vent their men from landing," showed the spirit of Leonidas, and that he was worthy to command the Thermopyla of his country.

On the 28th of June, 1776, the British fleet commenced an attack on fort Moultrie. The great and unequal conflict was met by the gallant Moultrie, with a firm and unyielding front. The raw and undisciplined troops of Carolina sustained from eight ships of the British navy an incessant cannonade for ten hours. But during that time none were seen to waver. Animated by the presence of their gallant commander, all were heroes; and their guns, pointed with deliberation, poured a slow but certain havoc over the decks of the enemy's vessels. One spirit, victory or death, pervaded every rank; even the wounded and the dying cheered and encouraged their comrades to perseverance. It was, indeed, a scene to fill every bosom. The wharves of Charleston were lined with crowds of anxious citizens, listening, in death-like silence to every gun, and watching, in an agony of hope and fear, every motion of Moultrie's flag. There, too, were assembled, the wives and children of the defenders of the fort. Every thing depended on the issue of the contest. Domestic happiness and liberty held their mantles high over their heads, and under such a covering, victory and triumph were certain.

For the gallant defence at fort Moultrie, the commander and his little band were entitled to, and received the evidences of the warmest gratitude of their country. To the female patriotism of Mrs. Elliott, they were indebted for the present of a pair of coiours, made sacred by the language of the fair donor; that she "had no doubt but that they would stand by them, as long as they could wave in the air of liberty." The belief was not vain; those colours were wet with the expiring blood of Bush, Hume, Gray, and the gallant Jasper; and until Charleston fell, they waved in the van of the Carolina army.

After the signal repulse of the enemy from Sullivan's Island, the country was left in a state of tranquillity; and the declaration of independence was received at a time when exultation had not yet subsided for the recent vic tory, and when every heart was throbbing with the most delightful anticipations for the future. South Carolina

sung the song of triumph and victory; and scarcely had the loud and swelling notes expired upon the ear, when she chaunted the hymn of liberty and independence.

Shortly after this time, Moultrie rose to the rank of brigadier-general, and was put upon the continental establishment. The state continued to enjoy a repose from the attacks of the external enemies until the year 1779.

In the mean time, the state was rent asunder by the intrigues of the disaffected; and the infatuated tories pulled down the angry vengeance and just chastisement of their country, upon their heads. The invasion of Georgia, by the British, and the defeat of general Howe at Savannah, was the commencement of that deluge of calamities which afterwards overwhelmed South Carolina. The experience of general Lincoln, when opposed by the rash and headstrong conduct of the militia, could only retard for a time, not entirely dissipate, the approaching storm. In the defence of Beaufort, general Moultrie displayed his usual sagacity and prudence; he repulsed the enemy at all points, and kept them in check with a handful of militia, until it was judged proper for him to abandon Beaufort to its fate, and unite himself with the main army. Encamped at Parisburg, Lincoln and Moultrie, with an army greatly inferior in numbers, composed mostly of militia and raw recruits, opposed a steady and never-varying front to the veteran ranks of England. It was even determined, with the assistance of general Ash, to push the war into Georgia, and by one bold movement drive general Provost to the necessity of surrendering. But the defeat of general Ash's army at Blair creek, completely frustrated the plans of the American officers, and drove them to the necessity of abandoning offensive for defensive war.

The enemy now endeavoured to approach to Charleston by land, from Georgia. To their advance, the veteran genius of Moultrie was opposed. Like a wounded lion, compelled to tread back his steps, his retreat was daring; and facing about, he occasionally snatched his prey from his pursuers, and made their recoiling ranks tremble for their safety. Lincoln, who had previously marched with the flower of the army for Augusta, is seen stretching forward with a rapid march to gain the rear of the ad

vancing enemy, or to unite himself with Moultrie. It was a time of difficulty; every nerve was strained for the contest; the militia could scarcely be induced to turn out, and when in service, they deserted the ranks to return to their homes, at pleasure. Danger was presenting itself at every door, and individual interest was more regarded than that of the country. But the exertions of Moultrie and governor Rutledge, gathered from all parts the citizen yeomanry; and general Provost, instead of finding Charleston an easy prey, found it guarded and protected, and the hero of Sullivan's Island presiding over all as the genius of safety. A siege was not attempted, and the enemy precipitately withdrew from before the town. Lincoln now began to draw near, and the hitherto pursuing enemy became in their turn the parsued.

