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Life of Marion。
most acceptable repast。 The general said but little； and that was chiefly
what a son would be most likely to be gratified by； in the praise of his
father。 They had nothing to drink but bad water； and all the company
appeared to be rather grave。
At length Maj。 James arrived。 The news was； that the country through
which Wemyss had marched； for seventy miles in length； and at places for
fifteen miles in width； exhibited one continued scene of desolation。 On
most of the plantations every house was burnt to the ground； the negroes
were carried off； the inhabitants plundered； the stock； especially sheep；
wantonly killed； and all the provisions； which could be come at； destroyed。
Fortunately the corn was not generally housed； and much of that was
saved。 Capt。 James had fired upon a party at M'Gill's plantation； but it only
increased the rage of the enemy。 Adam Cusan had shot at the black servant
of a tory officer； John Brockington； whom he knew； across Black creek。
He was taken prisoner soon after； and for this offence； tried by a court
martial； and； on the evidence of the negro； hanged。 His wife and children
prostrated themselves before Wemyss； on horseback； for a pardon； and he
would have rode over them； had not one of his own officers prevented the
foul deed； from this scene he proceeded on to superintend the execution。
But these acts of wantonness and cruelty had roused the militia； and Maj。
James reported they were ready to join the general。 Marion； in a few days
after； returned to South Carolina by a forced march。 On the second day；
while passing through the tory settlement； on Little Pedee； he traversed
sixty miles； and arriving near Lynch's creek； was joined by Capts。 John
James and Henry Mouzon； with a considerable force。 Here he was
informed that a party of tories； but more numerous than his own； lay at
Black Mingo； fifteen miles below； under the command of Capt。 John
Coming Ball。 He might soon have been reinforced； but finding his men
unanimous for battle； he gratified their wishes。 The tories were posted at
Shepherd's ferry； on the south side of Black Mingo； a deep navigable creek；
and had command of the passage。 To approach them； Gen。 Marion was
obliged to cross the creek； one mile above； over a boggy causeway and
bridge of planks。 It was nearly midnight when he arrived at the bridge； and
while the party was crossing it； an alarm gun was heard in the tory camp。
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Life of Marion。
The general immediately ordered his men to follow him in full gallop； and；
in a few minutes； they reached the main road which led to the ferry； about
three hundred yards in front of it。 Here they all dismounted； except a small
body； which acted as cavalry。 The general ordered a corps of
supernumerary officers； under the command of Capt。 Thomas Waties； to
proceed down the road； and attack Dollard's house； where it was supposed
the tories were posted； and at the same time he detached two companies to
the right； under Col。 Hugh Horry； and the cavalry to the left； to support the
attack。 Before the corps of officers could reach the house； the party on the
right had encountered the enemy； who had left the house； and were drawn
up in an old field opposite to it。 This circumstance gave to the latter all the
advantage of a surprise； and their first fire was so severe and unexpected；
as to oblige Horry's men to fall back in some confusion； these were；
however； soon rallied by the great exertions of Capt。 John James。 And the
tories in the mean time being attacked on their flank by the corps of
officers； and finding themselves between two fires； gave way after a few
rounds； and took refuge in Black Mingo swamp； which was in their rear。
This action； although of short duration； was so closely and sharply
contested； that the loss on both sides was nearly one third； killed and
wounded。
Capt。 George Logan； of Charleston； had been sick near the White
marsh； but； hearing that Marion had marched for South Carolina； he rose
from his bed； mounted his horse； and rode eighty miles the day before the
action； to join him； and was killed that night at Black Mingo。 Such was the
energy of this fallen patriot。 Two other gallant officers； Capt。 Henry
Mouzon and his Lieut。 Joseph Scott； were； by their wounds； rendered unfit
for further service。
Many of the enemy had been lately companions in arms with Marion；
and in a short time joined him again； and behaved well afterwards。 As
many of his party had left their families in much distress； the general gave
them leave to go to their homes； and appointed them to meet him at
Snow's island； on the Pedee。 They delayed so long； that he began to
despair of their coming； and proposed to a few officers； who were with
him； to abandon South Carolina； and join Gen。 Greene； at Charlotte。 But
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Life of Marion。
Col。 Hugh Horry； who was his bosom friend； and partook more of his
confidence than any other man； prevailed upon him to remain。 The
services of Col。 Hugh Horry； in the field； were certainly highly meritorious；
but he never rendered his country more effectual aid than by this act of
friendly persuasion。 The militia at length came in。 The general soon after；
marched up into Williamsburgh； and gained reinforcements daily。 His first
intention was to chastise Harrison； on Lynch's creek； and he was moving
up for that purpose； but hearing that Col。 Tynes had summoned the people
of Salem； and the fork of Black river； out to do duty as his majesty's
subjects； he instantly resolved to break up the party； before its newly made
converts should become confirmed in the principles they had unwillingly
adopted。 Tynes lay encamped at Tarcote； in the fork of Black river；
much off his guard； and Gen。 Marion crossing the lower ford of the
northern branch of that river； at Nelson's plantation； marched up