USA > South Carolina > The history of South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775-1780 > Part 63
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The arms were now taken from the prisoners, they were marched to another place, and a strong guard placed around them. The surviving officers surrendered their swords. Ferguson's sword was picked up from the ground where it had fallen when he was killed. His conduct had been most heroic throughout the whole battle. He had two horses killed under him; he him- self received a number of wounds, any one of which was mortal, and dropping from his horse, expired while his foot yet hung in the stirrup. He was undoubtedly an able as well as a brave commander, yet in this campaign he was governed by two infatuations, strange under the circumstances. The first was the preeminent importance he attached to the interception of Colonel Clarke's party, allowing himself to subordinate his cooperation with the movements of the main British army to the capture of a small party of fugitives. The second was his selection of King's Mountain as his battle-ground, when he found the Back-water men and Sumter's men gathering against
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him - a position which has been condemned by every mili- tary critic who has examined it.
The exact strength of the British army at King's Moun- tain, says Draper, after a very careful examination of all the authorities, can only be approximately determined. Ferguson's Rangers may be set down at 100, though they may have somewhat exceeded that figure. The general estimate is in round numbers 1000 militia of Loyalists, which would make 1100, or 1125 according to the Ameri- can official report based on the provisions returns of that day. But it is believed that 200 of these were absent on a foraging expedition, a part of whom returning killed Colonel Williams, and caused the slaughter of their friends. But few, if any, of these escaped. It seems quite certain that about 600 men were taken away as prisoners, which would leave the killed and those too badly wounded to be moved probably something over 300. Allaire, however, who was of Ferguson's corps and was one of the prisoners, in his Diary states that "we had 18 men killed on the spot ; Captain Ryerson and 32 privates wounded of Major Ferguson's detachment ; Lieutenant McGinnis of Allen's regiment of Skinner's brigade killed. Taken prisoners 2 captains, 4 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, and 1 surgeon, and 54 sergeants rank and file, including the mounted men under the command of Lieutenant Taylor. Of the militia 100 were killed, including officers, wounded 90, taken pris- oners about 600. Our baggage all taken, of course." This statement, which is probably the most correct, makes the whole British loss, killed 119, wounded 123, and pris- oners 664, - in all 906.1 The American loss was officially reported, killed 28, wounded 62.2
1 King's Mountain and its Heroes (Draper), Allaire's Diary, Appen- dix, 510.
2 Ibid., 524.
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Thus ended the battle of King's Mountain, which turned the tide of war in the Southern States. Rumors were still rife that Tarleton with his dreaded dragoons was coming on to the rescue ; so early on Sunday morning, the 8th, the victors, alive to the danger, were making hurried prepara- tions to get away with their prisoners and spoils. Seven- teen baggage wagons had fallen into their hands; but they could not encumber themselves with these on the rough and narrow roads they had to travel, so they were drawn by the men across the campfires and burned. Litters were made by fastening two long poles on either side of two horses at tandem, with a space of six or eight feet between them, stretching tent cloths or blankets between the poles on which to lay a wounded officer or soldier. Fifteen hundred stands of arms were captured. The flints having been taken from these, the prisoners were required to carry them. These preparations consumed the morn- ing, so that it was ten o'clock before the march was taken up. Campbell, Shelby, Cleveland, Sevier, Hammond, and Brandon, with the Virginians and North Carolinians guard- ing the prisoners, left for the mountains in North Caro- lina.1 Lacey and Hill, who still commanded Sumter's brigade, remained in the neighborhood and pitched their camps on Bullock's Creek, within six or seven miles of the battle-ground, quietly awaiting the approach of Tarle- ton, whom they had met before and were not afraid to meet again.2
General Washington proclaimed the result of the battle of King's Mountain in General Orders to the army as an important victory gained, and "a proof of the spirit and resources of the country," while Congress expressed in its resolves "a high sense of the spirited and military conduct
