Katharine Walton, Or, The Rebel of Dorchester: Or, The Rebel of Dorchester

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Chapter II. Social Stabbing

The blare of trumpets beneath his windows, announcing the readness of his cavahy to march, found Balfour at the conclusion of a late breakfast. He was soon in the saddle, and accompanied by his friend Cruden, followed by some inferior officers. This party rode on slowly, while the major in command of the brigade proceeded on the march, drawing up only as they reached the great gate of the city. The stranger who at this day, shall find himself gazing upon the southern front of the stately pile called the ''Citadel," in Charleston — a building of the state, devoted to the purposes of military education — will stand at no great distance from what was then the main entrance to the city. Along this line ran the fortifications, extending from the river Cooper to the Ashley, and traversing very nearly what is now the boundary line between the corporate limits of Charleston and its very extensive suburb. At that early period, the fortifications of the place were at some distance from the settlement. The surface occupied by the city scarcely reached beyond a fourth of the present dimensions, and in the north and west, was distinguished only by some scattered and inferior habitations. " Up the path" was the phrase used by which to distinguish the region which had been assigned to the defences and beyond.

Without, the region lay partially in woods, broken only by an occasional farmstead and worm fence, which, when the British took possession of the "Neck" for the purpose of the leaguer, soon disappeared, either wholly or in part, beneath the fire and the axe. The gate of the city stood a little to the east of

SOCUL STABBING. 17

Sang street — not quite midwaj, perhaps, between that and Meeting street. It was covered within hj a strong hom-tomk of masonry, originallj built by the besieged; and afterward improved by the enemy. It was a work of considerable strength in that day, fraised, picketed, and intended as a citadel. The British, after the fall of the city, greatly strengthened and increased these fortifications ; though even in their hands, the lines remained what are called field-works only.

Beyond them, at the moment when we request the reader's attention, were still perceptible the traces of the several footholds, taken by the enemy when the leaguer was in progress. You could see the Sjtbrii of the redoubts, under the cover of which they had made their approaches; the several parallels — though thrown down in part, and the earth removed, with the view to strengthening the fortifications — still showing themselves upon the surface, and occasionally arresting the eye by an unbroken redoubt, or the mound which told where the mortar-battery had been erected. Farms and fences had been destroyed : trees had been cut down for pickets and abbatis; and even that noble avenue, leading from the' city, called the " Broadway," which old Archdale tells us was " so delightful a road and walk of a greath breadth, so pleasantly green, that I believe no prince in Europe, by all their art, can make so pleasant a sight for the whole year," even this had been shorn of many of its noblest patriarchs, of oak and cedar, for the commonest purposes of ftiel or defence. It was still an avenue, however, to compel the admiration of the European. All was not lost of its ample foliage, its green umbrage, its tall pines, fresh and verdant cedars, and ancient gnarled oaks : and, as the splendidly uniformed cavalry of the British, two hundred in number, filed away beneath its pleasant thickets, the spectacle was one of a beauty most unique, and might well persuade the spectator into a partial forgetftJness of the fearful trade which these gallant troopers carried on. On each hand, from this nearly centraf point, might glimpses be had of the two rivers, scarce a mile asunder; beneath which, on the most gradual slope of plane, the city of Charleston rises, the Ashley on the west, the Cooper on the east, both navigable for a small distance — streams of ample breadth, if not of depth ; and in fact rather arms of the sea than arteries of the land.

The British detachment, about to leave the garrison, its objects not known, nor its destination, was necessarily a subject of considerable interest to all parties. Whig and loyalist equally regarded its movements with curiosity and excitement. The recent defeat of the Americans at Camden; the sudden and startling event, so near at hand, in the rescue at Dorchester, and the partial conflagration of that hamlet, were all now known among the citizens. The question with the one party was that of the dethroned sovereign of England on the ominous appearance of Gloster, "What bloody scene hath Roscius now to act?" — while the other looked forward to new progresses, ending in the acquisition of fresh spoils from new confiscations, and the punishment of enemies whom they had learned to hate in due degree with the appreciation of their virtuous patriotism, which persevered, under all privations, in a manly resistance to the invader. Groups of these, of both parties, separated naturally by their mutual antipathies, had assembled iu the open space contiguous to tlie citadel, and were now anxiously contemplating the spectacle. Among these, scattered at plays that had an earnest signification, were dozens of sturdy urchins, already divided into parties according to the influence of their parental and other associations. These, known as the "Bay Boys" and the "Green Boys," were playing at soldiers, well armed with cornstalks, and hammering away at each other, in charging and retreating squadrons. The "Bay Boys" were all loyalists, the "Green Boys" the Whigs, or patriots : and in their respective designations, we have no inadequate suggestion of the influences which operated to divide the factions ofe4heir elders in the city. The "Bay Boys" represented the commercial influence, which, being chiefly in the hands of foreigners, acknowledged a more natural sympathy with Britain than the " Green Boys," or those of the suburban population, most of whom were the agricultural aristocracy of the low coimtry, and with whom the revolutionary movement in Carolina had its origin.

