USA > South Carolina > The history of South Carolina, from its first European discovery to its erection into a republic: with a supplementary chronicle of events to the present time > Part 19
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"Thus the lives, liberties, and properties of the peo- ple, were dependent solely on the pleasure of British officers, who deprived them of either, or all, on the most frivolous pretences. Indians, slaves, and a desperate banditti, of the most profligate character, were caressed and employed by the enemy to execute their infamous purposes. Devastation and ruin marked their progress and that of their adherents; nor were their violences restrained by the charms or influence of beauty and inno- cence. Even the fair sex, whom it is the duty of all,
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and the pride and pleasure of the brave, to protect, they, and their tender offspring, were victims to the inveterate malice of an unrelenting foe. Neither the tears of mothers, nor the cries of infants, could excite in their hearts pity or compassion. Not only the fearful habita- tions of the widow, the aged and the infirm, but the holy temples of the Most High, were consumed in flames kindled by their sacrilegious hands. They have tarnished the glory of the British arms, disgraced the profession of the British soldier, and fixed indelible stigmas of rapine, cruelty, perfidy and profaneness on the British name !
" But I can now congratulate you, and I do so most cordially, on the pleasing change of affairs, which, under the blessing of God, the wisdom, prudence, address and bravery of the great and gallant general Greene, and the intrepidity of the officers and men under his command, has been happily effected. His successes have been more rapid and complete than the most sanguine could have expected. The enemy, compelled to surrender or evacuate every post which they held in the country, frequently defeated and driven from place to place, are obliged to seek refuge under the walls of Charlestown, and on islands in its vicinity. We have now the full and absolute possession of every other part of the state, and the legislative, executive and judicial powers are in the free exercise of their respective authorities."
The governor proceeded to recommend the embod- iment of a regular force of state troops, and a re-organi- zation of the militia. Another important matter which he suggested for their consideration, was the " conduct of such of our citizens as voluntarily avowing their alle-
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giance, and even glorying in their professions of loyalty and attachment to his Britannic majesty, have offered their congratulations on the successes of his arms- prayed to be embodied as royal militia, accepted commis- sions in his service, and endeavored to subvert our con- stitution and establish his power in its stead; of those who have returned to the state in defiance of a law by which such return was declared to be a capital offence, and have abetted the British interest ; and of such whose behavior has been so reprehensible that justice and policy forbid their free re-admission to the rights and privileges of citizens."
" The extraordinary lenity of this state," continues this address, "has been remarkably conspicuous. Other states have thought it just and expedient to appropriate the property of British subjects to the public use ; but we have forborne to take even the profits of the estates of our most implacable enemies."
Governor Rutledge concluded with recommending immediate attention to the currency, which had become worthless as a tender, and proposed to repeal the law by which it withdrew the legal sanction to its circulation.
The legislature proceeded to business in a spirit corresponding with that which the governor's speech had shown. Laws were passed for confiscating the property of certain persons, and banishing them from the state ; for amercing the estates of others of whose personal services the country had been deprived. The preamble to the act of confiscation, relating the reasons which justified the measure, declared it to be a measure of retal- iation for, like confiscations made by the British author
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ities of the property of the patriots. But the most efficacious reason for the adoption of this measure, was the necessity of the case. The state was wholly des- titute of funds ; no immediate resources could be had either by loan or taxation, and the estates of the loyalists presented the only means for establishing a fund upon which to build a temporary credit. The indulgence of the state authorities, subsequently released the rigor of this act in the case of many of the individuals upon whom it bore, whose names were stricken from the records which chronicled their shame and forfeiture.
The legislature, among other acts, originated a bill for vesting in general Greene, in consideration of his services, the sum of ten thousand guineas-a gift which furnished an example to the states of Georgia and North Carolina, which they promptly followed. The former voted him five thousand guineas, and the latter twenty-four thousand acres of land.
