The reflector. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1817-1819, August 25, 1818, Image 1
THE REFLECTOR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1818.
NO. 42.
BIOGRAPHY.
TllE SOUTH CAROLINA TELESCOPE.
GENERAL MOULTRIE.
! there .ire hearts, prophetic hope may trust,
: slumber yet in uncreated dust,
lin’d to fire th* adoring sons of earth,
i every charm of wisdom and of worth ;
lin’d to light, with intellectual day,
mazy wheels of nature as they play ;
(warm with fancy's energy, to glow,
rival all but Shakespeare's namebelow.”
lie different means of Modifying and
the minds ami characters of the
and rising generation, none is more
g than tlie proper exliihiiion of the .-te
nd conduct of the great and good,
sample for imitation. It is from this
that the patriot, statesman and hero.
.:med. The display of talents and
fiscs (lie attention, and engages the nf-
of the heart. We spontaneously,
lost unconsciously, endeavor to oil-
similarity of character. From the
of the revolution, many asubsequent-
g star in our firmament of glory has
red much of its splendor. This oft
soil st ory of the deeds of the heroes
ins still a fascinating influence over the
f the hearer ; the child is beguiled of
in listening to the enraptured tale of
dues—the youth feels all the lightning
jc of patriotic fervor and heroic ardor
he palsy of age grasps the crutch
energy of manhood. Point to the
here our forefathers fought in the
f liberty, and we all feel prepared to
ce our lives for our country :—
iilst the sir'.fc of fr:itri*v!al foes,
birth-star was the of burning plains,
;antisin is the we.ghtof blood that Hows
>in kindred hear! s, the blood of i-h ve’ni:
d famine tracks her stepand pestiicnti.il pains.”
General Moultrie, the subject of the
it essay, we know but little, until the
the revolution. An Englishman by
lie had, like many others of his cuun-
n. lied from the tyranny and nppres-
f the old world, and u night freedom
rarity in tiie new. At the cninmenrc-
;if the opposition to the measures of the
"l ministry, lie stood high in the csti-
1 of his fellow citizens of Carolina:
n name is found in every convention
assembled at Charleston, for the pur-
always found the prompt and efficient officer.
About the last of this year, 17T5, that spirit
ot disaffection which had hitherto lain dor
mant. began to manifest itself in the upper
part of the country. In the district of Nine
ty-Six the insurgents collected in large bo
dies, and. after a warm and obstinate action,
besieged Colonel Williamson in bis fortified
eainp. To quell tliis insurrection, and repel
any invasion which might be attempted, was
indeed a difficult task, and one from which
most men would shrink ia despair. But our
tore lathers dared attempt it, and succeeded.
The toi-ic:-: were compelled to abandon the
siege of Williamson's camp, and to remain
for a time quiet spectators of the passing e-
vents. For the better securing the harbors
of Charleston, Moultrie erected a fascine
battery on Sullivan's island, which after
wards bore liis name. The English now be
olina. The experience of general Lincoln,
when opposed by the rash and headstrong
conduct of the militia, could only ictard for
a tim'c, not entirely dissipate, the approach
ing.storm. In the defence of Beaufort,gen
eral Moultrip displayed his usual sagacity
and prudence ; he repulsed the enemy at ail
points, and kept them in check with a hand
ful of militia, until it was judged proper for
him to abandoi: Beaufort to its fate, and u-
nite himself with the main army. Encamp
ed at Parisburgh, Lincoln and Moultrie,
with an army greatly inferior in numbers,
composed 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
(lie necessity of surrendfring. But. the de-
gan to think serioirdy of invading South feat of general Ash’S army at Blair Creek
Carolina, and fitted out accordingly a large completely frustrated the plans of the Amer-
naval armament from New-York, the com
main! of which was given to commodore
Barker. It was now that war seemed about
to pounce upon Soulli Carolina as his prey.
Bbn husbandman •' 4,5 -- | : -
1 iic husbandman was seen deserting his
l.irm, and hastening to Charleston to protect
Ins country. << The aoisv drum, and ear
piercing lilc," were heard on every breeze ;
and the lengthening columns, which proceed
ed to her aid from her sister states, gave
awful note of preparation and suspense.”
