GEORGETOWN.
The information which Colonel Richardson brought regarding the renegade
who had acquainted Tarleton with General Marion's whereabouts, fired
us four comrades to such a degree that right willingly would we have
pushed forward alone in the hope of taking him prisoner, even while
surrounded by his British friends.
As has already been set down, we gave Sam Lee credit for doing
whatsoever was in his power against us, but, while it was no surprise
that he should have continued making every effort to work harm to
the friends of freedom, there was mingled with our righteous anger
something of astonishment at his success.
He might have lived twice the ordinary lifetime of a man without being
able to do as much mischief as in this case, when our people were
making ready to fall suddenly upon Tarleton's forces.
Now, however, that was impossible. Even Major James realized that,
instead of pushing on, we must beat a retreat once more, and without
loss of time.
From this moment until that sad hour when Gavin, Percy and myself, to
say nothing of the general, were so sorely afflicted, there is nothing
of particular moment to write, except that I set down the different
movements made by our brigade, and the situation of affairs in the
Carolinas.
In less than twenty minutes from the time Colonel Richardson came into
the encampment, were we urging our jaded steeds through that gloomy
swamp known as the "wood-yard," and two hours later the command was
halted on Jack's Creek.
We had covered only six miles in all that time, owing to the condition
of the horses; but it was sufficient, so far as eluding the Britishers
was concerned, because they might not find us unless, perchance, more
spies were lurking around, until after the day should break.
While Colonel Tarleton was a butcher--a man who had no idea of mercy
or compassion, it is only just to give him the credit of being a good
soldier after his own particular fashion.
As a man to lead rough-riders, he was perhaps the best in the king's
service, and we who were fleeing before him understood that not
a single moment would be lost in the pursuit. Ride as fast and as
constantly as we might, his men would be ever on our heels, so long
as they could hold the pace, and it was endurance and the speed of the
horses which should give the final result.
At daybreak our brigade was on the march once more, making its way over
bogs and through swamps until it was arrived at Benbow's Ferry, about
ten miles above Kingstree, where was a strong natural camp.
It was a place with which we were all familiar. It commanded a passage
of the river, and was within easy riding distance of all the country
roundabout from which we must draw provisions and provender. As a
rallying point it could not have been equalled in the Carolinas, and
should we be hard pressed there were three difficult passes through the
swamp in the rear where, if necessary, we might make a stubborn fight.
Strong as was this position, General Marion set about strengthening it
yet further.
Trees were felled, breastworks put up, and in eight and forty hours
we were prepared to meet Tarleton's much-vaunted legion, reasoning
that our defenses made up for lack of numbers until we were fully the
enemy's equal.
Now we believed that a decisive battle would soon be fought--one in
which the victory could not be doubtful, but where the conquerors
might for a certain length of time hold undisputed possession of the
Williamsburg district, and we counted on being those conquerors.
It was not destined, however, that the struggle in the Carolinas should
be brought to so speedy a conclusion.
Tarleton pursued our brigade, losing time here and there to burn
dwellings which sheltered only women and children, until he was come
to within less than twelve miles of our camp, when, to the surprise of
enemies as well as friends, he turned suddenly about and marched with
all speed for Camden.
It was afterward said by the Tories that Lord Cornwallis had expressly
ordered him to return; but more than one of us believed then, and yet
hold to it, that the redcoated Britisher who could be so courageous
when he had none but old men, boys and women in front of him, was
absolutely afraid to measure strength with General Marion.
Now while we laid here in safety, gathering numbers every day, much was
done by our friends in other parts of the colony.
General Sumter, our kinsman, gave battle to Tarleton at the Blackstock
farm on the banks of the Tyger, defeating him utterly, but at a
terrific loss, so far as the Cause was concerned. The Britishers had
ninety-two killed and one hundred and four wounded. Among the Americans
only three were slain and four wounded; but in the latter list was the
general himself, who bore as marks of the victory a severely dangerous
wound in the breast.
