Every advantageous pass was disputed with the enemy; and so effectually retarded their progress, by frequent skirmishes, that they did not reach Charleston until the 11th of May.

When Provost appeared before Charleston, he made the apparent dispositions for a siege, and demanded a surrender. Calculating that Lincoln was in pursuit of the enemy, it was deemed important to gain time. The re-enforcement sent by general Lincoln, and the legion of Pulaski, had arrived; and the greatest exertions were used to place the town in a state of defence. Twentyfour hours were spent in negociations, which terminated in bidding the enemy defiance. Having failed in his expectations, and fearing that general Lincoln would fall upon his rear; general Provost retreated precipitately over Ashley ferry, and formed a fortified encampment on Stono river, within reach of some small armed vessels and transports, by which he could secure a retreat toward Savannah, if he should be pressed by a force with which he was unable to contend. He collected all the boats which fell in his way, to facilitate the transportation of his troops from one island to another, or through the inland navigation, as might be advisable.

When Lincoln arrived at Ashley river, he was doubtful of the issue of a general engagement with the enemy; for although he was superior to his antagonist in numbers, he was far inferior in the quality of his troops and equipments, and was

aware of the certain consequences of a defeat. It was therefore necessary for him to proceed with caution and not risk a battle, if the result appear ed the least doubtful. He was apprehensive of the consequences of drawing his forces to one point, for a general attack, and leaving Charleston unprotected; and to prevent the enemy from retreating by land to Savannah, he was obliged to guard the passes by strong detachments. Thus situated, the two armies lay within thirty miles distance, for forty days, watching the motions of each other.

The British army was encamped on John's island, near Stono ferry; and to preserve a com munication with the main land, they had con. structed some redoubts, and lines of communica❤ tion, on which some field artillery was advanta geously placed, with an abatis in front, on the main land at the ferry, and placed a garrison of eight hundred men to defend it, under lieutenantcolonel Maitland. In the event of its being at tacked, the main encampment was sufficiently near to afford re-enforcements.

At length, on the 20th of June, an attack was made on the redoubts at the ferry. General Moultrie, with a body of the Charleston militia, was to have made a feint on the British encamp. ment, from James's island; but from the difficulty of procuring boats, he was unable to reach the place of destination in time to make the diversion required. When the Americans advanced to the

attack, two companies of the 71st regiment of Scots, sallied to support the piquets: lieutenantcolonel Henderson with the light infantry charged them, and only nine of their number returned within their intrenchments. All the men at the field pieces, between their redoubts, were killed or wounded. Major Handley, who commanded the remnant of the Georgia continental troops, was attached to colonel Malmady's command, and carried that part of the British works against which they acted. The failure of general Moultrie, in the diversion assigned to him, enabled general Provost to re-enforce the redoubts, and made it necessary for general Lincoln to withdraw his troops; a general sortie was made on the retiring Americans; but the light infantry, commanded by Malmady and Henderson, held the enemy in check, and enabled the Americans to remove their wounded, and retire in good order.

Soon after the action at Stono, the British commenced their retreat, and passed from island to island, until they arrived at Port-Royal, where Provost established a post with eight hundred men, under the orders of lieutenant-colonel Maitland, and thence returned to Savannah.

While general Lincoln was employed against Provost, in South-Carolina; colonels Dooley and Clarke were active in defending the frontiers of Georgia, against Indian incursions; and colonels Twiggs, Few, and Jones, were watching the British out-posts, to cut off supplies of provisions

from the country. Private armed vessels, in the American service, were also employed along the

sea-coast.

On the 4th of June, a party of British officers were engaged to dine with Mr. Thomas Young, at Belfast, on the river Medway, to celebrate the king's birth day: captain Spencer, who commanded an American privateer, got intelligence of the intended feast, and prepared to surprise them. He proceeded up the river in the evening, and landed with twelve men, and between eight and nine o'clock at night Spencer entered the house, and made colonel Cruger and the party of officers, prisoners of war. As Spencer intended to carry off some negroes, he kept his prisoners. under a guard until the morning, when he received their paroles, and permitted them to return to Sunbury. Colonel Cruger was soon after exchanged for colonel John M'Intosh, who had been taken prisoner at Brier creek.

Colonel Twiggs, with seventy men, marched down Ogechee river, on the south side, to the plantation of James Butler, called Hickory hill, where he halted. On the 28th of June, he was informed that a party of forty mounted grenadiers, and three militia guides, under the command of captain Muller, were advancing to attack him. Major Cooper, of Marbury's dragoons, and captain Inman, with about thirty men, advanced to meet them, and formed across a rice dam on which Muller was advancing, and threw some

brush-wood in their front, to serve as an abatis the first fire was well directed, and several of the British fell from their horses; captain Muller ordered his men to dismount and form; but under the circumstances of a galling fire, they were unable to effect it. Though Muller was shot through the thigh, he supported himself on his sword, and persisted in vain efforts to form his men, until he received another ball, which passed through his arm into his body. The Americans took advantage of a rice dam, which covered them from the fire of the enemy. Lieutenant Swanson, the second officer of the British detachment, was also wounded and fell. Twiggs observing the confusion occasioned in the ranks of the enemy, by the fall of their officers, ordered ten men to gain their rear and cut off their retreat, which was effected, and none of the detachment escaped, except the three militia guides, who ran away on the first fire. Of the British, seven were killed, ten wounded, and the remainder taken prisoners. Of the Americans, colonel Maybank, who was a volunteer, and captain Whitaker, were wounded.

The situation of the wounded required the assistance of a surgeon, and Savannah being the nearest place where one could be obtained; Wil liam Myddleton offered his services to carry a flag for that purpose. Captain Muller died before the surgeon's arrival. While Myddleton was in Provost's quarters, a British officer requested him to narrate the circumstances attending the skirmish