USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 7
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4. For three months after his arrival in the country. the governor was unmolested, but during all that time he was very active in fomenting dissatisfaction amongst the people. and succeeded in making those known as tories, or loyalists. exceedingly dissatisfied with the measures of the whigs, or those opposed to the exercise of arbitrary power. About the middle of September a trick was played upon his His Excel- leney, which completely disgusted him and finally caused him to withdraw from the province.
5. Captain Adam MeDonald, wishing to learn the purposes of the governor and the British government, procured an in- tralnetion to His Excellency under the feigned name of Dick Williams, purporting to be a messenger from the back country royalists to the governor. In this character he was informed that his lordship had just received a letter from the king. informing him that His Majesty was about to send troops to carry out his measures from one end of the continent to the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
other. He dilated upon the power of Great Britain and her fixed resolution to compel the submission of the colonies: abused the new fangled congress and committees in the strongest terms that the English language could afford him. This conversation was, of course. soon reported to the general committee of safety. and they at once sent a deputation from their body of which Captain MeDonald was one. to demand the nature of his despatches from England, and olo a perusal of his letters from the back country. The governor, of course. refusol these demands. It was then moved in the committee to make the governor prisoner, but this motion was rejected.
7. The governor, mortified and disgusted with the way in which affairs were going, and fearing that he was not entirely safe. left the town and retired on board the sloop of war Tamar. then lying in the harbor. In about two weeks h- was waited upon by a deputation from the committee and invited to return to Charlestown. being assured by them that he would be rutinde suf and would be treated with respect. His lordship declined the invitation to return
S. Thus the royal authority was extinguished in South Caro lina and the new legislative, executive, and judicial powers set up in place thereof. By the tendency of events the people were compelled to reorganize and to take the government into their own hands. The Revolution was complete. But long years of struggle, war, suffering, and bloodshed had to be passed through before the new order of things could be firmly established and the Revolution recognized as a fact by the mother country.
9. Meantime the governor was not idle. There were many loyalists in all parts of the country. even in Charlestown. In the upper country. especially in the region between the Broad and Salada rivers, they were very numerous perhaps numbering more than one-half the people. This the governor
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EXTINCTION OF ROYAL AUTHORITY.
well knew. and he sent his agents amongst them to persuade- them that the power of Great Britain could not be success- fully resisted. The agents said that the whole trouble and dispute was only about a trifling tax on tea, which the gren- tlemen ou the coast wanted to yot free of duty: that the measures of these gentlemen would involve the back country in the want of salt and other necessaries, and that the cost of the new regiments would be much greater than all the taxes on tea,
10. The governor thus endeavorel to sow the seeds of distrust, jealousy and ill will. between the lower and upper country. He succeeded only two well. When it was deter- mined by the provincial congress to raise troops, many of the inhabitants of that part of the country between Broad and Saluda rivers could not be persuaded that the measure Was necessary. They were very prosperous. felt themselves to be free and happy, and could not believe that the British gov- erument had any intentions unfriendly to American liberty.
11. They refused to sign the association papers, but signe.l others at their general musters declaring their unwillingness. to agree to the measures recommended by the Carolina congress. About this time, September. 1775, the council of safety in the town of Charlestown, which council of safety, as should have been mentioned before, consisted of Charles Pinckney. William Henry Drayton. Arthur Middleton. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. William Gibbs, and Elward Weyman. sent William Henry Drayton and Witham fenner t into that settlement to explain to them the nature of the dispute. and to bring them over, if possible, to think and to co-operate with the other inhabitants.
12. Some were brought over and convinced; but a great many. perhaps the majority, were unconvinced and remained Friends to Great Britain. Not long afterwards these became known a- tories, while the friends to the new order of things
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
were called whigs. Both parties scon became very suspicious of each other and armed themselves. The loyalists suspected that they were to be forced into the Revolution, and the syhigs suspected that the tories were about to attack themi for disturbing the established government. Opposite camps avere formed and each party dil all it could to increase its numbers.