1 King's Mountain and its Heroes (Draper), 320.
2 Moore's Life of Edward Lacey, 18, 19.
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of Colonel Campbell, and the officers and privates of the militia under his command, displayed in the action of October the 7th, in which a complete victory was ob- tained." 1
A week after the battle, while the Virginians and North Carolinians were encamped at Bickerstaff's, some nine miles northeast of the present town of Rutherfordton, in North Carolina, complaint was made to Colonel Camp- bell that there were among the prisoners a number who were robbers, house burners, parole breakers, and assas- sins.2 Upon this a mongrel court, partly civil and partly military, was organized, and with little pretence of trial, twelve of the prisoners were condemned to death. Nine were executed, one escaped, the other two were not
hanged. Among those who were hanged was Colonel Ambrose Mills, who had commanded the North Carolina Tories in the battle.3 Some, at least, of these no doubt justly met their punishment. But revenge for the British execution of Cusack, and of those at Camden and Augusta, left little play for mercy or even exact justice in their trial.
1 King's Mountain and its Heroes (Draper), 374.
2 Draper (King's Mountain and its Heroes, 330) states that the com- plaint was made by " the officers of the two Carolinas." But Lacey and Hill had remained in South Carolina. Williams was dead, and Colonel Brandon, who was then connected with the party of North Carolinians raised by Williams, appears to have been the only officer from South Carolina present, and he was without commission from that State. 3 Ibid., 341.
CHAPTER XXXVI
1780
WHILE Lord Cornwallis lay at Charlotte, Generals Sum- ner and Davidson with a considerable body of North Caro- lina militia took post in the vicinity and watched and an- noyed his detachments. Colonel Davie, whose corps was greatly increased by stanch volunteers from the lower coun- try, was particularly successful in intercepting their forag- ing parties and convoys. Riflemen frequently penetrated near the British camp, and from behind trees took care to make sure of their aim, so that the late conquerors found their situation very uneasy, exposed as they were to unseen danger if they attempted to make an excursion of only a few hundred yards from the encampment.1 Cornwallis was about to send Colonel Webster's brigade to attack Sumner's militia and relieve himself from the annoyance, when confused reports of Ferguson's miscarriage began to reach the British camp.2 His lordship had been uneasy about Ferguson's movements. He had not Ferguson's confidence in his trained militia, declaring that Ferguson's own experience, as well as that of every other officer, was totally against his trust in them. This anxiety had in- creased as time had passed without intelligence from him. But Tarleton, it seems, did not share his lordship's fears, or was indifferent to Ferguson's fate. Cornwallis was
1 Ramsay's Revolution of So. Ca., vol. II, 186.
2 Tarleton's Campaigns, 105.
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desirous that Tarleton should go to look up Ferguson and aid him if need be ; but Tarleton pleaded weakness from the effects of his fever, and refused to make the attempt, though his lordship used the most earnest entreaties.1 Collins and Quinn, who had been sent by Ferguson from Tate's on the 30th of September to inform Cornwallis of the approach of the Back-water men, it will be remembered, had been delayed and did not reach him until the 7th of October, the day of the battle. But even after they arrived with Ferguson's appeal for aid, strange to say, Tarleton could not be induced to move until the 10th, when he was ordered by his lordship to march to Fer- guson's assistance with the light infantry, the British Legion, and a three-pounder ; no certain intelligence hav- ing arrived of his defeat, but the confidence with which it was asserted by the Americans giving weight to the report. Tarleton accordingly marched to a ford below the forks of the Catawba some fifteen or twenty miles, where he received certain information of the melancholy fate of his brother officer. This mortifying intelligence, he says, was forwarded to Charlotte, and the light troops crossed the river to give protection to the fugitives and to attend the operations of the enemy.2 When he crossed the Catawba
1 Cornwallis's correspondence, quoted by Draper, King's Mountain and its Heroes, p. 364. Lord Cornwallis in a letter to the Bishop of Litchfield, dated Calcutta, Dec. 12, 1787, resenting the blame which Tarleton lays upon him in his Campaigns, says with reference to that work : "Tarleton's is a most malicious and false attack ; he knew and approved the reasons for several of the measures which he now blames. My not sending relief to Colonel Ferguson, although he was positively ordered to retire, was entirely owing to Tarleton himself ; he pleaded weakness from the remains of a fever, and refused to make the attempt, although I used the most earnest entreaties. I mention this as a proof, amongst many others, of his candour." - Clinton-Cornwallis Controversy, vol. I, xvii.
