Pineville, a historic refuge
Part 24: The Sack of Mexico Plantation
By Warner M.Warner@TheColumMboinatSgtoarm.coemry

Eutaw Plantation lay between Eutawville and the Eutaw Springs Battlefield. William Mazyck Porcher was marched from Mexico Plantation to Eutaw Plantation then to Charleston by General Hartwell in 1865. This photo of Eutaw was taken in 1935 before it was flooded by the Santee- Cooper Project. The house was built in 1808 by William Sinkler and remained in the family until 1939.

The war rolled on; and many a friend
And kinsman,whom he helped to send
Their homes and country to defend,
Home ne'er returned.
What harder lot could now befall!
Threats could not bend nor woes appall;
Unmoved,he saw his Fathers'hall
to ashes burned.
From A Carolina Bourbon (W.M.P.)
By Yates Snowden

Following the ransacking of homes in Pineville proper, General Hartwell and a force of over 1,000 men moved down the River Road toward Mexico Plantation. They had been told the owner, William Mazyck Porcher, and his overseer, 67- year- old Mr. Foxworth, were the worst kind of Confederates. The following story is taken from Porcher's personal account.

Porcher met the officers at his front steps and was told, "You are my prisoner," and put under the watch of a guard. When General A.S. Hartwell arrived on a stolen horse, he refused to answer any questions and searched of the premises.

Satisfied that Porcher and Foxworth were the only white people at Mexico, General Hartwell summoned Porcher to the piazza while his soldiers raided his home. Hartwell said, "Ask no favors, sir, none shall be granted you. I have information against you of a very serious character, and if you escape with your life, you will have received much for which you should be grateful,"

When told charges of harboring scouts and guerrillas would be laid on him in Charleston, Porcher stated that only Confederate soldiers under the command of an officer camped on his place. The general refused to discuss the issue then invited Porcher into the dining room for dinner.

Porcher was assured by Hartwell his property would be respected during the night. That evening while General Hartwell and Porcher slept in the main house, and Colonel Fox (55th Massachusetts) slept in Mr. Foxworth's house, the storehouse, barn, and cotton house were raided and burned.

The next morning, Hartwell's soldiers pillaged all of Porcher's linen, family heirlooms (diamond rings and broaches dating back to 1720), family portraits, and furniture. Porcher was ordered to his chamber to dress for the trip to Charleston. He found all of his clothes missing. A faithful servant brought him a bag of clothing she had hidden in her home. Porcher was taken under guard to the general's wagon, tied behind it, and marched off with the army.

Two of General Hartwell's aides, Torrey and Blow, stayed behind. A Negro was ordered to bring fire from the kitchen and light pages torn from Porcher's many books. The kindled flames were scattered throughout the house. Mexico Plantation was burned to the ground.

Mexico had been founded by Major Samuel Porcher in the 1790s and prospered during the time of the Santee Canal, 1800- 1855. Samuel and Harriett Porcher's son Thomas took over the plantation then left it to his son, William Mazyck Porcher. On the fateful day of March 28, 1865, Mexico Plantation had been a successful working farm for 70 years.

To this day, descendants of Porcher's slaves claim that Porcher's servants buried the family gold and silver before the Yankee soldiers arrived. And no one ever returned to retrieve it. Somewhere in an elaborate tunnel leading to the Santee Canal may lie the Porcher treasure.

The Federal Army marched six miles to Eutaw Springs where General Hartwell took over Eutaw Plantation, the Sinkler residence. Hartwell and his staff settled on the first floor. The Sinkler women were moved to the upper floor. The troops camped along both sides of the long avenue. An outbuilding was made into a hospital.

Mazyck Porcher was kept a prisoner in a room in the house and told he would be hanged at daylight. His reply, "You do not dare do it." Several times he was allowed to visit the Sinkler women. One evening he was interrogated by General Hartwell about a Negro who had been shot at Mexico. He professed ignorance; he was not hanged.

On the march to Charleston, they stopped at Walnut Grove, the residence of 68- year- old James Gaillard whose house had been plundered. The Gaillard women were subjected to ungentlemanly language by Adjutant General Torrey. At Walworth Plantation, home of Mazyck Porcher's brother, black and white soldiers stole all of the family's silverware, quilts, blankets, curtains, carpets, then slaughtered their fowls, ducks, and turkeys.

When they arrived in Charleston, Porcher met General Hatch who saw no reason to hold him and paroled him. Porcher was told to stay in the city and report to Provost Marshall Capt. Pratt twice a week. No charges were ever filed, and two weeks later he was unconditionally discharged.

William Mazyck Porcher returned to Mexico and lived in the overseer's house. Every year for the rest of his life, he went to Eutaw on March 28 and stayed a night in the wing room where he had been kept a prisoner. He died in 1902 at the age of 90, a true Carolina Bourbon.

(Next week: A Tragedy of War)