THE RETREAT.
We of Williamsburg were most certainly in a peculiar position, after
having released one hundred and fifty prisoners and discovered that
only three had sufficient faith in the Cause, or were sufficiently
eager for death, to join us.
Now right here let me set down that the men under General Marion were
true patriots, gentlemen of the Williamsburg district, and in every
sense of the word, worthy citizens. This I say because the British
people even at this late day, five years since peace was declared and
we have become a free and independent people, say that "that officer
who caused Tarleton so much annoyance had as a following only the
dissolute and depraved."
I repeat, the force under General Marion was made up of gentlemen, the
greater number of whom owned plantations in or near the Williamsburg
district, and the fact that they had for a leader such a man as my
uncle, Major James, is sufficient proof as to their character.
Although these men were by this time come to believe that the Cause for
which they had struggled so long was much the same as lost, so far as
we in the southern colonies were concerned, yet they were not of the
class that acknowledges itself beaten while life remains.
Therefore it was, that instead of being yet further disheartened by
this failure which followed a brilliant victory, they were the more
determined to strike every possible blow before the end should come.
The cruel and barbarous proclamation of Lord Clinton aroused their
anger rather than fear, and within half an hour after it had been
circulated among us, I heard my uncle, the major, say that no document
could have been put in a style better calculated to drive recruits
into our ranks than that which was written evidently for the purpose of
frightening the colony into submission.
There is, perhaps, a good word to be spoken for those men, who, having
been released from captivity by us, were willing to serve under General
Marion.
They had been whipped at the very moment victory seemed certain, and it
is little wonder that the faint-hearted should have begun to despair,
when, after four years of desperate struggling, the "rebellion" was
well-nigh crushed out.
At the moment, we of Williamsburg could have no sympathy for such
cowards, as we called them, and had any of the men begged us for food
I question if we would have supplied their wants, so angered were we by
the refusal to enlist.
It was evident to every man among us that it was not safe to remain
on this road over which the British soldiers were continually passing,
and particularly since those whom we had defeated would speedily give
information to all the king's officers in the colony.
From this hour our little brigade would be hunted down without mercy,
and there could be no question but that the chase would be a lively one
since the Britishers in this section had no other "rebels" with whom to
occupy their attention.
Therefore it was that every man in the command felt a certain sense of
relief, when, after a halt of no more than four hours, word was given
to remount the tired horses.
We rode four hours or more, and then were come to the forest round
about Hope Mountain, when the word was given that we would have an
opportunity to indulge in a long rest.
During this march it can well be imagined that Gavin Witherspoon, Percy
and myself kept a sharp lookout for Sam Lee. The greatest desire in
my heart at that moment was to make a prisoner of the young Tory, for
he, knowing well every man in the brigade, would be able to give the
Britishers many valuable hints regarding our probable whereabouts, and
so long as he remained at liberty we had a dangerous enemy afoot, even
though that enemy was a coward.
Every man, including officers, brought away with him from this last
encounter a goodly store of provisions, and there was no fear of
suffering from lack of food, even though we remained a week in this
encampment at the foot of the mountain.
The days were passed in perfect idleness, save so far as the grooming
of our horses was concerned, and, although not a trooper left the camp,
we were kept well informed regarding the movements of the enemy, by
such of the people round about as were friendly to the Cause.
Therefore it was that we heard sad news from Camden when the humane
and chivalrous Lord Cornwallis hanged eight old men and seven boys,
prisoners whom he had taken after the battle, simply because there
was a suspicion that they might have been concerned in the so-called
rebellion.
Nor was this wholesale murder the only crime committed by the
conquerors in the Carolinas during the week we remained idle.
From every quarter came stories of barbarity and excesses committed by
British officers, and that which seemed like a great misfortune soon
proved, despite the horror, to be a blessing in disguise, for it drove
into our ranks every man from the surrounding country who had ever been
charged, whether rightfully or no, with taking any part whatsoever in
the resistance to the king's oppressions.
Within six days there were enrolled among the followers of General
Marion no less than seven hundred and fifty good men and true; but it
is not to be supposed that such number remained in camp.