2 Tarleton's Campaigns, 165-166.
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he learned that the mountaineers had all gone, and that Lacey and Hill only remained in the neighborhood. These brave men were, however, boldly and triumphantly stand- ing their ground, defying his Legion and himself. Tarle- ton manœuvred about their camp two or three days without making an attack.1 He says that he was adopting meas- ures to dislodge them when expresses from the Royal army prevented his design by requiring his instant return to the Catawba.2
Soon after Tarleton had gone in quest of Ferguson, Cornwallis received positive information of the latter's defeat and destruction ; and his lordship on the 14th of October, that is, as soon as his army could be put in motion, began a most precipitate retreat. Tarleton com- plains that he had left his baggage with the main army when he was sent on the expedition to find Ferguson, and that in his absence it was committed to the worst wagons and lost. Indeed, owing to the bad condition of the road, the ignorance of the guides, the darkness of the night, or some other unknown cause, the British rear-guard de- stroyed or left behind near twenty wagons loaded with supplies for the army, a printing-press, and other stores.
One McAfferty, a merchant, a Whig at heart, who had remained in Charlotte to save his property, was required to act as guide. He misled the British, and pretending to have lost his way, and riding aside to find it, escaped.3 Riding all night, he reached Davie's camp and informed him of Cornwallis's retreat. Davie at once started in pursuit, but could find no opportunity to attack. The mud in the Black Jack country in this section, as it is
1 Moore's Life of Edward Lacey, 19.
2 Tarleton's Campaigns, 166-167.
8 No. Ca. in 1780-81 (Schenck), 181 ; Hanger's Reply to Mckenzie's Strictures on Tarleton's Campaigns, 62.
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known, especially in that of the Waxhaws, is pro- verbial for its sticky quality and the depth of its soft- ness in rainy weather. It was then and is now a terror to all travellers. The rainy season had begun, and tlie roads were almost impassable.1 It so happened, to add to the difficulties of the situation, that Lord Cornwallis was taken ill with a dangerous fever just as the retreat began. In consequence of his illness, the want of forage and provisions, and the mire in which the army was stuck, the Royal forces remained two days in the Catawba Indian settlement, in what is now Lancaster County, South Caro- lina, just below the State line. During the illness of Corn- wallis, Lord Rawdon assumed command. By the time the army reached Sugar Creek, a small branch of the Catawba which here divides Lancaster from York County, the wagon and artillery horses were already exhausted with fatigue. The creek was very rapid, its banks nearly perpendicular, and the soil, being clay, as slippery as ice. In this emergency the horses were taken out of some of the wagons, and the Loyal militia, harnessed in their stead, drew the wagons through the creek. "We are sorry to say," adds Steadman, " that in return for these exertions the militia were maltreated by abusive language, and even beaten by some officers in the quartermaster general's department. In consequence of this ill usage, several of them left the army the next morning, forever chusing to run the risque of meeting the resentment of their enemies rather than submit to the derision and abuse of those to whom they looked up as friends." 2
At length the army reached the Catawba, and crossed from what is now Lancaster into Chester County at Lands- ford, and marching westwardly crossed Fishing Creek ;
1 No. Ca. in 1780-81 (Schenck), 181.
2 Steadman's Am. War, vol. II, 225.
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then crossing Rocky Creek at a point two or three miles from the present town of Chester, it turned its direction south, taking the road to Winnsboro, where it arrived on the 29th of October. In the retreat the King's troops are described as suffering much and encountering the greatest difficulties ; the men had no tents ; it rained for several days without intermission ; the roads were over their shoes in water and mud. Sometimes the army had beef and no bread, at other times bread and no beef. For five days it was supported upon Indian corn, which was collected as it stood in the field, five ears of which were the allowance for two soldiers for twenty-four hours. They were to cook it as they could, which was generally done by parch- ing it before the fire. The water the army drank was frequently as thick as puddle, and for many days they were without rum. Few armies, says Steadman, encoun- tered greater difficulties ; but the soldiers bore them with great patience and without a murmur, knowing as they did that even Lords Cornwallis and Rawdon's fare was not better than their own.1 Tarleton, on the other hand, states that the King's troops moved through a plentiful country in the neighborhood of Fishing Creek, whilst measures were employed to find out the most convenient position on the frontier, and that several movements were made before a regular camp was established.2 It is very probable that both accounts are respectively correct. Tarleton with his cavalry foraging at will, regardless of the condition of the roads and not circumscribed in his movements by them, found no difficulty in collecting all the supplies he wished. But at the worst, as described by Steadman, the British on this retreat endured only the ordinary fare of the Whigs, who had no stores or sup-
