The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-11-16

place.
The new mansion house Of Mrs. Motto.
situated on II high aud commanding II il.
some distance above The Junction of tbs
Wateree and Congaree, had been made tho
principal depot of the conveys from
Charleston to Camden, Fort CRANKY ID
NInetysSN. twas surrounded by deep
trench, which was defended by a strong
and lofty parapei, erected along its inner
margin. Captain Mcpherson commanded
the garrison, which usually consisted @:
about one hundred and fifty men, bu.
which was now increased by the acciden-
tai arrival OF IA detachment of dragons.
| This body, on its way to Camden with
the dispatches for Lord Rawdon, had en-.
tered The fort a few hours before The an
pearance Of the American forces, led by
Marion and Lee, to besiege it, On an
other hill, opposite to The north side If
| The new man"lnn, stood an old farm
house. in which Mrs. Note had formerly
resided, and to which she had been dis s.
missed by Capt. Mcpherson. Upon this
height Lee was stationed with his corps,
whilst Marion occuplee! a position on The
eastern decivlty Of the ridge on which ,hs
fort stood. six FOUNDER, despatched
by Green TO the aid Of Marion, was noun
,el Oh battery bv that officer for the
purpose OF raktpg the north side of the
cne'ny's parapet, which Lee was prepar-
ing to attack. By the 10Th of MAY, tie
works were IN State Of such lorwar(,ness
that 1t was determined to summon the
commandment On the same day Rawdon
had evacuated Camden and proceeded IA
Nelson's Ferry, for the purpose of croa.
sing the oaniee and relieving Fcrt Note.
Green, on the other hand, advanced To the
Gongarte to cover the besiegers. Upon
these circumstances, Mcpherson, though
destitu'e of artillery, replied to the sum.
mons that he should continue to resist TO
the last moment! in his power. In the
evening, courier arrived from Greene,
informing Marion of Rawdol's move
men's, and urging upon him redoubled ac-
uvily. On The ll'h, The British general
reached the country opposite Fort Molle.
ana at nIyhl encamped on the highest
ground in his route, that his fires nigh,
convey to the besieged the certainty of
his approach. The large Mansion in tho
Gentle OF The trench left but smaI part of
The ground within the works uncoverhd;
burning the house, therefore, must force
them TO a surrender. The preparation of
bows and arrows with missive combust-
b e matter was Immediately commenced.
Lieutenant Colonel Lee and every officer
oi his corps daily experienced the most
cheering and gratifying proofs of the hos
piIallty OF the owner of tie beautiful
mansion doomed 10 be thus DESTROYED,
whilst her poli:eness, her tenderness and
her active benevoience extended 10 tho
Lowest in the ranks.
The destruction Of private property
was al all times peculiarly distressing To
the two gallant commanders, aud these
considerations gave new edge to the
bitterness OF the scene. But lhev were
, ever ready TO sacrifice their feelings 10
their duty, and Lee forced himself to maka
a respectful communication TO the lady
respecting her destined loss. When The
intended measure was impaired to her, tie
complacenl smile which settled on her
features at once dspelled The embarra.s-
menl Of the nglrattd officer, while she de
clared that she joylully gave her house to
The good OF her country, and should de.
| light TO see II III flames. Shortly after,
seeing accidentally the bow and arrow.
which had been prepared, she sent for
Colonel Zee, and putting INTO his hands a
| splendid bow and It's apparatus, which had
! been presented to her husband by friend
from India, begged his substitution of them
as probably betler adapted 10 the purpose
| than those provided. Lee was delighted
with this opportune present, and quickly
prepared TO end the scene. The lines
were all manned, the force at the battery
doubted, and DR.. Irwin wss Sent with u
Issl simmons TO surrender Mcpherson
listened patiently Ia his explanations, but
remained lnnexibly fixed in his dctermIn-
alton oi holding out to the last. II was
n"w midday Of the 18th, and the scorcI,-.
ing sun had prepared the shingles for the
contlaglh,Ion. When Irwin returned,
three arrows ere successfully fired al
different parts Of the roof. The first aud
third hinded INTO blaze. Mcpherson
ordered ttry to repair to the loft of The
houses and stop the conf grafton by
knocking off the shingles, But Capt.
Fne>'s six FOUNDER completely raked lie
loft, the soldiers we've driven down, and
the brave BrlIon hung out the white flag,
and surrendered Internationally. The
conquerors aud the conquered soon after
appeared at Mrs. Notes, where, by invi-
la'lon, they partook together of sump-
tuous dinner, in full view of the smoking
tuins-lhc unaffected pollieness OF the
patriotic lady soothing the angry feelings
which the contest had engendered, and
celebrating from Tie men DRY If the GAL
liant wings the recollection of the injuries
| La In Ii.