The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-10-06

In 1880, when South Carolina was al
most overrun by the British troops and
American tories, and the safety of Charles
! ton was seriously menaced, Gov. Rut-
ledge, who exercised as commander-i in
chief, dictatoral power, issued a procla-
nation calling on her citizens to rally to
the defence of their metropolis. At this
! Invocation thousands Of her sons rushed
to the rescue. But after a gallant resis-
tance, want and starvation compelled a
capitulation. Among the prisoners was
Major Wigg, a distinguished patriot, who
atlyarious times during the struggle had
served with gallantry and distinction in
the cause of his country, both in South
Carolina and the siege of Savannah, in
Georgia. The prisoners were placed on
their parole, and under the article of cap
itulation, while they abstained from any
infraction Of its terms, their, property was
from i'll injury or confscaticn.
About this time the celebrated execu-
ton Of Major Andre took place, under the
stern, and inhexible sense of justice OF
Washington. AS soon as this melancholy
event became known, Lord Rawdon, the
British commander, determined to execute
the first officer of his rank which the Brit
ish made prisoner. Under the capitula-
ton of Charleston, the gallant and unfor-
tunate Hayne was a prisoner, and was
THE selected victim of retaliation. When
brought out for execution, Major Wigg
stood at the foot Of his gallows, and indi-
Gated a grief he could not conceal, and an
indignation he could not suppress. Poor
Hayne met his fate with the heroism which
marked the conduct of Andre Major
Wigg attended to receive his remains
fHayne and himself, bosom friends had
married sisters. Haynes execution Gre
ated a great sensation, not only in South
/ Carolina, but throughout the continent
young and beautiful widow in despair
"a large circle of bereaved friends; and the
glorious promise Of one of the finest men
South Carolina ever produced d-nipped in
/ the bud. s-.a.-.. .... -.-
7 Immediately after this bloodthirsty ex-
ecution, Gen. Greene openly announced
that the first prisoner should, in retalia-
ton, for the execution of Hayne, pay the
forfeit of his life. No sooner was this an
fnunciation made, than Col Balfour, who
4 commanded the British forces then in the
occupation of Charleston, ordered forty
of the most distinguished citizens of South
! Carolina, then prisoners Of war under
parole, in close confinement on board o1
the prison ship sloop of war Pack House,
and distinctly notified them that they were
/ hostages, and that in the event of one o1
his majesty's subjects, or on the perpetra-
ton of any acts Of barbarity towards the
loyalists of South Carolina, they should
swing. This produced a great excite
ment; nor was the deep sympathy felt fol
the prisoners in any degree diminished by
the fact, that in reply to this threat, they
addressed a letter to Gen. Green, then
commander in chief in South Carolina
earnestly soliciting him not for one instant
to pause in executing a just act of retail
iation for the murder of Hayne, as they
were prepared to meet their fate, and on
ly regretted that they could not render 6
more signal service in the cause Of THEN
country. ta g1o.eI ~ 81
In the then state of public feeling ii
South Carolina, Col. Balfour, probably
apprehending that the Pack House would
be carried by a night attack and the pris-
oners rescued, ordered her round to New
York. On her voyage, when off Cape
1 Fear, the prisoners rose, and, by an ac
of valor unsurpassed in naval annals, cap
tured the Pack House, and carried her in
to Beaufort, North Carolina, by which il
regaining their liberty they terminated
their character and services as hostages.
/ 58.l Taken at his Offer.
"A friend, says the editor of the Water
ford Sentinel was taken at his offer day
: or two since. He publishes the follow
/ ing: ,9u4H saT .1ou-
"We shall insert no marriage notice un
less accompanied by the SUM Of one dol