gcls_WFP_483
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John's Island, S.C.
The two bricks we have from the British Headquarters on John's Island, S.C. were kindly secured for us through the kindness of Dr. I. H. Grimball, of Greenville. Dr. Grimball married into the Mackey family which is sufficient endorsement for any man.
The historical sketch was kindly prepared for us by Mrs. A.D. Oliphant, of Greenville.
"One of the prime objectives of the British during the Revolutionary War was the capture of Charleston. The first effort to take the city was made from the sea in 1776 but the guns of the little palmetto and sand fort on Sullivan's Island drove the British w away with heavy loss. Another attempt was not made until 1779 when a large force of British soldiers marched to the 'back door', as the land approach to Charleston was called. This time the fate of the city seemed sealed when, alarmed by the news of the approach of fresh Continental troops, the British retired in haste to John's Island. Here they established rather extensive headquarters.
Deciding at length that Charleston could not be captured, the British prepared to withdraw from John's Island. The Americans then determined to attack and, if possible, destroy the enemy force before a retreat could be made. The battle lasted nearly an hour. The British loss was a little lighter than ours and our soldiers did not succeed in preventing the z retreat. An interesting fact about this battle is that Hugh Jackson, brother of Andrew Jackson, (at that time a young boy living in the Up-country of South Carolina) died after the action of heat and fatigue."
[Black and white drawing of soliders and weaponry during military action.]
SIEGE OF CHARLESTON, S. C., 1780
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