In fact, although the brigade was being strengthened daily, the
force under arms was decreasing, and for two good reasons: First,
because such a body could not readily be supplied with provisions,
and secondly, because the majority of these troopers were men of
families, who, during this season of inactivity, took advantage of the
opportunity to provide for the wants of those at home.
No more than one hundred and fifty remained in the camp at Hope
Mountain; but the others stood ready to respond to the first summons
that their service was needed.
It was late in the evening of the eighth day, when one on whose
fidelity to the Cause we could rely, came into camp with the
information that Tarleton's Legion and a strong force under Major
Wemyss, had been sent by Lord Cornwallis against us.
Although his lordship had affected to despise General Marion, he
certainly acted as if he believed our commander a gallant officer,
otherwise why were the 63d Regulars and the Legion of Tarleton sent
against what the Britishers had contemptuously termed "that beggarly
crew."
Before morning other friends came into camp, and we knew that the two
forces were not as yet united; but Major Wemyss with the 63d Regulars,
and a large body of Tories under Major Harrison, were advancing rapidly
toward Hope Mountain, information of our whereabouts having been given,
perhaps, by that young scoundrel, Sam Lee, who I doubted not was doing
his best to work us harm.
Although there was much in this information to dishearten, I believe
every member of our small band felt a certain sense of satisfaction
that the time for action was near at hand. None of us had doubted but
that we should be employed against the enemy in some manner, despite
the great difference in numbers.
Gavin Witherspoon, Percy and I were so fortunate as to be among the
fifty selected to reconnoiter, and when we saddled our horses, which
were in prime condition after their long halt, there was a certain
sense of exultation in our hearts, even though it seemed absolutely
certain we could effect nothing so far as the welfare of the Cause was
concerned.
It is not my purpose to write at any length regarding the adventure
which befell us, for among the many deeds of daring which the followers
of General Marion were given liberty to perform, this incident would
seem to one who did not take part in it, as something too trifling to
be worthy of mention.
Therefore will I tell it hurriedly, and in the fewest words, in order
the sooner to come to that time of sorrow and humiliation when we began
the retreat from the lower Carolinas.
We, fifty picked men, and I speak of Percy and myself as such
although we were only boys, set out near to noon on the reconnoiter,
understanding that the remainder of the force led by General Marion
would follow fifteen or twenty miles in the rear in order to be ready,
if opportunity presented itself, to fall upon the detached bands of
Major Wemyss' command.
It was known, however, that the general would halt at the old Sinclair
plantation, if it so chanced that the venture should lead us thus far.
Until nightfall we rode straight on, and then we were met by those who
told us that the advance guard of the enemy was near at hand.
The command was immediately given for each man to conceal himself in
the thicket either side the road, where a view could be had of the
enemy as they passed, and in such position we were to remain until the
last straggler was beyond us, after which the major proposed that, by
making a wide detour, we could reach the Sinclair plantation in ample
time to give an alarm, should it be learned that the attack was not
advisable.
Although we were in hiding, and there was little reason for whosoever
might lead this force to believe any of Marion's men were in
the vicinity, the position we had taken was a dangerous one, for
peradventure one of our horses was allowed to whinny, the Britishers
would attack immediately, when fifty against a thousand would stand
small chance of escape.
It was nightfall before the first of the red-coated column appeared,
and Percy and I, standing side by side, gripping our horses' muzzles,
saw the formidable 63d Regulars as they came up with swinging
stride even more than a thousand strong, and marched by our place of
concealment with never a thought that the very prey for whom they were
seeking might be near at hand.
My heart literally stood still for the time being, because even a lad
unused to warfare knew beyond a question that should these men learn
where we were hidden the end would come speedily.
I hardly dared to breathe, lest by so doing an alarm be given, and yet
although fifty horses were concealed either side the road, not a sound
was heard to betoken their whereabouts.
The regiment marched by; then came the Tory command under Major
Harrison, which I believe was even more in numbers than Major Wemyss'
men, and after them, more than a thousand yards in the rear, twenty
Tory stragglers.
The major, my uncle, was stationed on the opposite side of the road
from where Percy and I stood, and we had no knowledge whatsoever of his
movements.
