life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第24章
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sure it will not be disappointed。 Fight like men； fight as you have always
done； and you are sure of the victory。〃 This short speech was received with
applause by the combatants。 Vanderhorst now asked Witherspoon； 〃What
distance would you choose as the surest to strike with buck shot？〃 〃Fifty
yards for the first fire；〃 was the reply。 Then； said the commander； 〃when
we get within fifty yards； my boys； as I am not a good judge of distances；
Mr。 Witherspoon will tap me on the shoulder。 I will then give the word；
and you will form on my left opposite those fellows。 As you form； each
man will fire at the one directly opposite him； and my word for it； few will
be left for a second shot。〃 The British had now formed in a single line in
front of the oak； and Vanderhorst advanced boldly on within one hundred
yards。 At this juncture； an officer was seen to pass swiftly on toward the
oak； and the enemy shouldered their muskets and retreated with a quick
step towards the main body。 Vanderhorst and his men gave them three
huzzas！ but did not at that distance fire a shot。 Thus a British officer was
met on his own boasted ground and proved recreant。 The next morning
Major M‘Ilraith abandoned his heavy baggage； left his fires burning； and
retired silently from the ground； along the river road towards Singelton's
mill； distant ten miles。 Near day Marion discovered his movement； and
detached Col。 Hugh Horry with one hundred men to get ahead of him；
before he should reach the mill。 The colonel made all possible speed； but
finding he could not overtake him； detached Major James at the head of a
party mounted on the swiftest horses； to cross the mill pond above； and
take possession of Singelton's houses； which stood on a high hill；
commanding a narrow defile on the road； between the hill and Wateree
swamp。 Major James reached the houses as the British advanced to the
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foot of the hill； but found Singelton's family down with the small pox。
This was more dreaded than the enemy。 He gave them one fire； by which a
captain was killed； and retired。 As M‘Ilraith was now in a strong hold；
Marion pursued him no further。
The character of Major M‘Ilraith has been constantly represented by
the inhabitants of this state； among whom he passed as the most humane
of all the officers of the British army。 To those in their power even
forbearance was at that time a virtue； but his virtues were active。 It has
been currently reported that he carried his dislike to house burning so far；
that he neglected to carry into effect the orders of his commander in chief
on that point to such an extent； as to gain his ill will and that of many other
British officers。 How much it is to be regretted that the rigid rules of
warfare should have arrayed such a man in opposition to Marion； when
both professed the same humane principles。
We come now to the most interesting part of the warfare of Gen。
Marion； which； bringing into action all the energies of his officers and
men； at the same time developed all the skill and patience of their
commander。
At the juncture of the retreat of Gen。 Greene before Cornwallis；
Sumter and Marion were left alone in South Carolina； Sumter on the
Catawba； in York district； and Marion on the Pedee； at Snow's island；
about two hundred miles apart； and Lord Rawdon directly between them；
with a much superior force。 Thus situated his lordship laid a well digested
plan to crush Marion。 Col。 Watson with a British regiment； and Harrison's
regiment of tories； amounting in the whole to more than five hundred men；
was ordered to march down the Santee； towards Snow's island； and he
commenced his expedition from Fort Watson about the first of March。
Shortly after Col。 Doyle with another British regiment； was directed to
proceed by the way of M‘Callum's ferry on Lynch's creek； and down
Jeffer's creek； to the Pedee road to the same point； where they were to
form a junction。 Doyle had to open a road from M‘Callum's to Pedee； and
his approach； though slow； was unexpected； but Marion's scouts placed
from Camden down； with relays of horses； soon informed him of Watson's
movement。 By one of his rapid marches he met him at Wiboo； about
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Life of Marion。
midway between Nelson's and Murray's ferry； and at this swamp
commenced his arduous contest with Watson。 Col。 Peter Horry was placed
in advance at the swamp； while the general with the cavalry； and
remainder of the brigade； amounting to about four hundred men； lay in
reserve。 Horry made considerable impression upon the tories in advance；
but Watson with two field pieces； and at the head of his column of regulars；
dislodged him from the swamp； and the tory cavalry under Harrison
pursued。 As they advanced； Gavin James； a private of gigantic size and
spirit； mounted on a strong grey horse； and armed with a musket and
bayonet； threw himself in their way。 He first deliberately fired upon the
column and one man fell。 The causeway was narrow and this occasioned a
pause； in which a volley was fired at him without effect。 One dragoon
advanced and was struck off his horse by the bayonet。 A second came to
his aid and shared a like fate； in falling he laid hold of the musket near the
muzzle to jerk it away； and James dragged him forty or fifty paces。 This
bold action produced a considerable effect； and was soon followed by
many others； not so well recollected； and too numerous to be inserted。
Harrison had not pursued far； when Marion ordered the cavalry to charge；
Capts。 M‘Cauley and Conyers； met him； and soon dispersed his force；
whilst Conyers killed one of his officers； said to be Major Harrison； with
his own hands。 Thus were the tories intimidated at the outset。
On the 9th of March； Col。 Watson encamped at Cantey's plantation；
and wrote a letter to Gen。 Marion； in which he justifies （what the other had
complained of by a previous communication；*） the burning of houses and
the hanging of those citizens who had taken paroles； and afterwards joined
the Americans； upon the principles of the laws of war and nations。 It
seems the colonel had reference to the code of barbarous nations。 Marion
made him no reply； but gave orders to his nightly patroles； to shoot his
sentinels and cut off his pickets。 Such a retaliation was to be expected； and
thus raged the civil warfare。
* Letter of Marion； 7th March。
Watson marched down the river； and at Mount Hope had to build up
the bridges； and to sustain a second conflict with Col。 Hugh Horry； at the
head of Marion's advance。 By dint of his field pieces； and the strength of
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Life of Marion。
his column； he at length made good his way。 Near M
