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.

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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 colours, 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 tranquility; and the declaration of independence was received at a time when exultation had not yet subsided for the recent victory, 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 head-strong 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, composing 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 advancing 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 pursued,

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 to Sheldon by 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 command of sir Henry Clinton. The force was overwhelming and irresistable. 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 barbour, 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 the ca

reer 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. Ön hearing of his return, they crouded 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 tranquility, 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 Pennsylva nia. 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, and 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 sermon, and the next day marched at the head of his regiment 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 brigadier general 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 favorite 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 stations, 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 1st day of October, 1807, in the sixty-second year of his age, at his seat near Schuylkill, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

NELSON, THOMAS, governor of Virginia, was a distinguished patriot in the revolution, and uniformly ardent in his attachment to liberty. He was among the first of that glorious band of patriots, whose exertions dashed and defeated the machinations of British tyranny; and gave to America, freedom and independent empire. At a most important crisis, during our struggle for American liberty, when Virginia appeared to be designated as the theatre of action for the contending armies, he was selected by the unanimous suffrage of the legislature to command the virtuous yeomanry of his country; in which honourable employment he remained to the end of the war. As a soldier, he was indefatigably active, and cooly intrepid. Resolute and undejected in misfortunes, he towered above distress; and struggled with the manifold difficulties, to which his situation exposed him, with constancy and courage.

In the year 1781, when the force of the southern British army was directed to the immediate subjugation of that state, he was called to the helm of government, and took the field, at the head of his countrymen. The commander in chief, and the officers at the siege at Yorktown, witnessed his merit and attachment to civil and religious liberty. He was an intrepid soldier and an able statesman. He died in February,

1789.

OGDEN, MATTHIAS, a brigadier general in the army of the United States, took an early and a decided part in the revolutionary war with Great Britain. He joined the army at Cambridge, and such was his zeal and resolution, that he accompanied Arnold in penetrating through the wilderness to Canada. He was engaged in the attack upon Quebec, and was carried wounded from the place of engagement. On his return from this expedition he was appointed to the command of a regiment, in which station he continued until the conclusion of the war. When peace took place he was honoured with a commission of brigadier general. He died at Elizabeth town, New Jersey, March 31, 1791. He was distinguished for his liberality and philanthrophy.

OLNEY, JEREMIAH, commenced his military career at the earliest period of the defensive revolutionary war, and became the companion in arms of the immortal Washington, under whose auspicious command (frequently as the chief officer of the Rhode Island forces) he nobly persevered, through all the trying, changing scenes of the revolution, till a glorious independence emancipated his beloved country, and in "peace, liberty, and safety," ranked her among the nations of the earth. His heroism at Red Bank, Springfield, Monmouth, Yorktown, and other places where "men's souls" were tried, will be honourably registered by the pen of the faithful historian in the annals of his country, and will embalm his memory to all posterity.

The life of this amiable and highly revered gentleman, was distinguished by the most undeviating honour and integrity. from which no interest could swerve him, no danger appal him. To his innate love and ardent practice of truth and justice, were united a disposition the most social and endearing, a philantrophy the most exalted, and a hospitality the most unostentatious and interesting to the finer feelings of the heart. To every branch of his numerous and respectable family, to all his associates and neighbours, he was ever attentive and affectionate, and to those whom he knew were oppressed with sickness, sorrow and misfortune, he was a liberal, active comforter; a friend indeed! Even his servants he humanely considered his humble friends," and treated them accordingly. Indeed, all who were connected or associated with him, by affinity, friendship, or patronage, will long remember him with the most lively gratitude and regard, mingled with sentiments of the tenderest regret. His many virtues were numerous and exemplary, as he wisely regulated his conduct by his revered monitor, conscience; the incorruptible vicegerent of the most high God. As a citizen, he was public spirited; as a patriot soldier, ardent, judicious and intrepid.