USA > South Carolina > The history of South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775-1780 > Part 2
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CHAPTER IX 1776
The whole western frontier again ablaze - Indians on the war-path - The terrors to which the Revolution exposed those in the interior - Cap- tain John Stuart escapes from Charlestown - From Florida he opens communication with the Cherokees and General Gage - Sends Alexander Cameron to the Cherokees, and Moses Kirkland to Gage - Sketch of Cam- eron and of his character - Council of Safety determines to secure Cam- eron's person - Enterprise intrusted to James McCall - He starts upon the mission - Falls into the hands of the Indians- Ensign Calhoun killed - McCall's captivity - Indians torture a youth - McCall escapes - Uprising of Indians arranged as diversion to British fleet and army on coast - Massacre of the Hamptons - Williamson gathers a force and marches against the Cherokees - Is surprised - Fight at Essenecca - Mr. Salvador killed and scalped - Indians defeated - Williamson pursues and burns their villages - His force increased, makes campaign in connec- tion with forces from North Carolina and Virginia in which the Chero- kees are utterly subdued, and cede large tract of territory - Mistake made in refusing Cuningham's proffered services - Loyalists from Carolina and Georgia gather in Florida under Browne and McGirth - The case of McGirth - Lee determines an invasion of Florida - Is called to the North - Howe's disastrous expedition - Gadsden and Moultrie made Brigadier Generals -Other promotions. 186-204.
CHAPTER X 1777-78
History of South Carolina from henceforth that of the State- Agita- tion for disestablishment of Church - Its effect upon the churchmen who inaugurated the Revolution - Rev. Mr. Tennent's memorial - Colonel
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Hill's account of its reception in the upper country - New Assembly meets- President Rutledge's speech - Replies of Council and Assembly - Its members returned by no popular election - Debate on disestablish- ment of Church - Mr. Tennent's able speech - Richard Hutson's letter to Isaac Hayne - Subject postponed - Ordinance of allegiance - Seal of State adopted - Harbor of Charlestown blockaded - Blockade-running - Privateers and prizes - South Carolina fits out a fleet - Prizes taken - Alexander Gillon appointed Commodore and sent to Europe to purchase frigates - His difficulties, and what he accomplished - Cost of the experi- ment to the State - Blockade-running continued - Fortunes made and lost - Extravagant price of provisions - Act against engrossing - Dr. Ramsay's account of the currency - Ruinous effect of its fluctuation - Scaling scheme adopted by British authorities upon fall of Charlestown. 205-228.
CHAPTER XI 1778
Disasters to American cause following battle of Fort Moultrie - Tide turned at Saratoga - General Assembly reconvenes - President's address - Submits Articles of Confederation, declares for the sovereignty and in- dependence of America- Measures suggested - Disastrous fire takes place in Charlestown - Suspicion that fire was the work of incendiaries from British fleet off bar - Fleet made up and sent out, under Biddle, to clear the coast- Company of Continentals sent with it as marines, against the advice of military council - Biddle falls in with British gun ship -Fight ensues, the Randolph blown up, the whole company of Continentals lost- Legislature undertakes to amend Constitution of 1776, disestab- lishes Church, and substitutes a Senate for Legislative Council - Rawlins Lowndes supports Gadsden and William Henry Drayton in the measure - Bill passed - Rutledge vetoes it, and resigns - His speech in doing so - Action of Assembly thereon - Resignation accepted - Resolution of thanks proposed - Debated and passed - Inconsistent conduct of both Rutledge and Lowndes - Arthur Middleton chosen President, but declines - Raw- lins Lowndes elected, and accepts - Approves the new Constitution - James Parsons elected Vice President, but resigns - Christopher Gads- den elected - His dissatisfaction. 229-245.
