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 PH \B aJ 
 
 ■-» ■— v 
 
 
 COL. WILLIAM HILL'S MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE REVOLUTION 
 
Book 
 
 — - 
 
GOL. WILLIAM HILL'S MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE REVOLUTION 
 
 Edited by 
 
 A. S. SALLEY, JR. 
 
 i 
 
 Secretary of the Historical Commission of South Carolina 
 
 Printed for 
 
 THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 By The State Company, Columbia, S. C. 
 1 92 1 
 
2.G><3 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 As will be seen by the certificate of Thomas Sumter, at the end 
 of this volume, Col. Hill placed his manuscript account of his 
 experiences in the campaigns subsequent to the fall of Charles 
 Town in 1780 in the hand of Gen. Sumter, father of the signer 
 of the certificate, at some time prior to the death of Gen. Sumter 
 in 1832. Gen Sumter made some corrections by interlineations 
 and by striking out words, and sometimes inserting others in 
 their stead. These corrections were only to improve the English 
 or to supply words that were evidently omitted; none of the 
 statements made was corrected. 
 
 It will also be seen by Mr. Sumter's statement that over two 
 years after the death of Gen. Sumter the manuscript was returned 
 to a son of Col. Hill, but that before that was done Mr. J. W. 
 Brownfield, son-in-law of Mr. Sumter, had made a copy thereof. 
 Mr. Sumter and Thomas D. Sumter then compared the Brown- 
 field copy with the original and saw that they accorded before 
 the original was returned to the Hill family. This Brownfield 
 copy remained in the Browmfield family until a few years, ago. 
 when it was presented to the Library of Congress by the surviv- 
 ing daughters of Mr. BroAvnfield who resided at Summerville. 
 Through the kindness of John R. Hart, Esq., of York, a photo- 
 static copy of the Brownfield manuscript was procured from the 
 Library of Congress, and the negative thereof was used as 
 printer's copy in setting this. Wherever Gen. Sumter interlined 
 or scratched out anything in the original text a foot note is given 
 to such interlineations or expurgations. We are uninformed as 
 to what became of the original manuscript of the memoirs which 
 was returned to Col. Hill's son in 1835. 
 
THE AUTHOR TO THE READER 
 
 For near 30 years, I have been waiting with hopes that some 
 person fitly qualified both in abilities and knowledge of facts, 
 would have undertaken to rectify some great mistakes, which 
 have been made by the historians who have wrote on the revolu- 
 tion in So-Ca- Charity will oblige me to suppose that the mis- 
 representations that have been made was owing to correct infor- 
 mation being wanted, and not by design; but whatever was the 
 cause, the fact is that great misrepresentations have been made 
 and one in particular of the action of Kings Mountain in this 
 State, and as the result of that battle, was one grand link in the 
 gre.it chain of Providence & events that broke the plans of the 
 enemy, to hold the Southern states as British provinces, it ought 
 to be handed down to posterity, and more especially as we are 
 now engaged in war, to support our independence — it is the 
 design of the author to rectify the mistakes that have unhappily 
 been made: and I do declare to the readers, that it is not from 
 any peculiar motive or design of the author to be known as a 
 historian (as I am conscious I am not qualified for the task) — 
 I can relate facts (which I know of. my own certain knowledge) 
 in the naked dress of truth — and it hath so happened that there 
 is not now alive any other person, that can write so fully of so 
 many facts as I can — and as no other has undertaken the task, 
 that hath the same knowledge. I have with reluctance taken it 
 upon myself — In the reading of both military & Civil, or Legis- 
 lative transactions the designing eye (and more especially these 
 who are yet alive that had any agency in the transactions) will 
 sec that there was a Providence that overruled the actions of 
 men. who brought forth means to carry forth the great work — 
 It will be seen that Gen 1 . Sumter who had the merit of 1 first, 
 gen 1 officer, that made any opposition to the enemy after the fab 
 gf Charleston, they having overrun the Country: and all So. 
 Ca. had submitted to their power except the" new acquisition, 
 now York district. — that Gen 1 . Sumter was prevented from being 
 with the party at Kings Mountain, and having then the chief 
 command, that he was necessarily absent by reason of the treach- 
 erous conduct of an officer, that is the only one of So. Co. that is 
 named by the historians, and at the same time the only officers 
 that was instrumental to bring about that great event, is not 
 
 [nterlined above is: being the 
 
 - Interlined above is: the part called the 
 
mentiond — and altho" 1 it is disagreeable to state facts that may 
 hurt the character of the dead or wound the feelings of the living 
 yet it is the duty of the Historian : — and the 1 duty of the living, 
 if their friends 2 acted improperly, is for them not to follow their 
 example — That the present generation may copy after the laud- 
 able exanjple of their forefathers and make use of all the means 
 which God & nature hath given them: — and to hold that inde- 
 pendence purchased so so dearly by their fathers, and have a 
 proper trust in that Power who governs the affairs of nations, 
 is the Prayer and wish of the author- (Signed) Wm. Hill 
 Febv. 1815— 
 
 i Interlined above is: only 
 ^Interlined above is : have 
 
Shortly after the fall of Charleston which happened the 12 th - 
 of May 1780 the British had advanced above Camden to the 
 Waxsaw & fixed a post at Rocky Mount, and Granby, on the 
 Congarees, Orangeburg & & c . At that time all the upper division 
 of the State was commanded by Gen 1 . Pickens, as Gen 1 . William- 
 son that had the chief command previous to that time, turned a 
 traitor to his country. & went to the enemy then in Savannah, 
 & made his peace with them — Previous to the fall of Charles- 
 ton, at that time there being a considerable quantity of arms & 
 ammunition deposited at a fort in Ninety Six District, the British 
 commander Earl Cornwallis, commissioned a certain Cap 1 . Par- 
 ris, that commanded about 80 tories, to go ahead of his troops 
 to take the submissions of all the Americans that was dispos d . 
 to become British subjects, to this Parriss & his small party of 
 Tories, did Gen 1 . Pickens submit & surrender the beforemen- 
 tioned fort, together with all the military stores. And likewise 
 marched several hundred men with their arms. & surrendered 
 
 to the said Parriss When these events came to be known, to 
 
 the citizens in the new acquisition, now Y k . D*. the two Col 3 , 
 commanding that dis*. namely Watson & Bratton, 1 as it was then 
 the custom to have two Col s . to a Regiment, they then appointed 
 a meeting of the Reg 1 , at a place called Bullocks creek meeting 
 house At this meeting, they did not encourage the men. but 
 much 2 the reverse, by telling them that they had hitherto done 
 their duty. But it appeared to them that any further opposition 
 to the British would not avail & as for their parts could have 
 nothing more to say to them as officers but to advise each of them 
 to do the best they could for themselves — Upon this the meet- 
 ing broke up. but it was generally rumored about, that' a com- 
 missioner' was sent to Lord Rawdon then in the Waxaw. so it was 
 that a man of a respectable character that had represented the 
 District in the Gen 1 Assembly (did go) but whether employed by 
 the officers or not. the author cannot say- The anxiety of the 
 citizens to know the result of this mission was great & they met 
 at the Iron works, at which place the person from Lord Rawdon 
 met them £ exhibited his commission from under the great seal 
 of Lord Rawdon that he was empowered to take their submis- 
 sions & give paroles & protections to all that choose to become 
 
 'Samuel Watson ami William Bratton. 
 
 ^Interlined above i- : t<> 
 "Interlined above is : time that 
 ■*The or added by Gen. Sumter. 
 
British Subjects — he, the said commiss 1 ". took his stand & pro- 
 ceeded to read a proclamation of his Lordships that begun by 
 asserting that Congress has given up the two Southern states. 
 & would not contend further for them that as Gen 1 . Washing- 
 ton's army was reduced to a small number of men. & that he, 
 with that small army had fled to the mountains — Y r . author then 
 stopped the commissi from reading more of the proclamation 
 and took the stand himself, & addressed the citizens in the fol- 
 lowing language, "that he was happy to have it in his power 
 to inform them that both the facts stated in the s d . proclamation 
 was false and that it was in order to intimidate & deceive the 
 citizens, so far from being a fact that Congress had come to a 
 resolution not to give up any of the States, and that Gen 1 . Wash- 
 ington was in a more prosperous way than he had been in for 
 some time, that he had actually appointed an officer with a con- 
 siderable army, and was then on their march to the relief of the 
 Southern States, and that we had all taken an oath to defend 
 & maintain the Independence of the state to the utmost of our 
 power and that if we could not raise a force to meet the foe, we 
 had one open side, we c d . keep in a body, go into No. Ca. meet 
 our friends & return with them to recover our State — After 
 saying this and much more not necessary to relate, there was a 
 visible animation in the countenances of the citizens and their 
 former state of despondency visibly reversed, and the poor Com- 
 missi was oblig ed to disappear with his proclamation & protec- 
 tions for fear of the resentment of the audience 
 
 And here your Author wishes to remark that he by no means 
 wishes to arogate any thing to himself or to have it be sup- 
 posed that he had or possessed more public virtue or firmness 
 than other men who acted differently. And after these things 
 took place the men appeared very anxious to keep in a body 
 but they had no officers. — I then advised them to Ballot for two 
 Colonels and they did so and it appeared their choice fell upon 
 a young man by the name of NeeP and your Author we then 
 proceeded to further arrangements and that was for the men 
 to choose all other of their officers to form into companies &c- 
 we then formed a camp and errected the American Standard. 
 And as soon as this was known there were men both of the 
 states of Georgia and South Carolina adding daily to our num- 
 bers that we soon became a respectable body and a few days after 
 
 ^Andrew Neel. 
 
these things happened we received information that there was 
 a tory colonel by the name of Floyd in the western part of the 
 District who much distressed the Inhabitants and was collect- 
 ing men to go to the British post at Rocky Mount, upon this 
 Col- Neel with all the men but about 12 or 15- that was left to 
 keep the camp went in persuit of that party of Tories but unfor- 
 tunately before he got to their settlement they had marched to 
 
