Heroes and patriots of the South; comprising lives of General Francis Marion, General William Moultrie, General Andrew Pickens, and Governor John Rutledge. With sketches of other distinguished heroes and patriots who served in the revolutionary war in the southern states

Front matter

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Preface

The purpose of the following work is to record the actions of some of the most celebrated of the many heroes and patriots who distinguished themselves by eminent services in the Revolutionary War, in the Southern States of the Union. Among these General Marion, whose life occupies a considerable portion of the volume, was one of the most remarkable characters who figured on the grand theatre of war in those times that '' tried men's souls." He was one of those men who are born to command. His active and brilliant career as leader of the famous '' Marion's Brigade," has scarcely a parallel in history ; and his success in defending the Carolinas against the enem}'', at a time when he was almost alone in the field, is due in a great measure to his power of attracting the personal regard of his men, and keeping them in active service, while surrounded by every species of discoura^-ement, and the incessant dano-er of their utter destruction by the overwhelming force of the enemy. Marion's achievements were of the most heroic and romantic character; and are always read with interest and admiration.

General Moultrie, the illustrious defender of the fortress which bears his name, is not less interesting in his way. He was remarkable for cool courage, invincible resolution, sound judgment, and excellent common sense. The city of Charleston was twice saved from capture by his exertions. His

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4 PREFACE.

military career was unfortunately terminated wlien on a third attack the enemy succeeded in taking the place, and the -whole of its defenders became prisoners of war. In the life of Moultrie, contained in this volume, we have frequently quoted his own '' Memoirs of the Revolution/' a most interesting and valuable work.

General Pickens was the companion of Marion in some of his daring enterprises, an able and efficient coadjutor of General Greene, and one of the most useful of all the general officers who assisted in recovering the Southern States from the enemy.

Governor Ilutledgc was the most distinguished of all the Southern patriots, in the civil line. To his exertions the whole military force were greatly indebted for the success of their operations. As governor and dictator of South Carolina, he rendered services to the cause, of the most important nature, and displayed a character and ability equal to every emergency of those critical and perilous times.

Of several other military commanders and statesmen, we have given but slight sketches, in consequence of the brief space to which we were limited; but we trust that we have been successful in conveying to the mind of the reader a tolerably clear conception of the peculiar nature of the war in the Southern States, and of the characters of some of its leading spirits as displayed in the field and in the cabinet.

Chapter I. Page

Francis Marion — Descendant from French Huguenots — Sketch of the history of the Huguenots of France — Repeal of the Edict of Nantz — Einigration of the Huguenots to foreign countries — A party among whom were the ancestors of Marion settled in South Carolina — Sufferings of the emigrants described by Mrs. Manigault — Happy condition of the Carolina Huguenots as described by Mr. Laurens — Jealousy of the English settlers — The French refugees denied political rights — Political rights subsequently granted to them 13

Chapter II

Marion's descent — His grandfather a French Huguenot — His father and family — His feeble childhood — He desires to become a sailor — Opposed hj' his mother — Goes to sea — The vessel founders at sea, and he has a narrow escape from death — Returns to farming — Parallelisms in the lives of Washington and Marion — Both pass much of their lives as planters — Both serve in the Indian and Revolutionary wars — Some characteristics of Marion 29

C HAPTER III.

Marlon's first military service in the war with the Cherokces — Origin of the war — Horse stealing — Revenge of the Virginians — Attack of the Cherokees on the Carolinians — Marion serves in a troop of cavah-y — The Indians send chiefs to Charleston to make peace — Lyttleton detains them and marches into the Indian country — Chiefs shut up at Fort Prince George — Conference with Attakullakulla — Treaty^Small-pox in tlie camp — Cost of Lyttleton's expedition — Great joy of the Carolinians — Marion has no opportunity for distinction in this campaign 33

Chapter IV. Page

Second campaign against the Cherokees — Surprise and death of Captain Cotymore — Murder of the Indian hostages — Terrible revenge of the Indians on the frontier inhabitants — General Amherst sends a force of regulars to Carolina under Colonel Montgomery — Governor Bull succeeds Lyttleton — Arrival of Montgomery — The militia rendezvous at Congarees — Marion with the army — Capture of Indian towns — Difficult march — Action near Etchoe — Return of Montgomery — Siege and surrender of Fort Loudon — Noble conduct of Attakullakulla to Captain Stuart 42

CHAPTE R V.