Lee and Armstrong, two gallant leaders ol
the American forces, marshaled the armies,
and gave directions to the patriotic ardor of
the Carolinians: But where is Moultrie?
In tlio battery, on Sullivan’s island, he may
lie seen toiling, and directing the energies of
ins regiment to the completion of their works,
.lustily erected, and apparently incapable oi
resistance, the gallant commander was ad
vised to abandon it, and told that the British
ships would knock it down in half an hour:
but li is Iriily Spartan reply, •• We will lay
behind the ruins, and prevent their men from
landing.” showed the spirit of Leonidas, and
that he was worthy to command the Thcr-
inupyla* of his country. On the 28lli ol
.lime, lr.'ii. the British lleet; commenced an
attack on tort Moultrie. The great and un
equal conflict was met by the gallant Moul
trie, with a (inn and unyielding front. The
raw and undisciplined troops of Carolina
devising ways ami means of resist-1 sustained from eight ships of the British na-
e encroachments on the rights of the vy an incessant cannonade for ten hours.—
which were Grst attempted at Boston, But during that time none were seen to wn-
ich, with the noiseless tread of the ver. Animated by the presence of their gal-
assailed the person and habitation ofjlnnt commander, all were heroes ; and their
American with the toils of slavery, guns, pointed with deliberation, poured a
dagger of violation. It was from slow hut certain havoc over the decks of the
irited exertions of the. Rutledges,
eys, Middleton and Moultrie, that
a was found among the first of her
ates in exposing herself to the ter-
thc raging and warring elements of
On the litli of .farriarv, 1775,
provincial congress, as it. was then
of South Carolina, assembled at
ton. It was a bright and splendid
age of talents, patriotism and liero-
1 Moultrie was a distinguished mein-
it. The unanimity which marked
icccdings, and the fixed and resolute
i of their rights and privileges, and
ly and heroic devotion which they
ed in subscribing to the association
nded by the congress at i’liiladcl-
fieiently testify that they were wor-
. the fathers of Carolinian liberty.
thing wore the appearance of war
utilities bad not yet even entered iu-
inds of our forefathers. In suppli
ed the assertion of their rights, sup-
y arguments completely uuanswvra-
s hoped and believed, that British
would be convinced, and yield that
ivc right of oppression which she
led.—But the battle of Lexington
orsin of alarm ; and the groans of
freeman demanded vengeance for
mil security for his offspring, from
ry ; in consequence of which, the
1 congress of South Carolina agani
at Charleston, on the 1st of June;
immediately determined on rais-
•egiments of foot and one of ran-
the defence of the province—and
ond regiment Moultrie was nonii-
colonel. Measures were taken to
nvder, and the other necessary im-
if war. Difficult was the tmder-
t glorious the result. Embalmed
et'ions of their countrymen are the
of the gallant and noble few, who
the "amparts of liberty. They
rted from among us, and it is now
jt seldom that our eyes arc blessed
ight, and our hearts improved by
ntion of the grey hairs of the revo-
iments which were ordered to hi
canon completed, and every tuea-
i prudence could dictate to prevent
n from attempting any thing with-
repel invasion from without, was
icil. In the execution of tlies
of prudence, Colonel Moultrr: was
enemy s vessels. One spirit, victory or
death, pervaded every rank; even the wound
ed and the living cheered and encouraged
their comrades to perseverance. It was, in
deed, a scene to (ill every bosom. The
wharves of Charleston were lined with crowds
of anxious citizens* listening, in death-like
silence, to every gun, and watching, in an
agony of hope and fear, i ’. cry motion of
Moultrie's (lag. There, too, were assembled
the wives anil children of the defenders of
the fort. Every thing depended on the issue
of the contest. Domestic happiness and li
berty belli their mantles high o *ut their heads,
and under such a covering victory and tri
umph were certain.
