to the length and obstinacy of the conflict, because of the safe and judicious system adopted by the besieger in his advances, and from the inadequacy of the garrison, which induced the besieged to husband with care his force, in the hope that some propitious event might occur on the part of our ally, and force sir Henry Clinton to change his plan of operations, as had taken place with Lincoln himself before Savannah; and relying also upon the reiterated assurance of ample support from congress and the government of North and South Carolina. The enemy lost seventy killed, and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded: our loss, including militia and inhabitants, amounted to one hundred and two killed, and one hundred and fifty seven wound. ed. Among the former was lieutenant colonel Richard Parker, of the first Virginia regiment. He was one of that illustrious band of youths who first flew to their country's standard when she was driven to unsheath the sword. Stout and intelligent, brave and enterprising, he had been advanced from the command of a company in the course of the war to the command of a regiment. Always beloved and respected, late in the siege he received a ball in the forehead, and fell dead in the trenches, embalmed in the tears of his faithful soldiers, and honoured by the regret of the whole army. The British official statement give a total of prisoners exceeding five thousand, including, no doubt, all the inhabitants capable of bearing arms, it being certain that Lincoln's continental force did not reach two thousand, exclusive of officers, when he surrendered. His effective militia, by his official return, amounted at the same time to five hundred men. In addition we lost, by the British account, one thousand seamen, American and French, with four hundred pieces of ordnance, abundant magazines of military and naval stores, and all the shipping in the harbour.* The loss of men, stores, &c., though somewhat exaggerated, was a severe Art. 11th. That the same protection to their persons and properties, and the same time for the removal of their effects, be given to the subjects of France and spain, as are required for the citizens in the preceding article. Answer. The subjects of France and Spain shall have the same terms as are granted to the French consul. Art. 13th. That a vessel be permitted to go to Philadelphia with the general's despatches, which are not to be opened. Answer. Granted; and a proper vessel with a flag will be provided for that purpose. All public papers and records must be carefully preserved and faithfully delivered to such persons as shall be appointed to receive them. ton. Done in Charleston, May 12th, 1780. Signed * Return of the ships and vessels taken and destroyed in the siege of CharlesThe Bricole, pierced for sixty, mounting forty-four guns, twenty-four and eighteen pounders, her captain, officers and company, prisoners. Queen of France, twenty-eight nine pounders, sunk, her captain and company prisoners. blow upon the United States, and excited very gloomy sensation's throughout America. The error of risking a country to save a town which only can be retained by the reduction of the country, was now perceived with all its pernicious consequences. Nevertheless, so well established was the spotless reputation of the vanquished general that he continued to enjoy the undiminished respect and confidence of congress, of the army, and of the commander in chief. During the winter the king of Spain had been accepted as mediator by the king of England and his most christian majesty, with the ostensible and laudable view of putting a stop to the ravages and waste of war. The negotiation terminated unsuccessfully; and the mediating power united with France in the contest. Timely communication of the resolution of the Spanish court was sent to Don Galvez, the governor of New Orleans. Availing himself of the information, be collected a military force, and falling upon the unprepared British settlements on the Mississippi, annexed them to the government of Spain. Soon after his return to New Orleans, Don Galvez made arrangements for the reduction of West Florida. In the month of January he embarked two thousand men on board of transports under convoy of a small squadron, and sailed for the bay of Mobile. Unluckily he encountered a storm in his voyage, and suffered severely. Several of the vessels foundered; many of the troops perished; and most of his stores were lost. With the remainder he at length entered the bay of Mobile. Here he established himself, and waited for a supply of men and stores from New Orleans. These having reached him, he stood up the bay, and on the 25th of February landed in the vicinity of the town of Mobile, where the English had erected a stockade fort, then garrisoned by one company of regulars. Don Galvez pursuing the cautious system exemplified by sir Henry Clinton before Charleston, beset this little stockade with regular approaches, labouring at them incessantly until the middle of March, when opening a battery of heavy cannon he demolished it in twelve hours. The garrison surrendered by capitulation. Had the dilatoriness of the Spanish opera tions