Renewal of hostilities by the Cherokees — Expedition of Colonel Grant — Marion serves in the regiment of provincial volunteers a lieutenant under Captain William Moultrie — Advance to the Cherokee country — Marion leads the forlorn hope in the battle of Etchoe — Narrow escape with his life — The Cherokees subdued — Marion's remarks on the treatment of the Indians by the whites 53

Chapter VI

Marion and Washington follow farming as a pursuit for several years — Washington's political course — South Carolina takes a prominent part in the Revolution — Organizes a Provincial Congress — Marion a member — Acts of that Congress — Arrival of Lord William Campbell — Activity of the members of Congress — Colonel Moultrie — His account of the acts of the patriots — NeAvs of the battle of Lexington — Seizure of arms, gunpowder, and of the royal mail 59

Chapter VII

Meeting of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina — State of affairs — The Congress raises an army — Obtains powder — Military ardor of leading citizens--Officers of the army chosen by ballot — The Rangers — Distinguished men among the officers — Colonel Moultrie in command of the second regiment — Marion and Peter Horry captains in the same regiment — Their complete success in recruiting men for their Companies 66

CHAPTER VITI.

Noble conduct of Carolina at the commencement of the Revolutionary War — State of parties — Activity of the tories — Marion concerned in

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the Grst act of open hostility — The capture of Fort Johnson — Colonel Moultrie directs this service — His account of the capture, and of the events immediately succeeding it 70

Chapter IX

State of parties — Captain Thornborough threatens to intercept vessels bound to Charleston — Meeting of Congress — The first actual fighting — Regiment of artillery raised — Moultrie drives the British men of war out of the harbor of Charleston — Two regiments of riflemen ordered to be raii-ed — Marion in command at Dorchester — At Fort Johnson — Marion promoted to the rank of Major — His excellent discipline — Marion engaged in erecting Fort Sullivan — Arrival of General Lee — His opinion in favor of abandoning Fort Sullivan — Colonel Moultrie's account of the defence of Fort Sullivan 78

Chapter X

Effect of the battle of Fort Moultrie — Rewards to the victors — Presentation of flags — Marion promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel — Another Indian war — Marion sent to Georgia with reinforcements — Placed in command of Fort Moultrie — Invasion and subjugation of Georgia — General Lincoln placed in command of the southern department — Bad state of defence in which be found South Carolina — He advances to Purysburg 92

Chapter XI

Change in the aspect of affairs — General Pickens defeats Colonel Byrd — General Lincoln sends General Ashe into Georgia — Defeat of Ashe — Its disastrous consequences — Lincoln marches into Georgia — Prevost menaces Charleston — Subsequent operations — Marion at Fort Moultrie — Siege of Savannah — Obstinacy and folly of Count D' Estaing — He grants delay to the garrison till it is reinforced and compels an assault unnecessarily — Marion takes part in the assault — The colors of the Second Regiment planted in the British lines — Several ofiicers killed in defending them — Death of Sergeant Jasper — The siege raised and the expedition totally defeated — Depreciation of the paper currency 99

Chapter XII

Marion in command at Sheldon — Stationed at Bacon's Bridge — Siege and fall of Charleston — How Jlarion escaped captivity — His retire-

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ment at St. John's — Infamous treatment of the South Carolinians by the British — Defeat of Buford — Clinton's proclamation — Cornwallis left in command — His proceedings 109

Chapter XIII

Marion leaves St. John's and takes shelter in the woods and swamps — Joins the Continental army in North Carolina — Appearance of his men— Invited to Williamsburg — Appointed Brigadier General — Starts for Williamsburg — Gates's character — His defeat — Success and subsequent surprise and defeat of Sumter , , 117

Chapter XIV

The people of Williamsburg — Their character and proceedings — Mission of Major James to Captain Ardesoif — Bravery and patriotism of James — His report — Formation of Marion's brigade — McCottry and Tarleton — Marion takes the command — His character and appearance at this time — State of the brigade — Arms made of mill-saws— Marion defeats Major Gainey and Captain Barfield — Captures an escort of Maryland prisoners — They refuse to join the brigade — Their reasons — Atrocious instructions ofRawdon and Cornwallis to their oflBcers — Marion's opinion 124