Governor Rutledge was succeeded in the executive chair of South Carolina by John Matthews. The office was tendered first to Christopher Gadsden, who declined it because of his infirmities and age. The military ope- rations of the opposing forces seemed almost entirely suspended during the session of the legislature. The British were paralyzed, and never ventured from the cover of their strong hold, and the Americans were too feeble to attempt them there. The fall of Cornwallis, however, brought to Greene a small portion of the army which had been employed against him, under the com- mand of the famous general Wayne, and he was enabled to assume a more active character in his operations.
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Hc dispatched Wayne with a detachment to Georgia; and this general, by a series of small but sharp engage- ments, succeeded in circumscribing the movements of the British in that state to the limits of Savannah, as Greene, in South Carolina, had forced them within the walls of Charlestown. The subsequent evacuation of Savannah, filled the Carolinians with a lively hope that their chief city would also soon be rescued from the hands of the enemy. The British garrison at Savannah was added to that of Charlestown ; while Wayne, having completed the duties upon which he had been sent to Georgia, re-united his division to the main army under Greene.
The successes of Greene's detachments operating on his left, were not so brilliant as those of Wayne. The brigade of Marion suffered some reverses, which were due only to a want of strength. The country from the Edisto to the Santee became thrown open in conse- quence, for a time, to the ravages of the enemy ; and a party of loyalists, under the command of William Cun- ningham,-familiarly known by the epithet of " Bloody Bill Cunningham,"-escaped from the lower country and ascended the Saluda with a body of three hundred horse.
This movement was made in concert with the Cherokee Indians, and demanded all the vigilance of Pickens, who held watch upon the borders. Rapid as was the progress of this marauding party, their tracks were made every where in blood. But the whig hunters turned out with spirit, and under popular leaders the tories were routed and dispersed. A portion of them fled to the Cherokees,
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and drew upon the savages another chastisement, such as had already more than once thinned their warriors, de- stroyed their villages, and diminished their hunting grounds.
The daily extension of general Greene's troops to the southward and eastward, and the contraction of his cordon around the land limits of the British, soon began to be felt by general Leslie, their commander. His foraging ground became too small to yield a subsistence to the large numbers of horses which had accumulated within his lines, in consequence of his calling in his detachments, and he was reduced to the necessity, in order to relieve himself of this difficulty, of putting two hundred of these animals to death.
An alarm excited in the American camp, on the ru- mored approach of the enemy with strong re-inforcements, led to an order to Marion to repair to head quarters with all the force that he could gather. This command was promptly obeyed ; but a detachment of mounted infantry was left at Monk's Corner, to watch the motions of the en- emy, who, by means of Cooper river, had free access in their boats and gallies, to that neighborhood. To destroy this detachment in Marion's absence, a force of three hundred and fifty men were transported by water from Charlestown. The sudden return of Marion, with all his brigade, from the camp of Greene-an event quite unex- pected by the enemy-enabled him partly to defeat their enterprise. His force did not equal that which was ar- rayed against him, but he nevertheless resolved upon attacking it. In order to detain the enemy, he dispatched colonels Richardson and Sevier, and a part of Mayhem's
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horse, with orders to throw themselves in front of the British, and engage them until he should come up with the main body. The order was gallantly executed .- The British advance was charged and driven near St. Thomas' muster house, by captain Smith, of Mayhem's cavalry, and their leader, captain Campbell, with several others, fell in the flight. Unhappily, the pursuit was urged too warmly. The pursuers were met by captain Coffin, who, at the head of his cavalry, charged and dis- persed them in turn. This event left Marion too weak to hazard an engagement, while the enemy were very well content to continue their march without attempting to force him to it.
The British expedition, by the timely interposition of Marion's force; resulted in nothing more than their cap- ture of a small number of cattle, with which they retired across Wappetaw to Haddrill's Point, where, and at Hobcaw, they had established posts to facilitate the movements of strong parties which were continually alert in procuring provisions, the want of which began to be felt in the garrison.
