State of Illinois
Greene County

On this 2nd day of April 1833 personally appeared in open court before Saul D Larkwon Judge of the Circuit Court for the County of Greene & State of Illinois James Garrison a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged eighty six years the 11th day of March last, who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress June 7th 1832.

That he was born March 11th 1747 in the state of Pennsylvania near Frederickstown.

That he lived in Wilks County North Carolina in the year (he thinks) 1775 when he volunteered and entered the service of the United States as a private commanded by Capt John Hamlin Major Ike Walton Col Benjamin Cleveland and marched to Cross Creek to subdue the Scotch Tories that he was in the engagement at Cross Creek and that he served three months mounted upon horseback , finding his own horse and equipments.

That in the spring of 1781 he was living in Wilks Co.N.C. when he was drafted and entered the service of the United States a private commanded by Alexander Gordon Col Joseph McDowell served three months that he was marched to Ninety Six and was present when that place was surrendered by the enemy and that he was in the battle of Ealaw Springs.

That he received two discharges One from each of his Captains but he considered them good for nothing and suffered them to be destroyed.

That he has no record of his age and knows it only by what was been told from his youth.

That he lived several years after the Revolutionary War in North Carolina, then moved to South Carolina lived there about 16 years, then moved to Warren Co. Ky lived there about 12 years, then moved to Hamilton Co. Illinois, lived there about 10 years then moved to Greene Co Illinois where he had lived in the same neighborhood where he now resides for the last four years.

That about three years ago he proved his service as a Revolutionary soldier before the judge of the Circuit Court in Hamilton County Illinois. That he sent a copy of the record of the proof to Washington City by the Hon John McLean (U.S.Senator) who died and that he has never heard what became of the said copy. That he supposes a copy of said record might yet be obtained but that he is not able to be at the expense of obtaining it at present. That he recollects to have seen several officers at Eataw Springs among whom he recollects particularly Col Washington and Col Lee Genl Green That he can not recollect the name of any continental or militia or any important circumstances relative to his service except those already mentioned. That he can not recollect the names of the officers under whom he served only those afore mentioned. That he is known to many persons in his neighborhood who can testify concerning him. Among whom he would mention Charles Kitchen a clergyman and Allanson Dawdy and Iepe Garrison

That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of know person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a open lean or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the AG of any state or territory His

Mofes O'Bledfoe, clerk            mark

I Moses O.Bledsoe clerk of the circuit court in and for the County of Green State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Garrison for a pension. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this day of April AD 1833

Transcribed faithfully Norman Dickey June 2007
(I think the last line is Moses O'Bledsoe Clerk of Green Circuit Court)
James Garrison received a pension in 1833, which was paid, till his death in 1841 Greene Co IL
Cross Creek Feb 1776 N.C., Ninety Six May - Jul 1781 S.C., Eutaw Springs Sept 1781 S.C.

James Garrison was involved in three Revolution War Battles.

Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge Feb 27, 1776 North Carolina

1600 Scottish Loyalist Tories gathered at Cross Creek to fight the rebels who were gathering at Moore's bridge six miles away. The Scotch were mostly armed with swords and estimated 500 guns. The 1000 rebels (patriots) all had muskets and had two cannons.

The patriots retreated too the far side of the bridge and partially dismantled it so only a few men could cross at a time on the framework. The 80 man assault force was ordered to cross the bridge led by Captain John Campbell and Lt Colonel McLeod. They crossed the bridge to the beat of drums and Scottish war pipes and yelled "King George and Broadswords" The rebels opened fire and 30 were killed, including both commanders. Stunned, outgunned, and leaderless the loyalists surrendered in confusion. 850 Tories were captured including a general, the patriots lost 2 men. Wagons, weapons and Sterling money were captured by the patriots. This dramatic victory greatly influenced North Carolina to be the first colony to vote for independence.

The Siege of Ninety Six May - Jul 1781 South Carolina

Far inland was a village and outpost Ninety six which was named because it was 96 miles from an important Cherokee village. The British had secured Ninety Six and Cornwallis considered it crucial to the control of South Carolina and a base to move against North Carolina. After Battles of Kings Mountain (see Dickey)and Cowpens, patriot General Green decided they needed to take Ninety Six. Cornwallis and Green fought at Guilford Courthouse, (see Anderson) the British won but suffered 1/3 causalities. Green set siege to Ninety Six in May 1781, but could not took the fort easily. One month later Cornwallis sent reinforcements and forced Green to lift the siege. The British surrendered Ninety Six in Jul 1781. British forces surrendered at Yorktown 4 months later and the war ended shortly after.

The Battle of Eutaw Springs Sept 8th 1781 South Carolina

With the surrender of Ninety six the Continentals led by General Green controlled most of South Carolina. The British were moving toward Charlestown. 2300 well equipped British soldiers were camped in the cool shade beside Eutaw Springs. They did not realize General Green with 2092 poorly equipped hungry soldiers was 7 miles away. The "swamp fox" General Marion knew every foot of the Santee swamp and river. He planned the Eutaw Springs attack.

The patriots attacked at morning light. The surprised British dropped their breakfasts and grabbed weapons and threw battle lines across the road. Heavy fire in the woods caused the American line to collapse. Greene committed his reserves and pushed back. The British fled in every direction and the Americans took the camp. They were hungry and against orders stopped to eat the British food. The British commander, realizing there was confusion and that the attack had slowed gathered his troops and counter-attacked. It was a violent heavy pounding. After 4 hours in the heat of an inconclusive battle, both sides retreated due to high casualties. Severely wounded and dead were left unattended.

The British never took any more action in South Carolina. Thus it was the last battle in South Carolina. Total casualties were 1188 (693 patriots - 408 British by another source). Many were buried where they fell and the whole area is a hero's cemetery. Six weeks later Cornwallis was beaten at Yorktown and the war ended shortly after that.

Submitted by: Norman Dickey