The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1920-10-14
REVOLUTIONARY WAR INCIDENT.
Samuel Clowney Of This State Cap
tured Five British Soldiers.

dark days of the revolution, when
America was just on the verge OF
coming into the light of liberty, cap
tured five British soldiers "by sur
rounding 'em." 1t is an incident in
the early history of South Carolina
not found in histories and other text
books in use in South Carolina
schools and colleges.
1t was in July, 1880, that Samuel
Clowney,; a staunch Whig, joined the
force of Col. Thomas, brave Ameri-
can leader of South Carolina at Cedar
Springs, Spartan burg county, Obtain
ing with several others shortly after
ward brief leave of absence to visit
friends of what is now Fair Forest,
Spartanburg county and also trusting
to obtain change of clothing from
friends there (because American SOL
diers of that day carried no change of
clothing with them), Clowney began
his journey. Several of the soldiers
in the party were lucky enough to
have a few extra articles of clothing,
and these, according to the historian
Latham were left with a Mrs. Foster,
who lived on the way, arrangements
being made to have the good woman
wash them. A particular hour was
appointed and an-out-of-the-way place
was selected where they should meet
her and get the clothes on their re-
turn to Cedar Springs from Fair For
est.
The party of Wings as the Ameri-
can patriots of that day were known
went on to Fair Forest, known in that
day and time as "Ireland," or the
Irish Settlement" because of the
fact that many of the settlers in the
community had come over from the
Emerald Isle.
Deer Abundant in Those Days.
There they spent their furlough Wis
iting friends, who, of course, gave
them the best in food that the coun-
try afforded, the rations including
wheat and corn, hogs and vension.
The last nameed meat was plentiful in
that day and time because deer
abounded in the woods that covered
a section Of country where today are
located thriving towns and villages
and broad cultivated fields.
The furlough having expired the
party began the return to the camp
at Cedar Springs. In accordance with
the arrangements made with Mrs.
Foster, the kindly laundress, when
the party reached Kelso's creek about
five miles from Cedar Springs, they
diverged from the road through the
woods to the appointed place.. Glow
ney and a negro of his named Paul
were detailed to take care of the
horses until the other members Of the
party could return with the laundry.
Now, there was a camp of British
and Tories, as they were called, To-
Gated in that same section. 1t hap
pened that five Tories on the road
to their camp came upon Clowney and
the negro Paul, holding the horses
at the creek. Clowney got first sight
of them, however, and he made up his
mind to take the quintette in tow.
Giving the negro slave Paul subdued
directions he yelled out in COM
manding tone:
"Cock your guns, boys and fire at
the word!"
Then advancing to the bank of the
creek where the Tories were passing
through he demanded: "Who are
you?'
"Friends of the king" promptly re-
turned the Tory five having no idea
that there was Whig force in the
community.
'Lay down your arms and surren-
der" promptly returned Clowney, cor
every beggar of ye will be cut to
pieces"
Surrendered Without Resistance.
The surprised Tories were some
what slow in complying with the de-
mand whereupon the bold Clowney
threw his trusty rifle to his shoulder
and threatened them with the fatal
consequences OF disobedience. The
Tories then believing that a large
force was upon them quietly surrend-
cred without saying a word. The ne
gro Paul was then directed by Glow
ney to take charge Of the five guns.
Clowney, giving directions to his
imaginary "army" to march in the
,o,r ordorod tho fvo nr;conorc rrioht