Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-06-19

CAMPBELL's PLEASURE OF hoPE.
The year seventeen hundred and eighty was
the darkest period in the Revolutionary strug-
gle. From the mountains to the seabOard, a
gloom rested upon the whole country For five
years the colonies, against fearful odds, had
been battling for freedom. The country was
overrun, it's treasury was empty, and it's SOL
diers were hungry and naked. From the hills
of Massachusetts to the savannahs of Georgia,
darkness that could he both seen and felt, en-
veloped the land. This was especially the case
in South Carolina and Georgia. From the re-
pulse of Sir Peter Parker, on the 28th of June,
1776, until the autumn of ITO, South Carolina,
although in open and determined rebellion
against the mother country, enjoyed compare
tive peace. Supplies of arms and munitions
of war, together with food and clothing fol
the army, were landed by different nations OF
Europe, at Charleston. From this point, these
things, together with rice and other products
of the fields of South Carolina, were transport
ed, by wagon trains, as far North as New Jer.
sey. During this period, South Carolina grew
and fourished, Notwithstanding the existence
of war.
In the autumn of 177S, the scene began to
change. COL Campbell was sent from New
York, by Sir Henry Clinton, to reduce Savan
nah the capital of Georgia. On the 29th Of
December, Gen. Howe was forced to capitulate
Georgia fell into the hands of the enemy, and
South Carolina now became border State, ex
posed to the active military operations of the
enemy. A bloody struggle was made near a
year afterward for the recovery of Savannah
but it proved unsuccessful. 1t soon became
evident that the British were determined to
capture Charleston. Provost, in May, 1779
had attempted to take the city by siege, but his
plans were frustrated by the adroitness of Gov
Rutledge and the military prowess Of General
Moultrie.
On the Goth of December, 1779, Sir Henry
Clinton, with the larger part of his army,
sailed from New York for the South. In Jan
uary of the following year, he landed on the
coast of Georgia. He had but one object in
view, and that was the crushing of the rebel
lion in all the Southern colonies. His purpose
was to begin at the southern extremity and GO
northward, leaving the country in his rear in
complete and absolute, if not willing, submis
thing to be done to effect his purpose, was the
reduction of Charleston. On the 10th Of Feb
ruary, he set out from Savannah to accom-
plish the cherished purpose Of his heart. He
was successful. Whether all was done that
could have been done to save the city, or not
we will not here inquire. Perhaps it would
have been wise, under the existing circum
stances, not to have attempted it's defense
The attempt, however, was made. Sir Henry
Clinton commenced and carried on the siege
with as much respect to the rules of military
science, as if he had been conducting the siege
of an old walled town. Reduced almost tt
starvation, and lily provided for every way tc
stand siege, the defenders OF the city, after 6
close siege of nearly eight weeks capitulated
on the 18th of May, 1880. The terms of the
1,n. nf f1f
British commander afterward was calculated
to cast gloom over the patriots. The civi
government of Britain was established in the
CITY. and plans were laid for establishing il
over the whole State. Everything was done
that could be done, to encourage the tories
and loyalists and dishearten the patriots.
Early in June, Clinton and the fleet sailed
for New York, leaving Lord CORVALLIS tc
complete the establishing of civil government
in the State. He commenced his march north
ward. Parties were sent out in all directions
to disperse the patriots and gather up the to-
ries and loyalists with which to swell his
ranks. This was not enough. He determined
to force those who, from the results of war
were resting quietly, to take up arms against
their friends and against the cause which they
loved Lord CORVALLIS soon found that tht
country still remained, and there were many
who had sworn for 1T to live ana Tor 1t TO die.
In the State, at this time, there was not {
regularly organized army. There were small
parties of neil. in almost every section of tht
State, who disputed every inch of ground will
Corvallis Still he pushed on. Tories ant
loyalists tlocked to his standard, and man.
who, heretofore, had been regarded as goot
Viii gs, sought British protection. The coun
try was full of tories and British. Propert.
was destroyed, old men and children wer
abused and cursed, and women insulted
Many, in despondency, gave up the cause a
hopeless. Calamity after calamity fell upol
the afflicted country. On the 10th of August