Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-23
ed. Sumter paroled the prisoners and

ism post at OrangeDurS 1ell lnto Tie
hands of Sumter Fort Motto was TAX
en- by Marion and Lee. Fort Motto
was located on the right bank Of the
Congaree river a short distance west
of the point where the South Carolina
railroad crosses the stream. BY the
Congaree river and Buckhead creek, a
small tract of land is nearly surround
ed by water and may with propriety
be called a peninsula On the penin-
sula once resided Jacob Motto, and
here at the time of the Revolutionary
war, resided his accomplished and pa
triotic widow. The dwelling Of Mrs.
Rebecca Motto occupied the centre of
the British fortification. Around the
house deep ditch was dug and on the
river margin of the ditch high para
pet was erected. Mrs. Motto and her
family were driven from the house and
forced to shelter themselves in an old
house a 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 de-
pot for all the supplies designed for
both Camden and Ninety-Six. The
garrison was commanded by Captain
Mcpherson.
So soon as Marion and Lee discover
ed 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 stationed at Fort Motto was one
hundred and fifty; but only few
hours before the approach Of Marion
and Lee, their force had been increased
by the arrival of large number Of
cavalry. Lieut.. Col Lee with his d.
vision OF the American forces took post
on the hill on which stood the house
occupied by Mrs. Motto and family
General Marion took post on the east
ern slope Of the hill on which stood
the fort Near Marion's quarters a
mound was raised and upon 1t was
placed the six-pounder under the man
agement Of Captain Finley. The six
FOUNDER was favorably placed to rake
the northern face Of the enemy's
breastworks. Between the headqual-
ters of Lee and the eminence occupied
h,, ha
nature Of the valley that 1t 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 were divided so
that each relay was required to work
four hours and rest four. Parallel af-
ter parallel was completed and on the
tenth, Marion and Lee determined to
summon Mcpherson to surrender. The
demand was made but the gallant NC
Pherson refused to comply.
McPhersun had ITO artillery and his
only hope was that he would in due
time received suceor from Rawdon.
On the afternoon Of the same day, the
American officers received the intel
ligence that Rawdon had evacuated
Camden and during the night the ru-
NOR was confirmed by the arrival Of a
courier from General Greene. Time
now became precious. The work was
pressed forward with double vigor.
The forces of Marion and Lee could
not withstand those under Rawdon.
On the night Of the 18th, the camp
fires of Rawdon were seen cleaning
from the Santee hills. These fires fill-
ed the minds Of the men in the fort
with joy, whilst they were anything
but pleasant to Marion and Lee. These
officers were convinced that they could
batter down the enemy's work; but to
effect this would require more time
than they had at their disposal. 1t
was correctly judged that burning the
house of Mrs. Motto would force the
garrison to surrender at once. The
ditch cut by the Americans was now
within bow-shot of the house. Lieu
tenant Colonel Lee suggested that the
house be set on fire by hurling ignited
arrows on the roof Marion accepted
the suggestion and determined to re-
duce the proposed plan to practice.
Individuals were charged with the
duty of preparing the bows and ar
rows: but neither Marion nor Lee were
willing to burn the house without first
mentioning their design to Mrs. Motto.
They naturally supposed that she
would object to having her splendid
new mansion reduced to ashes. Colo
mel Lee, who was at that time enjoying
the hospitality Of Mrs. Motto. was
charged with the delicate duty Of COM
municating the fact to her and also ex-
planning to her that nothing but press
ing necessity could have induced the
American officers to resort to such a
measure. So soon as Colonel Lee COM
municated the plans Of himself and
General Marion to Mrs. Motto, she not
only assented but heartily approved OF
Of it, and proposed to furnish Colonel
Lee with a fine bow and bundle of ar
rows which she had received from the
East Indies. The self sacrificing spir-
it of this patriotic woman greatly re-
leved the minds of both Marion and
Lee.
The way being open now for burning
the house and the material all prepar-
ed, it was determined to summon Nc
Pherson again to surrender. DR.. lr-
vine. surgeon of Lees cavalry was sent
with flag to state the true condition
Of things. and that an immediate sur
render of the fort would save the
splitting of much blood. Mcpherson
still refused to surrender.
At 12 o'clock when the shingles on the
house had been thoroughly dried by
the rays of the sun, bow and num-
Der of arrows were placed in the hands
Of Nathan Savage, a private In Mar
ions brigade. Soon the shingles were
seen to be on fire. and rapidly the
flames began to spread over the roof.
1t was a moment of intense anxiety to
the American forces and Of fearful