USA > South Carolina > Orangeburg County > The history of Orangeburg County, South Carolina : from its first settlement to the close of the Revolutionary War > Part 22
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"I have some reason to believe that the late mob has privately murdered people in the woods who had been our associates. I imagine we shall march from here to-morrow, to the Forks between Broad and Sa- luda rivers. If any part of this you think will prove of service to the country, I beg you would show it to
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the Congress; such other parts of it, beg you would treat as from a friend.
"I am, honored sir, "Your very humble servant, "Wm. Thomson .*
"P. S. I believe part of the disaffection among the people at Orangeburgh, proceeded part from coward- ice, and part from the speeches of disappointed gen- tlemen in our parish. But I hope to have the liberty of putting the militia law in force against the defaul- ters, and that I shall see their expectations frustra- ted."
That "the disaffection among the people at Orange- burgh" was of short duration, is proved by subsequent events.
From his: "Camp near Congarees", Col. Richardson wrote, on November 30, to Mr. Drayton: "We have now, at least one thousand men, and are still increas- ing, and intend entering the Fork of Broad and Salu- da rivers this day."
Reaching Ninety-Six a few days later, Col. Richard- son issued the following proclamation:
"South Carolina.
"Whereas, on the third day of November last past, Patrick Cunningham, Henry O'Neal, Hugh Brown, David Russe, Nathaniel Howard, Henry Green, and sundry other persons, did, in Ninety-six District, raise a dangerous insurrection and commotion, and did, near Mine Creek, in said District, felloniously take and carry away a quantity of ammunition, the property of the public, and in contempt of public au- thority, and did also, with further aid, and by force of
* "To William Goodwyn, express from Col. Thomson, £33. 00."- Journal of Council of Safety, Dec. 5th, 1775, Collections of the S. C. Hist. Soc., Vol. III, page 50.
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arms, on the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first days of said month of November at Ninety-Six, in the District aforesaid, attack, besiege. kill and wound a number of the good people of this Colony, and in manifest violation of peace and good order, and breach of a solemn treaty entered into on the eighteenth day of September last, made and concluded between the Honorable William Henry Drayton, on the one part, and Col. Thomas Fletchall and others, on the other part, thereby becoming guilty of the atrocious crimes of robbery, murder and breach of treaty of peace. To satisfy public justice in the just punishment of all which crimes and offences, as far as the nature of the same will adınit, I am now come into these parts, in the name and behalf of the Colonies to demand of the inhabitants, the delivery up of the bodies of all the principal offenders herein, together with the said am- munition and full restitution for the ravages commit- ted, and also the arms and ammunition of all the aid- ers and abettors of those robbers, murderers, and dis- turbers of the peace and good order as aforesaid; and, in case of refusal or neglect, for the space of five days, I shall be under a necessity of taking such steps as will be found disagreeable, but which I shall cer- tainly put in execution for the public good.
"Given under my hand this eighth day of Decem- ber, 1775."
That the Council of Safety meant to spare no ex- pense to quell the disaffection of the non-associa- tors, the following extract from its proceedings will show:
"Upon the accounts of Mr. John Chesnut, Paymas- ter of the Regiment of Rangers, the order was drawn in the words following:
"Gentlemen-Please to order the above accounts and the several accounts therein referred to, to be
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carefully examined; and if found free from error, pay the above mentioned sum of £9850, 7s. 8d. to Mr. Aaron Loocock, on behalf of Mr. John Chesnut, Pay- master of the Regiment of Rangers, and charge to the proper account.
"By order of the Council of Safety.
"Henry Laurens, President. "To John Neufville, Peter Bacot, William Gibbes, esqs., Commissioners of the Colony Treasury."*
A few days after the surrender of Ninety-Six, Maj. Mayson repaired to Charlestown,; and on the 7th of December he addressed the following letter to the Council of Safety:+
"Charlestown, 7th December 1775. "Gentlemen,
"It is with the greatest reluctance that I pre- sume to trouble you with a matter, which principally relates to myself. But, as its example and tendency might perhaps hereafter be of some prejudice to the cause, in which we are all engaged, if no notice was taken of it; I find myself under a necessity, of not be- ing entirely silent on the subject.