 Rocky Mount. And from there a certain captain Hook 1 with 
 
 a company of Horse and about 500 Tories came to the Iron 
 works, 2 destroyed all the property they could not carry away. 
 Burned the forge furnace, grist and saw mills together with 
 all other buildings even to the negro huts, & bore away about 
 90 negroes all which was done before Col. Niel returned with 
 the army to camp — - About this time I was informed that Col. 
 Sumter was then in Salisbury with a few men waiting for a 
 reinforcement — I then wrote to him, informing him of our sit- 
 uation & that there was a 3 probability of our making a handsome 
 stand — and that we were about to form a junction with Gen'. 
 Rutherf d . in N". Car a . that we were going to attack a large body 
 of Tories that had collected at a place called Ramsours Mill — 
 But so it was that a detatched party of about 300 horse from 
 Gen 1 Ruth d . attacked the Tory camp said to be upwards of a 
 1000 men, killed & dispers d . the whole — and then it was that 
 Col. Sumter met with us from So. Ca. He then got authority 
 from the civil & military authority of that State to impress or 
 take waggons horses, provisions of all kinds, from the enemy 
 that was in that action — & to give a receipt to that state for the 
 same — This being done we returned to So. Ca. & formed a camp 
 on the East side of 4 Catawba River at the place called Clems 
 branch — from this out all our proceedings of importance was 
 done by a convention of the whole — a commission of captains 
 appointed to take notice of all the property taken either from 
 the enemy or friends." & a commissioner to supply us with pro- 
 visions &c — 
 
 After we had been some time at this camp as before mentioned, 
 in order to prepare for actual service a number of men together 
 
 'Christian Huck, formerly a lawyer of Philadelphia. As a regular cap- 
 tain he ranked a militia field officer. 
 
 2 Hill's Iron Works, the property of Col. William Hill (author of these 
 Memoirs) and Isaac Hayne. 
 
 3 Interlined above is : likely 
 
 ^Interlined above is: the 
 
with y r . author, being desirous to go into their own settlements 
 on the west side of the River, in order to get a reinforce as well 
 as other necessaries 'to enable us to keep the field— shortly after 
 Ave crossed the River we were informed by our friends, that 
 Capt. Hook the same that had a few weeks before destroyed 
 the Iron works had sent to most of the houses in the settlement, 
 to notify the aged men, the young being in Camp, to meet him 
 at a certain place, that he desired to make terms with them, & 
 that he would put them in the King's peace accordingly they 
 met him, he undertook to harrangue them, on the certainty of 
 his majesty 5 , reducing all the Colonies, to obedience, and he 
 far exceeded the Assyrian Gen ls who"' we read of in ancient writ 
 in blasphemy by saying that (rod almighty had become a Rebel, 
 but if there were k 20 Gods on that side, they would all be con- 
 quered, was his expression — Whilst he was employed in this 
 impious blasphemy' he had his officers & men taking all the 
 horses fit for his purpose, so that many of the aged men had to 
 walk many miles home afoot — This ill behaviour of the enemy 
 made an impression on the minds of the most serious 4 men in 
 this little band and raised their courage under the belief that 
 they would be made instruments 5 in the hand of Heaven to 
 punish this enemy for his wickedness and blasphemy — and no 
 doubt the recent injuries that many of their families received 
 from the said Hook and his party had 6 an effect to stimulate 
 this little band to a proper courage — The number of the Ameri- 
 cans was 133, and many of them without arms Cap". Hook had 
 about 100 horse & Col. Forguson, at this time commander of the 
 Tory Militia, had about 300 men: they were encamp d . in a Lane — 
 a strong fence on each side — the Horse picketed in the inside of a 
 field next to the lane, with their furniture on the officers in a 
 mansion house in the field, in which was a number of women, 
 wh.icli the said Hook had brought there, and at the moment the 
 action commenced, he was then flourishing his sword over the 
 head of these unfortunate women. & threatening them with death 
 if they would not get their husbands & sons to come in — and 
 
 iThe words in order stricken out here. 
 -The word who stricken out and that interlined above. 
 The word blasphemy changed to blasphemous and harangue interlined 
 a I wive. 
 
 ^Interlined above is: of the 
 
 ">The word instruments changed to instrumental 
 
 6Interlined above is: likewise 
 
10 
 
 'marching all night, we made the attack about the break of 
 day — The plan was to attack both ends of the Lane at the same 
 time, but unfortunately the party sent to make the attack on the 
 east end of the lane met with some embarrassments, by fences, 
 brush, briars &c. that they could 2 not get to the end of the lane 
 until the firing commenced at the west end — The probability is 
 that if that party 3 had made good their march in time very few 
 of them w d . have escaped — However Cap. Hook was killed, and 
 also Col. Ferguson of the Tory Militia- Hook's Lint*, was 
 wounded & died afterwards; considerable number of privates 
 the number not known, as there wore many of their carcasses 
 found in the woods some days after- This happened about the. 
 10 th .. of July 1780 at Williamsons Plantation in Y k . D l „ and it 
 was the first check the enemy had received after the fall of 
 Charleston; and was of greater consequence to the American 
 cause than can be well supposed from an affair of small a mag- 
 nitude — as it had the tendency to inspire the Americans with 
 courage & fortitude & to teach them that the enemy was not 
 invincible — And here in order to shew the present generation, 
 what a set of unprincepled officers, with a few exceptions, their 
 fathers had to deal with- Two very valuable young negroes, 
 belonging to yr. author were taken by the wounded Leu 4 , already 
 mentioned, and were kept to wait upon him. He requested of me 
 to giant him a guard & a waggon to take him to the post at Rocky 
 Mount — Which request was granted to him. & while I was mak- 
 ing arrangements to send the guard the two negroes disappear' 1 . 
 I then told the Liu 1 , that I knew that they were gone to Rocky 
 Mount. & that 1 s d . should expect him to send them back with the 
 guard, he appeared to be very warm that I should have any 
 
 doubt of his doing so. and said, that he would be a D n 
 
 scoundrel to keep my property, after receiving such human treat- 
 ment from me — But so it was. it turned out that he shewed him- 
 self to be the person lie mentioned; for the Cap*, of the guard. 
 knew the negroes, & found that he the said Liu* had them again 
 in his service, and when he was ready to leave the place applied 
 to him for the negroes: but he threatened him and the rest of 
 
 'Interlined above is: after 
 
 -Tlie wool could stricken out and did written above 
 3Interlined above is: at the East end 
 
11 
 
 the guard with confinement, if he would say airy thing about 
 them, & it was with a great difficulty he obtained a pass to return 
 back to me- These two negroes have never been recovered by me 1 
 by any other for me 
 
 + 
 
 Shortly after this, being the 13 th . July 1780. Gen 1 . Sumter made 
 an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the British post at Rocky M l . 
 This was made under the impression that the Enemy was in a 
 large framed house: the walls of which were only thin clap 
 boards, and we supposed that our balls w d . have the desired effect 
 by shooting through the Avail, but so it was, that from the time 
 we rec d . this information until the time the attack was made the 
 Enemy had wrought day & night and had placed small logs 
 about a foot from the inside of the wall and rammed the cavity 
 with clay, and under this delusion we made the attack — ; but 
 soon found that we c d . injure them noway, but by shooting in 
 their port-holes And here the brave Col. Xeil was killed & 7 
 privates; upon this we were forced to retreat behind a ledge of 
 Rocks about a hundred y ds . from the house — Here the officer? 
 held a council & it was discovered that there was a large rock, 
 and between this rock and the fort, stood a small house which 
 might be fired by throwing fire brands over the rock, & that this 
 house w d . communicate the fire to the house the Enemy was in 
 and as we had the command of the water they could not possibly 
 extinguish the flames — From this ledge of Rocks where the army 
 lay, to the rock near the house was about 100 y ds . free of any 
 obstructions: & it is well known that when any object is going 
 from or coming to a marksman, the marksman had near as good 
 a chance as if the object was stationary it was then proposed by 
 the Gen 1 . & other officers for 2 men to endeavor to fire that small 
 house, but the undertaking appeared so hazardous, that no two 
 men of the army could be found to undertake it- After some 
 considerable time was spent, y r . author proposed that if any 
 other man w d go with him he w d : make the attempt: at length 
 a young man. brother to the Johnsons now living in Fairfield ^ 
 D l . proposed to undertake with me — and we had every assistance 
 that c d . lie obtained — Rich lightwood split & bound with cords 
 to cover the most vital parts of our bodies, as well as a large 
 bundle of the same wood to carry in our arms, being thus equiped 
 Interlined after me is : nor 
 
12 
 
 we run the 100 y ds . to the rock; Mr. Johnson was to manage the 
 fire & y r . author was to watch the enemys sallying- out of the 
 house - but before the fire was sufficiently kindled the enemy 
 did sally out with fixed bayonets; the same race was run again, 
 to where the army lay. & under a heavy fire, not only from those 
 who had sallied out, but like wise from a large number of Port 
 holes in that end of the house — It was then proposed that the 
 whole of our rifle-men sh d . direct their fire to that space between 
 the small & great house, which was about 15 ft.: we being equipt 
 as before mentioned, made the 2 d . attempt. & the plan already 
 mentioned, prevented the Enemy from sallying a 2 d . time We 
 then had an opportunity of making a large fire behind the rock, 
 & throwing life brands on the roof of the little house & we staid 
 until that roof was in flames. & the heat of it had caused the wail 
 of the great house to smoke — We then concluded the work was 
 done, & undertook the 4 th . race, which was much more hazardous 
 than the iormer ones, as the Enemy during the interval, had 
 opened :i great many more port-holes in that end of the build- 
 ing — And here I beg leave to remark that Providence so pro- 
 tected us both, that neither of us lost a drop of blood, altho' locks 
 of hair was cut from our heads and our garments riddled wit 1 ' 
 balls — & Scarcity had we time to look back from behind the rock 
 where our men lay. in hopes to see the fire progressing, but to 
 our great mortification, when the great house was beginning to 
 Maine — as heavy a storm of rain fell, as hath fallen from that 
 time to the present, & which extinguished the flames — We were 
 then forced to retreat under as great mortification, as ever any 
 number of men endured 
 
 About the 21 st ,. of July 1780. Gen 1 . Sumter made a successful 
 attack on the British post at the Hanging Pock at which place 
 were about 500 Regulars & about 800 Tories from X. Ca. com- 
 manded by Col. Bryan — (Jen'. Sumter had about 600 So Caro- 
 linians -'( Jen 1 . Sumter's men were so short of ammunition, that 
 when they began this attack generally, no one of them had more 
 than 5 bullets — In the latter part of the action the arms & ammu- 
 nition, which were taken from the British & Tories, who fell in 
 the commencement of it. were turned against their associates. 
 In this attack there was a number of men from Mecklenburg 
 County in No. Ca. commanded by Col. Ervin; the number not 
 known: & likewise about 80 horse commanded by Col. Davie — 
 
 Thr words those commanded, Vy are interlined before Genl Sumter's 
 men ami the possessive and men are stricken out. 
 
