LXVI. 1776. June CHAP. The commodore and the general long indulged in reciprocal criminations. Nothing remained for the army but to quit the sands of Long Island; yet three weeks more passed away before they embarked in transports for New York under the single "convoy of the "Solebay" frigate; the rest of the fleet being under the necessity of remaining still longer to refit." 28. 29. The success of the Carolinians was due to the wisdom and adequateness of their preparations. It saved not a post but a province. It kept seven regiments away from New York for two months; it gave security to Georgia, and three years' peace to Carolina; it dispelled throughout the South the dread of British superiority; it drove the loyalists into shameful obscurity. It was an announcement to the other colonies of the existence of South Carolina as a selfdirecting republic; a message of brotherhood and union. On the morning of the twenty ninth, Charleston harbor was studded with sails, and alive with the voice of men, hastening to congratulate the victors. They crowded round their deliverers with transports of gratitude; they gazed admiringly on the uninjured walls of the fortress, the ruinous marks of the enemy's shot on every tree and hut in its neighborhood; they enjoyed the sight of the wreck of the "Acteon," the discomfited men-of-war riding at anchor at two and a half miles' distance; they laughed at the commodore's broad pendant, scarcely visible on a jury maintopmast, while their own blue flag crowned the merlon. Letters of congratulation came down from Rutledge and from Gadsden; and Lee gave his wit ness, that " no men ever did behave better, or ever CHAP. could behave better." LXVI. June On the afternoon of the thirtieth Lee reviewed 1776. the garrison, and renewed to them the praise that 30. was their due. While they were thus drawn out, the women of Charleston presented to the second regiment a pair of silken colors, one of blue, one of red, richly embroidered by their own hands; and Susanna Smith Elliott, a scion of one of the oldest families of the colony, who, being left an orphan, had been bred up by Rebecca Brewton Motte, stepped forth to the front of the intrepid band in matronal beauty, young and stately, light-haired, with eyes of mild expression, and a pleasant countenance; and as she put the flags into the hands of Moultrie and Motte, she said in a low, sweet voice: "Your gallant behavior in defence of liberty and your country entitles you to the highest honors; accept these two standards as a reward justly due to your regiment; and I make not the least doubt, under heaven's protection, you will stand by them as long as they can wave in the air of Liberty." And the regiment plighting the word which they were to keep sacredly at the cost of many of their lives, answered: "The colors shall be honorably supported, and shall never be tarnished." On the fourth of July, Rutledge came to visit the July. garrison. There stood Moultrie, there Motte, there Marion, there Peter Horry, there William Jasper, and all the survivors of the battle. Rutledge was happy in having insisted on holding possession of the fort; happy in the consciousness of his unwavering reliance on Moultrie; happy in the glory that gathered LXVI. July. CHAP round the first days of the new-born commonwealth ; and when, in the name of South Carolina, he returned 1776. thanks to the defenders, his burning words gushed forth with an eloquence that adequately expressed the impassioned gratitude of the people. To Jasper he offered a lieutenant's commission, which Jasper modestly declined, accepting only a sword. South Carolina, by her president and the common voice, spontaneously decreed that the post on Sullivan's Island should, for all future time, be known as Fort Moultrie; her assembly crowned her victorious sons with applause. The tidings leaped from colony to colony on their way to the North, and the continental congress voted their thanks to Lee, Moultrie, Thomson, and the officers and men under their command. But at the time of that vote, congress was no more the representative of dependent colonies; the victory at Fort Moultrie was the bright morning star and harbinger of American Independence. CHAPTER LXVII. THE RETREAT FROM CANADA. JANUARY-JUNE, 1776. LXVII. Jan. to THE death of Montgomery dispelled the illusion CHAP. that hovered round the invasion of Canada. The soldiers whose time expired on the last day of Decem- 1776. ber insisted on their discharge; some went off without leave, taking with them their arms; the rest were Mar. dejected and anxious to be at home. There remained encamped near Quebec rather than besieging it, about four hundred Americans and as many wavering Canadians. The force commanded by Carleton was twice as numerous as both, and was concentrated in the well provisioned and strongly fortified town. Yet in the face of disasters and a superior enemy, Arnold preserved his fortitude; "I have no thought," he said, "of leaving this proud town until I enter it in tri umph." Montgomery had required an army of ten thousand men; Arnold declared that a less number would not suffice. The chief command devolved on Wooster, who CHAP LXVII. Jan. to Mar. was at Montreal; and he wrote in every direction for aid. To Warner and the Green Mountain Boys he sent 1776. word that they must come down as fast as parties. could be collected, by fifties or even by tens; of Washington, who had no artillery for his own use, he asked not men only, but heavy cannon and mortars; to the president of congress and to Schuyler he said plainly: "We shall want every thing," men, heavy cannon, mortars, shot, shells, powder, and hard money. Bills of credit had no currency; "money," he reiterated, "we must have or give up every thing;" "if we are not immediately supplied with hard cash, we must starve, quit the country, or lay it under contribution." Wherever among the colonies the news spread of Montgomery's fall, there was one general burst of sorrow, and a burning desire to retrieve his defeat. Washington overcame his scruples about initiating measures, and without waiting to consult congress, recommended to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, each to raise and send forward a regiment on behalf of the continent; and the three colonies eagerly met his call, for the annexation of Canada was then their passion. The continental congress specially encouraged western New Hampshire to complete a regiment for the service; and ordered one regiment from Philadelphia, another from New Jersey to march for the St. Lawrence without delay. These were to be soon followed by four or five more. In the first moments of the excitement the summons was obeyed; citizens became soldiers, left the comforts of home with alacrity, and undertook a march of many hundred miles, to a country in that rigor |