Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-05-10

S. O., THURSDA
ferry on the 18th. On the afternoon of the
next day, all the British forces, under Raw
don, had been transported across the river.
The first object the British General desired
to accomplish, was to relieve the garrison at
Fort Motte In order to effect this, he set
out on the night of the 18th, from Nelson's
ferry, on the road leading from Nelson's fer
ry, on the Santee, to McCord's ferry, on the
Congaree. Lee was we'll informed with re-
gard to the movements of Rawdon, and was
aware that Fort CRANKY must be taken within
few days, or the siege abandoned.
The character of the commander OF the
garrison induced Lee to act with promptness,
or even with apparent rashness. Major Max
we'll, who was in command of Fort CRANKY,
was loyalist-a refugee from Maryland.
He had entered the royal army not from any
love which he cherished toward the house of
Hanover neither did the desire to be ranked
among the military heroes Of his age urge him
to enter the camp. In one word, he had
none of the characteristics of a military chief:
tain. He was morbidly fond of money and
notoriously coward1y. He had converted
Fort CRANKY into depot, in which he stored
away the valuables which be wrested from the
inhabitants of the surrounding country. Col.
Lee knew that Major Maxwell would readily
surrender the garrison, together with all the
military accoutrements, provided he would be
permitted to retain the spoils of his plunder-
ing expeditions.
In the fort, there were about three hun
dred and fifty men. By far the larger amount
of this number were tories and loyalists.
The remainder were Hessian cavalry. De-
termined to give Maxwell no time to think,
Colonel Lee ordered Captain Finley to open
upon the fort with his six FOUNDER so soon as
the fog cleared away. The moment that the
six FOUNDER was fired, the American infantry
advanced and opened fire upon the enemy's
pickets. So unexpected to the enemy, was
this movement on the part of the Americans,
that the pickets of the former were cut of
from the fort. The garrison was thrown into
the utmost confusion. The commander hav-
ing no military experience, and having no
taste for anything but money.making, was
completely nonplussed. Lee soon discovering
the confusion into which the garrison had
been thrown by his unexpected attack, sent
Captain Eggleston, with summon to Max.
well to surrender.
Although Maxwell felt, no doubt, that he
and his garrison were wholly at the mercy Of
the American commander, still he did not
forget to lay plans for the retaining of the
plunder which he had stored away in the fort.
So soon as Eggleston set out under truce
flag, to summon Maxwell, the Americans
ceased firing. At this juncture Of affairs, the
British pickets that had been cut off from the
fort by the American infantry, attempted to
make their way into the fort This was
promptly prevented by a rapid movement of
the American cavalry. Colonel Lee sent an
officer to Captain Eggleston for the purpose
of informing him of what had been done by
the enemy's pickets, and requiring Eggleston
to inform Maxwell that such move would
not be permitted with impunity. Maxwell
Immediately, on hearing the remonstrance of
Colonel Lee, ordered the pickets back to the
position occupied by them when the Ameri-
cans ceased firing.
Major Maxwell readily agreed to surrender
the garrison as prisoners Of war, together with
all the military stores, provided each individual
in the fort should be permitted to retain his pr-
vate property of every description, not subject
to search. Eggleston discovered at once that
the object which Maxwell had in view by this
proviso was to save the valuables which he
had stored away in the fort for his own ad.
vantage. Eggleston knowing that Col. Lee
ever made it point to restore to its rghtful
owner, all private property which he might
find in the hands of the enemy, was at loss
how to act, although he had been empowered
to bring the negotiations to a final conclusion.
Captain Eggleston, hesitating to terminate
the negotions for the surrender, without first
informing Colonel Lee Of the proviso inserted
by Maxwell, made, by letter, a statement Of
the conditions upon which Maxwell would
surrender to Col Lee. Maxwell also request.
ed of Lee that two covered wagons be granted
him, Individually, for the purpose Of convey
ing his private baggage. Maxwell further re-
quested that these wagons be not subject to
search. Lee, in reply, instructed Captain
Eggleston to grant the request of Maxwell,
with the exception that the horses fit for SER
vice belonging to the Hessian cavalry be re-
tanned. Maxwell was willing to accede to
this, but so soon as the Hessians learned that
their horses were to be taken from them, their
officers went in body to Captain Eggleston
and declared that they would not submit to
this article of capitulation. " ."" -i"'"'
Captain Eggleston promptly informed COL
onel Lee with regard to the declaration Of the
Hessians. It so happened, at this moment,
that courier arrived from Captain Arm
strong, who had been sent out with detach-
ment of cavalry to watch the movements of
Rawdon. From this courier, it was learned
that Rawdon was advancing in the direction
of Fort Motto. In view of this fact, Lee
thought it best not to demand too much or
delay too long, lest he would be obliged to re-
tire on account of the near approach of Raw
don. The Hessans, in view of the circum-
stances, were allowed to retain their horses.
The articles Of capitulation were now signed,
and at noon on the 18th of May, 1871, Cap
tain Rudolph fixed the American flag on one