USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 11
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4. Sumter. as we have already seen. soon after his defeat on August 18. 1750, began to recruit his forces, about 30 of his party having joined him at once. With these he set to work, changing his position from time to time, as cecasiou required. about Enoree, Broad, and Tyger rivers, but always keeping the field and frequently making it hot for the enemy. His men being mounted he annoyed the British by incur- sions and intercepted their convoys, so that he well deservel the nickname of Game Cock, which he bore.
5 .. On November 12. 1780, he was attacked at Fish Dami Ford. on Broad river. by Major Weyms, commanding a corp- of infantry and dragoons. Weyms was defeated and take !! prisoner, and, notwithstanding the fact. that only a short time before, be had personally superintended the hanging of Ir.
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Adam Cusack, and asso that in his pocket was found memorandtunt of house. burned by his order, yet he received kind treatment from Li- captors.
6. To the gullantry aul bravery of Colonel Thomas Taylor, the American saccess in this battle is mainly to be attributed .. With only 27 then he stool his ground after the main body had been saraired and dispersed. As the enemy continued to advance they were surprised by this little band, who. at a single discharge of thoir rides, killed and wounded 37 of them, nearly every ball taking effect. A number of prisoners were taken. Colonel Taylor hal but one man killed and. eight woundel.
7. Again on the 20th of the same month, Suriter was attacked near Tyger river at Blackstocks by Tarleton, who had a large force. The action was very severe and obstinate. Major -. Hammond had three horses shot under him. The British lost considerably in killed and wounded --- about 200 being leit. on the field. Among the killed were Major Money and Lieu- tenants Gibson and Cope. The American loss was light. but General Strater was so severely wounded as to be rendered unfit for service for several months.
S. After Sumter was wounded and carried from the field .. Colonel Twigg of Georgia. took command and by his zeal, activity, and personal bravery. stimulated the warlike activity of the men. The good conduct he displayed procured him the applause of his countrymen and the thanks of Congress. About this time General Greene was appointed to the com- mand of the Southern army. He was a great general, one of the greatest at that time in America. The situation required a great general, but he was equal to the occasion, or as well able to cope with the difficulties as any man then in the country.
D. Six days after he took command, the strength of the army according to its rolls was 970 continentals and 1,013
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militia. With this army miserably equipped. he took the field against a superior force. But i'll provided as his army www. the Maryland and Deleware troops, who had served for: years. were equal to any soldiers in the world. The tories by their wicked conduct weakened the British influence continu- ally, and did much towards keeping the spirit of resistance alive in the hearts of the whigs.
10. In December, 1780, Colonel Washington defeated Colonel Moore with a party of tories near Williams' plantation. below the Island Ford, on the Saluda river. This is the same Colonel Moore who was defeated at Ramseur's Mills, in North Carolina. by the militia of that state. commanded by Colonel Locke when Captain Fall was killed, June 22. 1790.
QUESTIONS. - 1. What effect did the defeat of Ferguson have on Lord Cornwallis? On the American militia ?
2. Tell what General Gates did early in October. Where did Colone! Washington go ?
3. What is said of Colonel Rugeley? In the absence of artillery, what did Colonel Washington do?
4. What is said of Sumter after his defeat in August, 17So ? How did he annoy the British ?
3. What is said of the attack on Suinter by Major Weyms? How was Weyms treated after having been taken a prisoner ?
6. What is said of Colonel Thomas Taylor in this battle? The Losses on both sides ?
7. Tell of the attack on Sumter at Blackstocks by Tarleton. Who suf- fered the greatest loss in this engagement ?
S. Who succeeded to the comunand after Sumter had been wounded, and what is said of him? Who now took command of the Southern army, and what can you say of him ?
9. What was the condition of the army at this time? What effect di the bad conduct of the tories have ?
10. What happened in 17so? What is further said of Colonel Moore ?
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CHAPTER XXIX.
BATTLES OF COWPENS AND GUILFORD COURT HOUSE.
