Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-20
CHAPTER xxx.

Mary MussroVe Becomes VaIua'
BILE Auxiliary.
Williams had commenced his retreat
before the dawn as much with a view
to accomplish a large portion OF MS
Journey before the heat Of the day, as
to protect himself against the probable
pursuit of the rallied forces of the en-
emy. His destination was towards the
mountains on the north western from
tier. The overthrow of Gates had left
a large force of Tory militia at the
disposal Of CORVALLIS, who, 1t was
conjectured, would use them to break
up every remnant Of opposition in this
region. 1t was therefore a matter OF
great Importance to Williams, to con-
duct his little force into some place OF
security against the attacks Of the
royalists.
Colonel Elijah Clarke had, ever since
the fall of Charleston, been employed
In keeping together the few scattered
Whig families In that part Of Carolina
lying contiguous TO the Savannah, with
a view to an organized plan of resist
ance against the British authorities;
and he had so far accomplished his
purpose as to have procured some
three of four hundred men, who had
agreed to hold themselves In readiness
to strike a blow whenever the occa-
sion offered. These men were to be
q hU q nr0nOn-
certed signal; and, In the meantime,
they were instructed by confining
themselves to their dwellings, or pur-
suing their ordinary occupations, to
keep as much as possible out of the
way. Of the dominant authorities.
Clarke resided in Georgia whence
he had fed as soon as the loyalist lead
er, Brown, had taken possession OF Au-
gusta; and we have already seen that
a letter from Colonel Pinckney, at
Charleston, which Horse Shoe Robin
son had been intrusted to deliver, had
summoned Arthur Butler to this from
tier to aid In Clarke's enterprise.
Colonel Isaac Shelby, a resident OF
Washington county in Virginia, until
the settlement of the southern line OF
the state had left him in the district
at present known as Sullivan county In
Tennessee, had been an efficient aux
Hilary In Clarke's scheme, and was now
ready TO summon a respectable num-
ber OF followers for the support of the
war on the mountain border. He and
Clarke had accidentally arrived at
williams camp a day or two before
the attack upon Innis. with view to
a consultation as to the general in
terests Of the medltated campaign; and
they had only tarrIed to take part In
the engagement from a natural con-
Germ for the fate Of their intended COM
rade, Butler. Having no further mo-
tive for remaining with Williams. they
were both intent upon returning to
their respective duties. and according
ly, during the retreat of the following
day, they took their leave.
The vigilance with which these par
tisans were watched by their enemies
almost forbade the present hope Of sue
cessful combination. From con-
sciousness of the hazard Of attempting
to concentrate their forces at this juno
ture. they had determined still to pur-
sue their separate scheme of annoy
ance, until a more favorable moment
for joint action should arise; and In the
interval, to hide themselves as much as
possible in the forest. 1t was conse-
quently in the hope of preserving his
independence at least, If not of aiding
Clarke, that Williams now moved
with so much despatch TO the noun
tains
His course lay towards the head
waters of the Fair Forest river, in the
present region of Spartanburg. This
district was inhabited only by a few
hunters, and some scattered Indians Of
an inoffensive character; 1t abounded
i'm game. and promised to afford an
easy subsistence to men whose habits
were simple, and who were accustomed
to rely upon the chase for support.
The second. day brought our hardy SOL
diers into the sojourn they sought. 1t
was a wilderness broken by mountains,
and intersected by streams of surpass-
ing Transparency; whilst its elevated
position and southern latitude confer
red upon ii a climate that was then as
we'll as now. remarked for its delicious
temperature in summer. and its ex-
emption from the rigors of winter.
The spot at which Williams rested
was a sequestered valley deep hidden
in the original woods, and watered by
the Fair Forest, whose stream, so near
its fountain, scarcely exceeded the di-
menslons of a little brook. Here he
determined to form a camp to when
i'm times of emergency he might safely
retreat With a view to render II
easy OF access as a rendezvous, he
caused landmarks to be made, by cut
ting notches on the trees-or blazing
them, in the wOodman's phrase-in
several directions, leading towards the
principal highways that penetrated the
country. The retreat thus established
is familiar to the history of the war
under the name OF the fdll rOi 1S'
camp.
These arrangements being completed
In the course of the first day after his
arrival Williams now applied himself
to the adoption of measures for the
safety of Arthur Butler. Amongst the
spoils that had fallen into his hands
after the victory over Innis. was the
document containing the proceedings
of the courtmartial. The perusal oi
this paper, together with the comments
afforded by Robinson, convinced hin
of the malignity of the persecution
which had aimed at the life OF the
prisoner 1t occurred to him, therefore
to submit the whole proceeding to Lore
CORVALLIS. to whom he was persuaded
II either had been misrepresented, or
most probably, was entirely unknown
He did not doubt that an appeal to the
feelings of that officer. with full dis
closure Of the facts, would Instantly