For the gallant defence at flirt Moultrie,
the commander and his little hand were en
title;! to, and received evidencesef the warm
est gratitude of their country. To the fe
male patriotism of Mrs. Elliott, they were
indebted for the present of a pair of colors,
made sacred by the language of the fair do-
i;or—that she •• hail 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 colors were wet with the cx-
lii ing blood of Rush, Hume, Gray, anil 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 ol
independence was received at a time when
xultation had not yet subsided for the recent
victory, add 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 car.
ican officers, and drove them to the necessi
ty of abandoning offensive for defensive war.
The enemy now endeavored to approach
Charleston by land, from Georgia, to their
advance, tiie veteran genius of Moultrie was
opposed. Like a wounded lion, compelled
to tread back his steps, his retreat was dar
ing : and, facing about, he occasionally
snatched, his prey from his pursuers, and
made their recoiling ranks tremble for their
safety. Lincoln, w ho had previously inarch
ed with the flower of the army for Augusta, is
seen stretching forward with a rapid inarch
to gain the rear of the advancing enemy, ot
to unite himself with Moultrie. It. was a
time of difficulty; every nerve Was strained
for tiie contest; the militia could scarcely
be induced to turn out, and when in ser
vice , .ary deserted the ranks to return to
their homes at pleasure. Danger was- pre
senting itself at every door, and individual
interest was more regarded than that of (he
country. But the exertions of Motillrii
and governor Rutledge gathered, from all
parts, the, citizens yeomanry ; and general
Prcvost, instead of finding Charleston
easy prey, found it guarded and protected,
ami the hero of Sullivan's island presiding
over all as the genius of*safety.' A sieg
was not attempted, and the enemy precipit
ately withdrew from before the town. Lin
coln now began to draw near, and the hith
erto pursued enemy became in their turn the
pursued. About this time Moultrie receiv
ed the commission of a major general in the
army of the United States. The battle of
Stono followed immediately after, which, al
though uncertain in the result was sufficient
ly evincive of I lie 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. II
there gave up the command to general Lin
coln, and returned to Charleston. Fortun
ately for him bis laurels were not blighted
by the frost of repulse, whid*"gencral Lin
coln sustained in the siege of Savannah.
There slumbers the gaila.ht Bole, tiie immor
tal Bulaski : who, not finding it possible to
aid any longer the cause of Polish liberty,
throw himself into the arms of America, and
professed himself the champion of her rights;
and, in tiie unfortunate affair of Savannah,
sealed with his blood the rising liberties
of his adopted country. In the year 1780 a
third invasion of Booth Carolina was pro
jected, anf. carried into execution under the
command of sir Henry Clinton. The force
was overwhelming and irresistible. In vain
did Lincoln anil Moultrie endeavor to check
their approach ; in vain did they endeavor
to retard 1 lie works of the besiegers
Charleston surrendered to a numerous and
well appointed army ; and her harbor* fill
ed 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 free
men piling their arms, and surrendering
themselves prisoners of war. Here ended
the career of major general Moultrie as a
military man. lie remained a prisoner un
til nearly the close of the Artiericau wai
when he was exchanged at Philadelphia, and
returned to this state, where lie was receiv
ed with proud and enthusiastic joy. His
cruor of tlu> state of South Carolina, anil
died soino’ycars since in Charleston, full of'
years and glory.
The character of general Moultrie as an of
ficer, a man, and a citizen, appears unexcep
tionable. He, no doubt, had his errors—
luimamim est errare : but his virtues made
them but a feather in the balance. Ho will
always lie regarded by every South Caroli
nian as worthy of all bis gratitude, all his
respect, and all his veneration.
TOPOGRAPHY.
STONE MOUNTAIN.
[We have been polilely favored (says the Washington
Netvs,) by Colonel Johnson Welborn, with his Journal
to the Stone Mountain, 8cc. from which wc make the
following extracts.]
Wc now approached, says the Colonel,
the Stone Mountain on its north cast, where
it Was not practicable to ascend it; wc then
turned around its base to the south west a-
bout three miles, to find the most convenient
place for a passage up to its summit.