1. General Morgan had been sent by General Greene with a detachment from his army to the upper part of South Caro- lina. to give the inhabitants of that section the opportunity to organize themselves. Lord Cornwallis. of course did not wish Morgan to succeed in this, so he despatched his great fighter, Cofont| Tarleton, to interfere with Morgan's pro- ceedings. Tarleton's legion at that the numbered about 1,000, with two field pieces. He out numbered Morgan in infantry in the proportion of five to four. and in cavalry in the proportion of three to one: Two-thirds of Morgan's men were militia which made the odds against him still greater.
2. On June 17. 17-1, Tarleton engaged Morgan. having no doubt of being able to drive him out of the country. But in this he found himself after awhile slightly in error. The whole of the Southern militia, including 190 men from North Carolina, were put under the command of Colonel Andrew Pickens, who had under him Majors Cunningham, MeDowell. L.Roy Hammond, and Triplet. These formed tho first line, a few hundred yards in front of the second. and if forced to retire they were ordered to form on the right of the second.
3. The second line under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard was the light infantry, with a small corps of Virginia and South Carolina riflemen: its left composed of South Carolina and Georgia volunteer riflemen. was commanded by Colonel Pickens in three regiments. under Colonels Brannan. Anderson, and Thomas. Lieutenant-Colonel Washington commanding the cavalry, and 45 militia men, under Colonel MeCall. mounted and armed with swords were drawn up at some distance in the rear of the whole. The Americans were thus arranged in battle array before the enemy appeared in sight.
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4. Tarletou formed in line of battle about two hundred and fifty yards in front of Morgan's first line, they then advanced with loud shouts and poured in a quick five of musketry. Colonel Pickens ordered his mien not to fire until the British were within forty or fifty yards. This order was executed with firmness and success, but it was not sufficient to drive back the foe. The line retired. but soon formed again on the right of the second. as it had been instructed. The Britich then engaged the second line. which also after awhile fell back. But at this crisis Colonel Washington made a charge upon Tarleton, and Colonel Howard almost at the same moment rallied the continentals and charged with fixed baronets The militia instantly followed these examples.
5. The British were astonished. their advance was driven back upon their rear and all were panic struck and thrown into confusion. At this opportune moment Colonel Howard called upon them to lay down their arms. promising them good treatment. Upwards of 500 immediately surrendered. Colonel Pickens received the surrender of the first battalion of the 71-t regiment and two British light infantry companies. Previous to this general surrender 300 of the enemy had been killed. wounded. or captured. Eight hundred stand of arms, two field pieces and 35 baggage wagons also fell into the Lands of the Americans.
6. Washington pursued Tarleton and his cavalry several miles, but most of them escaped. The Americans had only 12 men killed and 60 wounded. This was truly a great vie- tory and gave new life to the friends of America. Morgan for bis good conduet was honored by Congress with a gold medal. Congress presented also a silver medal to Colonel Washington, one to Colonel Howard. and a sword to Colonel Pielpus, a brevet majority to Edward Giles, and a captainey to Baron Globack, who had recently joined the light in fantry as a volunteer.
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7. Colonel Tarleton's defeat on this occasion did great injury to the British cause and to his own reputation. It proved that he was not a skillful officer. but only a fighter for the love of fighting and bloodshed. His reputation waned from this hour and his brilliant feats of arms were at an end.
S. After this great victory the fortunes of South Carolina were never again at so low an ebb as they had been. though there was still much hard fighting and some reverses before the people.
9. Lord Cornwallis immediately put his army in motion. intent to recapture the prisoners taken by the Americans at the Cowpens. Thus began a race between the two armies -- the Americans to make good their retreat into North Carolina. and the British to overtake them and rescue their prisoners. North Carolina was thus prematurely invaded before the tories were ready to assist Cornwallis, and they were easily sup- pressed.
10. General Greene saved his prisoners. but was obliged to continue his retreat into Virginia. His refusal to meet his lordship was wise until he received his expected re-enforce- ments. In Virginia he received some re-enforcements, and bad the promise of more, after which he again returned int) North Carolina, where, on their arrival, he hoped to be able to act on the offensive. He encamped in the vicinity of Lord Cornwallis' army, and cut off all opportunity of their receiving succors from the royalists. Abont the beginning of March he effected a junction with a continental regiment and two con- siderable bodies of Virginia and Carolina militia.