13. At this time they did not come to blows and bloodshed. Those evils were deferred for a little while. The leaders on both sides met, and after a conference and talking over and explaining matters, all went home and a temporary calmi ensued. At this conference it was stipulated and agreed that the royalists should remain, in a state of neutrality. But unfortunately Robert Cunningham, one of the most influential men among the royalists, declared that he was not bound by the treaty and continued to urge opposition to the revola. tionists. This declaration was considered as evidence of intention to disturb the peace by insurrection. He was accord- ingly arrested by the authorities of the new government. carried to Charlestown and lodged in jail.
14. Patrick Cunningham immediately collected and armela body of his friends and set out to rescue his brother. They seized a thousand pounds of powder, at the time passing through their settlement as a present sent by the council of safety to the Cherokee Indians. Great pains were taken by Cunningham and his friends to make it appear that the council of safety were blameworthy for supplying the Indians with powder, when the white people found it very difficult to procure that article.
15. Major Andrew Williamson, who commanded the whig militia in that section, wout after the party who had taken the powder But they proved too many for him and be aul his men were obliged to retreat. They retired into a stockade fort at Ninety Six, where they were confined without water
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EVENTS PRECEDING THE REVOLUTION.
for several days, but finally obtained a seanty supply by digging a well within the fort. The royalists went into the jail at Ninety-Six, and from that position fired into the fort. but dil very Little damage to the whigs. After a few days the royalis proposed a trace. Permission was given by each party to the other to forward dispatches, the one, to the governor. Lord Campbell, the other to the council of safety. They then dispersed and went to their homes.
QUESTIONS, -1. During the early months of 1775 what hopes were still entertained ? What did they learn, however ?
2. Tell what is said of William Henry Drayton. What is said of his colleagues ?
3. During 1775 what is sail of the popular assemblies? How did they justify their conduct? Do you think that they acted right? What is said of the Assembly called by Lord Williata Campbell ?
4. What was the governor active in doing shortly after his arrival in the colony.
5. Tell about Captain Ad im 35.Donald. What did the governor inform him?
6. What did the committee of safety do when they heard what the gov- ernor had toll Captain McDonald?
7. Tell what the governor now did.
8. What is said of royal authority now in South Carolina? What is meant by a revolution ?
9. What was the governor doing in the meantime? Where were ther: a great many loyalists ? What did the governor's agent tell these people" What is meant by loyalists ?
10. What is said of many of the inhabitants between the Broad and Saluda rivers when it was determined to raise troops? What did they lieve ?
11. What did the council of safety do in 1775? Who composed this council ?
12 Who were the tories? The whig ;? How did they feel towards each other ?
13. What was the result of a conference hell between the lea lers of the Motions? Tell what is said of Robert Cunningham.
Of. With what success dil Major Williamson meet in pursuing the
True? Tell about the m'tack on the fort at Niety-Six. 6
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER XIX.
NINETY-SIX.
1. As a picture of the stirring scenes in the upper part of our State at that period of our history. two accounts of this affair are given, written from very different standpoints, the one friendly, the other unfriendly. Extract from a letter to a gentleman in London, dated Savannah in Georgia, Novem- ber 19th, 1775:
2. "The province of South Carolina is involved in all the horrors of a civil war. Colonel Robert Cunningham, a very considerable planter on the back settlements, being suspected of attachment to the king's cause, was seized by a party sent in disguise of Indian traders from Charlestown by the com- mittee of safety, and closely confined in the common jail of that town.
3. "Mr. Patrick Cunningham, brother of the colonel. having collected together the tenants and dependants of their family. seized some powder and shot belonging to the committee, and, erecting the royal standard, declared for His Majesty and Great Britain against all rebels and their abettors. The committee, in the meantime, ordered three detachments of their army to march from different quarters, and to disperse the immigrants.
4. "Colonel Williamson, with 1.200 men, first arriving, took possession of a stockade fort, where he was instantly besieged by Cunningham with his party. Williamson having remained confined for two days in the fort. destitute of provisions and water, was forced to sally with his meu on the third day. But they were attacked by Cunningham in the attempt, and totally dispersed. The committee men made so good use of their heels that only 25 men were killed in the flight. for fight there was none."
