Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-22
CHAPTER XIII.

And the deep pause that ushers IL
| the storm,
More fearful than its presence, thrill!
us now
This silence Of the voice that soor
shall speak"
The American general at last begar
to exhibit some consciousness Of the
near neighborhood of foes; and thai
day, the 18th of August, after genera
orders, he prepared the following In
jutant general, Colonel Walton, and
one other member Of his family being
present.
Il. The sick, the extra artillery
stores, the heavy baggage, and such
quartermasters stores as are not i'm
mediately wanted, to march this even
ing, under a strong guard, to Waxhaw
To this order the general requests the
brigadier generals to see that those
under their command pay the most
exact and scrupulous obedience.
"2. Lieutenant Colonel Edmonds
with the remaining guns Of the park,
will take post and march with the
Virginia brigade under General Stew
ems. He will direct, as any deficiency
may happen in the artillery affixed to
diately. His military staff, and a pro-
portion of his officers, with forty of
his men, are to attend him and await
his orders.
"3. The troops will be ready to
march precisely at 10 o'clock, in the
following order, wiz
Colonel Armand's advance-cavalry
commanded by Colonel Armand; Col
mel Porterfield's light infantry upo'
the right flank of Colonel Armand, in
Indian file, two hundred yards from
the road; Major Armstrong; light in
fantry in the same order as Colonel
Porterfield's, upon the left flank Of the
legion.
Advance guard Of foot; composed
of the advance pickets, first brigade of
Maryland, second brigade of Maryland
division of North Carolina, division of
Virginia; rear guard-volunteer cav
airy upon the flank of baggage, equal
ly divided.
lin this order the troops will pro-
ceed on their march this night.
"a. In case Of an attack by the enc
my's cavalry In front, the light infan-
try upon each flank will instantly
move up, and give, and continue, the
most CALLING fire upon the enemy's
horse This will enable Colonel Ar
mand not only to support the shock Of
the enemy's charge, but finally to rout
him. The colonel will therefore con-
slider the order to stand the attack Of
the enemy's cavalry, be their number
what II may, as positive.
"5. General Stevens will Immediate
ly order one captain, two lieutenants,
and ensign, three sergeants, one drum.
and sixty rank and file, to join Colonel
Porterfield's infantry. These are to be
taken from the most experienced
woodsmen, and men every way fittest
for the service.
"6. General Caswell will likewise
complete Major Armstrong; light in
fantry to their original number. These
must be marched Immediately to the
advanced post Of the army.
"The troops will observe the pro-
foundest silence upon the march, and
any soldier who offers to fire without
the command Of his officer, must in
stantly be put to death.
when the. ground will admit OF 1t,
and the near approach Of the enemy
renders 1t necessary, the army will,
when ordered, march in columns.
THE artillery at the head Of their
respective brigades, and the baggage
in the rear. The guard Of the heavy
baggage will be composed Of the re-
naming officers and soldiers Of the
artillery, one captain, two subalterns,
four sergeants, one drum, and sixty
rank and file, etc.
THE tents Of the whole army are to
be struck at tattoo"
Such were the general orders for the
march. Colonel Williams and the ad-
jutant general, Colonel Walton, and
Major Thomas Pinckney, were in con-
versation at the entrance Of the gen.
erals marquee, when, with a smiling
and good natured countenance, he
brought the paper forth, and called for
the adjutant generals attention.
Colonel Williams, you will be pune
tual in the transmission Of these or
ders to the several commands, so that
there be no delay. Look also at this
estimate, which has been made this
morning of the entire force, rank and
file, Of the army. 1t would seem to be
correct"
williams took the paper, and glanc-
ed rapidly over the estimate, which
startled him by its gross exaggera-
tions.
Correct, sir!" he exclaimed, with
unfeigned astonishment; impossible!
Seven thousand men!-there are not
four thousand fit for duty"
You will see, and report on this,
said the general, coolly, and at once
turned away to the tent, in which, a
moment after, he was lost from sight.
"Pinckney," said Williams, come
and assist me in this estimate. Col
onel Walton will keep in attendance
you will not be wanted"
The gallant young soldier, then a
tall, fresh and vigorous youth, noble,
and accomplished by European educa-
ton, as were few native Americans at
that period, Immediately complied with
the request, and the two moved away
upon the contemplated mission. Avail
ing himself of his orders. which were
to bid all the general officers to coun-
Gil in Rugelys barn, Williams called
also upon the officers commanding
corps for field return. This he re-
quired to be as exact as possible: and,
as neither himself nor Pinckney was
required to attend the deliberations,
they devoted themselves to a careful
abstract of the true force Of the army
for the generals better information.
This was presented to him as soon as
the council had broken up, and just as
Gates was coming out Of the door,
where Williams and his aides awaited
him. He took the paper, and with
clouding brows examined its contents
How! what is this? what Is this
figure, Colonel Williams?" he inquired,
dashing his forefinger hurriedly upon
the paper.
"A three, sir" was the reply.
"A three? And you mean to say that
there are only three thousand and fif-
tv-tw men, rank and file, fit for
duty?"
Il do. your excellency-scarce man
more"
impossible. There were no less
than thirteen general officers in coun-
ell. and our estimate gave not man
less than seven thousand, rank and
file"
Your estimate Of the general OFF,
GERS is correct. enough, SIR" said Will
liams, firmly, but mine Of the men
is not less so. The disparity between
officials, and men, in our battles" con-
tinued the speaker, innocently enough,
has always been rather remarka ble
A quick motion Of Gates's head, a
sudden shooting glance of his eye, in
timated his own perception OF the sar-
casm. and apprised Williams, for the
first time, Of the equivocal character OF
his remark His cheeks grew to scar
let, as he perceived it's force, and his
confusion would have been evident To
his superior, but that the general re-
ieved him by turning away, with the
paper crumpled up in his hands, SIM
ply remarking as he left them
Three thousand-that. is certainly
70 Of