Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-07-03
BEAUFORT AND THE Sea ISLANDS
Their History and Traditions.
NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE.
BY j. A. j.
II. G.. Judd,
Secretary.

"a Nation loving gold must rule this place,
Our temples ruin, and our rites deface."
."' : @" DRYDEN
The good people of Beaufort, having
been advised of the sailing of the hostile
feet for Port Royal, very naturally took
counsel together as to the course to be
pursued by them, in the event of the re-
duction (now, no longer doubtful } of the
batteries at the entrance of the harbor.
It must be borne in mind that almost the
entire male population was away near
ly all being at Bay Point, where orders
had been given prohibiting leave Of abb
sence to any one; and from which point
retreat, in case of disaster, was thought
impossible. The people in town were
thus thrown entirely upon their own re-
sources, as well in the matter of advis-
ability, as of practicability ofremoval. 1t
ia we'll known that several (few however,)
were in favor Of remaining; but they
we're SO largely overruled, that their
counsels were of no avail; a small number
resolved to remain in any event, not tor
the purpose Of welcoming the invaders !;
but, compelled by circumstances growing
chiefly out of considerations of comfort
and convenience to themselves. Nor was
it coniectured, that on the approach of
armed soldiery, the retirement of women
and children, would be construed as a
voluntary resignation Of their estates into
the hand of said soldiery; least of all,
that it would be deemed a political offence
meriting the forfeiture Of whatever might
thus he left by the retiring non.comba.
tants. 1t had been customary for fami-
lies, at their pleasure, to 60 abroad, en-
trusting their interests and their effects
to the care of faithful servants, not having
a thought that, by so doing, they should
in any wise, invalidate their rights. In
decd, it has been the practice ofmodern
times to notify non eombatants .of inten-
tions to shell, in order &c., that they
might retire. These, anticipating bonn
bardment, and, by no. means, sure OF
the customary notice, tretired without
awaiting the usual form. In this was
found the great offence.
Tidings of the arrival Of the feet in the
waters of Port Royal, not only set at rest
the question of destination, but of ulti-
mate result. The anxiety already existing
in Beaufort, now much enhanced by con-
6rmatory intelligence ofthe magnitude of
the armada aud the presence, too, Of
fine steamer ready to take all who might
desire to 60, added to the cxhortations
and entreaties of those about to leave,
soon moved the feelings Of the few who
proposed to remain, and a general
stampede ensued
When the troops from Bay Point, in
Guiding, of course, the Beaufort Artillery
reached town on Friday, they found it,
already, almost deserted. Lieut.. john
son had remained on the island, direct
ing the transportation to St. Helena,
until after midnight, and, with L. Is.
Chaplin, had returned to Trenchard's
Inlet, before daydawn, in search Of
exhausted and missing men. He did
not reach Beaufort till sunset on Friday.
Landing at tA. foot of Carteret s., (now
Benefits dock,) he looked in vain for
one living creature, human or other,
throughout the length of Bay st. Walk
ing up as far as the Arsenal, then turn
ing down Craven, to East ST., hr did
not meet one person until he had near
,ly reached the bridge on Federal alley.
There he encountered two German
mechanics, who informed him ofthe
time and manner of the citizens depart
ure.. They also were just about to'leave,
onfoot. The name of one citizen has
been mentioned, who did not leave town
until Saturday; and L know two others
who, having leftit, revisited.it on that
day.. q" "'' 90
From this brief narrative it may be
learned that the abandonment of the
town was complete, and that it was
accomplished under the advice and
direction ofour elder citizens oaly, the
younger men, as mentioned ADORE, being
absent on duty. There is no evidence Of
any military order compelling the evaoua-
tion of the place; but many declare that
they left under the conviction that there
was such an order. 1t is matter Of no
consequence, as such an act had lever.
been declared unlawful, with or without
such order. The right to leave ones
own, at pleasure; has always been un-
questionable. If a ,householdr retires
to bed without securing his doors, and
a burglar enter, and "spoil his house, ]
the misaayenture is charged 70 his own
neglect; indeed, some spitefhl wretch