His gallant followers, true to him as was our brigade to General
Marion, lashed him in the raw hide of a bullock which was slung as
a litter between two horses, and thus, guarded by an hundred picked
men, he was carried to the upper colony, so we were told, where he lay
hovering 'twixt life and death.
It was also while we were encamped here that the battle of King's
Mountain was fought, when the British, under Major Ferguson, were
defeated handsomely, the killed, wounded and captured of the enemy
amounting to eleven hundred men, and among the dead was the major
himself.
Two exceedingly fortunate encounters for us--encounters such as
guaranteed to us final victory if we could but hold out as we had
begun, and this seemed most probable, for, as ever will be the case, a
successful commander finds plenty of recruits.
We of Williamsburg were not inactive during the days spent in camp; but
made forays here and there, capturing in some places bands of Tories
on their way to Georgetown, or, having the good fortune to come across
detachments of the redcoats who were guarding store-trains, until,
should I attempt to repeat all the little adventures which befell us,
I might continue this writing until so many pages were filled that one
would shrink from the reading because of the magnitude of the task.
It is with the more adventurous, but yet the sadder part of our service
under General Marion that I must close this record which has been
intended only to show what we comrades did, up to the time Snow's
Island was fortified, when we ceased active operations during the year.
The British post at Georgetown was the one place which our people most
needed as a base of operations against Charleston, and, in fact, to
hold our own in Williamsburg district.
Situated as it was, we were constantly menaced, wherever our brigade
might be, by the enemy holding possession of the place. In addition to
that, it was a depot for supplies of salt, clothing and ammunition for
the king's troops, and of such goods, we who fought for the Cause were
grievously in need.
To capture Georgetown would be an exploit such as might advantage our
people more than had the victory at King's Mountain, therefore it was
to this end that our general proposed to bend all his energies, and in
the proposition he was seconded ably by such followers as Major James
and Colonel Richardson, the last-named gentleman having remained with
us since the day his home was destroyed.
It was believed that the enemy lay at Georgetown in great force,
perhaps to the number of four thousand men, and we knew full well the
nature of the fortifications round about the post.
A direct assault would have been fatal to us. It was only by such
methods as had won for our general the name of "Swamp Fox," that
we could succeed, and, as can well be fancied, none of our people
were averse to an attempt under those circumstances, for we believed
ourselves, so far as backwoods strategy was concerned, far superior to
any of the king's forces.
The first we of the rank and file knew, regarding the method by which
it was hoped we might succeed, was when we broke camp, carrying with
us all our equipage and so much of provisions as could be gathered from
the country round about, and crossed Black River to a little settlement
known as Potato Ferry, advancing toward Georgetown by that road called
the "Gap Way."
Now this much by way of explanation for the benefit of those who are
not acquainted with the vicinity of that post.
Three miles from Georgetown is an inland swamp known as White's Bay,
which, discharging itself by two mouths, the one into Black River and
the other into Sampit, completely cuts off the post, which stands on
the north side of the last-named river near its junction with Winyaw
Bay. Over the creek which empties into Sampit there is a bridge, two
miles from the town.
Now it was in the rear of this swamp that we finally came to a halt,
having, as was believed, arrived there without knowledge of the enemy.
Gavin Witherspoon claimed that he understood all which the general
proposed to do, but that statement I question seriously, otherwise
would we have heard from the old man concerning several moves that
would have been more than injudicious if General Marion had the same
idea in mind Gavin gave him credit for.
Let it be understood that we were come to this point, not more than
three miles from the post, five hundred and fifty strong, each one
mounted and carrying so much of provisions and provender as would
suffice for eight and forty hours' consumption.
Up to the moment of our halting we had seen no persons save those
whom we knew beyond a peradventure to be devoted to the Cause, and,
therefore, could say to a certainty that we were thus far advanced
toward the object of our desires in such fashion as the Swamp Fox most
desired.
Unless some false move was made, some prying, unfriendly eye discovered
us, we would be able to ride down upon Georgetown as we had ridden into
many a British camp before, doing more through fear than bullets, and
gaining victory where by rights none should have been enjoyed.
Well, we were halted here, and all had dismounted, each man feeding his
horse in anticipation of the work to come when the speed of the animals
would avail as much, perhaps even more than the accuracy of our aim.