11. Greene then determined to attack the British commander without loss of time, being persuaded that if he were success- ful it would prove ruinious to the enemy, and, if otherwise. that it would be but a partial evil to bim. On the 14th be arrived at Gianford Court House, the British then lying at twelve miles distance. His army consisted of about 4,500
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men, of whom near two-thirds were North Carolina and Vir ginia militia. The British were about 2,400. all regular troops, and the greater part enured to toil and service in their long expedition under Lord Cornwallis.
12. On the morning of the 15tb. being apprised of General Greene's wish to give battle, Lis lordship marched out to meet him. The battle began at half past 1 o'clock and continued for one hour and a half. A part of Greene's militia failed him badly at the very beginning of the battle. Others behaved well. Having been thrown into disorder, they rallied and returned to the fight.
13. Discipline gained the day. At length General Greene seeing that he could not succeed ordered a retreat. The American loss was about 400. The enemy suffered greatly. nearly one-third of them. including many officers of distinc- tion, were either killed or wounded. Although the Americans were beaten on the field, vet in its results this battle to them was a victory. Lord Cornwallis was compelled either to return to South Carolina or to go on to Virginia H- chose the latter. went on to Virginia and seated himself at Yorktown, where. in October following, he was compelled to surrender his whole army prisoners of war,
QUESTIONS. -- Why was General Morgan sent to upper South Carolina ? Who was sent against him? How did Morgan's forces compare with Tarleton's ?
2. What was Tarleton confident of? Who composed the first line un- der Colonel Pickens ?
3. What is said of the second line under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard ? What of Lieutenant-Colonel Washington ?
4. What is said of the attack upon the first line ? Ou the second line ?
5. How did the battle of Cowpens terminate ? Previous to the surren- der, what losses had the British sustained ?
6. What was the loss of the Americans ? What officers were now hon- ored by Congress, and how ? Where is Cowpens?
7. How did this defeat affect Tarleton ?
S. What is said of the fortunes of South Carolina after this battle ?
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9. What did Lord Cornwallis nowdo ? What is said of the race between t' e two armies.
10. After receiving re-enforcementa, what did General Greene do ? What additional strength did he receive about the beginning of March ?
II. State what General Greene was determined to do, and why? Where was the British army ? What was its strength? Strength of the Ameri-
cans ? Where is Guilford Court House?
12. What happened on the morning of March 15? How did the . Americans behave ?
13. Who was beaten in the battle? What were the losses on both sides? What did Lord Cornwallis do after this battle? Where is Yorktown ?
CHAPTER XXX.
EVENTS OF 1781 CONTINUED. MARION AND THE BRITISH OFFICERS.
1. General Greene returned to Carolina, and in the course of the following year recovered the country from its late con- querors. But this was done not without a great deal of suffering and hard fighting undergone by the soldiers and the people.
2. Cornwallis by his absence withdrew from the state that summer the superior force by which it had been held in sub- jection. Pickens with hi- brigade continued operating between Ninety-Six and Augusta, and Colonel Lee, with his legion and part of the second Maryland regiment. advanced to co-operare with Marion. In the western part of the state. besides Pickens, there were Colonels Neel. Lacy. Hill. Wynn, Bratton, Brannon, and others holding commissions, and all had many friends. In the northeastern part of the state, Marion received great assistance from Colonels Peter Horry. Hugh Horry. John Baxter. James Postell, Major John Postell, and Major John Jeunes. The whole country between Lynch's ereck and Little Peden river was thickly beset with tories. It was neighbor against neighbor, and often war to the death.
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3. Besides those already mentioned. there was Colonel Kolb. a brave and active whig. who was killed early in 1781; Cap. tain Alexander MeIntosh. who did good service and lived until some time after the war: and General Alexander Mcln- tosh. a man for whom General Moultrie had the highest esteem, and who did good service while in command in Georgia. In February, 1777. General MeIntosh was stationed at Sunbury when the British troops were arriving at that place, and when a party was detached to demand the surren- der of the fort McIntosh's reply was: "Come and take it." This useful and eminent man died on November 1S. 1750. before the darkest clouds of war had overshadowed his part of the state.
4. One story of Marion might be related here. General Francis Marion was called the Swamp Fox, because the region of country in which he operated was full of swamps, in which he could hide himself for days from the enemy, and from which he could issue and strike effective blows in a region distant from where he was supposed to be at the time. Some- times not even his friends were able to find him unless ho chose to be found.
