[Unsigned account of Revolutionary War battles in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina] 1780

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[added text (appears to be different hand and ink): B. N 5 ]
May 12th. Charleston file
1780
=


29th. May 80 60 to Buford Cut to peaces [pieces] about the Midle [Middle] of
June the British took a Strong position at Shiroes ferry on the Et. [East] side of Broad River opposed to the [illegible text] fork and the Inhabitance [Inhabitants] Summons to come in and take the Oath of Allegiance to the King and those that did not was treated as Enemies, Capt. Richard Winn living in that part of the [added text: Country & finding the ] Enemy was fast advancing and [deleted text: finding ] [added text: that ] he could not raise one Single person to oppose them Set out himself for the new Acquision [Acquisition] to see if he could not raise men by the help of Colos. [Colonel] Lacey Bratton & Nixson in the Corse [Course] of the day they colected [collected] 100 Militia and and immediately Marched for Gipsons Meeting Hous [House] in Moberleys Settlement where we found a large Body of Tories Strongly posted [deleted text: [illegible text] ] under the Command of Colo. [Colonel] Chs. [Charles] Coleman as Capt. Winn was well acquainted with the Strength and Sittuation [Situation] of the


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place it was left to him to bring On the attack and in a few minutes this body of Tories was drove from a Strong [deleted text: block ] House [added text: which ansd. [answered] for Block house ] and totally Defeated with a Small loss of Killed & Wounded, the whig party lost Nothing, this body of Tories two or three days previous to their Defeat had plundered the Hamtons on the Road of about thirty Negroes two or three wagons & Teams and thirty [unclear text: Value ] Horses and a large Quantity of Household furniture besides many other things, they also made prisoners of Captains John & Henry Hampton which the Day before the Action they sent them under a Strong gouard [guard] to Camden the British Head Quarters, their property Recovered, [added text: by us ] this was the first fight After the Reduction of Charleston, Gipsons Meeting House is 12 Miles above Shiroes ferry on the same Side of the River the British was posted as first Mentioned
when Capt. Hamptn [Hampton] got his release from Camden he informed [deleted text: me ] Winn


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[deleted text: of ] this Action got to Camden as soon as he & his [added text: Brother ] did and when they was taken before the British Commander that [deleted text: I ] [added text: Winn ] was Grossly Abused by him for the Damest Ruffen [Damnedest Ruffien] & Scoundrel that Ever disgraced human being immediate after this Capt. Winn Sets Out for the Northward [added text: on foot for the tories had taken all his Horses ] with a determination to travel untill [until] he could meet [added text: Men ] that he could depend on to fight he had not got more than 12 Miles day came on Stopt [Stopped] at [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: John Lee's ] where he was well Acquainted tho [though] this Man a Well wisher to the British he gits [gets] this person out who inform'd [informed] him their [there] was 300 tories just a head I then told him he must let me have a Horse and pilate [pilot] me into the Catawba Nation through the Woods, he informed me he had but two horses being plundered of the rest, but he immediately brought them up and let me have one and we in a few Minutes Set Out for the Nation
the next day Arrive at Genl. [General] Rutherfords Camp near Charlotte in No. [North] Carolina where I found 44 of


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the So. [South] Carolinians in the Same Situation of myself we got together and held a Consultation, notwithstanding the Smallness of our No. it was unanimously Agreed on to oppose the British & tories under Expectation when the panick [panic] of the people was Over many would Join us, the next Question rose who Should Command Capt. R [Richard] Winn was Chosen without a Desenting [Dissenting] Voice, Capt. Winn Obsd. [Observed] that Colo [Colonel] Sumter was on the ground an Old Experienced Officer he Shorely [Surely] was the most proper person to take the Command, for the momt [moment], this was Objected too [to], however it was Agreed on that Colo. [Colonel] Patton & Capt. Winn should without delay Consult the Colo. [Colonel] on the Subject after some Conversation and Explination [Explanation] Colo. [Colonel] Sumter Accepted the nomination and the next day Set Out [deleted text: to ] [added text: with his party ] on Horse back and made a forced March to [deleted text: join ] Reinforce Colo. [Colonel] Lock who [deleted text: [illegible text] ]


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in Order to Attack a body of about 1000 Tories who had Collected at Ramsowers Mill in No. [North] Carolina on the So. [South] fork of Catawba under their leader Colo. [Colonel] Moore, however Colo. [Colonel] Sumter did not Arrive untill [until] the Action was over but was so near as to be in hearing of the guns, Moore had Selected notwithstanding his Defeat by a handful of Men as fine a piece of Ground for defence [defense] as Could be Chosen, on his [deleted text: Rere ] [added text: Rear ] the River [deleted text: the River ] and Mills on his Right an Open plantation with a [deleted text: plantation ] high fence on the left very Steep the Hill full of trees and Cleare [Clear] of under growth, the Death of Capt. Fall in this Action was greatly lamented he was a brave daring Officer. this Action was fought somtime [some time] in the last of
June 1780. this same Colo. [Colonel] Moore after his Defeat About a year [deleted text: [added text: after ] ] was taken up as a Spy in So. [South] Carolina tried as Such and


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Convicted & Hung [added text: 10 Miles ] below Granby [deleted text: 10 Miles ] on the Congaree River at the Same time another person by the Name of [unclear text: Fondiron ] was Condemed als [Condemned also] but pardoned under the Gallos [Gallows] by Order of Genl. [General] William Henderson after the battle at Ramsower Colo. [Colonel] [added text: Sumter ] [deleted text: [illegible text] ] with his party set out for Charlottee and encamped that night in a few miles of the Battle Ground a small party of Georgians had joined [added text: him ] among them was a Man by the Name of Paddy Carr after we had taken up Camp this same Padd [deleted text: & ] and Another Man went to a house about One or two Miles off inquird. [inquired] of the Man of the House if he had not Joined Colo. [Colonel] [added text: Moore ] Answer yes, but that he after being made a prisoner was set at liberty by Genl. [General] Rutherford and had Just got home to his Wife & Children by this time it became [unclear text: Duskish ], paddy Inquires the way to Camp the Man tells him the path forked in half Mile you take such a hand


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Carr tells him you must get up behind me and sho [show] me the path I must tak [take] he did so when they Came to the forks the Man Jumpt [Jumped] off and told him that is your path then Paddy Judas like Shot him dead on the Spot, on the Story being related to [deleted text: me ] Capt [Captain] Winn by the Man who was with him I ordered Carr to be delivered over to the Sivel [Civil] Majest. [Magistrate] which was Accordingly done but he was found in Camp Next Morning Colonel Sumter After this took post on [unclear text: Clear ] Branch 14 Miles below Charlottee [deleted text: [illegible text] ] in the Neighborhood of New providence about the
7th or
8 July 1780 being informed that a Body of British was on their March from Camden towards the Waxhaws went with his whole forces to meet them but After passing the Waxhaws finding the information not to be correct retreated and on Consulting his Officers both Officers and Men was Disbanded for a few days to [unclear text: recroute ] by this time Capt. Winn begun to Rank as a Colonel tho [though]