Chapter XV

Marion's activity — Colonel Wemyss sent in pursuit of him — Marion retreats to North Carolina — Cruelties, murders, and burnings by Wemyss — Marion returns to South Carolina — Defeats Captain Ball at Black Mingo — Deliberates on joining General Greene — Surprises Colonel Tynes and captures valuable arms and stores — Cornwallis sends Tarleton to capture Marion — He is foiled, and returns without meeting him — Marion's brother killed by a tory — Marion entertains a British officer at Snow's Island 134

Chapter XVI

Greene succeeds Gates — Battle of the Cowpens — Lee and Marion attack Georgetown — Escape of Watson — Marion organizes four new companies — Operations of Horry and Postell — Battle of Guilford — Colonels Watson and Doyle sent to drive Marion out of the country — Affair of Peter Horry— Colonel Tynes defeated — Major Mcllraith encountered by Marion — Proposal to fight — Backing out— Encounters of Colonel

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Watson and Marion — Watson driven into Georgetown — Doyle plunders Marion's camp at Snow's Island and escapes to Camden — Marion's council with bis officers 142

Chapter XVII

Eetreat of Watson — Siege and capture of Fort Watson by Marion and Lee — Battle of Hobkirk's Hill — Watson escapes to Camden — Siege of Fort Motte — Noble conduct of Mrs. Motte — Marion rescues a prisoner from assassination..... 155

Chapter XVIII

General Greene's opinion of General Marion — Misunderstanding between Marion and Greene — Reconciled — Lord Rawdon evacuates Camden — General Sumter takes Orangeburg — Lee captures Fort Granby — Siege of Ninety-Six — Greene pursues Rawdon to Orangeburg and offers battle — The British garrison evacuates Ninety-Six, and joins Rawdon at Orangeburg — Operations of Greene to cause the evacuation of Orangeburg — Sumter and Marion sent to the posts at Monk's Corner and Dorchester — Colonel Wade Hampton's exploits — Attack on Colonel Coates at Shubrick'a plantation — Effect of these operations on the country — Lord Rawdon sails for Europe 169

Chapter XIX

State of the southern country — Bitter hostility between the contending parties — Cruel excesses — Moderation of General Greene — Rawdon succeeded by Stewart — Greene prepares to attack Stewart — Secret expedition of Marion — He defeats the British force under Major Frazer, and relieves Colonel Harden — Receives the thanks of Congress — Battle of Eutavr Springs , 179

C HAPTER XX.

Events succeeding the battle of Eutaw — Marion chosen to a seat in the Assembly of South Carolina — Laws passed by the Assembly — Marion's brigade suffers a severe defeat in his absence — He returns to the brigade and restores order and reinspires confidence — Greene takes post at Bacon's Bridge — Mutiny in his army 186

Chapter XXI

Marion takes post at Sinkler's plantation — Suppresses an insurrection in North Carolina — Second treaty with Gainey — Rescuea Butler— Af-

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fair of Fanning — Marion defeats Frazer — General Leslie seeks an armistice, which Greene refuses — Leslie's incursions into the country to obtain provisions — Resisted by Gist's detachment — Colonel Laurens killed — Evacuation of Charleston by the British army 198

Chapter XXII

Marion's parting with the brigade— His resemblance to Washington — He retires to his plantation — Finds it desolated — Resumes his agricultural pursuits — Is elected Senator — The confiscation act — Anecdote of his magnanimity — Voted thanks and a medal by the Senate — Appointed to command Fort Johnson — Marion's marriage — His death — His character 206

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MAJOE GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRIE.

Chapter I

Family and birth of Moultrie — His services in the war with the Cherokees — Returns to his plantation — Condition of South Carolina — ■ Moultrie takes an active part at the opening of the Revolution — Member of Provincial Congress — Chosen Colonel of the famous Second Regiment of South Carolina — Seizes the king's stores of arms and ammunition — Devises the flag — Drives the British ships out of Charleston harbor 213

Chapter II

Invasion of South Carolina by the flest and army under Gen. Clinton — Defence of Sullivan's Island by Colonel Moultrie — Opinions of General Lee and Governor Rutledge — Presentation of colors to the Second Regiment — Otiicers who were in Fort Sullivan on the 2Sth of June — Vote of thanks by Congress — Declaration of Independence read to the army — Lee's expedition to Florida — Moultrie predicts its failure — It fails — Lee's thanks to the troops— General Moultrie's brigade placed on the continental establishment — General Lee goes to the north — Moore succeeds him — Moultrie stationed at Haddrill's Point — Nash succeeds Moore 218