CHAPTER XII 1778
Effect produced in Europe by Burgoyne's surrender - Lord North's con- ciliatory acts passed by both Houses of Parliament - Duty on tea repealed - Peace Commissioners appointed - Measure too late - France inter-
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venes- The memorable incident of Chatham's last speech, protesting against dismemberment of empire- His death - The scene a part of the history of South Carolina - Hostile sentiment to the French - Copy of conciliatory acts received - Action of Continental Congress thereon - The door closed to the commissioners before arrival - Gazette's announce- ment of Lord North's speech introducing conciliatory acts - Arrival of Silas Deane with dispatches from American Plenipotentiary at Court of France, and treaty executed - Peace commissioners, from England, arrive - French ambassador quits London - Peace commissioners dis- patch secretary to Congress - Secretary refused passport - Forwards let- ter through military posts - Contents of letter - Henry Laurens's letter as President of Congress in answer - Commissioner's reply - Unfortu- nate conduct of Governor Johnston, one of the commissioners; his private letters to individuals- Mr. Laurens's admirable reply - Mr. Drayton's - Governor Johnston resigns - British commissioners' last efforts - Their attempt to open negotiations with the colonies directly - Manifesto and paper sent by flag to President Lowndes- He returns the paper. 246- 265.
CHAPTER XIII 1778
President Lowndes's uncomfortable position - People impatient under any other rule but Rutledge's - Stringent test oath of allegiance enacted - Its enforcement impracticable- President Lowndes's embarrassment - By Gadsden's advice, time for taking oath extended by proclamation - Proclamation taken from hands of sheriff - Gadsden's letter to Drayton on the subject - The " Old Leven " enjoy Gadsden's discomfiture - Timothy publishes proclamation - Proclamation skilfully drawn - Mcet- ing of citizens resolve that test oath act be strictly enforced - Act not enforced ; legislature indorses acting President and Council in the matter - Letter in Gazette upon the subject - Gadsden's letter to Dray- ton on occurrences of the time, and his resignation - Disaffection of the people with the French alliance - Riot in Boston between American and French seamen - Similar riot in Charlestown, lives are lost ; Presi- dent Lowndes issues proclamation for apprehension of one supposed to have killed a Frenchman - Sends message to legislature on the subject - Another urging more attention to the coming election of New Assem- bly - Election takes place - No party lines drawn - New Assembly meets - John Rutledge elected Governor under new Constitution - Thomas Heyward, Jr., Lieutenant Governor - He declines - Thomas Bee elected - Privy Council chosen, 266-282.
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CHAPTER XIV
1778
War transferred to the South - Military defence of colonies based on no general uprising of the people - No reliance to be had on militia - Theory of the Revolutionists that of a regular army - Military system inadequate and inefficient - Scheme of reorganization of the army - Military statistics of same examined - South Carolina's financial con- tribution to the Revolution - But she too far away for assistance - Her forces to meet the invasion -Gadsden's question with Howe as to command ; his letter to Drayton on subject ; resigns his commission ; resignation accepted ; his mortification thereat ; his duel with Howe - South Carolina's appeal for assistance unanswered - Great discontent - Remains of Pulaski's nondescript corps and Colonel Laumoy arrive - Colonel John Laurens comes with suggestion to arm the negro slaves - Suggestion disapproved by Washington - Rejected with scorn - North Carolina's assistance to South Carolina - Singular correspondence with delegates in Congress on the subject. 283-320.
CHAPTER XV
1778-79
South Carolina now to be the theatre of the war - Howe resumes expedition to Florida - Discord and suffering - A council of war orders a retreat - Brilliant episode of Colonel Elbert - He takes three Brit- ish vessels - Prévost allows Howe's expedition to exhaust itself - Is instructed to cooperate with expedition from New York - Advances, but fails to effect junction - Plunders the country - Howe calls for reënforce- ments - Moultrie sends Huger and Henderson - Prévost falls back -- Expedition from New York arrives - Character of Colonel Campbell, its commander - Naval force, commanded by Hyde Parker, ably cooperates - Forces composing the expedition - Campbell immediately attacks Howe and defeats him - Takes Savannah - Howe's loss - Lower part of Georgia submits - General Lincoln arrives and relieves Howe - Lin- coln finds no army to command - President Lowndes lays a general embargo - Appoints Richardson, Bull, and Williamson Brigadier Gen- erals - Militia unruly - North Carolina sends militia under Ashe and Rutherford without arms- Moultrie moves to Purrysburg - Howe ordered to join Washington - Remnants of his army join Lincoln at Purrysburg. 321-332.