When these rascally traitors to their country lounged along, evidently
believing themselves safe because of the large force in advance, the
thought came into my mind that it would be a proper ending to our
reconnoissance if we set upon them suddenly.
This idea had no more than come into my mind when we heard a crashing
noise from the opposite side of the road, and immediately the major
appeared, followed by all who had remained with him, and we needed no
other signal.
In a twinkling, as it were, the Tory stragglers were surrounded, and
perhaps no more than sixty seconds elapsed before each man of them had
been disarmed and was mounted behind one of our troop.
Then it can readily be understood that we put spurs to our horses,
striking through the wooded country to the left in order to circle
around the main body of the enemy, and the frightened prisoners had
an opportunity of knowing that we raised good stock in Williamsburg
district, for in less than an hour we were come to the Sinclair
plantation.
The information for which we had sent was gained, and, in addition, we
had twenty disconsolate-looking prisoners, who by this time had come
to know that the Cause of freedom in the Carolinas was not yet wholly
crushed out.
The renegades were herded into a stable, and, to the surprise of us
all, no order was given to dismount.
That portion of the force which had been left behind with General
Marion was in the saddle when we came up, and there they remained, as
did we, while our officers, withdrawing to a clump of live oaks near
at hand, entered into what proved to be a long, and certainly was a
serious, consultation.
We knew full well that our future movements were being decided upon,
and although there were more than two thousand armed men in the
immediate vicinity searching for us, who would soon be joined by
Tarleton's Legion, I believe there was not one of our brigade who did
not hope most certainly that we would be pitted against them, desperate
though the odds were.
Not until an hour before sunrise was the consultation come to an end,
and then came the long expected order to advance.
"Ay; but in what direction?" Gavin Witherspoon, who was by my side,
asked in a low tone, and the answer came later, when General Marion
said:
"My men, it is the opinion of all in command that we return to Lynch's
Creek, and I ask you to have confidence in us who have arrived at this
decision, which is as painful to those who made it as to those who
hear it. Nothing can be accomplished by staying here where capture or
death must inevitably result; but so long as we remain at liberty, so
long will the Cause live, and I promise you that however unpleasant
and apparently disastrous may seem this move, you shall yet have
many opportunities of striking at the British uniform. I ask that you
follow, as you have done since I came among you, cheerfully and without
question, believing that this step has not been decided upon without
due deliberation."
"We are on the retreat," Gavin Witherspoon said to me as the general
ceased speaking, and the words were no more than uttered before a groan
was heard throughout the entire line.
I here set it down, repeating the words that these brave fellows, only
an hundred and fifty strong, could not repress their sorrow because at
this moment, when we were threatened by over two thousand armed men,
one-half of them well-trained troops, the word had been given to fall
back.
It is proof of the spirit of patriotism which animated the hearts of
those in Williamsburg district, that they were saddened only because
of not being brought immediately face to face with an enemy which could
conquer them by sheer force of numbers.
If the cause of liberty was crushed out elsewhere, it yet lived and
burned with an ardent flame in the hearts of those who had pledged
themselves to follow General Marion, and among these patriots Percy
Sumter and myself had the good fortune to be numbered.
Well, we set out on what can be called none other than a retreat, for
once we left the enemy behind us there was no other name for the move.
The old camp at Lynch's Creek was the direct road to North Carolina,
and the king's forces were hunting for us in Williamsburg district.
Now let it be fully understood what all that meant, and then in years
to come no man may wonder why we whose homes were hereabout had sadness
in our hearts.
For the first time since we had risen in our might against the king's
oppression, were the people of Williamsburg and of Pedee to be left
unprotected. Until this moment the enemy had never appeared in our
neighborhood with such a force as enabled them to over-run it without
fear of opposition.
Once we were gone our people must suffer the tender mercies of the
Britishers and the Tories who had in other parts of the Carolinas,
wherever they penetrated, written their names in blood and in flame.
Heretofore the James family, standing at the head of those who served
the Cause, had kept this section of the Carolina colonies free from
the invader. Now they were to leave it--to abandon it--while there were
yet two thousand enemies in the district with more to come, and knowing
full well that should they ever return again it would be to find their
houses smoking ruins, their wives and children homeless and wandering.