13 
 
 these men behaved well, and are entitled to equal merit with the 
 So. Car. s . This action commenced under many very unfavorable 
 circumstances to the Americans, as they had to march across 
 a water course & climb a steep cliff, being all this time under the 
 enemys fire & could not injure them until they got around the 
 side of* their camp — But as soon as they got to their ground they 
 instantly drove them out of their camp & pursued them a con- 
 siderable distance. — In the mean time the British camp being 
 about one quarter of a mile from this Tory camp, advanced firing 
 in platoons before the one half of the Americans c d . be brought 
 off from the pursuit of the Tories; these few took to trees & 
 rocks; whilst the British were advancing firing in platoons, and 
 they fell so fast by their unseen enemy that their officers were 
 obliged to push them forward by their sabers- The loss of the 
 British in the action, was great in killed & wounded - The Prince 
 of Wales* Regiment was almost anihilated — The Tories lost 
 & killed was considerable The Americans had about 40 killed, 
 & two Captains and your author wounded 
 
 Here is a great from 
 
 the battle of Camden on the 16 th of Aug 
 was lost by G 1 Gates, & the battle 
 of Fishing Creek was lost by G 1 . Sumter 1 
 About the 12 th November following Major Weymis was sent by 
 Earl Cornwallis to surprise Gen 1 . Sumter who was encamped 
 near Broad River — The detatchment by Weymis consisted of 
 dragoons & infantry, the whole about three times the number 
 that were with Gen 1 . Sumter — The attack was made in the night 
 when most of the men were asleep ; and two of the dragoons 
 entered the Gen 13 ., markey. while he made his escape out of the 
 back of the markey & got under the bank of the River — The 
 Americans retreated in the dark to a commanding ground, 
 (within Shot of their fires) where they waited until the enemy 
 collected in great numbers around their fires. & began to plunder, 
 not supposing that they would meet with any interruption. & 
 while they were in this position around the fires, the Americans, 
 having the advantage of the light, poured on them such a fire 
 that they killed & wounded a great many — they then made a 
 very rapid retreat & were pursued by the Americans some dis- 
 
 iThis nuic is not in same handwriting as the narrative. 
 
14 
 
 tance=Major Weymis wounded & taken prisoner, altho' he had 
 in his pocket, the evidence of his having in cold blood hanged 
 several of the Americans, likewise a list of a number of a num- 
 ber of the houses he had burned on Black River notwithstanding 
 this he was well treated by his Conquerors 
 — // 
 
 On the 20 th - of the same month a battle was fought- at Black 
 stocks on Tiger River, and here let me remark that there was no 
 battle fought during the revolutionary war where was so much 
 disparity between the two different combattants. thu number of 
 Americans did not exceed 600 and many of that number very in- 
 differently armed. Col Tarlton who made this attack on Gen 1 
 Sumter had 1200 horse and Infantry together with a field piece. 
 The Americans were encamped on the bank of Tiger River. There 
 were a number of houses between the River and a large open 
 field 'from the American Camp, about a quarter of a mile there 
 was a very large and strong fence not made with common rails 
 but with small trees notched one on the other. On the west 
 side of this Lane was a thick wood and at the mouth of this 
 Lane was placed a strong Picket. The Americans having been 
 pursued for 2 days and nights took this ground under the firm 
 determination to defend it & not to retreat further — The action 
 commenced by an attack on our Picket at the end of the Lane, 
 they having the advantage of this strong fence above men- 
 tioned, they kept the Cavalry from entering the Lane the num- 
 ber in the houses mentioned joining the clear field kept the 
 Infantry from advancing and those men from the houses were 
 still dropping some of them though at the distance of 200 
 yards. The enemy being thus kept back gave time for as many 
 men who had horses and accoutrements fit for action to ad- 
 vance to the AYesi side of the Lane through the thick wood 
 these men were headed by Col. Lacy, he very judiciously ad- 
 vanced within fire of them undiscovered, as they were then 
 on horse back near the end of the Lane, he then gave them a 
 lire so well directed that upwards of 20 of them fell from their 
 horses as well as a number of their horses killed, the 
 woods being so thick that the regular horse dare not 
 penetrate it- and a number of the men dismounted oc- 
 casionaly crept up so as to kill many of them in their ranks- 
 tbe action commenced at one oclock ami neither horse nor foot 
 
15 
 
 advanced to our camp between the Lane & the River until the 
 going down of the Sun their horse then advanced in the Lane 
 to attack our body of reserve that stood between the Lane & 
 the River where the charge was made by their horse The 
 Americans having the advantage of the before mentioned fence 
 together with the thick wood just by the fence that before they 
 got through the Lane their front both men & horse fell so fast 
 that the way was nearly stopt up - a retreat was then ordered 
 which was a pleasing sight for the Americans to behold - so 
 many falling either by Avounds or stumbling over the dead 
 horses or men. They were pursued by the Americans with loud 
 shouts of victory - at the time this happened to the horse the 
 Infantry advanced to the houses before mentioned and there 
 they received such a heavy fire from those in the houses as 
 well as from a number of the reserve that had got round to 
 that quarter they then made their retreat in as great confusion 
 as the horse- and were pursued a considerable way and many 
 of them suffered in their retreat. 
 
 The British had three officers killed (viz) Maj r -Money-Lieu ts - 
 Gibson & Cope their loss of privates very considerable the num- 
 ber not exactly known but supposed not short of 100 — The 
 Americans had but two killed General Sumter severely wounded 
 which for several months interrupted his gallant Interprise in 
 behalf of the State, his zeal and activity in animating the 
 american Militia when they were discouraged by repeated de- 
 feats and the bravery & good conduct he displayed in sundry 
 attacks on the British Detachments procured him the applause 
 
 of his countrymen & the thanks of congress And here I 
 
 must break through the order of time by relating some circum- 
 stances that happened some months before the battle at Kings 
 Mountain by which the reader will see the reason why Gei^-Sum- 
 ter was not at that action & likewise the reason why the chief 
 command devolved on another — He will likewise see that the 
 Historians who have heretofore written on that brilliant action 
 have been very badly informed. In there omitting the names 
 of the Officers that deserved the greatest merit & was instru- 
 mental by the aid of Providence to bring about that memorable 
 event. & likewise oivinjr merit to those that had laid a wicked 
 & treacherous plan to prevent it. which they had nearly accom- 
 plished A short time after GerrM-uimter had formed his camp 
 in South Carolina as before mentioned, a Colonel Williams of 
 
16 
 
 ninety six District with a few of his friends, or neighbours 
 had been Northwardly securing some of the most valuable prop- 
 erty — came to camp & being better acquainted with your Author 
 than any other officer, he informed me that as he had no men he 
 could not expect any command, but that he wished to do some- 
 thing to serve his country — I Informed him that a person was 
 wanted to act as commisary to supply the army with provisions- 
 Upon this I informed Gen 1 Sumter — a convention was imme- 
 diately called & a commission made out & given to the said 
 Williams to act as commisary to supply the Army — ■ And under 
 his command was put a Maj '-Miles with 25 men & Horses — to- 
 gether with 4 wagons & teams, he continued to act in this ca- 
 pacity for some time & until after the battle at the hanging rock 
 when our camp was at a place called Cane Creek, and on a 
 certain morning it was discovered that our commisary 1 & a col 
 Brannon 2 had eloped & had taken a great number of the public 
 horses a considerable quantity of provisions with the camp 
 equipage & a number of men — Upon this Gen 1 . Sumter sent Col 
 Lacy with a small guard after them with a view at least to re- 
 cover the public property — he overtook them encamped on the 
 west side of the Cattawba River & finding their number too 
 great for him to do any thing by coercive measures he then got 
 the said Williams to walk with him out of the camp, he then 
 presented a pistol to his breast & informed him that if he made 
 any noise to call for assistance he was then a dead man. & after 
 expostulating with him on the baseness of his conduct he 
 the said Williams nave his word of honor that he would take 
 back all the public property & as many of the men as he could 
 persuade to go back — Upon this Col Lacy not confiding in his 
 word exacted an oath to the same purpose 
 
 But so it was that neither the one or the other had the desired 
 effect, as he took the public property A the men to a place called 
 the Cherokee ford where there were a number of North Caro- 
 linians encamped commanded by Maj McDowel — Shortly after 
 they were joined by Col Clark & Col Shellby — this army made 
 an attack on a British post at Muskgrove's mill South Carolina 
 this post was reduced & a number of British prisoners taken. 
 Shortly after this news of Gen^Gates' defeat near Camden 
 induced Col Clark & Col Shelby to retreat to the Mountains 
 
 ■striken <mt is: & a. Interlined :ii»'>ve is: together with 
 •Thomas Brandon. 
 
