USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 9
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9. Count De Estaing received two wounds. 527 of his men were killed and wounded, and 257 of the continentals. Six of the 350 Charlestown militia, who were in the hottest of the fire. wore wounded. and Captain Shepherd was killed. The force of the garrison was between two and three thousand -- about 100 of them were tory militia. The besieged suffered very little, as they were not at all exposed, and very little firing was done by the Americans and French.
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10. Soon after this unsuccessful assault upon the British works at Savannah. the militia returned to their homes, the French went on board their vessels and left the coast, and General Lincoln with his army returned to Charlestown. The campaign of 1339 was at an end withont any grent advantage being gained by either side during the year.
11. It was in the assault upon Savannah that the brave Count Pulaski fell at the head of his legion of 200 horse while trying to force his way to the enemy's rear through a portion of their works. Count Pulaski was a native of Poland. an unhappy country, which was then losing, and not a great man years afterwards entirely lost its national in- dependence and existence, and became absorbed by the neighboring nations, Russia, Pro-sia, and Austria. Ou account of the civil dissensions in his own country, Count Pulaski left as a proscribed man, offered his services to the Conti- nental Congress, was given the commission of Brigadier Gen- eral. and was holding that rank when he fell, mortally wounded. at Savannah.
12. Colonel LeRoy Hammond. a brave officer. whom we have already seen gallantly defeating the Indians in conjunc- tion with Williamson. continued active operations against the enemy. In February. 1779, with 200 volunteers, be defeated a party of tories, two or three hundred strong, on the Ridge in Edgefield then part of Ninety-Six district. Soon after- wards ho attacked and defeated about 300 Creeks and Chero- kees and a few white mea amongst them painted and dressed like Indians, between the Ogeechee and Ocmulgee rivers. His own force consisted of 250 monted militia men. Thus through the war he was continually active in kopping the enemy in check.
13. During the campaign of 1779, the British failed to take ( worldtown. The French and Americans failed at Sa saunal .. The American army under Robert Howe was de.
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feated with heavy loss. The army of General Ashe was ritted and ent to pieces. Lincoln was baffled. if not de- feated. at Stono Ferry. But the Americans continued to holl the upper country of Georgia, though they had suffered more serious losses and repulses than the British.
QUESTIONS. -- 1. What can you say of the battle of Stono ?
2. What position did Colonel Maitland take? General Lincoln? Gen- eral Prevost? Colonel Cruger :
3 Give an account of the retreat of the British to Savannah.
4. What roused the several armies to activity? What movements took place ?
5. What hope had the Americans of taking Savannah ? When did the French fleet land ?
6. When were the British summoned to surrender? What reply did they make? Was their request granted? Who arrived in the mean- time?
7. Did the British finally surrender ? What was done by the French and Americaus ?
8. When was an assault made ? With what result ?
9. Give the losses in this assault.
10. What became of the assaulting forces ?
II. What can you say of Couut Pulaski?
12. What did Colonel Hammond do during the year 1779 ?
13. Give a summary of the campaign of 1779.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CAMPAIGN OF 1780. FALL OF CHARLESTOWN. STATE OVERRUN.
1. During the year 1750 the war was carrie l on chiefly at the South, the failure of the Americans to take Savannah having led the British to think that this was the weaker section and that they might be able to conquer South Caro- Hna. if no more. Putting this thought into practice. Sir Henry Clinton, who was then af New York, as soon as be received information of the departure of the Count De Estaing
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with the French Heet from the coast, left the garrison at New York under command of General Knyphausen. and went himself with a strong force against South Carolina.
2. Early in February the troops landed within thirty miles of Charlestown. Governor Rutledge, who had been clothed with dietatorial powers by the Assembly of the state. issued a proclamation calling upon the militia to assemble and hasten to the city at once. But, owing to the great despon- Rency of spirit caused by the American failure at Savannah. few complied.
3. Charlestown was very well defended on the land side by a chain of redoubt and batteries extending from the Ashley to the Cooper rivers. And if re-enforcements of militia and the continental troops expected by General Lincoln, had made their appearance at any time during the seige. General Clin- ton might have been repelled and the town and army saved. But the re-enforcements that did arrive were small in number. 1. Clinton's advance was slow and cautious, as he wished to munke sure of sheepes. Had be pushed forward soon after he was firmly established on the main land, Le could have taken. in a week or two, the prize, in the capture of which he consumed a period of time four times as long.