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[added text (appears to be different hand and ink): J3 ] [added text: Observe Hooks Name is to be Spelt [Spelled] Huck -- ] with his party, fitted every Station from a private [added text: up ] well knowing the Situation of his Country.
When Sumter Disbanded his Men Winn & Charles Miles then a Lieut. [Lieutenant] was the first to reach the [deleted text: Old ] Cataba Old Nation ford [added text: on the E [East] side ] and being informed that a Considerable force [deleted text: [illegible text] ] of British horse and tories had this day the
11th July 80 [deleted text: had ] past [passed] up on the Other side of [added text: the River on ] their way towards Hills Iron works and [deleted text: well ] knowing that most of the Officers & Men would pass [deleted text: that ] [added text: this ] way determined to Stop and See if they could git [get] as many Men as would fight H [deleted text: oo ] [added text: uc ] k and his party, both Officers & Men seemed loath to Ingage [Engage] the Horse as they had cut Buford Men to [unclear text: pieces ] so shortly before but about 130 agreed to follow [deleted text: me ] [added text: Winn ] and try the Business [deleted text: and so we set Out ] (Colo. [Colonel] Sumter gone to No. [North] Carolina) and so we set Out and Marched all Night


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about two Hours before day Stopt [Stopped] at John Price's a respectable man to gain information of Hook & his party and was informed they had Stopt [Stopped] there a little before night but had gone on to Colo. [Colonel] Brattons on the Main Road wher [where] I would find them, in this I was mistaken I found them at Williams plantation which I and Clo. [Colonel] Brattons, Colos. [Colonels] Laysey Hill & Bratton being present it was agreed on as Winn had been in the regular Services that he should take command and dispose of the Men as he thought best when he got in a Mile of the Enemy it was then about [added text: One ] [deleted text: two ] Hours to day brake [break] here Colo. [Colonel] Winn Ordered the party to file off to the Left of the Road & Dismount and immediately had the whole [unclear text: paraded ] then Capt. Read [deleted text: was Ordered to ] a bold daring Officer was Ordered to pick Out twenty five Men and file of [off] to the left of Colo. [Colonel] Brattons plantation


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and as soon as the Action begun in front he was to Attact the rare [rear] of the Enemy & take all Stragling [Straggling] parties at the same time Capt. Read reced [received] his Orders the Remaing [Remaining] part of the Men Commenced their March to [deleted text: and ] bring on the Action (being the [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: th ]
12th July) on coming to the fork of the Road was informed by two tories in Serch [Search] of their Horses that Colo. [Colonel] Ferguson with his party lay in the Edge of a field which was in advance of the British Horse about three Hundred [added text: yards ] . Capt. Hook who Commanded posted himself in a Strong log House two Stories High with his Horses around him prepaired [prepared] to Mount in a Moment if Required, you must Understand when I took the [added text: two ] tories I halted [added text: for a Short time ] and Sent Capt. McCloure [deleted text: and ] [added text: with ] his Company Round Williams plantation to Attack the Enemy as soon as he heard the first firing [deleted text: be ] the Sun was about to rise and notwithstanding I marched in 10 or 15 Steps for at least 200 yards


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[deleted text: I was not discovered by any of his ] of Colo. [Colonel] Fergusons party I was [added text: not ] discovered untill [until] they were fire'd on Colo. [Colonel] Ferguson and some of him [his] Men was Killid [Killed] the first onset the rest run and chiefly left their Horses tho [though] sadled [saddled] and ready to Mount, here we did Not Stop One Minute but went on to [deleted text: and ] Commence our Attack on the British horse in a clear oppen [open] Old field we was paraded in About one Hundred yards from there, Capt. Hook by the time he was Mounted was Shot dead with Several [added text: of his ] men Kild [Killed] & Wounded Chiefest part of the rest run off left behind them their Horses Saddles pistols &c [et cetera] [deleted text: here ] we was in full possession of the field in five minutes without the loss of a Single Man Either Kild [Killed] or Wounded, as I am Well convinced the Enemy during the Action Never fired a Single gun or [unclear text: resisted ] as they [deleted text: [illegible text] ] run by Capt. McClures he gave them a fire but was not Near Enough to do them much damage


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he had the misfortune to lose one Man being a little advanced before the rest was I was inform Kild [Killed] by One of his Own party, and I do belive [believe] had I have not lost the Service of Capt. Read but [deleted text: but ] few of the British or Tories would have been able to have Escaped, Lieut. [Lieutenant] Hunt of the Brit ish horse in trying to Escape on [added text: his ] Horse [deleted text: back ] recev'd [received] a Wound and finding he could [added text: not ] get off rais'd [raised] a [deleted text: white ] flag and delived [delivered] himself up to me a prissoner [prisoner], the British had taken Several of Whig party which [added text: was ] retaken by us the Enemies lost [deleted text: in ] Killed and Wounded the prisoners was Considerable [deleted text: besides ] besides about One Hundred Horses Saddles Bridles Pistols Swords and many Other things, after the Close of the Action Colo. [Colonel] Winn Ordered the Whole to be got together and [deleted text: after ] divided Among the Officers & men much to their Satisfaction


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but Winn did not take to himself a Copper worth of the Whole Spoil, the day being Extremely hot & Dry Colo. [Colonel] Winn had as many of the Wounded as Could be found taken and put into a house a list of the names of the prisoners taken, Leiut. [Lieutenant] Hunt gave his Own parole and was also bound that the Men should not take up Arms during the War or untill [until] [illegible text] after Lieut. [Lieutenant] Hunts applying and getting an [deleted text: d ] Order for three Wagons to Carry his Wounded to Rocky Mount which was the nearest British post thuse [thus] E [added text: n ] ded a glorious day for So. [South] Carolina as it put what few men we had in high Spirits as many after [document damaged] [deleted text: [illegible text] ] they had rather fight the Horse than the foot, I can say on this day both Officers and privates behaved brave in the defince [defense] of there [their] Country
NB [Nota Bene] this Same [deleted text: Hook ] [added text: Huck ] was [added text: one ] of those that Cut Buford's Men to pieces


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[deleted text: Colo. [Colonel] Winn the Night before the Action at Williams made Prisoner of One Owens which was Majr. [Major] to to Colo. [Colonel] Ferguson Regt. [Regiment] of tories and took the Majr. [Major] on with him which was a Witness to Hooks Dept. [Department] & before he left the Battle ground I g ] gave Owens a parole & implyed [employed] him as a Spy without fee or reward [deleted text: but from friendship as [illegible text] young Men together ] to go to Rocky Mount Count the Number of Men and report the State and [illegible text] of the place and to meet [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: him ] [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: on ] Such a day, all this Owens faithfully perform'd [performed] which I reported to Genl [General] Sumter
-- -- --
as the laws of the State had Subside about this time it was thought necessary to Call a Convention of the people which meet in or near the Catawba Indian land, when the business of the Meeting was Opened it was thought Necessary to Choose a President when Colo. [Colonel] Richard Winn


