campaign in South Carolina was brilliant. He has been called the
saviour of the South. It was he, a Rhode Island general, who, because
of his military skill, stood second only to Washington.
At the closing event of the war, the siege of Yorktown, a Rhode Island
regiment under Capt. Stephen Olney, headed the advancing column. Sword
in hand the leaders broke through the first obstructions. Some of the
eager assailants entered the ditch. Among these was Capt. Olney who,
as soon as a few of his men collected, forced his way between the
palisades, leaped upon the parapet and called in a voice that rose
above the din of battle "Capt. Olney's company form here!" A gunshot
wound in the arm, a bayonet thrust in the thigh and a terrible wound
in the abdomen which he was obliged to cover with one hand, while
he parried the bayonets with the other, answered the defiant shout.
Capt. Olney was borne from the field, but not until he had given the
direction to "form in order." In ten minutes after the first fire
the fort was taken. Three days later Cornwallis accepted terms of
surrender, which were formally carried out on October 19th, 1781. The
war was over. The gallantry of Olney was lauded by Lafayette in general
orders and more handsomely recognized in his correspondence. But the
historian, thus far, has failed to record the fact, noted by Arnold,
that the first sword that flashed in triumph above the captured heights
of Yorktown was a Rhode Island Sword!--ANNA B. MANCHESTER _in American
Monthly Magazine_.
GEORGIA AND HER HEROES IN THE REVOLUTION.
At the outbreak of the Revolution Georgia was the youngest of the
colonies. Although there had been some unsatisfactory relations with
the mother country, there had been no unfriendly relations until the
passage of the famous Stamp Act. On account of the liberal laws granted
by England and the fatherly care of General James Oglethorpe, the
Colony of Georgia had least cause to rebel. But she could not stand
aside and see her sister colonies persecuted without protesting.
In September, 1769, a meeting of merchants in Savannah protested
against the Stamp Act. Jonathan Bryan presided over this meeting, and
was asked by the royal governor, Sir James Wright, to resign his seat
in the governor's council for having done so. About the same time Noble
W. Jones was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Wright refused
to sanction the choice because Noble W. Jones was a Liberty Boy.
These two acts of the governor angered the people and made them more
determined to resist. Noble W. Jones has been called "the morning star
of liberty," on account of his activity in the cause of liberty at this
time. A band of patriots met in August, 1774, and condemned the Boston
Port Bill. Six hundred barrels of rice were purchased and sent to the
suffering people of Boston.
About the same time a Provincial Congress was called to choose
delegates to the first Continental Congress to meet soon in
Philadelphia, but through the activity of the royal governor, only
five of the twelve parishes were represented. No representatives were
sent because this meeting did not represent a majority of the people.
St. John's parish, the hotbed of the rebellion, sent Lyman Hall to
represent that parish alone in the Continental Congress. On account of
the patriotic and independent spirit of its people, and this prompt and
courageous movement, the legislature in after years conferred the name
of Liberty County on the consolidated parishes of St. John, St. Andrew
and St. James.
After the news of Lexington arrived great excitement prevailed. On the
night of May 1, 1775, a party of six men led by Joseph Habersham broke
open the powder magazine and took out all the ammunition. Some of this
powder was sent to Massachusetts and used at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The people proceeded to take charge of the government. A Council of
Safety and Provincial Assembly were elected.
The patriots captured a British schooner containing fourteen thousand
barrels of powder. This captured schooner was the first ship to be
commissioned by the American nation. The Council of Safety ordered
the arrest of Governor Wright. Joseph Habersham with six men easily
did this, but the governor soon escaped. The incident is famous
because John Milledge and Edward Telfair, known as two of the best
loved of Georgia governors in after years, were members of this
brave band. Joseph Habersham himself became famous afterwards, being
Postmaster-General in Washington's cabinet.
