Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-02
BhFYAR OF ktae's MOUNTAIN,
Compact and Comprehensive Account of Most I'm
portant Event of the War for American
Independence.
REV. DIR. LArHAN's CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Independence.

What though destruction sweep these
lovely plainsi
Rise fellow men! Our country ye'
remains:
sword on high,
And swear for her to live; for her tc
die"
CAMPBELL's PLEASURE OF HOPE.
The year seventeen hundred and
eighty was the darkest period Of the
Revolutionary struggle. From the
mountains to the seaboard, gloon
rested upon the whole country. Fol
FIVE years the colonies, against fearful
odds. had been battling for freedom
The country was overrun. its treasury
was empty, and its soldiers were hun
cry and naked. From the hills Of
Massachusetts to the savannas Of Geor-
gia, the darkness that could be both
seen and felt, enveloped the land. This
was especially the case In South Car
olina and Georgia. From the repulse
Of Sir Peter Parker, on the 2Sth OF
June, 1875, until the autumn Of 1779,
South Carolina, although in open and
determined rebellion against the moth
er country, enjoyed comparative peace
Supplies Of arms and munitions OF
war; together with food and clothing
for the army, were landed by differ
ent nations OF Europe at Charleston.
From this point, these army stores, to-
gether with rice and other products OF
the fields of South Carolina, were
transported, by wagon trains, as far
north as New Jersey. During this
period, South Carolina grew and -four
ished, Notwithstanding the existence of
war.
In the autumn Of 177S, the scene be-
gan to change Col Campbell was
sent from New York. by Sir Henry
Clinton, to reduce Savannah, the capi-
tai of Georgia. On the 2sth Of De-
cember, Gen. Howe was forced to ca
pitulate. Georgia fell into the hands
Of the enemy. and South Carolina
now became a border state, exposed to
the active military operations Of the
enemy. A bloody struggle was made,
near q year afterward, for the recov-
cry Of Savannah, but 1t proved unsuc-
-cessful. 1t soon became evident that
the British were determined to capture
Charleston. Provost, in May. 1779, had
attempted to take the city by siege, but
his plans were frustrated by the adroit-
ness of Gov. Rutledge and the military
...o,-ao. 90 Mo,,lf,ia
On the 26th OF December. 177s. Sir
Henry Clinton. with the larger part Of
his army, sailed from New York for
the south. In January Of the following
year, he landed on the coast Of Geor-
gia. He had but one object in view,
and that was to crush the rebellion in
all the southern colonies. His purpose
was tc begin at the southern extremity
and go northward. leaving the country
in his rear in complete and absolute,
II not willing, submission to the Brit
ish government. The first thing to be
done to effect his purpose, was the re-
ductior Of Charleston. On the 10th OF
February, he set out from Savannah
to accomplish the cherished purpose of
his heart. He was successful Wheth-
er all was done that could have been
done to save the city. or not, we shall
not here inquire. Perhaps 1t would
have been wise. under the existing cir
cumstances, not to have attempted its
defense. The attempt, however, was
made. Sir Henry Clinton commenced
and carried on the siege with as much
respect to the rules Of military science,
as II he had been conducting the siege
Of an old walled town. Reduced almost
to starvation, and poorly provided for
every way to stand a siege, the defend
ers Of the city. after a close siege of
nearly eight weeks, capitulated on the
18th of May. 1880. The terms Of the
surrender were hard, and the conduct
Of the British commander afterward,
was calculated to cast a gloom over
the patriots. The civil government OF
Britain was established in the city, and
plans were laid for establishing it over
the whole state. Everything was done
that could be done. to encourage the
Tories and loyalists and dishearten the
patriots.
Early in June, Clinton and the fleet
sailed for New York, leaving Lord
CORVALLIS to complete the establishing
Of civil government in the state. He
commenced his march northward. Par
ties were sent out in all directions to
disperse the patriots and gather up the
Tories and loyalists with which to swell
his ranks. This was not enough. He
determined to force those who, from
the results Of the war, were resting
quietly at home, to take up arms
against their friends and against the
cause which they loved. Lord Corn
wallis soon found that the country still
remained, and there were many who
had sworn for II to live and for it tc
die. In South Carolina, there was not
then a regularly organized American
army. There were small parties Of
men, in almost every section Of the
state, who disputed every inch Of
Will SOl oNlll PNSAA4
ed on Tories and loyalists flocked t
his standard, and many who, hereto
fore, had been regarded as good Wings
sought British protection. The country
was full Of Tories and British. Prop
erty was destroyed, old men and chill
dren were abused and cursed, and wo-
men insulted. Many, in dependency
gave up the cause as hopeless. Calam'
ity after calamity fell upon the aftiict'
ed country. On the 18th Of August
General Gates, the hero of Saratoga
was defeated and his army routed neal
Camden. Two days after the brave
Sumter was surprised at Fishing
Creek, by Tarleton, and his command
scattered
Such was the general condition o
things in South Carolina and Georgia
Many brave men had hidden them
selves beyond the mountains, that, ik'
Alfred of old, they might emerge from
these mountain Businesses and rout TIT
invading foe. These voluntary exile
received a welcome from the patriots
of Watauga and Nollichucky. Their
they met Isaac Shelby and John Sewer