Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-08
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
Mildred Arrf.es at the Term Of HeI
Journey-The Reader Is Favored
With a Glimpse Of Distinguishes
Parsonage.
CORVALLIS, after the battle Of Cam
den, turned his thoughts to the dill
gent prosecution of his conquests. Thf
invasion of North Carolina and Vir'
sinia was a purpose to which he had
looked, from the commencement Of
this campaign, and he now according
ly, made every preparation for the
speedy advance Of his army. Tht
sickness of a portion OF his troops and
the want OF supplies rendered some de-
lay inevitable, and this interval was
employed in more fully organizing
the civil government Of the conquered
province, and in Strengthening MS
frontier defences, by detaching consid-
erable parties of men towards the
mountains. The largest Of these de-
tachments was sent to reinforce Fer
guson, to whom had been confided the
operations upon the northwestern bor-
der.
The chronicles of the time inform us
that the British general lay at Camden
until the eighth OF September, al
which date he set forward towards
North Carolina His movement was
slow and cautious, and for some time
his headquarters were established al
the Waxhaws, a position directly upon
the border of the province about to be
invaded. At this post our story now
finds him. the period being somewhere
about the commencement of the last
quarter Of the month.
A melancholy train Of circumstances
had followed the fight at Camden, and
had embittered the feelings Of the
contending parties against each other
to an unusual degree Of evaporation
The most prominent Of these topics OF
anger was the unjust and severe con-
struction which the British authorities
had given to the obligations which
were supposed to affect such Of the In
habitants Of South Carolina, as had
after the capitulation Of Charleston
surrendered themselves as prisoners or
parole, or received projections from
the new government. A proclamation
issued by Sir Henry Clinton in June
annuIled the paroles and ordered all
who had obtained them to render mill
tary service, as subjects Of the king
This order, which the prisoners, as
we'll as those who had obtained protec-
tions, held to be a dissolution Of theiI
contract with the new government, was
disobeyed by large number Of the in
habitants, many of whom had, imme-
diately after the proclamation, Joined
the American army.
Cornwallis permitted himself, on this
occasion, to be swayed by sentiments
unworthy of the character generally
imputed to him. Many Of the hber'
ated inhabitants were found In the
ranks of Gates at Camden, and seVera
were made prisoners on the field
These latter, by the orders OF the
British general, were hung almost
without the form of an inquiry; ano
It may we'll be supposed that In the
heat of war and ferment of passion
such acts of rigor, defended on suct
light grounds, were met on the oppo'
site side by severe retribution.
Almost every day. during the Brit
ish commanders advance, some Of the
luckless citizens of the province whom
this harsh construction Of duty affect
ed, were brought into the camp of the
invaders, and the soldiery had grown
horribly familiar with the frequen
military executions that ensued.-
1t was In the engrossment OF the oc'
cupations and cares presented In thi!
brief reference to the history OF TIT
time, that l have now to introduce m!
reader to Cornwallls.
He had resolved to move forward oI
his campaign. Orders were issued t
prepare for the march, and the genera
had announced his determination L
review the troops before they brok
ground. A beautiful. bright and coo
autumnal morning shone upon the wild
plain. where an army of between tw'
and three thousand men was draw
out In line. The tents Of the recen
encampment had already been struck
and a long array of baggage-wagon
were now upon the high-road, slowl,
moving to a point assigned them in tn
route of the march. CORVALLIS, at
tended by a score OF officers, still oc
cupied a small farmhouse which ha'
lately been his quarters. number o
saddle-horses in the charge Of thei
grooms, and fully equipped for service
were to be seen in the neighborhood o
the door; and the principal apartmen
Ct the house showed that some of tn
loiterers of the company were yet en-
gagged in despatching the mornin
meal. The aides camp were see
speeding between the army and tn
general, with that important and neck
endangering haste which characterize
the tribe of these functionaries: an
almost momentarily a courier arrived
bearing some message Of interest to tn
commander in chief.
CORVALLIS himself sat in an inne
room, busily engaged with one of hi
principal officers in inspecting som
documents regarding the detail of hi
force. Apart from them, stood, wit
hat In hand and in humble silence,
young ensign of infantry.
Your name, sir?" said CORVALLIS, a
he threw aside the papers which h
had been perusing and now addresse
himself to the young officer.
Ensign Talbot, of the Thirty thir
Foot" replied the young man: Il hav
come by the order of the adjutaI
general to inform your lordship that
have just returned to my regimen
having lately been captured by tn
enemy while marching with the thir
convoy Of the Camden prisoners
Charleston"
AHa! you were of that party! Wha
was the number of prisoners you ha