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1781]

BATTLE OF HOBKIRK'S HILL.

289

ette set forth the baseness of such conduct to his soldiers, and told them that, if those who wished to abandon their comrades would make known their desire, he would give them a permit to leave. Not a man accepted the offer, nor were there any more deserters. General enthusiasm prevailed; a sergeant who was unable to walk even hired a place in a cart that he might keep up with the army. The generous Frenchman rewarded the devotion of his followers by supplying them with shoes, linen, and other necessaries, at his own expense.

394. On his arrival from North Carolina, Cornwallis took command of the army in Virginia, and continued to ravage the country. The tobacco warehouses and shipping of Petersburg were destroyed. Wherever there was a fine plantation, the British made a descent, and the royal cavalry obtained a new supply of horses at the expense of the whig farmers. Tarleton captured several members of the Legislature at Charlottesville, and burned part of the stores there collected, the rest having been saved by Jefferson. After spending most of the summer in these operations, and destroying property to the value of $10,000,000, Cornwallis collected his forces, and retired to Yorktown, which he proceeded to fortify.

395. We left Gen. Greene in April, 1781, on the march for South Carolina. Lord Rawdon, the British commander, lay at Camden; and thither Greene marched with his main body. He encamped at Hobkirk's Hill, a mile from the enemy's lines. On the 25th of April, a British prisoner escaped and bore such information to Lord Rawdon as induced him to make an immediate attack on the Americans. For a time the latter had the advantage; but at the moment of victory a band of regulars gave way. Greene was forced to retreat, but lost in the action only 18 killed, to 38 on the part of the British.

Under what difficulties did La Fayette labor? How did he put a stop to desertions? Give an instance of the subsequent enthusiasm of his troops. How did La Fayette reward them? 394. Give an account of Cornwallis's and Tarleton's operations in Virginia. Whither did Cornwallis finally retire? 395. On entering South Carolina, to what place did Greene proceed? Where did he encamp? What

396. Marion and Lee, meantime, were enjoying a series of triumphs on the Congaree. Among the points which they attacked was Fort Motte, the residence of a whig lady, which the enemy had taken and fortified. The garrison refused to surrender; and, as Rawdon had destroyed his works at Camden and was on his way down the river, there was no time for a siege. Mrs. Motte insisted that the assailants should fire her house to dislodge the enemy. She produced a large bow, and burning arrows soon set the shingled roof in flames. The occupants tried to put out the fire; but, as often as they appeared, Marion's riflemen drove them back. At length, to save their lives, they surrendered. The flames were extinguished; and Mrs. Motte, restored to her home, sumptuously entertained the officers of both armies.

397. One after another, the posts of the British were taken, and at last only Ninety-Six, Augusta, and Charleston remained in their possession. The first of these was strongly fortified, and garrisoned by 550 tories, under Col. Cru'-ger. On the 22d of May, Gen. Greene appeared before it, and with the aid of Kosciusko commenced a regular siege. The tories made a gallant resistance, in the hope of relief; and, though Greene pushed the work with unremitting energy, the approach of the British commander compelled him to raise the siege, after an unsuccessful assault. At Augusta the Americans were more successful; the garrison at that place capitulated, on the 5th of June, to Col. Pickens.

Soon after leaving Ninety-Six, it became important for Greene to communicate with Sumter; but, as the surrounding country was filled with British and tories, no one offered to undertake the dangerous mission. In this emergency, a girl of eighteen years, named Emily Geiger [gi'-ger], volunteered to make the attempt, and received from Greene a letter and verbal message which he wished conveyed. ́Mounting a

led Rawdon to attack him? Give an account of the battle of Hobkirk's Hill. 396. Describe the movements of Marion and Lee. Give an account of the siege of Fort Motte. [See Map, p. 286.-Where was Fort Motte ?] 397. What became of the minor posts of the British? At last what places alone were left them? [See Map, p. 286.-How is Augusta situated? How, Ninety-Six?] Give an account of the siege of Ninety-Six. How was Greene compelled to raise it? Who attacked Augusta? With what success? Tell the story of Emily Geiger. Whither

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EMILY GEIGER AND THE TORIES.