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was Called to the Chair
Secretary
The first thing that was taken under Consideration was the Critical Situation of the State and here it [deleted text: is ] was Solemnly Agreed on by the Convention that they would Support the laws both Civil & Military by Every Means in their power and Cal'd [Called] on the good people to aid them in this undertaking
Secondly, that they would oppose the British & Tories by force of Arms which Arms was never to be laid down untill [until] the British Troop was drove from the St. [State] of So. [South] Carolina and the Independence of the United States Acknowledged, It was then moved & Second. [Seconded] that Colo. [Colonel] Thomas Sumter should be Appointed a Brigadier General, and that the President be directed to make out a Commission to that Effect and to Sign the Same in Due form, which was Accordingly so done
By R [Richard] Winn Prest. [President]
Countersigned by Secretary


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Several other officers being promoted, Movd. [Moved] Second. [Seconded] & Agreed to
That all Such persons that would oppose the Common Enemy under the Commd [Command] of Genl. [General] Sumter Should Inlest [Enlist] for Six Week [deleted text: Sign an Att ] under propre Oficers [proper Officers] Sign an Attestation and take the Oath for their faithful performc [performance], with the Exertion of the Officers in a day or two Genl. [General] Sumter found himself at the head of 4 or five hundred men
Movd. [Moved] Second. [Seconded] & Agreed to
That all property of the Enemy taken on the field of Battle or Else where Shall be divided Among the Officers & Men who Shall Serve as above, but it Clearly to be Understood that no Such property [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: Shall ] be divided untill [until] first Condemned by thre [their] Commissioners which is hearby [hereby] Appointed for that purpose, which Said Commissioners shall Keep Books and Make regular Entries of the propty. [property] as aforesaid
The people then directed their Prest. [President] to Adjourn the [deleted text: [unclear text: ir ] ] Convention (to meet Again)


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The Night before Huck's Defeat Colo. [Colonel] Winn made Prisoners of One Owens a Majr. [Major] of the Royal Militia who [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: said ] he left Rocky Mount [deleted text: that day ] sometime late in the day and gave information the British was in Possession of that place, this Owens was an Eye Witness to Huck's Deft. [Defeat] after the fight was Over I gave him a parole I implyed [implied] him to go to the Mount to find Out the Number of Men and Strength of the place and to meet me on Shuch [Such] a day and at Such a place, this pce. [place] of Business however dangerous Owens punctually Complied with and reported that Colo. [Colonel] Trumbull Commanded had about 300 Men and was [deleted text: Strongly ] posted in a Strong Block House two Stories high properly prepd. [prepared] for defence [defense] [deleted text: in front and [illegible text] ] and Sufficient Abbates [Abates] this Information I got about
20th. July Genl. [General] Sumter Still in No. [North] Carolina on my Communicating the Information


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to him he returned to the State and Marchd [Marched] with his force to [deleted text: the ] lands ford on the west Side of the Catawba River 18 Miles above the Mount, here a Council was held by the Officers and finially [finally] Determ'd [Determined] to make an Attack on Rocky Mount on Sunday
31st July According left Our Encampment the Evening before and March'd [Marched] all Night at day was ready for Action and Should have Completely Surprised the place had it not have been for a Torry [Tory] Colonel by the Name of Black with abt. [about] 100 Tory Militia from Broad Rivr to reenforce [reinforce] the Mount they getting to the place late encampt [encamped] Out with intention of going in Early in the Morning these people we had no Knowledge untill [until] we were Among them [deleted text: th ] Winn being in the Advance gave them a [unclear text: fire ] & they Run [deleted text: [illegible text] ] and left many of their Horses & Cloathing [Clothing], this gave the Alarm to the Mount, however in a few Minutes the place was Attacked [deleted text: Winn ] Colonels Winn & Nial Marched up in


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in frunt [front] of the Abbatis [Abatis] and Sustaind [Sustained] a heavy fire for some time from the Block House which was returnd [returned], here Colo. [Colonel] Neal was Killed Colo. [Colonel] Winn being in a Clear Old field and finding his Men much Exposed Ordered a Retrt. [Retreat] for a Small Distance, Mean time Colonels Lacey Bratton & Hill attacked the Enemy to the Right but Genl. [General] Sumter finding nothing Could be done thought it best to refresh his Men for a Short time and bring on the Attack from another Quarter by Marching round the place and [deleted text: by the ] under the Cover of large Rocks got with his whole force in about 50 yards of the Block H [House] from this point the Enemy was prevented from firing on us as they dare not come to there [their] post Holes, it was here [deleted text: that ] Genl. [General] Sumter Directed Colo. [Colonel] Winn to demand a Surnder [Surrender] of the place
Summons


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31st. July 1780
Sir
I am directed by Genl. [General] Sumter to Demand a Surrender of Rocky Mount, therefore you will Surrender this place with the Men & under your Command which will be considered as prisoner of war
R [Richard] Winn
To this Colo. [Colonel] Turnbull required that Hostilities should Cease for one Hour for Consideration -- Granted, meantime return the following Answer
Sir
I have considered your Summons & return for Answer that duty and Inclination induces me to defend this place to the last extremity

31st. July 1780
Turnbull
Colo. [Colonel] Commanding
In Consequence of this Sumter Commence a heavy fire on the House having nothing but Small Arms which could make [added text: little ] no impression [added text: on ] the building, Notwithstanding this place would Shorely [Surely] fall into Our hands


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as the House could have been Easily Set on fire had it not been for the powerful rains that fell one after Another as we had failed in all Our Attempts to reduce the place [deleted text: a Retreat was Ord ] Genl. [General] Sumter in the Evening Retreated about 8 Miles on the Road leading to Lands ford the Rains Continued to fall in great Abundance
Augt. 1st. Colo. [Colonel] Winn [added text: with ] 100 [added text: Men ] returned to Rock Mt. [Mount] and fell down below on the main Road leading to Camden fell in with a body of Tories he Shortly Dispers'd [Dispersed] making Several prisonirs [prisoners] and releas [release] some of Our Men One or two of which was to be hung the Next day at the Mount then returnd [returned] to Cam [document damaged: den ] On Tuesday
2nd. Augt. [August] Rocky Mount got a Reinforcement from Hanging Rock of 800 Men & 2 [illegible text] Genl [General] Sumter Could not move from his Encampmt [Encampment] untill [until] the 3rd on Act. [Account] of hig [high] Water in Rocky Creek this day 11 O Clock he Crosd. [Crossed] the Creek & Halted the Men turned


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Out their Horses & they themselves Scattered About in Serch [Search] of Roasting Ears & Green peaches, for this in fact was the Most we could get to Eate [Eat], in this Situation the first thing we knew the Enemy to the No. 8. [Number 800] or 900 Men and 2 pc. [pieces] of Artillery was in a Mile in Our Rear, Colo. [Colonel] Winn immediately Could [Called] Out for 100 Men & Officers that could first git [get] their Horses to Join him with Intention to hang on the Enemy untill [until] Genl. [General] Sumter could move off Colo. [Colonel] Winn halting the Enemy often gave time for the Genl. [General] to make his retreat good, Colo. [Colonel] Winn Keep two Men a head of him to watch and give Notice of the Eny. [Enemy] motions, one of these Men was a Capt. Coleman from Midway in Georgia the other by the name of Stroud a Native of the place, these two Men Ventured too near the British, both was made prisoner Stript [Stripped] Naked & immediately hung up by the Side of the Road, Colo. [Colonel] Winn finding the Enemy on their Rt. [Route] back to the Mount persued [pursued] his party without delay, Genl. [General] Sumter


