. The works of Washington Irving. ght, wouldinsure the reduction of Charleston. The Americans immediately threw up workson the northeastern extremity of StdlivansIsland, to prevent the passage of the enemyover the Breach, stationing a force of regularsand militia there, under Colonel I^ee encamped on Haddrells Point, onthe mainland, to the north of the island, whencehe intended to keep up a communication by abridge of boats, so as to be ready at any mo-ment to aid either Moultrie or Thompson. Sir Henry Clinton, on the other hand, hadto construct batteries on Long Island, to op
. The works of Washington Irving. ght, wouldinsure the reduction of Charleston. The Americans immediately threw up workson the northeastern extremity of StdlivansIsland, to prevent the passage of the enemyover the Breach, stationing a force of regularsand militia there, under Colonel I^ee encamped on Haddrells Point, onthe mainland, to the north of the island, whencehe intended to keep up a communication by abridge of boats, so as to be ready at any mo-ment to aid either Moultrie or Thompson. Sir Henry Clinton, on the other hand, hadto construct batteries on Long Island, to op-pose those of Thompson, and cover the passageof his troops by boats or by the ford. Thustime was consumed, and the enemy were, fromthe ist to the 28th of June, preparing for theattack ; their troops suffering from the intenseheat of the sun on the burning sands of lyongIsland, and both fleet and army complaining ofbrackish water and scanty and bad provisions. rm ??v/ ^VW^ Defense of Fort MoultrieFrom a Painting by f. A. Oertel. JBiLttle ot Sullivans Island 163 At lengtli, on the 28th of June, the Thun-der Bomb commenced the attack, throwingshells at the fort as the fleet, under Sir PeterParker, advanced. About eleven oclock theships dropped their anchors directly before thefront battery. I was at this time in a boat,writes lyee, endeavoring to make the island ;but the wind and tide being violently againstus, drove us on the main. They immedi-ately commenced the most furious fire I everheard or saw. I confess I was in pain, fromthe little confidence I reposed in our troops;the officers being all boys, and the men rawrecruits. What augmented my anxiety was,that we had no bridge finished for retreat orcommunication ; and the creek or cove whichseparates it from the continent is near a milewide. I had received, likewise, intelligence thattheir land troops intended at the same time toland and assault. I never in my life felt my-self so uneasy ; and what added to my uneasi-ness was,
Size: 1335px × 1872px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidcu3192402234, bookyear1901
