When James Hawthorne returned from Florida, he joined with Gen. Thomas Sumter’s forces and was in the battles of Hanging Rock, Carey’s Fort and Fishing Creek. Colonel James Hawthorne served his country... Louise Pettus
City Directories and History: A few years before the American Revolution, James Jamieson, who was born in 1755 on Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Creek, moved with his family to what is now southwest York County, South Carolina. In 1777 he enlisted as a private under the command of Colonel Thomas Neel and Major Ross when the state called for aid in putting down an Indian revolt in Georgia that was affecting the safety of Carolinians. He saw action at Briar Creek and an expedition against the Creek Indians. The Georgia Expedition developed Jamieson into a seasoned soldier and paved the way for his commission to Lieutenant under Colonel William Bratton which came shortly after the fall of Charleston in May 1780.
When the South Carolina capital fell to the British, the state went into shock and turmoil. In either late May or early June, Colonels Bratton and Samuel Watson of York County assembled the New Acquisition Regiment at the Bullock’s Creek meeting house to consider their predicament and ask the question, “Should we continue or surrender?” Newly commissioned Lieutenant Jamieson attended the council of war on his church grounds. After some discussion, it was announced that the regiment’s leaders believed it was futile to make any further resistance, and advised it was every man for himself. Jamieson was incensed over the decision and declared the meeting was no council of war but rather a council of flight. In his frustration, Jamieson contended that there were other patriots in North Carolina who were still willing to fight for liberty and invited those who would, to join him at sunrise to begin a northward trek to find General Thomas Sumter and his men. When the warm spring sun rose over the grounds of the log meeting house Jamieson and other eleven men mounted their horses and galloped away on Love’s Ford Road. Soon, word of the “council of flight” reached the ears of British Colonel Lord Rawdon in Camden who immediately sent a commissioner to meet with people living between the Catawba and Broad rivers. The arrival of Rawdon’s representative at Hill’s Iron Works was announced with some excitement and area leaders gathered to meet. The commissioner announced “he was empowered to take their submissions & give paroles and protections to all that choose to become British subjects.” Rawdon’s proclamation claimed that the Continental Congress had abandoned the Carolinas and support by the Continental Army could not longer be expected. William Hill, owner of the iron works, was inflamed by Rawdon’s statements and called the proclamation a pack of “damn lies.” Hill’s accusation seemed to renew the patriotic spirit in these backwoodsmen and in unison they drove the British commissioner away, reformed militias with Andrew Neel and William Hill as their colonels. These marched into North Carolina seeking to unite their forces with Sumter.
Jamieson, our valiant patriot joined with Sumter and other patriots, and soon received a commission of captain. Captain Jamieson was on hand for the battles of Ramseur’s Mill, Williamson’s Plantation (Brattonsville), Hanging Rock, Blackstock’s Plantation and Rocky Mount. At the victorious battle at Rocky Mountain Jamieson was severely wounded during the battle and was promptly sent to Charlotte to recuperate. As soon as he was able, he went home to complete his convalescence where he was captured by a band of Tories and taken to General Cornwallis for interrogation. During the interrogation, the General wanted to know if he had ever killed one of the “King’s men.” Jamieson responded, “If ever I killed any of the King’s men, it was in battle in defense of my country-except on one occasion [when] I killed an Indian. I know that I killed that King’s man because we were alone in a personal conflict.”
Jamieson remained Cornwallis’s prisoner for a month and was released. Still suffering from his wounds and ill treatment at the hands of the Tories, he returned home until he was well enough to return to his command. The war, however, ended before he was strong enough to resume the defense of his country. Jamieson lived at peace in southwest York County for the duration of his life (except for a brief interlude during the War of 1812). He died at the age of 81 and is buried in the old section of the Bullocks Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. His tombstone proudly reads, “A Soldier and Officer of the Revolution.”
J.L. West – Author
This article and many others found on the pages of Roots and Recall, were written by author J.L. West, for the YC Magazine and have been reprinted on R&R, with full permission – not for distribution or reprint!
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