5. Colonel Peter Horry in his life of Marion says: "About this time we received a fag from the enemy in Georgetown. South Carolina, the object of which was to make some arrange- ment about the exchange of prisoners. The flag. after the usual ceremony of blin Holding. was conducted into Marion's encampment. Having heard great talk abont General Marion. his fancy, naturally enough, sketched out for him some stout figure of a warrior, such as O'Hara. or Cornwallis himself, of martial effect and flowing regimentals.
6. "But what was his surprise when led into Marion's pres. ence and the bandage taken from his eyes. he heheld in our hero a swarthy, smoke-dried, little man, with scarcely enough of homespun to cover his nakedness: and instead of tall ranks
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of gay dressed soldiers, a handful of sunburnt. yellow legged militia men, some roasting potatoes and some asleep. with their black firelocks and powderhorus lying by them on the logs. Having recovered a little from his surprise, he presented his letter to General Marion, who perused it and soon settled everything to his satisfaction.
7. "The officer took up his hat to retire. Oh no' said Marion. it is now about our time of dining, and I hope, sir. you will give us the pleasure of your company to dinner." At the mention of the word dinner the British officer looked around him. but to his great mortification could see no sign of a pot, pan. Dutch oven, or any other cooking utensil that could raise the spirits of a hungry man.
8. "'Well. Tom,' said the general to one of his men, come. give us our dinner.' The dinner to which he alluded was no other than a heap of sweet potatoes that were very sougly roasting under the embers, and which Tom, with his pinestick poker. soon liberated from their ashy confinement. pinching them, every now and then with his fingers, especially the big ones, to see whether they were well done or not. Then having cleansed them of the ashes, partly by blowing thom with his breath, and partly by brushing them with the sleeve of his old cotton shirt, he piled some of the best on a large piece of bark and placed them before the British officer aud Merion on the trunk of the fallen. tree on which they sat. 'I fear, sir,' said the general, our dinger will not prove s? palatable as I could wish, but it is the best we have."
9. "The officer, who was a well bred man, took up one of the potatoes and affected to food as if he had found a great dainty, but it was very plain that he ate more from good manners than good appetite. Presently be broke into a hearty laugh. Marion looked surprised. 'I beg parlon, general," -nil he, but one cannot. you know, always command one's ronceits. I was thinking how drolly some of my brother
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officers would look if our government were to give them such bills of fare as this." I suppose, replied Marion, that it is not equal to their style of dining." .No. indeed.' replied the offleer, and this I imagine, is one of your accidental Lent dinners, a sort of bangan. In general, no doubt, you live a great deal better' 'Rather worse,' answered the gen- eral, for often we don't get enough of this.' .Heavens !' rejoined the officer, but probably what you lose in meat you make up in mali; though stinted in provisions you draw noble pay.' Not a cent. sir,' said Marion, 'not a cent.' 'Heavens and earth! then you must be in a bad box. don't see, general. how you can stand it.' "Why, sir.' replied Marion with a smile of self-approbation, these things depend on feeling.
10. "The Englishman said he did not believe it would be an easy matter to reconcile his feelings to a soldier's life on General Marion's terms-all fighting and no pay and no pro- visions but potatoes. 'Why, sir.' answered the general, the heart is all. and when that is once interested the man can do anything. Many a youth would think it hard to indent himself a slave for fourteen years. But let him be over head and ears in love, and with such a beautrous sweetheart os Rachel, and he will think no more of four een years servitude than young Jacob did. Well; now, this is exactly my case. I am in love, and my sweetheat is LIBERTY, Bo that heavenly nymph my campanion, and these woods will have charms beyond London and Paris in slavery.
11. " To have no proud monarch driving over me with his gilt coaches. nor hosts of excise men and tasgatherers insulting and robbing, but to be my own master, my own prince, and sovereign, gloriously preserving my natural dignity and pur- sning my trio happiness, planting my vineyards and eating their luscious fruit, sowing my fields and reaping the golden grain, and seeing millions of brothers all around me equally free and happy as myself this, sir, is what I long for.'
