Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-11-14

FHE BATTLE OF FORT M0ULTRIE,
.nAS i77S.

4naEk
s[Fpm Bancroft forthcoming History of the
r,5ra United States.
.yofThe month Of Nav robed the catalpa
and the oleander in their gorgeous mas
ses OF flowers, and the peace of harlestou
ayas still undisturhed except by gathering
5rumors that the English fleet and trans
sports destined for its attack had arrived
liiRCape Fear river. All the mechanics
oand laborers about town were employed
ainistrengthening its Notifications, and
great numter of negroes, brought down
nfrpm the country were put upon the
works. The Lloom of the magnolia was
turning yellow in the hot sky of early
summer, when on the first day of June
expresses from Christ Church Parish bro't
news TO the President that fleet of forty
or fifty sail lay anchored about twenty
miles to the north of Charleston bar.
, Happily the colony had already organ~
lied am efficient government, and invests
ed Rutledge, its chief executive officer,
b with large power. He ordered the alarm
:. 70 be fired, and while the citizens were
\ looking out for horses, carriages or boats
. to remove their wives and children, he
: fastened down the militia from the coun-
!, try by expresses, and in company with
= Armstrong visited all the fortfcations.--
Farricades were thrown up against the
principal streets defences were raised at
the points most likely to be selected for
landings lead gathered from the weights
OF windows of churches and dwelling
houses, was cast into musket. balls, and a
!, respectable force in men Nas conccutra>
IN. ted in the capitol.
~ The eyes of the whole country were
b turned upon the people of South Carroll
VI ma Their invaders at a moment when
. instant action vas essential to their sue
cess, were perplexed by uncertainty of
counsel between Clinton and Sir Peter
>, Parker, the respective commanders of the
army and the naval force. On the sew
enih Clinton would have sent on shore
Proclamation by flag of truce his boat
was fred on by an ignorant sentinel, but
= next day Moutric offered an explanation
4 through one of his officers, and received
!, the proclamation in return. In this the
4 British General declared the existencs of
y most unrrovoked aud wicked rebellion
y within South Carolina, the succession OF
crimes Of its inhabitants, the tyranny of
y Its ngress and its committees, the error,
!" thus far incorrible, of an infatuated and
!, misguided multitude, tho duty of pro-
q ceeding forthwith against all men in arms,
p congress and committees, as open enemies
b OF the State but from humanity he con-
sented 10 forewarn the deuded people,
y and to offer in His Majestys name free
= pardon to such as should lay down their
y arms and submit to the laws" Having
: done this he consulted Cornwalis on the
: best means of gaining possession of Sulli-
u vans Island and both agreed that they
: could not more effectualy cooperate
y with the intended movement of the fleet,
u than by taking possession of Long Island,
which was represented to communicate
y with Sullivan's Island at low wate,, by a
y ford, and with the main body by chan
q, mel navigable for boats of light draft
y Ciintonhad four DAYS time to sound the
: ford, but he took the story of its depth on
trust.
>. On the morning Of the ninth of June,
Charles Lee, attended by his aid-de,camp
u and Robert Howe, Of North Carolina. arS
. .fived at Haddrelrs Point. After examin>
Ing its fortiiications, he crossed over to
y Bnll;van's Island, where he found a good
y stock of powder, a fort Of which tho front
and one side were finished, and twelve
y hundred men encamped in its rear in
Il knts und booths that were rooted with
!, pnlmetto leaves. Within the fort numer.
: :ous mechanics and laborers were fitting
y md lifting pa metto logs for its walls. -
:, He had scarce glanced at the work, when
he declared that he did not like that post
- at all 1t could not hold out half an hour,
- end there was no way to retreat; it was
y ppt slaughter pen and the garrison
y Eould be sacrificed. On his way up to
Snarleston, Lee touched at James Island,
u Were Gadsden had the command.
w lhe battalions raised in South Caroliua
4, ere not as yet placed upon the continen'
! establishment aud although Con-
e q eSs bore the proportionato expense, the