The siege of Charleston : by the British fleet and army, under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot and Sir Henry Clinton, which terminated with the surrender of that place on the 12th of May, 1780 online

have only fucceeded by, and fuch a Sortie as
a Thief may make his Fortune by — but if
he ftays to fee who is there, he is either
killed on the Spot, or rewarded with a
Halter. The Number who came out is
not known ; they attacked the Workmen,
wounded feven Men, and took fix Prifon-
ers. The covering Party advanced imme-
diately, when the Rebels ran off, leaving a
Number of their Arms behind them. So
ended the Sortie. No other Attempt was
afterwards made by them, except lying be-



Siege of Char leJlo?j. 127

hind their Works and firing random Shot.
I believe there never was fuch a Wafte of
Ammunition. I am told a private Man of
ours pick'd up Shot, which at 6d. each, the
Price given, amounted to 15s.

Fort Moultrie, the Great, has fallen !
The Morning of the 7th of May, the Bri-
tifh Flag was difplayed on its Rampart. It
furrendered to a Detachment of Seamen
and Marines, commanded by Captain Hud-
fon, of the Kichmond, without firing a
Gun.

We had the Pleafure of hearing this Day
alfo from Lord Cornwallis, who commands
on the other Side of Cowper's River. His
Lordfhip having Intelligence that the Re-
mains of all the Rebel Horfe, Polafkie's,
Bland's and Baylor's, were all colle6ted to-
gether, and about croffing the Santee River,
he detached Colonel Tarleton with the Le-
gion. The Colonel came up with them at
the River, attacked them inftantly, killed
Thirty and took feventy Prifoners, with one
hundred fine Horfe. Wafliington, who ef-



128 Siege of Charlejion.

caped at Munck's Corners, and Colonel
White leaped into the River, when the
Charge began. They had fent off a Boat
with lixteen private Prilbners, and Lieuten-
ant Afli of the 38th, who, on hearing the
Charge, pitched their Guards into the Ri-
ver, took the Boat, came back, and joined
the Legion.

I think Col. Tarleton may be fairly
mark'd down as the Finiflier of all equef-
trian Accounts for the State of South Car-
olina. On the Morning of the 8th, the
Town was again fummoned ; this produced
a Correfpondence which continued till the
Night oi the 9th, when the Firing com-
menced. It does not appear that the Gene-
ral intended to deftroy the Town. Part of
their outer Ditch we had drained ; we had
pafled it, and even broke Ground inlide of
their Abattis ; they faw their Fate approach-
ing, and on the Morning of the i ith, fent
a Flag, which was rejedted. At 12, they
beat the Chamade, and lent another Flag,



Sie^e of Cha?'leJ}o?t. 129

afking the Terms they had formerly re-
jeded, which were granted.

The LINCOLNADE was adled on the
1 2th. General Leflie, with the Royal Eng-
lifli Fufileers and HelTian Grenadiers, and
fome Artillery, took Polleirion of the Town,
and planted the Britifh Colours by the Gate,
on the Rampart, and Lincoln limp'd out at
the Head of the moft ragged Rabble I ever
beheld ; it, however, pleafed me much bet-
ter than the Me/chianza.^ They were in-
dulged with beating a Drum, and to bring
out their Colours caled ; they laid down
their Arms between their Abattis, and fur-
rendered Prifoners of War. There are
feven Generals here. I am told the whole
Continentals, including Hofpitals, amount
to Two Thoufand Three Hundred. The

' The Mifchianza was a magnificent focial Entertainment,
• combining the Features of a Regatta. Tournament and Ball,
that was held at Philadelphia, on the 1 8th of May, 1778, imder
the Aufpices of the Officers of the Britifh Army, then Stationed
at that Place. A particular Defcription of the Ceremonies of
this Occafion was written by Major Andr^. — Sargent's Life of
Andre, P. 167.

R



130 Siege of CharleJloTi.

Militia, poor Creatures, could not be pre-
vailed upon to come out. They began to
creep out of their Holes the next Day.
You will fee by the Capitulation, they are
allowed to go Home and plough the
Ground. There only they can be ufeful.

