~ The Siege of Charleston, SC - 1780 ~
Introduction By: McDonald “Don” Burbidge
Illustrious Brother Wilmot Gibbes DeSaussure, 33°
was born at Charleston, South Carolina on July 23, 1822.
He
graduated from the South Carolina College in 1840 at the age of 18.
In
1861 after the U. S. Army evacuated Fort Moultrie, he was placed in charge of
the abandoned fortress. At the time of the bombardment of Fort Sumter by
Confederate military forces he was in command of artillery on Cummings’s
Point. He later took command of the Fourth Brigade, South Carolina Militia, and
held this position to the close of the War. He commanded the force of reserves,
which engaged in the defence of Charleston and, after the resignation of General
States Rights Gist (Mason Union Kilwinning Lodge No.4) who was the son of
General Mordecai Gist one of General George Washington’s General’s during
the Revolutionary War.
During his lifetime
Ill. Bro. Wilmot Gibbes DeSaussure, 33°
wrote many various speeches and Orations for the masons and the Society of the
Cincinnati for the State of South Carolina. These talks provided the listener
with details, facts, and sources from where he obtained these facts.
The speeches have
just been rediscovered and due to their content are important to the South
Carolina Masonry and how our earlier Brethren fought for our freedom along with
the hardships they encountered along the way.
When the
British troops took possession of Boston the battle of Bunker Hill was the first
battle fought for American Independence, and in it fell General Joseph Warren,
Grand Master of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. His life was the first grand
offering of American Masonry at the altar of liberty.
In
the first of a series of his speeches he tells of how Charleston, South
Carolina, fell to the British during the Revolutionary War.
In
the coming months we will be presenting to the Masons of South Carolina
additional speeches as he wrote them and presented them in an effort that all
can learn from.
AN ACCOUNT
OF
THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON
SOUTH CAROLINA
In 1780.
_____
By General Wilmot G. DeSAUSSURE.
(FROM THE CITY YEAR BOOK-1884)
_______________
CHARLESTON, S. C.
THE NEWS AND COUIER BOOK PRESSES.
1885
THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON-1780
_____________
The British campaigns of 1776-1777 not having resulted in the Northern States so
successfully as the British commanders had anticipated, in 1778 they began to
turn their attention to the Southern States, hoping to subjugate these and
restore them to their allegiance to the British Crown. In pursuance of this plan
an expedition was undertaken against Georgia, which resulted in the capture of
Savannah, its capital, on 29th December 1778. During 1779, the
sending troops into the interior of Georgia, the futile attempt of General
Prevost to capture Charleston by surprise, and the defense of Savannah against
the siege laid to it by the combined forces of America and France, and which
resulted so disastrously to the America cause, prevented any very determined
efforts by the British in the prosecution of the proposed plan of campaign.
Stedman, in the History of American War, says: “Sir Henry Clinton having been
cramped in his operations by the proceedings of the French fleet under the Count
d’Estaing, whose unsuccessful attack upon Savannah, together with his final
departure from the American coast, has already been related, no sooner received
certain information of the departure of d’Estaing than he set on foot an
expedition, the object of which was the taking of Charleston and the reduction
of the Province of South Carolina. The troops designed for this expedition were
immediately embarked on broad the transports; and these escorted by Admiral
Arbuthnot with an adequate naval force sailed from Sandy Hook on the 26th
December 1779. Sir Henry Clinton (British Commander-in-chief in America)
accompanied the expedition, leaving the garrison at New York under the command
of Lieut. -Gen. Knphausen. The passage might have been expected to be performed
in ten days, but such was the uncommon severity of the season that the fleet was
very soon separated and driven out of its course by the tempestuous weather, and
scarcely any of the ships arrived at Tybee, the appointed place of rendezvous,
before the end of January. Some few straggling vessels were taken, some others
were lost, and all received more or less damage. Almost all the horses belonging
to the artillery or cavalry perished during the passage; and amongst the ships
that were lost was one which contained the heavy ordnance; the crews were all
saved. Those ships being refitted from Tybee to North Edisto Sound, in the
Colony of South Carolina; and on the 11th February the troops were
disembarked on John’s Island, about thirty miles from Charles town. Part of
the fleet was immediately sent round to block up the harbor of Charles town by
sea, whilst the troops slowly advancing through the country passed from John’s
Island, and from thence, over Wappoo Cut, to the main land, until they at length
reached the banks of Ashley River, opposite to Charles Town.”*
*The strength of Sir Henry Clinton’s expeditionary army is stated in Tarleton’s memoirs as
“four flanked battalions, twelve regiments and corps, British, Hessian, and
Provincial, a powerful detachment of artillery, two hundred and fifty cavalry,
and complete supplies of military stores and provision.”
The purpose of this paper is to give as clear an account as practicable of the siege of Charleston, with
references to the locations as known to this date.
The North Edisto empties into the Atlantic about twenty-five miles South of
Charleston; John’s Island is on its Northern or left bank, and that Island has
for its Northern boundary the waters of Charleston harbor with the Stono River,
about twenty miles above its outlet into the Atlantic. The Stono Ferry is about
seven or eight miles higher up the Stono River, and that ferry is distant by
land from Charleston about twelve or fourteen miles, but by the old road across
Ashley Ferry (now Bee’s Ferry or Savannah Railroad Bridge crossing) about
twenty miles. The Wadmalaw River is an inland water communication between the
North Edisto River to the Southward, and the Stono River to the Northward, and
the connection between the two is made a little higher up, say two or three
miles above Stono Ferry.
Tarleton says: “On 10th February the transports, with great part of the army
on board, convoyed by a proper force, sailed from Savannah to North Edisto, the
place of debarkation which had been previously appointed. They had a favorable
and speedy passage, and through it required time to have the bar explored and
the channel marked, by the activity of the navy these difficulties were
surmounted, the transports all entered the harbor the next day, and the army
immediately took possession of John’s Island and Stono Ferry; James Island,
Peronneau’s Landing, Wappoo Cut and other adjacent places were soon afterwards
obtained, and by a bridge thrown over the canal the necessary communications
were secured and the advanced part of the King’s army occupied the bank of the
Ashley River, opposite to Charles Town.
