The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-05-07
FORT MOULTRIE.
Harriet Hobson Dougherty.
"What shall withstand the great decree,
When = brave nation will be free?"


When brave nation will be freef"
CTANDING on Charleston's beauti-
- full old Battery, and looking over
the historic harbor, one sees narrow
strip OF land lying far out nesr the bar
on the left, the yellow sand seeming
to rise but little above the world OF
tossing, surging water around it. A
small and Insignificant place it seems,
but around the little pile of sand there
clusters some of our country's most
tragic history, while linked with the
name OF Sullivan's Island, and old Fort
Moultrle, Is the undying fame OF such
men as Col. William Moultrie, Francis
Marion, Sergeant Jasper and Governor
Rutledge.
During the memorable year of 1746,
when the patriotic Americans were
battling Sc fiercely to throw off Eng
lands yoke, news came to South Caro-
lima that the long talked-of attack on
the South was about to be made.
Charleston was the principal Southern
port. and If the beautiful old city and
her magnificent harbor were once in
possession of the British, it would
give them an almost impregnable po-
sltion right in the very heart of the
Southern colonies. The matter was
talked over at great length among the
British commanders, and, after being
assured by the English Governor of
South Carolina that the Continental
army in the South was composed en-
tirely OF raw boys, who would run at
the first gun fired by the trained Brit
ish troops, it was determined to make
grand attack on the stately old "City
by the Sea-" and thus gain a firm loot
bold for England on Southern soil.
Wonderful plans were made, and q
grand feet of war vessels, carrying over
TWO hundred and sixty guns. was put
in fighting order and started toward
the South. In the meantime Governor
Rutledge had not been idle by any
means, but had promptly fortified the
city to the best OF his ability, and then
sent for the regiment commanded by
hat splendid fighting machine, Col.
William Moultrie. As a result in q
short time from the banks of the beau
:lful Winyah Bay came marching into
Charleston body Of determined men,
clad in buff and blue, who represented
sle noblest names of the proud old
Palmetto State, and had vowed every
thing they had-their princely for
tunes and their very livesrto free
IONS cause.
Colonel Moultrie, I want you to
Duild a fort on Sullivan's Island and
Keep the British from reaching the
;lty," was the curt order the Governor
gave the minute his eyes rested on the
tall, stately officer.
Certainly, sir. OF what shall
build it?" came the reply.
"Of what ?" answered Governor Rut-
edge, who knew we'll the man into
whose capable hands he was putting
aot only the safety of the city, but of
The whole South. "Of sand-mud-
air-water-anything, only build a
tort Then get In it and hold it, even
it all England, commanded by King
George himself, should try to wrest 1t
from you r.
Certainly, sir !" came the imper-
:urbable answer, and as The colonel
turned away only his companion,
Capt. Francis Marion, saw the flash OF
battle In the quiet gray eyes that
meant he would succeed in his hercu-
lean task, no matter what the cost
might be.
The next few weeks Sullivan g Island
was the scene OF strange and interest
ing activity. There was no hint Of
shade on this barren shore, and under
The blazing tropic sky some OF the
landsomest young cavaliers in all the
colony OF South Carolina burrowed
day after day in the burning sand, like
gophers, laying the foundation of their
tort. Then slowly the walls of that
famous fortress began to rise and a..
sumo shape. They were built Of pal.
metto logs. laid in parallel rows, six.
teen feet apart, the inter-spaces being
closely packed with sand, and places
left for twenty-six large guns. Colonel
Moultrie displayed rare wisdom in &c.
iecting the material for the fort, for he
knew how little effect either shot or
shell could have on the spongy fiber oil
lis States beautiful palm tree. Day
alter day the patriots tolled, until the
flces OF the men were burned almost
black by the sun, and still their com.
mander said nothing of bis plans, sci.
dom speaking except to give his curt
orders, but smoked his pipe with q
quiet twinkle in his eyes, a. he listen
ed to the numerous visitors, who cheer