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EVENTS PRECEDING THE REVOLUTION.
5. The following is from the American Archives. 4th series, vol. 3d. November, 1775, and written by William Moultrie: "Major Andrew Williamson, who had the command of the militia at Ninety-Six, went in pursuit of the party tunder Patrick Cunningham and John Bowman) that seized the powder, but was obliged to retreat before superior numbers. In a letter from him to the council of safety, he informed them that he had had an action with the insurgents, under Major Robertson, for three days and three nights, without refreshments in his fortified camp at Ninety-Six. and was reduced at last to the necessity of making a treaty with them. And, at their own request, they agreed to a suspen- sion of hostilities for twenty days, with liberty for each party to send dispatches unsealed to their superiors, informing them of their situation.
6. "At this time Colonels Richardson and Thompson were marching to form a junction to relieve Williamson. Of this the insurgents were informed, which induced them to agree to a suspension of hostilities. They had, by some means or other, kept up an intercourse with Lord William Campbell .. who encouraged them to oppose us by promises of great rewards; they were also instigated by Peavis, who had much induence in Ninety-Six district."
7. The whig leaders now saw that dissensions in the upper country would at this time be very hurtful, if not ruinous to the cause. They felt well assured that a British fleet would woon make its appearance before Charlestown to take posses- sion of that place. And they determined now, at once, to muell the disturbance in the upper country.
. Governor Campbell had always advised the royalists to Koop quiet and wait for assistance from England: but. as we Have seen, they would not do so. And now, before that assis- they came, the whip evaned of safety determined to get the aper band and reduce the people of the back country to
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
quiet and order. To this end they sent a large body of militia and newly raised regulars under command of Colonels Richardson and Thompson. These were joined by 900 men from North Carolina.
9. The whole army amounted to two or three thousand men. They succeeded in their purpose: seized the leaders of the royalists and dispersed their followers. Some retired very sullenly to their plantations, some passed over beyond the mountains, with some men of peace who did not believe in fighting at all-these beyond the mountains, remote from the noise and tumult of war, enjoyed that independence for which others were contending.
10. In 1775, when all the inhabitants were called upon to tako oath of allegiance to the state. many rather than do se left the country and went to East Florida. After the fall of Savannah many persons rose in favor of the royal govern ment. But those were soon dispersed. and the back country then remained quiet until after the surrender of General Lincoln and the capture of Charlestown by the British.
11. During the year 1775 the war was conducted, we might say irregularly. as it was still hoped tha Great Britain would repeal the obnoxious laws. and with the repeal of those laws commercial intercourse would be at once restored. But as Great Britain persisted in her oppressive measures, some bold spirits soon felt the necessity of going much further than was originally intended. A few felt that reconciliation was im- possible, but the greater part of the people still hoped.
12. The situation was peculiar and very trying. There was no longer any regular govern nent or constitution. They couldl hot holdt courts under the authority of the king, for they were in arms against him, and to trust to the honor of the members of a large community to keep orler was too great a risk. They shrank from the formation of an independent constitution and government, as this looked like sternal sepa-
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EVENTS PRECEDING THE REVOLUTION.
ration from the mother country. A large part of the Carolina Congress opposed this measure.
13. While in this state of perplexity an express arrived from Savannah which made a complete revolution in their feelings and at once decided their course of action. This express brought a copy of an act of parliament. passed December 21st, 1775, which confiscated American property and threw all the colonists out of His Majesty's protection. This law prohibited all trade and commerce with the colonies, and authorized the capture and condemnation, not only of all American vessels with their cargo, but all other vessels found trading in any port or place in the colonies, as if the same were the vessels and effects of open enemies; and the vessels and the property thus taken were vested in the captors, and the crews were to be treated, not as prisoners, but as slaves.
14. This dreadful law convinced the most Inkewarm that America was legally discharged from her allegiance to the king and must now take care of himself. A constitution. which, however, was intended to be only temporary, was im- mediately formed after the model of that of Great Britain. The chief officers of the government were the President and Vice-President, Legislative Council, and General Assembly.
