Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-04-17

As the events Of the revolutionary war,
its causes and results, are matters Of his
torical record, it will be a work ofsuper-
erogation to do more than refer to them
here. Fort Lyttleton had been planned
and partially built on large scale, but
had never reached its completion, except
as small work, during our colonial exis-
tence. Tradition charges upon the Brit
ish authorities most objectionable blum
der in connection with its construction
1t is said that, when half finished, it was
discovered that the work was progressing
on plans. designed for Beaufort, North
Carolina, by which its armament would
have been so placed that the guns would
all be directed towards the town. The
work was therefore suspended, and final
ly the design was so modified as to result
in the erection ola much reduced fortifi-
cation, receiving the name of f"Lyttleton'
in honor of the Royal Governor under
whose administration it had been origin
ally designed. At the breaking out of
the war it was seized and occupied by the
American patriots; but, upon the fall of
Charleston, it was blown up and aban-
doned by our garrison. A tract entitled,
"a short description of the Province of
South Carolina written in l765 des-
cribes it as follows: The fort has two
demi-bastions to the river, and one bas-
ton to the land, with gate and ditch /;
the barracksarc very good, and will lodge
one hundred men, with their officers; !;
there are in it sixteen weighty cannon,
not yet mounted, the platform and para
pet wall not. being finished for want OF
money! The modest writer withheld
his name, avowing that he was ian author
with reluctance.
In 1872 circular earth work was thrown
up by the Americans, within the ruins,
six eighteen Founders constituting its
armament, and its name then changed to
"Tort Marion" have seen it lately
denominated "Fort Charlotte" but upon
what authority am at loss to conjec-
ture. During the war of 1872 there was,
in its immediate vicinity, a camp of 400
men under the command of Major Os-
wald, whose descendants are prominent
citizens of our sister county Of Colleton.
The writer's father was one of that com
mand. There was no blood shed here
during that war, hostilities having been
in q great measure, confined to the ocean
and lakes, where our infant navy gained
its unfading laurcls; or directed against
more important points than Port Royal.
Our troops were not, however, without
occasional alarms, the most exciting of
which was caused by the arrival within
our bar, oftwo British brigs. The It'd
ings were announced by the thunder Of
''long Tom monitor stationed for
such purpose, at Lands En- |, and under
the charge ofCapt. jenkins, with a pick
ct force. To the honor OF our people let
it here be chroniclcd, that volunteers
came forward, and taking two brass four
Founders across to Whitehall, dragged
them, by hand, over that heavy road to
Lands End, distance of fifteen miles.
The enemy communicated under flag of
truce, both with Hilton Head and ST..
II lena, but there was were no hostile
demonstration. Upon leaving the har-
Dor, the Colubcr only escaped, her consort
going to pieces not far south of Bay Point.
The ensuing food brought in many
articles, thus giving our men the fruits
ola victory without its perils. Tho.e
two brass pieces were taken by Admiral
Dupont at Bay Point, in Nov. 1861 and
sent as trophies to Washington. But
our people did not enjoy a similar i'm
munity from danger in the war of 76.
Among many others who devoted them
selves to their country's cause in that
memorable struggle, feel it my duty to
record the names of those Belonging
especially to our islands: Lieut.. Benz
Wilkins, of our own town, was killed at
the Half way House whittier our troops,
with a company Of Port Royal Militia
under Capt. Bamwell, had marched to
encounter the British sent from Savan-
nah to reduce and occupy Beaufort.
The attempt was successfully resisted
but the Americans, had eight men killed.
Our historian says, "among them, Lieut..
Wilkins, was the theme of universal la
mcntation. His country regretted the
fall of a worthy man, and IN excellent
officer" His relatives still resident among
us, are the children of the late Jno. II.
Baker Esq. The father of our esteemed
fellow citizen, Henry Mckee, native
Of Ladies' Island, volunteered at the age
Of sixteen. and served through the entire
war under General LncolI. Jas. Lam
beth served under General Gates,
an was engaged in the battle Of fCamden
Capt. Ta!bird is mentioned in terms of
praise by the annalist Of the times.
James Doharty, an uncle of our fellow
townsman, Mr.. Talbird, fell a victim 10