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CHAPTER XVI
1779
Correspondence between General Moultrie and Colonel Charles Pinck- ney - Uncertain relation of the Continental Congress and the States - Militia refuse to be governed by articles of war - A militiaman muti- nies - Court ordered for his trial - Militia officers refuse to take oaths under articles of war - Lincoln refuses to pay militia not amenable to discipline - Correspondence between Moultrie and Pinckney upon subject - Prévost forms junction with Campbell - Campbell advances upon Au- gusta - Williamson recrosses Savannah into South Carolina - Inhabitants of Georgia flock to Campbell and renew allegiance - Colonel Hamilton's North Carolina Loyalists - His character - Loyalists of North Carolina rising under Boyd - Pickens appears as a leader - Prévost's junction between Hamilton and Boyd - Pickens attacks Boyd at Kettle Creek and defeats him - Character of the Loyalists taken - Tried for treason, and five executed - Campbell recalled - Major Gardiner makes lodge- ment on Port Royal Island - Moultrie attacks Gardiner and defeats him - Charlestown battalion of artillery engaged - Captain Heyward wounded - Losses on both sides - Stringent militia law enacted - The provisions examined - Mutinous condition of militia - Different divisions of forces in the field - The battle of Brier Creek - Ashe defeated and routed - Fruits of Pickens's victory lost - Fires in Charlestown arouse suspicion - Tweed, Groundwater, Duer, and Remmington taken attempting to go to enemy - Tried for treason - Tweed convicted of having set fire to his own house -Tweed and Groundwater executed - Pinckney's letter to Moultrie on subject - Governor Rutledge establishes permanent camp at Orangeburgh - Disagreement of Rutledge, Moultrie, and Lincoln as to treatment of neutrals -Council of war advises carrying the war into Georgia. 333-349.
CHAPTER XVII 1779
Lincoln marches with Continentals for Augusta - Leaves Moultrie with militia at Purrysburg - Lincoln learns of Prévost's intention to cross into South Carolina - Warns Huger - Rutledge goes to concert measures with Lincoln - Lieutenant Governor Bee zealously supports Moultrie - Prévost crosses into South Carolina - Moultrie sends dispatch to Lincoln and falls back to Tullifiny Hill-John Laurens in command of rear- guard ; disregards instructions ; brings on an engagement ; is worsted and wounded - Moultrie falls back to Salkehatchie - Lincoln follows-Moul-
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trie appeals to Lincoln to come to his assistance - Militia desert to take care of their families - Moultrie reaches Dorchester - Different bodies marching to Charlestown without common purpose - British army in close pursuit - Lincoln approaching slowly - Rutledge, Moultrie, and Harris reach the city - Moultrie's mistake in going into the city - He posts his troops on the lines - Lincoln crosses the river at Ashley Ferry - Approaches the city - Pulaski reconnoitres, and is driven in - Colonel Kowatch killed - Major Huger killed on the lines - Conflict of authority between Governor Rutledge and General Moultrie - Consequent confusion - Curious arrangement made - Differences of estimate as to forces present - Rutledge sends message to Prévost inquiring as to terms of capitulation - Prévost replies - Rutledge summons Council to consider Prévost's terms - Members of Council - Discussion as to strength of gar- rison - Work on lines continued - Prévost demands work to cease dur- ing truce - Moultrie sends message to Prévost, asking conference - Prévost refuses to confer- Two versions of proposition for capitulation made by Council - Deliberations of Council divulged - Populace threat- ens Council - Rutledge stands firm - Different versions of proposition considered - Laurens refuses to carry message to Prévost - Moultrie sends it by McIntosh and Smith - Prévost rejects proposition - Next morning Prévost disappears - Conduct of each party discussed. 350-381.
