Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-12-29


coast in May, destined TO operate against the
Carolinas. Congress being informed of the
intention by intercepted iNtters, had ap-
pointed General Lee to the command Of the
Southern Department On the i,tst alarm.
several regiments Of Virginia ana North
Carolina troops marched to Charleston.
With the South Carolina troops and militia,
these made about 5000 men. Three weeks
elapsed from the appearance of the British
to the attack, which was employed by the
Americans in throwing up Notifications.
The entrance to the harbor was guarded
/ by an unfinished fort which was occupied by
Colonel Moultrie with his regiment. The
British vessels attempted to take the fort in
front and flank, but three of the vessels, in
taking mp a raking position, got among the
shoals and grounded. Those in front met so
vigorous cannonade that they were COM
PEELED to retire with severe damage and loss.
The attack on the fort having failed, that on
the land was abandoned, and the feet sailed
for New York.
In l779 Charleston was again threatened
by Provost with 5000 British from
Savannah. General Lincoln was then on
the march toward Augusta, in hopes to
recover Upper Georgia. Moultrie, with
LOCO men, was guarding the lower passes
of the Savannah, but they offered but little
resistance. Hearing of the movement, Lin
coin detached battalion to aid Moultrie
and himself crossed the river and marched
down the other side, expecting to draw
Provost back. But Provost, who at first had
no intention of marching upon Charles
ton, assured by the terror he inspired,
and by the number of royalists that
joined him, determined to dc so. Hearing
of this Lincoln recrossed the river, and
hurried to the relief of Charleston.
Gov. Rutledge made every effort to gather
the country militia. Moultrie arrived with
his thousand men, as also did the battalion
sent by hincoln. Pulaski, who had been
detached with his legion for the Southern
service, also arrived in advance of the Brit
ish. Provost delayed his march to gather
information and arrange plans, while the
citizens were busy in throwing up fortiGca-
tions.
When Provost arrived he summoned the
town TO surrender. Gov. Rutledge offered
to stipulate the neutrality of South Carolina
during the war, leaving it to be decided at
the peace to whom she belonged. This did
not satisfy Provost, but in the delay the
works had become so strong, and Lincoln's
was so near, that he abandoned the
idea of assaulting the town, and spent few
days plundering the surrounding plan tations,
and after some skirmishing retired into
Georgia.
In 1850 British squadron again sailed to
attack Charleston. Efforts were made to
the militia, but as South Carolina
had stated to Congress, but little could be
done with militia, 'by reason of the great
number of citizens necessary to remain at
home to prevent insurrection among the ne
groes, and their desertion to the enemy"
Besides this, large number of Carolinians
were enrolled in the royal service.
The inhabitants of Charleston were ZEAL
GUS for defending the town. Lincoln ar
rived with several Virginia and North
Carolina regiments, and some Continentals.
His force thus amounted to upward of
1000 men, including 1000 of the militia of
the city. Not 200 men were furnished by
the surrounding country. The British feet
passed Fort Moultrie with triaing loss, and
took four Continental and two French
frigates and several small vessels which had
been relied on to defend the harbor.
Threatened by sea and land Fort Moultrie
surrendered. Col. Tnrle:on cut in pieces the
two Continental regiments which had under
takentO keep communications open to the
North. The town was completely invested,
and in anticipation of an assault the Ameri-
cans surrendered. The conquest of South
Carolina was complete, and the greater part
of the inhabitants took the oath of allegiance
to the British Government. Charleston re.
mained in British possession till the close of
the year 1882, when they evacuated it on ac-
count of the difficulty of procuring provisions
and forage.