Then it was, after a consultation with the general, my uncle advanced
where all, save that line of sentinels which hemmed us in to keep
prying eyes at a respectful distance, might see him, and Gabriel Marion
said to me gleefully:
"Now has come the time, lad, when we will be able to ride into this
adventure side by side, and carve out for ourselves such names as shall
live in the grateful memory of men after these colonies are free."
And the dear lad did carve out a name for himself!
"I call for volunteers who will present themselves for dangerous
service," my uncle began, and every man pricked up his ears, each
eager to be among those who might distinguish themselves. "Two squads
of twenty each, and so many as are minded to sacrifice their lives,
perchance, for the benefit of the brigade, may step forward two paces."
Gavin, Percy, Gabriel and I advanced without loss of time, and the
blood fairly leaped in my veins when I saw that of all the brigade
every man had made the same movement.
In General Marion's force each was equally eager to lay down his life
for the others, and it was that spirit which finally gained for us the
independence of the American colonies.
"I had expected some such outburst of patriotism; but failed by a
considerable degree to anticipate the reality," my uncle, the major,
said with a smile of satisfaction. "You be brave lads all, as has been
proven many and many a time before, and therefore each and every one is
entitled to the honor of making his life the sacrifice for the others;
but, unfortunately for your desires, only forty men may be chosen. Let
those who are willing to relinquish the desire to show their love for
country in order that others who, perhaps, can better be spared may
make any sacrifice, retreat two paces."
Not a man moved; every trooper of the Williamsburg brigade stood firm
in place, as if determined that he, and he alone, should be the one who
would give up his life for the other, and among them all were we four
comrades, tried and true--comrades who were destined to ride on until
we saw one of our number fall, foully murdered, without being able to
raise a hand in his defense.
Now it was that General Marion advanced to the side of my uncle, his
eyes all aflame, and more enthusiasm showing in that quiet face than I
had ever believed could find a place there.
"Gentlemen of the Williamsburg brigade, I thank you from the bottom of
my heart. Many a time before have you proven yourselves heroes; but
never so truly, never so emphatically as at this moment--when every
man of you is eager to offer up his life, and in that for which the
volunteers are called I do assure you there are eight chances out of
ten that no one comes back alive. Now I entreat that so many of you as
are fathers of families shall step back, allowing younger soldiers to
take your places."
Yet every man remained in his place, and it seemed much as though
we might come at loggerheads, one with the other, as to who should
die first, for all knew that this attack upon the well-fortified,
over-garrisoned post of Georgetown was no child's play, no feint at
warfare; but a desperate undertaking which to succeed must be carried
on with total disregard of life.
"Now has come the time when I myself must make the selection," the
major, my uncle, said with a look on his face which told how greatly
this exhibition pleased him. "I shall call out one man, and the general
may select another, each making his choice until the forty have been
chosen. Let it be remembered that in this case I exercise the right
to use favoritism, for there be among you lads of my own blood whom
I am minded shall go forth in preference to those who have families
dependent upon them. Therefore, men, do not blame me when I claim what
I _may_ claim, even disregarding the privilege of others."
Then it was, and proud am I to write it, that he cried out:
"Robert Sumter!"
I stepped forward, my face flushed with pardonable pride, and in his
turn the general cried:
"Gabriel Marion!"
"Percy Sumter!" my uncle next called, and the general added:
"Gavin Witherspoon!"
Thus were we four comrades the first to be selected for this post of
honor which will be remembered, as I fondly believe, long after we are
gone from this world, and in all the Carolinas were no four individuals
more puffed up with pride and pleasure than we.
Around us everywhere were envious eyes, as if life had suddenly lost
all its charm, and death were the one thing most desired.
Man after man was thus summoned to take his place in the ranks of the
devoted, until we had the full number two paces in advance of all the
rest, and then it was my uncle said, moving up and down the line as
if it pleasured him to look on those who were selected for the most
perilous venture:
"Gentlemen, it may be that after another hour has passed we shall not
meet again on this earth. Therefore I pray you, those who have any
request to make, speak now, that we may remember in the days to come
that all you desired was granted."