On the retreat of Gen. Prevost in May 1779, he had taken the route by these Sea
Islands. In June 1779, a stubborn battle had taken place near Stono Ferry, the
American army endeavoring to cross at that place so as to attack the rear of the
British then on John’s Island. Sir Henry Clinton was, therefore, acquainted
with these water-ways, and knew that if he was to be molested on John’s
Island, it was almost necessarily by the way of Stono Ferry. The promptness with
which he possessed himself of Stono Ferry showed his appreciation of its value
to him. In all probability the flat bottomed and light draught vessels required
to pass over the Church Flat Shoals, where the Wadmalaw and Stono Rivers connect
their waters, had been all prepared prior to his sailing from Savannah, so as to
allow him to act with dispatch. Stedman says: “The flat bottomed boats had
been brought from North Edisto Sound, through the inlets by which the coast is
intersected, until they entered Ashley River by Wappoo Cut.” The possession of
this ferry enabled him to prepare more leisurely and effectively for his future
operations against Charles Town. It was scarcely possible for the American army
to attack him on John’s Island by way of James Island, for the Stono River,
during the whole of its course separating it from John’s Island, is a bold,
navigable stream, in which the British fleet could send light vessels, and so
render any attack very hazardous to the American army.
Simmons’ Island, now known as Seabrook’s Island, is an island lying between John’s
Island and the ocean; it is separated from John’s Island by Bohicket Creek and
its marshes. It presented a good landing, and near its northern end, the marshy
ground which separates it from John’s Island is about two to three hundred
yards wide, a fairly firm sandy marsh. From there a road runs nearly parallel
with the with the creek to near Church Creek Bridge, from whence one fork leads
to a Stono River and another fork to the plantation on Stono Ferry and another
fork to the plantation on Stono Ferry known as Head-quarters, now owned by Mr.
D. J. Townsend, but then owned by Thomas Fenwick, a loyalist. Opposite to this
plantation, which has a fair landing, on the James Island side of Stono River,
was and is a good landing, then known as Peronneau’s landing; it is on the
plantation owned by the late James M. Lawton, and is about a short mile from
Wappoo Ferry at its junction with Stono River. Tarleton says Pernneau’s
landing was seized; and it probably was by a detachment sent across from this
Headquarters plantation. Near this landing on James Island the road forked; the
right hand fork ran through James Island and entered Fort Johnson on the rear or
landside; the left-hand fork led to Wappoo Cut, a short mile distant.
On 12th February 1780, General Lincoln wrote to General Washington: “I
have received information that on 3d inst. The enemy landed about eight thousand
troops, commanded by Sir Henry Clinton. I am told that fifty sail of vessels got
into North Edisto this day by a person just from Edisto I learn that the number
of vessels in the harbor there is little fifty. On 14th February
Lieut. Col. John Laurens wrote General Washington: “The day before yesterday,
we had certain intelligence of the arrival of forty-five sail at North Edisto. A
debarkation immediately commenced on Simmon’s Island, and advanced corps, it
is said, of five hundred proceeded the following day to John’s Island.” This
letter is, so far as I know, the only positive statement as to the place of
debarkation, the only positive statement as to the place of debarkation.
On 4th March 1780, General Lincoln wrote General Washington: “Sir
Harry seems to be collecting his force on James Island, and is there throwing up
some works; one among the ruins of Fort Johnson, another a little to the
Westward of it. It is said that he is also throwing up a bomb battery opposite
the town. Drawing his principle force to this island, hauling his galleys and
other armed vessels of small draught of water near the mouth of the Wappoo,
collecting a number of boats there, indicate that an attempt on the Southerly
part of the town by boats will be made." ”On 14th March,
Lieut. -Col. Laurens writes General Washington: “His (the enemy’s)
transports and store ships have removed from Edisto up Stono River, where they
lie contiguous to Wappoo Cut, which is the water communication from thence to
Ashley River. At a point of the main land, formed by the issuing of the former
into the latter, he raised in the course of a night, the 11th inst.,
and a battery of six embrasures. This situation, naturally advantageous, he will
probably render very strong, and establish in it his deposit of military stores
and provisions. He may then either force a passage over Ashley River or turn it
by a circuitous march, fortify a camp on the neck and open his trenches. The
best communication between his magazines and camp will be across Ashley River,
from a bluff, marked Bull in your large map.”
Stedman, writing from the British standpoint, says: “So great were the impediments that
they met in their progress, or such the extreme caution of the
Commander-in-chief in establishing and fortifying posts to preserve his
communication with the sea, that it was not until the 29th March that
the advance of the army crossed Ashley River at the ferry, and landed on Charles
Town Neck, some miles above the town. The flat-bottomed boats had been brought
from North Edisto Sound through the inlets by which the coast intersected, until
they entered Ashley River by Wappoo Cut; and the passing over of the troops was
conducted with much address by Capt. Elphinstone, of the navy. On the following
day the troops encamped in front of the American lines; and on the 1st
of April began to break ground before Charles Town, at the distance of eight
hundred yards from the Provincial works.” As there were no impediments, the
slow approach was due to Sir Henry Clinton’s caution. As previously stated, he
had ordered reinforcements to be sent him from New York and Savannah. The
latter, over twelve hundred under General Patterson, marched by land, and had
some immaterial skirmishing with small bodies of militia; this was the only
impediment the advance met with. General Moultrie was stationed at Bacon’s
Bridge, on the head of the Ashley River, but was never in contact with the
enemy, except to capture a few picquets.
General Moultrie, writing to General Lincoln on 22nd February, 1780, says:
“I did not write you sooner, as I waited for the return of a party of horse
that had gone out towards the enemy’s lines at Stono, which might returned
last night. Major Jemeson informs me he has within view of the centries of their
picquets, posted at the cross-roads; that he had not heard of any number coming
out, except the first day or two, to drive in some stock. By the accounts he
got, he believes there are not so many at Stono as when they first took post
there; that some of them are returned to John’s Island.” The crossroad
alluded to, are doubtless the intersection of the roads about a half-mile from
Stono Ferry on the main land, where the roads to Ashley Ferry and the lower part
of St. Andrew’s Parish meet; and the British piquet was for the Stono Ferry.
