Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-26

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off from the fort. The garrison was
thrown into the utmost confusion. The
commander having no military expe-
rience and having no taste for anything
but money! making, was completely
nonplussed. Lee soon discovering the
confusion into which the garrison had
been thrown by his unexpected attack
sent Captain Eggleston with a sum-
mon to Maxwell to surrender.
Although Maxwell felt no doubt that
he and his garrison were wholly at the
mercy of the American commander
still he did not forget to lay plans for
the retaining Of the plunder which ne
had stored away in the fort.
So soon as Eggleston set out under a
truce flag to summon Maxwell, the
Americans ceased firing. At this juno
ture of affairs, the British pickets that
had been cut off from the fort by the
American infantry, attempted to make
their way into the fort. This was
promptly prevented by a rapid move
ment of the American cavalry. Colonel
Lee sent an officer to Captain Eggleston
for the purpose Of informing him of
what had been done by the enemy's
rickets and requiring Eggleston to in
form Maxwell that such a move would
not be permitted with impunity. Max
we'll Immediately on hearing the re-
monstrance Of Colonel Lee, ordered the
pickets back to the position occupied
by them when the Americans ceased
firing.
Major Maxwell readily agreed to sur
render the garrison as prisoners of war,
together with all the military store,
provided each individual in the fort
should be permitted to retain his pri-
vate property of every description, not
subject to search. Eggleston discov-
cred at once that the object which
Maxwell had in view by this proviso
was to save the valuables which he
had stored away in the fort for his own
advantage. Eggleston knowing that
Colonel Lee ever made it a point to re-
store to it's rightful owner all private
property which he might find in the
hands Of the enemy, was at a loss how
to act, although he had been empowered
to bring the negotiations to a final
conclusion.
Capt. Eggleston, hesitating to termi-
nate the negotiations for the surrender
without first informing Colonel Lee of
the proviso inserted by Maxwell made
by letter a statement Of the condi-
tions upon which Maxwell would sur
render to Colonel Lee. Maxwell also
requested of Lee that two covered
wagons be granted him, individually
for the purpose of conveying his private
baggage. Maxwell further requested
that these wagons be not subject to
search. Lee in reply instructed Cap
tain Eggleston to grant the request Of
Maxwell, with the exception that the
horses fit for service belonging to the
Hessian cavalry be retained. Maxwell
was willing to accede to this, but so
soon as the Hessians learned that their
horses were to be taken from them,
their officers went in a body to Captain
Eggleston and declared that they would
not submit to this article Of capitula-
tion.>
Captain Eggl&ton promptly informed
Colonel Lee with regard to the declara-
tion of the Hessians. 1t so happened
at this moment that courier arrived
from Captain Armstrong, who had been
sent out with detachment Of cavalry
to watch the movements of Rawdon.
From this courier it was learned that
Rawdon was advancing in the direction
Of Fort Motto. In view Of this fact,
Lee thought it best not to demand too
much or delay too long, lest he would
be obliged to retire on account Of the
near approach of Rawdon. The Hes
slams in view Of the circumstance,
were allowed to retain their horses.
The articles of capitulation were now
signed and at noon on the 18th Of May,
1881, Captain Rudolph fixed the Amer
lean flag on one of the bastions of Fort
CRANKY. The garrison no doubt well
satisfied that they were relieved from
the dangers and privations of a long
siege and permitted to retain their pri-
vate property, marched under escort,
for the camp of Rawdon.
Conspicuous among the departing
throng was Major Maxwell's two COW
cred wagons, known to be loaded with
rrivate property which he had taken
from the citizens of the country. Two
pieces Of artillery, a large amount of
salt, distilled liquors and ammunition
constituted part of the spoils which
fell into the hands of the victors. Not
a single man was killed on either side
and only three rounds fired by the
Americans. Everything gained by the
patriots was a clear gain.
So soon as the garrison were paroled
and sent off to Rawdon, Colonel Lee
sent an officer of his command, with
the glad tidings to Gen. Greene. AL
! though Lse did not know 1t, General
Greene had advanced to within a short
distance of Fridays ferry on the Con-
garee. The army under General Greene
continued its march until it came to
what was then known as Ancrum's
plantation, near Fridays ferry and
camped. General Greene crossed the
river and visited Fort CRANKY, now in
possession of Lees command. Joy and
gladness pervaded every breast.
Sometime during the night of the
18th, courier from Armstrong an
nounced that Rawdon had retired in
the direction of Monks Corner and
early on the morning of the 18th, an
other courier arrived bringing the
cheering intelligence that General Sum
ter had on the 14th captured the gar
risOn at Orangeburg.
Thus within less than a month after
General Greene led the American army
into South Carolina, every British pos
in the interior of the state except Nine
ty-Six had been seized. When the an
nouncement was made that Sumter hat
captured Orangeburg a glad shout wa:
raised by the soldiers in Greene's army
Alas! all human joy is short liv-
ed. Sumter on his way from Orange.
burg to Fort CRANKY. learned that Col
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