Chapter III

Moultrie attached to Lincoln's army — Moultrie's account of the fall of Savannah, and the succeeding events — Moultrie at Purysburg — Ordered to Port Royal Island — Defeats the Britisli there — Lincoln marches into Georgia — General Prevost enters South Carolina and

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marches for Charleston — His inarch retarded by Moultrie — Moultrie defends Charleston against Prevost and prevents its capture — Prevost returns to Georgia 228

Chapter IV

General Moultrie appointed commander in chief of the Southern army to take the place of Lincoln, who has permission to retire on the plea of ill health — Lincoln however remains with the army — His dissatisfaction at the criticisms on his campaign in Georgia — The correspondence between Jay and Moultrie respecting his appointment — General Moultrie attends the legislature as a Senator — His notice of the siege of Savannah 238

Chapter V

Moultrie stationed at Bacon's Bridge — His force there — Leaves his command and goes to Charleston — Siege of Charleston — Surrender — Coolness of Moultrie — His account of the surrender and the explosion of the magazine — Moultrie sent to Haddrill's Point 244

Chapter VI

Moultrie a prisoner at Charleston — Attempt of Colonel Balfour and Lord Montague to gain him over to the British side — Balfour's letter to Moultrie's son — Lord Montague's letter to Moultrie, and his noble answer — Moultrie's important services while a prisoner in Charleston — Exchange of prisoners — Moultrie goes to Philadelphia on parole — Is exchanged — Returns to his plantation in South Carolina — Is present at the evacuation of Charleston by the British — His description of the scene — Moultrie elected Governor of South Carolina —Close of his life 254

MAJOE GENERAL ANDREW PICKENS.

Chapter I

Birth and ancestry of General Pickens — His father emigrates to Virginia, and afterwards to South Carolina — Pickens serves in the French war, and in the Cherokee war — Engages in farming at the Long Cane settlement — Serves in the Revolutionary war in the South — Defeats the loyalists at Kettle Creek — Services after the fall of Charleston — At the battle of Cowpens — Attached to the main army — Detached with Marion to North Carolina — Pursuit of Tarleton, and defeat of Pyle 269

Chapter II. Page

Pickens and Lee besiege and take Augusta — They rejoin the main army — Battle of Eutaw — Pickens's expedition against the Cherokee Indians — Services as commissioner under the treaty of Hopewell — Member of the Convention of South Carolina — Of the Legislature — Member of Congress — Consulted by Washington on Indian affairs — Appointed Major General — Retires from public life — Recalled to the Legislature in 1812 — His death and character 280

GOVERNOR JOHN RUTLEDGE.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and parentage of Governor Rutledge— Education — Practice at the bar — Resistance to Governor Boone — Member of the Continental Congress — Member of the Convention — Member of Congress — President of South Carolina — His conduct in relation to the defence of Fort Moultrie 291

CHAPTER II.

Eutledge chosen Governor of South Carolina — Member of Congress — His important services — Minister to Holland — Judge of the Court of Chancery — Member of Constitutional Convention — Associate Judge of Supreme Court — Chief Justice of the United States — His death 298

Governor Edwarb Rutledge 305

Colonel John Eager Howard 317

Colonel Carrington ■- 318

Captain O'Neal 319

LIFE OF

GENERAL FRANCIS MARION.

CHAPTER I.

Francis Marion — Descectlant from French Huguenots — Sketch of the history of the Huguenots in France — Repeal of the Edict of Nantz — Emigration of the Huguenots to foreign countries — A party among whom were the ancestors of Marion settled in South Carolina — Sufferings of the emigrants described by Mrs. Manigault — Happy condition of the Carolina Huguenots as described by Mr. Laurens Jealousy of the English Settlers — The French refugees denied political rights — Political rights subsequently granted to them.

