The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-23

of the little patriotic band inclosed With
their rough stockade Of palmetto-logs, tn
humiliating measure was unnecessary. The
acquitted themselves to their own immort;
honor, and the imperishablc glory of the
country. e.-s
| At the time Of the investment, Fort Sulliva
was occupied by the second regiment Of Sout
Carolina militia, the command Of which va
given to William Moultrie, with the rank
colonel, promoted from a captaincy in th
recent Cherokee campaign. His chief al
was the subsequent celebrated partisan chic
tain Francis Marion, holding at that time th
rank Of major. When the Carolina troop
entered their entrenchments, they beheld, nd
the solid walls of strengthened fortiicatio1
nor the finished works Of scientific engineer
but the mere outline Of rough stockade-
the commencement only Of log protectios
But it remained with them, the raw and vi,
disciplined militia-troops unaccustomed I
the trials and experience of tried soldiers, t,
bravely contest the palm Of glory with Eng
lands pride and boast of acknowledged
veterans. 4
The form Of the fort was square, with !
bastion at each angle; and when the second
regiment crossed its lines, the palmetto-log
lay about in profusion, waiting to be applied
to the erection Of their purpose. |
But our troops did not long hesitate. Ther
Immediately applied themselves to their tasl
and soon threw up sufficient breastwork 4,
partially protect them, although inadequatelj,
from the enemy.
The fort was built Of logs, laid one upoS
another, in parallel rows, to the width Of sill
teen feet, being securely bound together 1t
numerous intervals with strong pieces Of
timber dove-tailed and bolted into the loas.
Between the spaces was filling Of sand
which Contributed to make the works NOR
firm, and less liable to penetration from heavy
shot Palmetto-logs were used to wall the
merlons, notched into one another at the
angles, well and firmly bolted, and strength
ened with heavy pieces Of massy timber.
The defence Of the fort was confined, a
we have said, to Colonel Moultric and the
force under his command consisted of -four
hundred and thirty-fye men, rank and Gle.
all told, Of which four hundred and thirteen
we're Of the second regiment Of infantry, and
'wenty-two Of the fourth regiment of artillery.
The whole number of guns Of the fortress
gas thirty-one, comprising nine French twenty
'ixes; six English eigLteens; nine twelve,
md seven nine pounders. Lei, ,theaAr----a.njssg
h. tort and ist 10 t6s!f sSckofs With 1sps spring
;ables, preparatory to actions all was hustle
md preparation in the American fortress
Oficets were seen hurrying to and fro, issn-
mo their orders, and inspiring their men with
confidence and bravery for the coming con-
test, while the gunners were hastily preparing
and loading their artillery, which wsa beiag
trained upon the ships BY the field officers j.
Balls were piled up anmunitiop
WAS pot ready, buckets Of water, were broug4
by the assistant artilleEymen to sponge thsf
gnns il ahon, ieyery thing was IN readiness
FOR the appreaahiAg contest ssa snstf L
The day wae clear and fne, not : clot
appeared to dim the distant horizon, or +
ebstyuct the rayssH the 1sun, y he ponr&
them with al his power upon the backs,
th9 mea, who, TO- operate more a!eeiy, "a
ceit al their coats, and threw them lip&
he meslons, u he grosnd, - chanoe seenta
most tfconxeniepts7 sisssss esg hnss =
4 Near tho Ssntrsaof the iacloaed lfbrtre3
and lsaning against ! stake driven hasti
into hei thick sand, stood a officer coo4y
enpleyed iastnokiDg hisp though eage!y
and intsnty watching tho movesnents el tle
enemy, BY occasionally i raising his giaas aid
|leyelling It toward the threatening sqiIadrdt