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CHAPTER XIX.

REVOLUTION CONTINUED.

I PASSED Over the operations of the southern war, in their chronological order, that the great and interesting subject of the last chapter might be continued unbroken to its final consummation; also the operations of the traitor Arnold at New-London, &c. because I would not foul such splendid events with so infamous a name, nor tarnish the achievements of the illustrious allies with such infamous deeds. We will now carry forward the operations of the south.

We noticed in a former chapter, the strong position Gen. Greene took among the high hills of Santee, after his affair with Lord Rawdon, near Camden; we will now notice a few extracts from Gen. Greene's letters to his friend, which will disclose clearly, the character of the southern war..

While before Ninety-Six, Gen. Greene wrote thus to Col. Davies, May 23d-"The animosity between the whigs. and tories of this state, renders their situation truly deplorable. There is not a day that passes, but there are more or less who fall a sacrifice to this savage disposi tion. The whigs seem determined to extirpate the tories, and the tories the whigs. Some thousands have fallen in this way, in this quarter, and the evil rages with more violence than ever. If a stop cannot be put to these massacres, the country will be depopulated, as neither whig nor tory can live.”

Gen. Greene wrote in the same stile to Col. Perkins, on the 5th of June." The inhabitants near Parker's Ford, on the Saluda, are in great distress from the savage conduct of a party of men belonging to Col. Hammond's regiment;

this party plunders without mercy, and murders the defenceless people just as private pique, prejudice, or personal resentment dictate. Principles of humanity as well as policy require, that proper measures should be immediately taken to restrain these abuses, heal differences, and unite the people as much as possible." &c.

In June a general exchange of prisoners for the southern states was agreed upon and carried into effect, including the militia, on both sides; the American prisoners were not suffered to remain in the southern states; but sent into Virginia, and Pennsylvania. At the same time Lt. Col. Balfour, British commandant at Charleston, issued the following order." As many persons lately exchanged as prisoners of war, and others who have long chose to reside in the colonies now in rebellion, have, notwithstanding such their absence, wives and families still remaining here, the weight of which, on all accounts, it is equally impolitic, as inconsistent, should longer be suffered to rest on the government established here, and the resources of it. The commandant is therefore pleased to direct, that all such women and children, and others as above described, should quit this town, and province, on or before the first day of August next ensuing, of which regulation all such persons are hereby ordered to take notice, and to remove themselves accordingly."

This order was promptly carried into execution, and fairly opens the way for the following narrative.

"The whig ladies, while they resided at Charleston, shewed an amazing fortitude, as well as the strongest attachment to the cause of their country, and gloried Neither soothing per

in the appellation of rebel ladies. suasion, nor menacing hints, nor their own natural turn for gaiety, and amusement, could prevail on them to grace the ball, or assembly with their presence, to oblige the

British officers with their hands in the dance, or even to accompany them, notwithstanding the engaging qualities many of them possessed. But no sooner was an American officer introduced as a prisoner, than his com pany was sought for, and his person treated with every possible mark of attention, and respect. They even visited the prison ships, and other places of confinement, to solace their suffering countrymen. At other seasons they retired in great measure from the public eye, and wept over the distresses of their country, and gave every proof of the warmest attachment to its suffering cause. In the height of the British dominion, and conquests, where poverty and ruin seemed the unavoidable portion of every adherent to the independence of America, they discovered more firmness than the men. Many of them, like guardian angels, preserved their husbands from falling in the hour of temptation, when interest and convenience had almost gotten the better of patriotism. Many examples could be produced of their parting with their sons, husbands, and brothers, (amongst those that were banished, and whose property was seized by the captors,) exhorting them to fortitude, and repeatedly entreating them never to suffer their family attachments to interfere with the duty they owed to their country.

When the successes of Gen. Greene afforded them an apportunity, they celebrated his successes by dressing in green, and ornamenting their persons with green feathers, ribbons, &c. and thus parading the streets."

Gordon's Revolution, Vol. III. page 224.

I have inserted this extract in honour of the sex, as well as to throw some light upon a picture, whose whole field would otherwise have been covered with shade of the deepest hue.

Governor Rutledge left Philadelphia on the 28th of June, to resume the government of South-Carolina, with a full determination to retaliate the conduct of Colonel Balfour, in exileing so many whigs from their families; by driving all the royalists, with their families, within the British lines.

This the governor carried into execution, with a rigid severity, and it was accompanied with many distressing cir

cumstances.

General Greene held his strong position upon the high hills of Santee, where he watched the motions of the enemy; collected his forces, and strengthened his army until the 7th of September, when he made a sudden movement, and advanced by forced marches to attack the British, who had taken a strong position at Eutaw Springs, 60 miles north of Charleston, under the command Lieut. Col. Stewart. Both armies were about 2000 strong; but more than one half of the army of General Greene were new levies, and militia who had never seen service. The advance guard of General Greene fell in with a party of British about four miles from their camp, and charged them so promptly, that they retired in haste; the Americans pursued, supported by the main body, until the fugitives were supported by the whole British army, and the action had become general. The Americans retired in their turn. General Greene witnessed the bravery of his troops, amidst this murderous conflict, and supported his columns by ordering the Virginia and Maryland continentals, under the command of Colonel Williams, to advance to the charge with trailed arms. This order was promptly obeyed, and with unshaken firmness, and intrepidity, amidst a most terrible cannonade, and shower of musquetry, which astonished even the veterans of Old England, and they carried all before them. At this critical moment, Lieut. Col. Lee with great address turned the left flank of the enemy with his legion, whilst General Greene

supported the charge with his whole force; the enemy were routed, and put to flight. Lieut. Col. Washington, charged home the enemy with such fury, at this eventful moment, that a part of the enemy threw themselves (as at Germantown) into a strong brick house; others into a picketed garden, where they rallied to the combat, and resisted the repeated charges of the Americans with such success that General Greene abadoned the pursuit; drew off his troops, and retired to his camp; leaving a strong picquet upon the field of action.

Lieut Col. Stewart destroyed all such stores as he could not remove hastily; abandoned his camp, and made a hasty retrograde movement towards Charleston; leaving more than 70 wounded, together with one thousand stand of arms, to the mercy of the victors. Lieut. Col. Stewart was joined by a strong reinforcement under Maj. M' Arthur, on the same day he left Eutaw; yet he did not feel himself authorised to renew the combat; but pursued his

retreat.

This was one of the volumes of Bunker's Hill, and was as obstinately fought, for the time, by both parties.

The British lost about 500 in killed and wounded, with about 500 prisoners. The American loss was about 500 killed and wounded. Among the slain was Lieut. Col.. Campbell, of the Virginia line, an officer greatly beloved, and universally lamented.

Lieut. Col. Campbell fell at the head of that charge, with trailed arms, that decided the fate of the day, and covered his name, with immortal glory.

Such was the shock given to the enemy by this battle, that they burnt their stores at Dorchester; evacuated their posts at Monk's Corner, and actually commenced a serious preparation for the defence of Charleston, by employing a great number of negroes to fell trees across the Neck, &c.

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