No man spoke for so long a time as would have taken me to count
twenty, and then Gabriel Marion, dear lad that he was, raised his cap
courteously, as he bowed and said:
"Major James, if it so be the request we make now be granted, I pray
your pardon when I ask a selfish one, which is that us four who have
been comrades since I joined the brigade--us four who have eaten and
slept together, may not be separated when you shall divide this squad
into two. That we may be allowed to go on side by side, as we have from
the day I first knew these lads and Gavin Witherspoon."
"It shall be as you say," my uncle replied, and then turning, looked at
the others.
Emboldened by Gabriel's speech, one man requested that should he fail
to return, evidence might be sent his kinsmen that he was proud at
being able to thus serve the colonies.
Another made a similar request, and so on until perhaps half a dozen
had spoken, when all fell silent.
There was no more to be said. It only remained that we march forth to
lay down our lives, or to win them, as the case might be.
As for myself, I believed we who were chosen would probably perish in
whatsoever of adventure was before us, for I thought then, much as did
Gavin Witherspoon, that we were to make an attack upon two portions
of the town, while the remainder of the brigade, after we were slain,
would come in a different direction, and, taking advantage of the
diversion caused by our attack, win the day.
It would be a glorious ending of one's life; yet as I reflected upon
it, although not in the least degree wishing I might have been among
this third party rather than in the lead, I said to myself that it
would be sweet to live until we had thrown off the king's yoke, for
at this moment when we stood face to face with death, almost feeling
the great white angel's cold hand upon us, I was as certain we would
finally win the victory, however many hirelings his majesty might send
upon us, as I was certain that my life might within a very few moments
be the penalty of the pride which was within me.
Perchance never in the history of the Carolinas has there at any
one time so much of true bravery been shown as we saw then when the
only discontent was because one was more favored than another in the
permission to offer his life as a sacrifice.
Well, we were not kept long in line after such arrangements had been
made as I have described.
Before being dismissed, however, those who were to be left behind would
have raised a cheer, but that Captain Horry prevented any such outburst
lest scouting parties of the enemy might be near, and then the final
preparations were made without loss of time for the work in hand.
Captain Melton was named as the gentleman who should lead our squad,
and Captain Horry given command of the other.
So far as his purpose was concerned, General Marion did not leave us in
doubt, claiming, as he said, that we had the right to know exactly what
he proposed doing so we might act the more intelligently.
Our squad was to approach the town near White's Bridge, and the other
would reconnoiter on the opposite side of the post; but neither was to
return, save in case of some serious disaster, until the main attack
had been made.
It was not exactly as Gavin Witherspoon had predicted, because we were
given no orders to assault the enemy independently; but were to make a
detour, each squad half around the post, and in case of any important
discovery to send word back immediately to the general.
At the dawn of the following day the brigade was to advance, and at the
first alarm, wherever we of the chosen ones might be, we would join the
assaulting party in such manner as our commanders thought proper.
All this, as I have said, was told by General Marion himself, and
nothing could have given us greater confidence in the adventure than
that he should see fit to explain his plans when another commander
might have remained silent.
There were no leave-takings; no delay.
Such work as ours was to be done on the instant, and Captain Melton,
advancing at the head of our squad, for by this time we had been told
off in two parties of twenty, said quietly:
"We will move on foot in such formation as may be most agreeable. As
I understand it, our work is rather in the nature of spying than of a
military movement, and my only order is that you allow me to lead."
Captain Horry was already leaving the encampment when we set off,
following our commander much as a party of pleasure seekers might
troop after him who had promised to show them some desirable place of
entertainment, and as we threaded our way through the swamp Gabriel
Marion, linking his arm in mine, said cheerily, with never a tremor in
his voice to show that the doom of the future lay upon his heart:
"We four are in rare luck, Robert Sumter. I did not believe my uncle
would grant me so great a boon as to call my name, and when yours was
spoken by Major James the tears almost came into my eyes, fearing lest
you should go while I remained behind."