The brigade of Marion had always been one of the most efficient in the service, at once remarkable for the vigilance and the valor of its officers and men. Unhap- pily, however, a question of precedence with respect to rank, arose between two of the former, both of them highly distinguished as leaders, and particularly esteemed by their commander. These were colonels Horry and Mayhem. During the absence of Marion, in attendance upon the legislature, the command was given to Horry ; upon which preference-a preference due to the seniority
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of the latter as an officer-Mayhem separated his corps from the brigade, which lay at Wambaw, posted them higher up the river, and then proceeded to the legislature, of which he was also a member. In this affair colonel Mayhem was unquestionably in fault. Greene and Ma- rion endeavored to reconcile the discontented officer, but without success ; and while the dispute was pending, and, perhaps, in consequence of the withdrawal of Mayhem's horse from the command of Horry, the latter was surprised by a strong detachment of infantry, artillery and cavalry, under colonel Thomson,-afterwards more renowned and generally known as count Rumford-and the brigade dispersed. On hearing this intelligence, Marion put himself at the head of Mayhem's regiment, which he had reached but a few hours before, and hurried on towards Wambaw, the scene of the surprise, to check the enemy and collect the fugitives. Arrived within five miles of the British, he halted to refresh his men and horses, and while the latter were unbitted and feeding, the whole of the enemy's cavalry made their appearance.
If the Americans were unprepared for the encounter- and it was Mayhem's opinion that a charge of the British, if ordered immediately on coming into view, would have dispersed the regiment-the enemy seemed as little disposed to take advantage of their surprise. Seeing that they not only halted, but exhibited appear- ances of indecision and alarm, Marion, though with a force only half as numerous, resolved to attack them. The indecision of the British had allowed the Americans full time to mount their horses and recover ; and they moved to the extremity of a lane, through which they were to
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issue, with a firm and fearless countenance. Though greatly fewer in number than the foe, the Americans were better mounted ; and frequent exercise and repeated successes, had inspired them with a confidence in them- selves which almost made them heedless of any odds. But they were destined, by one of those counter events which disturb and defeat equally the hopes and the calculations of men, to lose "a glorious opportunity," in the language of Marion, "of cutting up the British cavalry."
The front section was led by an officer of approved courage, who, in a very recent affair, had signally dis- tinguished himself. It is Napoleon, however, who says " that every man has his moment of fear ;" and it was seemingly at some such unlucky moment, that the leading officer was required to begin the battle. He led his section forward, until, emerging from the cover of the lane at its extremity, and in the face of the foe, instead of charging boldly before him, he dashed aside into the forests on his right, and drew after him the whole regi- ment in irretrievable confusion. Vainly seeking to ar- rest their flight, Marion himself was borne away by the crowd, and narrowly escaped falling a victim to their miserable panic. Many of the fugitives had to quit their horses, and disembarrass themselves of their boots and armor, to pass a deep creek which lay in their way. It was fortunate that some alarm prevailed in the hostile ranks. The British were doubtful of their victory ; and, apprehensive of ambuscade, did not pursue with prompt- ness and resolution. They suffered some precious time to elapse before they moved in pursuit ; and but few of
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the Americans were killed or taken. They were no less confounded at their bloodless victory, than was Marion mortified at a defeat so shameful.
Marion's force thus dispersed, was, however, not an- nihilated. This brave partisan possessed, in a singular degree, the love and confidence of his countrymen, and the men who followed him were generally of that elastic temper which no reverses can subdue, and no defeat keep inactive. Wherever he made his appearance known, his recruits rapidly gathered around him; and falling back upon the Pedee, he collected the scattered fragments of Horry's brigade, and withdrew, till better times, to the Santee. The triumph of the enemy was but of short duration. Colonel Thompson retired before a detach- ment from Greene's army, under colonel Laurens, and took post at Cainhoy, where he was too strongly posted to apprehend any attack in his position from the American detachment.
