Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-20

Founders wereplaced; and on the western bastion
connected with it, three 26 French Founders, and
two Founders, were stationed. On the south
west curtain, six cannon were mounted, IL and
9 Founders. Connected with the front angle Of
each rear bastion of the fort, lines of defence cal
led cavaliers, were thrown up for small distance
on the right and left of the fort; and three -
Founders, were mounted in each of them. So
that the whole number of cannon mounted in
the fort and cavaliers on each side, were thirty
one; of which, only twenty-five at any possible
time, could bear upon the enemy, stationed in
front of the fort, and even then, four nine poun-
ders on the two inner sides of the front bastions
could be scarcely used. Narrow platforms or
banquetts were placed along the walls, where
the plank was raised against them for the men
to stand upon and fire through the loop-holes.
Such was the situation of Fort Sullivan on the
9th day of June; and its garrison consisted of
the second South Carolini regiment of infantry,
amounting to 4l3 of all ranks; and detachment
of the fourth South Carolina rgiment of artillery
of 22 amounting together to 435: the whole be-
ing under the command of Colonel William
Moultrie of the above Second Regiment.
Nearly midway between Fort Sullivan and
Charlestown, Fort Johnson was situated; having
upwards of twenty heavy cannon of French 26
and English Is Founders. It's garrison consis-
ted of the first South Carolina Regiment Of In
fantry, amounting to about $50; and small
detachment of artillery, commanded by Col.
Christopher Gadsden ofthe above First Regiment.
And nearer the town, on its left, was the battery
on James Island, mounted with about twelve
heavy cannon, which raked the channel, in ap-
preaching Charlestown from Fort Johnson: and
where Captain Thomas Pinckney of the First
Regiment with his company was stationed.
2.-THE BATTLE GROUND.
On the morning of Friday the 26th day of
June, Col. Moultrie rode t. the northeastern
point of Sullvan's Island to visit the troops sta
toned there, under COL Thomson. When he
arrived, he saw the enemy's boats in motion at
the back Of Long-Island; as if they intended a
descent upon tlat advanced post: and at the
same time he perceived the emen-ofwar loose their
top sails. This having been the signal Of their
getting underway the day before, he hurried back
to the fort; and on his arrival, immediatel y or
dered the long roll to beat, and the officers and
men to theirposts. The guns were scarce man
ned, and powder issued from the magazine, when
the British squadron was perceived with their
courses drawn mp, bearing down upon Fort Sui
Ivan; and at the samc time, between ten and
eleven o'clock, the Thunder bomb-ship covered
bv the Friendship armed vessel Of twcntySlx
gums, anchored mile and half, bringing the
salient angle of the eastern bastion to near north
by west, and began to throw shells upon the fort
one of which fell upon the magazine, but did
I i 4 a. 1..,,
strong, and the wind fair from the southwark
west, the Active, % guns-the Bristol, so gums
the Experiment, so guns--and Solcbay, %
gums, soon came within striking distance Of the
fort: when fire OF cannon commenced upon
them from tie southwestern bastion. But the
Active, which WAS the leading ship, continued her
course, until she arrived within four hundred
wards of the fort when she anchored with springs
on her cable, and poured in her broadsd of CAN
non balls. The Bristol, Experiment, and Sole
bay, ranging up in the rear of the Active, an
chored in like manner, leaving intervals between
each other; and the Syren and Aceton of % guns,
and Sphinx, of 20 guns, formed line parallel
with them opposite the intervals. The example
of the Active was followed by the ships, as they
took their stations; and heavy and inccsSant
canuonade issued from their batteries: while from
the fort a return was made, slow, but sure
When this severe trial of metal and skill was go
ing on between the veteran ships of the British
navy, and the newly raised troops ofan infant
republic, from a low fort of palmetto logs, the
Thunder bombships was throwing thirteen inch
shells in qnck succession-scrcral of which fell
into the fort: they were, however, Immediately
buried in the loose sand, so that very few of
them burst upon the garrison.
3.-rHE MORNING AFTER THE BATTLE.
The morning of the Goth June, presented a
humiliating prospect to British pride. To the
southwest of the fort, at the distance of near
mile, lay Acteon frigate fast ashore on the Low
er Middle Ground. Below the fort, about two
miles and a-half, the mcn-ofwar and transport. 5
were riding at anchor, opposite Morris lSland
while Sir Peter Parker's broad pend ant was
hardly to be seen, on a jury main-or, ,.mast, con-
sidcribly lower than the forc-lnast of his ship
And on the 'cft, General Clinton was kept in
check. by the troops under Colonels THOMPSON
aad Meheuburg On the contrary, how u lori
Gus were the other points of vicw The azure
colors Of the forte fixed on a spunge-statf, waved
gently on the wind boats were passing and re-
passing in safety, from and to- the Fort and
Charleston; and the hearts of the people were
throbbing with gratitude and the most cxhilera-
ting transports! From this time, in commcmor-
alton Of the victory, and in honor of COL Will
liam Moultrie who won it, the Fort was called af-