"The few forces which were lately assembled at Ninety-Six, were drawn together by me, as well as by Major Williamson; and, though I was Lieutenant- Colonel of the same regiment of militia in which Ma- jor Williamson held his commission, and also a Major in your Regular Troops, to my surprize Major Wil-
*Journal of Council of Safety, December 2nd, 1775, Collections S. C. Historical Society, Vol. III, page 40.
t "Ordered, That Major Mayson have leave to visit and converse with Robert Cunningham, confined in Charles-Town jail."-Journal of Council of Safety, Dec. 6th, 1775, Collections S. C. Hist. Soc., Vol. III, page 59.
¿Drayton's Memoirs, Vol. II, page 151. "Read a letter from Major Mayson, of the Rangers, of this date."-Journal of Council of Safety, .Dec. 7th, 1775.
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liamson disputed the command with me-but, rather than hurt the cause, I yielded some points to him : which. I am sensible as your soldier, I shall not be justifiable in, without the greatest indulgence from you. I however think it proper to mention, that although on account of the public good I suffered his name to be inserted in the Truce before mine, yet the means of our defence was planned by me; and the whole negotiation with the disaffected party, was addressed to me.
"I thought the conduct of Major Williamson in this affair the more extraordinary, as he was a member of the very Congress, which settled these points of com- mand; and which points, I find have been confirmed by the present Congress, as well as by the Continental Congress. But, lest hereafter the same disputes may arise, I humbly submit it to this honorable board. whether Major Williamson should not be informed, that when we act together, and hold our present com- missions, I am to have the command.
"The thanks of my country, it will be my highest ambition to deserve; and, as I understand that Major Williamson is to return the thanks of Congress to the officers who were present at Ninety-Six; I shall with joy receive them, though delivered to me by an in- ferior officer.
"I cannot conclude without assuring you, that both Major Williamson and myself concealed our difference from all, except one or two of the officers.
"I have the honour to be, "Gentlemen, "With the greatest respect. "Your most humble servant,
"Jas. Mayson."
To this letter the Council of Safety, on December Sth, addressed the following reply :*
*Journal of Council of Safety, Dec. 8th, 1775.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY. 321
"Charles-Town, Dec. 8th, 1775.
"Sir-We have duly considered the contents of your letter, which was yesterday laid before us, and as we have received no complaint from Major Williamson, and are satisfied that each of you had the real service of the colony at heart in the late affair at Ninety-Six, we wish to avoid a minute inquiry, which in our opinion would produce no beneficial end.
"The command of the militia was, by the Congress, vested in Major Williamson, from considerations of the distance of Col. Savage, and the little probability of his heading the regiment, as well as from an infor- mation that you were at that time extremely ill, un- able to take the field. It was therefore necessary to order that gentleman to call forth the militia in his district,* and to hold them in readiness to join the troops under Col. Richardson: your junction, and what afterwards happened at the fortified camp at Ninety-Six, were circumstances altogether adventi- tious and unexpected. Hence we are convinced, that Major Williamson, when he took the command, acted in conformity to the order of Congress, and you will perceive that those orders were not intended to over- look your merit, nor to offer you an affront. We high- ly applaud you, for having, after you had joined Major Williamson, yielded in any points of mere punctillio, on account of the public good. We are so sensible of your services, that with pleasure we repeat to you the thanks of this board, and desire that you will also
* "Mayson was Lieut. Col. of the Ninety-Six Regiment of Militia; of which Williamson was then acting as Major; but the Council of Safety did not approve of Major Mayson's commanding on the occa- sion, either as Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, or as Major of the 3d regiment of rangers; as their confidence was greater in Major Williamson; and he was more influential in that part of the count- try."-Drayton's Memoirs, Vol. II, page 119, foot note.
-
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present our thanks to the officers and soldiers of the corps of rangers who were under your command.
"You are now to repair immediately to Col. Richard- son's camp. We are satisfied of your zeal and attach- ment in the cause of the colonies, and particularly we confide that you will persevere in your endeavors to promote harmony within your sphere, and to dis- countenance every kind and degree of dissention, the bane of public service. We wish you health and suc- cess.
"By order of the Council of Safety.
"Henry Laurens, President. "Major James Mayson."