Laurens returned beyond the Ashley, where Greene, from want of resources of all kinds, troops, ammunition and provisions, was compelled to remain comparatively inactive. The subsistence of the southern army, for the last eighteen months of the war, had been derived altogether from South Carolina. Even the detached army under Wayne in Georgia, was supplied with pro- visions from the sister state. Without regarding the amount of her quota, South Carolina took it upon herself to supply the troops; and at the close of the war, she was found to be the largest creditor state in the Union. When it is considered how many years she had been the seat of active and unremitting warfare, and how long
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she had been engaged in supporting two armies, in spite of the interruption of her agriculture, and the devastation of her plains, it will rather be matter of surprise that it should have been done at all, than that it should not have been done in better manner. The greater wonder is, how any soldiers could be kept together under circum- stances such as those which prevailed in Greene's army.
He writes about this time, to the president of Congress, " we have three hundred men without arms, and more than a thousand so naked for want of clothing, that they can only be put on duty in cases of desperate necessity. Men in this situation, without pay or spirits, it is difficult to tell what charm keeps them together. I believe that it is nothing but the pride of the army and the severity of discipline that supports them under their sufferings."
The south has reason to be proud of such soldiers ; and the wonder how they should have triumphed finally over the wealth, the valor, and the strength of Britain, and her thousand mercenaries, becomes proportionably lessened in the contemplation of a record such as this.
The only relief for the army in this deplorable condi- tion, was derived chiefly from a specific contribution, voluntarily yielded by the inhabitants-a source of relief, by the way, which, throughout the war, brought its small but timely aid frequently for its temporary preservation. In addition to this, a contraband trade was opened with certain merchants in Charlestown, and carried on with the concurrence of the governor and council, through the medium of an agent near the army, and under the keen and vigilant eyes of colonels Lee and Laurens,-by which
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in return for rice, such goods as answered the more pressing wants of the Americans, were furnished from the city. The removal of the army, upon the adjournment of the legislature, down to Bacon's Bridge, at the head of Ashley river, facilitated this trade by opening a boat communication with the city. The produce from these arrangements, though small and precarious, somewhat relieved the distresses of the army. To its general good behavior and unshaken integrity, under such heavy wants as it had been compelled to endure, we must record one sad and singular exception.
No longer able to meet the Americans in the field, the British employed another agent of warfare, which they have, perhaps, been as little reluctant to use as other and far less civilized nations. This was corruption. The near neighborhood of the American army, within twenty miles of the city, suggested to the enemy a design of working upon its distresses, and fermenting those dis- contents, which they well knew must arise in every body of men, whose condition is such as that of the American army. An emissary had succeeded in tampering with the soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, five sergeants and twelve soldiers of which had been bought over to the purposes of the enemy.
Had the zeal of these wretches in behalf of their new employers not prompted them to make an experiment on the fidelity of the Marylanders, the most fatal consequen- ces might have ensued to the whole army. But the sound principles of these long tried and noble fellows sustained them against temptation. Their integrity, the quick ears of one of their camp women, and the vigor and
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vigilance of colonel Harmer, furnished the evidence for fastening the crime upon one Gornell, their leader. His arrest, and that of four other sergeants, was the signal for the flight of twelve of the same line, who broke away and escaped to the enemy on the very night on which he was taken. The plot had been rapidly ripening. Symp- toms of mutiny had appeared in the American camp, and the movements in that of the enemy were conclusive of a scheme of simultaneous operation between the foe and the insurgents. The American commander acted with decision. His outposts were soon moved to head quarters, Marion recalled from the Santee, and the army held in constant readiness for battle. Gornell, the ring- leader of the mutineers, was tried and condemned ; and with his execution, and the close confinement of his four confederates, every appearance of mutinous temper ceased in the encampment.
With this attempt terminated all serious efforts of the British against the main body of the southern army. The day of thepower was rapidly passing away ; and the resolution of the British parliament, to withdraw their forces from America, and put an end to a war in which they had lost an empire, and incurred, with the shame of such a loss, the worse reproach of having in the progress of the warfare lost their reputation for justice, magna- nimity, and the noblest qualities of a civilized and chris- tian people,-prepared the way for the evacuation of Charlestown.
