Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-20

tie ldil VI SHdTltStOu dHu tic cStdu-
lishment Of a chain Of garrisons In
the up country, they had not even
contemplated that the Wings would
make an effort to resist the kings
troops; much less did they contem-
plate that the kings troops would be
defeated. routed and cut to pieces by
band Of unofficered and undisci-
plined farmers.
Sumter knew that the only way
that the troops which were gather
ed around him, at Clem's Branch,
could be retained and be Of advan-
tage to the country, was to keep
them busy. 1t would have been i'm
possible to have made Clem's Branch
drill camp. The men who had col
lected at that point would have re-
belled against any such a course.
Sumter was aware Of this. He knew
that the men were burning with ha-
tired toward the invaders Of their
country and were anxious to be led
into battle. They needed training;
but they must not be trained In The
camp, but on the battle field. After
the fight at Williamson's, he began
to look around for some enterprise
in which he might engage the peo-
pie who had fiocked to his camp.
The British post at Rocky Mount
was selected as the place upon which
to make an attack.
Rocky Mount Is in the extreme
southeastern corner of Chester coun-
ty, between big Rocky creek and the
Catawba river. Lieutenant Colonel
Turnbull was In command Of the
post. The garrison consisted of
something more than three hundred
soldiers-all loyalists. One hundred
and fifty were New York loyalists
and about the same number of
South, Carolina Tories. The place it
self consisted of a rocky eminence;
hence the name, Rocky Mount. The
artificial fortifcations consisted of
two log houses, with loop-holes,
which were surrounded with a ditch
and abattis, the latter Of which was
some distance from the house.
TIE region around Rocky Mount
was settled by Scotch-Irish Presby-
terians-Covenanter They were
all Wings. Not one of them took
British protection. They never in
tended to submit to British rule. The
Rev. William Martin was, at that
time. pastor of the, Catholic church.
In every way that he could he stirr-
ed the people up to resist the en-
croachments of the British and the
Tories. In the pulpit and out Of It,
he was the bold advocate for Ameri-
can independence. To keep these
Scotch-Irish quiet was one object the
British had in view in stationing a
garrison at Rocky Mount. The truth
Is, the British hated them, and the
British officers frankly acknowledged
they feared them. They were trou-
blesome. No defeat could discour-
age them; no victory could so elate
them as to throw them off their
guard.
East of Rocky Mount, in Lancas-
ter county is Hanging Rock. Here
British garrison, also was stationed
under the command Of Col. Car
don. 1t was concerted by Sumter
and 'Davie of North Carolina that a
simultaneous attack should be made
upon Rocky Mount and Hanging
Rock. The object was to prevent
troops from being sent from one
point to the other The distance be-
tween the two garrisons was about
fifteen miles.
To carry out this plan, Sumter
moved down to Davies camp on
Waxhaw creek. On the morning or
the thirtieth of July, Sumter and Da-
vie set out with their respective
troops. Sumter crossed the Catawba
river at what was then Blair's ford.
He was accompanied by Coils Nell,
Lacey and Irvine and Captain John
Mcclure. Davie passed down the
east side of the CataWba.
Early on the morning Of the 3lst,
Sumter reached Rocky Mount A
Tory had apprised Turnbull of Sum-
ter's approach, and preparations had
been made TO give Sumter and his
men a warm reception. Sumter had
no cannon. The Wings poured VOL
ley after volley into the fortifi-
cations, and the British were soon
forced to take refuge In the log
houses Here the enemy was safe
and no victory could be gained unless
they could be driven from the houses
or the houses be destroyed. The
houses were situated at the bottom
Of a. slope. The idea occurred TO
Sumter that the houses might be
burned. Accordingly an old wagon
was loaded with dry brush and straw,
gathered from the abattis and rolled
down against the houses, having
first been set on fire. This failed.
Sumter then with his impetuosity,
called out for two men 10 volunteer
to set the houses on fire. Col. Will
liam Hill, the grandfather of Gen. D..
II. Hill, and James Johnson, stepped
out and offered their services An
armful of rich pine was provided
and the heroes set out TO accomplish
the task. If they were so fortunate
as to succeed, Col Turnbull would be
made a prisoner; and If they failed
he would be permitted to live TO
fight some other day. They had to
face the loop-holes Of the houses. In
front Of them was a large rock. Pro-
tected by this they boldly proceeded
to accomplish their dangerous un-
dertaking Crouching on all fours,
keeping the rock between them ana
the house, they boldly advanced
Johnson carried the armful OF pine
and Hill watched the enemy. When
they arrived at the proper distance,
I'm the face Of a terrific fire Johnson
rushed forward and threw the burn
ing faggots on top of the houses.
The flames began to roll toward the
heavens. Hill and Johnson rushed
back to their fellows. Their clothes
were literally riddled with bullets
and the locks of their hair shot