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

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what the intentions of General Provost were.
He designed, 80 soon as an opportunity. offered
itself, making an attack upon Charleston.
Gardiner had about two hundred men in bis
command and three field pieces. To dislodge
Major Gardiner, Colonel Moultrie, the hero
ofSullivan's Island, was sent with about two
hundred Charleston militia and two field
pieces. Gardiner was boldly attacked, on the
morning of the 3rd of February, and driven
across the Savannah into Georgia. The scar
city of ammunition prevented Moultrie from
annihilating Gardiner and bis whole COM
mand. As it was, Gardner lost most Of his
officers. Having driven Major Gardiner out
of the State, Colonel Moultrie joined General
Lincoln at Purysburg. On the twenty-third
of April, General Lincoln, with four thousand
men, moved toward Augusta. Colonel Moul-
trie, with one thousand men, was left for the
defence of the country in the region Of fPurys.
burg. Governor Rutledge, by the advice Of
his Council, had established military post
at Orangeburg. Here he was enrolling and
disciplining the militia ofthe middle and up
per sections of the State. s#1a ''',ai 5"" 1"91
At the time that General Lincoln moved
toward Augusta, the Legislature Of Georgia
was in session at that place. It was impor-
tant, General Lincoln thought, that that body
be so protected as to be able to deliberate
with reference to the state Of the country.
General Provost felt that it would be to the
interest of his majesty's cause in America to
thwsrt Lincoln and the Georgia Legislature
in their plans. This Provost could have easi-
ly done, had he boldly attacked Lincoln.
Provost was more than match for Lincoln,
and the troops Of the former we're regulars,
whilst those Of the latter we're militia, who, in
all probability, would have thrown down their
arms and fled so soon as the enemy came
fairly in sight. ''- ~'..>' ''''t'''" ~ -,
Heretofore, General Provost had displayed
very considerable military talent, but from
this time he began to fail. Instead Of boldly
attacking General Lincoln, he crossed the sa-
vannah river opposite Purysburg. Whether
this movement was designed by Provost as a
feint, in order to draw Lincoln away from his
undertaking, or whether it was designed to
attempt an attack upon Charleston, in its ex-
posed condition, it is, at this period, hard to
tell. One thing is very manifest, General
Lincoln. and General Provost were unable to
decipher each others plsG., ''' '.'.' ia" .,' ~
General Lincoln, with the main body Of
the American army, marched down the sa-
vannah river, on the Georgia side, in the d.
rection of Savannah. General Lincoln's OBJ
ject was to drive the British from Georgia.
Whatever may have been General Prevost's
object, be drove Moultrie from Purysburg.
Colonel Moultrie was obliged to retreat or be
cut to pieces. He had only one thousand
men, and this number constantly decreasing,
whilst General Provost had two thousand
regulars, besides large number Of loYalists
and Indians. All that Colonel Moultrie could
do was to keep out Of Prevost's way. At
Tulifnny bridge, he made stand and a skir-
mish ensued. Little was accomplished. At
Coosawhatchie bridge, Lieutenant Colonel
Laurens, with eighteen continental soldiers
and some militia, came in contact with some
of Prevost's forces. The enemy had the ad-
vantage in position, and Laurens was obliged
to fall back on Moultrie s@. ".'.'
It now became evident to Colonel Moultrie
and Governor Rutledge, that General Pre-
vost's point Of destination was the capital of
South Carolina. To this point both Moultrie
and Rutledge fastened with all possible speed.
Dispatches were daily sent to Gen. Lincoln
informing him ofthe progress Of Provost, and
urging him to come at once to the rescue
For some unaccountable reason, General Lin
coin continued his march toward Savannah,
but sent three hundred light infantry, under
Colonel Harris, to Moultrie's assistance.
Such was the condition Of Charleston that
Provost could have taken it on the first as
sault, had he marched directly on to the city.
On the land side it was not fortified, and the
only impediment to be overcome was Moultrie
and his few men. When Moultre was on his
way to Charleston, near one-half Of his men
left and returned to their homes This dis
pirited those who remained. Unfortunately
for Provost, and fortunately for the capital of
South Carolina, he made halt Of forty-eight
hours at Pocotaligo. The reason assigned, for
this delay was some conflicting reports which
be is said to have heard. What these reports
were we do not know. ...... ....,..r.......
The people of Charleston were aware Of the
threatened attack, and in the absence of the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor Bee and the
Council exerted all their powers to put the
city in a state of defence. The forces under
Moultrie, Rutledge and Harris arrived in the
city on the ninth and tenth days Of May.
Provost encamped on the south bank Of the
Ashley river, on the night of the ninth Of
May. The ferries on the Ashley had been
fortified to retard or prevent his further pro-
gress. ........... ... :a...
The forces in the city numbered about threa
thousand one hundred and eighty. Pxevosts
force was three thousand three hundred and
sixty. Prevosthad large amount Of troops,
and they were better provided for and in
every way superior to those under the Ameri-