5. General Ljucoln might have abandoned the town, which he ought to have done and saved his army and stores. This was in his power to do at any time until near the close of the siege. But his humanity overene his better judgment and he vielded to the solicitations of the inhabitants and so finally lost all, both army and town. It is always the part of wisdom to retreat before a superior force and give up what cannot be successfully defended.
1. On March 2Ist, the British theet crossed the bar and anchored in Five Fathom Hole. Commodore Whipple, with a smet American Gret. hal berg stationed to prevent. the passage, but his force not being sufficient for the purpose, he
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fell back to Fort Moultrie and afterwards to Charlestown. The British feet. in passing Fort Moultrie, which was com- manded by Colonel Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, suffered some loss, but not a ship was disabled. and only 27 men were killed and wounded.
7. Having passed Fort Moultrie, the fleet anchored in the harbor out of reach of further danger. And soon thereafter the town became completely invested both by sea and land and the British commander summoned General Lincoln to surrender, which he refused to do. The batteries of the first parallel were then opened upon the town and soon made a visible impression.
8. Sir Heury Clinton, proceeding without disturbance in his second parallel and, anxious to make the investment of the town complete, placed Lieutenant-Colonel Webster, with a corps of 1,500 men. in a position suitable for the execution of that purpose. Webster found the American cavalry. with the militia, at Monck's Corner, and to that point he immedi- ately turned his attention. On the night of April 14th. with Tarleton's legion in the van. he effected a complete surprise of the Americans and ronted them without resistance. Lieu- t want-Colonel William Washington was in command of the Americans, and he and most of the corps made their oscape vidly, as they were well acquainted with the surrounding country. But the people of the country round suffered out- rages, many of them too shocking to relate.
9. The British now extended themselves east of the Cooper river. About this time also they received large ro-inforce- ments, consisting of 3,000 man. from New York. The third parallel having now been completed. the garrison at Fort Moultrie surrendered. Meantime Colonel White. of Mayham's regiment, who was now in command of the broken romains of the Ainetican cavalry, after a happy success in breaking up and capturing a foraging party of the enemy. was himself
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surprised by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton on the banks of the Santee and his force completely dispersed. Between 30 and 40 of the Americans wore either killed. wounded, or taken. the rest saved themselves. bring thoroughly acquainted with the surrounding country.
10. By this second defeat of the American cavalry the enemy gained entire control of the country lying between the Cooper and Santee rivers, and all hope of retreat or of saving the town was extingui hed. Nothing now remained for the Americans but surrender. After considerable negotiation a capitulation was finally signed on May 12th, and on the next day the British took possession of the town.
11. After the fall of Charlestown the British soon overran and took possession of the whole state, as. after the loss of Lincoln's army, there were no Americans in arms in the state. except some few small detached bodies, none large enough to be called an army.
12. Colonel Tarleton was sent out by the enemy to meet aud attack Colonel Buford, who was on his way to re-enforce the Americans in Charlestown. Tarleton marched 105 miles in tifty-five hours and with his usual energy and impetuosity ho attacked Colonel Buford at the Waxhaws and completely defeated him, killing and wounding nearly the whole of bis men. Even after they implored quarters many of them were slain.
13. This sanguinary conduct did not help subdue the country. but had a widely different effect. However, the loyalists in the neighborhood of the Waxhaws, feeling thit the state was subdued and had no further power of resistance. anxious to show their zeal. collected in a large body under Colonel Moon at Armsour's mills on June 22nd. Here they were met by the Americans under Colonel Locke, who had been sent to attack them by Colonel Rutherford of North Carolina, and were completely defeated and dispersed.
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14. In the meantime three detachments were ordered out by Sir Henry Clinton, one to Augusta, one to Ninety-Six, and one to Camden. These proceeded without opposition. took possession and fortified those places. Sir Henry Clinton. as he fondly persuaded himself, having thus reannexed South Carolina and Georgia to Great Britain, now determined to make his conquest doubly secure. But in this he made a great mistake. Instead of making his conquest doubly secure. he broke the rivets of the chains which he had just forged and fastened.
