Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-30

military duty. Whenever either gar
rison was attacked by American parti-
san corps, it was the practice Of the
commanding officer to place these old
men and boys in front of their men,
so as to protect them from the fire OF
the Americans. In this way 1t often
happened that sons were firing at
their fathers and fathers at their sons.
The father Of Captain Alexander was
in Fort Grierson at the time 1t was
taken by the Wings. The old man had
been exposed to the fire Of his own
friends. For this Captain Alexander
is said to have shot Colonel Grierson.
In fact it was with great difficulty that
| the American officers restrained the
troops under their command from kill
ing all the prisoners. Many were kill
ed Colonel Brown had perpetrated
many cruel. deeds and the Wings es-
pecially those of the surrounding coun-
try were determined on being reveng-
ed. The army stores together with all
the arms and ammunition contained
| Ill FOIl SIlcISOll, ICll lHbO NbS PSooSS
sion of the Wings. The spoils captur-
ed in Grierson enabled the American
officers to proceed at once to laying
siege to Fort CORVALLIS.
On the bank of the river between
Fort Grierson and Fort Cornwallis there
stood large brick house. This house
was the property of a loyalist who had
Joined Colonel Brown. Colonel Lee
with his forces took post at this house;
Pickens Wits his militia were placed in
skirt Of woods southwest Of the fort.
Between the river and the fort a body
of men consisting Of several small
commands under Clarke, Rudolph, Old
ham. Handy Hammond and others was
posted. At this point Colonel Lee who
was the ruling spirit among the be-
siegers, determined to begin the work.
There were only two pieces Of artil-
lery in the American camp-one an old
iron piece that Colonel Clarke had
picked up and a small brass six
FOUNDER commanded by Captain Fin
ley. With these it was determined to
battle down Fort Cornwallis and force
Colonel Brown to surrender.
Every individual in the American
camp was in good spirits and not only
willing but anxious to do his part. All
the tools captured at Forts Baulfour,
Galphin and Grierson, together with
many collected from the farms in the
neighborhood, were put into the hands
Of the soldiers and in a short time the
two pieces Of artillery were mounted
upon batteries.
The garrison in Fort CORVALLIS was
not idle. Colonel Brown had collected
from the adjacent country, previous to
the commencement Of the siege, not
less than two hundred negroes. With
these and details made from the gar
rison he strengthened his works and
prepared to die like brave man. Bags
of sand were heaped upon the ram
parts and both his rifiemen and artil-
lery kept up a constant fire.
Such was the nature of the ground
that the Americans could not bring
| NilSll N"o PlSSSS VI SehhAOh W HSSe'
with effect upon the enemy's works.
To remedy this defect it was proposed
to erect a Maham tower. That its
erection might be concealed from the
enemy, the rear Of an old house was
chosen as it's site.
In the meantime Colonel Brown see
ing that he had a determined and skill
full foe to meet, adopted the resolution
to frustrate the approach Of the Amer
leans by making sallies upon the be-
siegers. Accordingly at midnight on
the 2Sth of May, a strong force rushed
out Of the fort and made a desperate
attack upon the American works near
the river. The American guard was
driven off and the trenches cleared.
At this critical juncture Of affairs, Cap
tains Handy and Oldham with their
companies came to the support Of their
comrades A furious conflict ensued,
but finally the British gave way and
retired to their fort. On the next night
same quarter; but the American OFF,
GERS were prepared for 1t and the con-
fict was neither so long nor 30 seri-
Gus.
In order that he might be ready to
repel any assaulting force which might
be sent from the fort, Colonel Lee as
signed on the Goth the duty OF watch
ing the night movements OF the enc
my. exclusively to the infantry attach
ed to his own legion. No sooner had
the sallying party began its second at
tack upon the entrenchers, than Cap
tain Rudolph rushed upon it with the
bayOnets and drove 1t with considera-
BILE loss, back to Fort CORVALLIS.
The Maham tower was completed IN
the last day of May. The logs were all
internOtched and the framework, rails
ed TO a level with the enemy's para
pets. The interior was filled with
stones, brick, wood and earth so as to
give ii sOlidity. On this tower, the six
FOUNDER commanded by Captain Finley
and a small piece brought from Fort
Grierson were mounted on the End Of
June and declared to be in readiness
to open on the enemy's works.
Whilst the Americans were erecting
their tower, the garrison were making
strenuous efforts for it's defense. On
an angle of Fort CORVALLIS. opposite
the Maham tower a platform was con-
structed and upon this, two OF the
heaviest guns were placed. Before the
Maham tower was completed these
two guns began to open upon those
engaged in it's construction.
, About noon on the End Of June, Cap
, tain Finley had with his six FOUNDERS
diSmounted the enemy's two guns and
t done considerable damage to the inte-
rior of the fort. At the same time the
only other piece Of ordnance which the
= Americans possessed was so situated
= on their right as to enfilade the Tort
At every fire. Captain Martin, who
5 commanded this gun, raked the plat
l. form. Unfortunately. Captain Martin
t and several of his men were killed by
4 the enemy's riflemen, but still the OLD
} iron cannon was not suffered to cease
4 firing. General Pickens rushed up a