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at Night [unclear text: where ] took possession of his Old encampment Near lands ford
The day after the Battle at R. M [Rocky Mount] Colo. [Colonel] Harthorn was Sent with a [unclear text: Flag ] to Bury Colo. [Colonel] Niel, he says from the best information he could gain the Enemies loss in Killed and wounded was twelve or fourteen Men we had One Man Wounded Colo. [Colonel] Neil Kd. [Killed]
On finding the Reinforcement sent from Hang. [Hanging] Rock Still at R [Rocky] Mount it was finially [finally] determined by Genl. [General] Sumter & Colo. [Colonel] Winn to Attack the British at Hanging Rock Genl [General] Sumter being Reinforced by Majr. [Major] Davie from Meclingburgh in No. [North] Carolina with two Troops of Horse on Saturday the
6th. Augt. [August] [added text: Crossed ] at Lands Ford Catawba River Marched all Night about two Hours [added text: to day light ] halted for the coming of two Spyes [Spies] Sent into the enemies Camp those men Shortly arrived & Reported they left the British Camp abt. [about] [deleted text: 12 O Clock ] the middle of the Night there [their] force


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Did not Exceed 300 and that their reinforcement Sent to R [Rocky] Mount had not returnd [returned], here a deposition was made of the Men 500 in No. [Number] 200 [deleted text: with ] [added text: without [illegible text] ] Colo. R [Colonel Richard] Winn Supported by Mjr. [Major] Davies Horse was to bring on the Attack [added text: the British ] with the rest of the Men was divided into four part and Commanded by Colonels Lacey, Bratton, Hill I think the Other Colo. [Colonel] was Harthorn or Moffe Say both, in this Order we March up & Dismounted and left the men without Arms to take care of the Horses but if we drove the Enemy, they was to follow us & take the Arms of the Killed & Wounded and to join their respective Commands which was Obeyed, [deleted text: at this ] it was Now fully light near Sunrise, at this place we took two Tories they informed us that the Reinforcement Sent to Rocky Mount had Returnd [Returned] between 12 O Ck [Clock] at night and this [deleted text: time ] Genl. [General] Sumter & the field Officers being present a Council


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for a few minutes was held the Officers divided some for fighting others for retreating as no Officer was willing to be Out done by the Other in Bravery, the Action immediately Commenced Genl. [General] Sumter [deleted text: mounted ] with the main body wheeled to the left Colo. [Colonel] Winn with his Command to the Righ [Right] to Attack the Prince Whales [Wales] Regt. [Regiment] but his pilot not knowing where Colo. [Colonel] Brian Rigt. [Regiment] was posted which composed of about 500 Men Winn with his party was within 30 Steps of them before they was discovered by Majr. [Major] Davie who was in [deleted text: front ] frunt [front] he was Ordered to Move On to make room for the foot, here we Reced [Received] a Most tremendous fire from Brian. the Enemy being On the top of a big hill Overshot us and before they could load again Winn's party was Ordered to put up the Indian [unclear text: holler ] & rush up the hill before they dischard [discharged] their pcs [pieces] this took place in an Instance at this same time the Hores [Horses] was Orderd [Ordered] to Charge Brian Men gave way immediately [deleted text: & Davie Charge'd them with the Horse ]


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after [deleted text: receiving ] [added text: Suffering ] much damage in Kilde [Killed] & wounded notwithstanding So heavy a fire from the Enemy here we lost but One Man Killed & 2 Wound. [Wounded] by this time Genl. [General] Sumter got to the Ground he meant to take and as Brian Men went by him he gave them a Severe fire, [deleted text: [illegible text] ] I have been well informed [deleted text: that most of ] [added text: many ] these men [deleted text: [illegible text] ] was so frightned [frightened] they never Stopt untill [Stopped until] they got [deleted text: [illegible text] ] untill [until] they got into Georgia to return Winn as soon as Brian gave way March'd [Marched] with his party for the British Camp which he found in an Open Old field about half Mile from where Brian was posted, the British immediately commenced firing from behind Some Bush tents Winn According to Custom [deleted text: to ] Set up the Indian [unclear text: hollo ] to rush and fire on this Enemy as they went with Bullets in their Mouths & powder in their pockets


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[deleted text: [illegible text] ] and to load as they run up but by no means to take a tree Even where trees was, the British at this place finding Such a Charge made On them Retreated leaving behind them their two field ps. [pieces] this time Winn hearing a Considerable firing [deleted text: to his left he found a party ] he repd. [repaired] to the place as quick as possible and Coming immediately on the back of the British who a party of o [deleted text: t ] ur men was in Action with [deleted text: [illegible text] ] directly ordered my men to Commence firing as usual the British between two fires gave way here I was an Eye Witness to the British taking trees to defend themselves, in hearing a Severe firing to my Right I Ordered my Men to Repair to the place this was a Short time be before the Action Ended here Colo. [Colonel] Winn Recd. [Received] a most Dangerous wound but never quit the field untill [until] Genl. [General] Sumter had Gathered his Men & for Victory three Cheers was given by the true friend of America


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this Action Commenced about the Appearance of the Sunday
Augt. [August] 7th Augt. [August] Sun and lasted untill [until] 9 O Clock, the British force Including tories was from the best Information Abt. [About] 1400 their loss, the Prince Whails [Wales] Rt. [Regiment] almost distroyed [destroyed] the Tories totally Defeated with a great loss of Killed Wounded & Prisr. [Prisoners] besides a Vast Quantity of Arms &c [et cetera] and 300 Horses, the loss on the part of Genl. [General] Sumter was 40 Killed & wounded, the American & British flags was hoisted on the 8th. for Each to bury their dead & take of [off] the Wounded, I can safely say the [deleted text: both the ] fights at Williams Huck Deft. [Defeat] Rock Mt. [Mount] & Hanging Rock was great days in favor of the American [illegible text] for the Enemy as soon As they could get away Evacuated R [Rocky] Mount & H [Hanging] Rock & put us in possession of the Country from a few Miles above Camden to Charlotte in North Carolina


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the Concequence [Consequence] was this a Number of good men from Waxhaws and as well as Other parts in the State Joined the American Standard --
NB [Nota Bene] the Maj. [Major] Davie mentioned is the Same person After Sent as a Minister to france



