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Capture of Colonel Hayne

From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II.  Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.

July 1.—Last Thursday night [June 28] a small party of mounted rebel militia surrounded the house of Andrew Williamson, Esq., formerly brigadier-general of the South Carolina militia, about seven miles from Charleston, and without allowing him time to put on his clothes, carried him off prisoner. On intelligence being received of this, Major Frazer, with ninety of his dragoons, was detached next day in quest of them. After having effected a circuitous march of more than seventy miles through the woods, with the most profound secrecy, on Saturday morning the major surprised their main body in their camp at the Horse Shoe, killed fourteen on the spot, wounded several, took Colonel Isaac Hayne, their commander, prisoner, and released General Williamson from his confinement at a house in the neighborhood.

The anxiety to rescue General Williamson, and the rebels not making the smallest show of resistance, but betaking themselves to the woods in every direction, prevented their sustaining a greater loss. Their numbers before that morning were estimated at more than two hundred; their own accounts made them much stronger. Among the killed was the second in command, Lieutenant-Colonel McLaughlan; his brother Captain McLaughlan was dangerously wounded. Colonel Hayne was brought into Charleston to-day, and is now lodged in the provost.1

 

1 Rivington’s Gazette, August 1.