consumed a few days more, Don Galvez would have been compelled to relinquish his enterprise, as general Campbell, pressing forward by forced marches with a body of troops from St. Augustine, approached the neighbourhood of Mobile soon after it surrendered. This incursion gratified the feelings of the defenders of the southern States, as it cherished the expectation that Notre Dame, brig, sixteen guns, sunk, captain and company prisoners. Providence, thirty-two eighteen and twelve pounders, taken, captain and company prisoners. Ranger, twenty-six pounders, taken, crew prisoners. French ships. L'Aventure, twenty-six nine and six pounders, captain and crew prisoners. Polacre, sixteen six pounders, captain and crew prisoners. Some empty brigs, and other smaller vessels, lying at the wharves, taken, with four row galleys. the invasion of the two Floridas already begun would be prosecuted, and consequently would employ some of the enemy's troops, thus diminishing the force against which they had to contend. CHAPTER XVI. WE have seen that, for the two years subsequent to the conclu sion of our treaty with France, in pursuance of the plan adopted by Louis XVI, a French fleet had annually visited our coast. Although heretofore disappointed in the expected benefits of extending naval co-operation to our army, it could not be doubted, but that the same wise course would be pursued this summer, especially as now, the fleet of Spain was added to that of France. Sir Henry Clinton, aware of this probable event, hastened the completion of his measures for the security of his conquests. Solicitous to avoid that interruption to his return to New York, which delay might interpose, he wisely determined to pursue in his arrangements the dictates of clemency and of justice, the only possible way to secure the submission of freemen. In this spirit be published a manifesto calling to the recollection of the inhabitants, his avoidance heretofore of urging their interference in the contest, because he was unwilling to involve them in hazard so long as the issue was in suspense. That the state of things being completely changed, not only by the surrender of Charleston, but by the destruction or capture of the various armed corps in the country, it was time that the friends of peace and of the royal government should boldly come forth and contribute by their assistance to the restoration of order and tranquillity. He proposed that the militia with families should arm for the security of the province, while the youth should imbody to serve six months with the army, enjoying the privilege of acting only in the Carolinas and Georgia, assuring to them the same treatment and compensation as was allowed to the regulars, and permitting them to elect their own officers, with an immunity from all further military duty after the expiration of six months, excepting the ordinary mil itia duty at home. To men disposed to continue upon their farms, aud to obey the existing powers, the proffered conditions could not be unacceptable. But to those in whose generous breasts were deeply planted the love of country, and the love of liberty, accor· dance with the proposition was not to be expected: they would abandon their homes, and unite with the defenders of their country whenever called upon. These of course fled the state, determined never to arm against a cause which they believed to be the cause of right On the 22d of May the general issued his proclamation, cherishing, by assurances of protection and support. the king's peaceful subjects, and menacing all who should hereafter be found in arms, or detected in any resistance or combination to resist the lawful authority with the contiscation of property, and condign corporal pun ishment. In nine days after, another proclamation appeared from the general and admiral as joint commissioners for restoring peace, promising a full and free pardon to all who should forthwith return to their allegiance, excepting those who in the mock forms of justice had shed the blood of their fellow citizens for their loyalty to their king; and pledging the restoration of the blessings of legal government as soon as the state of things would permit, with exemption from the payment of taxes not imposed by their own assembly. The consequence of these measures was favourable to British views: the greater part of the inhabitants manifested a disposition to comply with the requisites enjoined; some armed in support of the roy al government, while a few abandoned the country, determined if they fought on either side, it should be on that of America. Nei Au While sir Henry Clinton was engaged in these arrangements 1780, lord Cornwallis had advanced towards the frontiers with a May. part of the force which was to remain under his command for the security and extension of the recent conquest. Formed into three divisions after reaching Dorchester, each division took the rout to the destined object: the first, under lieutenant colonel Brown, moved up the Savannah to Augusta; while the second, led by lieutenant colonel Balfour, passed along the southern banks of the Wateree to Ninety-six, and the third, directed by his lordship, advanced towards