Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/15

 Heroes of the old Camden District, 8. C. y

but they were shot and fell in sight of both parties, whereupon the British dropped their arms and fled. The battle continued about an hour and many of the British were killed and wounded, with but little damage to the Whigs, only one of whom was killed his name was Campbell. Houk was shot by John Carrol, who, with his brother Thomas, was among the foremost in action. There were also two brothers named Ross, two named Hanna, and two named Adair one of these subsequently was greatly distinguished and became General Adair. There were also four sons of John Moore and five sons of James Williamson, at whose residence the battle was fought. There were three brothers Bratton present. This little victory was the first check given to the British after the fall of Charleston the first time that regulars had been opposed in an engagement by undiscip- lined militia. It had a most salutary effect on the destinies of the State. The accounts of this affair I have taken from Dr. Johnson's Traditions. Colonel Lee Light Horse Harry, whose memoirs were edited and re-published by his nephew, our beloved leader, Robert E. Lee tells us that Houk, who was killed, was notorious for his cruelties and violence. Colonel Lee adds, " these breezes of fortune fanned the dying embers of opposition."

Virginia and North Carolina were now called upon by Congress to hasten reinforcements to South Carolina. Baron DeKalb was ordered here also, and Gates, to whom Burgoyne had surrendered, was appointed to the command of the Southern department.

The advance of Gates into South Carolina roused into action all the latent energies of the State. Marion, and Sumter, and Andrew Pickens himself from the Waxhaws took the field. Gates ad- vanced upon Rawdon at Camden, with Marion on his left and Sum- ter on his right.

Sumter commenced his inroads upon the British by attacking their posts at Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock in succession. Rocky Mount, as you know, is in the southeast corner of Chester county, just above the Fairfield line, about seventeen miles from this town, and Hanging Rock is across the Catawba, in Lancaster, about nineteen miles from Rocky Mount. Sumter sent Davie with his corps of Wax- haw men to watch the enemy at Hanging Rock, while he advanced with the main body upon Rocky Mount. Near Hanging Rock Davie fell in with three companies of British Loyalists, just returning from an excursion, and completely routed them. All but a few were killed and wounded, and the spoils of victory safely brought off, consisting of sixty horses and one hundred muskets and rifles.