The Earl of Caithnefs was fliot through
the Body, fitting in the Boat with, and
clofe to the Perfon of the General, on the
30th of March, but his Lordfhip is happily
recovered, I do not recolledl we have loft
any Officers but two, and 104 Men killed
and rendered unfit for Service by Wounds.
The Providence and Bofton Frigates are
here, with the Rn?iger, a very fine 18 Gun
Sloop of War ; alfo a French Ship, with
feveral fmaller Vefi'els. Their other Ships
are funk off the Town, to prevent our
Ships getting up the Cowper.' The Rebel

' Return of the Ships and l^ejfels taken and deftroyed in the
Siege of Char left on. — The Bricote, pierced for fixty, mounting
forty-four Guns, twenty-four and eighteen Pounders; her Captain,
Officers and Coinpany Prifoners. Q^ueen of France, twenty-
eight nine Pounders, funk; her Captain and Company Prifoners.



Siege of Charleftoji. 131

Officers are to go on Parole to Hendrell's
Point.

Lord Cornwallis, with a large Detach-
ment, are marched, we are told, towards
Camden, where lome Stores lie ; with him
Governor Martin. They may perhaps
penetrate into North Carolina.

Our Army is entire, and in perfedl
Health, and equal to any Bulinel's required
on this Continent.

Lord Cornwallis, with Lord Rawdon,
proceeded one hundred Miles up the Coun-
try towards North Carolina ; the Inhabit-
ants of that Province, amounting to feveral
Thoufands of effecftive Men, having re-
quefted the General to detach a Part of the

Noire Dame, Brig, fixteen Guns, funk; Captain and Company
Prifoners. Providence, thirty-two eighteen and twelve Pounders,
taken; Captain and Company Prifoners. Ranger, twenty fix
Pounders, taken; Crew Prifoners.

French Ships, V Aventure, twenty-fix nine and fix Pounders;
Captain and Crew Prifoners. Polacre, fixteen fix Pounders;
Captain and Crew Prifoners.

Some empty Brigs and other fmall Vcffels lying at the
Wharves, taken, with tour Row Galleys.



132 Siege of Char lejion.

Royal Army to their Frontiers, with Af-
furances of taking an adive Part in Con-
jundlion with the Britilli againft the Rebels
of America.

Colonel Tarleton took fo great a Number
of exceeding fine Horfes, as enabled him
to produce 400 as well mounted and well
appointed Cavalry as would do him Credit
en Revue at Wimbleton.



LETTER CONCERNING THE SURRENDER OF
CHARLESTON.

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 383, May 31, 1780.]

THE following Particulars of the
Operations of the Royal Army
before Chariefton, South Carolina,
are extra6ted from a Letter received by his
Majefty's Ship Iris, from an OtBcer of
Rank, dated May 14, which was two Days
after the Garrifon furrendered to General
Sir Henry Clinton.

"The Roebuck, commanded by Sir An-
drew S. Hammond, with Admiral Arbuth-



Siege of Char le/io?!. 133

not's Flag flying, led, and, of Courle,
received the chief Part of the raking Fire
in palling Sullivan's Illand. The Ships got
fo near before the Rebels perceived the
Admiral's Intentions, that it was aftonifli-
ing with what little Injury they palled.
Twenty-feven killed and wounded was the
whole Lofs of the Squadron.

" The Army carried on their Approaches
through the Canal, firft Abbattis and even
to the Foot of their left Work ; when
every Thing in Preparation for a Storm,
and the Ships almoll: in Motion, the Enemy
averted the Blow by a Letter from General
Lincoln, acquainting Sir Henry Clinton,
that he would accept the Terms he had
two Days before rejefted.

" The Continental Troops are Prifoners,
and the Militia and Inhabitants Prifoners
on Parole, and to return to their Homes.
The Property of the Town fecured to
them, but all the Velfels at the Wharves
are forfeited. The Providence, B0JI071, and
Ratiger, three Continental Frigates, are of



134 Siege of Charlejlon,

the Number. A French Frigate, called
the Adventure, and a Number of other
Veffels, fuch as Brigs, Gallies, &c., have
fallen with the Town.