CHAPTER XVIII 1779
Lincoln reaches Dorchester too late to intercept Prévost - Prévost establishes a port on the Stono - Lincoln determines to attack it, but is deterred by Pulaski's report - Disaffection to Lincoln - He asks leave to retire - His patriotic letter - Advises with Rutledge upon plan of opera- tions -Lincoln determines to attack Prévost's reduced force on Stono - Instructs Moultrie to cross with city militia, and cooperate with his movements under Huger - Lincoln begins his advance - Moultrie fails to secure boats, and does not move as directed - The battle of Stono is fought - Lincoln is repulsed - British, under Maitland, escape- Moul- trie responsible for the failure - Roberts killed - Davie wounded - Losses on both sides - Brilliant affair of galleys in the Stono - Prévost establishes post at Beaufort and returns to Georgia - effect of Prévost's inroad - Carries away immense plunder ; makes many enemies to the Royal cause- Cruel treatment of negroes- Many shipped and sold to West Indies - Many die - Conduct of expedition condemned by British historians -Lincoln's trouble with militia - Affairs on James Island - Robert Barnwell terribly wounded - Party taken - Brilliant naval affairs. 382-398.
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CHAPTER XIX
1779
Count D'Estaing's success in West Indies-Governor Rutledge, Gen- eral Lincoln, and French consul apply to D'Estaing to visit American coast and cooperate with Lincoln - He sails and arrives off Charlestown bar- General Assembly passes another militia law - Lincoln's army established at Beaufort - Jasper as a scout - D'Estaing informs Lincoln of readiness to cooperate - Enthusiasm aroused - Militia drafted - Vol- unteers join expedition - British commanders learn of D'Estaing's pres- ence -Steps taken thereon - French fleet anchors off Savannah bar - D'Estaing lands, advances on Savannah, and demands surrender in name of the king of France - Offence taken thereat, and suspicion aroused - Prévost negotiates to gain time - Maitland succeeds in reaching Savannah from Beaufort - Prévost sends answer of defiance - Opportunity of tak- ing the town lost - Prevost awaits attack - Asks that women and children be allowed to leave the town - Request refused - D'Estaing insists upon immediate assault - Assault determined on by council of war - Informa- tion of it carried to Prévost - Disposition of Prévost for receiving assault - Order of battle of allies not carried out - Brilliant assault of French and Carolinians - Colors of Second South Carolina Regiment planted on redoubt - Jasper's death - Assault repulsed - Battle lost - Losses - 1)'Estaing refuses to continue siege - His insolent conduct - Ill feeling between French and Americans - D'Estaing embarks his troops, and Lincoln retreats. 399-419.
CHAPTER XX 1780
Review of British operations in the Northern States -Sir Henry Clin- ton appointed Commander-in-chief of British forces - Plan of the minis- try for carrying war "from South to North "- The capture of Charles- town the first step - Admiral Arbuthnot arrives at New York with fleet and troops - Number of British troops in America - Arbuthnot's arrival facilitates Sir Henry's movements - Expedition fitted out - Washington informed of Sir Henry's movements - Detailed statement of Lincoln's forces in South Carolina - Colonel John Laurens sent to Washington for reënforcements - Washington sends North Carolina Continental brigade - Also determines to send the Virginia line - Washington's letter to Colonel Woodford - Colonel Washington joins Huger at Monck's Corner - Woodford arrives in Charlestown - Other reinforcements received -
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Lincoln's assurance of militia to be sent here, but few come - Number received - Sir Henry Clinton embarks with Earl Cornwallis - Fleet dis- persed by storm - Cavalry horses lost- Effect of its delay - British troops disembark on John's Island - Advance cautiously - Dictatorial powers conferred upon John Rutledge - Rutledge issues proclamation calling out militia - Sir Henry Clinton issues counter proclamation - Militia refuse to respond to Rutledge's call - Rutledge sends Colonel Ter- nant to Havanna to ask for assistance - Fails to obtain it - Sir Henry Clinton also calls for reënforcements - His numbers - Lincoln sends Moul- trie to Bacon's Bridge - Numbers of Moultrie's command - Moultrie's reports to Lincoln -Case of " Colonel Ballendine" - Commodore Whipple proposes to abandon the bar - Lincoln protests against its abandonment - The proper position for Whipple to have taken - Whipple withdraws his fleet - Guns taken out, ships sunk - British vessels cross the bar - Washington's letter on subject - Lincoln's letter giving reasons why defence of city was made - His reasons considered. 420-444.
