The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-11-14
Interesting Revolutionary History.

Editor Press and Banner:
send you Il sketch of Revolutionary His
tory which / apprehcnd Is not generally
known and which may prove Interesting 70
"Throughout the year l7S22, tho American
army acted chiefly OH the defensive. = short
time before the evacuation of Charleston, IN
attempt was made against q British detAoll.
ment on James island. In this unsuccessful
enterprise Capt. WIlnot u brave and worthy
officer OF the Maryland line lost his life:
This was the last drop Of blood shed In the
from the High Hills OF Santee In the low
country near Charleston in 1852 n scene
OF inactivity succeeded different from the
busy operations OF the late cumpaigiL. He
was unable to attempt anything against, the
British within their lines, and they declined
riskinga any general action without them.
While the American soldiers lay enctmped
in this inactive situation their tattcred rags
were so completely worn out, that seven hun
dred OF them were rs naked AZ they were
born, excepting q small slip OF cloth about
their waists, and they were nearly us dcsti-
tute of meat AZ clothing. In this condition
march of the British garrison In Charleston.
which contained in 1t more regular troops
than there were Continentals In the Ameri-
can army. Though they had rea.
son to complain, yet while they were every
day marching and almost every week fight
ing, they were in good health, good spirits,
and good humOr; but when their enemy was
COnnneQ WlIHlu Tue IOTliuCatiOuH, LA liSs
were Inactive they became mutinous. Their
long arrears OF pny, the deficiency OF their
clothing and their "a OF many comforts
were forgotten while Onstant action employ
ed their minds and bodies, but when IN In.
corruption OF hostllities gave them leisure to
brood over their cnlamities these evils were
presented to the imagination In aggravated
colors.
4 plan was seriously laid to deliver their
gallant and victorious leader intothe hands Of
the British; but the whole design was hnppi-
Is discovered and prevented from being car
ried INTO execution. To the honor Of the
Continental army 1t may with Justice be nd.
dcd. b Il notwithstanding the pressure Of
their many sufferings the whole number con-
cerned in this plot did not exceed twelve.
In the course OF year l7S2. John Matthew'S
ESQ, Governor Of South Carolina concerted
tmcasurcs with some OF the citizens Of Char
lesion, who wished to make peace with their
lines necessary clothing for the almost naked
c~ontincntals. When their distresscs had near
" arrived TO that point beyond which human
nature could face no more, Mr.. Joshua Lock-
wood under the direction Of Gov. Mathews.
brought out OF Charleston a large quantity OF
This seasonable supply, though much
OF their due, quoted the minds OF the
suffering soldiers. Tranquility and good or
der were restored to the camp and duty WAS
chcerfully performed. 1t Is impossible to do
Justice to that invincible lortitude which was
displayed both by officers and men on the
campnign OF 1880 and 1881. They encountered
fatigue which IL particularly related would
almost Incredible. They had scenes
OF suffering to bear up under which citizens
in the peacenble walks OF private life can
form no adequate idea Of. "See RaIna,y's
History. Of South Car ollnn, page AOa nd III
vol. first, SESEA.