Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-26


at Camden; but for some reason which, as
said before, can not now be satisfactorily &C.
counted for, turned aside and laid seige to
Fort CRANKY.
This British post was located on the right
bank of the Congaree river, about two and
one half miles below the site now occupied
by the city of Columbia. At an early day,
some one came to this point from Pine Tree,
afterwards Camden,) and erected = store
house for the purpose of trading with those
boating produce down the river to the low
country. This attracted other settlers, and
the result was that small village sprung up
which has long since ceased to exist. In the
neighborhood were several individuals by the
name of Friday. They were of German des.
cent, and managed their affairs with thrift.
Unfortunately for themselves and for their
country, all of them, except two brothers,
were loyalists One of these Friday brothers
lived at Fort CRANKY. He owned mill, and
the ferry by which the river, at that point,
was crossed belonged to him and bore bis
name. The only individual residing at that
time within the present limit of the city of
Columbia, was Colonel Thomas Taylor. He
and General Sumter were warm friends and
had been together since shortly after the fall
of Charleston, on the 18th Of May, 1880.
In February, 1881, Sumter made an at
tack upon the British stationed at Fort Gran
by, but with no decided results Again, be
and Taylor began to besiege the place short
ly before Rswdon evacuated Camden. When
Rawdon learned that Sumter had laid seige
to Fort CRANKY, he ordered the garrison at
Orangeburg to retire. Sumter, on learning
this, left Colonel Taylor to continue the seige
of Fort CRANKY, and fastened to Orangeburg,
that be might attack the garrison before it
would leave.
On the 18th, the day after Rawdon evacu-
ated Camden, Sumter appeared before the for
ti6cations at Orangeburg. The garrison con-
sisted of eighty-two men, twelve of whom were
British regulars-the remainder tory militia.
After Sumter had fred two volleys into the
garrison, the officer in command made an un.
conditional surrender of the fort, men and
stores. The casualties, though not stated,
were, it may be supposed, very triAing. The
British and tories were completely demoral-
lied. Sumter paroled the prisoners and set
out to return to Fort CRANKY.
On the 18th, the day after the British post
at Orangeburg fell into the hands of Sumter,
Fort Motto was taken by Marion and Lee.
Fort Motto was located on the right bank of
the Congares river, short distance west of
the point where the South Carolina railroad
crosses that stream. By the Congaree river
and Buckhead creek, a small tract of land is
nearly surrounded by water, and may, with
propriety, be called peninsula. On this
peninsula once resided Jacob Motto, and here,
at the time of the Revolutionary war, resided
his accomplished and patriotic widow. The
dwelling of Mrs. Rebecca Motto occupied the
centre of the British forti6cation. Around
the house deep ditch was dug, and on the
inner margin of the ditch high parapet was
erected. Mrs. Motto and her family were
driven from the house and forced to shelter
themselves in an old house, short distance
north from the dwelling.
A glance at the map of the State, will serve
to convince any one that Fort Motto was of
vital Importance to the British army. 1t
was the principal depot for all the supplies
designed for both Camden and Ninety-six.
The garrison was commanded by Captain
Mcpherson.
So soon as Marion and Lee discovered that
Colonel Watson had frustrated their attempts
to prevent him from joining Lord Rawdon,
they directed their attention to Fort Motto.
The siege was begun in earnest and carried on
with unceasing vigor The usual force sta
toned at Fort Motto was one hundred and
fifty but only few hours before the ap-
proach of Marion and Lee, their force had
been increased by the arrival of large num-
ber of cavalry. Lieutenant.C Colonel Leo, with
his division of the American forces, took post
on the hill on which stood the house occupied
by Mrs. Motto and family. Gen. Marion took
post on the eastern slope of the hill, on which
stood the fort. Near Marion's quarters,
mound was raised, and upon it was placed the
six FOUNDER under the management of Cap
tain Finley. The six FOUNDER was favorably
placed to rake the northern face of the enc.
my's breast.works. Between the head-quar-
ters of Lee and the eminence occupied by the
fort, was vale. Such was the nature of this
valley that it was safe for the Americans to
approach within four hundred yards of the
garrison. At this point, Marion broke
ground The work was pressed forward with
out cessation. Negroes were brought in from
the surrounding country and put to work.
The soldiers we're divided 50 that each relay
was required to work four hours and rest four.
Parallel after parallel was completed, and on
the tenth, Marion and Lee determined to
summon Mcpherson to surrender. The de-
mand was made, but the gallant Mcpherson
refused to comply.
Mcpherson had no artillery, and bis only
hope was that he would, in due time, receive
succor from Rawdon. On the afternoon of
the same day, the American officers received
the intelligence that Rawdon had evacuated
Camden, and during the night the rumor was
confirmed by the arrival of courier from
General Greene. Time now became precious
The work was pressed forward with double
yipor. The forces of Marion and Lee could
not withstand those under Rawdon.
On the nioht of the 18th, the camp.fres of