15. The first president was John Rutledge, Every depart- ment of the government was organized on the representative system, and went into immediate operation, An act was passed "for preventing sedition and punishing insurgents and disturbers of the public peace." Treason and rebellion as- sumed a new form at once. It became treason and rebellion to aid and abet the British government.
16. We thus see that South Carolina was already acting as an independent state, with all the organs of a state in full vitality and in active operation several months before the recommendation of the General Congress to form a govern- ment and four months before the Declaration of Exdependence.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
17. The chief justice of South Carolina, William Henry Drayton, appointed under the new form of government just adopted, in his charge to grand juries in April, 1776, after justifying the proceedings of the colony in forming a new government on the principles of the revolution in England in 1698, thus concludes: "The Almighty created America to be independent of Britain; let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as instruments in the Almighty hand now extended to accomplish bis purpose; and by the completion of which alone, America, in the nature of human affairs, can be secure against the craft and insidious designs of her enemies, who think her prosperity and power already by far too great. In a word, our piety and political safety are so blended that to refuse our labors in this divine work, is to refuse to be a great, a free. a pious, and a happy people."
18. Under the new constitution. and in the new name of the State of South Carolina (for the actual independence of the state began in March, 1776. when she assumed the man- agement of her own affairs) the courts of justice, which bad been closed for twelve months, were opened with great solemnity on the 231 of April, 1776. The kingly office and functions had ceased in South Carolina, and all criminal prose- entions formerly carried on in the name of the king, were now conducted in the name aud in behalf of the state.
QUESTIONS .- 1. What is given in this chapter as a picture of the stir- ring scenes in the state ? From where is the first extract taken ?
2. What is said of Robert Cunningham ?
3. Tell what Patrick Cunningham did. What did the committee do ?
4. With what success did Coloniel Williamson meet ? What is said of the retreat of the contmittee ?
5. Who gives an account of Colonel Williamson's attack upon the royalists ? Tell what he says about it.
6. What does he say induced the royalists to suspend hostilities? Who had encouraged the royalists to oppose the colonists ?
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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
7. What did the whig leaders now see and what did they determine to do? Who were the whigs ?
8. What had Governor Campbell advised the royalists to do? What did the council of safety resolve to do? Who commanded the forces ?
9. With what success did the colonists meet ? What is now said of the defeated rovalists ?
Io. When, in 1";8, all the inhabitants were called upon to take the oath of allegiance what did many of them do? How long did the back coun- try remain quiet ?
II. Why was the war conducted irregularly in 1775? Of what did some bold men soon see the necessity? Why?
12. What was the peculiar situation of the colonists at this time? Why did they shrink from the formation of an independent government ?
13. What caused a complete revolution in the feelings of the colonists ? What did this act of parliament do?
14. Of what did this law convince the most lukewarm? What was done? For what officers did the constitution provide :
15. Who was the first president? What act was passed ? What new form did treason and rebellion assume ?
16. How was South Carolina governed at this time? How long was this before the Declaration of Independence ?
17. What did Chief Justice Drayton say in his address to the juries in 1776 ?
IS. When were the courts reopened ? How long had they been closed? In what name were prosecutions conducted? Why ?
CHAPTER XX.
BATTLE OF SULLIVAN'S ISLAND.
1. Having thus settled the government on its new basis, all the energies of the state and its officers were now directed towards preparations for its defence. An attack was looked for, and a very formidable attack was soon made. Early in 1776 upwards of 50.000 men were empleyel in active operations against America. Part of this force was ordered southward to reduce that section to submission. All had been don'thet the authorities and the people were able to do to make Charlestown secure.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
2. At the time the British fleet appeared forts, constructed of palmetto trees, had been erected on Sullivan's Island and twenty-six heavy cannon muounted thereon. On the first of June. 1778. news was received at Charlestown that a fleet of over forty sail was anchored about six miles north of Sullivan's Island. Thirty six of the transports passed the bar and anchored about three miles from the island.