" Previous to the taking the Town, In-
formation was received that fo many Drafts
had been made from Sullivan's liland, that
the Garrifon was reduced to 200 Men.
The Fort is fo perfeftly impregnable to
Ships, that the Admiral determined to at-
tack it by Storm with the Seamen and
Marines. Two hundred Men were landed
in the Night on the eaft End of the Illand,
who took Polfellion of an old Redoubt.
The fame Number were to be conveyed in
Boats from Mount Pleafant, under Cover of
the Fire of the Ships, when the whole
being ready, and the Ships in Motion, the
Fort furrendered. The Garrifon became
Prifoners of War. This Service haftened
and brought on the Surrender of the Town
four Days after.

" Lord Cornwallis, with the Army, will
march To-morrow for Camden, and fo on



Siege of C ha?' left 071. 135

to the Northward ; and from what we
learn of the Difpofition of the Inhabitants,
if the War is profecuted with Vigour in
thefe Southern Colonies, Rebellion will
fuft'er a fevere Shock in the Courfe of this
Summer."



EXTRACTS OF LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH-
WARD.

[From the Pennfvlvania Gazette, May 31.]

May 12.

ANOTHER Difafter has befallen
our Light-horfe. Colonel White'
and Colonel Horry, each at the
Head of a Divilion, had crolfed Santee
River at different Ferries. The former
had proceeded a little Way down the
Country, when he met with and captured
a Captain and 14 Privates of the Enemy's
Horfe. He upon this returned to Laneu's
[Lanneau's] Ferry, and had actually em-
barked his Prifoners, when the Enemy ap-

' Anthony Walton White.



136 Siege of Charleflo}}.

peared fuddenly in Force, recovered them,
and obliged Colonel White and his Lieu-
tenant Colonel Wafliington,' to plunge into
the River on Horleback, and, through the
moft imminent Danger, to fave themlelves
from Captivity by fwimming. Accounts
of our Lofs are various. It is generally
thought to amount to 20 Men, and about
as many Horfes."-

May 15.
" Some of the Enemy's Frigates have
landed Men on North Illand, at the En-
trance of George Town Channel ; but as
they immediately proceeded to burn every

1 Lieut. Col. William Wafhington, cldeft Son of Baily Wafh-
ingior, of Stafford County, Va. An extended Notice of this
Officer is given in Lee's Memoir of the War in the Southern De-
partment (1827), P. 434.

2 This Affair occurred on the 6th of May. The Britilh
Cavalry who fell upon the Americans and difperfcd them, were
led by Lieutenant Colonel Tarieton. About thirty Americans
were killed, wounded, or captured. Major Call and feven others
efcaped on Horfeback through the Enemy's Lines Two Offi-
cers and five or fix Privates fwam the River, and the Remainder
efcaped by concealing themfelves in the Swamps.



Siege of Char leJio72. 137

Houfe upon the Illand, the Incurfion was
no doubt intended to keep them in the
Habit of Mifchief, and not for Polfeffion.
A Frigate and two Tenders are conftantly
cruifing between the Mouth of this River
and Georgetown."

May 16.
" Laft Night arrived a Gentleman whofe
Information agrees exaftly with that con-
tained in many private Letters received by
Individuals of this Place. Fort Moultrie
is in the Hands of the Englilh. It has
been twice alTaulted, and the Alfailants
twice repulfed. Lord Cornwallis then
marched again ft it with 1,500 Troops,
and the Marines of all their Men-of-
War ; upon which Lieutenant Col. Scott,
having received a Summons, furrendered
upon Terms. The Garrifon marched out
with the Honours of War, and laid down
their Arms. The Continental Officers and
Militia were fuffered to go into the Country
upon their Paroles, the Continental Pri-
S



138 Siege of Char lejlon.

vates, about 50 detained. The greater Part
of the Regulars in that Garrifon had been
not long before moved into Town by Col.
Pinkney.'

"The Enemy have, if we may believe
Accounts that are well authenticated, made
a fecond Attempt on Charleftown, and have
been again repulfed. The Lofs on neither
Side has been as yet afcertained ; but Col.
Simmons is the only Officer whom we have
Reafon to think was killed on ours."

Extradi of a Letter dated Middletown,

May 23.
* * * Charleftown was fafe the 4th
Inftant ; but fmce then a bloody Battle has
been fought there, but can't get the Par-
ticulars.

[Majler "Jonathan accepted the Capitulation
and Lincolnade of the i zth Vltitno, publified
by the Printer laft 'Thurfday.'\ — Royal Ga-
zette, June 14.

