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


the patriots were not idle. Edward
Lacey, John Mcclure, William Bratton
John Mills and many others were bus
lily engaged in gathering UP the pa
! triots of York and Chester counties.
The patriots readily Joined these men
and It was only a short time until four
hundred men were ready for service.
These were at this time nearly all the
| fighting men In the two counties. 1t
was now determined to drive Huck
and Ferguson from the county. About
the time that Lacey, Bratton and Nc
Lure determined to drive Huck's forces
from the Fishing creek region, Coils.
Hill and Neil were sent over the Ca
tawba, to beat up recruits for Sumter's
army, then forming on Clem's branch.
When Hill and Neil heard that Brat
ton, Lacey and Mcclure had determin-
ed to attack Huck and Ferguson, they
at once concluded to join in with these
patriots. Hill and Neil had one hun
dred and thirty-three men. A junction
was formed and the united forces
amounted to more than five hundred
men. It was determined to attack
Huck and Ferguson during the night
Of the 18th Of July at Whites, now
Willifords mill II was concerted that
Captain Mcclure and a party under
him, should be sent out during the day
to reconnoitre and that the whole force
should be in the neighborhood before
dark. About sundown all arrived
within a few hundred yards Of the mill
and having tied their horses in the
woods, without any commander, ar
ranged themselves into platoons of six
and commenced to march for Huck's
camp. Just at this moment the first
platoon, in which was Lacey, was met
by Mcclure and his reconnoitering par
ty, who told them that Huck had de-
camped during the day, and had gone
to what Is now Brattonville, ten miles
south Of Yorkville. A consultation was
held by the leading spirits, and 1t was
determined to follow Huck and Fer
/
they were distant only about fifteen
miles. The word was given, March,
to your horses" Some of those who
had not learned that the enemy was
gone, supposing that the command
march, to your horses" meant retreat
rushed with all possible speed to their
horses, and 80 great was the effect up
on the minds OF one hundred and fifty
that having mounted their horses, they
never stopped till they reached Char
lotte, North Carolina. So soon as the
facts In the case were learned, every
| thing became quiet and another con-
sultation was held. 1t was again de-
termined to make an attack upon the
British and Tories before morning.
They had only three hundred and fifty
men. They set out on Hucks trail and
had no difficulty in following 1t. Col.
Lacey's father lived only a few miles
from Bratton's where 1t was thought
the enemy was encamped. AS was not
uncommon in the Revolutionary war,
old Lacey was an Incorporating 10y
alist, and so was his son, Reuben; but
his son Edward was as uncompromis-
ing a Whig Edward Lacey knew that
his father, IL he learned that the Wings
were about to attack the British would
be sure to go to the British camp and
announce the fact. To prevent this,
r1 M
men to guard his father until morning,
and as he knew his father to be both a
shrewd and determined man, he gave
| them permission to tie him. The guard
finding that the o,d man could be con-
trolled in no other way did actually tie
him and thus prevented him from frus-
trating the plans of his son and the
other patriots.
of Bratton's, Col. Edward Lacey and
Capt. John Mills, the grandfather OF
Thomas S. Mills of Chesterville. were
-ent out to learn the exact position OF
the enemy's camp. They learned that
Reuben Lacey, the brother Of Col. Ed
ward Lacey had gone the evening be-
fore to the British camp. Edward
knew that his brother was an early
| riser and that he would be certain to
| return home In the morning before
daylight. The two scouts, Mills and
Lacey placed themselves near by the
road which they knew Reuben Lacey
would be obliged to travel in return
| ing home. Here they waited quietly
his return. Edward Lacey was right
in his conjecture. Before day, Reuben
came along. He was blind Of one eye
and what was somewhat remarkable
he rode a horse that was blind Of one
eye, and he had dog that was blind
of one eye. This dog followed him
everywhere he went. So soon as blind
Reuben, on his blind horse, followed by
| his blind dog. came nearly opposite to
the place occupied by Edward Lacey
and John Mills, he was accosted by
Mills, in a feigned voice, with the de-
mand who comes there?"
"A friend"
"A friend of whom"
"Of the British"
$50 are we; where Is the camp?"
AT Williamsons, two miles ahead -
Where are the sentinels posted?"
"One Is north of Williamson's on the
road, at the branch; another Is half
way between Bratton's and William
sons; one about one hundred yards
south of Williamson's house: and an
other is east of Williamson's, towards
the creek"
This was all that the scouts desired
to know. They bid blind Reuben Lacey
good morning and FASTENED to COM
municate the important information to
their comrades. The plan Of attack was
soon determined on. The whole force
was divided into two divisions: one to
be led by Bratton and Neil and the
other to be led by Edward Lacey. Brat
ton and Neil were to lead their men uI
the road which passed by Williamson's
house. whilst Lacey was to lead his
men down the same road. The divi-
sions were to meet at Williamson's
James Moore understanding the local
ity, acted as guide for Lacey. At the
branch the sentinel was found posted