While these events were taking place the second Continental Congress
was framing the Declaration of Independence. George Walton, Button
Gwinnett, and Lyman Hall signed that great document for Georgia. Button
Gwinnett did not live to see Georgia's independence established, but
Lyman Hall and George Walton saw her take her place in the union. They
were honored with the highest offices of the state. There were many
other men who became famous on account of their activities for the
cause of liberty at this time. Chief among these were Lachlan McIntosh,
of whom Washington said, "I esteem him an officer of great merit and
worth:" Archibald Bulloch, James Jackson, David Emanuel, John Adam
Treutlen, Samuel Elbert, John Baker, John Wereat, and John Houston.
With the exception of a few unsuccessful expeditions against Florida
there was no fighting in Georgia until December, 1778. The people hoped
that the war would be fought elsewhere, but such was not to be. General
Prevost who commanded the British in Florida was ordered to invade
Georgia from the South. Colonel Campbell was sent by General Howe with
three thousand five hundred troops to attack Savannah. Colonel Campbell
landed December 27, 1778, and by a skillful flank movement drove a
small army of nine hundred patriots from their intrenchments near
Savannah and pursued them with such terrible slaughter that barely four
hundred escaped. Many were run down with the bayonet in the streets
of Savannah, almost within sight of their families. James Jackson and
John Milledge, both of whom were afterward governor of Georgia, were
among the number that escaped and while going through South Carolina to
join General Lincoln's army they were arrested by the Americans who
thought they were English spies. Preparations were made for hanging
them when an American officer came up who recognized them, and they
were set free. It was certainly a blessing to the state that these
men did not suffer an ignominious death for they rendered invaluable
service in after years by fighting the Yazoo Fraud.
[Illustration: CARPENTER'S HALL, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Chestnut, Between 3d
and 4th Streets.
The First Continental Congress Assembled Here September 5, 1774.]
The force of British from Florida captured Fort Morris and united with
the British force at Savannah. This combined force pressed on toward
Augusta. Ebenezer was captured. A force of patriots under the command
of Colonels John Twiggs, Benjamin and William Few, defeated the British
advance guard under the notorious Tories, Browne, and McGirth, but the
Americans' efforts were in vain and Augusta fell without a struggle.
The cause of liberty was crushed for a while. The royal governor was
restored to power, England could say that she had conquered one of her
rebellious colonies at least. But the spirit of liberty was not dead.
Colonels Elijah Clarke and John Dooly of Georgia, with Pickens of South
Carolina, nearly annihilated a band of plundering Tories at Kettle
Creek. This aroused the Georgians with renewed vigor. The British
hearing that a French fleet was coming to attack Savannah, began to
withdraw to that place. The British outpost at Sunbury was ordered to
retreat to Savannah. Colonel White with six men captured the entire
garrison of one hundred and forty men through strategy.
When the French fleet under Count d'Estaing arrived, General Lincoln
brought the Continental Army to assist in the recapture of the city.
The combined French and American force beseiged the city for three
weeks all in vain. Finally it was decided to attempt to take the place
by assault which resulted disastrously to the American cause. The
French and Americans were driven back having lost over eleven hundred
men, among them the Polish patriot, Pulaski, and Sergeant Jasper, the
hero of Fort Moultrie. The French fleet sailed away and General Lincoln
retreated to Charleston leaving Georgia once more completely in the
hands of the British.
Tories went through the state committing all kinds of outrages. Colonel
John Dooly was murdered in the presence of his family by a band of
Tories. The next day the same murderous Tories visited Nancy Hart,
a friend of Colonel John Dooly. Nancy overheard them talking of the
deed and she began to think of vengeance. She slid several of their
guns through the cracks of the log cabin before the Tories saw her.
When the Tories noticed her she pointed one toward them. One Tory
advanced toward her and was shot down. The others afraid, dared not
move. Meanwhile Nancy's daughter signaled for Nancy's husband who was
in command of a band of patriots that carried on guerilla warfare in
the neighborhood and on their arrival the Tories were taken out and
hung. Nancy Hart is the only woman for whom a county has been named in
Georgia.
