The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-19
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH.
(Marion at Willow Grove, by Col. J.
A. Rhame.)


section of South Carolina during the
American revolution were disconnect-
ed with the name of Francis Marion.
Therefore, with no purpose of trying
to add to his fame it seems proper
to mention one of his daring exploits
in tracing some events preceding and
leading up to the battle of Willow
Grove fought by his men.
In the spring of 1881, with his head
quarters established on the famous
Show island at the confluence of
Lynches creek and Great Pee Dee,
Marion was informed through his
scouts of Lord Rawdon's purpose to
send two regiments to attack his
stronghold simultaneously from op-
posite directions. in the hope Of cap
turing or destroying this band of
patriots there encamped.
To this end Col. Watson was sent
at the head of large force down the
Wateree to cross over the country
eastward, while Col. Doyle was dis
patched with a regiment across and
down the east side of Lynches creek,
to arrive opposite the island at a time
agreed upon by the two British off,
GERS for the double attack. Alas for
Rawdon's plans.
The Swamp Fox," having timely
notice of the movements of his
enemies. took his men across to Wiboo
swamp in Clarendon county, where
they met and defeated Col. Watson.
He then sent a part of his force
back to the island headquarters where
Col. Doyle was found quietly in pos
session of the camp.
Being completely surprised at the
sudden attack made upon them, the
British scarcely made a fight but were
chased out of the camp back to the
eastern side Of Lynches creek, and
up that stream to Witherspoon's ferry
where they crossed back to the west
ern side and destroyed the boats; but
this did not stop the chase. Two COM
panies, one under Capt. Nelson, the
other under the leadership Of the VAL
liant Capt. James Conyers, plunged
into the water, and swimming their
horses across, followed the scampering
British and Tories for miles up the
fn
Grove. And here they We're brought
to battle.
This battle ground was then marked
by knoll of several acres covered
by thick growth of willow trees
and partially surrounded by thickly
wooded stream known as Big Branch.
On this knoll stood hewn log
building previously known as a rum
shop and this building was used as
fort by the patriots during the
spirited battle there fought.
Doyle's men had crossed the branch
to the north side and from this po-
sition made their fight. The patriots
remained on the south side taking
shelter in the grove and in and behind
the log fort; and from these vantage
points the cOntending forces battled
until the night. AT dawn it was found
that Doyle had Withdrawn during the
night and hurried away to Camden.
In this battle the British and Tories
lost many more than the patriots.
The patriots, though greatly out
numbered, had somewhat the ad-
vantage in position and had very
much the best marksmen, but they
had several wounded and one killed.
Among the wounded in Nelson's COM
pany was a relative OF the ancestors
of our fellow-townsman, j. T.. McIn-
tosh, Sr.
The writer with several others now
living, who were boys during the War
Between the Sections, when squirrel
shot could not be had, used many
British musket balls imbedded in
the timbers of this Revolutionary fort.
which were picked and priced out
with the corners Of hatchets. then
beaten out into strips and cut into
short pieces called 'slugs." These
were used in the place OF ordinary
small shot This happened dozens
Of times, for hundreds of musket balls
were buried in the timhers Of the
fort and many birds, squirrels and
other small game were killed by the
slugs or square shot made from the
British bullets.
This building was standing and in
fairly good condition at the dlosc
the war in 1865.
FOR years after the Revolution the ,