Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-11-01
columbia. $. G.. October 70. 1918.
T7it, Document.

(The following affidavit has come
into our hands. II is Il document OF
human interest and having historical
valuc.--EditOr.)
Copy made June l6. 1879
|. Phillip Grccvcr. of Washington
county. Virginia. being called on by
General Francis Preston to say what
know OF the conduct Of General Will
liam Campbell. deceased, ut the Battle
of Kings Mountain during the war of
the Revolution, I do hereby certify,
and to which I am willing to testify at
any smer on. eath,>th thAA - fel,ewtns
statement is correct and true, to the
best of my recollection.
came to the county Of Washington
in March, 1880. and soon became ac-
uuainted with Col. Campbell and was
soldier with him on several campaigns
against the Tories in which he bchar-
cd as Il brave officer and kind TO his
men, but severe against the Tories.
In few days after returning from
an expedition up New river against the
Tories. a report came that the British
were coming over the mountains from
Carolina to this part OF the country,
and all those were called on to go
against them that preferred to be
friends TO their country. | turned out
us a volunteer with Col. Campbell and
went with him to Carolina, where.
soon hearing of the enemy. the Officers
made arrangements to so to the place
where it was stated they were. We
travelled all night and next day, when
we came near their encampment, we
were ordered to dismount for battle,
which we did, and we ran up the
mountain where ] saw Il Tory behind Il
tree, who | shot 1T, which l believe
was the first gun fired. The firing then
soon became general. We were drir-
Ell back 4 little, but soon rallied and
advanced again when the enemy gave
way and we pursued. Then Col. Camp
bell with some of his men went round
where l was to cut off the retreat OF
the enemy us was told and believe.
did not see him for some time, but
some time before the surrender. per-
haps ten or fifteen minutes, while the
firing was heavy, saw Col. Campbell
and Col. Sewer, with both Of whom l
was we'll acquainted. coming along the
lines, encouraging the men to fight on
that the day would be ours and we
were advancing upon the enemy. The
men were so encouraged by this that
they imprudently called out the watch
word which was "Buford." Col. Camp
bell commanded them not to call the
word. but to advance on, which they
did. and very soon the enemy surren-
dcred, when means were taken TO Sc
cure them, which was done by the Of
ficers who appeared all to be doing
their duty did not sec the swords oi
the prisoners delivered to anyone. not
being. as | suppose, at the spot where
il was done. One always understood
that Col. Campbell received the swords
of the officers commanding the enemy,
which I am confident he might have
done, as I know he was among the
foremost when the surrender took
place, and having often wondered that
he and Sewer were not killed from
their exposed position. either by their
own men or the British. as they were
between the fires.
do not hesitate TO say that Col,
William Campbell was a man OF sound
courage and that no man at the battle
of Kings Mountain acted with more
bravery than he did. and it gives me
pleasure to make this declaration on
having been an eyewitness Of his con-
duct at that battle.
Given under my hand this 22nd day
of April. 1923.
tSigncd) Phillip Grecvcr.
Washington County:
This day the above named Phillip
Greever came before me and volunta-
rily made oath that the above certifi-
cate is true to the best Of his recollec-
ton.
Given under my seal, the 22nd day
| of April, 1923. Lewis Smith.