1 Steadman's Am. War, vol. II, 226, 227.
2 Tarleton's Campaigns, 169.
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plies from which to draw. Before the end of October, Earl Cornwallis recovered from his indisposition, and about the same period a proper place of encampment was found. After a minute inquiry and examination, says Tarleton, Winnsboro presented the most numerous advantages for a regular camp. Its spacious plantations yielded a tolerable post ; its central situation between the Broad River and the Wateree afforded protection to Ninety-Six and Cam- den ; and its vicinity to the Dutch Forks and a rich coun- try in the rear promised abundant supplies of flour, forage, and cattle. As the army arrived on the ground, the sick were conveyed to the hospital at Camden ; rum and other stores were drawn from that place, and communication was opened with Ninety-Six.
As soon as the news of the victory near Camden arrived in New York, Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander-in-chief, in pursuance of the grand plan of carrying the war from South to North, embarked a considerable corps under the orders of Major General Leslie for the Chesapeake, to form a junction with Lord Cornwallis, who, it was not doubted, would now march triumphantly from Camden, and invade and pass through North Carolina.1 The armies, meeting in Virginia, were to crush the rebellion in that State, and continuing northward were to proceed to the Chesapeake, ready to strike Washington in the rear, while Sir Henry assailed him in front. The plan of this campaign will be
1 In a note to " Themistocles's" Reply to Sir Henry Clinton's Narra- tive, it is said : "The fact is, that Lord Cornwallis being second in com- mand had never arrogated to himself any privilege beyond his line of duty ; he had never offered a plan to Ministry, tho' he had often indeed hinted, with great deference to them and to Sir Henry, the expediency of carrying his Majesty's arms from South to North - an idea the Ministry had long conceived, and were pleased with his Lordship's coinciding with them in." Clinton-Cornwallis Controversy, vol. I, 144 ; Tarleton's Campaigns, 170.
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readily recognized as the prototype of that of Grant and Sherman, which brought about the destruction of Lee in the late war between the States.1 But the series of affairs, culminating in the destruction of Ferguson at King's Mountain, and the uprising under Marion in the Low Country, frustrated the grand scheme at this time. Gen- eral Leslie's instructions were to obey the mandates of Earl Cornwallis, and his movements were left to his lord- ship's judgment and absolute direction.2 The plan for the winter's campaign having thus been disconcerted by the Americans, and necessarily abandoned by his lordship, instructions were sent to General Leslie first to proceed to Wilmington, and afterwards to Charlestown, where he ultimately arrived, and from thence joined Cornwallis, bringing his lordship a reënforcement now rendered neces- sary for his own safety. In the meanwhile attention was given to strengthening the British posts. Lieutenant Colonel Turnbull commenced and completed redoubts at Camden. Works were constructed at Colonel Thomson's plantation in Orangeburgh, and at Nelson's Ferry, to secure the communication with Charlestown. At Ninety-Six, Lieutenant Colonel Cruger pressed forward the work, and defences at that place were put in a tenable condition. The troops at Georgetown were employed in the same manner, and were assisted by an armed naval force. Alter- ations were made in the fortification of Charlestown, the old works were nearly all thrown down, and great improvements were designed and begun under the direc -. tion of Major Moncrief, the engineer. These latter, how- ever, fortunately for the Americans, were never completed, and the want of them was subsequently to give great cause of alarm to the British.