On 25th February, the same officer writes, that yesterday, “I took
the two Majors and a party with me to reconnoitre the enemy on James and John's
Island. We proceeded to Wappoo Cut, from whence we had a very good view of their
whole encampment: their left on Stono River, extending their right along the
ditch in Mr. Hudson’s pasture, to the end of the ditch, near Wappoo Creek,
which I take to be a quarter of a mile; by the stacks of arms, and number of men
moving about, I judge them to be about one thousand or twelve hundred, British
and Hessians: in Stono River I saw gallies and two schooners, and some small
boats sailing down the river: one galley lay at the mouth of Wappoo Cut; another
lay at Hudson’s landing, and one at Fenwick’s lower landing: they have
thrown up a work near the cut.” Richard Hutson at that time owned the
plantation on James Island, immediately at the junction of Wappoo Cut and Stono
River, and the ditch above alluded to is probably what is now known as
Elliott’s Cut. William Elliott had opened this Elliott’s Cut prior to 1777,
through “high and loose land,” and almost certainly is the ditch alluded to.
In the map accompanying Stedman’s History of the American War, a fleche or
redoubt is shown directly at the intersection of Wappoo Cut and Stono River, and
another, apparently a square redoubt, is shown on Wappoo Creek, about a half
mile near Charleston.
On 28th February, Col. Daniel Horry writes: “I am just returned from
Lucas’ old field and Wappoo Cut: and with a small party I went over to a point
called Long Island: the galley is at her old station, and about twenty-four or
twenty-five at Mr. Hudson’s landing, with four armed schooners, and two other
schooners, with a number of armed boats are now going up Stono; probably with a
view to bring off the baggage from that post; which we are told now consists of
a command, with six hundred men to guard their provisions and boats.” The
reinforcements under General Patterson were now advancing along the road by
Stono Ferry, for on 29th February, Major Richard Call says, “the
officer who went down the Pon Pon Road reports that their drums beat and their
horns sounded about eight o’clock.” This approach enabled a concentration on
James Island preparatory to an advance. On 1st March, Captain Philip
Neyle writes: “I this moment received intelligence from Major Vernier, that
all enemy have crossed Wappoo, and are approaching this way” (Bacon Bridge).
On 7th March, he again writes: “By accounts received from Major
Vernier, and a prisoner taken this morning, the enemy crossed Wappoo last night
at eight o’clock, with one thousand grenadiers and light infantry: the last
accounts we had of them they were about three miles from Ashley Ferry; we cannot
learn what their intentions were, unless they designed to surprise Major
Vernier’s post.”
The British troops which were thus crossed over Wappoo, proceeded, apparently, first
to make a footing at Fenwick’s place. On 19th March, general
Moultrie writes: “The enemy are at Fenwick’s place, at the mouth of Wappoo
Creek, making batteries and other works directly opposite the town.” This
agrees with Tarleton’s account, and Stedman’s map shows the location of
Fenwick’s to be at, or near, where the present phosphate of Mr. C. C.
Pinckney, formerly Sardy’s, is now situate. On 24th March, General
Lincoln writes: “The enemy are now extending their works on Ashley River, from
the mouth of Wappoo, with a design to cover their stores, which they can land
near the first work, at the mouth of the creek, and remove them a mile or two
across land to the head of another creek which empties into the Ashley, where
they have a work also, which is opposite a good landing on this side. I think
they will throw their troops across above, take post at this landing, and then
transport their stores, which will save them a very long land carriage.” The
creek thus referred to is now known as Old Town or Lining’s Creek, and there
is a bold landing on it, at the plantation called OLD Town, lately the property
of William M. Parker, deceased. The admirable map prepared under the direction
of Hon. William A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, and forming part of his Year
Book, 1883, for which every student of history should be grateful to him, shows
not only this creek and its proximity to Wappoo, but shows the lines of defense
and attack during the siege of Charleston, and probably elucidates this account
better than words can do. In Stedman’s map, the work on Old Town Creek,
referred to by General Lincoln, is shown.
On 20th and 21st March the British fleet were crossing the
bar. It had been at first contemplated that the American fleet, under Commodore
Whipple, should resist the crossing; but he “did not choose to risk an
engagement,” as General Moultrie phrases it; brought all his vessels up to the
town, and sunk them in Cooper River between Schulte’s Folly and the town, so
as to prevent the British fleet getting into Cooper River, and flanking the
town. On 7th April the British fleet passed Fort Moultrie, not
stopping to engage it, and suffering but comparatively little damage,
“anchored under Fort Johnson.” Col. Charles C. Pinckney was thereupon
ordered up from Fort Moultrie, and Lieut. -Col. Scott left in command there.
General Moultrie, who had been in command of the cavalry and militia, at
Bacon’s Bridge, was relieved in consequence of illness, and on 9th
March returned to Charleston, and Gen. Isaac Huger took his place.
The British troops having thrown up works at Fenwick’s place, on the right bank of
the Ashley River, as before told, continued to advance by the road to Bee’s
Ferry, and on 29th March crossed the Ashley River at or near that
ferry, Sir Henry Clinton’s map says, “at Drayton’s, in force. Tarleton
says: “Capt. Elphinstone, of the navy, having stationed the gallies to protect
the boats on their passage with the troops to the neck, twelve miles above
Charles Town, the main body of the forces moved from their ground, embarked and
crossed the river on the 29th March, without opposition. On the
following day Sir Henry Clinton ordered the Light Infantry and Yagers, supported
by the Grenadiers and the other corps and regiments, to gain the principal road,
and move on towards the lines of the enemy. A few scattered parties of the
Americans skirmished with the head of the column, and after wounding the Earl of
Carthness, acting Aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief, and a few private men,
fell back to their fortifications. The Royal army without further molestation
took a position across the neck, about a mile and a half from Charles Town, and
effectively invested it between the Rivers Ashley and Cooper. Great part of
Brig.-Gen. Patterson’s command was left near Wappoo Cut, in order to guard the
magazines, till the main body should gain the neck; when a passage across Ashley
River was to be sought for nearer the town, for the convenience of transporting
all the requisites of a siege. Capt. Elphinstone soon discovered a landing
place, which shortened the trouble and delay attendant upon land carriage, and
by which the King’s troops received supplies of cannon, stores, provisions and
baggage with facility and expedition.” On 26th March General
Moultrie wrote: “The enemy are advancing slow; the head of their army is about
John Cattels, but I image they intend crossing over to Gibbes’ place with
their main body: they are busily employed on the opposite shore, in making
fascines and other things.” In his journal of the siege, his entries are:
“Tuesday, March 28th, 1780. The enemy crossed Ashley River, in
force, above the ferry. Wednesday 29th. The enemy advanced on the
neck. The Light Infantry were this evening reinforced with two companies, and
the command given to Col. Laurens. Thursday 30th. The enemy came on
as far as Gibbes’, where they continued skirmishing throughout the day with
our Light Infantry: the enemy were reinforced in the evening with two field
pieces and ninety men, which obliged our party to retire into garrison about
dark. Capt. Bowman of the No. Ca. Brigade killed; Major Hyrne and seven privates
wounded. The enemy were all this day transporting troops from Old Town, on
Wappoo Creek, to Gibbes.” On 9th April General Lincoln wrote:
“The enemy crossed the Ashley in force, near the ferry, on the 29th
ulto. and the next day moved down and encamped about 3,000 yards from our lines.