On Dec. 12th, Col. Richardson wrote, from "Camp Great Survey, Duncan's Creek", to Henry Laurens: "The eighth instant I wrote and made public a kind of declaration, of which I herewith inclose a copy, which I hope may in some measure meet with your approbation, upon which they have come in, many of them, and delivered up their arms, all of whom, where they have not been capital offenders, I dismiss with soft words and cheerful countenances, and admonish them to use their interest with their friends and neighbors, which seems to have a good effect. Our army which is now formidable strikes terror, and the opposite party have hitherto fled before us, keeping fifteen or twenty miles distant. We often are told they will give battle, but yet have not attempted it, and do hope we shall by the measures pursuing so weaken their party that most will abandon them, and they will not be able to make head with any great body, and the salutary measures prove the best con- quest. Should their behavior be otherwise we shall deal with them accordingly. We have several prison- ers, amongst whom are Col. Fletchall, Capt. Richard
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Pearis, Capt. Shuburg, and several others of the first magnitude. By the capture of Col. Fletchall (who was hid in a cave,* and taken by Col. Thomson and rangers, and the volunteer companies who were sent out on that and some other service) papers have fallen into my hands which the Council of Safety will be glad to see, but which I cannot venture to send by this conveyance; but shall transmit by the officer of the guard, with the prisoners, which I intend to dis- patch to-morrow. Our army is about three thousand of different corps, viz: my own regiment, Col. Tbom- son's, and volunteer light horse. Col. Thomas, Col. Neel, Col. Polk and Lieut. Col. Martin of the North Carolina regiment. upon the continental establish- ment, who voluntarily stepped out on this occasion, as did Col. Thos. Polk." "This
minute, while I am writing, Capts. Plumer and Smith with thirty men surrendered themselves and arms."
On the 16th. Col. Richardson wrote, from "Camp Liberty Hill", to Mr. Laurens: "I herewith send you the persons of Col. Thos. Fletchall, Capt. Richard Pearis, Capt. Jacob Fry, Capt. George Shuburg, John Mc Williams, Philip Wells, James Davis, Capt. Mc- David, alias McDade, and Joseph Alexander. These being all adjudged by the officers and people here to be offenders of such a nature that from the active part they have taken, it would be dangerous for me to let either of them go." * * "These unhap- py people are in a great panic, still flying before us, and it is told that young Pearis and others have gone to bring the Indians down, in person; if it should be the case, it could not be in a better time, and if any such intentions, should be glad the whole would come while we are here."
*Some say in the hollow of a large sycamore tree .- Drayton's Me- moirs, Vol. II, page 129, foot note.
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On the 22nd, Col. Richardson, from "Camp Raborn's Creek, Hollingsworth's Mill", wrote Mr. Laurens: "I thought to let you hear from us before now, but con- stant marching, and multiplicity of cares and business have prevented, and the more so, as I had not such things as I could wish to acquaint you with; but now, as we have got to the very extremity of the roads north-westward, take the liberty to inform you, that on Saturday last, the 16th instant, we were joined by Col. Rutherford, of Rowan, and Col. Graham, of Tryon counties, in North Carolina, with about five hundred men." * "On Wednesday, the 20th inst., I was joined by Maj. Andrew Williamson, Capt. Ham- mond, and a small party of Col. Bull's regiment, amounting in the whole to about eight hundred, so that our army is now formidable, between four and five thousand-a number most desirable to view- though we have had no occasion for more than my own regiment to have done the business. Notwith- standing, the number has a good effect, strikes terror, and shows what can be done on occasion-and, upon the whole, it may prove a happy event-we have been successful in disarming most of this unhappy people; they are coming in with fear and trembling, giving up their arms, with a sensible contrition for the errors they have been guilty of." * **
"There is still a camp we cannot yet come up with, consisting of the principal aggressors, which were, by best information, camped on the Cherokee land. I detached yesterday about thirteen hundred horse and foot, about an equal number, under the command of Cols. Thomson, Martin, Rutherford, Neel, Polk, Lyles, Major Williamson, and others, commanding all volun- teers, which, I flatter myself, will render us a good ac- count, as I don't expect them in till to-morrow. or perhaps some days hence."
"They
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have had expectations of the Indians joining them, but by a letter from Mr. Wilkinson to Major William- son, they will be disappointed in that, as he says all are peacable there, and the Indians well satisfied, and say the Saluda people are devils, &c."
"We have at times got small parts of the ammunition they got, and delivered with their arms; and yesterday two barrels, say fifty pounds, and have a slight information of some more." * *
* "I shall, therefore, crave your permis- sion to discharge the North Carolinians, to make their way from hence through the upper parts by the In- dian line to their own colony, which will scour that part, and Cols. Neel and Thomson through a middle direction to their different quarters."
