Life of Francis Marion | Page 9

a defile, but found it occupied by the enemy. There being no
alternative, he then drew up his men in open ground, with two field
pieces in the centre, and one on the right. The British force was two
companies of picked light infantry, posted under cover of a swamp. The

militia engaged them, and fought under this disadvantage till their
ammunition was all expended, and Moultrie ordered a retreat; but the
British made a simultaneous movement, and it became a drawn battle.
Lieut. Wilkins of the ancient artillery, was mortally wounded, and
seven men were killed. Capt. Heyward, Lieuts. Sawyer and Brown, and
fifteen men, were wounded. In the general's account of the action, the
loss of the British is not stated; he speaks highly of the conduct of his
officers and men; particularly of Capt. John Barnwell; and indeed it
was no little matter, thus to bring militia, in the open field, to fight
regulars under cover.
Lincoln's force was fluctuating, as it consisted principally of militia,
who could not be brought under control; and in the midst of arms, when
the enemy were at the distance of only three miles, their officers
refused to subject them to the articles of war; and insisted upon their
being tried by the militia laws of the state, which only subjected them
to a small pecuniary fine. The case too was a flagrant one; a private of
Col. Kershaw's regiment had absented himself from guard, and upon
being reproved by his captain, gave him abusive language; the captain
ordered him under guard, and the man attempted to shoot his officer;
but was prevented. This case was referred to the general assembly then
sitting, who also refused to bring the militia under the articles of war.
Had Gen. Jackson lately submitted to such an interference with his
authority, we should never have heard of the glorious victory of New
Orleans. Gen. Lincoln would have nothing more to do with the militia,
and gave up the command of them to Gen. Moultrie, to act with them
as a separate corps. Pursuant to this resolution, and after calling a
council of war, he marched off (20th April) about 2000 light troops and
cavalry, for Augusta, leaving his baggage to follow. Near Augusta, he
expected a reinforcement of 3000 men, and his intentions were to take
possession of some strong post in Georgia, to circumscribe the limits of
the enemy, and to prevent their receiving recruits from the Cherokee
Indians, and tories. He left Gen. Moultrie, with about 1200 militia, at
Black Swamp. As soon as Gen. Prevost heard of this movement, he
availed himself of it, and immediately crossed over the Savannah, from
Abercorn to Purysburgh, twenty-five miles below Black Swamp, with
the intention of surprising Moultrie, but he, receiving intelligence of his

crossing, retired to Coosawhatchie. At this place he left a rear guard,
and pitched his head quarters on the hill to the eastward of Tulifinny,
two miles in advance towards Charleston. (1st May.) After
reconnoitring the fords of Coosawhatchie, and Tulifinny above the
bridges, the general found so little water in the swamps, from the
excessive drought which then prevailed,* that he determined not to risk
an action at this post. He was about to send one of his aids to bring off
his rear guard, when Col. John Laurens offered himself as a volunteer
for that service; he was readily accepted, and captain, afterwards Major
John James, with 150 picked riflemen, was sent to cover his flanks:
these, with the rear guard, made near a fourth of the retreating army.
Instead of bringing off the rear guard, Col. Laurens drew them over to
the east side of the river, posted the riflemen at the bridge, threw off the
planks, and engaged the enemy. The British occupied the houses on the
west bank, from which they kept up a galling fire; a number of Laurens'
men were killed and wounded, and, as he was very conspicuous on
horse back in regimentals, with a large white plume, he was soon
wounded himself, and his horse killed. Laurens then retired, and
captain, afterwards Col. Shubrick, ordered a retreat. In the mean time
Moultrie had decamped, and the riflemen were obliged, as the planks
were thrown off, to pass Tulifinny and Pocotaligo bridges on the string
pieces; and did not overtake the main body till they had passed
Saltketcher bridge. Here let us pause for a moment, and take a view of
the ground; twelve miles of country had been passed over in one
morning, which was a continued defile of causeway, lined on both
sides with either thick woods, or ditches and fences, and four rivers had
been crossed; over which were high bridges, and only a slight skirmish
had taken place. True, the swamps