Before this, they had transported their heavy baggage, ordnance and stores, from
out of Wappoo, across land, about two miles, to Old Town Creek, on the West Side
of the river, opposite their encampment.” On the same day Lieut. -Col. Laurens
wrote: “On the 29th ulto. They crossed Ashley River in force, one
mile above the ferry. The next day they advanced to Gibbes’, a convenient
landing, about two miles from town, having previously collected a number of
boats at the opposite shore, for the purpose of crossing their heavy artillery
and stores. My battalion of Light Infantry, posted there to prevent a surprise,
or to sudden approach of the enemy, was ordered not to engage seriously, but
skirmish with advanced parties, retiring slowly and orderly towards town, as
there was no object in maintaining an advanced post, And the advantages of a
serious affair were all on the side of the enemy.”
The place of arms at Fenwick’s having been made secure, it would appear that Sir
Henry Clinton advanced the main body of his forces from there by the river road
running parallel with the Ashley River and falling into the main road at Ashley
(now Bee’s) Ferry, crossed at Drayton’s, very near Drayton Hall, and
marching down the Dorchester Road fell into the State Road at the quarter or six
mile house, down this main State Road he marched until his advance reached the
neighborhood of what is now known as Grove Street, and in that neighborhood went
into camp; his right extending towards Ashley River to cover and protect the
proposed landing at Gibbes Farm, and his left probably occupying the high land
about the present Cool Blow Farm, having New Market Creek on its front. It must
be borne in mind that at that time the present King Street Road was the only
road into the country, the Meeting Street Road not then existing. So that the
British forces extended from the Ashley River on their right to the marshes of
the Cooper River on their left. Stedman’s map shows that this was about their
disposition. At that time Charleston nominally extended to Calhoun, formerly
Boundary Street, although a great part of that above Beaufain and Hassle Streets
was very little built upon, so that the British camp was a little under two
miles from the Northern limit of the town. At that time the present driving park
owned by Capt. Frederick W. Wagner, together with the lands South of it, were
owned by John Gibbes, and a fairly hard landing place with little marsh was to
be found at the Ashley River end of the present Grove Street on this Gibbes
Farm; this landing is very nearly opposite to the mouth of Old Town Creek; it
afforded the nearest firm landing to Charleston, as nearly all South of it was
an extensive marsh. This Gibbes landing was then, that discovered by Capt.
Elphinstone, and by which the King’s troops received supplies, &c., with
facility and expedition.
The main army being now encamped about two miles from the town, and their stores of
cannon, &c., being transported across at Gibbes’ landing, Sir Henry
Clinton lost no time in commencing the active operations of the siege. As Col.
John Laurens tells, he skirmished with the advance on 30th March;
and, as Gen. Moultrie tells, Col. Laurens’ command retired into the garrison
about dark of that day. The 31th March and 1st April were spent by
the garrison in “mounting cannon, throwing traverses, &c., “ and by the
besieging force was probably spent in transporting fascines, cannon, &c.,
and moving them towards the places at which they were to be used.
Tarleton says: “The defenses of Charles Town on the land side consisted of a chain of
rebouts, lines and batteries extending from one river to the other, and
furnished with eighty cannon and mortars; the front works of each flank were
strengthened by swamps originating in the neighboring rivers, and tending
towards the centre, through which they were connected by a canal passing from
one to the other. Between these outward impediments and the redoubts were two
strong rows of abbaits; the trees being buried standing in the earth with their
branches facing outwards formed a heavy fraize work against the assailants, and
these were further secured by a ditch double picketted. In the center the
natural defenses were inferior to those on the flanks; to remedy this defect,
and to cover the principal gate, a horn-work of masonry had been constructed,
which being closed during the siege formed a kind of citadel. The fortifications
facing the two rivers and the harbor had been erected with uncommon labor and
expense. Ships with chevaux de fuse, connected by spars and booms, were employed
to block up the channels in order to hinder a near approach of the King’s
frigates, and piles of pickets wee fixed in the ground at all the landing places
to prevent any debarkation from the boats; the whole extent was likewise covered
by batteries formed of earth and pimento (probably palmetto) wood, judiciously
placed and mounted with heavy cannon. The garrison, under the orders of Gen.
Lincoln, was composed of ten weak Continental and State regiments of militia
drawn from the Carolinas and Virginia, and of the inhabitants of the town,
amounting in the whole to near six thousand men, exclusive of the sailors. The
body of regular troops destined for service, though assisted by the militia and
by the inhabitants, was scarcely adequate to the defense of such extensive
fortifications.” Stedman, without giving as much detail, confirms the above.
Moultrie gives the number of batteries on the lines as six-teen, and facing the
rivers as ten; those on the lines mounted seventy-nine guns, those on the rivers
mounted ninety-five guns; he does not give the locations of those on the lines,
but gives the names of those on the rivers. Beginning with those on the North
facing Cooper River, and proceeding South, and then West on Ashley River, these
river batteries were:
- Liberty Battery, called on the French map, “du quai de Gadsden,” about Washington and Charlotte Streets.
- Laurens Battery, called on the French map, “vieux Indien,” about Eastern foot of Laurens Street. There
may be some doubt whether these are the same.
- Craven’s, Governor Bridge, called on the French map, “du Pont du Governeur,” on the site of the present
United States Customs House.
- Exchange, called on the French map, “de la Bourse,” nearly back of the present Post Office.
- Grenville’s, called on the French map, “de l’extremitede la Baye,” about the site of the house now occupied by Col. W. L. Trenholm, No. 1 East Bay.
- Lyttleton’s, called on the French map, “de Darrell,” near the site of the residence of the late James G. Holmes, No. East Battery.
- Broughton’s, called on the French map. “Wilkins,” between Church Street and Meeting Street, in the present White Point Garden.
- Gibbes, near the Western end of South Bay Street.