17 
 
 leaving- the prisoners in the hands of the said Williams to take, 
 on to Hillsborough which he did, who arrogated the whole 
 honour to himself of commanding the action in which they 
 were captured Gen'-Gates after his defeat being at Hillsborough 
 collecting his men. Governor Rutledge of South Carolina also 
 was there on his return from Congress soliciting aid in behalf 
 of the Southern States — Upon his showing his prisoners to the 
 Governor & deceiving him by taking the whole merit to him- 
 self as before mentioned and likewise the governor not knowing 
 that Gen'-Sumter had the command of all the South Carolin- 
 ians then in arms in defence of their country under this de- 
 lution he gave the said Williams a General's Commission, he had 
 the assurance to march into Sumter's Camp which was then on 
 the Indian Land on the East side of the Catawba River, he had his 
 commission publicly read & required all the officers & men to 
 fall under his immediate command, but much to his well deserved 
 mortification they all to a man knowing his recent conduct 
 in deserting his post & embezzeling the public property as be- 
 fore mentioned refused to have any thing to do with him or his 
 commission & if he had not immediately left the camp he would 
 have been stoned out of it — he then went up to the settlement 
 in North Carolina on the Yadkin River where he engaged 
 about 70 men-such as did not choose to do duty under their own 
 officers by promising them that if they would go with him 
 to South Carolina they could get as many negroes & horses as 
 
 they chose to take from the Tories This happened a short 
 
 time before Earl Cornwallis took post at Charlotte North Caro- 
 lina & that he the said Cornwallis detached Rawdon & Tarlton 
 with a number of horse & foot to five times the number that 
 Gen'-Sumter had then in camp in order to surprise him but 
 fortunately he got news of their intentions & crossed the River 
 to the west side at Bigers' (now called Masons ferry) & there 
 encamped. Your author then as chairman of the Convention 
 called it together in order to deliberate on some plan respect- 
 ing Gen^Sumter's commission as it was protested by Williams. 
 but before any progress was made in the business the firing 
 commenced across the River between our guard & Rawdon's 
 men this soon broke up the convention & the army marched up 
 the River & encamped that night in an uncommon thick wood, 
 where we supposed we were safF f rom the horse of the enemy. 
 In this place the convention again was called & five men 
 
18 
 
 chosen to go to governor Rutledge whose names were Gen 1 - 
 Richard Winn, 1 Col Henry Hampton, Col Thomas, and Col Mid- 
 dleton,* was four of those chosen the other name not recollected, 
 these commissioners was to go to Hillsborough to the governor 
 and Gen 1 - Sumter was not to make his appearance until the busi- 
 ness was decided- the command of the troops then devolved on 
 Col Lacy & your Author — We then marched up the River 
 & crossed it at the Tuckasegee ford our Intention being to form 
 a junction with Gen 1 - Davidson the same that was killed when 
 the British crossed the River at Cowens ford after sending an 
 express to the said Davidson of our intentions he informed us 
 that there was a considerable number of men from the west as 
 well as from the East side of the mountain— Marching with an 
 intention to tight col Ferguson & upon receiving this infor- 
 mation we again crossed the River at Baty's ford, the evening 
 after crossing the River. Williams & Brannon with their men 
 engaged in the manner already mentioned came into our camp 
 & Williams with an air of authority read his commission & 
 required us to submit to his authority, your Author then informed 
 him that there was not an officer or man in the whole army 
 that would submit to his command as his recent conduct was 
 such that no officer or sett of men would submit to such an officer 
 & that we had sent commissioners to governor Rutledge that 
 would soon return with full proof of the baseness of his conduct — 
 upon this for fear of being worse treated by our men he thought 
 tit to make good his retreat & formed his camp at a distance 
 from ours — the night following I had a conversation with Col 
 Lacy stating that there was a probability of our having to fight 
 a superior force in a short time- though notwithstanding Wil- 
 liams* number was but small we would endeavour to bring them 
 in to an action as it was probable by this measure that some of 
 them would meet a fate they so well merited- Col Lacy approving 
 my sentiments if any way could he devised without paying 
 respect to Williams' commission. I then proposed as Cols Grimes 
 X: Hamright had that day joined us with a small party of North 
 Carolinians, we would suppose the army to be in three divisions, 
 the North Carolinians one. Williams' & Brannon's men one. £ 
 the South Carolinians the third & that we would choose a 
 
 ■ This was Col. Richard Winn. He <lid nor become brigadier general 
 until November 21, its:!, succeeding Gen. Henderson. 
 •Col. Charles Starkey Myddelton. 
 
10 
 
 Majr-Gen 1 - over the whole & that all orders should be assigned 
 by all the Officers the following morning those propositions were 
 offered to Williams but he spurned them & intimated that by 
 virtue of his commission he would command the whole- upon 
 this he was told to absent himself & not attempt to march with 
 us or the North Carolinians, as the consequences would be serious, 
 he then agreed to the proposition, accordingly we elected the 
 officer that was to act as before mentioned, that day our spies 
 came in & informed us that the mountain men were marching in a 
 valley between a large & smaller Mountain- The next day in 
 the morning an old gentleman well known to many oi us to be 
 a man of veracity gave us the following information- that he 
 bad been some clays with Col Ferguson & that he had the address 
 to make him believe that he was a great friend to the Royal 
 cause that Ferguson the evening before had sent an express to 
 Cornwallis then camped in Charlotte No th - Ca na - that he had 
 pitched his camp on the top of a mountain & that he was so well 
 pleased with the goodness of his position as well as the courage & 
 skill of his men, that he had been training for some time with great 
 success & that he defied God Almighty & all the rebels that 
 could be collected to drive him from that camp- However as he 
 had nearly compleated the business of collecting & training all 
 the friends to the Royal government that could be collected 
 in that part of the country, & that he could then add 
 to the Royal army upwards of 1000 men but as he 
 had to march upwards of 40 miles through a D-rebel settlement 
 though he was not afraid of any serious loss happening in his 
 forming the junction with his Lordship- but as the Rebels were 
 such Dam — d cowardly rascals that the} 7 would ambuscade him 
 & he would not have it in his power to retaliate for those reasons 
 he requested his Lordship to send Tarlton with his horse & In- 
 fantry to escort him to his Lordship- But strange to relate, that 
 the very same day on the morning of which we had this infor- 
 mation your author missed Williams & Brannon out of the line 
 of march & being informed that they had taken a pathway that 
 led to the mountain- Nothing more Avas heard of them until 
 evening after sunset- your Author being on the water we then 
 discovered them coining to the camp- he then enquired of them 
 which way they had been as they had not been with the army 
 the greater part of the day- They appeared unwilling to give the 
 
20 
 
 Information I desired however upon insisting further Williams 
 replied that they had been with the mountain men & that they 
 were a set of fine men & well armed, upon being questioned where 
 we were to form a junction with them, the answer was at Lawsons 
 fork at the old Iron works, I then remarked that would be march- 
 ing directly from Ferguson & that undoubtedly the design of these 
 men was to fight Ferguson, that he had sent to Cornwallis at 
 Charlotte for Tarleton with his horse and infantry and that this 
 reinforcement might be expected in a day or two which would 
 enable him to form a junction with the grand Army and that 
 if this battle was not fought before the reinforcement came the 
 certain probability was that it never would be fought- and that 
 he was now in So Ca. & had been a bitter & cruel enemy, that it 
 appeared as if Heaven had sent those men from the mountains 
 to punish so great & cruel Enemy; & he the said Williams, ap- 
 peared by these remarks to be for some moments embarrassed, 
 but when he came to his speech, he acknowledged, that He had 
 made use of deception to get them to go to Ninety Six- I inquired 
 of him if they had any cannon with them- his answer was in 
 the negative. & added that such men with their Rifles would 
 soon reduce that Post- I then used the freedom to tell him that 
 I plainly saw his design was to get that Army in his own settle- 
 ment as well as to get some of his property (and plunder the 
 Toriers) from thence. In the course of the conversation he said 
 with a considerable degree of warmth, that the No. Ca ns . might 
 fight Ferguson or let it alone, & that our business was to fight 
 for our own country- I then informed him that notwithstanding 
 he had used such unwarrantable means to avoid an action -that 
 I hoped under Providence that I would prevent his design- I 
 then left him & informed Col. Lacey what Williams had done, 
 that to use the huntsman's phrase he had put our friends on the 
 wrong scent, & that if they did not get better information before 
 the next day. that Forguson would undoubtedly escape- As T was 
 unable to ride without my arm in a sling, being not recovered 
 from the wound I rec' 1 . at the Hanging Pock, I immediately 
 procured a pilot, gave him my own horse he being better to 
 travel in the night than his. lie started with this pilot about 
 8 o'clock- & in crossing the spur of the mountain they lost the 
 path, and he Col. Lacey was so suspicious that he was taking 
 him to the enemy, which was so very strong that he cocked his 
 