CHAPTER XXI 1780
Sir Henry Clinton's delay in investment of the town - Begins his movements - Thomas Farr, Speaker of House, captured - Battery appears on Fenwick's Point, others afterward - Patterson arrives with reënforce- ments from Savannah - British parties by mistake fire upon each other - Tarleton secures remounts for his cavalry - Joins Patterson - Sketch of Tarleton - Terms of General Lillington's North Carolina militia expire ; they abandon Lincoln - Their places partially supplied by country militia, who are put under command of General McIntosh - St. Michael's steeple painted black - Timothy takes post in a watch tower and reports the British movements - Tarleton raids Bee's plantation - First meets Colonel Washington - Sketch of Washington - Colonel Hamilton cap- tured - Lincoln's army moves into the lines - Description of same and their condition - Positions assigned various corps - British cross the Ashley, at Ashley Ferry, without opposition - Laurens skirmishes with their advance - The peninsula secured by British - Laurens continues skirmishing with their advance - Ladies witness the encounter - Captain Bowman killed - Major Hyrne and others wounded - Earl of Caithness wounded - Patterson crosses at Gibbes's farm - General Scott of Vir- ginia arrives, but without reinforcements - Colonel Neville arrives ; announces the approach of Woodford's brigade - A battery appears opposite Hampstead - Attempts to take it in reverse from the river fail - British guns open on the town - Casualties - Tarleton attempts to
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surprise Washington, but fails - Woodford's brigade of Virginians arrive - Disappointment at their number - The wind favoring, British men-of- war pass Fort Moultrie with but little loss - Naval movements described by Timothy - Royal fleet anchor near Fort Johnson - First parallel of besiegers completed - Lincoln summoned to surrender - His reply. 445-462.
CHAPTER XXII 1780
Lincoln's last decisive act during siege- British batteries fire and shell the town - Major Gilbank's death - Lincoln urges Governor Rut- ledge to leave the town - Effect of the British fire - Conflagrations - Fire guard organized - Governor Rutledge leaves the town with three members of Council-Gadsden, appointed Lieutenant Governor, and rest of Council remain - Continued bombardment - Damage done - Lincoln calls a council - Informs them of condition of affairs, suggests evacuation - McIntosh urges that course - Council broken up by can- nonade - Tarleton surprises Huger at Monck's Corner and routs his com- mand - Major Vernier's cruel treatment and death - Tarleton secures thoroughbred stock for his dragoons - Brutal conduct of British soldiers - Treatment of ladies at Sir John Colleton's - Passes across Cooper River secured by British - Lord Cornwallis crosses with reinforcements lately arrived - Slow but incessant fire on the town - A shot from James Island strikes St. Michael's Church and carries off arm of Pitt's statue - Tragic death of a militiaman - Advance of trenches - Casualties - General Scott sent over to Lemprière's Point to meet Cornwallis's advance - Is recalled to attend another Council - Council interrupted - Members of the Council -- Its deliberations broken in upon by Gadsden - His unwarranted interference - Vigorously opposes evacuation or capit- ulation - Council adjourns, but meets again- Colonel Laumoy urges capitulation - Gadsden brings in other members of his Council, protests against giving up the town - Ferguson threatens the military officers - Colonel C. C. Pinckney comes up from Fort Moultrie, joins Gadsden in protest against giving up-Charges engineer officer as instigating the move - Unjust charges against Lincoln - Gadsden's conduct not justified - Another council called, but too late for evacuation - Colonel Laumoy again urges capitulation - Lincoln proposes to council the terms he would ask -Two hundred North Carolinians manage to enter the town - Lin- coln sends flag to Sir Henry Clinton - Terms proposed by Lincoln - Sir Henry takes time to consult Admiral Arbuthnot - Few hours' respite thus obtained - Lincoln's terms rejected - Fire on town reopened. 463-481.