- Bretigney’s, called in the French map, “Ferguson’s,” near the Western end of Gibbes Street.
- Sugar House, about where Broad and New Streets meet.
The French map gives another battery facing Ashley River and calls it, “Du vieux
Magasin.” This was about the West End of Magazine Street, near a battery
there; it was at the head of a creek, which ran through the old Rutledge Street
pond; that entire creek pond is now built upon.
The same map shows another battery called, “de la Pointe Nd Quest,” near the
West End of the present Montague Street, and another called, “de la Pointe de
Coming,” near the West End of Beaufain Street. Both of these were probably
about Lynch Street.
The French map shows very well the wet ditch and cheveaux de fuse (the abattis of
Tarleton) with the interval in the latter, and the crossing over the former by
which troops could pass; the interval is in the form of a loop.
The location of these river batteries are well shown on the map prepared under
direction of Mayor Courtnenay; some are also shown on Stedman’s map, but the
scale is too small to show them distinctly; and are remarkable well shown upon a
French map recently obtained by Daniel Ravenel, Esq., which is very interesting,
and the scale of which allows a tolerably fair measurement for locations. This
French map is probably a copy of Brig.-Gen. Du Portail’s engineers’ map; he
was in Charleston during the siege. “The lines,” Dr. Joseph Johnson says,
“which defended Charleston were on that ridge of land where St. Paul’s
Church, the Orphan House, the Citadel and the Second Presbyterian Church now
stand, extending to the river on both sides. On East side of King Street there
war a strong elevated fortress or citadel, aced with tapia or tabby, a remnant
of which is still visible on the East side of it, about forty yards from the
street, on a vacant lot between the picket guard house and Dr. Boylston’s,
owned by Mr. Mordecai Cohne (this remnant, enclosed by an iron rail on the
present Marion Square, is, it is believed, the only now existing relic of the
lines of the Revolution). These were called horn-works; this was the post of
honor.”
On a map drawn by John Diamond in 1807, for the cutting of a proposed canal across
what was then called the neck, the marshes or swamps (as Tarleton calls them)
from Cooper and Ashley Rivers are well shown. That from Cooper River began just
North of Chapel Street, and run a little North of the present Northeastern
Railroad depot; its course was, Southwestwardly, and terminated near the corners
of King, John and Warren Streets. That from Ashley River was marshes of
Comings’ Creek; the creek bifurcated, the Northern fork extending about on the
line of Morris Street to St. Philips Street; the Southern fork ran a little
below the line of Warren Street, nearly to St. Philip. It will thus be seen that
the width between King Street and St. Philip Street separated these marshes, but
the wet ditch was actually extended much further both East and West. On the
Eastern end of the lines a heavy battery was erected, very near where the
Northeastern Railroad passenger depot now is, and on the Western end a heavy
battery was erected, this was between Warren and Morris Streets on the South and
North, and Thomas and Smith Streets on the East and West: these two batteries
looked through the wet ditch. The Western battery was a little outside of the
lines, but there was a covered way into the lines, and a battery just within
covered the way leading into the lines. Diamond’s plat of 1897 shows the
remains of these old batteries and the French map makes the whole lines, ditch,
abattis, batteries, &c., very clear.
The lines of defense being above stated, with their locations described so as to be
intelligible to those who know the Charleston of today, the operations of Sir
Henry Clinton are told by Tarlenton as follows: “The General and his engineers
having fixed upon the mode and point of attack, a large working party broke
ground, under cover of an advanced detachment, on the night of 1st
April. Two large redoubts were thrown up within eight hundred yards of the
American lines, and were not discovered before daybreak, when the fire from the
town had very inconsiderable effect. The next evening another redoubt was added,
and for five successive days and nights the labor of the artificers and soldiers
was directed to the construction of batteries, which, on the 8th,
were completed with artillery.” The French map has this note: “Redoutes,
approaches et batteries de l’armee Britannique sous le commandement du
Lieu’t-General Sir Henry Clinton, Chev. Du Bain.Redoubtes numerotees 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, et 6, commercees le 1st Avril pour etablir la premiere
parallele. O. Seconde parallele terminees le 19 de avril. P. Troisieme parallele
terminee le 6 Mai et canal raigne par une Sappe condiute juisqu’s l’Ecluse.
9 batteries de cannons, 2 batteries de mortiers.” Gen. Woodford (American) on
8th April says: “The first of this month they broke ground in our
front. Their nearest work is upon our right (Cooper River), at six hundred yards
distance from ours, and they fall off from eight and nine to eleven hundred
yards on our left. They have done a great deal of work: their battery upon
Cooper River is in the greatest forwardness. They have been employed for several
days and nights, in opening lines of communication between their batteries,
which appear in great forwardness. Exclusive of these, they have a battery upon
our left flank at Wappoo Cut, and some galleys brought in by the passage of
Stono River. These are mounted with 32 and 24 pounders, but the distance is at
least a mile and a quarter from our left, too far to do any considerable
execution." On 9th April, General Lincoln says: “On the
morning of the 1st inst. We discovered that they had opened ground in
several places in our front, about eleven hundred yards therefrom. The next
night they threw up a work on our left, distance nine hundred yards. The next
which appeared was on Cooper River, six hundred yards from our right; these, and
some which they have since raised, seem to be closed. They have been some nights
perfecting their works and opening lines of communication. What they have done
seems rather calculated to cover their approaches than to annoy us from them.”
On the same day Lieut. -Col. Laurens says: “On the night of the 1st
inst. The enemy broke ground and have been working slowly eve since. I scarcely
know how to denominate what they have executed hitherto. It consists of several
redoubts, with a covered communication from right to left, which is still
unfinished. Their nearest work is an enclosed battery on their left, which
induces me to believe that they intend the line in question for a first
parallel, although some parts of it are rather too remote. Our shells and shot
have disquieted them and interrupted their operations; but General Lincoln,
sensible of the alue of these articles in a siege, economizes them a much as
possible. Fatigue parties are constantly employed in improving our works. The
whole front of our lines within the abattis is armed with wolf traps. All this
affords an excellent defense against storm, but must finally yield to a
perseverance in regular approaches, which appears to be Clinton’s present
plan, unless we can work under his fire as fast as he can, and afford time for
the arrival of your Excellency.” General Moultries diary reads:
“Sunday, 2d (April). Last night the enemy broke ground, and this morning
appeared two redoubts: one nearly opposite the nine-gun battery, on the right of
the horn work; the other a little to the left of the same, at about twelve
hundred yards distance from our lines. Monday, 3d. The enemy employed in
completing their two redoubts, and erecting one on our left at an equal distance
from the road.” On the same day he wrote to a friend in the country: “The
enemy are before our lines, and throwing up works very fast: they have four
redoubts abreast finished: one at the Broad Road at Watson’s, one at
Hampstead, where Sir Edmund Head’s house stood, one between these two, another
they have on our left, near Cummins’ Point; I suppose tonight they will have
one where Tagart’s house stood.” His diary of Wednesday, 5th,
says: “Last night the enemy continued his approach to Hampstead Hill, on which
they erected a battery for twelve cannon; and a mortar battery a little in the
rear. The battery from Wappoo and the gallies have thrown several shot into
town, by which one of the inhabitants in King Street was killed. Thursday, 6th.