Camden, to which place it was understood lieutenant colonel Buford, commanding the remnant of the continental force in the south had retired after bearing of the fall of Charleston. ther of these divisions experienced the slightest resistance. gusta, Ninety-six, and Camden, were possessed, fortified and garrisoned; all the intermediate country was submissive; and protestations of loyalty resounded in every quarter. Cornwallis had no sooner passed the Santee than he became informed of lieutenant colonel Buford's relinquishment of Camden and precipitate march to North Carolina. Despairing himself to overtake this detachment, he determined on a pursuit with his cavalry, strengthened by one hundred mounted infantry. This detachment was intrusted to lieutenant colonel Tarleton, an officer rising fast in military reputation. More distinguished for courage and activity than for management and address, his mode of operation was to overtake and fight. Entering without delay upon his expedition, be pressed forward with his usual zeal and celerity, though not so expeditiously as his anxious mind suggested to be necessary. Leaving his mounted infantry to follow, he advanced at the head of his cavalry with quickened pace, and marching one hundred and five miles in fiftyfour hours, a rapid movement for his inferior horse, he approached Buford on his march in the friendly settlement of the Waxhaws on the 29th.* This officer immediately offered to surrender upon the *This account, although countenanced by other American narratives of Bu ford's disaster, is probably incorrect. Tarleton declares he summoned Buford, and offered him the same terms that had been granted to the garrison of Charleston-and gives Buford's reply in these words: terms granted to the garrison of Charleston; and why the British commandant rejected the proffered submission is inexplicable. The detachment would have been prisoners of war; and the barbarous scene which ensued to the disgrace of the victor, dimming the splendor of all his exploits, would not have taken place. The moment the negotiation ceased, Tarleton charged the still unprepared foe. Wounds and death, with some partial resistance, followed; and many of our soldiers fell under the British sabre requesting quarters. The unrelenting conqueror shut his ears to the voice of supplication, as he had steeled his heart against the claims of mercy. By the official report, one hundred and thirteen were killed, one hundred and fifty so badly wounded at to be paroled on the ground, most of whom died; and fifty-three prisoners being capable of moving, graced the entry of the sanguinary corps into Camden; at which place lord Cornwallis had arrived.* Lieutenant colonel "SIR: "Waxhaws, May 29th, 1780. 1 reject your proposal, and shall defend myself to the last extremity. I have the honour to be, &c. ABM. BUFORD." Lt. col. TARLETON, com'g British Legion." Marshal, who was well acquainted with Buford, confirms the statement of Tarleton, and has probably given the best account of the affair which exists. It is as follows: "A surrender was immediately demanded on the terms which had been granted to the garrison of Charleston. These were refused. While the flags were passing, Tarleton continued to make his dispositions for the assault. The instant the truce was over, his cavalry made a furious charge on the Americans, who had received no orders to engage, and who seem to have been uncertain whether to defend themselves or not. In this state of dismay and confusion, some threw down their arms and begged for quarter, while others fired on the assailants. No quarter was given. Colonel Buford with a few cavalry escaped; and about one hundred infantry, who were somewhat advanced, saved themselves by flight; but the regiment was almost demolished. The official account given by colonel Tarleton, the exactness of which is not questioned, states one hundred and thirteen to have been killed on the spot, one hundred and fifty to have been so badly wounded as to be paroled because they were incapable of being moved; and the remaining fifty-three to have been brought away as prisoners. The loss of the British amounted only to twelve killed, and five wounded. Au attempt was made to justify this carnage, by alleging that the Americans, after affecting to yield, had again taken up their arms, and fired on the assailants. The American officers who escaped the massacre of the day, aver the contrary; and when their situation comes to be considered, there is much reason to believe that the fact conforms to their statement of it." I do not know from what source the author of the temoirs derived his statements probably from his remembrance of oral remarks made, near the time of this transaction. ED. How lord Cornwallis could encourage such barbarity, hy omitting to punish the perpetrator, has never been satisfactorily explained. It tended to diminish the respect entertained for his lordship's character in the canip of his enemy, which had been invariably admired for that happy mixture of goodness as a man, with greatness as a soldier, heretofore strongly exemplified by his conduct. For my own part I am persuaded that the commanding officer is as much |