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18th. Agt. [August] Colo. [Colonel] Tarlton Defeats Genl. [General] Sumter at Fishing Creek by Surprise Owing to the inattention of his patriots and Rear Guard Commanded by Majr. [Major] Crofford, at this time Colo. [Colonel] Winn lay wounded above Charlotte General Sumter Calls to See the Colo. [Colonel] and After relating to him the Occation [Occasion] of the Deft. [Defeat] says had you have been there I should have not been Defd. [Defeated], at this time things lookd [looked] very Gloomy Genls. [Generals] Gates & Sumter both Deftd. [Defeated] & their Men Dispersed notwithstanding this Genl. Sumter forms an Encampment Just below Biggers's Ferry on the Cabawba River and begins to Collect his Men a Convention of the people is Called Colo. [Colonel] Winn the


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President Advertises for the people to Meet in Convention in Sumters Camp on the
26th. of Sepr. [September] 1780 on the day before Colo. [Colonel] Winn Arrive at the Camp to to [to] preside in Convention, at this time Genl. [General] Sumner lay with about 1000 Men below Carlottee on Mc [deleted text: Corfrins ] [added text: Alpins ] Creek, Colo. [Colonel] Winn had [added text: not ] been in Camp more than One Hour before he Rec'd [Received] an Express from Gl. [General] Sumner [deleted text: was on his m ] that Cornwallis with the British Army was fast Advancing towards Charlottee & that he had begun to Retreat before [deleted text: them ] [added text: him ], Genl. [General] Sumter not being prest. [present] it was Natural for Winn to Conclude the Camp was in great Danger and immed. [immediately] Ordered that the Men should Cross the River which together


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with the baggage Wagons was by Sun down [added text: Complete ] and Strong Guards placed at the ferry & ford, Winn Sent an Express to G. [General] Sumter notifying him what was done, but as the Genl. [General] was unwell he did not Come to Camp untill [until] Next [deleted text: Morning, ] day the Morning of the 26th. before Sunrise Colo. [Colonel] Tarlton with the British Horse Each having a British Infantry Man behind [added text: him ] [deleted text: them ] Surrounded the Ground we left the Evening before, had this precaution not having taken place I have the world to Judge what would have been the Concequence [Consequence], here we were the British on One Side of the River, [deleted text: the ] & we on the Other, the people Come in agreable [agreeable] [deleted text: to the ] Advertisement [deleted text: the ] Convention [unclear text: Mt. ] Colo. [Colonel] Winn took the Chair
After taking Several Weighty Matters into Consideration it was unanimously decreed that Colonels Winn Thomas & Capt. Henry Hamton should without delay


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proceed on to Hillsborough and to use [deleted text: Our ] [added text: their ] best Means with [deleted text: e ] the Board of War, Governor John Rutledge & Genl. [General] Gates in procuring [deleted text: [illegible text] ] Arms Amunition [Ammunition] Camp Utencils [Utensils] & Cloathing [Clothing] &c [et cetera] in Order to enable us More fully to prosicute [prosecute] the War in South Carolina, notwithstanding the Necessity and Urgency of the Demand not a Single Article Could be Obtain'd [Obtained], Genl. [General] Sumter being present Governor Rutledge Confirmed the Genl. [General] in his Command and so we immediately returnd [returned] to So. [South] Carolina in the meantime [deleted text: Genl [General] Sumter gave ] left Colo. [Colonel] Lacey in Command, Lacey being infd. [informed] that Majr. [Major] Ferguson with a large [illegible text] Men was on their March for Charlottee to Join Ld. [Lord] Cornwallis was determined to give him battle tho [though] not having more than 300 Men


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but on Approaching the Enemy to his great Joy he found - - - - - (See Gordons or Ramseys history) in this Action I am well informed no Men in the World could behave more brave than the So. [South] Carolinians which was the Case with the Officers & Men from Other Quarters, I was well informed after Ferguson had taken his Encamping place many of his Tories Said we have got to the Kings ground at last and for the Honor of Our King we will Support it or Die in the Attemt. [Attempt] Sometime after the fight Colo. [Colonel] Winn took a view of Kings Mountain for the purpose of Seing [Seeing] which party had the Advantage of Ground, the British Officer here mad [made] the Same Mistake in the Selection of his Encampment as Colo. [Colonel] Brian had done at the Hanging Rock


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Genl. [General] Sumter returns from Hillboro. [Hillsboro] to the New acquision [acquisition] and forms [deleted text: [illegible text] E ] his Encampmt. [Encampment] at Stallions plantation high up Fishing Creek in Order to Collect his Men and get Supplies [deleted text: here ] as soon as this was done Sumter with his party Consisting of about 400 Men begun their March for Fishdam ford on Broad River, at this place he was Reinforced Colos. [Colonels] Clark Few Chandler Majr. [Major] James Jackson & Other Officers & about 100 Men from Georgia, as Genl. [General] Sumter & Colo. [Colonel] Winn was together day & Night they Conversed with Each Other on all confidential points as well as Other Matters as respected War Measures Genl. [General] Sumter previous [deleted text: prev ] to leaving Stallions Communic. [Communicated] to the Colo. [Colonel] the Object of his intended Movement & wished his Opinion Ld. [Lord] Cornwallis's head Quarters at Winnsboro.


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Sumter goes on to Say it has been Agreed that I shall March as near Winns borough as can be done with Safety this will draw Tarleton and a large Body of Infantry after we this will weaken Cornwallis so much that Genl. [General] Smalwood with the Continental Troops and what No. [North] Carolinians Could be Collected [deleted text: & ] was to fall on Cornwallis, Smallwood failing on his part as I was after informed was that Genl. [General] Green was Expected on Every day to take the Command if he Miscarried in this enterprise he would be highly blamed, to return to the Fishdam Genl. [General] Sumter Arrive here on the
9th. of Novr. [November] in the Evening Colo. [Colonel] McCall with some of his Men from long Cain Joins him the Genl. [General] takes post immediately at the ford Colo. [Colonel] Winn to his left directlely [directly] on the Bank of the River Colo. [Colonel] [added text: Taylor ] on a Square


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to the left of Colo. [Colonel] Winn, Lacey Bratton & Hill in front about [deleted text: [illegible text] ] 3 or 4 Hundred yards, on the morning of the
12th. Novr. [November] Colo. [Colonel] Taylor [added text: with 50 Men ] was Ordered to fall down on the Road towards Winns boro.. to make [illegible text] what discoveries he Could of the Enemy, return about [added text: 12 OC [O'Clock] at night ] & Reported None, Genl. [General] Sumter on the Same day Called a Council of the Field Officer [added text: abt. [about] ] Eighteen in Number to See what was best to be done, being altogether in a Tory Country Lord Cornwallis to Our lef [left] with ; British Army at Winnboro in 27 Miles, a Strong British force below at Shiroes ferry and a large British [added text: force ] in Our front at Ninety Six under the Command of Colo. [Colonel] Cruger in this Situation of things it was the Opinion of Every Officer prest. [present] that Genl. [General] Sumter Ought to Cross the River without delay and perticular [particular] so by Colo. [Colonel] Winn who was well Acquainted with the people & Country --