General Francis Marion was one of the most celebrated heroes of the Revolutionary War. His fame rests upon the extraordinary nature of his services ; and these were owing to the peculiar characteristics of his mind. In person, he was slight and diminutive ; and no instance of victory in single combat is recorded among his exploits ; but in the strategy required by his position and resources, in the moral firmness, so indispensable to a great commander, and in the personal influence which holds captive the hearts of the soldiery, and

commands their most unlimited devotion, he was unri-

14 LIFE OF GENERAL FRAI>^CIS MARION.

vailed. Even Washington and Napoleon -were not liis superiors, in this respect. In the South, during his life-time, his popularity was unbounded ; and since his decease, his fame has become the cherished possession of his country, destined to endure till the sun of American liberty and independence shall set, to rise no more. General Marion was descended from the old French Huguenot stock. Better blood never flowed in the veins of heroes, patriots, and martyrs. Among them were men, and women too, who perilled all, sacrificed all, wdiich the world holds dear, for conscience sake. The Piln-rim Fathers suffered for the cause of relis-ion. But

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their sufferings will not bear comparison Avith those of the Huguenots.

We trust the reader will pardon us for giving a slight sketch of the history of these noble defenders of the Protestant religion.

The principles of Luther and Zwinglius had gained an entrance into France, during the reign of Francis I. (1515 — 47). The doctrines of Calvin spread still more widely, although Francis endeavored to suppress them, by prohibiting Calvinistic books, and by penal laws, and, in some instances, by capital punishments.

Under Henry II., the successor of Francis, these doctrines made greater progress, in proportion as they were more violently persecuted. The opinions and influence Queen Margaret of Navarre had no small share in this extension, and the parties at court contributed much to the bloody persecution of the Protestants. One party washed to enrich themselves by the estates of the heretics, who were executed or banished, and the other to

BOURBONS AND GUISES. 15

gain the favor of the people by their punishment. The parties of the Bourbons and of the five princes of Guise, under the government of the weak Francis II., made use of this religious dispute, in order to advance their own political ends.

The Bourbons belonged to the Protestant party ; and the Guises, in order to weaken, and, if possible, to destroy their rivals, continued the persecution of the heretics with fanatical fury. In every parliament, there was a chamber established to examine and punish the Protestants, called by the people the burning chamber (chainbre ardente)y because all convicted of heresy were burnt. The estates of those who fled were sold, and their children who remained behind were exposed to the greatest sufferings. But notwithstanding this persecution, the Protestants would not have thought of a rebellion, had not a prince of the blood encouraged them to it, by the promise of his assistance.

In 1560, the conspiracy began. The discontented inquired of lawyers and theologians, whether they could, with a good conscience, take arms against the Guises. The Protestant divines in Germany declared it proper to resist the tyranny of the Guises, if it were under the guidance and direction of a prince of the blood, and with the approbation of the majority in the states.

The malcontents having consulted upon the choice of a leader, all voices decided in favor of the brave Prince Louis of Condd, who had conducted the whole affair, and gladly seized the opportunity to make himself formidable by the support of the Huguenots. The name of the leader was, however, kept secret, and a Protestant

16 LIFE OF GENERAL FEANCIS MARION.

gentleman of Perigord, John du Barry, seigneur of Renaudie, was appointed his deputy.

It was determined, that a number of the Calvinists should appear on an appointed day, before the king at Blois, to present a petition for the free exercise of their religion ; and, in case this request was denied, as it was foreseen it would be, a chosen band of armed Protestants were to make themselves masters of the city of Blois, seize the Guises, and compel the king to name the prince of Conde, regent of the realm.

This plot was betrayed. The court left Blois, the military were summoned, and the greatest part of the Protestants, who had armed themselves to carry the conspiracy into effect, were executed or imprisoned. Few of those who fell into the power of the court, found mercy; and about 1200 expiated their offence with their lives.

The Guises now desired to establish the inquisition, but the wise chancellor, Michael de I'Hopital, in order to avoid the greater evil, advised that all inquiries into the crime of heresy should be committed to the bishops, and that parliament should be prohibited from exercising any jurisdiction in matters of faith ; and it was so ordered by the edict of Bomorantin (1560).

In the reign of the next king, Charles IX., during whose minority the queen mother, Catharine de Medici, was at the head of the government, the contest between the parties became yet more violent, and their contending interests were more and more used for a pretence to accomplish unholy designs ; and it was only from motives of policy that the free exercise of their religion

MASSACRE OF VASSY. 17

"was secured to the Protestants, by the qiicen, in order to preserve the balance between the parties, by the edict of January (1562), so called. The Protestants thereby gained new courage ; but their adversaries, dissatisfied with this ordinance, and regardless of decency, disturbed tiic IIuo;uenots in their religious services. Bloodv scenes were the result, and the massacre of Vassy (1592) was the immediate cause of the first civil war.