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12. "The officer replied that both as a man and a Briton he must subscribe to this as a happy state of things. 'Happy.' quoth Marica, 'yes, happy indeed: and I would rather fight for such blessings for my country, and feed on roots, than keep aloof, though wallowing in all the luxuries of Solomon. For now, sir. I walk the soil that gave me birth, and exult in the thought that I am not unworthy of it. I look upon these venerable trees around me and feel that I do not dis- honor them. Anl when I look forward to the long, long ages of posterity. I glory in the thought that I am fighting their battles. The children of distant generations may never know my name, but still it gladdens my heart to think that I am now contending for their freedom, with all its countless blessings. I looked at Marion as he uttered these sentiments and fancied I felt as when I heard the last words of the brave DeKalb. The Englishman hung his bonest head and looked. I thought, as if he had seen the upbraiding ghosts of his illustrious countrymen. Sidney and Hampden.
13. "On his return to Georgetown he was asked by Colonel Watson why he looked so serious. I have cause,' said he. 'to look serions." What ! has General Marion refused to. treat :' No, sir.' 'Well then, has old Washington defeated Sir Henry Clinton and broke up our army ? No. sir. not that either. but worse" Ah! what can be worse? Why, sir. I have seen an American general and his officers, without pay. and almost without clothes, living on roots and drinking water, and all for LIBERTY! What chance have wo against such men?' It is said that Colonel Watson was not much obliged to him for this speech. But the young officer was so struck with Marion's sentiments, that he never rested until he threw up his commission and retired from the service."
QUESTIONS. - 1. What is now said of General Greene ?
2. Where was Colonel Pickens at this time? Colonel Ice " What
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other officers in the western part of the state? Who were in the north- eastern part of the state ? What is saul of the country between Lynch's creek and Little Peedee river ?
3. State what is said of Colonel Kolb Captain McIntosh, and General Mcintosh ?
4. Why was General Marion called the Swamp Fox?
5. What is now said of a flag of truce from the enemy? What kind of
a man dal the officer bearing the flag think General Marion was ?
6. Describe the appearance of Marion and his men when seen by the officer.
7. When about to leave, what request was made of the Briton? Did there seem to be any preparation for dinner ?
S. Give a full description of the dinner.
9. Give as nearly as you can the conversation as related in paragraph nine.
Io. What is said in paragraph ten ?
II, What further in paragraph eleven does Marion say prompted hit to endure such hardships ?
12. What is said in paragraph twelve ?
13. State the conversation between the British officer and his captain as related in paragraph thirteen. What effect did Marion's bravery and endurance finally have on the young officer?
CHAPTER XXXI.
CAMPAIGN OF 1781 CONTINUED. BATTLE OF HOBKIRK'S
HILL. SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX.
1. Suinter. though not entirely recovered from his wounds received at Blackstocks, early in 1751. crossed the Congaree and appeared in force before Fort Granby, destroyed maga- zines and reduced the garrison to great extremities. It was relieved by the approach of Lord Rawdon with a force supe rior to Sumter's. The latter was compelled to retire.
2. A few days thereafter be captured an escort of British regulars on their way from Charlotte to Camden with sup plies, which yielded very necessary booty. Thirteen of the British were killed and 66 made prisoners. He then with 350
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horsemen swam across the Santee river and proceeded to Fort Watson at Wright's Bluff. but on the approach of Lord Rawdon to its relief he retired to Blackstocks. On his return he was attacked near Camden by Major Frasier with a con- siderable force of British regulars and militia. But Frasier was defeated and forced to retreat with a loss of 20 men.
B. As General Greene advanced with his army from Deep River, N. C., towards Camden, the British were both alarmed and surprised to find that Lieutenant-Colonel Lee had pene- trated through the country and had effected a junction with General Marion near the Santee, and that the main body of the Americans had encamped, on April 19. before Camden. The British had erected a chain of posts in the vicinity of the Santee and Congaree rivers in order to secure the pro- visions that grew on those rich lands.
4. One of these forts was at Wright's Bluff and was called Fort Watson. Marion and Lee invested this place on April 15, 1751. with Marion's SO militiamen and Lee's continentals. Neither British nor Americans had any arms more effective than muskets, and the fort being situated on an Indian mound thirty or forty feet high, it would appear that there was but little chance for the Americans to succeed in capturing the place. But they did.
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