Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-20
Mistnrp ut 8. Garuliua.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement of South Carolina.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Early Settlement Of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
SURPRISE OF CAPT. MATTHEW'S.
In our last, we left Provost, on the morn.
ing of the 18th of May, 1779, retreating
from Charleston, on bis way back to Savan-
nah. General Lincoln, with the main forces
of the Americans, had arrived at Dorchester,
about the time that Provost had precipitately
raised the seige Of the city. In order that
Provost might avoid an attack BY Lincoln in
front, and by the forces under Moultrie in
the rear, he filed to the left on crossing the
Ashley river, and passed over to james Is
land. Here be remained, undisturbed, for q
few days and then crossed over the stono
River, or Inlet, to Johns Island, and waited
for supplies which he was expecting, to be
sent him from New York.
General Lincoln, having given his troops q
few days rest at Dorchester, and having col.
lected all his forces, moved down towards the
position of the British on Johns Island. The
two armies were now about thirty miles from
the capital of the State, watching each others
movements. So soon as the British left their
lines before the city, Peter Timothy ascended
the steeple of St. Michael's church and
watched all their motions. Prevost's intention
was to return to Savannah, not BY main land,
but by passing successfully from one island
to another, and thus evade an attack. Gen.
eral Lincoln's object was to throw every OBJ
stacle in his power in the way Of Provost,
and if possible prevent him from reaching
Savannah.
The coast of South Carolina, especially in
this region which stretches between Charleston
and Savannah, Georgia, is dotted with an al.
most countless number of islands. These
are surrounded by inlets which are affected
by the flow and ebb of the tide. Such were
the circumstances by which General Lincoln
were surrounded, that it was difficult for him
to do any thing that would impede the move
ment of the enemy. Provost was not we'll
provided with boats to convey his men and
military appendages over the inlets which sur
rounded the islands. Lincoln's condition was
even worse than that of Provost. He had no
boats and no means of procuring any.
The first encounter which occurred between
the British and Americans, after Provost left
Charleston, occurred on the night of the 18th
of May. When Provost crossed over from
the main land on James Island, the Ameri-
cans had a small detachment Of less than one
hundred men on Johns Island. The two is
lands are separated by Stono river, and the
camps of the beligerents we're nearly opposite
each other, and 80 near as to be seen. &.
The American forces consisted of two COM
panies of militia one from Beaufort, COM
mauded by Captain Robert Barnwell, and the
other commanded by Captain John Raven
Matthews of Johns Island. Captain Mat
thews held the oldest commission and took
command of the whole force. 1t is evident
that Captain Matthews could not, with his
small force of about seventy.6ve men, with
stand Provost who had fully two thousand
men under his command. Captain Matthews
unfortunately was both imprudent and self
willed. Contrary to the judgment and en-
treaties of those who understood the critical
condition in which the small force on Johns
Island was placed, he persisted in drawing
out bis men in open day and mastering them
in full view of the British. Their numbers
we're counted and surprise planned. The
personal friends of Captain Matthews entrea:
ted him not to expose bis troops, and also
begged him to double the number of his SEN
tinels, that he might be prepared for q night
attack. In his selfwill, Captain Matthews
pursued his own course. Thomas Legare was
80 much discouraged by the headstrong man
ner in which things were conducted, that he
asked and obtained leave to join the guard
stationed at Champlin's Point. Strange as it
may seem, Captain Matthews had only two
sentinels on duty, although he was in sight Of
the enemy. Possibly he thought the British
contemplated making another attempt to cap
ture the Capital of the State, and cared moth
ing about him and his small force; or it may
be that he thought they could not cross the
inlet which separates the two islands. What
ever may have been his conjectures as to
the future movements of the British, he was
in critical condition and either did not know
it, or knowing it did not care. ........
The condition of things by which Captain
Matthews was surrounded was very peculiar,
and at least afford some palliation for the
surprise with which be met. The British, in
strong force, were on James Island, and an
intriguing loyalist was on Johns Island.
Thomas Fenwick noted as loyalist and
friend of the British, and afterwards as the
spy of General Green, came into the camp Of
Captain Matthews On the evening of the 18th
of May. He enjoyed the hospitality Of the
officers snd engaged with them in converse
ton. Having learned all that he desired
respecting the position Of the forces under
the command Of Captain Matthews, he COM
municated the same to the British command
er on James Island. At midnight a detach-
ment of the British, In two divisions, crossed
from James Island to Johns. One division
marched to Fenwick's house, the other to
Matthews landing. They were now in posi-
tion to surround the camp of the Americans.
Every preparation being made, Fenwick gave
the signal, and both divisions Of the British
To march simultaneously on the