Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-30


law authorizing the governor to
seize the arms, ammunition and pro-
visions wherever they could be found;
to impress vessels and to arm the
trusty negroes Agents We're sent to
Virginia and England to solicit aid.
Robert Daniel was appointed deputy
governor, and Governor Craven, like
true hero prepared to lead. in per-
son, the colonial forces against the
foe.
So soon as Governor Craven learn
ed. perhaps from John Fraser, Of the
intended attack Of the Indians, he
collected a company Of two hundred
and forty horsemen, from Colleton
county, and followed after Capt. Nairn
for the purpose Of learning the pre-
else state Of the difficulties. At the
same time he ordered Colonel Mac
kay to raise all the forces he could
and proceed by water to Pocotaligo.
The governor having arrived within
sixteen miles of the Indian chiefs
town, encamped for the night near
the Combahee river. At break OF
day on the next morning he was sud-
denly attacked by five hundred Yem-
assess. The colonial forces were
promptly placed in order. and after
spirited engagement of forty-five
minutes the enemy was routed. The
loss to the colony by this engagement
was one sentinel, by the name Of John
Snow, killed, and a few men wound
ed. The Indians lost several of their
war chiefs, and a large number OF
their warriors were killed and
wounded.
Colonel Mackay, in pursuit of his
orders, gathered what forces he
could, and embarked. by water, and
on landing. marched to the Indian
Yemassee town; and though he was
disappointed in meeting the governor
there, yet he surprised and attacked
the enemy and routed them out OF
their town. where he got vast guam
titles of provisions that they had
stored up, and what plumber they had
taken from the English.
Colonel Mackay kept possession
of the town, and soon after, hearing
that the enemy had got into another
fort. where were upward Of two hun
dred men, he detached, out of his
camp, about one hundred and forty
men to attack 1t, and engaged them
At which time a young stripping
named Palmer, with about sixteen
men. who had been out upon a scout,
came to Colonel Mackay's assistance,
who at once. with his men, scaled
their walls and attacked them In
their trenches, killing several: but
meeting with so warm a reception
from the enemy that he was neces-
STATED to make a retreat. Yet, on
second entry with his men, he sc
manfully engaged the enemy as To
make them fly from their fort. Colo
mel Mackay being without, engaged
them on their fight. when he slew
many Of them."-BOston News, OF
June 18th. 1715.
This prompt action on the part OF
the governor and Colonel Mackay
checked the progress of the enemy In
this quarter, but a body Of four hun
dred of the enemy came from the
north in the direction Of Goose creek
They came to the plantation of John
Hearne, near the Santee. Here their
wants were supplied, but they bar
barously murdered Hearne. Captain
Thomas Barker hearing of their ap-
proach, collected a company OF near
one hundred cavalry and marched &c
meet this party. Trusting to an In
dian as a guide, whom he regarded
as faithful, he was led into the very
midst of the enemy. In thicket
with which the country at that time
abounded, the Indians lay concealed
At moment when Captain Barker
was suspecting no danger, the In
dians sprung from their hiding places
and poured in a deadly fire. capt
Barker was killed and his men were
thrown into disorder and fled. This
untoward event threw the whole OF
the Goose creek section into panic
A rush was made for Charles Town
A fortification. i'm which was seventy
white men and forty negroes, fright
ened by the great number OF the In
dians. surrendered only to be inhu-
manly butchered.
On the 18th of June, the savages,
thus far triumphant, were met by
Capt. Chicken and the Goose creek
militia, and were defeated and driven
from this section of the colony. The
Indians soon found that although
their numbers were much greater
they were no match for the English.
BY the prompt and united action OF
the people, they were driven beyond
the Savannah river and ultimately
fled to Florida.
This Yemassee war cost the colony
four hundred men and not much less
than one hundred thousand dollars
in the destruction of property. The
whole burden of the war fell upon
the colony. Governor Spotwood OF
Virginia, furnished one hundred SOL
diers at twenty dollars per month.
but there is no evidence that any en-
gagement took place after their ar
rival.