15. On the 3d of June, Clinton issued a proclamation to the people of the state, declaring that they were now all liege subjects of His Majesty the king of Great Britain. fexcept the militia who had surrendered themselves as prisoners of war at Charlestown, and that they were subjects to. and liable to all the duties that pertained to all liege subjects of the king, and he denounced the pains and penalties of rebel- lion against all those who should withhold due allegiance to the royal government.
18. This proclamation had an effect quite different from that Sir Henry Clinton had expected. Many who had taken British protection after the state was overrun. finding it so ilifferent from their anticipations, threw it to the winds and became rebels again. Amongst these were Andrew Pickens. William and LeRoy Hammond, and many other gool citizens of the upper country, and Huger of the lower country.
17. Many noble souls, like Marion and Sauter. refused the proffered protection and left the state for North Carolina, or del beyond the mountains to join their brethren in the west whence they returned in du season to assist in driving the invaders back. General Andrew Williamson is one who took British protection, if he did not do even worse. and his name drops here from the roll of patriotic soldiers of this country.
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QUESTIONS. - I. Where was the seat of war during 1;So? Why ? What did Clinton do?
2. Where did the British land? What can you say of Governor Rut- ledge's proclamation ?
3. How was Charlestown defended? What might have saved the city :
4. How could Clinton have taken the place at once ?
5. How might Lincoln have saved his army : Why did he not do so ?
6. Where and when did the British fleet anchor ? What forces were there to oppose the fleet ? What damage did the fleet sustain ?
7. What is said of the surumions to surrender ?
S. What did Clinton proceed to do? Give an account of the rout of William Washington.
9. What re-enforcement did the British receive ? What is said of Colonel White and his men is this connection ?
IO. Why was the defeat of Colonel White a very serious loss? When did Charlestown surrender ?
II. What did the British do after the fall of Charlestown ? Who was there to oppose them ?
12. Give an account of Colonel Tarleton's defeat of Colonel Buford.
13. Give an account of the engagement between Colonel Moore and Colonel Locke.
14. What detachments did Clinton send out ? What did he determine to do ?
15. What proclamation did Clinton issue ?
16. What effect had this proclamation ? Mention some men who threw off British protection ?
17. What is said of Marion, Sumter, and others? Of General Andrew Williamson ?
CHAPTER XXV.
MARION, SUMTER, AND PICKENS. BATTLE OF MUS- GROVE MILLS.
1. Sir Henry Clinton having conquered the state. embarked enJune 6th for New York, leaving Lord Cornwallis with 1, 000 regulars to finish the reduction of the Southern States. But that reduction was not so easy and simple as his lord ship hoped. Indignant at the treatment they had received.
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and finding the British protection such protection as the wolf gives the lamb. great numbers resumed their arms and resolved to continue the struggle.
2. Three leaders in different parts of the state were par- ticularly active at this time in rousing their countrymen to resistance. These were Francis Marion. Thomas Sumter, and Andrew Pickens. Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter were both colonels in the South Carolina line. promoted by the gov- ernor to the rank of brigadier in the militia of the State. Andrew Pickens was also made brigadier by the governor. These men were always active and went into the work with a resolution never to yield.
3. Marion's field of operations was from Camden to the sea coast. between the Peedee and Santee rivers, Sumter's between Camden and Ninety-Six. and that of Pickens from Ninety-Six to Augusta. Each one had strong. brave, and active coadju- tors. These men were always engaged in breaking up the smaller posts, and the communications from post to post. and in repairing losses. The men who followed their fortunes were armed with rifles. in the use of which they were very expert. They were mounted riflemen.
4. Only a few. who acted as cavalry, were armed with sabres When about to engage the enemy they dismonuted. leaving their horses concealed in the care of a few comrades. Victorious or beaten they ran to their horses and thus im- proved victory or secured retreat. They were always ready to fight or to fly, and persevering to the last they contributed greatly to that success which was the first object of their hearts.
5. As the British advanced into the upper country many whigs retreated before them and took refuge in North Caro. lina. Some of these chose Colonel Sumter as their leader. whose wife and family the British or tories had turned out of doors and whose house they had burned with all its con-
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tents. At the head of his troop he returned to South Carolina and took the field against the enemy. His followers were almost without guns or weapons of any kind. and very little powder.
