Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-13

~ W.
Col. johnson was sent to inform Gen.
Rutherford of their conclusion and to
ask his cooperation. Johnson arrived
at Rutherford's camp at ten o'clock on
the night Of the 18th. Gen. Rutherford
thinking that his message had reached
the camp Of Locke shortly after the
departure Of Col. Johnson, remained in
camp anxiously awaiting the arrival Of
Locke's forces.
Late in the afternoon, Locke, Nc
Dowell, Wilson, Falls and others, set
out with the four hundred men under
them for the Tory camp at Ramsour's
mill. At the west end Of the mountain
the troops were halted for an hour and
the officers consulted respecting the
mode Of attack. Every officer was left
to his own discretion and to act as
circumstances might demand. The only
thing definitely arranged was that the
companies under Mcdowell, Brandon
and Falls should act as cavalry and
march in front. At daylight they were
within a mile Of the enemys camp.
The camp was favorably situated for
those occupying 1t. 1t was on the hill
three hundred yards from Ramsour's
colnton. The Tories had a picket guard
of twelve men stationed In the road
which passed over the hill. The horse
men under Mcdowell, Brandon, Wilson
and Falls were arranged by twos. So
soon as the Tory pickets discovered the
cavalry, they fired and fed to their
camp. They were pursued to the lines
and then the Tories poured In gall
patriots back The cavalry passed
through the infantry under Locke and
afterwards formed and renewed the at
tack. AS might have been expected the
mode Of attack was very disorderly.
The Wings moved forward boldly, but
in great disorder. In a short time the
Tories, driven from the hill. retired be-
hind the ridge. Here their fire became
more destructive and the patriots took
shelter behind the bushes. Captain
Harden, at this juncture Of affairs, led
a small band OF Wings into the fight.
Protecting his men behind fence, he
poured In destructive fire upon the
right flank of the enemy. The Wings
made an oblique movement which put
them in possession Of more favorable
position. The conflict now became a
hand-to- hand fight. The parties struck
each other with the butts OF their guns.
The Tories finding that they were
pressed at all points, left the ridge and
crossed over the creek on the other side
OF the mill. When they were seen thus
posting themselves, Major Wilson and
Captain Alexander were sent to urge
General Rutherford to hasten to the
assistance of the patriots. They met
Rutherford about six miles from the
battle-ground. Major Davie and his
cavalry rushed at full speed to the
scene Of action. Col. Davidson's COM
mand followed with all possible speed.
These parties had not gone but cou-
pie of miles until they were informed
that the Tories had retreated and the
battle was over.
The loss on each side was about
equal. It was hard to tell Tory from
Whig since both were dressed in cit
izens' clothes. The Wings wore as
mark of distinction a piece Of white
paper in the front of their hats,
whilst the Tories wore a branch Of pine
in the same place. When the fight be-
came hand to-hand, the Tories took
the pine branch out of their hats and
threw 1t away. The Tories sent In
flag asking a truce to bury the dead,
but at the same time Moore and Welch
marched the Tory troops away; or to
speak more correctly, they ordered ev-
cry man to run away or get away as
best he could. Moore with a squad OF
thirty men reached Camden where he
was abused and degraded by the COM
mander Of the British forces. After the
battle was over about seventy men
were found dead on the ground, about
one half of which were Wings. About
one hundred on each side were wound
ed, and about fifty Tories were taken
prisoners. Captains Dobson, Smith,
Falls, Bowman and Armstrong were
killed, and Captains Houston and Nc
Kissick. wounded. The Tories lost In
officers, Captains Cumberland, Murray
and Warlicl, killed; and Captain Car
penter wounded.
The patriots were victorious; but 1t
was a sad victory. The next day the
dead were buried and long and loud
wall was uttered by the relatives Of the
slain, many of whom had fallen by the
hands Of their neighbors and kindred.
1t, however, taught the Tories salu-
tary lesson, and proved to the British
that the country was not subdued.