The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-23
From tie South Caroltniea.
Fort Motto.
FLAT Rock, September q, 1855.

dotes," Lately publisher N your paper, there Is
new version Of the capture Of Fort Motto. As
have never seen a correct account Of that event
in print; herewith furnish you with one. -
Mrs. Rebecca Motto with her two younger
daughters, and Mrs Brewton,, (the widow Of her
nephew,) was residing in her new. mansion, on
the bank of the Congaree, when it was taken
possession of by the British, under Col. Nc.
Pherson, who proceeded to erect a forti6cation
! around the house, which thus became "Fort
Motte"-one of chain of fortified posts extend.
| ing in a semi.circe from Charleston to Augusta.
principles, and the fact that Major Thomas
Pnckney was her son in.law; gave the British
officers an excuse for seizing on her proper.
ty.
On the approach the American forces, the
ladies, being dismissed from the fort, took up
their abode at the overseer's house at some little
distance, and were thus enable TO communicate
with tho American officers during the progress
of the siege. Circumstances soon made it ad
visable that more speedy mode Of reduction
should be attempted, and Mrs Motto was in.
formed by Lieut. Col. Lee that the destruction
Of her house might be necessary. To this she
Immediately and cheerfully consented, assuring
him that the loss OF her property WAS nothing
compared with the advancement Of their cause;
and TO facilitate their operations, presented them
with some comhustible arrows, with which to,
set Ere 10 the house. -...
These arrows had been brought from the
East Indies by sea captain, and presented to his
omplover, NJ les Brewton, a wealthy merchant
of Charleston, and brother Of Mrs Motto. Mr..
Brewton and family having been lost at sea, in
ITS, the arrows fell into his sisters possession,
and were fortunately carried by the ladies, when
dismissed from the fort TO their more humble
abode.
The arrows discharged from rife; the two
first did not ignite; the third set the roof on fire,
and as the piece of artillery in possession of the
Americans commanded the only access to the
roof, the British surrendered Immediately. The
Americans rushed in, extinguished the fire, and
saved the house--an act Of gratitude to the
owner tor her patriotic devotion.
The day was concluded by dinner. given BY
Mrs. Motte 10 the officers Of both parties.
Marion, Lee, and John Eager Howard were pre-.
sent. A circumstance which occurred during
this entertainment is mentioned, as showing th.
spite of the times. While they were at-table,
several musket shots were heard, at which Marion
showed degree of excitement unaccountable
10 his hostess, and hastily despatched an officer,
with orders to stop that instantly" He suspec-
ted; what proved to be true, that the Americans
wer, taking advantage Of the absence Of their
officers to execute summary vengeance on some
Tories, who had been taken in the. fort. In ex.
tenuation Of their conduct, we must recolect,
that the Tories sometimes slaughtered in cold
blood the helpless families ofAheir adversaries.
Tie house after escaping the danger here
mentioned Was accidentally burnt many years
afterwards; circumstance which has led to
much confusion in the traditions on this sub.
ject.
Such is the story OF Fort Motto, as preserved
in the family. The writer, as the eldest sur.
viving grandson Of Mrs. Motto feels it his duty
to do Justice to her revered memory and me
cause Of truth.
C. G. PINCKNEY, senr.
P. S. Mrs. Motto was doomed to be preyed
upon BY the British Tarleton, though not at
For: Motto, had by some means got possession
of her horses. OF this he was reminded in no
measured term, many years afterwards, when the
eccentric Mr.. Church introduced to him Gen.
Thomas Pinckney (then Minister at ST. James,
as "son .in.aw to Mrs. Motto, aohose horses you
know YOU stole in Carolina" On this occasion,
Tarleton i, reported to have como very near
blushing. A letter from him on the subject is
eItant. {.
Even the Bible and Prayer Book, presented
by Mrs. Motto to the Church Of St. James,
Santee, and bearing her name as donor, OH their
covers. were stolen from the church BY British
soldier, and carried to England. There an
officer, who had received some kindness from
Mrs. Motto during the war saw them exposed
for sale on stall in London purchased them
and returned them to her. Having safely &C.
conplished their third voyage across the Allan.
tic they were replaced in the church, where
the Bible is still in usc A great grandson Of
the giver has often read the lessons from it when
officiating in that church 6fty years after.
An IMPORTANT lApRovEMENT.--The express,
train from the East, which arrived at Rochester,
Wednesday afternoon, attracted considerable
attention at the depot in consequence OF the
wheels and connexions Of the cars being entirely
concealed from view. Boards are placed on
the sides of the cars almost at the rails and
. canvass extends from one platform to another
covering all the connexions. This arrangement,
is desi gned to keep down the dust, which can
only escape at the end Of the last car in the train
I. will also prevent accidents avoiding loss Of
life and limb. No passenger or other person
can get from the cars under the wheels without
removing the covering. There is no such thing
as falling between the wheels aud the platform
for the space between the cars is covered with
canvass capable Of sustaining the weight of
ten men. This plan Of protecting passengers in
cars from dust and accident is patented, and we
are informed that the inventor designs to make
a further Improvement with view to carry ing