' Charles Coiefworth Pinckney.



Siege of Charle/iofj. 139

ENGLISH INTELLIGENCE FROM CHARLESTON.

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 386, June 10, 1780.]

ExtraB of a Letter, dated Camp, Charlef-

to%vn, May St A, 1780.
" \'\rE have been carrying on our Ap-
' * proaches from the ift of April,
and found an Obftinacy in the Befieged
that was not expefted. Fourt Moul-
trie furrendered Yefterday Morning, to
Captain Hudlbn of the Navy, who landed
on Sullivan's Ifland the 4th, with two or
three hundred Marines. There were only
I 26 Prifoners. A Summons was fent at 5
this Morning. They have till 8 to confider.
As every Thing is ready for a general Af-
fault, I exped: they will follow the Exam-
ple of Fort Moultrie. Our Army is ex-
tremely Healthy, have plenty of Viftuals
and Drink, and in high Spirits. Our Lofs,
in killed and wounded, during this long
Siege, where there has been a great deal of
very fevere Firing, does not exceed 140
Men, which, conlidering 1,500 Men are



I4-0 Siege of Charlejion.

every Night expofed, is not a great Num-
ber.

" loth May. The Garrifon have been
begging four Hours more, from one Period
to another, fo as to continue the CeiTation
to laft Evening, 8 O'clock, which Time I
fear, they have employed to our Dil'advan-
tage. They iniifted on having the Property
of the whole Province fecured to the In-
habitants, and fome other Terms for the
Militia employed in Town, which the Ge-
neral and Admiral could not grant ; and
laft Night, at Nine, a heavy Fire began on
both Sides, which has continued all Night.
We know their Provifion is bad and very
{hort ; they muft come to our Terms in a
Day or Two, unlefs Something very extra-
ordinary prevents.

" 1 3th. After lofing a few more Men,
and about twenty Houfes, the Garrifon fur-
rendered on the Terms offered on the 8th,
viz : to march out with Drums, and pile
their Arms in front of our Troops without
their Gate. This took place Yefterday.



Siege of Char lejion. 14.1

Two Companies of Grenadiers (Britiili and
Hellian) with two Pieces ot Cannon, took
Poffeffion of the Gate at two O'clock ; the
Firft Divifion (the 7th Grenadiers), with
one piece of Ordnance, led the Way, and
were followed by General Leflie, with the
Heads of Departments, &c., 6cc. The
other Divilions then marched in and the
Colours were hoifted on the Walls, a Sight
we long wiflied for. The 7th and 63d
marched in foon after, and are to be Part of
the Garrilbn. I congratulate you iincerely
on this happy Event, which has greatly
weakened the Rebel Force in the Southern
Diftrid:."

We have Authority to add to the Parti-
culars lately printed, of the Prifoners taken
by the Briti£l:i Troops, at the Surrender of
Charleftown, that there were between Nine
Hundred and Ofie Thoufand Seameji, which
were not reckoned in the Account publifhed
of the General's Succels upon that Service.

When the Triton Frigate left Charlef-



14-2 Siege of Charlejlon.

town, the Returns of the Royal Army,
under the Command of General Sir Henry
Clinton, amounted to Thirteen Thoiifand
Five Hundred and Seventy-two Men.

The French King, the boafted great and
good Ally of the American Colonies in
Rebellion againft their Mother Country,
has appointed their Commander, Mr.Wafh-
ineton, to be a Lieutenant-General of his
Forces and an Admiral of his Marine.



[From Deacon Loudon's New York Packet.]

FisHKiLL, June 8, 1780.
" T"! T'E learn, by the Southern Poji, that

' * the Garrifon of Charlelfown was
fafe on the 17th of May, notwithftand-
ing Rivington's pompous Gafconade, in a
late Hand-bill, in which he announced
that it was taken. However, we hear that
he, in another Paper, had modeftly ac-
knowledged the Miftake."

Vide, the 7 Rebel Generals and 8,000 Ragy-



Siege of Char left on. 14.3

muffins taken in Arms, as exhibited tinder
the New York Head, in this Day's Gazette.
— Royal Gazette, June 17.



PLANS OF THE ENSUING CAMPAIGN.
[From the Connedticut Journal of June 8, 1780.]