The enemy approached from their center redoubt and erected a five-gun battery on
the angle between 11 and 12. Friday, 7th. This afternoon twelve sail
of the enemy’s vessels passed Fort Moultrie, under a very heavy fire. Sunday,
9th. The enemy last night continued their approach from their redoubt
on the left, and threw up a battery for ten cannon against the angle of our
advanced redoubt, and the redan No. 7. Monday, 10th. Sir Henry
Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot summoned the town.” General Lincoln refused to
surrender.
Sir Henry Clinton’s map, and the French map, both give the positions and numbers
of the British redoubts upon their first parallel. Sir Henry Clinton’s gives
also the head quarters of himself and his general officers, the positions of his
troops, his artillery park, and his store of commissary tools. In giving the
positions of his troops, it states that he had two battalions of British
Grenadiers; four battalions of Hessian Grenadiers; two battalions of Light
Infantry; two battalions of the 41st Regiment; Hessian Yagers (or
Jagers), and Artillerists: aggregating twelve battalions, two full regiments,
the Yagers and Artillerists. This would probably make a force of about ten to
twelve thousand, and agrees with what Stedman had said, viz: he brought 8,000
men from New York, was reinforced by 2,500 men under Cornwallis from New York,
and by 1,200 under Prevost from Savannah. The Americans, who surrendered,
aggregated officers, men, musicians and all, 5,570, of whom 2,152 were officers
without commands, militia, citizens, and a French local company.
From Sir Henry Clinton’s map, his own headquarters must have been somewhere between
Sans Souci Street and the Northern boundary of the city, probably on or about
Dr. Geiger’s farm. Lord Cornwallis headquarters I cannot locate. Gen.
Leslie’s headquarters were somewhere in the neighborhood of Congress Street
and Rutledge Avenue. Gen. Kosborth’s headquarters somewhere in the
neighborhood of Cool Blow Farm. The Artillery Park was about the present
Washington RaceCourse, and the store for the commissary tools on the farm West
of that RaceCourse. On that map, the British batteries on the first parallel are
numbered from Ashley to Cooper River; his right as a matter of course being
opposite the American left, and his right redoubt, No. 1, facing the left
redoubt of the American’s; but in fact overlapping it a little, Gen. Moultrie,
in stating the American batteries begins, “No.1, Beginning on the left” so
that, taking his manner of enumeration, the American and British batteries No.
1, nearly faced each other.
The diary and letter of Gen. Moultrie, with the several maps referred to, allow us
to approximate very closely to the line of the British first parallel. The diary
says on 2d April: “This morning appeared two redoubts, one nearly opposite the
nine gun battery, on the right of the horn work, the other a little to the left
of the same.” In the batteries enumerated by Gen. Moultrie, there was only one
nine gun battery on the American lines: judging, from the faces of the lines as
they appear upon the French map, and apparently from Sir Henry Clinton’s map,
this nine gun American battery would have been located somewhat East of the
present Meeting and North of Charlotte Street, probably very much on the site of
the present Second Presbyterian Church (Flynn’s Church). In the letter of 3d
April, he says of the British redoubts: “One at the Broad Road at
Watson’s.” The redoubt thus mentioned must have been about the present Line
Street, and a little West of King, and is No. 3 on the maps. Watson’s garden
was the square bounded by the present Line and Columbus Streets on the North and
South, King Street (or the Broad Road as it was then called) on the West, and a
line a little East of the Present Meeting Street (not then laid out) on the
East. The other a “little to the left of the same” must have been the
British No. 4, and was, in all probability, on Line Street, a little East of
Meeting Street. The “one at Hampstead where Sir Edmund Head’s house
stood,” was apparently the British No. 5, and probably near the corner of
Blake and Aiken Streets. “The other on our left, near Cummins Point,” is the
British No. 1, and apparently was located a little West of Smith and South of
Boisgard Street. The twelve-gun battery, Hampstead Hill, referred to in Gen.
Moultrie’s diary of 5th April, was somewhere near Blake and Bay
Streets, between Blake and Columbus Streets. The American lines trended from
Northeast to Southwest, and the British lines followed the same direction: the
flanks of both lines were nearer than the centers, by probably two hundred
yards.
The Western or left, American, battery before mentioned as appearing on Diamond’s
plat, and which was about Warren, Smith and Thomas Streets, was probably the
“advance redoubt” of Gen. Moultrie’s enumeration. Nos. 1 and 2 were parts
of the lines, and were a little West of the advance redoubt, probably, partly,
looking across Cannon’s pond to the high land on the opposite side near
Rutledge and Doughty Streets. No. 3 was probably a little East of the advance
redoubt, say about Vanderhorst and Coming Street. No. 4 was probably on
Vanderhorst Street, East of Coming. No. 5 was somewhere near the Orphan House
Chapel. Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were probably all grouped near the horn work,
and extended from King Street, to near Anson, a little North of Hudson Street.
The position of No. 12, the only nine-gun battery mentioned by Moultrie, has
already stated. Nos. 13 and 14 probably adjoined it nearly on the East and
covered the point up to Chapel Street, on which the Northern Railroad passenger
depot now is, and in front was a creek and marsh. Cambray’s Battery was
possibly an interior work covering the opening in the lines to the advance
redoubt.
During the night of the 8th they had “continued their approaches from
their redoubt on the left, and threw up a battery for ten cannon, against the
angle of our advanced redoubt and the redan No. 7.” This battery, it appears
by the maps, was somewhere in the neighborhood of the present Hampstead Mall, a
little West of it; and a mortar battery seems to have been erected a little East
of it.