After the fall of Charleston in 1780, Augusta was again occupied by
the British. Colonel Elijah Clarke collected a force to recapture the
place. His first attempt was unsuccessful September 14-18, 1780. He
retreated leaving thirty wounded men behind. The cruel Colonel Browne
hung thirteen and turned the others over to his Indian allies to be
tortured. It is worthy of note that John Clarke, son of Elijah Clarke,
was fighting with his father at this battle although he was only
sixteen years old. He afterwards became governor of Georgia and founder
of the Clarke party in Georgia. "Light Horse Harry" Lee, father of
Robert E. Lee, and General Pickens brought reinforcements to Clarke and
the combined force again besieged Augusta with renewed vigor May 15th,
June 5th, 1781. After much hard fighting Colonel Browne was forced to
surrender June 5th, 1781. On account of his cruelties he had to be
protected from violence by a special escort.
The British were gradually forced back into Savannah. When Cornwallis
surrendered, only four places were in their possession in Georgia.
In January, 1782, "Mad" Anthony Wayne came to Georgia to drive the
British out. He routed Colonel Browne, who had collected a band of
Tories and Indians at Ogeechee Ferry, after his exchange. The British
were hemmed in Savannah. Finally in May, 1782, orders came to the royal
governor from the king to surrender Savannah and return to England.
Major James Jackson was selected by General Wayne to receive the keys
of the city. They were formally presented by Governor Wright and Major
Jackson marched in at the head of his troops. The city was again in the
hands of the state after having been occupied by the British for three
and one-half years. The great struggle was over. Georgia was weakest of
the colonies and none had felt the hard hand of war any more than she.
The heroic deeds of her sons during that awful struggle are sources of
pride to every true Georgian.--Prize Essay by JULIUS MILTON, Nathanial
Abney Chapter.
UNITED STATES TREASURY SEAL.
The design of the seal of the treasury of the United States in all its
essential features is older than the national government. From the
days of the confederation of the colonies down through the history of
the republic the Latin motto on the seal has been "The Seal of the
Treasury of North America." These facts have just been developed, says
the _Newark News_, by an investigation by the treasury department
tracing the history of the seal. The Continental Congress ordered its
construction Sept. 26, 1778, appointing John Witherspoon, Gouvernor
Morris and R. H. Lee a committee on design. There is no record of the
report of the committee, but impressions of the seal have been found as
early as 1782.
The original seal was continued in use until 1849, when, worn out, it
was replaced by a new cut, made by Edward Stabler of Montgomery county,
Md. He was directed to make a facsimile of the old seal, but there
were some negligible differences. The symbols, however, are the same.
There are the 13 stars, representing the 13 colonies; the scales as the
emblem of justice and keys, in secular heraldry denoting an office of
state.
WILLIE WAS SAVED.
We had a Sane Fourth--I was not
Allowed to fire a single shot;
If I'd 'a made a cracker pop
I'd a' been hauled in by th' cop.
If me or any of th' boys
Had dared to make a bit o' noise
They would 'a slapped us all in jail
An' held us there till we gave bail,
An' so our Fourth, I will explain
Was absolutely safe an' sane.
Pa's feelin' better--'t least no worse,
I heard him tell th' new trained nurse,
He played golf nearly all th' day
With Mister Jones and Mister Shea
Until 'bout half past three o'clock
An' then he had an awful shock,
Th' sun was boilin' hot, an' he
Was playin' hard as hard could be,
An' he got sunstruck, but he'll be
Up in two weeks, or mebbe three.
Ma's conshus now. They think her arm
Ain't re'lly suffered serious harm,
Except it's broke. An' where her face
Got cut will heal without a trace,
Ma went out ridin' with th' Greens
"To view th' restful country scenes."
A tire blew up an' they upset--
They didn't have no landin' net!
Th' doctor says that sleep an' rest
For her will prob'ly be th' best.