21 
 
 gun twice to kill him; but Providence prevented it. They then 
 found their way & got to the camp of the mountain men before 
 day- he Lacy then enquired of the officers if two men the day 
 preceeding from So. Ca had not visited them- they answered 
 him in the affirmative- & further said that they had informed 
 them that Forgu sn had gone to 96, & that they the mountaineers 
 were to form a junction with the So. Ca s . at Lawsons fork, at the 
 old iron works, the evening following- Co 1 . Lacey then gave 
 our friends information that Forguson was encamped on Kings 
 M n . & that he had sent to Earl Cornwallis for the reinforcement 
 as already mentioned, & he Col Lacy with the Officers of the 
 mountain men agreed to march to a place called the Cowpens 
 where the So- Carolinians were to form a junction with them — • 
 And here let me remark that when the officers found themselves 
 thus deceived by Williams in the manner already mentioned 
 they expressed the Highest degree of Indignation, as they had 
 come so far with an intention to fight Ferguson & that they 
 were so near being prevented of their intention by this supposed 
 friend — The next morning before Col Lacy returned to Camp 
 there was a likelyhood of there being a mutiny in the army for 
 Col Williams went the rounds & ordered the Officers & men to 
 march his way. Your author went the same rounds & informed 
 those Officers & men of his wicked designs & requested them to 
 wait Col Lacy' return as until then we did not know where we 
 were to form a junction with our friends. In this state of busi- 
 ness my Officers & men appeared determined to bide by my 
 advice & directions, & thus began to threaten the others, & I at 
 this stage of the business had the presence of mind to parade 
 the army in such a position as more fully to inform them of the 
 base & injudicious design of Williams, & that it was very im- 
 politic to march into So- Carolina leaving the enemy behind, 
 & load themselves with plunder, & that Ferguson without doubt 
 was a man of military talents & that he would embrace such a 
 favorable opportunity to attack them on their return, & that the 
 greatest part of the Tories with him were well acquainted with 
 every gap of the mountain, every ford of the rivers or creeks, 
 & many of them would lose their lives or plunder. After men- 
 tioning these things & much more to work on their patriotism 
 or fears I made the following proclamation — 
 All of you that love your Country & wish to fight for your 
 country, your friends & posterity, & not to plunder your country 
 
 k 
 
•22 
 
 in a day of distress, you will parade to the right; And all you 
 that are of a different disposition & intend to plunder-not to fight 
 you will parade to the left — I am happy to say that to my 
 great surprise the greatest part of the army paraded to thf 
 right- leaving but a very small number to the left — Upon this 
 I' ordered them to repair to their camp & make preparations 
 for a march, which would commence as soon as Col Lacey re- 
 turned which he did about 10 oclock & informed us that we 
 were to march to a place called the Cowpens; where we were 
 to form a junction with these mountaineers, when we took the 
 line of march & placed our front & reaj* guards we dis- 
 covered that Col Williams having so few men that adhered to 
 him. that he thought it rather hazardous to March by himself 
 but hung in our rear, he was thus obliged to keep at such a dis- 
 tance as required by our rear guard, who held him & his men 
 in such unfavorable light that they were throwing stones & 
 otherwise offronting them the whole day- We arrived at the 
 Cowpens at about sun sett & in a few moments our friends ar- 
 rived also- The Officers of each army then convened together, 
 the proceedings that took place was to give Col Campbell a 
 nominal command over the whole this was done in courtesy as 
 he & his men had come the greatest distance & from over the 
 mountains. It also being known that Col Tarlton with his rein- 
 forcement would in at least 2 days, join Col Ferguson. This 
 induced the Officers to select 933 men & mounted them on their 
 fleetest horses, leaving about an equal number of foot & horse 
 in the camp, they began their march about 9 o'clock but it 
 proved a very dark & raining night the path being small & the 
 woods very thick, the troop got scattered & dispersed through 
 the woods thus wondering the whole night, that when morning 
 appeared the rear of them was but 5 miles from the Cowpens, 
 this caused them to march uncommonly hard which caused many 
 of the horses to give out as but few of them were shod, a small 
 halt was made near the mountain in which the Officers planned 
 the manner of attack — The officers that conducted this entreprise 
 was Col s - Campbell, Cleveland. Shelby. Lacy. TIamrite. & Haw- 
 thorne, he being my Lieutenant, myself being with the rear 
 guard & not being well of my wounds as before mentioned: there 
 was very little military subordination as all that was required 
 or expected was that every Officer & man should ascend the 
 mountain so as to surround the enemy on all quartets which 
 
23 
 
 was promptly executed, this being the 7 th - day of October 1780 
 commencing at one Oclock — And here let me remark that not- 
 withstanding Col Ferguson was a brave military character it 
 appeared that he was infatuated & brought to his own ruin by 
 chosing this spot of ground on which he had to fight under 
 every disadvantage as it will appear from the following re- 
 lation. — (viz) there being a small flat of ground where he had 
 pitched his camp on, the sides of the mountain being very Rocky 
 & steep as well as a great number of fallen & standing trees 
 so that the Americans could attack his camp on all quarters. 
 & their shot went over the americans without effect, his in- 
 fatuation would more fully appear when it is known that he 
 trusted much to the bayonet, as a proof of this he had trained 
 his men to that purpose & those which he could not furnish with 
 this weapon he had contrived a substitute by getting the Black- 
 smiths to make long knives to answer this. purpose with a tang 
 put in a piece of wood to fit the calibre of the gun & a button 
 to rest on the muzzle of the piece. In the commencement of the 
 action he ordered a charge on the Americans, but the ground was 
 so rough as before mentioned that they were not able to over- 
 take the americans to injure them, in this way, & when they 
 had went a certain distance they had orders to retreat to their 
 camp. & then it was that the americans had every advantage 
 required. In this manner four different charges was made & 
 with the same success- By this time the Americans were within 
 shot of the whole of their camp chiefly under cover of rocks 
 & trees Col Ferguson being killed the second in command sued 
 for peace, about this time Col Williams with his small party 
 came up the side of the mountain, at which time a number of 
 white handkerchiefs were seen holding up in the camp'& yet a 
 number of men not knowing the intention of this signal con- 
 tinued their fire & it was some time before the officers could get 
 them to cease firing- At this moment this Col Williams was 
 killed It is generally supposed & believed that it was done by 
 some of the Americans, as many of them had been heard to 
 promise on oath that they would do it when they had an oppor- 
 tunity which promises were made at the time the dispute took 
 place before mentioned, so that the Historians that have hitherto 
 written of these transactions must have had very incorrect in- 
 formation- as it is a fact that after the attempt to deceive 
 
24 
 
 Col Campbell & the other Officers he dare not appear before them 
 neither at the council of Officers at the Cowpens nor at the other 
 near the mountain. In this action the americans had but few 
 killed or wounded the number not exactly ascertained — Though 
 generally believed the few that were killed & wounded was by 
 the Americans after they had enclosed the camp by firing across. 
 The loss of the enemy in killed & taken was about 1200, about 
 100 of those was regulars. 9 of those who surrendered were 
 hanged by their conquerors they were provoked to this by 
 severity of the British who had lately hanged a great number 
 of americans at Camden, Ninety six. Augusta & & — ■ But a 
 much better reason that each individual of them was guilty 
 of crimes for which their lives were forfeited by the Laws of 
 the State & one in particular had taken a number of Indians 
 to a small fort on the frontiers & murdered a number of women 
 X- children the men being absent from the fort. — 
 There was an action fought at Muskgroves Mill Enoree river 
 on the l'.'" 1 - of August lisp, which it appears that none of the 
 Historians which have written on the revolution of the Southern 
 States have noticed- It was fought by a number of brave Officers 
 & men who had volunteered their services. I think it proper that 
 posterity should know something of it- I do not give the infor- 
 mation of my own knowledge but give it from an Officer of 
 high standing who was present at the action- Gen 1 - M c Dowell 
 continued to mancever on the North side of Broad river, not 
 being in force to attempt an action with Ferguson until the 18 th - 
 of August 1780 at which time he received information that 500 
 Tories were encamped at Muskgroves mill on the bank of 
 Enoree river- Co] Shelby & Lieut Col- Clarke were selected 
 by Gen 1 '- M c Dowel] to head the detachment destined to cut up 
 that party of Tories- M c Dowell's camp was then at smiths ford 
 on Broad river 40 miles or upwards from the Tories Encamped 
 at Muskgroves- Maj r . Ferguson lay about half way with all his 
 force and and only two or three miles from the route our party 
 had to travel. They commenced their march from Smiths ford 
 at sun about one hour high in the evening of the 18 th of Aug 1 . 
 L780 with 7<H) picked men well mounted, among whom were sev- 
 eral of the field officers of M c .Dowal's army who had volunteered 
 their services. & they were joined by Col. Williams with a few 
 of his followers the whole army amounting to between 7')i) & 
 
800 men. They travelled through the woods, until nearly dark 
 then took the road, & traveled fast all the night, a great part 
 of the way in a canter, never stopped even to "let their horses, 
 drink. & arrived within y 2 mile of the enemy camp just at break 
 of day, when they were met by a strong patrole party of the 
 enemy coming out to reconnoitre- A sharp fire commenced in 
 which several of the enemy fell 1 - and they gave back to their 
 <'amp at this juncture, a countryman who lived in sight came 
 up & informed Col Shelby that the enemy had been strongly 
 reinforced the evening before with 000 regulars from 90 & the 
 Queen's American Keg*, from N. York 2 - commanded by Col. 
 Innis. The Americans after a hard travel all night of 40 miles, 
 or upwards were too much broke down to retreat- they prepared 
 for action as fast as possible by making a breast work of Ions 
 and brush, which they completed in half an hour, when the 
 enemys whole force appeared in full view, their lines lay across 
 the road upwards of half a mile in length- a small party had 
 been sent under Cap 1 . Shadrack Inman to scrimage with the 
 enemy, as soon as they crossed the River, for their camp was on 
 the south side of Muskgrove's plantation Cap 1 . Inman had orders 
 to give way as the enemy advanced When they came within 70 
 yards of our breastworks a heavy & destructive fire commenced 
 on them — 
 
 The action was bloody £ obstinate for upwards of an hour & a 
 half. The enemy had got within a few yards of our works: at 
 that juncture Col- Innis who commanded the Enemy was badly 
 wounded & carried back, & every other regular Officer except 
 one Lieutenant of the British were either killed or wounded 
 when the enemy began to give way just at that moment also 
 Cap*- Hawsey an Officer of considerable distinction among the 
 Tories was shot down near our lines while making the greatest 
 efforts to animate his men- The Tories upon the fall of Cap*- 
 Hawsey broke in great confusion, the slaughter from thence to 
 the Enoree river about half a mile was very great, dead men 
 lay thick on the ground over which our men pursued the enemy. 
 In this pursuit Cap 1 . Inman was killed while pressing the enemy 
 close in his rear great merit was due to Cap 1 - Inman for the 
 manner in which lie brought on the action £ to which the suc- 
 
 l The words "and they -arc hack to-rfroir camp" are interlined above. 
 2.1nterlined above is: commanded by Col. Innis 
 