The appearance of Balfour and his suite dispersed these parties, who retired upon opposite sides, leaving a free passage for the

SOCIAL BTABBINQ. 19

hones, wlikh were driyen forward with but small regard for the safety of the crowds that covered the highway. The men turned away with as much promptitude as the boys; neither Whig nor loyalist having much assurance of consideration from a ruler so arrogant and capricious as Balfour, and so reckless of the comfort of inferiors. A few women might be seen, as if in waiting, mostly in gig or chair — then the most commonly used vehicle — though one or more might be seen in carriages, and a few on horseback, followed by negro servants. Those were all prepared to leave the city, on brief visits, as was customary, to the ndghboring farms and plantations along one or other of the two rivers. They were destined to disappointment, Balfour sternly denying the usual permit to depart from the city, at a moment when there was reason to suppose that stray bodies of Marion's parties were lurking in the neighborhood. The precaution was a proper one ; but there was no grace or delicacy in the manner of Balfour's denial.

" Gret home, madam," was the rude reply to one lady, who addressed him from the window of her carriage; "and be grateful for the security which the arms of his majesty afford you within the walls of the city. We will see after your estates."

"My concern is, sir, that you will prove your8e]| only too provident," answered the high-spirited woman, as she bade her coachman wheel about to return.

"There is no breaking down the spirit of this people," muttered Balfour to Gruden as they rode forward. " That woman always gives me the last word, and it is never an unspiced one."

" They who lose the soup may well be permitted to enjoy the pepper," said Gruden. " It ruffles you, which it should not."

"They shall bend or break" before I am ,done with them," answered the other. To the major commanding in his absence, he gave strict injunctions that no one should be allowed to leave the city under any pretence.

" Unless General Williamson, I suppose 1" was the inquiry, in return.

"Has he desired to go forth to-day]"

"To-morrow, sir."

"Well, let him be an exception;" and he rode off; "though"

— contmuing, as if speaking to himself — ''were he wise, he Bhoald hug the citj walls as his onlv security. His neck would run a sorry chance wete he to fall into the hands of his ancient comrades."

"1 do not see that his desertion of the enemy has done us much service," was the remark of Gruden.

''You mistake: his correspondence has heen most efficient. He has brought over numbers in Ninety-Six and along the Oongares. But these are matters that we can not publish."

At the "Quarter's House," between five and six miles, the party came to a halt. This was a famous place in that day for parties from the city. The long low building, still occupying the spot, might be almost esteemed &/aonmile of the one which covered it then. It received its name, as it was the officers' quarters for the old field range contiguous, which is still known, as " Izard's Camp." It was now a region devoted to festivity rather than war. Hither the British officers, of an afternoon, drove out their favorite damsels. Here they gamed and drank with their comrades; and occasionally a grand hop shook the rude log foundations of the fabric, while the rafters gleamed with the blaze of cressets, flaming up from open oil vessels of tin. Though fpt yet midday, Balfour halted here to procure refreshments; and Mother Gradock, by whom the place was kept, was required to use her best skill — which was far frt)m mean in this department of art — in compounding for her sensual customer a royal noggin of milk punch; old Jamaica rum being the potent element which the milk was vainly expected to subdue. A lounge of half an hour in the ample piazza, and the party resumed theur route, following after the march of the brigade at a smart canter. A ride of four hours brought them to Dorchester, where, apprised of their approach, the garrison was drawn out to receive them.

The spectacle that met the eyes of Balfour, in the smoking ruins of the village, was well calculated to impress him with a serious sense of the necessity of a thorough investigation into the affair. He shook his head with great gravity as he said to Gruden —

" It will be well if your kinsman can acquit himself of the responsibility of this affair. Proctor is a good officer; is quick,

SOCIAL STABBING. 21

sensibley and brave; but I fear, Gmden, I very much fear, that be has been somewhat remiss in this bnsmess. And then the awkward relations which are said to have existed between this rebel's daughter and himself "

"Stay," said Cruden; "he approaches."

