Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16

an invading foe. In this work of scouting,
they were assisted by the Highland regiment.
These Highlanders we're no less brave than
the Indians, and but little less savage; and,
besides, their hatred for the Spanish was un-
conquerable.
Repeated attempts were made by the inva-
ders to reach Frederick. Every effort was in
vain. The fierce savages and the Highlan-
ders, thirsting for revenge, lay concealed in the
thickets and in the swamps, and from these
dark hiding places, poured destruction and
death into the advancing columns of the in
vading foe. So great was the hindrance pro-
duced by these scouts, that the Spanish SOL
diers said "the devil himself could not reach
Frederica, so long as the Highlanders and In
dians lay concealed in the surrounding
thickets."
Don Manuel de Monteano, the commander
in chief of the invaders, after having lost
number of bis officers, besides several hundred
men killed and more taken prisoners, deter
mined to change his mode of attack. Dur
ing the flowing of the tide some vessels were
sent up the river, whilst the main body of his
army was kept under cover of his cannon.
However Oglethorpe conducted himself dur
ing the expedition against St. Augustine, he
now showed himself an able general. Neces.
sity may have stimulated his brain and self.
preservation prompted to vigorous action. Be
that as it may, he showed himself equal to
the emergency. The Spanish commander did
not entrap him. A body of Indians were sent
secretly up the river to watch the vessels and
prevent the men from landing. It was not
their object to land. 1t was simply ruse de
guerre-a trick of war. ...
Oglethorpe now determined to attack the
Spanish camp during the night. A prisoner,
whom the Spaniards had captured, managed
To effect his escape and make good his return
to Frederica. From this individual it was
ascertained that there was serious difficulty
existing between the Spanish troops. On &C.
count of this difficulty, those troops from Ha'
vana camped in one place and those from
Florida in another place. This fact suggest
ed to Oglethorpe the propriety of a night at
tack upon one of the camps. For the execu-
ton of this plan, three hundred men were
chosen, together with the Highland regiment
With perfect knowledge of the country, the
party succeeded, without being discovered, in
arriving within two miles of the enemies camp.
Here they halted. and Oglethorpe and few
men went forward to reconnoiter. In this
party of men was Frenchman whose treach.
erous soul led him to fire off his gun and dash,
with all possible speed, to the Spanish camp.
This frustrated the present plan, but it did
not Illustrate General Oglethorpe He saw at
once that it would, since the Frenchman had
gone to the Spanish camp, be extremely haz.
ardous to proceed farther with bis night at:
tack. - ----- We
He Immediately set out for his camp at
Frederick, and set to work to counteract any
and everything the deserting Frenchman
might do or say. He wrote letter to the
Frenchman, in which he addressed him as if
he were spy, whom he had sent into his ene-
my's camp, for the purpose of learning their
movements, and secretly directing their &C.
tions. Among other instructions given this
deserter, in the letter, he was charged to per-
suade the Spaniards to make an immediate
attack upon Frederica. He was instructed to
tell them that it was in defenceless condi.
ton, and the garrison was weak, and that
success would be sure in the event it was at
once assailed. In the event he should fail in
this he was to make strenuous effort to de-
tain the Spanish forces for at least three days
at Fort Simon for within that time he, (Ogle-
thorpe) would be reinforced by a land force
of two thousand men and feet OF six Brit
ish ships. The deserter was further charged
to keep it profound secret that General
Vernon was soon to make an attack upon st.
Augustine ASpanish prisoner was hired, by
Oglethorpe, to take this letter, and i've it to
the deserter. The work was readily under
taken, since the prisoner gained his freedom
by it.
Instead, however, of giving the letter to the
French deserter, it was placed in the hands of
Monteano, the commander.in.chief of the
Spanish army. This was just what Ogle'
thorpe specially desired. The Frenchman,
who had deserted from Oglethorpe, was put
in irons on the spot. A consultation was
held over the mysterious letter. Somethought
it was letter written by Oglethorpe to gen.
uine spy, and its meaning was what its words
literally impaired. Others thought it was
sham, intended simply to deceive the Spanish
commander. What the final conclusion would
have been it is hard to say, but whilstthe con-
sultation was going on, three small ships,
which the Governor of South Carrlina had
sent out, appeared in sight. This settled the
question. The three ships were taken for
part of the six British ships, mentioned in the
letter, and the whole Spanish camp was soon
in panic. Their fort was set on fire, and in
the greatest confusion all embarked-leaving
their cannon, ammunition and supplies all
behind. The wind was unfavorable for the
three South Carolina ships, and the Spanish
army sped past them and hastened to St. Au-
gustine.
Finding that they had been outwitted and
gained no advantage whatever, the Spanish
threatened another invasion but the threat
was never put into execution. Oglethorpe
showed himself in every respect more than
match for the Spanish. Taught by their fail
ure in this expedition lesson which they
never forgot, the Spanish in Florida, and the
English in South Carolina, lived without any
further hostilities. In 1853 Spain ceded
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