The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-22
VOL. XI---NO. 49.

victory on the whole revolutionary strug-
Gle. If this combined feet had succeed
ed in the capture of Charleston-which
at that time held front rank with the
other cities of the colonies-and had, so
early in the contest, secured so important
foothold in the Southern colonies, there
is no knowing the consequences which
might have ensued.
Tradition says that their watch-word
for the day was "Die in your tracks" and
these meant what they said. The three
hundred at Thermopyla left as their epi-
taph, "Tell it at Lacedamon, that we
died in obedience to her laws" and sue
cessive generations, all down the centu-
ries, have admired and extolled their
devoted patriotism. These four hundred
were under the same inspiration but
because they were not killed, but gradu-
ally drove back the combined fleets of
the mistress of the seas, ,"thcy have been
allowed to sink to the level of daring
partisahs, and must stand aside to listen
to the peans in honor of other exploits
far less heroic in character, and much
less imposing in results.
South Carolina in the days of her pros
pcrity, should have initiated Massachu-
sets, in erecting an enduring monument
to mark the spot. Postcrity looks upon
a magnificent column, thirty feet square
at the base, and two hundred and twenty
feet high, all "Quincy granite" to mark
the spot of the first Northern American
battle in the war of the Revolution, while
the very site of this, the first and greatest
of Southern American victories, has we'll
nigh disappeared from the map of the
country. It required petitions to more
than one Congress, before break-water
was constructed to stay the encroach-
ments of old ocean on this historic
Island; and then it was built of rocks
from Portland, Maine.
In contrasting this battle with that of
Bunker Hill there are analogies and re-
Aections which may be edifying to the
student of history.
In the first place they were the first
battles in their respective colonies, and
both were fought before the Declaration
of Independence. In both the fighting
was done by natives of the soil, in repre-
sentative colonies of the two sections;
for, even in these primitive days, men
talked of the "North'erd" and South
erd."
At Bunker Hill it was first shown that
the soldiers of Great Britain could be
repulsed and killed, too.
At Fort Moultrie it was shown that
her proud navy, her greatest boast, could
be whipped and driven back.
Massachusetts could boast that her sons
would "stand to their arms" when a
royal army was marshalled against them,
with all the pomp and circumstance of
glorious war"
South Carolina could respond by point
ing to her sons standing to their guns,
with the proudcst fleet of all the world
arrayed against them, and under one of
the 'fercest bombardments then on re-
cord.
Like the "foolish virgins" about their
oil, in both there was a deficiency of am
munition; but South Carolina had time
to "send to those that had" and to cor
rect the fatal mistake.
At very close range, Bunker Hill wit.
messed the death of 226 British.
At very long range, Fort Moultrie
caused 225 dead bodies of the enemy to
be consigned to old ocean.
In those days Of the Golden time,"
Massachusetts rcjoiced over Fort Moul.
trie, and South Carolina was proud of
Bunker Hill.
That generation of large hearted pa
triots has long since passed off the stage;
but the scenes of their triumphs are with
us, and we enjoy the rich fruits of all
their tolls and sacrifices and blood.
The associations Of this centennial
wear tend to lasting revival of feelings
and sentiments long smothered and we'll
nigh extinct.
why will politicians persist in obstruc-
ting any return to this primitive fraterni-
ty?
The centennial of this great battle is
to be celebrated on the 2Sth of June,
1876. South Carolina and her metropo-
lis, in their present desolation, vii! do
their best; but neither of them is in a
condition to exhibit much pageantry to
the world. The hearts of their sons will
be in it, and there only can any monu-
ment to these Revolutionary sires be
found.
In the hottest of the fight, Sergeant
Jasper leaped down from the parapet of
the Fort, rescued the flag which had been
shot down and nailed it to its staff, with
the memorable words, "Boys, don't let US
fight without flag"
South Carolina has invited her ancient
ally, Massachusetts,, to participate in the
approaching celebration, and to claim
her undivided share in the glorious mem
cries of the day. Pointing to the flag
staff on the Identical spot where Jasper
stood, she will say-and oh, that her
words could resound through the length
and breadth of this great Republic
'The 'old flag is now safe, and safe for
ever! Let us have peace"