6. The iron tools in the neighborhood were worked up by the blacksmiths into swords or spears or such other weapons as they found effective for attack or defence. They went into battle sometimes with less than three rounds of powder to the man. And some were obliged to hold back from the fight at such times, until by the fall of some of their com- rades engaged in the fight they could supply themselves with arms. When victorious, necessity compelled them to take the arius sud ammunition of the killed in order to make them- selves ready for the next fight.
7. Peace reigned. such calm as is sometimes folt right in the centre of a terrible tornado, for about six weeks after the British had overrun the state. They Hatterel themselves that the spirit of the people was broken and that resistance was at an end. When they found that their hopes were vain they dealt with the whigs in the most vindictive spirit of revenge. As General Gates with his army approachol Camden. Lord Rawdon, the British commander. ordered all the able- bodieu men in and near Camden, to take up arms to oppose the advance of their countrymen. He confined in the common jail many who refused. Upwards of 160 persons were shut up in one prison. and 20 or 30 respectable citizens were put in irons.
S. On July 12. 10. Colonel Sumter, at the head of a troop of 13 men, engaged at Williams plantation, in the upper part of south Carolina. with a detachment of British regulars and a large body of tories commanded by Captain Hack. The British and marine ware posted in a lane both ends of which were waterythe the harddans at the same time. In this position Colonel Sunter gave them a complete rout. Colonel
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Ferguson and Captain Huck were both killed, and also some others.
0. At the very moment when the attack was made a num- ber of women were on their knees praying Captain Hack for mercy for themselves and families. He had made himself odious to all religious persons, and particularly to the Pres- byterinns, by burning the dwelling and Ebrary of the pastor. Rev. Mr. Simpson. and all bibles which contained Scots translation of the Psalms. The Presbyterians of the county were always lovers of independence and this treatment roused in them the feeling that they were called upon to defend. not only their civil liberties, but also their holy religion.
10. Colonel Sumter soon found, himself at the head of 600 men. With these he attacked the British post at Rocky Mount, but in this he was not successful. Without delay be turned his attention to detachments. and in a short time be made a successful assault on one of the'r forts at Hanging Rock. The Prince of Wales' regiment was nearly annihilated, and a large body of tories from North Carolina, under Col- onel Brian, was completely routed and dispersed.
11. As General Gates, with his army from the North. ap- proached the state the panic caused by the fall of Charlestown abated, and the whig militia in the upper part of the state began to form themselves into parties under leaders of their own choice. Colonel Williams, of the Ninety-Six district, was particularly active. He encouraged the friends of independence and collected parties with which he continued to harass the enemy.
12. On August 1Stb, 1750, he commanded the centre of the American forces at the battle of Musgrove Mills, on the south side of Enoree river, Colonel Isaac Shelby, the right wing, and Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, the left. The enemy's force consisted of Queen Anne's regiment from New York ( Americans), and several hundred native tories, all under the
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general command of Colonel Innes, of Queen Anne's regiment. These tories were all on the way to join Colonel Ferguson, who was afterwards defeated and slain at King's Mountain, when they were intercepted by Shelby, Williams, and Clarke. who had been detached by General McDowell of North Caro- lina for that purpose.
13. The following account of the battle of Musgrove Mills is condensed from MeCall's History of Georgia, an old book: "After riding all night, frequently at a gallop, to attack the tories at Musgrove Mills, about half a mile from the camp they met a strong patrol party and a sharp skirmish ensued and several were killed. At this juncture they received infor- mation from a man, who lived near by. that the tories bad just been re-enforced by Colonel Innes with his regiment 600 strong from New York.
14. "Prudenes dictated to them that it would not be well to attack the enemy at once. tired and broken down as they were with their long night's ride, and to escape without a Ight seomel impossible. So they instantly determined to form a breastwork of old logs and brush and make the best defence they could. Captain Inman was sent out with 25 men to meet and skirmish with the enemy as soon as they crossod the Laoree river.