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swift horse, Emily performed part of the distance in safety, but was finally stopped by two tories, who suspected that she might be engaged on some secret service. Left alone for a moment, the heroic girl embraced the opportunity to swallow Gen. Greene's letter; and, nothing suspicious being

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found upon her, she was allowed to proceed. Sumter's camp was reached. The message was delivered, and with such effect that Greene's army was soon strong enough to assume the offensive. Rawdon was obliged to retreat, and Greene sought amid the hills on the Santee to restore the health and energies of his men.

398. Gen. Greene next moved towards Charleston, and various brilliant achievements were performed in the vicinity of that city by Sumter, Marion, Lee, Horry, Taylor, Hampton, and James. Several detachments of the enemy were defeated and dispersed, and some vessels laden with valuable stores were burned. Alarmed for the safety of the city,

did Rawdon retreat? 398. To what place did Greene next turn his attention? What leaders performed brilliant achievements in the vicinity? To what measure did Lord Rawdon resort? Under what circumstances had Col. Hayne prom

Rawdon called upon those who had taken an oath of allegiance to the king, to come forward for its defence. Among these was Col. Isaac Hayne, who, on the capture of the city by the British, to obtain his liberty and a last interview with his dying wife, had promised to support the royal government, on the assurance that he would not have to take up arms in its behalf. After receiving the last sigh of his wife, and following one of his children to the grave, Col. Hayne had remained at home, taking no part in the conflict, till he received Lord Rawdon's summons to repair to his standard. As by this act the British violated their agreement, Colonel Hayne felt that he was absolved from his part of the contract. Collecting a troop of horse, he ranged the country; but, after gaining some advantages, was defeated and captured. He was sentenced to death. In vain his fellowcitizens, in vain the ladies of Charleston, in vain the sister of the prisoner and his orphan children, implored Lord Rawdon's mercy. On the 4th of August, Col. Hayne was hanged like a common criminal.

399. At this juncture Lord Rawdon returned to England, leaving Col. Stuart in command of the British army in South Carolina. Stuart took a position at Eutaw Springs; and Greene, whose army had been increased by reënforcements to 2,600 men, attacked him at that place. The battle was fought on both sides with desperate courage. At last the British ranks were broken. As they gave way, Col. Campbell, who had contributed much to the success of the Americans, fell mortally wounded; his last words were, “I die contented." Col. Washington received a bayonet wound, and was taken, while half his troop of cavalry fell on the field. Still the rout of the British was general, and the Americans, thinking the battle was over, seized upon the captured stores. While they were thus scattered and off

ised to support the royal government? Give an account of his subsequent history. 399. What did Lord Rawdon do, at this juncture? On whom did the command of the British devolve? Where did Stuart take a position? [See Map, p. 286.-Where were Eutaw Springs ?] What took place at Eutaw Springs? Which party gave way? Give an account of Col. Campbell's fall. What befell Col. Washington and his troop? How were the Americans nearly surprised? What

1781]

ARRIVAL OF A FRENCH FLEET.

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their guard, the enemy rallied and returned to renew the engagement. The vigilance of Greene saved his men from a surprise, and with some loss he drew them off. Though the British remained masters of the field, the Americans had the decided advantage in this battle. The former lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners, not far from 700 men; the American loss was 555. The next day, Stuart destroyed his stores, and retreated towards Charleston, leaving 1,000 stands of arms behind him.

This battle closed the long contest in the Carolinas. The patriot cause was once more triumphant. Congress voted the highest honors to General Greene and his officers, who throughout the whole campaign had conducted themselves with distinguished ability and valor.

CHAPTER XIX.

SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.

-SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS.

400. On the last day of August, 1781, a French fleet under De Grasse [du gras] arrived in Chesapeake Bay; and it was agreed between the French and the American commander to attack Cornwallis, now strongly intrenched at Yorktown. Washington, who had been threatening New York, carefully concealed this new design, and, withdrawing his army from the Hudson, marched rapidly towards Virginia. Clinton did not become aware of his movements till it was too late to prevent them; but he tried to recall Washington by sending Arnold to devastate Connecticut. Used to this business, and glad to have an opportunity of glutting his malice, Arnold landed on the Thames [see Map, p. 91], took the posts on the west side of the river, and sent Col. Eyre [are] against Fort Griswold on the other side. Col.

was the final result? State the loss on each side. What was Stuart's next movement? What is said of this battle? What honors were rendered to Gen. Greene? 400. What took place, August 31st, 1781? On whom was an attack concerted? What did Washington do with his army? How did Clinton try to divert him from his purpose? Give an account of Arnold's expedition. Of the massacre at

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