Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-11-14
Mistell anfons.
THE BATTLE OF FORT MOULTRIE
From Bancroft forthcoming History of the
United States.


(From Bancroft forthcoming History of the
United States. ~.
The month OF May robed the catalpa
9nd the oleander in their gorgeous mas
PES OF flowers, and the peace of Charleston
,as still undisturled except by gathering
fumors that the English fleet and trans.
ports destined for its attack had arrived
in Cape Fear river. All the mechanics
bnd laborers about town were employed
in strengthening its Notifications, and q
great numter OF negroes, brought down
from the country were put upon the
works. The bloom of.the magnolia was
Burning yellow in the hot sky of early
Summer, when on the 6rst day of June
Expresses from Christ Church Parish bro't
hews to the President that feet of forty
|pr fifty sail lay anchored about twenty
miles to the north of Charleston bar.
4 Happily the colony had already organ-
lzed an efficient government, and invest
ed Rutledge, its chief executive officer,
with large power. He ordered the alarm
10 be fired, aud 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 Notifications -
1'arricades were thrown up against the
principal streets defences were raised at
he points most likely to be selected for
landing; lead, gathered from the weights
bf windows of churches and dwelling
houses, was cast into musket. balls, and a
iespectable force in men MAS concentra>
led in the capitol,
"A The eyes of the whole country were
turned upon the people of South Caroli
ha Their invaders at a moment when
Instant action vas essential to their suc-
fess, were perplexed by uncertainty of
counsel between Clinton and Sir Peler
Parker, the respective commanders of the
hrmy and the naval force. On the sew
enth Clinton would have sen. on shore a
Proclamation by flag of truce: his boat
Fas fred on by an ignorant sentinel, but
shext day Moultrie offered an explanation
Through one of his officers, and received
1he proclamation in return. In this the
british General declared the existence OF
famost unrrovoked aud wicked rebellion
within South Carolina, the succession OF
primes Of its inhabitants, the tyranny oi
Us congress and its committees, the error,
thus far incorrible, of an infatuated and
misguided multitude. the duty of pro.
teeding forthwith against all men in arms,
tongross and committees, as open enemies
bf the State; but from humanity he con.
sented TO forewarn the deluded people,
nnd TO offer in His Majesty's name free
pardon 70 such as should lay down their
erms and submit to the laws" Having
Fione this he consulted CORVALLIS on the
pest means Of gaining possession Of Sulli-
vans Island and both agreed that they
rould not more effeotually cooperate
with the intended movement of the feet,
fhan by taking possession of Long Island
which was represented to communicate
with Sullivan's Island at low water, by a
lord, and with the main body by a chan
pei navigable for boats of light draft
Clintonhad four days time to sound the
FORD, but he took the story Of its depth or
frust.
On the morning Of the ninth Of June
Charles Lee, attended by his aid-dercamI
and Robert Howe, OF North Carolina, ar
rived at Haddrell's Point. After examiu
!ng It's fortifications, be crossed over to
'uiEvan's Island, where he found good
Ptock Of powder, fort Of which the from
end one side were finished, and twelve
nundred men encamped in its rear in
puts und booths that were rooted with
palmetto leaves. Within the fort numer
pus mechanics and laborers were fitting
end lifting pal metto logs for its walls. :
he had scarce glanced at the work, when
he declared that 'he did not like that pos
ft all IL could not hold out half an hour
snd there was no way to retreat; 1t wa
put slaughter PEN and the garrison
would be sacrificed. On his way up Il
Charleston, Lee touched at James Island
where Gadsden had the command.
The battalions raised in South Carolini
we're not as yet placed upon the continen
1al establishment and although Con.
gres' bore the proportionate expense, tht