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CHAPTER XXIII
1780
Bombardment of town continued - Supplies begin to fail - Brilliant sally under Henderson - Captain Thomas Moultrie killed - Colonel C. C. Pinckney with part of his regiment withdrawn from Fort Moultrie - Lieutenant-Colonel Scott with remainder left - Death of Colonel Richard Parker of Virginia - Colonels Pinckney and Laurens attempt to supply the garrison with fresh meat - False alarm of enemy's assault - Corn- wallis takes possession of Haddrell's Point, and cuts off communi- cation with Fort Moultrie - General Duportail makes his way into the town - Brings letter from General Washington - Examines the works, and joins Laumoy in declaring them untenable - Proposes to leave the garrison - Lincoln refuses to allow him to do so - Another council of war called - Attempt to evacuate again proposed - Citizens interfere, and threaten to open the gates to the enemy - Bombardment does much dam- age - Casualties - Colonel Malmedy abandons Lemprière's Point - Brit- ish take possession - Circumvallation of town completed - Major Lowe and others make their way out - Incident of Major André as a spy - Lincoln encouraged by reports of North and South Carolina militia coming to his relief - Edward Rutledge sent out to communicate with Governor Rutledge - Unfortunately takes letter of a friend -Is captured - Friend's letter, giving an account of straits of garrison, taken from him, printed, and sent into the town - Siege progresses - Fort Moultrie taken - Colonel Scott obtains good terms - Rejoicing of the British at fall of the fort - Great blow to the garrison - Magazine nearly destroyed - Tarleton surprises and routs remainder of Huger's cavalry under Colonel White - Sir Henry Clinton again summons the town - Lincoln calls another council - Delay to allow Gadsden to submit his requirements - Lincoln submits terms of capitulation - Clinton and Arbuthnot return their modifications- Point of difference as to treatment of militia and citi- zens - Lincoln's demands refused, and hostilities renewed - Town again bombarded - Dreadful night follows -- Amidst roar of bombardment, Gadsden writes to Lincoln, indignant at concessions made by him - His Council prevents his sending it - Citizens withdraw opposition to capitu- lation - Sir Henry Clinton prepares for final assault, when Lincoln surrenders - Articles of capitulation signed and exchanged - Garrison marches out and lays down its arms - Disaster occurs - Magazine ex- plodes - Moultrie arrested, but immediately released - Loss of life in city - Losses of Charlestown battalion of artillery - Sick and wounded in hospital - Losses - British surprise at small numbers of garrison -
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Tell of traitors in garrison - British deserters to garrison during siege - Lincoln's and Gadsden's conduct during siege considered -Great rejoicing in England over fall of the town - Estimate of numbers. 482-514.
CHAPTER XXIV 1780
Sir Henry Clinton sends Lord Cornwallis into the interior - Sir Henry anxious to avoid the coming French fleet - Busy establishing civil affairs - Directs Cornwallis to capture Rutledge - Cornwallis moves to Camden - Sends division to Augusta and another to Ninety-Six - Cornwallis detaches Tarleton to overtake Buford's regiment - Tarleton comes near capturing Rutledge and his Council - Caswell and Buford unfortunately separate - Buford overtaken - His command cut to pieces - Atrocities committed - Wounded left on field taken to the Waxhaws Church - The murder of Samuel Wyley - Cornwallis reaches Camden - Citizens granted same terms as those in Charlestown - So, too, with those of Ninety-Six and Beaufort - The careers of Richardson, Williamson, and Bull end - The case of Williamsou - His supposed treachery considered. 515-532.
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