HUGER AND WASHINGTON DEFEATED. On April 7 General William Woodford arrived in the city, bringing reinforcements of 700 Continental troops,* SO that the garrison amounted to 2,000 regulars and 1,000 North Carolina militia, in addition to the inhabitants of the city. Governor Rutledge had made strenuous efforts to raise the militia of the province, but had met with little success, not more than 200 repairing to the American standard. On April 9 Admiral Arbuthnot took his fleet past Fort Moultrie and anchored just within reach of the guns at Charleston.† While passing, the fort maintained a heavy fire against the fleet, which did some damage to the ships themselves beside. killing and wounding 29 men.‡ After Clinton had finished his first parallel, he established batteries at distances ranging from 600 to 1,100 yards from the American works, and then jointly with the admiral demanded that General Lincoln surrender the city. The latter replied as follows: "Sixty days have passed since it has been known that your intentions against this town were hostile, in which time has been afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination point to the pro *Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, p. 495. See also Woodford's letter in Sparks, Correspondence, vol. ii., pp. 430-433; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., p. 558. Lossing, p. 558. McCrady, South Carolina in the Revolution, pp. 459-461; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., p. 266; Lowell, Hessians in the Revolution, p. 247. VOL. III-13 189 priety of supporting it to the last extremity."* The only means of communication between the city and the country were two regiments of cavalry under command of Colonel William Washington and General Isaac Huger, who were stationed at Monk's Corner. To surprise this detachment and to cut off absolutely all communication with the country, Clinton, on April 14, sent a body of troops under Lieutenant-colonel James Webster, accompanied by Patrick Ferguson and Tarleton. The British had captured a negro and compelled him to lead the troops by a roundabout way so as to surprise the Americans. In this manner the British had approached near to the American camp before their presence became known, and it was only after great difficulty and through the aid of darkness that Huger and Washington escaped. The British captured 400 horses, of which they stood in great need, together with considerable quantities of arms, clothing, stores, etc., and 100 officers and men. † The defeat of this detachment left the city entirely beleaguered, and the The complete text of Clinton's summons and Lincoln's answer is given in McCrady, p. 462. See also Ramsay, The Revolution, vol. ii., p. 399. Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, p. 496; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., p. 559. Tarleton, in his History of the Campaigns of 1780-81 in the Southern Provinces of North America, p. 16, claims to have captured 400 horses, but Stedman (American War, vol. ii., p. 183) says they captured 42 wagons, 102 wagon horses and 83 dragoon horses. CHARLESTON SURRENDERED TO THE BRITISH. British were now free to overrun the surrounding territory. On April 21, considering an evacuation of the city next to impossible, Lincoln offered to capitulate on certains terms, which were rejected by Clinton.* On May 7 Clinton captured Fort Moultrie and the city was now completely invested.† All hope of assistance had long ago been abandoned. The city was in no condition to withstand a long siege, as the troops were insufficient to man the lines adequately, numbers of the guns were dismounted, ammunition was nearly exhausted, and bread and meat and other food supplies were almost entirely consumed. The siege works had also been pushed very near to the defences, and it was feared that an assault would be made at any moment. Under the circumstances, Lincoln did not feel that he should be entirely accountable for the city and he summoned a council of war, which recommended a capitulation. It was then proposed to Clinton that the town and garrison be surrendered with the condition that the militia and armed citizens should not be considered prisoners of war, but should be allowed to return to their homes and not be molested. These terms were refused and hos *The terms offered by Lincoln are given in full in McCrady, South Carolina in the Revolution, pp. 479-480; for the discussions in council regarding capitulation, see ibid, pp. 472-478. † Bancroft, vol. v., p. 377; McCrady, pp. 482493. 191 tilities were renewed.* As it was seen that the British were about to make an assault upon the city, the citizens demanded that Lincoln surrender rather than allow the city to be laid in ashes. Considering the case hopeless, Lincoln offered to surrender on the terms formerly proposed by Clintont and this offer was accepted, the capitulation being signed May 12. According to the terms, the town and fortifications, together with the shipping, artillery and all other public stores, were to be surrendered in their present condition; the entire garrison, together with all citizens who had borne arms, were to be prisoners of war; the garrison were to march out of the city and lay down their arms in front of the works, but their colors were not to be uncased nor could their drums beat a British march; the Continental troops and sailors were to be sent to some other place where they were to be maintained until exchanged; the militia were to be allowed to return to their homes on parole; the officers were to retain their side arms, baggage and servants, and permission was given them to sell their horses, provided they were not taken out of Charleston; so long as the militia and citi *McCrady, pp. 495-500, where the terms demanded by Lincoln are given in full. See also Moultrie's Memoirs, vol. ii., pp. 86-96; Ramsay, The Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 400-403. Moultrie's Memoirs, vol. ii., p. 97; Ramsay, The Revolution, vol. iii., p. 463. See also Duportail's letter to Washington in Sparks, Correspondence of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 450-453. |