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however After this Genl [General] Sumter thought Otherwise, Colo. [Colonel] Winn being so Sure of An Attack made his Men Keep up good fires and Sleep with their Guns in their Arms & Shot bags under their heads and on the very Spot they rose on there they was to fight [deleted text: about two [illegible text] to the [illegible text] fired on the Enemy ] and not to fire a Single Gun untill [until] the Enemy Came up to the fires, two Hours to day the Picquets [Pickets] fired Alarm Guns and by the time I had my Men in Order the Horse made a Violent Charge they too put up the Indian [unclear text: Hollo ] my Men Strictely [Strictly] Obeyed my Orders and as soon as the Enemy came up to the fires [deleted text: they ] they Halted with Surprise my people [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: poured ] in upon them a well directed fire which they did not [added text: Stay ] to return, as well knowing that I should be immediately Attacked by the foot I drawed my Men into Close Order and took the Advantage of a fence, by this time


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the foot was within 50 yard of me Crying Out G. D. [God Damn] your Souls who are you, One of my Capts. [Captains] by the name of Kirkland a big Spoken Man Answered and G [God] Dam [Damn] your Sls. [Souls] & who are you, the fire from Both sides in a twinkling Commenced the British Charged with Bayonet my Men having the Advantage of the fince [fence] Stood the Shock and made the Second fire [added text: I had only One Man the one that [illegible text] ] Bayonetd [Bayoneted] . Majr. [Major] [unclear text: Wms ] their Commander being badly wounded the Enemy begins to retreat Colo. [Colonel] Winns party fell back Colo. [Colonel] Taylor gave the Retreating party two or three fires but being dark and two [too] far off Could not have done very great damage, Genl. [General] Sumters Marker was about 40 yards from me directly where the Road Enters the ford, at the first onset 5 or 6 [deleted text: Mou ] Hors [deleted text: es ] [added text: men ] [illegible text] by a tory Strain'd [Strained] down to make prisoner of the Genl. [General] which they nearly Effected Owing to the Orderly Sergt. [Sergeant] not giving


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him Notice of the Alarm in time, before he could put on his Cloaths [Clothes] they was up with him by Jumping a fence and runing [running] through a Brier [Briar] patch he [deleted text: was ] Saved himself [deleted text: so that ] [added text: but ] his Service was intirely [entirely] lost, I do believe had not this Accident taken place and the Genl. [General] Could have got with Lacey Bratton & Hill but few or none of the British would Ever got back to the borough, notwithstanding the force of [deleted text: the men ] [added text: Lacey Bratton & Hill ] was upwards of three Hundred Men they did not fire a Single gun, when [added text: I met ] Lacey [deleted text: [illegible text] ] I asked him why did you not fight, Answer I was a fraid [afraid] of Killing some of you, [deleted text: the Ne ] Next Morning After the Sun got up Genl. [General] Sumter from a Hill took a View [deleted text: from a Hill ] found [deleted text: his ] his Men was in possession of the Battle Ground he also discovered Our Horses in the field to the No. [Number] 500


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the Baggage Wagons Standing he went to the Camp found the ground [deleted text: with ] Strew'd [Strewed] with Killed & Wounded & the Commanding British Officer in his power [deleted text: Except the ] [added text: without the ] loss of a Single Man Except Capt. Carr of Colonel McCalls Regt. [Regiment] who was wounded [deleted text: who ] waided [waded] the River Chilled his Blood and he died on the W. [West] Bank, it is true a young man by the name of Sealy had been taken as a Tory in Arms, [deleted text: that ] [added text: this ] day his Arms was restored & he taken from under Guard, the Next day his Mesmate [Messmate] told [added text: me ] as the British horse made their Charge this man dash down his [deleted text: Arms ] [added text: Gun ] & Cried Out I am a prisoner they Cut him to peaces [pieces] on the 13th. Sumter Crossed the River and Encamped at Nixsons plantation [added text: on the Enoree River ] to give time for his Men to Join him, when Genl. [General] Sumter & myself meet at Nicksons he informed me when he was Cut Off being in his Shirt Sleeves he veryly [verily] believed he would


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have perished from the Cold had he have not [deleted text: [illegible text] ] got a Horse [deleted text: & hug'd [hugged] round the Neck ] getting on him barback [bareback] & huging [hugging] his Neck, he also Assured me from the Manner in which the British brought on the Attack he did Not Expect to hear a Singgle [Single] Gun fired from you [added text: (& concluded how he Should provide for his own ] Safety) but Said if ever their [there] was a Man that deserves the thanks of his Country it is you -- [deleted text: about the 16th. Genl. [General] Sumter Marched ] in fighting the Above Action Winn had about 125 or 130 Men Taylor about fifty the Action lasted about [added text: 15 or ] 20 Minutes, [deleted text: Colo. [Colonel] John Winn then a prisoner at large with the British went with the Br. [British] Doctor to help the wounded, when ] the [added text: British ] Doctor came to the Ground he expressed himself [deleted text: I ] I have Never Seen so much damage done by so few Men in so short a time Since I have been in America. this I had from Colo. Winn who was on the Spot with the Doctor
Sumter moves from Nixsons down to Shiroes ferry and gives a Challeng [Challenge]


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to the British at that Station to come Out and fight him they declined the invitation, Sumter Moves up the Country Arrives at Blackstocks on Tiger River
18th [deleted text: Novr. [November] this day Colo. [Colonel] Tarlton with Considerable forces Sent from Winn's borough Attack him ] Leaving Colo. [Colonel] Taylor in his Rear with 50 Men & their wagons to Collect & bring in flour Colo. [Colonel] Taylor with his party and Wagons [deleted text: and [illegible text] ] just past the Picquets [Pickets] when they fired On the Enemy and as Tarleton meant a Surprise Colo. [Colonel] Taylors party Wagons & the British Horse all run in [deleted text: all went ] together which made a very great Noise as they had to pass Over a poled Crossway for two or three Hundr. [Hundred] yards, all this took place in Such a Hurry and Unexpected we had but three or four minutes to make disposition [added text: of ] Our Men


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The Georgians in the [deleted text: Right ] [added text: Left ] under Cls. [Colonels] Clark Few & Chandler, Cols. [Colonels] Lacey [deleted text: Bratton & Hill ] to the [deleted text: left ] [added text: Right ] Cols [Colonels] Bratton [deleted text: & ] Hill [added text: & Taylor ] in Frunt [Front] also a Colonel Hampton from High up Broad River was thrown into a log House with his party [deleted text: and ] Colo. [Colonel] Winn in [deleted text: and ] a Small distance of the Hole on the top of Blackstocks Hill, this Hill is high and Steep and makes down to the Road which passes at its base and from this Situation it was soon discover'd [discovered] by the Colo. [Colonel] it would be impossible for the Horse to Make any Effective charge on him, on the first onset the Enemy made a Violent Charge on the Georgians which they Sustaind [Sustained] Manfully for sometime but their Ground being Open & level they fell back Over the River, Colo. [Colonel] Lacey being posted in a thick woody Ground gave him a great Advantage, when the British mad [made] an Attempt to Attack the front Lacey