It was to leave behind all that was dear, and all that was sacred in
order that the flame of freedom might, although burning feebly, yet be
unquenched.
Even if Percy and I were yet lads, we were full grown in the knowledge
of what had been and what would come, therefore, but in a lesser
degree, of course, were we bowed down by sorrow as, setting our faces
in that direction which would lead us away from home, we allowed the
steeds to make their way at such pace as pleased them.
No man set spur on that ride; no man urged his horse forward, for it
was as if we were held back by chains, and little wonder.
At the time this seemed to us to be a shameful march; but now I can
look back upon it and realize how necessary it was--can understand
that He who rules the destinies of nations had willed that, like the
children of Israel, we should wander through the desert a certain time
before we were come to the Promised Land.
Now having set down all that was in our hearts at this time, let me
hurry over such portion of the story, for it is not pleasant to dwell
upon it.
We arrived at Lynch's Creek that evening, and here we were halted only
so long as was necessary to make the arrangements already decided upon
between our leaders.
Those who had families were requested, when we had come into the old
camp, to leave the brigade and return home, there to remain until such
time as they might be again summoned.
This was done in order that we might move more secretly, and also that
those who were needed at home should be enabled to give to their loved
ones at least the last words which might be spoken on earth.
Within an hour our force was reduced to sixty men, and yet there
remained among us every member of the James family--a fact which went
far toward cheering Percy and I in this retreat.
Five were there, John, William, Gavin, Robert and James, and each
had a family; yet none would desert the leader in whom they had every
confidence--none would desert the Cause, although it was come so low.
Yet for the honor of those who dropped out, it must be said that they
were ready at the first signal to rejoin the brigade.
Gavin Witherspoon had a wife and five children, the youngest eight
years old. To him I said, when, man after man, raising his hat in
adieu, departed with an expression on his face which told of the
sadness in his heart:
"It is for you to go also, Gavin. Such as Percy and I can well be
spared, even though we leave behind a mother whom we love; but she has
kinsfolk who will comfort her."
"My family are alone in the district, Robert Sumter, and yet they will
be comforted, knowing that I am doing my duty as a man."
"Yet every one should care for his own, and you can well be spared when
this movement is no more than a retreat."
"Ay, so I may be," the old man replied emphatically, and in such a
tone as caused me to grip him heartily by the hand. "So I may be,
and yet it would shame me to go, because now has come the hour of our
adversity--the time when all hope seems to have fled; but my desire
to free the colonies from the yoke of the king is as strong as when I
first set out, nigh on to four years ago. I shall remain in the saddle,
Robert Sumter, until we have won that toward which we set our faces, or
a British bullet has brought me low, and in the doing find happiness
for myself as well as give comfort to those who look upon me for an
example."
It was a brave man who spoke those words, and I said then in my heart
that never again would I allow another to utter aught against Gavin
Witherspoon--never again would I allow Percy or myself to laugh at his
oddities or his whimsical fancies.
Freshly mounted were we who left Lynch's Creek at sunset on the day
when we were arrived at the old camp, after those who went insisted
on bringing to us their best horses and the major part of all their
store of ammunition, because, in so doing, it seemed as if they were
contributing in some slight degree to sustaining the Cause which they
had long since despaired of seeing successful.
Dark days indeed were these which had come upon us; but they were
needed, as was afterwards proven, to strengthen our hearts for the
future trial, which led us on to victory when defeat was seemingly
already upon us.
From the hour of leaving Lynch's Creek until we were arrived in
North Carolina, at Amy's Mill on Downing Creek, we never drew rein,
save to halt that the tired steeds might find rest, and at this last
encampment, we remained four and twenty hours.
From there a detachment of ten was sent back as scouts to gain
intelligence of what might be going on in the lower Carolinas, and to
cheer those of our number who had been left behind, in order that the
fire of patriotism might be kept burning.
Then once more we took up the line of retreat, holding it until we were
come to the east side of White Marsh, near the head of the Waccamaw
River, where my uncle, the major, told us three comrades that a
permanent camp would be established.