Historic Horseshoe Falls Earthcache

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Hidden On: 06 Dec 2008
Waypoint (Landmark): N02A77
Open Cache:  Unrestricted
Cache type:  Virtual
Cache size:   Virtual

Difficulty:  (easy)
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Horseshoe Falls is unique in the fact that it is midway between the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Coastal region. It is uncommon to find a waterfall in this regoin of South Carolina.

Unmarked by roadside sign, Horseshoe Falls is a spot of beauty steeped in mystery, history and romance. The new highway, I-26, now brings the falls to within about four miles to sight-seers. The falls are located on Cedar Shoals Creek in Spartanburg County and are near the roadside on the old highway between Clinton and Cross Anchor. The mystery of Horseshoe Falls is its name. Legend proclaims they were named for the famous Revolutionary War scout, Horseshoe Robinson (Robertson) who hid back of its waters by day to escape and observe the British.

But were the falls named for him; or did he take his nickname from the falls? Photographs taken at certain angels of the falls portray a distinct horseshoe. The falls in maps and atlases of the day bear no name but are referred to simply as "mountain shoals, another natural curiosity." Kennedy, the biographer of Robinson, asserts that Horseshoe's name was derived from his occupation as a blacksmith and from the curved creek which circled about his home in the Waxhaws. If the area took its name from Horseshoe's exploits around the falls, surely it would have been mentioned in the volume published in 1835. It was read by Horseshoe, then an old man living in Alabama, who listened attentively to its reading and said, "it is all true and right in its right place."

Horseshoe - whose name was Galbraith Robinson - was a native of the Waxhaws and at the beginning of the Revolution owned a small farm on the Catawba River. When the fight for freedom and independence began, Horseshoe took up his rifle, his deerskin pouch, powder horn and sword and left on his horse to join in the affray. To think of the Revolutionary War, it is necessary to remember the sparsely settled country; a heterogeneous type of people, many adhering to the Crown; no coordination of man, or equipment. Neighbors suspected but actually did not know which side each was supporting, and within families, sometimes, it was brother against brother. The events in this story occur around the fall of 1780, about the time of the Battle of Musgrove Mills which took place in August of that year. This important battle - in which 200 Whigs overcame 500 British in a small arms fight - has been overlooked as an important link in the eventual victory. Within two months from this time, an army of Carolina frontiersmen had been raised by Colonels Isaac Shelby and John Sevier. Their attack on Major Patrick Ferguson's command at Kings Mountain resulted in a resounding victory. One year later, Cornwallis had surrendered his army to General Washington and the struggle for independence was won.

Robinson, skilled as a scout, knowing the mountainous terrain of both North and South Carolina, was "drafted" as a guide for the Whigs at the beginning of the Revolutionary War and gave invaluable service to them and discomfort to the enemy. Probably the luckiest patriot of the day, he came in for a lot of photo finish escapades, in which he always managed to extricate himself in the best Hollywood type serials. Horseshoe was a "Kilroy was here" type of scout and was liable to pop up anywhere at any time, and usually did. He was greatly admired and feared by the enemy whom he bested in every encounter. The only thing he ever lost was his sword, securing as a replacement a large kitchen knife when he was captured at Blackstock's and which he commonly referred to as "the sword of Goliath." The man, himself, must have been a handsome specimen. His muscles, apparently, compared to the sinews of the "Village Blacksmith." He was strong, six feet tall, with broad chest and ruddy complexion; and his blue eyes shone with a homely wisdom. His luxuriant, yellow, curly hair was tied in a fashionable queue, and topped by a tri-corn. His home-spun clothes were rough; a coat of mixed cotton and wool, dark trousers cut for a tight fit in the legs, a red cotton handkerchief to protect his neck from biting winds and hobnailed shoes.

Horseshoe never went to school but life afforded him fame and travel. Modesty was said to be another of his virtues and but never set any store by his exploits. He was capable of humor, feat which brightened his and his companions' dark hour. For instance, his horse which acquired a rather high-sounding name, brought laughs to his friends. Following the surrender of Charleston, Horseshoe served under a Provost Marshal whom he termed "mean, ornery and stubborn." Because his horse on occasion exhibited these same traits of character and bore a personality akin to the marshal, Horseshoe felt that ever after he should be called "Peter Church." As a talented scout, Horseshoe was designated as a guide to Major Arthur Butler, wealthy low countryman, a leader of the Whigs. Through this endeavor, Horseshoe stumbled onto two romances in which he played a valiant part: those between the Major and Mildred Lindsay, daughter of a Tory sympathizer whose home was used as a headquarters by the British; and Mary Musgrove, the "patriot in petticoats" and John Ramsey, soldier of the Revolution.

Mary, a sparkling spy in her early youth, on more than one occasion saved the patriots from disaster by her forewarnings. Her father, owner of Musgrove's Mills on the Enoree, embraced the British cause, though sotto voce, and frequently detachments of Tories camped at intervals around their home. Because of her skilled maneuvers, radiant personality and beauty, she was never suspected as a spy but rather was given "preferential treatment" by the young officers and soldiers on the opposing side. They never discovered the secret of her betrothal to John Ramsey, the neighborhood lad, who was well known for crossing through and routing their lines. Mary and Horseshoe became warm friends from their first meeting and exchanged information at their trysting place, the falls. It was here that she learned of the Major's capture from Horseshoe and where together they made plans for his escape. To do this, it was necessary to obtain complete information regarding the enemy and the whereabouts of the Major. Consequently, Mary found the perfect hiding Horseshoe. Behind the falls! On this narrow, rocky ledge, he lay by day. Concealed by the waters which fell in a thin veil before him. At nightfall, he emerged, and was met by Mary who brought him supplies and whatever information she had learned during the day. Also to the spot came John Ramsey to see his beloved Mary and then to roam the forests with Horseshoe to scout the Tories.

Finally, everything was complete and the time for springing Major Butler from the British hands had come. But, alas! In the skirmish, John Ramsey lost his life. An excellent soldier, he had carried bravery too far by pursuing the fleeing enemy. Young, impulsive, vigorous, he felt he had not done enough though Major Butler had been rescued. Shot through the heart, he fell some distance from his comrades who missed him only when the usual count was made. And suddenly; his horse crashed through the bushes, his bridle hanging... When found, Ramsey was dying. The blood from his wound oozed onto Major Butler, who held his head in his lap, meanwhile exclaiming, "I wish it had been I." To the Major, the solider imparted his last words, sweet remembrances to his mother and to Mary. To the letter, he sent a keepsake, a small testament which upon receipt she clasped to her bosom and covered with tears.

Ironically, the Major was again captured - at the funeral of Ramsey which was held in the dead of the night to escape detection for his friends. The name of Musgrove lives on in South Carolina. Both a street and a hotel in Clinton bear the name of the Revolutionary War heroine. And, Horseshoe Falls - however it came by its name - now is a serene, beautiful place. It gives no inkling of the part it has played in history, and only in imagination can one visualize the drama and the leading players: Mary Musgrove, John Ramsey, Major Butler and Horseshoe Robinson.

To get credit for a find on this Earthcache;

1) Estimate the height of Horseshoe Falls and email your answer to me.

2) Submit an image of yourself at Horseshoefalls.