A 
 
 26 
 
 cess of the day was greatly to be attributed- This action was 
 one of the hardest ever fought in the United States with small 
 arms- the smoke was so thick as to hide a man at the distance 
 of 20 yards- Our men took 200 prisoners during the action 
 & could have improved the victoiy to great advantage- their 
 object was to be in 00 that night, distant 25 or 30 miles & weak 
 & defenceless. But just after the close of the action an express 
 arrived from Gen 1 - M c Dowell with a letter to him from Governor 
 Caswell informing of the defeat on the 16 th - of our grand army 
 under Gen 1 - Gates near Camden- In this situation to secure a 
 safe retreat was a most difficult task- our small party broke 
 down with fatigue. 200 British prisoners in charge upwards of 
 40 miles advance of Gen 1 - M c Dowell who retreated immediately 
 & dispersed upon the receipt of the news of Gates' defeat — 
 Ferguson with 3000 men almost directly in their rear- It re- 
 quired all the vigilance & exertion which human nature was 
 capable of, to avoid being cut to pieces by Ferguson's light 
 parties- It was known to Col Shelby that he had a body of 
 dragoons & mounted men that woidd endeavour to intercept them 
 which caused him to bear up toward the mountains-the enemy 
 pursued as was expected 50 or 60 miles until their horses broke 
 down £ could follow no further- It is to be remarked that during 
 the advance of upwards of 40 miles. & the retreat of 50 or 60 
 miles, the Americans never stoped to eat but made use of peaches 
 & green corn for their support the excessive fatigue to which 
 they were subjected two nights & two days effectually broke down 
 every < fficer so that their faces & eyes swelled & became so bloated 
 in appearance as scarcely to be able to see — This action happened 
 at the most gloomy period of the revolution, just after the defeat 
 & dispersion of the American Army & is not known in the his- 
 tory of the revolution. After our party had retreated into No- 
 Ca- clear of their pursuers Col Shelby crossed the mountains 
 to his own country & left the prisoners taken in the action in 
 the possession of Col Clarke to carry them on to the North until 
 they could be safely secured he gave them up shortly afterwards 
 to Col Williams to conduct them to Hillsborough No- Ca- at 
 this period there was not the appearance of a corps of americans 
 embodied any where to the Southward of Virginia- In this 
 action the American loss was small in comparison with that of 
 the enemy who over shot them as they lay concealed behind 
 
27 
 
 their breastworks- The loss of Cap 4 - Inman was much regretted 
 he fell gloriously fighting for his country, on the 19 th - of August 
 1780-with many other brave spirits who volunteered their ser- 
 vices on that occasion & defeated an enemy far superior in force 
 to their own — The defeat of Gen 1 - Gates, the surprise & com- 
 plete dispersion of Gen'- Sumter- & dispersion of Gen 1 - 
 M c Dowell"s army, no appearance of an american army existed to 
 the Southward of Virginia, & many of the Whigs from the Caro- 
 linas & Georgia with Gen 1 - M c Dowell at their head retreated to 
 the west side of the Alleghany Mountains for refuge from a 
 pursuing foe- It was at this gloomy period of the revolution that 
 Cols Shelby, Sevier, Campbell & Gen 1 - M c Dowell who fled to their 
 country began to concert plans for collecting a force & making a 
 forced march to surprise Maj r - Ferguson who had advanced up 
 to the foot of the mountains on the East side & threatened to 
 cress over & lay waste the country on that side for their oppo- 
 sition to his Majesty's Arms — 
 
 Although David Ramsey the historian has given a pretty full 
 account of the affairs of South Carolina, of their first measures 
 taken to oppose the arbitrary demands of Great Britain, yet 
 there are a number of matters & things omitted, that may be 
 useful to the present generation 1 , & especially as it is probable 
 that a number of new states will yet be formed in the great 
 American empire- And as there is a number of the old that are 
 looking for a reformation in their constitutions, more especially 
 to their representative system- I have therefore thought proper 
 to give a short history of the proceedings of the people of South 
 Carolina in their first forming the constitution. The South 
 Carolinians took a very determined stand to oppose the measures 
 of Great Britain, for as soon as the Boston port bill, & the other 
 oppressive acts of the British parliament were known to them, 
 the people of Charleston & its vicinity convened under the shade 
 of a tree in the commons, & then & there they entered into 
 several resolves to oppose the arbitrary measures of that govern- 
 ment. & they elected & sent a delegation to the first Congress 
 that met in Philadelphia in the years 1774- 75 at the same time 
 they formed what is called a provincial Congress" & assumed all 
 the powers of government by emmitting money or bills of credit, 
 
 iXot only has Ramsay omitted many things, but lie lias given erroneous 
 accounts of many of the matters that he lias discussed. 
 
 2Tlie mass meetings which were Jield under the Liberty Tree did not 
 elect the delegation to the Continental Congress in July, 1774. That was 
 done by a convention composed of delegates from various parts of South 
 Carolina. It provided for an election for a provincial congress. The 
 election was held in December and the congress met in January. 1775. 
 
28 
 
 raising troops for the defence of the Province The Legislative 
 power they held, but the executive was placed in what was called 
 a council of safety £ in committees in different parts- The reso- 
 lutions of this Congress & the recommendations of the council 
 of safety were generally complied with- as they had been laws 
 enacted by all necessary power & authority. This first Congress 
 as already mentioned was chiefly composed of citizens from the 
 lower division of the province, hut they found a very judicious 
 plan to get all the people in the interior & upper parts of the 
 province engaged with them, which was to deputise two very 
 influential characters, one a clergyman the other a Lawyer, the 
 name of the former Tennent the latter Drayton. They were 
 to go to the interior & upper country & explain to the people the 
 nature of the dispute between this country & Great Britain-^ 
 likewise to lay off the country into Districts as places of general 
 musters & to hold Elections The commissioners merit much 
 for the care & pains they took in the discharge of their commis- 
 sion, they had the whole of the State laid off in elective districts 
 not by surveyors who could not be had at that time but by such 
 natural lines as rivers, creeks, roads &c-for under the old govern- 
 ment there was not a county or district for the whole of the 
 province was purchased from the Ocean to the mountains, by 
 this arrangement the three districts (Richland-Fairfield & Ches- 
 ter) were called the districts between Broad X- Cattawba Rivers, 
 their place of meeting at Winnsborough- the district then called 
 the new acquisition (now York) 1 was left by itself the other 
 parts of the State was laid out in a similar way as most agreeable 
 to the people- Each of the districts were to send members to 
 the provincial Congress, but no limit as to numbers, many or few, 
 the constitution formed by the provincials was nearly such as 
 before under the old government- The first magistrate was 
 stiled President & commander in chief he was to have a privy 
 council-the general assembly was to elect out of. its own body 
 L3 members 7 of whom should be a quorum, the members were 
 called a Legislative council these were as a. house of Lords. 
 
 ri'iic territory called the New Acquisition had been acquired from North 
 Carolina by a trade made in ITTli. It consisted of those parts of the 
 present counties of York. Cherokee and Spartanburg that lie north of the 
 35th degree of north latitude, in exchange therefor Smith Carolina gave 
 a strip lying between the line of 1764 (north of Marlboro, Chesterfield 
 and Lancaster counties) and the said 35th parallel of north latitude and 
 east of the reservation of the Catawba Indians, and constituting portions 
 of the present counties of Mecklenburg. Union, Anson and Richmond. 
 
29 
 
 The President or commander was to have his veto or negative 
 on all bills -Under these arrangements the State progressed in 
 making many defensive arrangements still looking forward with 
 a sincere hope that a reconciliation with great Britain would be 
 effected — For at that time there was very few if anjr of the 
 citizens who had any wish for independence But when the Con- 
 tinental Congress declared the 13 states Independent of great 
 Britain & recommended to the different states to form State 
 constitutions agreeable to free & independent States, then it was 
 this Provincial congress invited the different Districts to send 
 members to that convention 1 ; and it was left to the People the 
 number to be sent — About this time the citizens of the new 
 acquisition met & sent five men to the convention, 2 but these men 
 were not chosen by Ballot, as but very few of the citizens had 
 any knowledge of that mode of proceding, but they were named 
 by such as pleased to give their assent — A short time after they 
 had gone to Charleston & had taken their seats, a number of the 
 citizens came to the Iron works of the Author and expressed 
 great disapprobation at the course which had been taken, not- 
 withstanding they seemed to have a wish to preserve both Church 
 & State, as one of the men sent was a ruling Elder of the church 
 another a Dutchman, he was to take care of money matters; the 
 other being lately from Pensylvania where the mode of choos- 
 ing their Eepresentatives was by ballot- His advice was to convene 
 the Citizens, on a certain day & elect them by Ballot- They 
 accordingly met & elected five other men 3 — they immediately set 
 
 lThis is all wrong:. Just what is to be expected from the memory of 
 an old man. The 2nd Provincial Congress had formed an independent 
 government, March 26, 1776, and had resolved itself into a General 
 Assembly. The General Assembly, at its second session, in September. 
 1776, ratified the Declaration of Independence. The next General Assem- 
 bly adopted a new constitution whereby the state was redistricted and 
 the number or representatives for each district fixed. 
 
 2 Ten delegates were sent by this meeting to the 2nd Provincial Congress. 
 They were Col. Thomas Neel, Col. Ezekiel Polk, Capt. Samuel Watson. 
 Capt. William Byers, Capt. Alexander Love, Joseph Howe, James Carson, 
 Joseph Woods, Robert Dickey and Francis Adams. 
 
