SUMTER COUNTY. 527 



blue hen of the game species, whose progeny were particularly 

 distinguished for their martial qualities. Of one of these chick, 

 ens, called Tuck, there is quite a biography. His reputation 

 was extended far and wide, from mountain to mountain. He 

 was never known to refuse a fight, or to lose a battle. At one 

 time Sumter suddenly appeared at the cockpit and surprised the 

 Gillespies at their usual occupations, and in abrupt language 

 called upon them to leave the cockpit, and go with him, where he 

 would teach them how to fight with men. They took him at 

 his word. " Tuck for ever," was the cry of the Gillespies. " He 

 is one of the Blue Hen's chickens." The sobriquet stuck to 

 him always after ; and the eagerness with which he sought 

 his enemies on all occasions amply justified in the opinion of 

 his followers the name of the Game Cock. 



In raising recruits our hero was successful, and on the 12th 

 of July, 1780, he gave the Gillespies the amusement he had 

 promised them, by suddenly attacking a body of Tories, and 

 completely defeating them. After this affair Sumter had the 

 pleasure of receiving from Governor Rutledge, a commission as 

 a Brigadier in the service of the State, and was ordered to re- 

 cover a certain portion of the country from the power of the 

 enemy. On the 30th of July, 1780, he advanced upon the 

 British post at Rocky Mount ; but for want of artillery, he 

 was compelled to abandon the attack. 



Hanging Rock next attracted the notice of Sumter. This 

 was garrisoned by a force of 500 men ; and although in the 

 battle fought here he could not be said to have obtained a 

 complete victory, yet it is acknowledged by the enemy, that 

 they got the worst of the battle. About August of the 

 same year, he surprised the British near Carey's fort. Hav- 

 ing taken the fort, stores and troops, he commenced a retreat ; 

 but Tarlton overtook him two days after, at Fishing creek. 

 Burdened with his baggage and his prisoners, 300 in number, 

 his movements were necessarily slower than those of the light 

 armed troops which Tarlton commanded. The camp of 

 Sumter was surprised ; his troops were dispersed, the pri- 

 soners recaptured, and Sumter again a fugitive. Again he 

 made his way into North Carolina, and after raising _a force, 

 he took the field and occupied a post at the Fish Dam ford. 