3. Some hundreds of troops under Sir Henry Clinton landed on Long Island, which lies west of Sullivan's Island, separated from it by a narrow channel. often fordable. On June 10th. the Bristol. a fifty gun ship, having taken ont her guns, got over the bar; on the 25th, the Experiment, a ship of equal force, arrived and passed the next day in the same manner.
4. The British were now ready for the attack. Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the land forces, had nearly 3,000 men under his command. The naval force was commanded by Sir Peter Parker, and consisted of the Bristol and Experiment, of fifty guns each; the Active, Acteon, Solebay, and Syren frig- ates; the Friendship, of twenty-two, and Sphynx. of twenty guns; and Ranger sloop, and the Thunder Bomb.
5. On the morning of June 25th, the fleet advanced against the fort on Sullivan's Island, which was thought by some, even by General Charles Leg, an officer in the continental army, to be a very poor concero, which would be knocked to pieces by a few discharges from the heavy guns of the fleet. It was defended by about 350 regular troops, and some militia. under command of Colonel Moultrie.
The Thunder Bomb began the attack. The Active, Bristol. Experiment, and Solobay followed, and a terrible cannonade ensued. The guns of the fort returned the fire of the attack- ing vessels slowly, but with a deadly aim. The fight went on the whole day with unabated fary. The Sphynx, Actoon, and Syren were ordered to attack the western extremity of the fort, which was in an unfinished condition. Advancing for
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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
that purpose they became entangled in a shoal, called the Middle Ground. Two ran foul of each other, and the Acteon stuck fast, was abandoned by her crew, and destroyed. After xevero injuries the Syren and Sphynx got off and escaped.
7. Six Henry Chaton was to have co operated in the attack with his land forces by passing the narrow channel which separates Long Island from Sullivan's Island, and thus assault the fort by land. But this he found to be impracticable, for the channel, which was usually fordable, was at that time too deep to pass, on account of the long-continued east wind. But even could he have crossed the channel he would have found himself engaged in a very arduous enterprise. for Colonel Thompson with 700 men, an, eighteen pounder and a field piece, was stationed on the east end of Sullivan's Island to oppose the crossing.
S. The engagement began about eleven o'clock in the fore- noon and continued without cessation until seven in the evening when the fire slackened. It had ceased entirely about nine o'clock. During the night all the vessels except one were moved off about two miles from the island. That one, the Acteon, was aground, as has been already mentioned, and could not get affoat. In the morning the garrison in the fort fired several sbots at her, and she returned the compliment. But in a short time her crew set her on fire and left her. leaving her colors flying, her guns loaded, and all her ammu- nition, and stores on board. A party of Americans. commanded by Captain Jacob Willigan, went on board of her and while the flames were bursting out in various places they fired three of her guns at the Commodore. They then left her, and in less than half an hour her powder magazine took fire and she blew up.
9. The Bristol Lad 40 men killed and 71 wounded. Every man, who, at the beginning of the action, was on the quarter deck. was either killed or wounded. The Experiment had 23
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HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
killed and 76 wounded. Lord William Campbell, late governor. who was a volunteer on the Bristol, received a wound which ultimately proved fatal. The Acteon bad Lieutenant Pike killed and six men wounded. The fire of the fort was prin cipally directed at the Bristol and Experiment. The American loss was 10 men killed and 22 wounded. The British loss was very heavy, 64 killed and 161 wounded. Among the wounded Americans were Lieutenants Hall and Gray.
10. In the beginning of the action the flagstaff of the fort was shot away. Sergeant Jasper at once jumped down upon the beach outside the fort, took up the flag, fastened it to a sponge-staff, and mounting the works. again fixed it in its place. The next day Governor Rutledge presented him with a sword as a mark of respect for his bravery Sergeant McDonald, o: Captain Hughes' company, must also be mentioned as one of the heroes of the time. He was mortally wounded and em- ployed the few moments left him after being wounded in exhorting his comrades to continue steady to the cause of liberty and their country.
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