 3They also elected ten delegates. They were Ezekiel Polk, Samuel Wat- 
 son, William Byers, James Carson, Francis Adams, William McCulloch, 
 John Howe, Francis Ross, Robert McAlfee and Thomas Janes. The con- 
 gress seated this delegation also. Five men were elected on both dele- 
 gations so that the New Acquisition had_fifteen delegates in all. These 
 delegates became that district's representatives in the first General As- 
 sembly, March 26, 1776, and served to the general election in October, 
 1776. 
 
30 
 
 out for Charleston. & "were allowed their seats with the other 
 five- This will account for the new Acquisition having 10 mem- 
 bers for a number of years when the three districts between 
 Broad & Catawba River had only the same number — Previous 
 to the meeting of this convention that was to form a constitution 
 upon the principles of Independence, the public mind was much 
 agitated upon the grand question, whether there was to be any 
 Religious establishment of one denomination of Christians over 
 the other & as most of the southern provinces had been under 
 the church of England there was fear that if any denomination 
 had any preference over the other it would in a great measure 
 prevent that Harmony amongst the Citizens which was necessary 
 to oppose the measures of the British government — About this 
 time a number of the principle citizens of Charleston had a num- 
 ber of memorials or petitions printed & distributed through the 
 different parts of the State-the memorial stated the bad policy 
 either in a Religious or political point of view in establishing 
 any one religious denomination over another. One of these 
 memorials was sent to the Author & he in order to get as many 
 names as possible — (& not believing in the doctrine of the turks 
 that women have no souls) he got the women to sign their names 
 with the men-this memorial when presented was a novelty & mat- 
 ter of surprise but when the principle was properly examined it 
 was declared to be correct- happily for the state when the busi- 
 ness was 1 nought forward in the Convention even those who had 
 been brought up adherents of the established church of England 
 voted & spoke in favour of the memorial so that there was a very 
 small minority thus happily that business which had for a length 
 of time filled the minds of the Citizens with fearful forebodings 
 was settled — In this place I shall observe that Being who created 
 all things He who hath the hearts of the human under his con- 
 trol & that it was owing to His agency that this matter termi- 
 nated so happily- By the constitution established bj^ the con- 
 vention, the Legislative Power was vested in a Senate & House 
 of Representatives — The Executive power was vested in a Gov- 
 ernor & Commander in chief, he had no Legislative power- The 
 judiciary with the the other officers were elected by the Gen 1 . As- 
 sembly — When that part of the Constitution which respects the 
 Representation (was debated?) 3 a proposition was made by one of 
 the mosl influential members, that Charleston should have 30 
 members, in the H. of Rep s . & two in the Senate The other dis- 
 
 lThe words in parentheses were evidently inserted either by Gen. Sum- 
 ter or Mr. Brownfleld. 
 
31 
 
 tricts in the State might choose as many as they thought proper — 
 The proposition was agreed to by a very large majority-and 
 the members at a given time were to give in the numbers they 
 wished, & this was done without adopting any principle of popu- 
 lation wealth, or any thing else 1 — Whilst this business was pend- 
 ing your Author took great pains, to induce the members to 
 send such a number as would be a proper balance to the great 
 number from Charleston — And amongst a number of things, 
 the following ideas "That the o2 members from Charleston 
 would have a great advantage over the other from their 
 local situation, having it in their power to arrange all the plans 
 they wished for : that in a short time we would find we lived under 
 an aristocratical & not a free representative government — that as 
 we had the loaf to cut, we should take such a cut as w d . prevent 
 the evils to be feared" — But as if some fate had attended the 
 business, not one of them would be brought to see as I did, 
 although numbers of them were far superior in abilities to my- 
 self — By this contracted policy, the now three districts of Rich- 
 land, Fairfield & Chester were content to send one senator & 
 10 Representatives"; the most of the upper districts adopted a 
 similar policy, but the most of the lower districts had G Repre- 
 sentatives and one Senator, until some time after the peace- No 
 great evil was felt, but in a few years the great emigration from 
 the other States, and the other districts remaining stationary 
 caused the inequality to be felt— 
 
 A large tract of country was purchased of the Cherokee In- 
 dians & was soon thick settled so the inequality became in time 
 between the upper & lower divisions of the State as 16 to one : & 
 although the defect in the constitution was evident to every 
 impartial eye yet so is power that however improper they are 
 not for giving it up-& so it happened in this case for not with - 
 
 iAs there had been no census no one knew the population or wealth. 
 They could only be estimated, and the figures so estimated would doubtless 
 have varied according to the minds of the estimators. 
 
 -It is quite likely that in 177S Charles Town contained fully three 
 times the population and wealth that were in the district between the 
 Broad and Catawba rivers. 
 
 3A treaty with the Cherbkees was consummated by Gov. Glen at Saluda 
 Old Town in 17")."). whereby the Indians ceded all lands between the white 
 settlements and their nation. These lands were rapidly filled up with 
 settlers from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and France, but 
 the proportion of sixteen to one was not reached by 177S, nor has it been 
 reached yet. In 1777 the Cherokees were driven out of South Carolina 
 and the lands formerly occupied by them in South Carolina opened to 
 settlers. 
 
32 
 
 standing the most vigorous efforts every meeting of the Legis- 
 lature — the system still remained for about 20 years & then it 
 was granted [only when] until the members of the upper di- 
 vision came to a determination no longer to submit but to apply 
 to the general assembly that had promised to guarantee to each 
 State a republican form of government 1 . About 6 years past a 
 reform took place & now each district has one Senator & repre- 
 sentatives in proportion to the population & the amount of taxes 
 paid to the support of government. I now go back breaking the 
 order of time to relate that some time after the peace took place 
 the meeting & sitting of the Legislature was in Charleston it 
 being in, the corner of the State & a commercial city these & 
 [other] reasons induced the Legislature to purchase a tract a 
 land now Columbia & to build a state house but this arrange- 
 ment not being fixed by the constitution a convention was called 
 to have it fixed when this convetion [met] at Columbia there was 
 much of what may be called parliamentary jokey ing-there was 
 a large number of members from Charleston & its vicinity who 
 were for keeping it in Cha- ton — & in order to divide the votes 
 three places were proposed (viz) at the High Hills, one near 
 Col Thompson, &. one at Columbia, but the sagacity of the 
 country members prevented the fate of the plan that was laid for 
 [them], notwithstanding the members from Charleston & all the 
 lower members who voted for it" with the exception of a 
 few men — yet the votes were for Columbia & only by one — this 
 
 Un 17110 (twelve years later) a new constitution was adopted which 
 changed the representation to suit changed conditions. 01 course the 
 census of 1800 and each succeeding ten years hrought changes in the repre- 
 sentation in the House. There was an inequality in the Senate. A large 
 and populous election district had but one senator, while a small dis- 
 trict sparsely populated with white people had one senator. .Most of the 
 parishes (each of which constituted an election district) in the Low-Country 
 were in the latter class. That was the hone of contention which dis- 
 gruntled many men of the Up-Countrj from the Revolution to 1st!.". The 
 words "only when" in brackets were interlined by Mr. Sumter or Mr. 
 Brownfield ; so was the word "other" lower down, and the word "met"' 
 still farther down. 
 
 -<"ol. Hill mixed his facts as to this also. It was in 17S0. when the 
 hill to establish Columbia was up, that Stateburg (on the High Hills of 
 Santee) and Manigault's plantation, near Col. William Thomson's, were 
 brought into competition with the site named in the hill, (hi the passage 
 of the hill in the House, with the site named in hill, it carried by a con- 
 siderable majority. An amendment was offered to make Manigault's 
 plantation the site. The amendment was lost by two majority, not one. 
 That story about one majority for the site whereon Columbia stands has 
 given rise to a popular myth to the effecl that Stateburg came within one 
 vote of winning. Columbia was selected over all by the House. The Senate 
 gave a two-thirds vote in favor of the Columbia site. 
 
 The word them in brackets was interlined by Mr. Sumter or the copyist. 
 
33 
 
 trial of strength gave encouragement for the members of 
 Char ton — to threathen its removal at a future period- this threath 
 induced the the country members to have in the constitution 
 another clause (viz) that no alteration should take place but by 
 two thirds of both the branches of the Legislature at one meet- 
 ing and then after a new election by the same vote — this had 
 the good effect to prevent any further attempt to remove the 
 government to Charleston But as most good things have their 
 alloy of evil this was a great bar in the way of having the repre- 
 sentation fixed upon a proper principle, let it be observed there 
 is a power who governs the fate of nations as that of individuals 
 & this power often makes use of means that may be thought by 
 the human eye to be weak & contemptible weak instrument as I 
 was had I acted upon the policy which other men of superior 
 abilities did as has been already stated & had I been content 
 with two or three representatives instead of ten & a Senator- 
 when the votes were taken as before said that instead of one in 
 favour there would have been five or six against it — Upon this 
 the most probable result would have been that the great & 
 essential benefits of having the State government permanently 
 fixed would not have been as early by many years & most prob- 
 ably not before the Reform which took place about six years 
 ago. , 
 
 23 of January 1835= 
 
 This is a true copy, including corrections, of a manuscript 
 which I received from my father written in the year 1815 by 
 Co'-W m . Hill and which never has been out of his possession 
 or mine since it was received from the author except in that 
 of M r . J. W. Brownfield who made this copy & of T(ho s . D. 
 Sumter who assisted me in examining & correcting the same from 
 the original which I this day deliver to Francis B Sumter by 
 the desire of Co 1 Hill son of the author to be delivered 
 into his hands — taking a receipt therefor 
 
 Tho. Sumter 
 
INDEX 
 
 Adams, Francis. 29(2). 
 Alleghany Mountains. 27. 
 Anson County, X. C. 28. 
 Augusta, Ga., Am'ericans hanged at, 
 
 24. 
 
 Beatty's Ford. 18. 
 
 Bigers's Ferry, 17. 
 
 Bills of Credit. 27. 
 
 Black River, 14. 
 
 Blackstock's, Battle at. 14-15. 
 
 Boston Port Bill, 27. 
 
