Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-09
From the Yorkville Enquirer of 1875.
INSTALLMENT XLVIII.
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ture the British post Of Ninety-SiS
disconnected somewhat the plans OF
both the Americans and British. Pre-
vious to the assault upon the enemys
works Greene had sent his sick and
inefficient men off in the direction OF
Charlotte N. c. After raising the siege
he with the whole Of his forces, follow
ed by as rapid marches as the circum-
stances would allow.
Lord Rawdon reached Ninety-Six
on the morning of the 21st. Both ne
and Cruger were delighted. Under cir
eumstances the most trying, the latter
had defended himself and surrounded
by difficulties which only a brave
man, the leader of veteran troops could
overcome, Rawdon had come to Cru
gers relief. In fourteen days, Rawdon
had marched his men in the heat Of
summer from Charleston to Ninety
Six, distance Of near two hundred
miles.
Nc small number Of his troops were
Irish volunteers. who had landed at
Charleston on the Srd of June. De-
ceived by the false reports which they
had heard at home, Of the success
which had attended his majesty's forces
in crushing the rebellion Of the colo
nies. these troops had come over to
possess the subjugated country. Each
one thought that on arriving at
Charleston, all he would have to do In
order to become the owner Of large
landed estate was to make his selection
and have his land marked out by metes
and bounds. Three days after landing
they discovered no doubt to their sor-
row, that before they could settle down
In the country as landlords they must
first conquer the present inhabitants.
Although Lord Rawdon had by rapid
marches reached the vicinity OF Ninety
Six soon enough to drive away General
Greene and save the garrison, he was
not disposed to give himself or troops
up to supineness. On the very even
ing after reaching Ninety-Six, he Sc
lected his best men and horses and set
out in pursuit of General Greene. The
sick and broken down men and horses
were left with Cruger. He crossed the
Saluda' and pushed on to the Enoree.
Here his van encountered the Ameri-
can rear, under Colonel Washington
and Lieutenant Colonel Lee. General
Greene with the main forces had cross
ed the Enoree and Tiger and perhaps
Broad river and consequently was not
out of danger
Lord Rawdon discovering very soon
the superiority of the American cav
airy to that Of his van, concluded to
abandon the pursuit Of the Americans
and return to Ninety-Six. Rawdon
seems to have come to the conclusion
that General Greene had determined to
leave the state of South Carolina and
go either to North Carolina or Virginia.
Laboring under this mistake, the Brit
ish general concluded to circumscribe
the field of his operations to the tract
of country included between the Eds
to, Congaree and Santee rivers. With
in this tract Of country he contem-
templated establishing in the most ell
gible position a military post from
which he might lead out his forces and
act as his surroundings might indi-
cate. On returning to Ninety-Six he
promptly set about making prepara-
tions for the abandonment of that post.
Many circumstances indicated this as
a proper course to be pursued. Even
had it been true as Rawdon no doubt
thought, that Greene and his army was
forced to leave the state Of South Car
olina to the mercy Of the British, still
Ninety-Six was too far in the interior
Of the country and too much exposed
to attacks from the various partisan
corps which were known still to exist,
to warrant it's retention. This was not
all. The various other posts in the up
country had been captured and their
garrisons made prisoners. Under such
circumstances, the maintenance Of a
garrison at Ninety-Six would have
been attended with great difficulties.
The plan chosen by Rawdon for the
abandonment of the post and the fu-
ture disposition of the troops, was that
Rawdon, with a portion Of the whole
forces then at Ninety-Six was to pro-
ceed directly to Fridays ferry on the
Congaree. whilst Cruger. with the re-
mainder III charge of the baggage, 10y
alists and sick, was to incline to the
right and advance to Orangeburg. At
Fridays ferry and Orangeburg, can
tonments were to be established. Col
onel Stewart was ordered from Charles
ton to form with the troops under his
command, a junction with Rawdon at
Fridays ferry.
Before however. the troops moved
from Ninety-Six, Lord Rawdon dis
covered that his conclusions with res
pect to the intentions of General Greene
were incorrect. on leaving the Enoree
he was followed by Lieutenant Colo
mel Lees corps. General Greene from
the moment he raised the siege at
Ninety-Six, contemplated regulating
his future movements by those Of his
enemy. His purpose was to keep at
safe distance from his foe, and yet near
enough to improve any advantage
which might be presented.
Previous to advancing upon Ninety
Six. General Greene had sent his hos
pital stores and heavy baggage to
Winnsboro. So soon as the intentions
of Rawdon were discovered General
Greene ordered his stores at Winnsboro
to be removed to Camden. Lieutenant
Colonel Lee was ordered to watch the
movements Of the enemy and commu-
nicate all intelligence gained to Cen
eral Greene Sumter and Marion were
apprised OF the movements of the enc
my and also of the aims and intentions
of the American general.
1t was at this time that an event
transpired. which has furnished
theme for the poet or novelist and
fit subject for the painter. When Cen
eral Greene had written letter TO
General Sumter. containing an outline
Of his plans and orders, he found II
A. 4 rhn IL