Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-09-28
From the Yorkville Enquirer of 1871
INSTALLMENT XXXv.
The Retreat of General Greene-con-
k.nna1

Il
General Greene was not long in dis
covering the intentions Of the British
earl. He determined to disconcert all
Ibis plans and Illustrate all his strategy
When Morgan left the Cowpens, the
forces of Greene were so situa ed that
they could not act with any concert
The main force was on Hicks creek,
in Chesterfield county. and Colonel Lee
with the main body Of cavalry, was
sixty miles below Cheraw, acting in
concert with Marion. The object which
CORVALLIS at first had in view, was
to rescue the prisoners captured by
Morgan at the Cowpens. Failing in
this, his next object was to overtake
Morgan and destroy his division be-
fore it could be joined by Huger and
Lee.
So soon as Greene discovered the
condition of things, he ordered Huger,
williams and Lee to join Morgan,
either at Charlotte or Salisbury. 1t
was not long before 1t became evident
that this could not be done. Guilford
court house was then appointed as the
place at which the several detach-
ments should unite. Apparently the
existence of Greene's army depended
upon this union. On the other hand,
the success of the British depended
upon keeping the several detachments
separate. To form this junction, re-
quired everything that is requisite to
constitute a military chieftain Of the
highest rank.
passionately, the chances were all
against Greene and in favor Of Corn
wallis. Nothing but dire necessity
could induce any officer. to undertake
what Greene undertook. He knew that
he was dealing with a general OF no
ordinary skill and courage. He was
fully persuaded that every wrong
/ move on his part would be promptly
improved by his enemy. AS we have
seen, CORVALLIS that he might succeed
In his undertaking, had destroyed on
the 25 of January, all his superfiuous
baggage.
Having completed the arrangements,
for the advance Of Morgan's troops,
General Greene set out from the Ca
tawba for Salisbury. A few miles
from Torrence's Tavern, he and Smith
halted that General Davidson and the
militia might come up. Here exposed
to the rain and cold. Greene remained
until midnight, when he was inform
ed of Davidson's death and the rout OF
the militia at Torrence's Tavern. Had
Tarleton only known where Greene was,
with a few men he could have cap
tured him and thus blasted all the
plans of the southern army. So soon
as Greene learned the actual condi-
ton of things with the North Carolina
militia, he set out at once for Sails
bury.
Here he arrived some time between
midnight and day break. Cold and
wet, hungry and benumbed, disap-
pointed and distressed in spirit he
went to a tavern kept by Elizabeth
Steele. DR.. William Read, surgeon
in the American army, was at this
time quartered in Salisbury. General
Greene Immediately sent for him.
Read arose from his bed, and having
hastily dressed went at once to meet
Greene. When the men met, Read with
intense anxiety inquired what was the
matter. Sir" said Greene, Il am here
alone. 1 am worn out with fatigue. l
am hungry and 1 am without a cent
of money"
These words were heard by Mrs.
Steele and 1t was not long until break
fast was brought into his room. While
General Greene was eating his break
fast, his patriotic hostess entered the
room with a small bag Of specie In
each hand. This money, the earnings
Of several years, was delivered to her
guest. At first he refused to receive
1t. but Mrs. Steele forced 1t upon him,
saying, take 1t: you need 1t and can
get along without It,"
In the room in which General Greene
trait of the king Of England. Greene
took 1t down and wrote upon the back
these words: 20, George hide thy face
land MOURN" and then hung the por-
trait up again with the face turned to
the wall.
General Greene having learned I'M
mediately before his arrival at Sails
bury that the British were pursuing
Morgan, with all possible speed sent
his aids and other attendants to bear
DISPATCHES to the different detach-
ments of the southern army. Some
were sent to assist Huger, Williams
land Lee in joining Morgan, and others
were sent to Morgan to inform MIN
of the movements of the British.
The news Of Davidson's death and the
dispersion of the militia and the ad-
vance Of the British was known In
Salisbury by a certain class Of citizens
before Greene arrived. A plundering
party, probably part British and part
Tories, had that night, but short
time before General Greene's arrival
lentered the town and plundered the
houses of several Of the citizens. Evil
IDENTIFY it was not prudent for Greene
to remain long in a place where he
might be captured at any moment
Morgan's corps-at least a portion OF
lit-soon passed through the town and
Greene followed it. Many Of the Wings
in the surrounding country abandon
ed their homes and with their wives
and children, followed Morgan. Dur
ing the day and night Of the second OF
February, Morgan crossed the Yadkir
at Trading or Island ford. The horses
forded; the army baggage was trans
ported in flats. Some Of the wagons
belonging to the country people, to-
gether with a number Of citizens, were
still on the west side Of the Yadkin
For more than ten days 1t had been al
most constantly raining. The streams
were all flush and In a condition tc
be rendered impossible by even 6
moderate rain. When Morgan's forces
left Salisbury, 1t was raining hard
Greene knew that the Yadkin woult
, soon be brim full. Hence his push tc