This romantic mountain is situated at or
near the head of Yellow river, the waters
of the Ocmulgec arid Peach tree creek, (com
monly called the standing Peach tree) the
waters of the Chatahoocbcc, in about lati
tude 31 50 miles south of the Hog moun
tain in the state of Georgia. The beholder
if this natural curiosity, can hut approach
it with wonder and astonishment. At a dis
tance it appears to the naked eye in the
shape and color of a sugar loaf. On tho
north it is, though not perpendicular, not to
he ascended, and I believe would measure at
least 8G0 feet perpendicular high from a riv
ulet that rises on its north west, running di
rectly along its foot. It may, from appear-
incc be ascended to its summit on the east
and west, and perhaps with difficulty in some
places on the south west, but we chose to
ascend on the west, believing it to be the most
practicable. 1 think it may be fairly esti
mated at half a, mile upon an average
from its foot to its summit. When you ar
rive within about 200 yards of its highest
elevation your passage up is obstructed by
the remains of au ancient looking fortifica
tion, extending around the horizontal por
tion of this gigantic rock at its summit,
which is composed of rock heaped one upon
another so as to afford protection to its in
habitants. Pass ways for the admission of
passengers may be distinctly scon in several
places in the wall of this fortification-
When you arrive on its summit, astonish
ment naturally arrests the imagination,
and you involuntarily exclaim “ Lord what is
man.” From this stupendous height, the
spectator may behold as we were told, the
Look Out mountain, distant ljO miles, which
according to the best observation we could,
make without an instrument, lies N. 55 W-
Phe Pilot mountain, which is part of the
great ridge dividing the Atlantic from the
western states N. 50 W. The Yona moun
tain near the head of the Chatahoocbcc river
N. 35 W. and the Curryhee mountain at the
head of Broad river in Georgia, northJO east.
This tremendous rock which rises so majes-
ticaHy, is thought to bo between nine and ten
miles arourid its foot, and out of what may
be called an open country, distant from any
other considerable mountain more than fifty
miles ; and about 100 miles distant from the
Pilot, the Yana, and Curryhee mountains.
The colonel further remarks ;—«« that tho
owners of cattle on the Chatahoocbcc river
below Vann's ferry, complain heavily of
their destruction by a disease called the milk
sickness. When the milk of the cows were
affected by this sickness, those persons who
made use of it, especially when taken in a
new state, loose the use of their limbs, have
no passage, and arc seized with a violent
puking, which in a short time terminates
the existence of the persons affected, unless
relief is affirded. The carcases of these
dead cattle, when eaten by animals, Turkey
Buzzards, kc. is apt to take life. Many
Wolves and Turkey Buzzards have been
found dead soon after eating df these dead
carcases—every exertion lias been made to
find a remedy for this complaint, but as yet
unavailing.”
When she chaiinlcd the hyinrf of liberty and slaves, although having every opportunity,
during the war, to abandon his service, had
not one of their, done so. On hearing of
his return they crowded around their ven
erable 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 evac
uation of Charleston shortly after his arri
val at home, and of seeing peace return
“ with healing in her wings, and majesty in
tier 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 gov-
independence.
Shortly after this tinm, Moultrie rose to
the rank ol brigadier general, and was put
upon the continental establishment. The
state continued to en joy a repose from the
attacks of her external enemies until the
year 1779.
In the mean time, the state was rent as
under hy the intrigues of the disaffected ;
and the. infatuated torics pulled down the an
gry vengeance and just chastisement of
their country upon their heads. Tho inva
sion of Georgia by the British, anil the de
feat of general Howe at Savannah, was the
commencement of that deluge of calamities
which afterwords nvcrwlu lined SontU Car-
GEORGIA; MORGAN COUNTY.
To the honorable the Court of Ordinary.
T IIE petition of John Morgan shewcih, that
John Waliace on the fifteenth day of Sep
tember, eighteen hundred and seventeen, made
his obligation to your petitioner, to make titles to
a certain lot of land, lying in Morgan county,
known by nitmbei one hundred and forty-three,
in die fourth district, and that said John Wallace
departed this life without executing titles, where
fore, upon motion it is ordered, that unless cause
be 2-ewn to he contrary, after the regular no
tice lias been given, that the administrators of the
said John Wallace be authorized and required to
execute good and sufficient titles to the said John
Morgan, as the law directs. ‘
JOHN MORGAN.
Extract from the minutes.
JOII-V XI i BET, C. C. O.
July 6, 1818.