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firing on them then Jumping on their Horses rode Out of Site loaded Mounted their Horses road in Gun shot dischargd [discharged] in like manner and so Off again in this [deleted text: w ] way he keep the Enemy at Bay for at least two Hours tho [though] they had in the Meantime made Several Attempts to dislodge the frunt [front] which was immediately [deleted text: [illegible text] ] under the Comd. [Command] of Genl. [General] Sumter, the Genl. [General] in attempting to lead on his Men Rec'd [Received] a bad wound in his Shold [Shoulder] Colo. [Colonel] Winn was soon made Acquainted with this by Capt. Henry Hampton one of his Aids, Winn requested Hampton to have the Genl. [General] taken off the field and Carried on the Other Side of the River and to Say Nothing about it, in a Short time After Majr. [Major] James Jackson afterward Maj [Major] General of Georgia came to [deleted text: me ] [added text: [deleted text: him ] ] [added text: me ] and give me to Understand that Our Men in the [deleted text: Rear ] [added text: Front ] was giving way & Sir says he I will tell you that the Salvation


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of this Country depends on this One Single fight, I told him we must try it, in Abou [About] 15 Minutes After this information from Majr. [Major] Jackson the firing Ceased from Every Quarter [deleted text: at this time ] my Men was all fresh as they not been Ingaged [Engaged], in a line on the top of the Hill I made them Set down to prevent discovery about 5 yards from Each Other to make the greatest [added text: [illegible text] possible ] and when I gave them the word they was to Jump up Set up the Indian Hollo and run down the Hill on the Enemy & to fire as they run at the same time Bullets in their Mouths & powder in their pockets, in a few Minutes the British Horse advanced as appead [appeared] with much Caution at the foot of the Hill and when they got to the far End of my line I gave the word the Officers & Men Obeyed & in an Instance the Horse whealed [wheeled] Right About & it did appe [document damaged: ar ] to me whose Horse Could run fastes [fastest] was the Cleaverest [Cleverst] fellows, thus Ended this Battle, & the Enemy immediately begun to retreat


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I sent a Small party after them to watch their motion on their return they reported Tarleton had taken up Camp in two Miles of the Battle ground, I then moved the Men from the Hill to [added text: where ] the first Attack begun Collected what of them I could and had them paraded by this time night was coming on & it begining [beginning] to rain, I Ordered a party Out to Examine the Ground Collect as many of the wounded as could be found of the Enemy & take them to Blackstocks House & requested the [they] might be well treated, from the position Tarleton had taken I was Convinced he ment [meant] to try the business again, I left a party on the Ground with Order to make a long row of fires, and Marched off to where Sumter lay found that the Doctor had just Extracted the Ball; I got One of the Men to lit. [light] a Torch and immediately wrote to Genl. [General] Smallwod & [added text: Acquainte [Acquainted] him with ] [deleted text: both ] what was done here & at the Fishdam Which he recd. [received] by my Express Capt. Andrew Love


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Sumter Wounded the Officers and Men worn down with Fatiege [Fatigue] & Hunger it was thought Advisable to move up the Country Cross Broad River and Halt in the New Acquision [Acquisition] to refresh, but to return to Colo. [Colonel] Tarleton I could wish [deleted text: I could ] [added text: had it in my power to ] Say as much of his humanity as he has done of Ours, this Officer makes his retreat good to Winn's borough but on his Way he Hangs Esquire Johnston a Respectable Citizen, with a large family, what was his Crime I no [know] not unless taking up Arms on the American Side -- he take Every Old Man & Stout boys he could find [deleted text: took ] Carried them to the boroug [borough] there Reported he made them prisoners at Blackstocks, these unfortunate people was Sent and Confined in Camden Goal [Gaol] [added text: Except Some of them discovd. [discovered] to be Tories ] where they lay a Considerable time without friends or Money, In the Action a [at] Blackstocks there was not a prisoner on Either Side carried from the Ground


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the Americans had five or Six wound. [wounded] but a Man Killed [deleted text: as I recollect ]
the loss on the part of the British Considerable, See Gordons History
I must here Mention the Catawba Inds. [Indians] At the Commencement of the Revolutionary War the Catawba's had a king of there [their] Nation by the name of Hag [added text: h ] ler when they found the Americans was about to [deleted text: de ] Shake off their King these Indians Exiled King Hag [added text: h ] ler and Appointed a Native Indian by the name of New River to be their General, when we took the field [deleted text: therefor ] After the fall of Charleston we often Encampt [Encamped] on their land for days together those friendly Indians drove to us Beef from their Own Stocks, and Several time brought Out their whole force and Encampt [Encamped] Near us & After


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the Defts. [Defeats] of Genls. [Generals] Gates and Sumter those Indians [added text: was ] so fraid [afraid] of the British that they Deserted there [their] Nation, Men Women & Children with a few Exceptions & Moved On towards Virginia, and as we begun to make head Agt. [Against] the Enemy they Returnd [Returned] with Joy to their Own land
When Genl. [General] Smallwood rec'd [received] my letter and After Reading it he Summon'd [Summoned] his Officers to Attend him Among them was Genl. [General] Morgan & Colo. [Colonel] Washington, the letter was again read to them On talkin [talking] over the Subject, they Said the letter Could not be correct for it was impossible for [deleted text: them ] [added text: our party ] to Defeat the British Horse, Love being prest. [present] I will tell you [added text: Gentlemen ] I will be Dam'd [Damned] if Every word in that letter is true for I [deleted text: am ] [added text: was ] an Eye Witness to the whole, this I had from Capt. Love himself


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Had Genl. [General] Smallwood fell on lord Cornwallis at Winn's borough at the time Colo. [Colonel] Tarleton followed Sumter to Blackstock, Cornwallis must have fallen on Easy pray [prey] to Smallwood as he had at that time only about four Hundred Men with him, no Horse, Cornwallis for his Safety depended on the Tories which in the End did him much more harm than Good
This Information I got from Capt. Milling who had been in the Regular Service, then a prisoner on parole & who lived Near Winn's bor [document damaged: ough ] & was in the British Camp Almost Every day, and had Genl [General] Smallwood Avail'd [Availed] himself of this Advantage he would have done himself immortal Honor & [unclear text: Retreved [Retrieved] ] Gaits Defeat


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[deleted text: [illegible text] ] Cornwallis [deleted text: [illegible text] ] Retreat in
October 1780 At the time Cornwallis was advancing towards Virginia to Join the British forces in [deleted text: Virginia ] that State a person was Sent on to inform them of Cornwallis movements and Intentions, that was when their force was Concintered [Concentered] they intended a line of Fourts [Forts] up the Roanoke River & the three Southren [Southern] States was then to be Considered as British Provinces, the Above Mention person being Suspected was taken up and Examined and not being able to give a good Account of himself his things was Serched [Searched] & in the pad of Saddle a Musket Ball was found and from the lightness led


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[deleted text: [illegible text] ] the party to Open it the inside being Scooped Out they discovered a paper Containing [added text: the afd. [aforementioned] ] Account which was written on Silk paper, this Information I had from an Officer in No. [North] Carolina on my Return from Hills borough, at this time Our Affairs was at the lowest Ebb as we Scarsely [Scarcely] knew of Men any where in Arms, however the Defeat of Ferguson at King Mountain put a Stop to the British Schemes & Drove L. [Lord] Cornwallis Out of No. [North] Carolina to Winn's borough & Genl. [General] Leslie with a Strong British force from Virginia to Charlestown and from thence to Winn's boro.. to Reinforce Cornwallis


