Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-02-18
Yorkville, February l3, 1858.
Major Henry Moore's Reoolleetions, OF the
Revolutionary War In South Carolina and
Georglu, until the fall OF Charleston, on the
12th Of May, 1850.


Revolutionary War In South CAROLYN" and
Georgia, until the fall OF Chnrleston, on the
l2th of May, 1850.
CONTINUED.
Gen. Lincoln had detached General Ashe with
1900 men into Georgia, to awe and hinder the to-
ries from joining the enemy at Savannah. Gen.
Ashe posted himself mt Briar Creek, and was on
the 81 March, 1779 surprised in his camp and
defeated by Colonel Provost, with the loss Of his
whole detachment-killed, wounded, prisoners
and deserters, with all his artillery and stores.
This was a disastrous affair in its consequences to
our army, and deranged Gen. Lincoln's plan of
the campaign. To remedy in some measure its
consequences General Lincoln crossed the Savan.
nah river into Georgia, to prevent the enemy from
extending themselves farther into the country, and
TO hinder the tories and Indians from uniting with
the British army. And Governor Rutlelge with
the militia had marched to, and encamped at Or
angeburgh as an army of observation, and to sue
cor Charleston or General Lincoln, if it was ne
cessary; an excellent plan and worthy of at
ledge-anl was what saved Charleston from ueing
taken soon afterwards by General Provost. Pnr-
suant to this plan, was ordered to Charleston to
take command of detachment Of thirty men and
two field pieces, with four ammunition wagons, to
join General Lincoln at Augusta. The enemy being
informed of Lincoln's movement TO Augusta,
crossed Savannah river in his rear, and obliged
General Moultrie to retire from his position at
Black Swamp, and form junction with Gov.
Rutledge to save Charleston. The enemy press
ed on by forced march for harleston-expecting
to find it totally undefended, which certainly
would have been the case, but for the vigilance
and activity of Governor Rutlegc and Gen. Moul-
trie, and also for an imprudent halt that Provost
made on his march, of two days, which lost him
Charleston. had marched with my detachment
towards my destined place, Augusta, and had ar
rived at Orangeburg on my way, where found
the Governor had retired, and was hastily retra-
cling his steps to Charleston. On my arrival at
Orangeburg received orders to join the Governor
as soon as possible. promptly obeyed the order,
and on the 18th of May 1919, Joined him Mt the
/
rie retired before the enemy, throwing difficulties
in his way and opposing him at every pass to re-
tard his march, especially at Chuli6nny and Coo
sawatchie, where they had skirmish If we had
had a regiment of Cavalry, it would have enabled
Gen. Moultre to have stopped their ADVANCE
General Moultrie, with the Governor and their diff,
! ferent commands having now arrived at Charles
/ ton, burned the suburbs, strengthened their lines,
and with great industry prepared to defend the
city to the last extremity. On the night OF the
! 11th May, the enemy crossed Ashley river, and
the next day General Provost, with about ninf
hundred men, appeared before the lines and d
manded a surrender of the city. Cpon thlS
council was held, the majority of which voted"r
the neutrality of the State during the war,'nu
sent Colonels Smyth and Mcintosh to conter'n
Provost on that subject. They received for a'~ef'
that he did not come in n Legislative capacS' OUT
if Colonel Symth pleased he would showie pro-
posal to the General. Upon meeting tim Sc
cond time he told them that he had noting 10 10
with the Governor, but that his busines WAS WIN
General Moutrie; and as the garrIn Was III
arms, they must surrender prisoners war; Anus
the question came back to General .ou''rle' anu
his Spartan answer was me ~W .fg' 0N'' l. ior
my part, could never for momenih'e s"PPoseu'
that such patriotic and indepeTcht sP'r''s: Us
composed the council, and fllI such high non
orable and responsible offices they held' would