 Brandon, Col. Thomas. Hi. 18(2), 
 19. 
 
 Bratton, Col. William. 6. 
 
 Broad and Catawba Rivers. Dis- 
 trict between, 28, 29, 31. 
 
 Broad River, 24(2) : Attack on Sum- 
 ter's camp near. 13-14. 
 
 Brownfield, J. W., 3(2), 39, 32, 33. 
 
 Brownfield copy Of Hill's memoirs. 
 3(3). 
 
 Brownfield family. :;. 
 
 Bryan, Col., 12. 
 
 Bullock's Creek Meeting House. 6. 
 
 Byers, William. 29 (2). 
 
 Camden. 6; Americans lianged at. 
 24; Battle of, 13, 16, 26. 
 
 Campbell, Col. William. 22(2). 24, 
 27. 
 
 Cahe Creek. Id. 
 
 Carson, .lames. 29(2). 
 
 Caswell. Governor Richard (of 
 North Carolina i . 26. 
 
 Catawba River. 8, 16, 17. 
 
 Charles Towd (Charleston after 
 August, 1783), 3, 1. 6(2), 10. 27. 
 29(2), 39(2), ::i (3). 
 
 Charleston (after August, 1783), 
 321 I), 33(3). 
 
 Charlotte. X. C. 17. ID. 29. 
 
 Cherokee County. 28. 
 
 Cherokee Ford, if.. 
 
 Cherokee Indians. Cession by, 31. 
 
 Chester District (created in 1798}, 
 28, 31. 
 
 Chesterfield County. 2S. 
 
 Church of England, •'!(». 
 
 Clarke. Col. Elijah. 16(2), 24. 26. 
 
 Clem's Branch. 8. 
 
 Cleveland, Col. Benjamin, 22. 
 
 Columbia, Founding of. 32. 
 
 Congarees, The. C. 
 
 Congress, Continental. 7(2), 27, 29. 
 
 Congress, Provincial. 27. 28(2), 29. 
 
 Constitutions of South Carolina, 
 
 Discussion of the. 27-:i:'». 
 Convention of July. 1774. 27. 
 Cope. Lieutenant, 15. 
 Cornwallis, Lord. 0. 1.°,. 17(2), 19. 
 
 20. 21. 
 Council of Safety. 28. 
 Cowen's Ford. 18. 
 Cowpens, The, 21. 22(3), 24. 
 Davidson. Gen., 18(2). 
 Davie. Col. W. It.. 12. 
 Dickey. Robert. 20. 
 Drayton. William Henry. 28. 
 England, ::i ; church of. 39. 
 Enoree River. 24 ( 2 1 . 2.">. 
 Ervin, Col.. 12. 
 Established Church, 39. 
 Fairfield District (created in 17'.)S[, 
 
 11. 28, 31. 
 Ferguson, Col. (killed at Huck's 
 
 defeat), 9, 10. 
 Ferguson, Col. Patrick (killed at 
 
 King's Mountain), is. 19(2), 20 
 
 (4), 21(4), 22. 2.-.. 24(2). 20(2), 
 
 27. 
 Fishing Creek. Rattle of. 13. 
 Floyd. Col. (Tory). S. 
 
 France, 31. 
 
 (bites. (Jen. Horatio. Defeat of. at 
 
 Camden. 10. 17. 26(2), 27. 
 General Assembly, 28. 
 Georgia, 7. 27. 
 ( Sermany, 31. 
 Gibson, Lieutenant, 15. 
 
 Glen, GOV. James. 31. 
 
 Governor, 39. 
 
35 
 
 Grauby, 6. 
 
 Great Britain, 27(2), 28, 29(2). 
 
 Grimes, Col., 18. 
 
 Hambright, Lieut: Col.. 18, 22. 
 
 Hampton, Col. Henry, 18. 
 
 Hanging Rock, Capture of, 12-13, 16, 
 
 20. 
 Hart, John R., 3. 
 Hawsey. Capt., 25(2). 
 Hawthorn. Lieut. Col. James, 22. 
 Hayne. Isaac (1745-1781), S. 
 Henderson, Gen. William, IS. 
 High Hills of Santee, 32. 
 Hill.— ,son of Col. William, 3, 33. 
 Hill family, 3. 
 
 Hill's Iron Works, 6, 8, 9, 29. 
 Hillsborough, N. C. 17(2), 18, 26. 
 House of Representatives, 30. 
 Howe, John. 29. 
 Howe, Joseph, 29. 
 Huek. Capt. Christian, 8, 9(4), 10 
 
 (2). 
 Huck's Defeat, 9-10. 
 Indian (Catawba) lands. 17. 
 Indians, 24, 31. 
 
 Inman, Capt. Shadrack. 25(4), 27. 
 Innis, Col., 25(2). 
 Ireland, 31. 
 Iron Works, Hill's, 6, 8, 9. 29; Old, 
 
 Lawson's Fork. 20, 21. 
 Jones, Thomas, 29. 
 
 Johnson, , 11, 12. 
 
 Judiciary, 30. 
 
 King's Mountain, 21 ; Battle of, 4 
 
 (2), 15, 22-24. 
 Lacey, Col. Edward, 14, 16(2), 18 
 
 (3), 20(2), 21(5), 22(2). 
 Lancaster County, 28. 
 Lawson's Fork, 20, 21. 
 Legislative Council, 28. 
 Liberty Tree, Charles Town, 27-28. 
 Library of Congress, 3(2). 
 Love, Alexander, 29. 
 Manigault's plantation, 32. 
 Marlboro County, 28. 
 Mason's Ferry, 17. 
 McAfee, Robert, 29. 
 McCulloch. William, 29. 
 McDowell, Gen., 24(4) , 26(2) , 27(3) . 
 
 McDowell, Major, 16. 
 
 Mecklenburg County, N. C, 12, 28. 
 
 Miles, Major, 16. 
 
 Money, 27. 
 
 Money, Major, 15. 
 
 Musgrove's Mill, Capture of post at, 
 
 n:. -24. 
 Musgrove's plantation, 25. 
 Myddelton, Col. Charles Starkey. 
 
 18. 
 Neel, Col. Andrew, 7, 8(2) ; Death 
 
 of. 11. 
 Neel, Col. Thomas, 29. 
 Negroes. 8. 10, 11, 17. 
 New Acquisition, 4, 6, 28, 29(2). 
 New York, 25. 
 Ninety Six, 25, 26; Americans 
 
 hanged at, 24. 
 Ninety Six District, 6, 16, 20, 21. 
 North Carolina, 7, 8, 12(2), 16, 
 
 17(2), 18, 19(2), 20, 26(2), 28. 
 Orangeburgh, 6. 
 Parris, Capt., 6(3). 
 Pennsylvania, 29. 
 Philadelphia, Pa., 8, 27. 
 Pickens. Col. (subsequently Gen.) 
 
 Andrew. 6; Surrender of a fort 
 
 in Ninety Six District by, 6. 
 Polk. Ezekiel, 29(2). 
 President of South Carolina, 28, 29. 
 Prince of Wales's Regiment, The, 13. 
 Privy Council, 28. 
 
 Provincial Congress, 27, 28(2), 29. 
 Queen's American Regiment, The, 
 
 25. 
 Ramsay, Dr. David, 27. 
 Ramsour's Mill, 8. 
 Rawdon, Lord, 6(3), 17(2). 
 Richland District (created in 1800), 
 
 28, 31. 
 Richmond County, N. C, 28. 
 Rocky Mount, 6, 8(2), 10(2) ; Sum- 
 ter's attack on, 11-12. 
 Ross, Francis, 29. 
 Rutherford, Gen. Griffith, 8(2). 
 Rutledge, Governor John, 17, 18(2). 
 Salisbury, N. G, S. 
 Saluda Old Town, 31. 
 Savannah, Ga., 6. 
 
36 
 
 Scotland. 31. 
 
 Senate. 30. 
 
 Sevier. Lieut. Col. John. 27. 
 
 Shelby, Col. Isaac. 16(2), 22, 24. 
 25, 26(2), 27. 
 
 Smith's Ford. 24(2). 
 
 Southern States. 7(2). 
 
 Spartanburg County. 28. 
 
 State House, Columbia, •*'»2. 
 
 Stateburg, 32. 
 
 Sunimerville. 3. 
 
 Sumter. Francis B., 33. 
 
 Sumter. (Jen. Thomas. 3(4), 4(2), 
 6. 8(2, then Col.). 11, 12(4), 
 13(4), 14. 15(2), 16(2). 17(4), 18, 
 27, 30; Wounding of, 15; Death 
 of. ::. 
 
 Sumter. Thomas, son of above. 3 
 (4), 32, ::::. 
 
 Sumter. Thomas I).. .'!. 33. 
 Tarleton, Lieut. Col. Ranastre, 14, 
 
 17. 19, 20. 22. 
 Tennent. Rev. William. 28. 
 Thomas. Col. John, Jr.. 18. 
 Thomson. Col. William, 32. 
 
 Tuckaseegee Ford, IS. 
 
 Tyger River. 14(2). 
 
 Union County. X. C, 28. 
 
 United States. 26. 
 
 Virginia, 26. 27. 
 
 Washington, Gen. George, 7(2). 
 
 Watson. Samuel. 6. 20(2). 
 
 Waxhaws. The. 6(2). 
 
 Weymyss, Major, 13(2), 14. 
 
 Williams. Col. James. 15, 16, 17. IS, 
 
 19, 20, 21, 22. 24. 26; Death of, 
 
 2.",. 
 Williamson. Gen. Andrew, 6. 
 Williamson's plantation. Rattle at, 
 
 9-10. 
 Winn. Col. Richard, 18. 
 Winnsborough, 28. 
 Woman suffrage. An early instance 
 
 of. 30. 
 Woods. Joseph. 29. 
 Yadkin River, 17. 
 York. 3. 
 
 York County (since 1868), 2S. 
 York District (1800-1868), 4. 6. 10. 
 
 2S.