Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1873-06-26
THE 2s1H OFJUNE,

thunderlnSs OF the 4th OF July heIald O
tumultuods mockery, and she turns
deaf ear to the aalvos of rejoicing which
beginning in praise for Liberty, is con-
tinued in glee for the fetters rivited on
the limbs of brethren, whose national
prestige dates back to the days of the
Revolution. 1t was dark hour in the
history of the old thirteen, when Sir
Peter Parker, and General Clinton NOV.
ed to the humhling of the Palmetto State.
Arnold and Montgomery had been re
pulsed before Quebec, and the gallant
Montgomery had yielded his life costly
sacrifice. Norfolk had been laid in ashes
by tory Governor, Falmouth shared
the same fate. The. army of General
Washington, in all $4,000 men were al
most inactive for want of arms and
equipment, and the reduction of every
rcdoubt, and dispersion of every rebel,
was seemingly question of time. The
news Of the enemys advance was signal
of terror to all except the gallant Moul-
trie, and his feeble handful of gunncrs.
Entrenchcd behind sand work faced
with logs Of palmetto, they waited the
approach Of the English feet, one vessel
Of which Qhe Acteon) carried heavier
metal than the fort The fight was open
ed at close range, and during that long
day, under the rays of torlfd sun, the
garrison kept the enemy in deep water.
A shot hurled the flag ofsthe fort to the
earth. but Jasper tied the torn banner
to his sponge staff, and amid the cheers
of his fellows, and.the shot of the foe, he
flung out the flag of defiance. It was
day of victory, the Action stranded, and
fell q prey to the deadly aim of the gun
ners of Fort Sullivan, and Sir Peter
was beaten away in disaster. II was
State achievement, State success, every
district had its quota of representatives,
and Orangeburg was a star in the galaxy
of triumph. We extract from letter of
date 9th June, 1912, addressed by DIR.
Jos. johnson to Col. Wade Hampton,
"Col. Wm. Thompson of Orangeburg
district, having been appointed to the
command of the Sd regiment had his
compliment fmen soon made up by the
enlistment of some of the most expert
rifemcn in the State, he himself being
one of the most practised among them.
He had the finest eye I ever saw in the
head of mortal man.
With but little experience in war, and cer-
tainly without having ever heard n cannon
fired at an enemy, the I'd and Sd Regiments
were ordered to oppose the best appointed
armament that had then been equipped against
any part of the United States-,not merely sent
for the capture of Charleston, but for the con-
quest of the three southern States Col. TnoMP-
SONS command was stationed Mt the eastern cx-
tremity of Sullivan's Island, at small redoubt
called the advanced Guard, and ordered TO pro-
tect it and Fort Sullivan from the bayonets of
Sir Henry Clihton's Infantry, then encamped
on Long Island, within sight of the redoubt.
He had but two pieces of cannon, and it was
then first proved that Rilemen make the best
Gunners for Artillery The plan of attack was
this while the fleet attacked the forts, the Brit
ish Army was to land and storm them if not al
ready abandoned. An armed schooner and
notilla of aimed boats, were ordered to attack
Col. TIIoMPsoN's redoubt, in order to cover the
landing of the infantry. They did indeed re-
pcatedly make the attack but were always re-
ceived by the cool, well directed fire of the
Orangeburg sharp shooters, then for the first
time firing cannon loaded with grape shot, the
ilotilla was always repulsed with great loss
Mr.. ALEXANDER FORESTER, rear relation
of the Rowand family, was in Sonth Carolina,
at the commencement Of the revolutions and
like many other conscientious, but mistaken
men, believed that his first duty was to his
King. He returned after the revolution, and
told my father in my presence, that lie was one
nftl l,n of rJ, al 10 l.,