My sister's better, too, although
They had to work an hour or so
To bring her to--she purt' near drowned
An' looked like dead when she was found.
She went to row with Mr. Groke
An' he--he says 'twas for a joke--
He rocked th' boat an' they fell out,
An' people run from miles about
To save their lives. She was a sight
When they brought her back home last night.
I wasn't hurt though, I'll explain,
Because my Fourth was Safe an' Sane.
--_Wilbur D. Nesbit._
VIRGINIA REVOLUTIONARY FORTS.
BY MRS. MARY C. BELL CLAYTON.
In a mental vision of that galaxy of stars which emblazon our national
flag, that bright constellation the thirteen original states, we pause
to select the one star which shines with purest ray serene, and as we
gaze upon the grand pageant from New Hampshire to Georgia and recall
the mighty things achieved by the self-sacrificing devotion of their
illustrious statesmen and generals with the united efforts of every
patriot, it is with admiration for all that we point with reverence
to that star which stands for her who cradled the nation, that infant
colony at Jamestown in Virginia, who made defense first against the
tomahawk of the Indians, growing stronger and stronger with an innate
love for truth and justice, 'till we hear the cry "Give me liberty
or give me death," which resounded from the White Mountains of New
Hampshire to the sunny lands of Georgia, and is echoed there in her
legend, "Wisdom, justice and moderation."
You, our sisters, the Daughters of the American Revolution of South
Carolina, whose state is strong in state craft and brave as the
bravest, and whose star shines as a beacon light in the constellation
of states, to those who would infringe on the rights of others, you
call to us, in your study of the defences of the revolutionary period,
to show our "Landmarks," the signs of our ancestor's devotion to
patriotism, that you with us, may reverence their loyalty and with
pride cherish every evidence of their struggle for liberty, remembering
always that "he who builded the house is greater than the house." We
would tell you of facts in the military annals of Virginia, deeds of
prowess, more enduring than memorials of stone, which have become the
sacred heritage of us all, but to these, at this time, our attention is
not to be given. And if we fail to show but a few of her strongholds,
you must remember that within the present bounds of Virginia there were
few important positions held against assault, and her "Northwestern
Territory" was far away from the main contest. Her troops were kept
moving from place to place, their defences often were not forts, but
earthworks, hastily constructed, often trees, houses, fences, etc. For
instance the first revolutionary battle fought on Virginia soil was at
Hampton, a little town between the York and James rivers.
"The Virginians sunk obstacles in the water for protection, but
during the night the British destroyed them and turned their guns
upon the town. In this fight we had no fire-arms but rifles to
oppose the cannons of the English, so when the attack began the
riflemen had to conceal themselves behind such meagre defences as I
have mentioned, houses, fences, trees, etc., opening fire upon the
British vessels. The men at the guns were killed and not a sailor
touched a sail without being shot. Confusion was upon the British
decks, and in dismay they tried to draw off and make escape into
the bay, but without success; some of the vessels were captured,
many men were taken prisoners, and the whole fleet would have been
captured but for the report that a large body of the British were
advancing from another direction."
Small was the defense, but great was the result at this first battle of
the Revolution on Virginia soil.
THE FORT AT GREAT BRIDGE.
"After the attack on Hampton, Lord Dunmore determined to make
an assault on Norfolk. He erected a fort at Great Bridge where
it crosses a branch of the Elizabeth river. This bridge was of
importance as it commanded the entrance of Norfolk. The Virginians
held a small village near by. At these points the armies were
encamped for several days ready for the moment to begin the fight.
In order to precipitate a contest, the Virginians had recourse to a
stratagem. A negro boy belonging to Major Marshall was sent to Lord
Dunmore. He represented himself as a deserter and reported that
the Virginians had only three hundred 'shirt men,' a term used to
distinguish the patriot, whose only uniform was a graceful hunting
shirt, which afterwards became so celebrated in the Revolution.