15. "The sound of their denms and bugle horns soon an- nonneed their movemouts. Captain Inman had orders to fire mid recreat at his own discretion. This stratagem, which was the captain's own idea, succeeded admirably, and drew the enemy ont in disorlor. they supposing that they had forced the whole party. When they came up within seventy-five yards a most destructive fire was poured in upon them by the American ritlemen who were behind the breastwork.
Is oft was an hour before they were able to move the Anexome in the slightest degree from their slender works. Inst as they were beginning to give way in some parts Colonel
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Innes was wounded, and all the British officers, except one of inferior rank. having already been either killed or wounded. und Captain Hassey, a noted tory lender, being sher down. the enemy's whole line began a retreat.
17. "The Americans pursued closely and drove them across the river. In this pursuit Captain Shadrach Inman, who had formerly rendered great service in Georgia, and elsewhere. was killed, bravely fighting hand to hand. The British loss was 13 killed and 160 wounded and taken. The American loss was four killed and nine woundel. Among the killed was Captain Inman; among the wounded. Colonel Clarke and Captain Clarke.
IS. "The Americans after the fight returned to their Lorses. and mounted with a determination to be. before night. at Ninety-Six, then a weak British port not thirty miles distant. But just at this time an express came from General Mc- Dowell with a letter from Governor Caswell of North Caro- ling, written on the battle ground, giving information of the defeat of Herand Glass on the 14th near Camden, and ad- vising him to Lop out of the way, as the enemy. no doubt. would improve the opportunity to break up all the small parties of the Americans
19. "General Shelby was acquainted with Governor Caswell's hand writing and knew that the information was to be de- pretuled upon. Distributing the ,pri-ouers among the mea. giving one to every three, Lifting them at intervals from horse to horse, they made directly for the mountains. They marched all day and all night and nearly all next day. Col- and Shelby. after seeing the prisoners and the men out of dauger, retreated with his own followers to the Western waters. The prisoners in charge of Colonels Clarke and Williams were carried into Virginit for safe keeping; for at that time there was uot the appearance of a corps of Ameri- raus south of that State. The panic following the defeat of
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Sumter and Gates caused the corps of McDowell's army t. disperse. some to the West and some to the North."
20. The brilliancy of this affair was obscured. as well as that of all the minor incidents of the war up to this time. by the deep gloom that fell upon the public after the defest of Gates.
QUESTIONS. -- I. What did Clinton do after conquering the state : Whom dil he leave in command in the South? How did the British treat the Carolluians ?
2. Menitiou three active leaders in this state.
3. Where was Marion's field ? Suiter's? Pickens' ? How were their men armed ?
4. How were the cavalry armed and how did they Sght ?
5. By whom was Sumter chosen leader? What can you say of b's wife? What can you say of the equipment of his men ?
6. How were armis supplied ?
; How long did peace reign after the British had overrun the state : What did Rawdon order the men near Camden to do when Gates an- proached that place ? What did he do to those who refused ?
8. Describe the battle of Williams' plantation.
9. How had Captain Huck made himself odious ?
Io. How many men had Sutter at this time? What did he do: What can you say of the engagement at Hanging Rock ?
fr. What gave hope to the people of the state ?
12. Tell of the American forces at the battle of Musgrove Mills. Brit. ish forces.
13. What is said of the ride of the Americans ?
14. Why did they not attack at once ? Who was sent to skirmish ?
15. What stratagem did Inman employ ?
16. How long was it before the British were able to move the Ameri- caas? Who were killed or wounded at this juncture ? What did the British do ?
17. Who won the victory ? Give the losses on both sides.
Is. Where did the Americans determine to go ? Why did they not do so ?
19. Where did they go ?
20. Why was the brilliancy of this battle obscured ?
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CHAPTER XXVI
BARON DE KALB. GATES PUT IN COMMAND OF THE THE SOUTHERN ARMY. BATTLE OF CAMDEN.
1. During the singo of Charlestowe. Major-General Baron DeKalb with 1.400 Continental troops, consisting of the Mary- land and Delaware line, was ordered to the South. They left headquarters at Norristown. New Jersey, on April 16, 1750, embarked at the head of the Elk river in May. and landed soon after at Petersburg. in Virginia, and from that place went overland to South Carolina. The country through which they passed was thinly settled and poor, so that the hardships they endured were very sovere.
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