Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-09
From the Yorkville Enquirer Of 1876
INSTALLMENT XXxvIn.
Greens's Return to North carolina-
cornwaIIjs Leaves Hillsboro.


When Lee unexpectedly met Colonel
Pyle, 1t was late in the afternoon. The
sun was setting when the affair closed
A consultation was held between Lee
and Pickens and 1t was determined
not to pursue Pyle's fugitives; but to
advance in the direction Of o'NeiPs
plantation, for the purpose Of attack
ing Tarleton.
Pyle's Pond-the place at which
Pyle's loyal force was nearly exter-
minated-is about midway between
Hillsboro and Greensboro, on the west
side OF the Haw. Colonel ONeirs
plantation, at which Tarleton was
encamped for the night, was about
three miles distant from Pyle's Pond.
Lee and Pickens approached to with
in a mile of Tarleton's camp and learn
ed that the British had partaken OF
a sumptuous supper, and were care
lessly encamped and in good condi-
ton every way, as they thought to be
surprised. The capture Of Colonel
Tarleton would have covered his cap
tor with glory. No man was dreaded
by the American soldiers Of the south
and especially by the militia so much
as Tarleton. This dread was not ILL.,
founded. For in the kind Of warfare
in which they were engaged, rarleton
was far superior to CORVALLIS. Not
withstanding the fact that Morgan de-
feated him at the Cowpens, his name
created a kind of terror wherever 1t
was mentioned in the American camp.
He was cruel, but all war is cruel.
Tarleton was brave and energetic. full
Of perseverance and no man could be
more vigilant. 1t was creditable in the
highest degree, to Lee and Pickens and
the men under them, even to undertake
to attack Tarleton. None but the
bravest of the brave. with an equal
number Of men. would have dared
such thing.
The forces Of Lee we're arranged for
the attack upon Tarleton at an early
hour on the next morning. The horse
men lay down to rest with their brides
In their hands and the infantry with
their guns primed and ready for ac-
tion. Perhaps neither officers nor men
although tired, could sleep much. Who
could sleep sweetly knowing that Tar
Teton and his fierce dragons were only
a mile distant.
During the early part Of the night,
Colonel Preston Of Montgomery coun-
ty, Virginia, with three hundred mount
ed volunteers came into Lees camp.
Many Of the men under Preston were
the hardy sons Of the mountain region
whom the gallant Colonel William
Campbell had led at Kings Mountain
Campbell leading a similar force was
in the vicinity and joined Lee a few
days afterward. Campbell and Pres
ton--neighbors and kinsmen-had has
tened with body Of volunteers to aid
General Greene. A very considerable
number OF the men In their commands
were ,the men who fought so bravely
at Kings Mountain and won so glori-
Gus a victory over the gallant Colonel
Ferguson. The infantry commanded
by Pickens were, many Of them, Kings
Mountain boys. "As iron sharpeneth
iron," so the meeting Of those who had
gazed upon heaps Of dead British and
Tories on the morning after the battle
of Kings Mountain and seen the wag-
ons Of Ferguson drawn across his
camp fires and burnt up, must have
tya m n6
ems and the men in their several COM
mands.
Shortly after midnight the men In
Lees command were aroused and at
o'clock in the morning they set out for
the camp of Tarleton. Before reach
ing the place, 1t was discovered that
Tarleton had during the night, broken
up his camp and set out for Hillsboro.
This news filled the mind Of both men
and officers in Lees command with
disappointment. All had confidently
counted on a surprise and the chances
were favorable for capturing Tarleton
and his whole command.
Tarleton was also disappointed.
Many Of those belonging to Pyle's
party, who escaped the sword Of Lees
dragons, fed to Tarleton's camp.
Wounded and covered with blood they
complained that they had been at
tackled by the British. So completely
were they deceived by the appearance
Of Lees legion that 1t was not until
after they reached Tarleton's camp
that they discovered that they had fall
en- into the hands Of the Americans.
The British were making preparations
to avenge the blood Of the loyalists
under Colonel Pyle. who had been
wounded and killed, when Tarleton re-
ceived orders from Cornwallis to come
back to his camp. which was at that
time on the west bank Of the Emo.
General Greene had crossed the Dan
on the twenty-second and twenty
third, and was moving into North Car
olina. So soon as CORVALLIS learned
this fact. he began to fear that his
forces might be attacked in detach-
ments and his whole army destroyed.
To prevent this he ordered Tarleton
back to camp. So intensely anxious
was CORVALLIS for the return Of Tar
Teton, that he sent no less than three
couriers at different intervals during
the day with orders for his prompt re-
turn. It is probable that Tarleton
would have measured swords with Lee
had he been ordered to camp but a
single time.
From O'Neirs, the Haw was distant
about four miles. At this point the
river was crossed on a ferry boat.
One mile below there was another fer
ry. Seven miles below was the ford
at which both the Americans and Brit
ish had crossed on the preceding day.
The American officers thought 1t prob
able that Tarleton would attempt TO
cross at one or both Of the ferries. 1t
was determined to pursue the trail OF
the enemy. thinking 1t possible to
overtake his rear at the river. The
morning was dark and time precious
In order that the troops might follow
directly in the track Of the enemy
LII, torches and