The next moment, Major Proctor joined the party, and offered the proper welcome. He was a yonng man, not more than twenty-eight or thirty in appearance; and more than ordinarily yoaihfnl to have arrived at the rank which he held in the service. But he had been fortunate in his opportunities for distinction; and, both in the conquest of New York and of Charleston, had won the special applause of his superiors for equal bravery and intelligence. His person was cast in a very noble mould. He was tall, erect, and graceful, with a countenance finely expressive; lofty brow, large and animated eyes; and features which, but for a stem compression of the lips, might have appeared effeminately handsome. At this time, his face was marked by an appropriate gravity. He conducted his visiters through tiie village, pointing out the scene of every important transaction with dignity and calmness. But his words were as few as possible; and every reference to the subject, naturally so painful, was influenced chiefly by considerations of duty to his superior.

When his examination of the field was ended, they made their way toward the fortress, at the entrance of which they found an officer in waiting, to whom Balfour spoke rather eagerly, and in accents much less stately than those which he employed in dealing with subordinates. Captain Vaughan — for such was the name and titie of this officer — met the eye of Proctor at this moment, and did not. fail to observe the dark scowl which overshadowed it A sudden gleam of intelligence, which did not seem without its triumph, lighted up his own eyes as he beheld it; and his 1^ curled with a smile barely perceptible to a single one of the party. Balfour just then called the young officer forward, and they passed through the portals of the fortress together. Proctor motioned his kinsman Cruden forward also, but tiie latter, twitching him by the sleeve, held him back as he eagerly asked the question in a whisper —

" For God's sake, John, what is all this ? How are you to blame t**

" Only for having an enemy, nncle, I suppose."

"An enemy? I thought so. But who?"

Proctor simply waved his hand forward in the direction of Yaughan, whose retiring form was sdll to be seen following dose behind Balfour.

"You will soon see."

"Vaughan! But how can he hurt you? Why should he be your enemy?" ^

"I am in his way somewhat; and«-but not now, uncle. Let us go foi^ard."

They were soon all assembled in Proctor's quarters, where dinner was in progress. Balfour had already renewed his draughts^ enjoying with a relish, the old Jamaica, of which a portly square bottle stood before him. His beverage now was taken without the milk; but was qualified with a rather small allowance of cool water. The conversation was only casual. It was tacitly tmderstood that, for the present, the subject most in the mind of all parties was to be left for future discusnon. Proctor did the honors with ease and grace, yet with a gravity of aspect that lacked little of severity. Captains Vaughan and Dickson were of the company — officers both belonging to the station — and Grudeu contrived to examine, at intervals, the features of the former, of whom he knew but little, with the scrutiny of one who had an interest iu fathoming the character of him he surveyed. But Yaughan's face was one of those inscrutable ones — a dark fountain, which shows its surface only, and nothing of its depths. He was not unaware of Cruden's watch-— that circumspect old soldier, with all his shrewdness and experience, bemg no sort of match for the person, seemingly a mere boy, small of features, slight of figure, and with a chin that appeared quite too smooth to demand the reapmg of a razor — whom he sought to fathom. Tet those girjish features, that pale face, and thin, effeminate, and closed lips, were the unrevealing representatives of an intense ambition, coupled with a cool, deliberate, almost icy temper, which seldom betrayed impatience, and never any of its secrets. His eyes smiled only, not his lips, as he noted the fdrtive semtiny which Oraden maintained.

SOCIAL 8TABBIN0. 28

At length, dinner waA^annonnced, and diacnased. Balfour waa at home at table. He was a person to do the honors for the hon vivant ; and here, perhaps, lay some of the secret of his influence with % William Howe. Fish from the Ashlej, which glided beneath the walls of the fortress, and venison from the forests which spread away on every hand within bowshot, formed the chief- dishes of the feast; and the Jamaica proved an excellent appeiizer and provocative. Wines were not wanting; and the commandant of Oharleston very soon showed symptoms which acknowledged their influence. Before the doth had been removed, his forbearance was forgotten; and, rather abruptly, the a&ir of Walton's rescae was brought upon the table.

^ I'll tell yon what. Proctor, this affair is decidedly unfortunate. Here yoa have seventy-six men in garrison, good men, not induding invalids, and you send out a detachment of thirty only to escort this rebel Walton to the gallows. I must say, you might almost have expected what followed."

"Beally, Golond Balfour, I see not that. I send out half of my force, or nearly so, to superintend the execution of a single man. One would suppose such a force sufficient for such a purpose. Was I to abandon the gamson entirely? Had I done so, what might have been the consequences? Instead of the mere rescue of the prisoner, the post might have been surprised and captured with all its stores, and the garrison cut to pieces."

"Scarcely, if the reported force of the rebels be true. They do not seem to have had more than twenty men in all."