Boston, May 15.
" ^ I A HE Public may rely that the follow -
I ing is a genuine Letter from Colonel
Campbell, who was fome Time
pajl a Prifoner in this State, and who after-
wards commanded the Britijh Troops that fir Jl
took Pofl in Georgia. This Letter was found
in a Prize lately brought in here, and we
give it faithfully to our Readers from the Ori-
ginal."

London, 15th January, 1780.
My Dear Hugh :

In my laft, I informed you that the De-
fence of Savannah gave great Satisfaction
here ; and it has had a very good Effedl
upon the Minds of the People, whole
Spirits were down on Account of the



14-4 Siege of Char lejlon.

Length of Time which elapfed without
any Effort even, to do Good. And though
this was in fome Meafure no more than a
gallant Defence, yet it made an Impreffion
almoft equal to what a Viftory would have
done. The Plan which is now underftood
to be determined upon here for carrying on
the War, is to take a certain Number of
Pofts in America, in fuch a Way as to
command the Trade of the Country, and
to have no other Objed: in America than
the maintaining of thefe Ports, and the
ruling oi the Trade by our Fleets. The
Ports faid to be fixed upon, are Halifax, Pe-
nobfcot. New York, Portfmouth in Virginia,
Charleftown, Savannah, and St. Auguftine.
To accomplifli which, we imagine that you
are now employed in taking Charlertown,
and ertabliibing a Port at Portfmouth.
Thefe Objedts being accomplillied, we un-
derrtand 12,000 Men are to be detached to
the Weft Indies, which is to be the adlive
Seat of War againft the French and Span-
iards.



Siege of Char left on. 1^5

It is evident that unlefs we can carry on
an adtive and defenlive War againfl them
abroad, we never can fucceed or do well.
Lafl: Campaign we were all defenlive, and
every Thing went badly with us. I never
wifli to fee fuch another Campaign. We
will be anxious, however, to know what
our wife Heads in America will think of
this Plan for the American War. To be
fure, the more Troops you can fpare from
thence to drub the common Enemies, the
better. Yet I tear the Number mentioned
is more than you can give, after putting
the Pofts mentioned in a proper Condition.

We have had Nothing new of any Mo-
ment going on fince I wrote you. Indeed,
Parliament has been adjourned all the Time,
which prevents our furnifhing fo much as
we otherwife do of the State Operations.
It is believed by many that there is an
Alliance formed between us and Ruffia ;
and I am inclined to believe that that either
is the Cafe, or that there is a Treaty in
forwardnefs. They can very well fpare us
T



14-6 Siege of Charlejion.

twenty Ships of the Line, which would
enable us to detach a great Force to the
Weft Indies.

Indeed, it would completely reftore us
to the Superiority of the Seas. There is
nothing fettled yet between us and the
Dutch, about our Right of fearching their
Ships. I exped: our Court will perlift in
this Right, and I do not imagine the Dutch
will chufe to go to War with us.

Farewell my dear Boy,

I ever am, unalterably yours,

A. Campbell.
Lieut., and Adjutant Hugh Campbell,

2d Battalion, 71ft Regiment, Georgia.
\Koyal Gazette, "June 17.]



Siege of Charlejion. 14.7

DOUBTS ABOUT THE FALL OF CHARLESTON.
[From the New Jerfey Gazette.]

Trenton, June 7.
" "1^ jW^. Rivington, in a 'Gazette

j^yi Extraordinary,' dated the 29th
Ult., announces the Reduction
of Charleflown on the 12th, which he fays
he publifhes by Authority ; but as twenty-
five Days have fince elapfed without an
Exprefs having arrived at Philadelphia,
confirming the Account, it may be reafon-
ably prefumed that it either took Rife from
the Surrender of Fort Moultrie, or pro-
ceeded alone from the Fertility of the
Royal Printer's Invention."

Vide the Lincohiade, publified lajl Week by
y. Rivington. — Royal Gazette, Ju?ie ij.



148 Siege of Charlejion.



ADDRESS OF LOYALISTS OF CHARLESTON TO
SIR HENRY CLINTON AND VICE ADMIRAL AR-
BUTHNOT.i

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 389, June 21, 1780.]

