Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-13
,e morning of the sth of September

1.-THE morning Of the 9Th Of September
l17S1. a
Colonel Stewart with about tw
thousand soldiers lay at Eutaw Spring
His line extended from Eutaw creel
north of the Charleston road, across tn
road, for considerable distance. TIL
line passed in front of the residence o
William Sinkler. E
At eight o'clock, Lee and Hendersol
came in contact with Captain coffil
and his potato diggers." Captail
Coffin seems to have been ignorant o
the advance of the American army
Captain Armstrong was leading Lee
Accommodating party. So soon as COT
fin discovered Armstrong. he dashet
forward and made a spirited attacl
upon him. Armstrong fell back upol
Lee. The legion and state troops wer'
soon arranged to receive the attack
Lee, supposing that Stewart was ap
prised of the nearness Of the American
army, dispatched courier to Genera
Greene to inform him of what wal
taking place. The American van wa
now near four miles from EutaV
Spring. Coffin boldly attacked Lee ant
Henderson and was as boldly met by
these officers. Major Eggleston made
a quick movement and gained Cofin'i
rear. Pressed both in front and rear
Coffin was soon forced to yield. "A
large number Of his infantry was killet
and forty including their captain were
taken prisoners. Collins cavalry 81
soon as they; discovered Eggleston In
their rear. put spurs to their horses
and fed In confusion. The unarmet
party which had been sent out to dis
potatoes, fed back to camp 30 soor
as the firing commenced and thus es-
capped.
The American van under Lee and
Henderson, encouraged by the results
of this skirmish, pressed forward with
vigor. About a mile from the camI
Of Stewart, they were met by another
detachment Of the enemy, which had
been sent to aid Coffin. Both Ameri-
cans and British seemed to have beer
surprised by this occurrence. Stewart
now for the first time seems to have
been convinced that General Greene
with his whole army was Approaching
The British fell back short distance
and the main body of the Americans
soon arrived on the ground.
Both armies began now to prepare
for battle In earnest. Stewart drew
up his forces in battle array and Gen.
eral Greene steadily advanced. Stew
art formed but one line. The thirty
third regiment called the Irish Bluffs
commanded by Captain Coffin was
posted on the right; Colonel Crugel
with the remains Of several corps was
stationed In the centre; the 63th and
64th regiments of regulars were post
ed on theFleft. Major Majoribanks
with battalion composed Of grena-
oilers and light infantry was posted or
Eutaw creek. The enemy's artillery
was distributed along the line-part or
the Charleston road and part on the
road leading through the enemy's lef'
wing to Roach's, plantation In his
rear Stewart had stationed two sepa-
rate bodies Of infantry and cavalry te
be called into action as necessity might
demand. ......
The American front line closely fol-
lowed by the second artillery pressed
forward. At a few minutes past nine
the musketry and artillery began g
spirited fire upon the British line
The British replied promptly. From
flank to flank the Americans poured In
a constant fire and from flank to flank
the British gallantly responded. The
conflict was fearful. The Whig militia
stood their ground like veterans. Stew.
art brought his line into action. His
artillery played necessarily upon the
advancing column Of militia. Steadily
they moved forward amid a shower oi
cannon and musket balls. The infan-
try of Lees legion was fiercely met by
the 63rd. whilst Malmedy and his corp:
was furiously assailed by the 64th
The North Carolinians gave way and
the enemy's left pressed forward. The
state troops under Henderson were
now furiously set upon by the flanl
battalions under Majoribanks and by
the Irish Bluffs. Just at this critica
moment one Of the field pieces Of the
British was disabled and both Of the
hree-pounders Of Gaines were silenc'
ed. Left unsupported by artillery. the
state troops still continued to figh
like tried veterans. Not until they hat
fired seventeen rounds did they give
way, and then only because overwhelm'
ed by superior numbers.
To fill up the gap made by the CIV
ing way Of the militia, General Greene
ordered up the second line, under Gen
eral Sumner. Stewart at the same
moment, brought into the action hi
infantry reserves. These fresh troops
fought each other with desperate fur!
for a short time. Unfortunately, Col
onel Henderson was disabled by
wound. This produced a moment
confusion in the American ranks
Hampton, Polk and Middleton discov
ering the critical condition Of affairs
exerted themselves and soon restored
order
The brigade which Sumner com
manded, being composed mainly o
raw recruits gave way and fled II
confusion. The British rushed forward
and were soon in as great disorder Ii
pursuit as the militia were in flight
General Greene ordered Williams 1T
sweep the field with bayonets." Tn
IVirginians under Campbell and tn
Marylanders under Williams rushe'
forward determined to change the as
pect Of affairs or die in the attempt
At the distance of forty PAGES from tn
enemy, these veterans discharged thei
muskets and with trailed arms and
deafening shout, the whole second lin
of the Americans rushed to the charge
The confusion of the British, alread
great on account Of the eagerness wit
which they pursued the fleeing militia
was now rendered doubly great by tn
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