** You will permit me to ask, sir, how you arrived at this conduaon? I am not consdous of having made any definite report of the number of the rebek in this assault."

**No, Major Proctor; and this, I an sorry to observe, is a most xmaccounti^le omisdon in your report You had the evidence of a worthy loyalist, named Blonay, who distinctly told you that they numbered only twenty men."

«' yhe defidendes of my report. Colonel Balfour, seem to have been particularly supplied by other hands," was the ironical remark of Proctor, his eye glancing fiercely at Yaughan as he ^>oke ; ^but your informant is scarcely correct himself, sir, and has been too glad to assume, as a certainty, a report which was only

*M KATHABIKE WALTON.

conjectural. Blonay stated distinctlj that there were twenty men and fnore. These were his very words. He did not say how many. His whole account was wretchedly confused, mnce his mind seems to have heen distracted between the difficulty of rescuing his mother from the feet of the horse» by which she was really trampled to death, and the desire of taking revenge upon a mngle enemy, upon whom alone his eyes seem to have been fixed during the afiiEur. This Blonay, sir, instead of being a worthy loyalist, is a miserable wretch, half Indian, and of no worth at all. He has an Indian passion for revenge, which, on this occaaon, left him singularly incapable of a correct observation on any subject which did not involve the accomplishment of his passion. But, allowing that the rebeU made their assault with but twenty men> it must be remembered that they effected a surprise——*"

'<AhI that was the reproach. Major Proctor^ there was the error, in allowing that surprise."

** But, Balfour," said Gruden, '< this seems to be quite unreasonable. A detachment of thirty men from the post, leaving but forty in charge of it, seems to be quite large enough."

** That depends wholly on circumstances, Cruden," was the reply of Balfour, filling his glass.

** Exactly, su*," resumed Proctor ( '< and these drcumstances were such as to call for a guard for the prisoner no stronger than that which I assigned it. But a few days had elapsed since Earl Gomwallis totally defeated the rebel army at Gam* den. Were we to look for an effort of the rebels, in his rear, of this description? Did we not know that Marion, with his brigade, had joined himself to the force of Gates ; and had we not every reason to suppose that he had shared its fate ? The whole country was in pur possession. Lord Rawdon held Gam* den ; Golonel Stuart was at Ninety-Six ; Orangeburg, Motto's, Watson's, Monk's Gomer, Quimby — aU posts garrisoned by ourselves ; and our scouts brought no tidings of any considerable force of rebels embodied in any quarter." •

«< But the inconsiderMCf** answered Balfour.

** They were surely provided against in a force of thirty men, led by a competent officer, who sealed his devotion with his life/'

SOCIAL STABBING. 25

•* Wby did you not take command of the escort yourself ?" queried Balfour.

For a moment, an expression of strong disgust spread over the face of Proctor. But he replied, calmly —

^ It might be a sufficient answer to say, that such was not my duty. The command of the post at Dorchester involved no obligation to assame the duties of a subordinate^ But I will express inyself more frankly. I could not have assumed this duty without violating some of the most precious feelings of humanity. I had enjoyed the hospitality of Colonel Walton; had shared his intimacy ; and cherished a real esteem for the noble virtues of that gentleman, which his subsequent unhappy rebellion can not obliterate from my mind. I could not have taken part in the terrible event of that day, I preferred, sir, as my duty allowed'it, to withdraw from so painful a spectacle."

" Ah ! that was the error — the great error. The soldier, sir, has obligations to his king superior to those of mere sentiment. I am sorry, Major Proctor — very sorry — not less for your sake, than because of the deep sympathy which I have with my firiend, Cruden."

** But, Balfour," said Cruden, " it strikes me that John's course has been quite justifiable. With his force, he could not have detached from the garrison more than he did, as an escort for the rebel's execution. And, under the circumstances of the country, with Gomwallis so completely triumphant over Gates, and with our troops everywhere overawing every conspicuous pomty there coxdd be no reason to anticipate such a surprise as this. Now"—

" My dear Cruden, all this sounds very well ; and were these things to be considered by themselves I have no doubt the defence would be properly urged. But I am afraid that an evil construction may be placed upon the deep sympathy which our young friend seems to have felt for the family of this rebel. He seems to have been a frequent visiter at Walton's plantation."

" Only, sir, when Colonel Walton was imderstood to be a friend of my king and government."

" That he never was."

*' He was admitted in our roll of friends among the people of the country ; and I have Lord Gomwallis's especial instructions to treat him with great courtesy and favor, in the hope of winning him over to active participation in our cause."

