The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-18
The UnveiliRE of the Sumter MOnu-
 ment, August IA, 1907.


 Extracts from an article on historic Statesburg by F. Elliott Thomas:
 Special to The state.
 Wedgeield. August 19.-Because of the unusual interest manifested in the General Sumter memorial, which oc- CUTS on the 14th of August, the one hundred and seventy-third anniversary of the birth of the great partizan leader. to be celebrated by the erec- tion of monument over his grave at the old home at Stateburg. it may be of interest to learn more of this place and it's surroundings; its place in South Carolina history; it's natural environ ments, of which it's inhabitants are justly proud; its past vicissitudes and present outlook.
 This chain of hills extending along the eastern bank of the Wateree river between the villages of Wedgefield and Hagood, is endowed with natural advantages peculiar to itself, there be- ing more beauty in it's picturesque surroundings than would be supposed for district so situated, as it has been allotted a position in the States geography almost entirely surrounded by unhealthy lowlands that form such large portion of the upper pine belt. So distinct are its natural diver sities that it has been most appro- priately called the high hills of San tee" and "the red hill section" Its altitude is such a healthful climate is enjoyed. The air is bracing and pure numerous springs are found at the foot of the hills, several of them being rich in sulphur and iron. The vege- tation is unusually dense and varied and has that rich and luxurious color and perfection of growth characteris- tic of the flora of the mountains of our Southern States. The flora is so vast in its variation as to embrace flowers and plants that thrive in all parts of the State, and those often that can not be found save on high attitudes.
 These hills were first settled in 1750 by Virginians The history of State burg dates 'ucng tine earliest settle ments of the middle and upper parts of the State, and was at one time the most thriving settlement of what now constitutes Sumter county It was found, l by Gen. Sumter in 17S3, at which time the location of the seat of government was under discussion, a competitive election Was held. which by few votes gave Carolina q ma joriay over Stateburg. Manchester, a settlement nine miles below State burg. is the only settlement of the county which is possibly older than
 
 town of Sumter-was not settled un- til seventeen years after Stateourg. This. section has always been noted for it's healthful climate and delight ful social environments. Roherr Mills in his statistics of South CaToii.l1s published in 1926. says; There is not & more desirable place for residence. either for health or society, than this village affords
 It is still one of the resorts of the State. This advantage seems to have been realized fully during the ReVolu tion, as 1t was made a haven of rest and recuperation for the sick and tired soldiers of both the American and British armies. Gen. Greene estaD- lished his camp upon these hills in July. 17S1. in Crder that his army might recuperate after active and strenuous service during the summer months preceding. Judge Johnson, In his Life of Greene" characterizes this ramp as the Camp of Reposes:" in- deed, he heads a chapter of his book. Camp of Repose on the High Hills of Santee" To quote him further we find this paragraph: The camp oc- rupied a healthy, pleasant and abun- dant station. while The posts of the enemy were wasting with disease" Washington Irving, referring to Gen. Greene in his Life of Washington" speaks of this chain of hills as the benign hills of Santee." Irving has