"The spirit of discord will so far subside, that they will hardly raise any more commotions." *
*
"P. S. This minute since, or while I was writing my name, a messenger from Col. Thomson and the detach- ments arrived with the agreeable account, that they had surprised and taken the camp of Cunningham, &c., and taken the greatest part prisoners, with all their ammunition, guns, wagons, and utensils. P. Cunning- ham had escaped, and some principals, but the most are taken, &c."
"On January 2nd, 1776, Col. Richardson sent, from the Congarees, to Henry Laurens, the following re- port :*
"Sir :- In my last I informed you of the detachments I had sent out, and in a postscript, of my intelligence of success. Our people surrounded their camp by day- light in the morning after a long march of near
* "Read also a letter from Col. Richardson, dated Congarees, 2d January, 1776."-Journal of the Council of Safety, Jan. 8th, 1776.
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twenty-five miles, and lying on their arms till day, they then attacked and took about one hundred and thirty prisoners, with baggage, arms, ammunition, &c., which completed the conquest of that flying party which had till then kept out of reach. They were en- camped at a convenient place called the Brake of Canes on the Cherokee land; Patrick Cunningham es- caped on a horse bare backed (and they say without breeches) telling every man to shift for himself .* None of our men were killed or wounded, except the son of Col. T. Polk, a fine youth, was shot through the shoulder, and was in great danger. Some five or six of the other party, I am told, were killed; happily the men were restrained or every man had died. The next day they returned to camp, the snow set in, and continued for thirty hours without intermission, which, with the hardship and fatigue the men had suffered before made them very uneasy, and seeing no more could be done they grew so uneasy it was out of my power to keep the troops together any longer. I, therefore, on Christmas-day dismissed the North Caro- lina troops, viz: Col. Rutherford, Col. Graham, Col. Martin and Col. Polk to all of whom, in behalf of my country, I returned my cordial and hearty thanks, &c .; the same day Colonels Neel and Thomas, and Major Williamson with proper orders to pursue such meas- ures in their different marches, as I was convinced would be necessary for the public service. I then as I found the service pretty well done and no possibility of detaining the men longer, the snow then lying on the earth in the smoothest places at least fifteen inches deep; (most say two feet) I marched in the best manner we could downward. Eight days we
*He fled to Florida, where he spent a good portion of his time. (See Southern Quarterly Review for April 1847, Vol. XI, No. 22, page 484. ) +This expedition has been, by many, termed the "Snow Camp".
1
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never set foot on the earth or had a place to lie down, till we had spaded or grabbled away the snow, from which circumstance, many are frost bitten, some very badly; and on the third day a heavy cold rain fell, to- gether with sleet; and melted the snow and filled every creek and river with a deluge of water; but with all these difficulties we reached this place yester- day with the prisoners, whom we have used in the best manner we could-about ten Captains and a hun- dred and twenty of the most mischievous men (some of whom will make good soldiers); all the powder; Ninety-six and New Camp men. We retook seven kegs of gun-powder, six of which I delivered to Maj. Williamson to be sent to Mr. Wilkinson for the Chero- kees; many arms have been delivered up, and I caused the men to sign an instrument of writing, which they did willingly with fear and trembling, by which they forfeit their estates, real and personal, if they ever take up arms against, or disquiet the peace and tran- quility of the good people of this colony again, and to assist them if they are ever called upon. The arms taken by Maj. Williamson and those from that quar- ter I ordered to be stored at Fort Charlotte. which he (the Major) is to see done. Those taken by the upper regiments are to be sent down, and many lodged in the hands of the Committee to be sent to Mr. Ches- uut's Store at the Congarees, and about two hundred stand I have ordered to Camden, &c."
"The prisoners I send in a boat from this place to Wil- son's Ferry, under the command and guard of Capt. Thomas Sumter, who on this expedition I constituted, Adjutant-General, who has behaved very well and has been to me and the cause, of extra service; from thence Col. Thomson with the Rangers and others under him will guard them to Charleston, who, with Major Mayson and officers under them have been obliging in
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behavior and alert in service, and must recommend them to your particular notice; and I must say through the whole I have been extremely happy in the mutual harmony which has subsisted." * *
"I shall refer you to Col. Thomson and Maj. Mayson for further particulars, as I am still broke in upon every, line."
