Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/403

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VIRGIXIA BIOGRAPHY

the upper part of South Carolina, fought against the Cherokees, and accompanied Oconostotah, their chief, on a visit to King George, in England. After his re- turn, he was a leader in the revolutionary movements, and in March, 1776. was made lieutenant-colonel of the Third South Caro- lina Regiment, raised to overcome the In- dians and Tories, and was promoted to colo- nel. When Charleston was taken by the British, he took refuge in the swamps, and after his estate had been ravaged, went to North Carolina. He there raised a large force, and became one of the most active partisan leaders. On July 12. 1780. he dis- persed a large British force, and was made brigadier-general by Gov. Rutledge, of South Carolina. This success brought him reinforcements, and in August he attacked the fort at Hanging Rock. South Carolina, but was driven off, the enemy sustaining such loss that they were unable to pursue. It is said that Andrew Jackson, then thirteen years old, took part in the battle. On Au- guest 15, Sumter captured Lord Cornwallis* supply train and guard, between Charleston and Camden. On the i8th he was surpri.sed by Tarleton, and lost fifty killed: many of his men were taken, also most of their cap- tured supplies and British prisoners, Sumter barely escaping. Having reassembled his men, he again harassed the British on the Broad and Tiger rivers, and defeated and captured Major Wemyss. who had been sent against him. On November 20th he was attacked by Tarleton, at Blackstock Hill, and whom he defeated, with a loss of three killed and four wounded, the enemy's loss being two hundred killed and wounded, but in the action Sumter was wounded, and for three months was unable to do field

service. In March, 1781, he raised three new regiments, and in concert with Marion, Pickens and others, harassed the enemy until the end of the war. Tarleton gave him the name of *'The South Carolina Game Cock." In February. Sumter destroyed the British supplies at Fort Ganby, and two days later captured a British supply train on its way to Camden. His closing exploits were as brilliant. He repulsed a strong attack by Major Fraser, on Broad river: and captured the posts of Orangeburg, Dorches- ter and Marks' Corners, but his health failed before the end of the war, and he retired, re- ceiving the thanks of congfress. After the war, he took a hearty interest in politics. He was a member of the South Carolina convention that ratified the federal consti- tution; as a Federalist served in congress, 1 789- 1 793. and voted for locating the seat of the United States government on the Potomac river; was United States senator, 1801-09; in 181 1 was made minister to Bra- zil, and after his return was again elected to the United States senate. He outlived all other general officers of the revolution. His name is commemorated in the famous fort in Charleston harbor, which was the scene of the opening acts of the civil war. He died at Camden. South Carolina, June i. 1832.

Johnston, Charles, son of Hon. Peter Johnston, of "Chiny Grove." Prince Edward county, Virginia, and Martha, his wife, widow of Capt. Thomas Rogers, and daugh- ter of John Butler. He was a merchant in Richmond, of the firm of Pickett. Pollard & Johnston. Soon after the revolution he was sent to Ohio by the government on a com- mission, and was captured by the Indians. After a year he was rescued by Dr. Shuget,

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