Thursday, September 9, 2010

History of Charleston South Carolina Sir Henry seige 1780

Charleston had not seen the last of Sir Henry.
He came back to charleston with an army in February, 1780,
and advancing this time by way of John's and James Islands,
crossed the Ashley River above the city of charleston and laid
siege to it from the rear on the main land. About the same time,
the fleet, mindful of its former drubbing, ran past Fort Moultrie,
under a heavy fire, without attempting to engage it, and, in
conjunction
with batteries erected on James Island, threatened the city of
charleston
from the south and west. A shot from one of these batteries, that
stood near
the conspicu- ous point called the " Hundred Pines," left a mark
in Charleston
which may still be seen. At the intersection of Broad and Meeting
streets there was then placed a statue of William Pitt, raised by
the
grateful colonists in recognition of that statesman's fearless
espousal
of their cause in the British Parliament, in resisting the Stamp
Act
and other oppressive measures. A cannon shot from James Island,
unmindful
of the distinguished statesman at home, and of the fact that he
was then
upholding his government manfully in the pending struggle, struck
the statue.
carrying away its arm, and otherwise mutilating it. It now stands
in Washington Square, hard by its former location, with its beauty
still sadly marred by what was a home bullet if not a ** home
thrust."
General Lincoln, who commanded the American forces, should
not have attempted to stand a siege the city of Charleston,
but should have saved his little army — sadly needed elsewhere
while yet there was time. He was in a cul-de-sac, without hope
of relief, was largely outnumbered, and his capitulation was only
a question of time.

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