On the same day Col. Richardson wrote the Council of Safety: "By Col. Thomson of the rangers, you will receive, if nothing happens, the prisoners, we thought proper to detain,* which, upon examination, find were
*"Charles-Town, Jan. 10th, 1776.
"Sir-We have received your several letters of the 2d and 8th instant, together with the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry in the case of Lieut. Charlton, and the general court-martial on Capt. Samuel Wise, and approve of their respective determinations-which you will sig- nify in proper orders. We desire when you arrive at some convenient ground, at or near the Quarter-House, that you will order a halt, leaving the prisoners under proper guard, and come forward, yourself in order to attend the Board for further direction.
"By order of the Council of Safety.
"Henry Laurens, President. "Col. Will. Thomson."
"Col. Thomson, of the Regiment of Rangers, came to town, and at- tended for instructions how to dispose of the prisoners sent down by Col. Richardson.
"Ordered, That Col. Thomson do cause the said prisoners to be conducted to Mr. Strickland to-morrow morning, and that he then attend this Council again."-Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 10th, 1776.
"Col. Thomson and Major Ferguson of the rangers attended, with a list of the prisoners sent down by Col. Richardson, and distinguished the most culpable offenders."-Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 11th, 1776.
"Ordered, That Col. Thomson do immediately attend this board; and that the prisoners from Col. Richardson do remain at, or return to, their stations at Strickland's."-Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 12th, 1776.
"Col. Thomson reported the names of twenty of the prisoners sent down by Col. Richardson, who had voluntarily signed a paper, (which he delivered in,) being a strong assurance of their future proper be- haviour.
"Whereupon, Col. Thomson was authorized by the Council to dis- charge them."-Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 13th, 1776.
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the most leading and active, in taking the powder at Ninety-Six, and the late camp. They were long out before taken, and have been some time since in du- rance, from which circumstances they of course will make but a despicable appearance, adding also, that the spirit of humility and contrition takes place of the opposite character."
* "I am at a loss to know how to recommend my brother Colonel, will say his behaviour has been as becomes him, and deserves your notice."
Pains have been taken to quote all of these details of these two expeditions into the back country, not only to show the part taken in them by Colonel Thom- son and the 3rd regiment, but also to show that, after all, the disaffection of the people living in that section of the Districts of Orangeburgh and Ninety-Six, be- tween the Broad and Saluda rivers, was not so serious in its consequences.
We have seen how the Ninety- Six troops, assisted by only a portion of the forces from the adjoining districts, twice vanquished them with scarcely any bloodshed. We have seen them wavering from side to side, accordingly as the most plausible speeches were made them; we have seen them intimidated by a powerful force; but we have seen the final triumph of the Whigs. Col. Richardson tells us that his own regiment could "have done the business" in the second expedition, but there never was a time after that when the Ninety-Six Whigs could not handle with ease the Ninety-Six Tories. Pickens and Williams did it in the darkest days of the Revolution, and were only restrained by the British regulars-and Tories from other States thrown in, for Cruger's regiment of six hundred Tories that garrison- ed Ninety-Six in 1780-81, were every one men that he had enlisted in New York and New Jersey.
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The mission of Messrs Drayton and Tennent in the first expedition was of a diplomatic nature; that of Col. Thomson was both of a diplomatic and a military nature, and how he succeeded the records themselves show. In the second expedition, his excellent work is vouched for by his fellow officer, Col. Richardson, in his reports. That Col. Thomson never received a brigadier's commission in the Continental service was no fault of his. May posterity ever award him the honor that the Continental Congress failed to be- stow.
We cannot refrain from adding here some extracts. anent these expeditions, from Ramsay's History of the Revolution in South Carolina, which not only concern the 3rd regiment, but the conduct of the whole peo- ple of South Carolina during the Revolution. It has been charged by partisan historians that South Caro- lina furnished no troops to the Continental Establish- ment; that troops from New England had to fight her battles for her; that the State was overrun with To- ries; and that the majority of her people were luke- warm in the cause of American independence. The paragraphs from Dr. Ramsay, besides giving us a short account of the Tory uprisings of 1775, speak eloquent- ly in refutation of these slanders. Dr. Ramsay pub- lished his history in 1785, just three years after the close of the war, while events were still fresh in the minds of men, and he had been a prominent figure in the Revolution, in South Carolina, and he therefore wrote with authority. He cannot be accused of un- due partiality, for he was a native of Pennsylvania. He says, Vol. I., p. 67:
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