" Very true, sir ; that was our object ; but how long is it since this hope was abandoned ? Oould you have entertained it, my dear major, for a moment after your fruitless attempt to capture Singleton, the lieutenant of Marion, harbored by this very rebel -—nay, rescued by "Walton from your grasp, at the head of an armed force, which put you at defiance ? Nay, I am not sure that the curious fact, that Walton suffered you to escape, though clearly in his clutches, will not make against you. Even since these events, it is understood that you have more than once visited the daughter of this rebel, alone, without any attendants, returning late in the evening to your post."

Proctor smiled grimly, as he replied —

" It will be something new, I fancy, to the oflficers of his majesty in Charleston and elsewhere, if it be construed into a trea^ sonable affair when they visit a rebel damsel. But really. Colonel Balfour, this conversation assumes so much the appearance of a criminal investigation, that I see no other course before me than to regard it as a sort of court of inquiry. Perhaps, ar, I had better tender my sword, as under arrest. At all events, sir, permit me to demand a court of inquiry for the Ml examination of this affair."

He unbuckled his sword as he spoke, and laid it upon the table.

" What are you about, John ] What need of this ]" demanded Cruden. '' I am sure that Balfour means nothing of the kind."

" Perhaps it is just as well, Cruden," answered Balfour, " that our young friend should so determine. I like to see young men fearless of investigation. Better he should invite the court than have it forced upon him ; and you will see, from what I have said, that there is much of a suspicious nature in this affair which it is proper for him to clear up. But remember, my friends, what I have smd has been siud in a friendly spirit. I have too much regard for both of you to suffer you to be taken by surprise. You now see what points are to be explained, and what doubts discussed and settled."

This was all said very coolly ; we shall not say civilly.

SOCIAL STABBING. 27

" I am deeply indebted to your courtesy, Colonel Balfour," answered Proctor, " and will be glad if you will still fiirther increase my acknowledgments, by suffering me to know the sources of that infprmation which, I perceiye» has followed my footsteps as a shadow."

" Nay, now, my young friend, you must really excuse me. I should be happy to oblige you ; but the nature of the affair, and the caution which is due to my situation, will not suffer me to comply with your desires. Excuse me. Let us have a glass all round."

*» Stay," said Cruden ; " am I to understand that John is deprived of his command at this post ]"

" Most certainly," interposed Proctor, himself. " Until purged of these suspicions, I can certainly hold no station of trust in the service of his majesty."

" Your nephew has a right notion of these matters, Cruden," remarked Balfour; "but it will not be long. He will soon purge himself of these suspicions, and be in a situation to resume all his trusts."

"And to whom," said Cruden, "will you confide the post, meanwhile ?"

" Who ? — ay !" looking round. " I had thought of requesting our young friend, Vaughan, here, to administer its duties, and to take charge of the precincts of Dorchester."

Vaughan bowed his head quietly and respectfully, and in a few calmly-expressed words, declared his sense of the compliment. The keen eye of Proctor was fastened upon him with a stem and scomM glance, and, a moment after he left the apaiiment, followed by his uncle.

" This is a most abominable afftur, John," was his remark ; " a most abominable affidr !"

" Do you think so, sir 1 There would be nothing abominable about it, were there not a villain in the business."

"And that villain—"

"Is Vaughan! the servile tool of Balfour; the miserable sycophant, who fancies that ambition may be served by falsehood. But I shall crush him yet. His triumph is for the moment only."

Chapter III. Native Princess

The sun was still an hour lugh when Balfour gave instructions to prepare his horses and a small escort, proposing a visit to the plantation called ** The Oaks/' the domain of the famous rehel. Colonel Walton.

" You will, of course accompany me, Cruden. Your duties hegin in this quarter. It is just as well that we should have this estate within our clutches as soon as possible, and before the alarm is taken. We will quarter ourselves upon the young lady to-night, and see how the land lies. Should she prove as beautiful as. they describe, we shall make her a ward of the king, and dispose of her accordingly."

" In that event, you had best take her to the city."

** I shall most surely do so."

** I shall certainly be better pleased to take charge of the plantation in her absence. Our authority might otherwise, conflict. With the dawn, we must proceed to gather up the negroes, and for this purpose I shall need your assistance. You will have a sufficient detachment with you V*

** Twenty men will do. There are some three hundred slaves, I understand of all classes ; and the fewer soldiers we employ in bringing these into the fold, the less heavy will be the asses ment on the estate."

This was said wijh a grin, the meaning of which was perfectly understood by his associate.

" Does my nephew accompany us, Balfour ?"

« If he chooses."

^ I may need his assistance in the matter."

** You have brought your secretary 1"

Googfe

NATIVE PRmCESS. 29