1 Essays in Military Biography (by Charles Cornwallis Chesney), 296.
2 Tarleton's Campaigns, 170.
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It will be recollected that a few days before the battle of King's Mountain a delegation had been sent to Governor Rutledge at Hillsboro, remonstrating against Williams's commission, and asking for the appointment of Sumter as Brigadier General, and that it had been agreed that Sum- ter, in the meanwhile, should retire, thus depriving him of the honor of taking part in the battle of King's Moun- tain, if not indeed commanding on that occasion. Gov- ernor Rutledge at once acceded to the representations of Colonel Winn and his associates, and on the 6th of Octo- ber issued a commission to Sumter as Brigadier General. With this commission he sent a long letter of instruc- tions to Sumter, putting him in command of all the militia of the State, directing him to embody all he could collect, and hold them in readiness to cooperate with the Continen- tal troops receiving orders for that purpose ; meantime Sumter was to employ the men he should assemble in such manner as would render the most efficient service to the State ; to liberate the people held prisoners by the enemy, many of whom the Governor believed would willingly join the Americans if released. He desired "that all the enemy's outposts to be broken up, and the several parties they have throughout the country cut off. In short, that they be harassed and attacked in every quarter of South Carolina and Georgia where they can be to advantage, and with a reasonable prospect of success." "It will be expedient," wrote Governor Rutledge, " to secure every subject of the State who holds any office or commission under his Britannic Majesty, and not on any account what- soever to put any persons whom you take that owe alle- giance to the State of South Carolina, whatever their rank or condition may be, on parole ; but have them properly confined to be tried as soon as the courts of law can be held for so capital an offence as taking part with the
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enemy." The pay of Sumter's men, both horse and foot, was to be that allowed by the militia laws ; and he was especially charged to give the strictest orders and use the most efficient means to prevent the shameful practice of plundering.
Governor Rutledge proceeded to direct : -
"You will animate and encourage our friends by circulating throughout South Carolina and Georgia the following particulars from me, viz. : That our affairs in Europe wear the most favorable aspect. That the campaign to the Northward has been an inactive one, General Clinton not having chosen to venture an action, but-hav- ing kept his army in New York or places adjacent where neither our troops nor those of his most Christian Majesty, which landed in Rhode Island (consisting of 5000), could get. That considerable aid will soon be sent to the relief of South Carolina and Georgia. I expect advices every day, and I will transmit them to you. That the court of France and Congress are determined to warrant the independence of all the United States of America, and not to listen to any terms of peace which. may require the surrender of any of these States."
The Governor then went on to say that it was hoped that the good people of South Carolina and Georgia would, at a proper time, exert themselves in assisting to secure and in supporting their liberties. That it would be nec- essary from the peculiar circumstances of many of their friends that they should temporize for a while and not as yet take up arms, but that he would expect that they would stand prepared when called on to join the American forces with whom he hoped shortly to enter South Caro- lina and revenge the injuries it had experienced from both domestic and foreign enemies ; and that all who had been unfortunately compelled to do duty as militia would prove such compulsion, and evince their fidelity to the State in order to show that they had been so compelled. In which case, if they had not been guilty of atrocious crimes, and
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if their conduct should warrant it, they might be admitted to the service of their country.1
General Sumter was thus appointed to the command of all the State forces in South Carolina, but having gone to Hillsboro in the vain effort to obtain some necessaries for the troops, he did not reach Lacey and Hill and take com- mand until about the first of November.2 Governor Rut- ledge also appointed Marion Brigadier General very soon after his appointment of Sumter. Henceforth, therefore, these officers were to conduct their operations under regular commissions, and not by the mere temporary appointment of their followers.
From his camp at Snow Island Marion now traversed the country between the Pee Dee and Santee without oppo- sition, and roused the whole of that section to revolt against the British. Cornwallis reported to Sir Henry Clinton that there was scarcely an inhabitant between the Santee and Pee Dee that was not in arms against them, and that some of Marion's parties had even crossed the Santee and carried terror to the gates of Charlestown.3 Marion's position was thus a constant threat to the enemy's communications between Camden and the town, and from it he retarded the supplies on the way to the British depots, and delayed the march of recruits which had been sent from New York to reënforce Cornwallis's army. So successful and persistent was Marion in this business, that Colonel Balfour found it necessary to send from Charlestown the Sixty-fourth Regi- ment to Nelson's Ferry to protect the passage of the con- voys at that point.4 As soon, therefore, as Cornwallis had established himself at Winnsboro, he dispatched Tarleton
1 Sumter MSS. in the possession of the Misses Brownfield.
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