Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-20
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How the Spirit of Liberty Was Kept Alive By an
UncOnquerable People.
From the Yorkville Enquirer Of 1875.

In order that we may have clear
and distinct knowledge of the sub
sequent movements of the contend
ing powers. 1t is necessary that we
have a correct and exact knowledge
of the disposition of the British
forces in South Carolina. When on
the 9Th Of June, 1880, Sir Henry
Clinton set out for New York, the
command of the southern division
of the British army in America, was
entrusted to Lieutenant General
Earl CORVALLIS. No better selection
could have been made. Cornwallls
was a soldier by choice and a soldier
by profession. Brave, energetic and
skillful, he entered upon the dis
charge Of his duty as a soldier. In
this particular instance, however,
not because he thought it was right
in the English government to subju-
gate the North American colonies,
because as a soldier, he felt that 1t
was his duty to obey. The subal-
tern officers designed to assist in ex-
ecuting the task assigned to him,
were generally, skillful leaders and
some of them were dashing heroes.
To keep South Carolina and Geor-
gia in subjection, and when the
proper time arrived to subdue North
Carolina, Sir Henry Clinton left
CORVALLIS six thousand and five hnn-
dred effective troops. These troops
were British regulars, hired Hessians
and loyalists from the colonies.
This force to ell human appearances,
was more than sufficient. Both
Georgia and South Carolina were
lying PROSTATE, at least in ap-
pearance, at the feet Of the British
lion. Still 1t was the design Of the
British commander to augment his
force by enrolling the loyalists scat
tered over the state.
So soon as the force was suffici-
emily strong, and the season Of the
year and the supplies Of the country
would warrant 1t, the commander
contemplated marching into North
Carolina and having reduced that
state, then to continue his progress
northward until a junction was
formed with the northern division Of
his Majesty's forces. In vision, both
Clinton and CORVALLIS saw the
American forces melting away and
the British flag waving in triumph
from Boston to Savannah. 1t was a
dream and like most dreams, never
realized.
To keep Georgia and South Caro-
lima in subsection and be convenient
at the proper time to advance north
ward, the following disposition was
made Of the British forces In the
south: Savannah, the capital OF
Georgia was garrisoned by corps OF
Hessians and loyalists, under the
Of Col. Alured Clark; Au-
gusta was entrusted to Col. Thomas
Brown, a Tory. His forces consist
ed mostly of loyalists from the ad-
jacent regions of South Carolina and
Georgia. Lord Rawdon, with the
and thirty-third regi-
ments of infantry, legion Of volun-
teers from ireland, Brown and Ham
ilton's corps of loyalists and a de-
tachment of artillery, was stationed
at Camden. Major Macarthur, with
the seventy-flrst regiment Of regu-
lars, was stationed at Cheraw;
Colonel Balfour was
placed in command Of garrison at
Ninety-Six, and Lieutenant Colonel
Turnbull was stationed at Rocky
Mount, on the Catawba. Brigadier
General Patterson, with three regi-
ments of British regulars. two bat
talions Of Hessians, a detachment OF
artillery and whatever number loyal
lists he could gather up, was stationed
at Charleston. At several other points,
as necessity seemed to require, small
were stationed.
Taking everything in considera-
ton, one would surmise that there
was not even a possibility for South
Carolina TO make even an attempt
to release themselves from the heel
of the invader. AS we have already
seen, when Buford's command, on
the 29th of May, 1880, was cut to
pieces by Tarleton, the patriots had
no armed forces left in the state. In
stead of giving up in despair, those
who could do so, left the state and
began to prepare for renewing the
conflict.
1t has been customary to say that
the approach of General Gates. at
the head Of a considerable number
of Continental troops, infused life
into the people Of the two Carolinas.
This is not true. Sumter, Marion
Pickens, Clarke, Rutherford, Locke,
Davie, Davidson and a multitude OF
others, were preparing 10 meet the
British.
The progress of the enemy
through the country was announced,
by refugees from Georgia and South
Carolina to the Wings in western
North Carolina and southwestern
Virginia. Campbell, Shelby, Sewer,
Mcdowell and other patriotic spirits,
to aid their kindred and
their friends. The Wings OF the
whole of upper South Carolina, north
ern Georgia and southwestern North
Carolina, were concerting measures
to drive the kings troops and the
kings friends from the shores Of
North Carolina.
After The defeat Of Huck at Will
liamson's on the 18th Of July $780,
those of the British and loyalists
who escaped, made their way 10
Rocky Mount The Wings dispersed;
some going home, and others joining
Sumter at Clem's Branch. AS Is gen.
orally the case, victory had infused
life and energy into the minds OF the
Wings in all the region around Will
Sumter's army at elem
Branch, began to increase rapidly
The Wings of Fairfield, Chester
York and Lancaster counties were
not long In discovering that Glenn 8
Branch was a safe retreat and that
Thomas Sumter was competent TO
lead a partisan corps to victory.