About this time Moultrie received the commission of a major-general in the army of the United States. The battle of Stono followed immediately after, which, although uncertain in the result, was sufficiently evincive of the bravery of the American troops, and of the prudence and gallantry of Moultrie. The enemy, although left in possession of the field, did not think proper to retain the post, but soon after abandoned it, and retired to Savannah. The pursuit was conducted by Sheldon and Moultrie. He there gave up the command to general Lincoln, and returned to Charleston. Fortunately for him, his laurels were not blighted by the frost of repulse, which general Lincoln sustained in the siege of Savannah.

In the year 1780, a third invasion of South Carolina was projected, and carried into execution under the com mand of sir Henry Clinton. The force was overwhelming and irresistible. In vain did Lincoln and Moultrie endeavour to check their approach; in vain did they endeavour to retard the works of the besiegers; Charleston surrendered to a numerous and well appointed army, and her harbour, filled with the fleet of England, after a gallant resistance, was obliged to surrender. On the 12th of May, 1780, Carolina witnessed the mournful spectacle of an army of freemen, piling their arms, and surrendering themselves prisoners of war. Here ended

he career of major-general Moultrie as a military man. He remained a prisoner until nearly the close of the American war, when he was exchanged at Philadelphia, and returned to South Carolina, where he was received with proud and enthusiastic joy. His slaves, although having every opportunity during the war to abandon his service, not one of them done so. On hearing of his return, they crowded around their venerable master to kiss his hand, and to show their attachment to his person and fortune, by the tears of rapturous joy which they shed, at being once more permitted to behold him. He had the pleasure of witnessing the evacuation of Charleston, shortly after his arrival at home, and of seeing peace return "with healing in her wings, and majesty in her beams," to irradiate the prospects of America.

The subsequent life of Moultrie was one of tranquil lity, and presents nothing very striking or interesting. He was once governor of South Carolina. He died at Charleston, September 27, 1805, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.

The character of general Moultrie, as an officer, a man, and a citizen, was unexceptionable. The glory of his services was surpassed by his disinterestedness and integrity.

MUHLENBERG, PETER, a brave and distinguished officer during the revolutionary war, was a native of Pennsylvania. In early life he yielded to the wishes of his venerable father, the patriarch of the German Lutheran church in Pennsylvania, by becoming a minister of the Episcopal church, but participating in the spirit of the times, exchanged his clerical profession for that of a soldier. Having in his pulpit inculcated the principles of liberty, and the cause of his country, he found no difficulty in enlisting a regiment of soldiers, and he was appointed their commander. He entered the pulpit with his sword and cockade, preached his farewell ser

mon, and the next day marched at the head of his regi ment to join the army.

In the year 1776 he became a member of the convention, and afterwards a colonel of a regiment of that state. In the year 1777, he was appointed a brigadiergeneral in the revolutionary army, in which capacity he acted until the termination of the war which gave liberty and independence to his country, at which time he was promoted to the rank of major-general. General Muhlenberg was a particular favourite of the commander in chief, and he was one of those brave men, in whose coolness, decision of character, and undaunted resolution, he could ever rely. It has been asserted with some degree of confidence, that it was general Muhlenberg who commanded the American storming-party at Yorktown, the honour of which station has been attributed, by the different histories of the American revolution, to another person. It is, however, a well known fact, that he acted a distinguished and brave part at the siege of Yorktown.

After the peace, general Muhlenberg was chosen by his fellow-citizens of Pennsylvania, to fill in succession the various stations of vice-president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, member of the house of representatives, and senator of the United States; and afterwards appointed by the president of the United States, supervisor of the excise in Pennsylvania, and finally, collector of the port of Philadelphia, which office he held at the time of his death. In all the above military and political distinctions, general Muhlenberg acted faithfully to his country and honourably to himself. He was brave in the field, and firm in the cabinet. In private life he was strictly just; in his domestic and social attachments, he was affectionate and sincere ; and in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, always amiable and unassuming.

He died on the first day of October, 1807, in the sixtysecond year of his age, at his seat near Schuylkill, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.