in Abbeville county.  It was so called because it was ninety-six miles from the frontier fort, Prince George, on Keowee river, in the present county of Pickens.  No portion of South Carolina suffered more during the Revolution than the district around Ninety-Six.  The Tories were numerous, bold and vindictive, and for that reason the gallant Whigs of that region frequently called upon their compatriots-in-arms in North Carolina, more particularly in Mecklenburg, Lincoln and Burke counties, for assistance in defending their homes and their property.

In this same year (1776) Gen. Rutherford called out a strong force of infantry and cavalry from Mecklenburg, Rowan, Tryon, (afterwards Lincoln), and other western counties to subdue the “Over-hill” Cherokee Indians, who were committing numerous depredations, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants on the frontier settlements.  At that time the “Blue Ridge” constituted the bounds of organized civilization.  The expedition, commanded by Gen. Rutherford, was completely successful, the Indians were routed, their towns destroyed, and a considerable number killed and made prisoners.  Nothing short of this severe chastisement of the Indians for their depredations and murders would serve to teach them of the supremacy of the white man, and cause them to sue for peace.  On this occasion many of the western patriots experienced their first essay in arms, and learned something of the toils and dangers of the soldier’s life.

During the war several expeditions were sent from the border counties of North Carolina to assist in pulling down the Tory ascendancy of the disaffected portion of upper South Carolina.  In one of these expeditions Col.  Johnston experienced an adventure—­a passage at arms, which, as an incident of the war and characteristic of his bravery, is here worthy of narration.  On Pacolet river, near the place where the late Dr. Bivings erected a factory, Col.  Johnston, in a skirmish, had a personal rencontre with Patrick Moore, a Tory officer, whom he finally overpowered and captured.  In the contest he received several sword cuts on his head, and on the thumb of the right hand.  As he was bearing his prisoner to the Whig lines, a short distance off, he was rapidly approached by several British troopers.  He then immediately attempted to discharge his loaded musket against his assailants, but unfortunately it missed fire, in consequence of blood flowing from his wounded thumb and wetting the priming.  This misfortune on his part enabled his prisoner to escape; and, perceiving his own dangerous and armless position, he promptly availed himself of a friendly thicket at his side, eluded his pursuers and soon afterwards joined his command.