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I am of Opinion this Statement is worthy of Remark as it shows at Once the good Effect the Battle of Kings Mountain had in favor of the friends of Congress in the Sorn. [Southern] States and gave them time to Collect a Strong force & to procure Arms & Ammunition, the following took place in
December 1780 Colo. [Colonel] Richard Winn after [added text: the ] fight at Blackstocks in
November 1780 Return to the new acquision [acquisition] and whilst there was informed that his Brother Colo. [Colonel] John Winn was under Sentence of Death at Winns boro.. the British head Quarters, Colo. R [Colonel Richard] Winn inquired into the cause & was informed that a Certain Spencer Tyler One of Colo. Richd. [Colonel Richard] Winn Men who had left Camp and went to See his family who lived in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of J [John] Winn this man


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on getting down was informed by Some person that at Such a house was two Bri.. [British] Soldiers Tyler & another Man that was with him made prisoners of the two Soldiers after tying them with intention the next day to bring them to me, it now being Night the Other Man left Tyler with the Soldiers by Some means or Other they Untied themselves & ties Tyler and Carried Him before Cornwallis, Tyler as he had before taken protection finding his life was to pay for his Conduct places Colo. [Colonel] John Winn Bewteen him & the Gallos [Gallows] by giving Evidence that the Colo. [Colonel] Winn infd. [informed] him of the Soldiers & Advi'd [Advised] him to go and take them [deleted text: on the ] tho [though] Colo. [Colonel] Winn knew nothing of the business and Tyler well knowing that [illegible text] Charactors [Characters] would [added text: not ] Save him [unclear text: pitched ] on Colo. Winn who was immediately Secured tried & Convicted by a false Witness & a day appd. [appointed] for him to be hung *


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* On gitting [getting] as full information of the facts Colo. R [Colonel Richard] Winn Sent to Lord Cornwallis that if he hung Colo. J [Colonel John] Winn that he would hang the first 100 British Officers & Soldiers that fell into his hand & at that time he had Several, when the day came that the Colo. [Colonel] was to be hung Capt. John Milling who as well as Colo. [Colonel] Winn had taken paroles the Capt. went to the boro.. [borough] to See the last of his friend & neighbour [neighbor], on Seing [Seeing] Several Officers at H [Head] Quarters he went near them as he Often [added text: had ] done before he heard One of the Officers say we have a Right to believe that this Winn will Carry his Threats into Execution & that it would be better to Save the life of this Man than to Cause the death of 100 of Ours, so Colo. [Colonel] Winn was pardoned as well as I can recollec [added text: t ] under the Gallos [Gallows], this I had from Capt. John Milling himself


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in
Decr. [December] 1780 In a few days after I rec'd [received] a letter from Colo. [Colonel] John Winn by the hands of a Man by the Name of Tindal a Tory [added text: who lived ] on the Borders of N [New] Acquision [Acquisition] that he was pardoned & that he was instructed by L. [Lord] Cornwallis that if I would give up and Come in my property Shoul [Should] be all restored & my losses paid and many other things to be done for me Not particular pointed [added text: Out ] and that my life and property Should be protected
(Anr. [Answer] was) I dam'd [damned] him & his protection too & as to my property it went in the Manner I expected
On the Same day I got this letter I Rece'd [Received] one [added text: by Express ] from Genl. [General] Morgan then Lying at Grindal Shoals on pacolet River the Genl. [General] Mentioned he had a great desire to See me I repd. [reported] to his Camp abt. [about] 30 Miles from where I lay, he Summ'd [Summoned] his principle [principal] Officers Colos. [Colonels] Washington, Howard & Majr. [Major] Taliaferro wo [who] Commanded the Virginia Militia [deleted text: [illegible text] ]


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After talking about the British head Quarters and the Situation of the Country and people and as Genl. [General] Morgan had been intimately Acquainted with me from a Small boy he conversed with me frely [freely] on Every point respecting the War in the Southern States as he was well Satisfied but few Men could give him a better Account
Question do you think I shall be Attacked by the British
Answer I do and that by a Strong force from Winn's boro..
Q.. [Question] can you inform me the manner Colo. [Colonel] Tarleton brings on his Attacks
A [Answer] I can, Tarleton never brings on the Attack himself his Mode of Fighting is to Surprise, by doing this he Send up two or three Troops of


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Horse and if he can throw the party [deleted text: Surprised ] into Confusion with his reserve he falls on and will cut [deleted text: you ] [added text: them ] to piecs. [pieces]
however from looking in Gordons History I see Tarleton brought on the Action at the Cowpens himself, I think upon a Strict Scrutiny this will be found to be a Mistake, I rather Suppose he was with his reserve of Horse that took through the Woods when it was found that Morgan Kept the Ground
my Own Opinion was of Colo. [Colonel] Tarleton as an Officer he was more Cruel than brave, in a day or two After the battle I met with Genl. [General] Morgan who gave me a Statement of the Action, Genl. [General] Morgan was well Appri'd [Apprised] that Colo. [Colonel] Tarleton was pursuing of him [deleted text: and ] but when or where he would Over take him was uncertain, when the Genl. [General] Got to the Cowpens he halted & took up his Encampment


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& Says on this ground I will Defeat the British or lay my Bones [deleted text: [illegible text] ] [added text: & picked Out the place for [illegible text] ] Curiosity led me afterwards to Visit the Ground, and I can Say it would not have been my Choice
In the first place it was Even Enough to make [unclear text: race ] paths Covered Over with a Small Groath [Growth] of trees midling [middling] Open without underwoods, & nothing to defend Either in frunt [front] Rear or flank, when the force of the British Horse and Advantage of the Ground they had, the Advantage Over Morgan as two is to One
Myself I was in the War from the begining [beginning] to the End, Shortly after the British Evacuated Charleston I was made a Brigr. Genl. [Brigadier General]


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which Commission I held for some time then made A Major General which Commission I resign'd [resigned] on the
7th. June 1811 I commanded the 2nd. Division which Composed all the lower part of So. [South] Carolina including five Brigades
I have been in Congress from the year
1793 all Except three years after what I have Stated I leave it to the people & you if I have Not Discharged my Duty to my Country



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[page(s) missing] Some time before the fight at William's this Same Capt. Huck with his party Burt [Burnt] Hill's Iron Works on their way they Burnt the Meeting House of the Revd. Mr. [Reverend Mister] Simpson who was at the head of a large Presbyterian Congregation the people in that Quarter [added text: Fishing Creek ] immediately Cried Out they wanted no protection from Such a Set as burnt Churches & the word of God, & Billy Hills Iron Works, the Consiquince [Consequence] of this was Mr. Simson & about 80 of his Church took up Arms and Joined Genl. [General] Sumter, by this you will See Out of Evil cometh good,Something like this was my words at the time these Men Came to us [page(s) missing]

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