Believing the story, Lord Dunmore gave vent to his exultation,
as he thought he saw before him the opportunity of wreaking his
vengeance upon the Virginians. He mustered his whole force and
gave the order for marching out in the night and forcing the
breastworks of his hated foe. In order to stimulate his troops to
desperate deeds, he told them that the Virginians were no better
than savages, and were wanting in courage and determination, that
in all probability they would not stand fire at all, but if by any
chance they were permitted to triumph, the English need expect no
quarter, and they would be scalped according to the rules of savage
warfare. Early in the morning of December 9th, 1775, the Virginians
beheld the enemy advancing towards their breastworks. They were
commanded by Capt. Fordyce, a brave officer. Waving his cap over
his head, he led his men in the face of a terrible fire, which
ran along the American line, directly up to the breastworks. He
received a shot in the knee and fell forward, but jumping up as if
he had only stumbled, in a moment he fell again pierced by fourteen
bullets. His death threw everything into confusion. The next
officer was mortally wounded, other officers were prostrate with
wounds, and many privates had fallen. In this desperate situation
a retreat towards their fort at Norfolk was the only resource left
to the English. They were not allowed to escape without a vigorous
pursuit. It was conducted by brave Col. Stevens, who captured many
prisoners and ten pieces of cannon. The loss of the British was one
hundred and two killed and wounded. The only damage to our men was
a wound in the finger of one of them."
The British had built a fort for their defence, the Virginians had
breastworks.
FORT NELSON.
"During the Revolution Sovereign Virginia erected Fort Nelson to
resist Lord Dunmore, should he ever attempt to return to the harbor
of Norfolk and Portsmouth. It was named for the patriot Governor
Nelson, who gave his private fortune to aid the credit of Virginia,
and risked his life and sacrificed his health on the battlefields
of the American Republic. On account of its location it was never
the scene of any bloody battle, but like the 'Old Guard,' it was
held in reserve for the emergencies of war. On the 9th of May,
1779, a great British fleet, under Admiral Sir George Collier
entered Hampton Roads, sailed up Elizabeth river, and landed three
thousand royal soldiers under General Matthews in Norfolk County,
where Fort Norfolk now stands, to flank this fortification and
capture its garrison composed of only 150 soldiers. Maj. Matthews,
the American commander, frustrated the designs of the British
general by evacuating the fort, and retired to the northward. On
the 11th of May, the British took possession of the two towns, and
gave free hand to pillage and destruction. Sir George Collier,
after satisfying his wrath sailed back to New York. Varying
fortunes befell Fort Nelson during the remainder of the war until
the evacuation by Benedict Arnold, after which no British grenadier
ever paced its ramparts. After the close of the Revolution, it was
rebuilt and for many years was garrisoned by regular soldiers of
the United States; but since, abandoned as a fortification, it has
been a beautiful park and a home for sick officers and sailors of
our navy.
"The garrison of Fort Nelson, under the glorious stars and stripes,
on the 22nd of June, 1813, stood to their shotted guns, to meet the
British invaders, who were defeated at Crany Island, by our Capt.
Arthur Emerson and other gallant heroes. Here thousands of soldiers
marched in response to the call of Virginia in 1861."
In the naval park at Portsmouth, the site of Fort Nelson, there is
a monument whose granite body embraces a real Revolutionary cannon.
This gun was selected from a number of guns known to be of the period
of the American Revolution. It is believed that one, at least, of
these was mounted at Crany Island for the defense of Portsmouth and
Norfolk. The honor of erecting this monument is due to the ladies of
the Fort Nelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
and to Admiral P. F. Harrington of the United States Navy, and also
Medical Director R. C. Person of the navy. It is said that with proper
care this gun will last centuries and "It will carry down to distant
generations a memorial of the patriots of the American Revolution, a
mark of the formation of a nation and the token of the later patriots,
the Daughters of the American Revolution, to whose efforts is due this
important national service to which the gun has been dedicated."