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The Escape
She further added that her father had sent a small wagon loaded with household goods to his plantation along with the party escorting the prisoners. Perhaps they had been quartered at the plantation along with the sick soldiers. To make certain as to their whereabouts, the cunning woman persuaded her father to secure a British guard to escort her to the plantation. She gave as a reason for leaving that she wanted to select some poultry for the household needs in town, to talk to the cooper about constructing some crates, and to remind him of some needed repairs on the town house.
As soon as they arrived at the country place, she went into the house under the pretense of taking some cookies to one of the wounded soldiers. Upon entering, the first people that she saw were the old man and his wife.
Her findings were promptly reported to the scout, and the two of them began planning as to how they could have the prisoners returned to Marion's camp. It was decided that on the following day the Tory's daughter and several other Tory soldiers at Mansfield plantation, a place located not far from Wedgefield, would see to it that the guards at Wedgefield would be among the guests.
Their plan worked perfectly, for only one man was left to guard the house and prisoners.
Just about twilight a party of Marion's Men galloped up the avenue of Wedgefield on horseback. The sentry left on duty heard the approaching animals. He thought that they were bearing more soldiers from town. He did not give the enemy a thought, for it had been reported that Marion had left the area.
He ran down the steps into the road to greet the horsemen. They were almost upon him before he recognized them. In haste he drew his pistol an took a quick aim at the man nearest him. His adversary also drew a gun. Both shots were fired simultaneously, but neither ball found its mark. Instead, a saber-wielding calvaryman with one long sweep, severed the sentinel's head from his body!
The event took place so quickly that those present could not readily comprehend what had actually happened. Before falling to the ground the headless body of the guard reeled and tottered about, then fell and struggled like a chicken that had just had its neck wrung. It was a horrible scene, one never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it - a tale that each of them often told in the years that followed.
The ill-fated British dragoon was buried in the garden near the old Wedgefield house.
The American prisoners were retrieved and taken back to Marion's camp, and the wounded British and Tory soldiers that were able to travel were also carried in as prisoners of war.
For generations following this unhappy incident, people in the vicinity have told of having seen the ghost of the unfortunate soldier. When the spirit first appeared, we do not know; but we have been told by one reputable octogenarian that she had heard the story from her grandparents.
Usually before the ghost is seen strange noises are heard. Sometimes it sounds like the distant roar and clatterings of the hooves of many horses. This happens just before nightfall. Then the ghost appears, an awful gruesome sight to behold! He appears in the form of a headless body of an eighteenth century British Dragoon tottering about the yard with pistol in hand searching for his head. He always frightens those who see him, and he vanishes as suddenly as he appeared. When the prelude of thundering hooves is not heard, his appearance is announced by what sounds like chains being dragged across the front porch.
Other persons have related that they have seen the phantom late at night, usually on moonlight nights, pacing up and down the porch of the old Wedgefield house. On these occasions he sometimes wears his head and those who see him are always puzzled and startled, but are never overcome with fright as when his is seen in the yard at dusk.
During the 1930's the old Wedgefield house was dismantled and replaced by the present handsome mansion now gracing the expansive gardens. It is one of the showplaces of the Low Country.
Since the removal of the old building, the specter has not been seen as often as he was in the past; but he still haunts the place in a section of the garden where the former residence once stood. Even in the new manor house strange noises are heard that cannot be accounted for, but those who hear them are certain that they must be the ghost of the ancient soldier exploring the new house.
Wedgefield Plantation
129 Clubhouse Lane
Georgetown, SC 29440
email: info@wedgefield.com
843.448.2124 or 843.546.8587
fax: 843.527.4884
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