Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-13

9 .a.. -. @.'@@ NO. 49,.
weary horses, Pulaski dashed out to oppose
the approach of the British. The onset was
furious, and thebrave Count came near losing
his life. After having lost most Of his infant
~, and Colonel Kowatch, thesecond officer in
command, Pulaski retreated back to the Amer
lean lines, under cover of the cannon Of the
Notifications. Provost left his heavy baggage,
and the main body of his army, on the south
side of the Ashley river. ..s&
Immediately on crossing the river, Provost
summoned the city to surrender. The civil au-
thorities replied avorably. They signifed
their willingness to surrender the city on the
condition that it and the State should renain
neutral during the war, and that the tsrmina-
ton of the contest between Great Britain and
the colonies should determine the final condi-
ton Of South Carolina. This condition Of
surrender was rejected by Provost, and t.
next day he advanced within mile Of the
American works. Here brisk fire Of the
cannon was opened upon him. Again he de-
manded the surrender Of the city. The same
terms of surrender as those offered before
were again made and rejected, Provost insist
ing that the garrison should surrender as Pris-
ones Of war. Twelve hours were spent in
passing flags between the two armies. Still
the work on the American forti6cations went
on. It was certainly expected by Moultrie
that 30 soon as the correspondence would
close, that the works would be stormed. .a94--
The evil of two commanders was in amost
affecting manner demonstrated 10 the Aineri-
cans. Governor Rutledge discovered 9 breach
in some part of the Notifications Of the city,
and, without informing Colonel Moultrie, sent
out Major Benjamin Huger and q party Of
men, in the night to repair them. Theyw were
discovered by Moultrie's men and mistaken
for party Of the enemy and fired upon.
Major Huger and twelve Of his men were
killed. This was on the night after negotia-
tions respecting the surrender had ceased.
Fearing an attack at any moment BY the enc
my, the Americans kept up the fire, commenc-
ed by mistaking Hugers party for British,
until morning. Every one felt certain that
when morning came the British would storm
the American works; but when morning
came the British we're gone. In the night
they had recrossed Ashley river and were
preparing to 60 back to Savannah. .-,aa
The cause Of Prevost's precipitate retreat
was the fact that be had Intercepted . letter
from General Lincoln to Col. Monltrie, dated
the 10th of May, At that time Lincoln was
only fifty miles distant, and he begged Moul-
trie to hold out until he would arrive With
the main body of the American army. Pre-
vost intercepted this letter some time during
the night of the 18th. Wisely he concluded
that it would be perilous for him to suffer
himself to be fred upon both from the front
and rear at the same time. No, doubt Pre-
voss was glad to make his escape, and the
garrison and people of Charleston were glad
he was gone. Pulaski; with his cavatry; pnr-
sued him; but be and bis troops were over
the Ashley river before Pulaski reached it.
With regard to this whole affair, there is
something very unmilitsry. Itseems strange
that the privy council of the State would
have made 80, disgracefal a. alproposition as to
surrender the city and State without making
an effort first to defend it. tits said that twas
rise, designed to gain time for the arrival
of General Lincoln. Supposiug this was the
case, what would the privy council, ,rof which
Governor Rutledge was chief, have done had
Provost accepted Of the propositiona Truth
and honesty would have forced them to sur.
render. Three members Of the council, we're
violently opposed to it. Their names we're
Gadsden, Ferguson and Edwards, Colonel
Moultrie and John Laurens we're ALSO opposed
to it. Athreat was made thatiin the event
the proposition was carried into efect,it
would cost the council their lives % . ~
The strangest thing Of all, is the rejection
Of the proposition by General Provost. Had
be accepted the offer made by the privy coun-
Gil, he would have ruined the State. Provost
acted with DO promptness. His delay at iPo-
cotaligo and his delay in exchanging, flags,
after he had crossed the Ashley river, and e.
'nally hisrejecting the terms ofsurrender pro.
posed BY the authorities Of Charleston, showed
that he was only secoud.rate General. a.il
fg3.g,iI-- - - sn5art !s'ts
y SAYINGS OF Mother, haveI
got any children 2" asked an urchin Of eight
summers. "Wby, no! what put that into
your head2" "BecauseI 1 read in the Bible
to-day about children's children, ,q&1"
Little Alice was crying bitterly, and, on
being questioned, confessed to having received
q slap from one of her play-fellows. "You