Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-09

YORK
Iburg, and General Greene for the mo-
ment was unable to decide what course
to pursue Rawdon's forces, although
augmented by the corps Of Stewart was
inferior to that Of Greene, but was ia
vorably situated and protected by the
buildings of the town. On account OF
the difficulty in crossing the Edisto, an
attempt to intercept Cruger and cut
him and his loyalists off before uniting
with Rawdon would be thought Greene
attended with great risk. In view of
all the circumstances General Greene
Thought it prudent not to hazard an
assault but to retreat to the High Hills
lof the Santee.
| The American army remained in the
vicinity Of Orangeburg only few days;
but during that time the men expe-
rienced great suffering from lack of
food. The supply was limited and to
most of the troops the quality was very
unpalatable. For bread they had rice
and Virginia troops, who had been ac-
customed all their lives to bread made
from wheat flour or corn meal, rice
was very unpalatable. In addition to
this the supply Of rice was inadequate
to the demand. Fortunately the
swamps, lagoons and rivers furnished
an abundance Of frogs and alligators.
The troops subsisted mainly upon
frogs. The cravings of appetite over
came all aversion to these creatures and
both officers and men sought them with
avidity. The weather was oppressively
hot and the troops began to sicken.
General Greene that he might give his
army a short period Of repose, left
Orangeburg on the 18th Of July and
reached the High Hills OF Santee on
perhaps the 18th.
Before leaving Orangeburg, General
Greene ordered Sumter, Marion and
Lee, with the troops In their several
commands to advance in the direction
Of Charleston for the purpose Of break
ing up the British posts at Dorchester
and Monks Corner. These officers
were also charged with the duty Of
cutting off all communications between
Rawdon and Balfour, the commander
of Charleston. These objects accom-
plished, they were to join Greene on
the Santee Hills. The commands Of
the partisan leaders. Marion and Sum-
ter were made up of small companies
of state troops led by Taylor, Maham,
the two Hamptons, Lacey and Horny.
Leaving Orangeburg, these gallant Of
ficers each led his command into the
particular section of country. assign
ed him by General Lee. They soon
swept the whole region between Or
angeburg and the capital Of the state.
Colonel Wade Hampton dashed In
upon party Of British cavalry and
loyal refugees, within five miles Of the
city of Charleston. The garrison was
thrown into the utmost confusion. The
drums were beat, the bells rung, alarm
guns fired and the whole available
force Of the city hurriedly collected,
and together with the garrison drawn
up to meet the Wings. Hampton hav-
ing captured between forty and fifty
prisoners, exhibited them to the view
Of the sentinels on the more advanced
redoubts and retired at his leisure. Col
onel Hampton also burned four vessels
bearing supplies for the British army.
Colonel Lee took the British post at
Dorchester secured the whole sur
rounding country, capturing a large
number of wagons and wagon horses,
conveying provisions from Charleston
to Rawdon.
Whilst Sumter and Hampton were
operating in front of Charleston and
Lee in the neighborhood Of Dorchester,
Marion and Maham, having crossed
the Cooper river near its head and
Wadboo creek. were operating in the
neighborhood of Biggin church.
At Monks Corner about one mile
distant, Lieutenant Colonel Coates was
stationed. His command consisted OF
the Nineteenth regiment. The Ameri-
can officers were exceedingly anxious
to overthrow Colonel Coates and his
regiment For this purpose Lee and
Sumter having effected their plans in
the sections to which they had been
ordered, led their troops to join Mar
ion in the region Of Monks Corner.
~ hn the
first object to be accomplished was to
destroy the bridge over Cooper river.
The cavalry of Coates advanced with
the determination to prevent the de-
struction of the bridge. Here a Sc
we're skirmish took place in which the
Americans were successful. Coates
drew out all his forces to protect his
cavalry and Sumter supposing that
Coates was advancing to bring on
general engagement, retired to more
favorable position. Coates had no
such design. Waiting until the day
had passed away; then under cover OF
the night, he collected the greater part
of his stores into Biggin church and
S6lllUB lire W Tic HOiSsiy Des
rapidly withdrew his forces in the di-
rection of Wadboo and Quinby.
The flames which illumined the sur
rounding country, revealed to the
American officers the plans of the
enemy. Without a moments delay,
the Americans began the pursuit. Lee
and Hampton led the van. On crossing
the Wadboo. they discovered that the
infantry and cavalry Of the enemy had
separated. The cavalry had directed
it's course to the right, keeping close to
the Cooper river, while the infantry
had pursued more easterly route.
Colonel Hampton set out In full
pursuit of the cavalry, whilst Lee fol-
lowed the infantry. The enemys cav
airy advanced so RAPIDLY that before