Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-26
From the Yorkville Enquirer Of 1876
INSTALLMENT TX.

INSTALLMENT TX.
Surprise of Captain Matthews.
In our last we left Provost, on the
morning of the 14th Of May, 177s, re-
treating from Charleston, on his way
back to Savannah. General Lincoln
with the main forces of the Americans
had arrived at Dorchester, about the
time that Provost had precipitately
raised the siege of the city. In order
that Provost might avoid an attack by
Lincoln in front, and by the forces OF
Moultrie in the rear, he filed to the
left on crossing the Ashley river ana
passed over to James Island. Here
| he remained, undisturbed, for few
days and then crossed over the Stono
river, or inlet, to Johns Island, and
waited for supplies which he was ex-
pecting to be sent him from New
York.
General Lincoln, having given his
troops a few days rest at Dorchester,
and having collected all his forces, NOV
ed down towards the position OF the
British on Johns Island. The two
armies were now about thirty miles
from the capital of the state, watching
each others movements. So soon as
the British left their lines before the
city, Peter Timothy ascended the stee-
ple of st. Michaers church and watch
ed all their motions. Prevosts intention
was to return to Savannah, not by
mainland, but by passing successfully
from one island to another, and thus
eyade an attack. General Lincoln's
object was to throw every obstacle In
his power in the way of Provost, and
IL possible prevent him from reaching
Savannah.
The coast of South Carolina, espe-
cially in this region which stretches
between Charleston and Savannah,
Ga. is dotted with an almost countless
number of islands. These are sur
rounded by inlets which are affected by
the flow and ebb Of the tide. Such
were the circumstances by which
General Lincoln was surrounded, that
It was difficult for him to do anything
that would impede the movement Of
the enemy. Provost was not we'll pro-
vided with boats to convey his men
and military appendages over the In
lets which surrounded the Islands.
Lincoln's condition was even worse
than that Of Provost. He had no boats
and no means Of procuring any.
The first encounter which occurred
between the British and Americans,
after Provost left Charleston, occurred
on the night Of the 10Th of May. When
Provost crossed over on the main land
on James Island, the Americans had
small detachment of less than one hum
dred men on Johns Island. The two
islands are separated by Stono river
and the camps of the belligerents were
nearly opposite each other, and so near
as to be seen.
The American forces consisted OF
two companies of militia; one from
Beaufort, commanded by Captain Rob-
ert Barnwell and the other COM
manded by Captain John Raven Mat
thews Of Johns Island. Captain Mat
thews held the oldest commission and
took command of the whole force. 1t
is evident that Captain Matthews, with
his small force Of about seventy-five
men, could not withstand Provost who
had fully two thousand men under his
command. Captain Matthews unfor-
tunately was both imprudent and self
willed. Contrary to the judgment and
entreaties of those who understood the
critical condition in which the small
force on Johns Island was placed, he
persisted in drawing out his men In
open day and mastering them In full
view of the British. Their numbers
were counted and a surprise planned
The personal friends Of Captain Mat
thews entreated him not to expose his
troops, and also begged him to double
the number of his sentinels, that he
might be prepared for a night attack
In his self-will, Captain Matthews pur-
sued his own course. Thomas Legare
was so much discouraged by the head
strong manner in which things were
conducted, that he asked and obtained
leave to join the guard stationed at
Champin's Point. Strange as 1t may
seem, Captain Matthews had only two
sentinels on duty, although he was
L., .f,rIt nf P0CClhIV
he thought the British contemplated
making another attempt to capture the
capital of the state, and cared nothing
about him and his small force; or 1t
may be that he thought they could not
cross the inlet which separates the two
islands. Whatever may have been his
conjectures as to the future move
ments of the British he was in crit
ical condition and either did not know
it, or knowing it did not care.
The condition Of things by which
Captain Matthews was surrounded was
very peculiar, and at least afford. some
palliation for the surprise with which
he met. The British, in strong force
were on James Island, and an intrigu-
| ing loyalist was on Johns Island
Thomas Fenwick noted as a loyalist
and friend Of the British, and after
wards as the spy of General Green
came into the camp Of Captain Mat
| thews on the evening of the 18th of
May. He enjoyed the hospitality Of
the officers and engaged with them In
conversation. Having learned all that
he desired respecting the position or
the forces under the command of Cap
tain Matthews, he communicated the
same to the British commander on
James Island. At midnight a detach-
ment of the British, i'm two divisions,
crossed from James Island to Johns.
One division marched to Fenwick's
house. the other to Matthew's land
ing They were now in position to
surround the camp of the Americans.
Every preparation being made, Fen
wick gave the signal, and both divi-
sions of the British commenced to
march simultaneously on the American
camp Fenwick, although he had but
few hours before supped in the
| Apnarican camn with the officers acted