Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-02

ed to go to headquarters after gener-
al officer, and his brother, Joseph Mo
Doweu, took command Of his men un-
til he would return.
Here, for time, let US leave these
patriotic mountain men, until we can
bring up the other forces who were
prominent actors In the battle OF
Kings Mountain. After Sumter's de-
feat at Fishing Creek, on the 18th OF
August, he and Colonel Edward Lacy
with small portion Of Sumters COM
mand, passed over into Mecklenburg,
North Carolina. They camped on
Clem's Branch. Lacy was sent by
Sumter into York and Chester coun-
ties, to gather up the Irish Of that re-
gion, who were known to be true
Wings, and also to collect all that ne
could of Sumter's army that was scat
tered at Fishing Creek.
After Lacys return to Sumter's en-
campment, on Clem's Branch, Colonel
James Williams, who, as we have seers
was made brigadier general by Gov
ernor Rutledge shortly after the bat
tie Of Musgrove's Mill, arrived in camp,
and having shown his commission,
claimed the authority to take command
Of all the South Carolina troops in that
section. On the 9Th of September,
Williams had been ordered, or rather
requested" by Abner Nash, governor
Of North Carolina, "to go into Casweu
county and such other counties as he
might think proper, and raise a body
Of volunteer horsemen, not to exceed
one hundred" With these and few
other troops, Williams came to Sum
ter's camp, on Clem's Branch. The
South Carolina soldiers Of Sumter's
command positively refused to submit
to williams as a general. They pre-
ferred Sumter. The main objection
that the soldiers had against williams
was, that having at one time been the
ccmmissary of .Sumter's command, ne
had acted in some way or other 80 as
to gain the i'll will and even the hatred
Of many Of the men. What the facts
in the case were, II is impossible, at
this late date, to learn with sufficient
accuracy to warrant us in saying who
was to blame, Williams or the men.
No doubt, both were, to some extent,
in the fault. Be this as it may, a diff
ficulty sprung up between Sumter and
williams, and but for the presence OF
the enemy. it might have ended In
something serious.
Whilst the difficulty was pending, 1t
was learned that Rawdon and Tarle-
ton, with a large force, were making
preparations for attacking them. II
was concluded by both parties, that
they would cross the Catawba river at
Biggers Ferry (now Wright's.) Hav-
ing crossed the river, council Of Off
GERS was called to settle the difficulty,
Col. William Hill, who was wounded at
the battle Of Hanging Rock, was made
chairman Of this council. Whilst the
council was discussing the matter,
opposite bank Of the river, and COM
menced firing at them across the river.
It was evident that the enemy would
not allow them time to look into the
matter, and their existence depended
upon perfect harmony among them
selves. 1t was agreed to refer the
whole matter, with all the facts in the
case, to Governor Rutledge. then at
Hillsborough, North Carolina In the
meantime, however, Sumter was to re-
tire from the army until the decision of
Rutledge was heard. Williams would
remain in command Of his North Car
olina troops, and Colonies Hill and
Lacy would take command Of the South
Carolina troops.
Colonels Winn, Middleton, Thomas
and Hampton, were sent as commits
sioners to Governor Rutledge; and
Lacy and Hill, in the hope Of forming
a junction with General William Da-
wilson. led the army up the Catawbar
and crossed at Tuckaseege Ford. Gov
ernor Nash of North Carolina, had in
structed Colonel williams (then gen.
eraD to proceed in any direction and
operate against the enemy. His in
structions were very general, leaving
the whole matter to the discretion Of
Williams himself. While the army,
consisting Of about four hundred and
fifty men, then under the command OF
Hill, Lacy and Williams. were on the
east side of Catawba river, in the
neighborhood Of Tuckaseege Ford, Will
liams' scouts brought the information
that body of back mountain men were
already on the east side Of the noun
tain, on their way to fight Ferguson.
They Immediately crossed the Cataw-
ba, at Beattie's Ford, with the inten-
ton Of going in pursuit Of Ferguson.
Here they were joined by Majors Grsl-
ham and Hambright, with about sew
enty-five men, and not long afterwards
by Colonels Hammond and Roebuck'
and Majors Chronicle and Hawthorne,
with about sixty men.
Williams had his scouts out watch"
ing Ferguson. He was the more
prompt in doing this, from the fact
that his home was on Little River, In
what Is now Laurens county This
territory was embraced in Ferguson's
field of operations. A consultation was
held by williams, HILL Lacy. Roebuck,
Graham, Hammond. Hambright Bran
non, Hawthorne and Chronicle, as to
what should be done. 1t was at once
determined that messenger should be
sent to communicate with the back
mountain men, to- inform them with
regard to Ferguson's movements and
his place Of encampment, and to make
arrangements for the cooperation OF
the two forces. Colonel Edward Lacy
whose home was few miles northwest
of the present town Of Chester, and
who owned a large amount Of the lands
on which the town of Chester Is built
was chosen as the messenger. 1t was
q good choice. Lacy was recklessAy
brave, and although a rough man, Still
a man of good address. He was ster-
ling Whig. 1t turned out that the two
camps were, at that time, sixty miles