Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-26

close in cover until he should receive
a communication how to proceed from
him.
The reckless and ready officer In
question Immediately went of in ope-
dience to his commander. To Major
Singleton a similar station was in
trusted on the other side, Of the road,
where the woods were open, and where
he was compelled, as the sheltering
cover was thin and imperfect. to bury
his party more deeply in its recesses
than would otherwise have been con-
sidered necessary. A third, and the
largest division Of his force, which
Marion reserved to his own command,
occupied both sides Of the road above
the designated house; while a detach-
ment of selected scouts traversed the
whole line of road, bearing intelligence
to the commander as promptly as II
was required.
Unsuspectingly, the British guard
marched on; and duly informed at
every step in their progress, Marion
suffered them safely to reach the house
at which they were determined to stop
for the night. A scout Of the partisan
looked in at the window, disguised and
unobserved He carefully watched the
progress of the supper, saw the dispo-
sition of the soldiers and the prison.
ers, and left, in safety, his place OF
observation.
A little before daylight in the morn
ing, while it was yet quite dark, an
officer of Marion communicated to
Horny the instructions Of the COM
mander. Promptly moving forward as
directed, Horny led his men to the
house, and had almost reached it with
out interruption, but as he threw wide
a little gate that. opened from the gar
den, through which he came to the
courtyard of the dwelling, he was
challenged by a sentinel. Horny not
answering, but advancing at the mo-
ment with alacrity. the sentinel fired
his piece unSuccessfully, and was i'm
mediately cut down by him.
The alarm was given, however: and
though the surprise was effective, IL
was incomplete. A pile of arms be-
fore the door was seized upon; but
the great body of the enemy, partly
the front entrance, and Immediately
pushed down the road.
1t was then that Singleton charged
upon them. He was promptly met.
The guard rallied with GOODNESS and
in good order, and the small force or
Singleton was compelled to give back
before them. But Horny, who had
fingered to release the Continentals,
now came up, and the contest was re-
sumed with vigor. The British, slow
ly moving down the road, held their
way unbroken, and fought bravely at
brief pauses in their movement. They
were still in force quite too great for
the parties opposed to them and the
advantages gained by the latter were
those chiefly of surprise.
While they fought, the guard d.
vided; a portion of them carried Colo
mel Walton, with such other prisoners
as had been subjects Of special judg-
ment and particular care, to the cover
of the Savannah, while the rest, now
unencumbered continued the fight
valiantly enough. But, by this time,
the troops of Marion, all fresh men,
rushed in. and falling upon the
enemy's rear, they soon finished the
contest The fight lasted. however, for
an hour at least, and the loss of the
only rescued all the Continentals, one
hundred and fifty in number-all OF
the Maryland line-but they took be-
sides twenty-five regulars Of the Six
ty- third regiment, including their cap
tain, and sundry other prisoners. But
the small guard, carrying with IT Col
onel Walton, and the other South Car.
olina prisoners, had gone clear; and
hurrying under good guidance to the
Santee, while yet the fight was going
ON, they seized upon some OF the boats
of Marion, and were safe upon the
other side of the river, and speeding
upon their way, before the conflict was
half over.
What was the horror of Singleton,
when, at daylight the released prison.
ers gave intelligence of the destiny OF
Colonel Walton, and the perfect escape
of the guard having him in custody!
He Immediately rushed to his COM
mander with the melancholy narra-
tive.
1T is unhappy-dreadfully unhappy,
Major Singleton" said the commander
but what are we to do? 1t is now
scarcely possible that we should over
take them: they have the start too
greatly to leave us any hope of sue
cessful pursuit, and, beyond that, see
nothing that can be done. II they 40
indeed execute our citizens, we snail
only be compelled to retaliate."
",rhat, Of course we must do, Colo
mel Marion" was the rejoiner. "and l
am willing, sir that my name should
be the first on the list which pledges
our officers to the practice, and incurs
the risk which such pledge involves.
But, surely, we must de- something 10
save, not less than to revenge our
countrymen. l believe. Colonel Mar
ion-nay, l am sure, l can overtake the
detachment. Give me. sir. but twenty
men-the men l brought with me from
the Cypress. They will volunteer In
the service. they will risk their lives
freely in behalf of Colonel Walton.
Marion regarded the earnest speaker
1ln1t erlo
his head mournfully as he replied
"They are too far on the start-some
hours the lead upon you. 1t Is impos-
sible, Major Singleton, that you should
overtake them"
"Our horses are superior
But not fresh-no, no! 1t is a bad
business: and l fear we cannot mend
it,"
You will not suffer brave man. a
good citizen, to perish. Pardon me-
sir-pardon me, If in my earnestness
and anxiety l seem to overstep the
bounds of propriety and privilege.
save him If can. Think, sir, he Is
man of great influence in his parish;
one highly valuable to our cause; ne
Is brave and virtuous-a good citizen
"a father!"
"All-all these l grant; but, look at
The prospect, Major Singleton The
great risk to all-the little hope. Alter
this defeat of the Continenil's, the
region to which you propose TO 60
will be one of certain doom to you.
We shall now, ourselves, have to hur-
~ farther from the Santee, and / have
already prepared orders to match our
little brigade to Lynch's creek, though
leave you and the force you propose
to take with you, to certain destruc-
ton"
Not certain. not even probable;
Colonel Marion; for, believe me, l VIII
do nothing rash"
Marion smiled.
Your blood even now Is boiling
Major Singleton; the veins rise upon
your fcrehead-your cheek burns
your lips quiver. You are In a feverisn
impatience which will hurry you into
fight with the first opportunity
"Oh no, sir-no! / am feverish-l am
thirsting, / grant you, to strike the
enemy at all hazards: but know the
risk. | have estimated the danger.
The section to which go has been ex-
hausted Of troops to supply the army
of CORVALLIS at Camden. A smaii
force, scarcely superior to the little one
I brought with me, is all the garrison
at Dorchester. The army Of Cornwall
lis will press the pursuit of Gates in
to North Carolina: the results OF SO