Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-31
ere entrapped and slain or made pris-

officers had no time to form their men.
Sumter. 1t does not appear, gave any
orders at all. He was aroused from
sleep by Capt. John Steel and In a
half dressed condition mounted his
horse and made for the Nation ford.
The men followed the example Of their
commander. Some took to the river
and attempted to swim across, while
others made for the woods.
The Rev. John Simpson, pastor at
that time Of Fishing Creek church,
was mending his bride. He had lean
ed his gun up against tree, and his
mare was grazing around him. When
he heard the shouts Of the British and
saw the confusion and slaughter In
the American camp. he threw down
| the unmended bride and mounted his
mare, re-back and gave her a slap
on the side Of the jaw. The noble
beast dashed off in the direction indi-
Gated by the slap on the jaw. A
brush-fence, enclosing turnip patch,
seemed to obstruct his progress, but a
word Of encouragement from the kind
master enabled the faithful, but jaded
animal to leap into the turnip patch
and then leap out on the opposite side,
bearing her master safe to the road.
Here two of Tarleton's men, armed
with muskets, confronted the escap-
ing preacher. He was ordered to sur
render but another slap on the cheek
Of the mare changed her direction. Into
the woods she darted at full speed and
bore her master beyond the reach Of
the British.
In all directions and in every imag-
Unable plight the Americans fed. Some
were barefooted and some had no
clothing on except their hunting shirts,
and not few were absolutely naked.
OF the naked some were supplied by
the Whig ladies, in the region, with
their husbands clothes, and not few
went to their homes or Joined their
commander dressed In women's clothes
1t is said that Sumter left camp bare
headed but was supplied with hat by
James Harbinson. Another account
says that Sumter lost his hat In SWIM
ming the river and a Tory picked up
the hat and plume, floating on the riv-
er and brought 1t to Tarleton, from
which circumstance Tarleton concluded
that Sumter was actually among the
number of the killed.
The surprise was complete. Only
Capt. Moffett's company attempted to
make any resistance and this only for
short time. Tarleton increased the
number Of his force by promptly re-
leasing the three hundred prisoners.
These were, Of course, delighted and
signifed their Joy by frantically tossing
their hats In the air.
Tarleton was unable to pursue the
fugitives for any considerable distance.
His men were worn out and his horses
were jaded. The rout was complete.
Sumter's army was scattered to the
winds. The wagons and supplies taken
at Fort Cary, together with three
hundred prisoners, all fell into the
hands of the British. One hundred and
fifty officers and men were either killed
or wounded. Ten Continental officers
and one hundred Continental soldiers
together with many militia officers and
more than two hundred militia privates
were made prisoners. The two three
Founders sent by Gates to Sumter, two
ammunition wagons, one thousand
stand of arms and nearly all the
horses, fell into the hands of the Brit
ish.
Tarleton's loss was comparatively
nothing. Capt. Charles Campbell, who
commanded the infantry. was killed
just as the affair was drawing to q
close. Fifteen non commissioned OFF,
GERS and privates were killed and
wounded This together with twenty
horses killed constituted the whole Of
the British loss.
The surprise of Sumter, following in
quick succession the discontinue Of
Gates, left the country in a most peril
Gus condition. No wonder the British
general concluded the rebellion was
crushed.
1t is but reasonable that the inquiry
be made why was Sumter surprised.
Who was to blame for this sad affair?
The blame rests equally upon Sumter
and his men and II any one individual
was more censurable than the rest,
that individual was James Crawford
of Lancaster. One Of the characters
tics Of Sumter was that he rather
courted than Stunned danger. Many
Of his men were militia and could not
because they would not, be induced to
observe strict militia regulations. They
followed Sumter not because they were
compelled to do so, but simply because
they were anxious to fight the British.
Sumter should not have spent the
night of the seventeenth at Rocky
Mount. Had he marched all night, he
would have been out Of the reach of
Tarleton. Had, however the patrols at
Fishing creek done their duty, Sumter
could have easily demolished Tarleton.
James Crawford, it is said, granted
most of the young men permission to
go to the river to bathe. He should
have placed them on duty to guard the
camp.
The prisoners and baggage being Sc
cured, Tarleton set out for the camp
Of Cornwallis. After three days toll
some marching, he entered the camp
of CORVALLIS amid the acclamations
and shouts of the British soldiers.
Sumter went to Charlotte. His rout-
ed men who escaped being captured,
went either to their homes and from
thence to Charlotte or followed Sum-
ter directly to Charlotte.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Woman Kills Big Grizzly.