British and Tories
were sent to the houses Of the loyal
families In the neighborhood and wait
ed upon by DR.. Turner, who resided In
the community.
The sword of Huck fell to the lot OF
Thomas Carroll. No doubt he received
this as a reward for having killed the
vile swearer. In his old age, Thomas
Carroll became very much dotted. One
Of the strange acts Of his old age was
even when he was near ninety-hVe
years old, to buckle on the sword OF
Huck, and by the assistance OF his
sons, John and Joseph. mount fine
black horse, which he owned, and -four
ish his sword as If he was a military
aptain in the bloom Of youth.
Immediately before the battle COM
menced Col Bratton, knowing his
house was on the battle ground, and