The town was summoned on 10th April; on the 11th and 12th
“the enemy busied in completing their works and mounting cannon.” The diary
continues: “Thursday 13th between 9 and 10 o’clock this morning,
the enemy opened their cannon and mortar batteries. The cannonade and
bombardment continued, with short intermissions, until midnight; the gallies and
battery at Wappoo also fired. Some women and children killed in town. They threw
several carcasses from 8 and 10-inch mortars, by which two houses burnt.
Friday, 14th. The enemy began an approach on the right, and kept up a fire of small arms.
Cannonade and bombardment continued.
Saturday, 15th. The enemy continued approaching on the right. A continual fire of small arms,
cannon and mortars. A battery of two guns opened by the enemy at Stiles place,
on James Island. Major Grimball’s corps of militia relieved from the advanced
redoubt, by a detachment of Continental artillery commanded by Major Mitchell.
Tuesday, 18th. We advanced a breastwork to the left of the square redoubt, for riflemen, to annoy
the enemy on their approach. The enemy continued their approaches to the right,
within 250 yards of the front of the square redoubt.
Wednesday, 19th. The enemy began an approach from the left battery, towards our advanced redoubt;
and moved some mortars into the former.
Thursday, 20th. The approaches continued on the left; their mortars removed from their
battery.” Sir Henry Clinton’s map says: “O. The second parallel finished
the 19th April.” The French map says the same.
This second parallel, which was made by approaches from both the right and left of
the British lines, was across the neck, somewhere very near the present Judith
Street, and about Morris Street. The second erected on King Street, or slightly
West of it, somewhere near Reid Street, a battery for cannon.
Geneneral Lincoln, when summons of 10th April had been sent in, had been so
urgently pressed by the Governor and Council and inhabitants, to refuse a
surrender that he had done so promptly. But the effect of the bombardment had
shown the almost futility of the defense.
Friday, 21st. April, General Lincoln sent a flag “to enter into the consideration of terms of
capitulation.” The terms proposed by Gen. Lincoln contemplated the marching
out of the garrison, with leave to go where they pleased, with “the usual
honors of war, and carry off at that time their arms, field artillery,
ammunition and baggage, and of such stores as they may be able to transport.”
The terms proposed by Gen. Lincoln were rejected. Gen. Lincoln thereupon called
a council of war to consider the propriety of evacuating the town. The council
were of opinion “that it was unadvisable because of the opposition made by the
civil authorities and the inhabitants, and because, even if they could succeed
in defeating a large body of the enemy in their way, they had not a sufficiency
of boats to cross the Santee before they might be overtaken by the whole British
army. The Council therefore recommended a capitulation. The recommendation was
not adopted.
In the meantime, the American cavalry under Gen. Huger, had been surprised at
Biggin Church, near the head of Cooper River, and utterly routed. This enabled
the British to head such river, and occupying the left bank of Cooper River, to
cut off any reinforcements to the garrison from that side. It is true the
American’s still held a post at Lemprier’s or Hobcaw Point, but the British
army under Cornwallis commanded the road to such point.
The rejection of Gen. Lincoln’s terms renewed the siege operations.
Saturday, 22d. Approaches continued on our left in front of the advance redoubt.
Sunday, 23d. Approaches to within twenty yards of the wet ditch.
Monday, 24th. A party composed of 300 men under the command of Lieut. -Col. Henderson made a
sortie upon the enemy’s approaches, opposite the advanced redoubts, at
daylight; they were completely surprised. The greatest part of the First South
Carolina Regiment came into garrison this morning, with Col. C. Pinckney, from
Fort Moultrie.
Tuesday, 25th. Between 12 and 1 this morning a heavy fire of cannon and musketry commenced from
our advanced redoubt and the right of the lines, occasioned as it was said by
the enemy’s advancing in column. It is certain they gave several huzzas, but
whether they were out of their trenches it is not clear. 2 o’clock, P. M. Lord
Cornwallis at Mount Pleasant.
Wednesday, 26th. The enemy were very quiet all-day and last night; we suppose they are bringing
cannon into their third parallel. Brig.-Gen. DuPont arrived from Philadelphia.
On Gen. DuPortial declaring that the works were not tenable, a Council was again
called upon for an evacuation, and to withdraw privately with the Continental
troops; when the citizens were informed upon what the Council were deliberating,
some of them came into Council, and expressed themselves very warmly, and
declared to Gen. Lincoln that if he attempted to withdraw the troops and leave
the citizens, that they would cut up his boats and open the gates to the enemy:
this put an end to all thoughts of an evacuation of the troops, and nothing was
left for us but to make the best terms we could.
Thursday, 27th. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon, four of the enemies gallies, an armed sloop
and a frigate, moved down the river, and anchored opposite the mouth of Hog
Island Creek. Our post at Lemprier’s ferry retreated across the river in the
night, to Charles Town, after spiking up four eighteen pounders they were
obliged to leave.” At this time, Tarleton says, “Charles Town was completely
invested.”
Friday, 28th. The enemy busy in throwing up their third parallel, within a few yards of the
canal.
Saturday, 29th. We are throwing up a redoubt on the right of the horn work; the enemy seem to
intend erecting two batteries in their third parallel, one at the gate opposite
the horn work, the other in front of Col. Parker’s regiment. A deserter from
them says they are preparing a bridge to throw over the canal.
May 1st. Our fatigue employed in erecting another redoubt on the left of the horn work. The
enmey appear to be about another battery in their third parallel, opposite No.
12 on our right.
Tuesday, 2d. Last night the enemy were making a ditch on the right to drain the canal. The enemy threw
shells at us charged with rice and sugar.
Thursday, 4th. Our rations of meat reduced to six ounces; coffee and sugar allowed to the soldiers.
Saturday, 6th. Fort Moultrie is in the hands of the enemy.
