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VIRGIXIA BIOGRAPHY
the upper part of South Carolina, fought
against the Cherokees, and accompanied
Oconostotah, their chief, on a visit to
King George, in England. After his re-
turn, he was a leader in the revolutionary
movements, and in March, 1776. was made
lieutenant-colonel of the Third South Caro-
lina Regiment, raised to overcome the In-
dians and Tories, and was promoted to colo-
nel. When Charleston was taken by the
British, he took refuge in the swamps, and
after his estate had been ravaged, went to
North Carolina. He there raised a large
force, and became one of the most active
partisan leaders. On July 12. 1780. he dis-
persed a large British force, and was made
brigadier-general by Gov. Rutledge, of
South Carolina. This success brought him
reinforcements, and in August he attacked
the fort at Hanging Rock. South Carolina,
but was driven off, the enemy sustaining
such loss that they were unable to pursue.
It is said that Andrew Jackson, then thirteen
years old, took part in the battle. On Au-
guest 15, Sumter captured Lord Cornwallis*
supply train and guard, between Charleston
and Camden. On the i8th he was surpri.sed
by Tarleton, and lost fifty killed: many of
his men were taken, also most of their cap-
tured supplies and British prisoners, Sumter
barely escaping. Having reassembled his
men, he again harassed the British on the
Broad and Tiger rivers, and defeated and
captured Major Wemyss. who had been
sent against him. On November 20th he
was attacked by Tarleton, at Blackstock
Hill, and whom he defeated, with a loss of
three killed and four wounded, the enemy's
loss being two hundred killed and wounded,
but in the action Sumter was wounded, and
for three months was unable to do field
service. In March, 1781, he raised three
new regiments, and in concert with Marion,
Pickens and others, harassed the enemy
until the end of the war. Tarleton gave him
the name of *'The South Carolina Game
Cock." In February. Sumter destroyed the
British supplies at Fort Ganby, and two
days later captured a British supply train on
its way to Camden. His closing exploits
were as brilliant. He repulsed a strong
attack by Major Fraser, on Broad river: and
captured the posts of Orangeburg, Dorches-
ter and Marks' Corners, but his health failed
before the end of the war, and he retired, re-
ceiving the thanks of congfress. After the
war, he took a hearty interest in politics.
He was a member of the South Carolina
convention that ratified the federal consti-
tution; as a Federalist served in congress,
1 789- 1 793. and voted for locating the seat
of the United States government on the
Potomac river; was United States senator,
1801-09; in 181 1 was made minister to Bra-
zil, and after his return was again elected to
the United States senate. He outlived all
other general officers of the revolution. His
name is commemorated in the famous fort
in Charleston harbor, which was the scene
of the opening acts of the civil war. He died
at Camden. South Carolina, June i. 1832.
Johnston, Charles, son of Hon. Peter Johnston, of "Chiny Grove." Prince Edward county, Virginia, and Martha, his wife, widow of Capt. Thomas Rogers, and daugh- ter of John Butler. He was a merchant in Richmond, of the firm of Pickett. Pollard & Johnston. Soon after the revolution he was sent to Ohio by the government on a com- mission, and was captured by the Indians. After a year he was rescued by Dr. Shuget,
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