THK followmg Addrefs, ftgned by the
principal and jnojl refpeBable In-
habitants of Char lejl own. South Car-
olina, was prefented previous to the Departure
of their Excellencies General Sir Henry
Clinton, K. B., and Vice Admiral Ar-
BUTHNOT, his Majejiy's Cotmnifioners.

1 Moft of the Perfons who figned this Addrefs had been in
Arms againft the Britifh Army, and feveral of them had been
Leaders in the popular Government. Thefe fudden Converts
to Royalty became the Inftigators of fevere Meafures againft
thole of their late Aflbciates as preferred 10 remain in the Cha-
rafter of Prifoners on Parole, and in Turn fufFered from their
Refentment upon the Evacuation of South Carolina by the
Britilh Army juft before the Clofc of the War.

" For their figning Addrefles of Congratulation on Britifh
Viftories, many Apologies were offered. Some alleged in their
Behalf, 'the Fear of lofing their Eftates — of being refufed Pro-
teflion, or of being Objefts of Sufpicion.' Others had never
read them; but they all agreed, 'that the Sentiments contained
in thefe ill-fated Addrefles were at no Time the Language of
their Hearts.' " — Ramfay's South Carolina, i, 467



Siege of Charlejion. 14.9

To their Excellencies Sir Henry Clinton,
Knight of the Moft Honourable Order
of the Bath, General and Commander-
in-Chief of all his Majefty's Forces
within the Colonies lying on the Atlan-
tic Ocean from Nova Scotia inclulive,
and Mariot Arbuthnot, Efquire, Vice
Admiral of the Blue, Commander-in-
Chief of his Majefty's Ships and Vcllels
in North America, his Majefty's Com-
miflioners, &c., &c., &c.

The Humble Addrefs of divers Inhabitants
of Charlejiown :
The Inhabitants of Charleftown, by
the Articles of Capitulation, are declared
Prifoners on Parole ; but we, the Under-
written, having every Inducement to return
to our Allegiance, and ardently hoping
fpeedily to be readmitted to the Charafter
and Condition of Britifli Subjefts, take this
Opportunity of tendering to your Excel-
lency our warmeft Congratulations on the



150 Siege of Charlejion.

Reftoration of this Capital and Province to
their political Connection with the Crown
and Government of Great Britain, an Event
which will add Luftre to your Excellencys
Characters, and we truft entitle you to the
moft diftinguifliing Marks of the Royal
Favour.

Although the Right of taking America
in Parliament, excited confiderable Ferments
in the Minds oi the People of this Pro-
vince, yet it may, with a religious Adhe-
rence to Truth, be affirmed, that they did
not entertain the moft diftant Thought of
dilfolving the Union that fo happily fub-
fifted between them and their Parent
Country, and when in the Progrefs ot that
fatal Controverfy, the Dodtrine of Inde-
pendency (which originated in the more
Northern Colonies), made its Appearance
among us, our Natures revolted at the
Idea, and we look back with the moft
painful Regret, on thofe Convullions that
gave Exiftence to a Power of llibverting a
Conftitution, for which we always had, and



Siege of Char left 071 . 151

ever fliall retain the moft profound Venera-
tion, and fubftituting in. its ftead, a rafh
Democracy, which however carefully di-
gefted in Theory, on being reduced into
Pradtice, has exhibited a Syftem of tyrannic
Domination, only to be found among the
uncivilized Part of Mankind, or in the
Hiftory of the dark and barbarous Nations
of Antiquity.

We lincerely lament, that after the Re-
peal of their Statutes, which gave Rife to
the Troubles in America, the Overtures
made by his Majefty's Commiffioners from
Time to Time, were not regarded by our late
Rulers. To this fatal Inattention are to be
attributed thofe Calamities which have in-
volved our Country in a State of Mifery and
Ruin, from which, however, we truft it
will foon emerge, by the Wifdom and Cle-
mency of his Majefty's aufpicious Govern-
ment, and the Influence of prudent Laws,
adapted to the Nature of the Evils we
labour under, and that the People will be



152 Siege of Charlejlon.

reftored thofe Privileges, in the Enjoyment
whereof their former Felicity confifted.

Animated with thefe Hopes, we entreat
your Excellencies' Interpofition in affuring
his Majefty that we fliall glory in every
Occalion of manifefting that Zeal and
AfFecftion for his Perfon and Government
with which Gratitude can infpire a free