Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-10-28

and Bratton's and, McClure's bands In
an attack at Williamson,s plantation
on Huek and his commander, Fergu7
SON on July 18th. 1880. Both Huck
and Ferguson were killed and their
troops defeated. This battle was the
first American success after the fall
of Charleston. It cheered, the patriots
immensely, showed them that the Brit
ish were not invincibie and added
many men to Sumter's gathering force.
Hill and Neel with their men now be-
camel a regular unit in Sumter's COM
mand. With him they took part in the,
attack on Rocky Mount, on the 1st of
August. After Sumter had been foilsd
IN three attacks, he ordered Col. Neel
to storm a ioop-ho fortified house.
In which the British We're strongly
postedA Neel was killed and his
istornaing party pressed back. Then
Sumter called FOR two of his men to
volunteer to burn the building. None
answered an Sthe face. of what seemed
inevitable death. '.Then. "Hsayg Moore,
"col. William Hill and djutants Jenny
Johnson volunteered to run 100 yards.
directly in face of the port -holes and
guns of the fort to q large rock within
the abatis,. each carrying with hira an
armfnl of rich hghtwood: whilst be-
hind the rock they were safe. JOHNSON
ignited the lightwood, threw the burn
ing faggots on top of the house and
set it on fire. which communicated with
the fort, while Hill watched the enemy,
AS soon as the garrison saw the
flames o detail sailed forth from the
fort With fixed bayonets and drove
them from the rock. They ran back
Under, the flre, not only of the port
holes but also of the detachment. Al
though the clothes OF Hin and Johnson
were riddled with bullets and locks Of
their hair absolutely cut from their
heads. still they providentially5 esr
capped unhurt. Unfortunately for the
patriots q heavy rain extingnished the
fire. Sumter ordered the, firing to
cease and withdrew to Landsforar.
Battle of Hanging. Rock. !
Sumter's next enterprise was an at
tack ON the British port at Hanging
Rock. The garrison consisted of $50
off, Tarleton's dreaded Legion the
Prince of Wales's Americans reyimeAl,
Bryans' North Carolina Loyalist, and
Brownies Proyincials--in all about 900
men. In the attack Col. Hill COM
manded the left Col. Irwin command
ed the center, made up Of. Mecklen7
purg, North Carolina militia and Col.
Dayie. the. right with his corps and
some volunteers frop North and South
Carolina. - The battle that followed
was "a fairly drawn one.,, but the
Americans cut the Prince Of Wales's
regiment to pieces, routed Bryan's
Tories, inflicted. a loss of over two
hundred men and drew of in good
order. Col. Hill was so severely
wounded that he was not able to take
the field again until the Kings Noun
tain campaign In October. But so
sturdy was his courage that he Joined
his men with his right arm still in
bandages. However, even in his
crippled condition he was instrument
tai, in preventing the mountain men
from being diverted from Ferguson's
trail, presided over the council Of of
ficers that refused to have Williams
for commander in place of Sumter
and sent a delegation Of officers to
protest to Governor Rutledge, and Hill
in an. address convinced Sumter's men
that in spite Of the affront to- their
commander they must continue to
march against Ferguson. Sumter
then retired from the command until
the matter with Williams could be
adjusted, and Colonels Hill and Lacey
were appointed to command until
Sumters return. Owing to his ina
bility to use either sword or pistol on
account Of his wounded arm, he
could not take a personal part in the