When the vote of the British parliament for discontin- uing aggressive war in America, was communicated to gen eral Leslie, he proposed to general Greene a cessation
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of hostilities,-and that he should be permitted to receive and purchase from the planters such supplies as he might need or desire.
Greene referred the first proposition to congress ; to the second he gave a flat refusal, declaring his resolution to prevent all supplies from going into Charleston, except so far as his contracts for clothing made it necessary. To this refusal, Leslie replied by a threat of taking his provisions by force, and commenced his operations for that purpose. Greene, accordingly, prepared to oppose him. Marion was ordered to strengthen himself, so as to meet the enemy in the quarter where he commanded; while a strong detachment was formed, under general Gist, to cover the country lying south and west of the position of the army. Gist's brigade comprised the cavalry of the legion, and that of the third and fourth Virginia regiments, under colonel Baylor ; the infantry of the legion; the dismounted dragoons of the third regiment ; the Delawares, and one hundred men from the line, under major Beale. The whole of the infantry was placed under command of colonel Laurens. Thus pre- pared for all events, Greene flattered himself that he should be able to neutralize the efforts of Leslie, and laugh at his threatenings. Some glimpses at this time, of a gentler influence than that of war, began to prevail in the Amer- ican camp.
The arrival of general Greene's wife, who joined her husband on the 28th of March, contributed to enliven the monotony of an army in a state of inactivity. The presence of the Americans in force, necessarily brought back the planters and their families, who dwelt in the
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neighborhood. These were wealthy and hospitable, and the gratitude which they felt for their deliverers, delighted to show itself in the generous forms of convivial enter- tainment. A gallant passage from Johnson's narrative of the events of this period, may fitly conclude this chapter.
" In modern ages and nations,"-he might have said, in all ages and most nations-" the transition from war to love has ever been direct and uniform. The army abounded in gallant young officers, and the country in wealthy, elegant and accomplished women. The laurels of the former were 'readily laid down at the feet of the latter, and received with approving smiles. Those who had re-conquered the country, were liberally admitted to a participation in its wealth and treasures; the feudal service exacted was a willing submission to that power which conquers all. Many were the matrimonial con- nections to which this period gave rise, between the the officers of the army and the heiresses of Carolina and Georgia ; and it is needless to add, that they yielded a valuable acquisition, both to the population and the society of the country."
CHAPTER XXVII.
The military events of this period were rapidly draw- ing to a close. They involved no affairs of leading importance. Early in April, Marion re-crossed the San- tee river, with a small force of two hundred militia and Mayhem's horse, reduced to one hundred and twenty. It was general Greene's wish that he should take post as near as possible to the enemy, in order to straighten his limits beyond Cooper river, and to enable colonel Laurens to pass the Ashley, and close upon the enemy between the latter river and Goose Creek. But not being able to mount his infantry, it became necessary to take post on the Santee, at a point which would enable him to effect the double purpose of securing a retreat, and forming a junction with any party when necessary, either at Huger's bridge, over the west branch of Cooper river, from which he was twenty miles distant, or at Strawberry ferry, which was twenty-five from his posi- tion. His cavalry, meanwhile, patrolled the country within view of the enemy's posts at Haddrell and Hobcaw, to check the incursions of the British in that quarter, and obtain the earliest intelligence of their move- ments.
To relieve himself once more from a neighbor who had always proved so troublesome, general Leslie prevailed upon a Scotchman, under the feigned character of a deserter, to penetrate the country into the settlements
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of the Scots loyalists, and persuade them to make such movements as would recall Marion to that quarter. The unfortunate agent, on his return from this duty, was inter- cepted and executed by Marion. But he had done his work ; the loyalists were excited, and under major Gainey, of Pedee, a tory leader of considerable local celebrity, appeared in arms.
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