According to Sir Henry Clinton’s and the French maps, the British third parallel was
“completed 6th May, and canal drained by a sap carried to the
dam.” This third parallel, began at the marsh of Cannon’s pond, somewhere
about Radcliffe Street, and a little West of Smith, and running Southeastwardly
terminanated very near the wet ditch at or near the corner of Warren Street (a
little South) and between St. Philip and Coming Streets. The parallel on the
right was more angular, the apex of the angle beginning about Reid and Hanover
Streets, the left leg running Southwestwardly terminated just in front of the
British battery at King, and between Mary and Ann Streets, and the left leg
running Eastwardly to about opposite American battery No. 12, turned sharply to
the South by East, and reached the wet ditch about where Judith Street crossed
the marsh at the bridge known for years afterwards as Cooter Bridge. The battery
mentioned by Gen. Moultrie on 29th April as “at the gate opposite
the horn work,” is mentioned by Dr. Joseph Johnson in his traditions as
“within point blank shot, about 300 yards off, on the lot in Mary Street
formerly used as the lower railroad depository and long known as the Fresh Water
Pond.” And in speaking of the wet ditch he says: “Which, on the East side of
King Street, was a little North of Mr. Joseph Manigault’s house (now John S.
Riggs’, corner of Meeting and John Street), and was confined by an embankment
North of the house built by the late Col. Vanderhorst and now owned by Mr. C.
Heyward (the residence of the late Arnoldus Vanderhorst, corner of Judith and
Chapel Streets). This embankment was guarded by a battery constructed on that
lot, and at night fire balls were thrown to the opposite end of the bank where
Mr. J. L. Nowell now lives to show if any attempt was made to cut and let off
the water. ”Mr. J. L. Nowell resided at the corner of Reid and Bay Streets,
and this tolerably well establishes that Gen. Moultrie’s batteries, No. 13 and
14, were those a little to the west of, near what is now the Northeastern
Railroad passenger depot lot.
“Sunday, 7th (May). Our principal magazine near being destroyed by a 13-inch shell bursting within
ten yards of it.” This magazine was a brick building in a lot on the South
side of the present Cumberland Street; it is about one hundred and fifty feet
West of Church Street, and is still in fair preservation; it is in the rear lot,
and touching on the Western graveyard of St. Philip’s Church. Gen. Moultrie
says that, “in consequence of that shell falling so near, I had the powder
(100,000 pounds) removed to the Northeast corner under the Exchange, and had the
doors and windows bricked up. Not withstanding the British had possession of
Charleston so long, they never discovered the powder, although their Provost was
the next apartment to it, and after the evacuation when we came into town we
found the powder as we left it.”
Monday, 8th. A second summons from Sir Henry Clinton informing us of the fall of Fort Moultrie,
and that remains of our cavalry were cut to pieces the day before yesterday.
(This was the surprise and defeat of Col. Anthony Walton White at Lenud’s
Ferry.) Our meat quite out; rice, sugar and coffee served out.” The 8th
and part of the 9th were spent in negotiations, and resulted in the
siege being continued. Sir Henry Clinton said in rejecting the American’s
proposals: “Hostilities will in consequence commence afresh at 8 o’clock.”
Gen. Moultrie tells the closing scene as follows: “After receiving the above
letter we remained near an hour silent, all calm and ready, each waiting for the
other to begin. At length we fired the first gun, and immediately followed a
tremendous cannonade, about 180 or 200 pieces of heavy cannon fired off at the
same moment, and the mortars from both sides threw out an immense number of
shells; it was a glorious sight to see them like meteors crossing each other and
bursting in the air; it appeared as if the stars were tumbling down. The fire
was incessant almost the whole night; cannon balls whizzing and shells hissing
continually amongst us; ammunition chests and temporary magazines blowing up;
great guns bursting and wounded men groaning along the lines. It was a dreadful
night. It was a dreadful night. It was our last great effort, but it availed us
nothing. After this our military ardor was much abated; we began to cool, and we
cooled gradually, and on the 11th of May we capitulated, and on the
morning of the 12th we marched out and gave up the town.” About 11
o’clock A. M. on the 12th of May we marched out between 1,500 and
1,600 Continental troops (leaving 500 to 600 sick and wounded in the hospital)
without the horn-work, on the left, and piled out arms: the officers marched the
men back to the barracks, where a British guard was placed over them; the
British then asked where our second division was? They were told these were all
the Continentals we had, except the sick and wounded; they were astonished, and
said we had made a gallant defense.” “We marched out with the Turk’s
march.” Stedman says: “And Major-Gen. Leslie took possession of the town.”
Of the casualties, he says: “The loss of the British troops during the siege
amounted to 76 killed and 189 wounded: that of the garrison was not, in the
whole, quite so much; but in the number of the dead was greater.”
Dr. Johnson says: “The families which remained in Charleston, amidst these
exciting and alarming scenes of danger, removed generally into their cellars and
places of this kind for safety, and were generally safe; but about 20 of them
were killed.” The venerable Mrs. Lingard, grandmother of Gov. William Aiken,
who resided during the siege in Lingard Street, used, long after, to tell how
she and her family were obliged to take refuge in the cellar of her residence on
that street.
Gen. Lincoln, in his letter of 4th March, speaks of a battery on James
Island, one to the Westward of Fort Johnson. Gen. Moultrie’s diary, of 15th
April, calls it “a battery of two guns at Stiles’ place.” This
battery was on the present Hinson place, a little East of the clump of trees
known as the Hundred Pines; it was sometimes called the Watermelon battery. And
it was a shot from this battery which took off the right arm of the Pitt statue,
now standing in Washington Square, but which at the time stood on a high
pedestal at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets.
This paper has extended to such great length that it would render it tedious to
mention instances of gallantry during the siege; it must, therefore, be
concluded with the following extract from Gen. DuPortail’s letter to Gen.
Washington, dated 17th May, 1780, and telling of the surrender:
“Fortunately, in all this honor of the American arms is secure, and the enemy
have not yet great subject to triumph. To remain forty-two days in open trenches
before a town of immense extent, fortified by sandy intrenchments, raised in two
months, without covered way, without out-works, open in several places on the
water, and exposed everywhere to an open attack, and defended by a garrison
which was not by half sufficient, to remain, I say, forty-two days before such a
pace, and display all the apparel of a regular siege, is nothing very glorious.
The British general has, perhaps, followed the rules of prudence in this
conduct, but, at least, the troops under his command will never have subject of
boasting of their audaciousness and enterprising spirit. The American troops, on
the contrary, have given certain proof of their firmness in supporting a
tremendous fire, and remaining all the while exposed to the danger of surprise
and open attack, of which the success was almost certain if the enemy had taken
the proper measures.”
WILMOT G.
DeSASSURE
NOTE:
Click
here for further information on DeSassure (with several photos),
authored by Ill. Bro. Don Burbidge. The article was printed in the
Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, October, 2002.
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