Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-13
tween him and the creek. washIngtOn

ington had advanced but a short dis
tance on this narrow path, when a vol.
Hey OF .musketry, fired by men con.
cealed behind the thicket proved fata
to numbers of those brave men, whC
had fought so many hard battles. Col
Washlngton's horse wss shot dead anc
he himself bayoneted, and but for the
linterposition of British officer would
have been killed in a moment. The
lground was literally covered with dead
men and horses. One-half Of Washing
toms cavalry was either killed OF
wounded and every officer except two
4 Hampton who had not joined Wash
lington when the latter attempted to
gain Majoribanks' rear, now gathered
lup the scattered remains Of the cayai-
~. In the meantime, Kirkwood with
| his Delaware's attacked Majoribanks
The whole British line now began to
give way. Majoribanks attempted to
cover the retreat. Everything seemed
favorable to the Americans. The Brit
ish were retreating in confusion. Some
were running down the Charleston
road, depending for safety only in the
speed with which they fed from the
iaeld Of conflict. The enemy's tents
Istood just In the rear Of the line OF
battle In their flight they passed
Through their own camp, destroying as
far as time would permit their stores.
In the British army there was nothing
hut confusion. The veterans were
slowly retreating whilst the loyalists,
Iwho had sought protection in the camp
of Stewart, panic stricken lest they
might fall into the hands Of the Amer
icans. mounting horse wherever they
lcould find one. fed in terror many OF
them to Charleston
| lat The forks of the road was large
brick house with number Of SER
wants houses together with other out
buildings and garden. Stewart had
erected some defences at this point.
Majorlbanks made a halt behind the
garden, and ldajor Sheridan with a
number of New York volunteers. fled
into The brick house. Stewart him
self was down the Charleston road, raj
lying his fleeing soldiers.
| In the pursuit the Americans pass
ed directly through the enemy's camp.
The commissaries had not been able to
destroy all the stores. The prize was
too tempting for the majority Of the
American soldiers Hungry and nearly
naked as most of them were. they be-
gan to appropriate, without stint the
good things in the tents Of the British.
The pursuit partially ceased, and the
pursuers began to eat and drink until
some were stupid from eating to ex-
cess and others reeling with drunken
ness All was confusion. The men
ceased to respect or obey their OFF,
Icers. Majoribanks began to fire from
behind the garden upon the Americans
lnow prowling about In the British
csmp. and Coffin who had taken po-
lsition in thicket now moved upon
Them and poured In destructive fire.
llsheridane kept up a constant fire from
the windows of the house. Some OF
the Americans took shelter in the Brit
ish tents. whilst others attempted to
shield themselves from the fire of the
enemy by getting behind the tents.
With anguish Of heart, we may sup
pose, General Greene saw the condition
Of his troops. Those in the British
camp were, many of them so inflamed
with drink that they would obey no
command. That he might save the i'm
prudent from utter destruction, he
dispatched a courier to Colonel Lee,
ordering him, with his legion to fall
upon Coffin. Lee was gone In pursuit
of the British. Maj. Eggleston Of Lees
command with a small party Of caval-
ry, undertook to execute the order, but
was repulsed by Coffin. Colonel Hamp-
ton came to the assistance Of Eggle-
ston Coffin In turn was repulsed and
driven from the field Of conflict. I'm
fortunately, the command Of Hampton,
Unexpectedly came within range OF
Majoribanks' muskets, and was in a
moment almost exterminated.
| Whilst the conflict was raging on
the right and left, Sheridan with q few
swivels which he had with him In
the brick house, was pouring destruc-
tion upon the Americans in all quar-
ters. All the field pieces Of the Brit
ish had been captured by the Ameri-
cans and brought to bear upon the
brick house, but so near had they been
placed to the house, that the artiller-
lists were soon all killed or driven from
the guns. After Majoribanks had
scattered Hampton's command. he ad-
vanced to the brick house and drag
ged the captured guns under the win
dows Of the house. One Of these guns
was re-captured and retained as a tro-
ply of the fierce conflict.
The fight had now continued neal
four hours. In every quarter success
was beginning to declare against the
Americans. Colonel Howard having
commenced an attack upon MAORI
banks was wounded. The troops un-
der his command fell back and Ma
joribanks remained master Of the sit
uation. Stewart was returning up the
Charleston road to renew the battle.
General Greene determined to draw
off his troops This was all he could
attempt and 1t was doubtful whether
he could accomplished this. His cav
airy was scattered in every direction;
his battalions were broken and his ar.
tillery all either disabled or In the
hands Of the enemy. Colonel Hampton
was left near the enemys camp. with 6
strong guard, and the rest OF the
troops were led to Burdells plantation
seven miles from the scene Of the
conflict.
Stewart was too badly crippled t.
even attempt pursuit. Both side:
claimed the victory. The loss on botf
sides, considering the number Of mer
engaged was very great. The Ameri'
can loss was, in killed, wounded ant
missing, six hundred and twelve. d
this number there were twenty-five
officers killed and thirty-nine wounded
The British loss was six hundred ant