These reli£[;ious wars desolated France almost to the 16th century, and were only interrupted by occasional tj"uccs. The suffering which these wars brought upon the people, is to be ascribed to the instability and bad policy of Queen Catharine de Medici, who exerted the most decided influence, not only over the feeble Charles IX., but likewise over the contemptible Henry III. She wished, in fsict, for the extirpation of the Huguenots, and it was merely her intriguing policy, which induced her, much to the vexation of the opposite party, to favor the Protestants from time to time, and to grant them freedom of conscience. Always wavering between the two parties, she flattered herself with the expectation of holding them in check during peace, or of destroying the one by the other in war. Both parties were, therefore, generally dissatisfied with the court, and followed their own leaders.

A wild fanaticism seized the people. Heated with passion and religious hatred, they endeavored only to injure each other; and, with the exception of some party leaders, who made use of this excitement for the accomplishment of their own ambitious schemes, their only 2

18 LIFE OF GENERAL FRAXCIS MARION.

object was to acquire the superiority for their own creed, by fire and sword.

The horrible effect of Catharine's policy was the massacre of St. BartholomcAv's (1572), of which she and her son, her pupil in dissimulation, had laid the plan with their confidants. Shortly before the line of kings of the house of Yalois had become extinct with Henry III., and the w^ay was opened for the house of Bourbon, the head of which was the Protestant Henry king of Navarre, the relations of the two parties became still more involved.

The feeble king found himself compelled to unite with the king of Navarre against the common enemy, as the intrigues of the ambitious Guises, who openly aimed at the throne, had excited the people against him in such a degree, that he was on the point of losing the crown.

After the assassination of Henry III., the king of Navarre was obliged to maintain a severe struggle for the vacant throne ; and not until he had, by the advice of Sully, embraced the Catholic religion (1593), did he enjoy quiet possession of the kingdom.

Five years afterwards, he secured to the Huguenots their civil rights, by the edict of Nantes, w^hich confirmed to them the free exercise of their religion, and gave them equal" claims with the Catholics to all offices and dignities. They w^ere also left in possession of the fortresses which had been ceded to them for their security.

This edict afforded them the means of forming a kind of republic within the kingdom, and such a powerful party, which had for a long time been obliged to be distrustful of the government, would always offer to the

THE IIUGtTENOTS. 19

restless nobility a rallying point and a prospect of assistance.

Louis XIII., the weak and bigoted son of the liberal and magnanimous Henry lY., allowed himself to be influenced by his ambitious favorite, De Luinnes, and his confessor, against the Huguenots, who were able to offer a powerful resistance, as they had become very numerous in many provinces. But in the first religious war, which broke out in 1621, the Protestants lost the greatest part of their strong places, through the faithlessness or cowardice of the governors. Some of these, however, and among the rest Rochelle, remained to them, when, disunited among themselves and weary of war, they concluded a peace.

Kochelle enabled them to keep up a connection with England ; and Richelieu, who aimed to make the royal power, which he exercised under the name of Louis, absolute, used every means to deprive the Protestants of this bulwark of their liberty, and thus destroy every remnant of a leaOTe which recalled the times when civil factions had so often weakened the royal power.

Rochelle fell into the hands of Louis, after an obstinate defence, in 1629 ; the Huguenots were obliged to surrender all their strongholds, and were thus left entirely at the mercy of the king. Freedom of conscience was indeed promised them, and Richelieu and his successor Mazarin did not disturb them in the enjoyment of it ; but when Louis XIV. abandoned his voluptuous life for an affected devotion, he was led by his confessors and Madame de Maintenon, to persecute the Protestants, for

20 LIFE OF GENERAL FEANCIS MARION.

the purpose of bringing them back to the bosom of the true church.

In 1681, he deprived them of most of their civil rights, and, on the death of Colbert, Avho had generally opposed violent measures, he followed altogether the advice of his counsellors, who were in favor of persecution — his minister of w^ar, Louvois, the chancellor Le Tellier, and the Jesuit La Chaise, his father confessor. Bodies of dragoons were sent into the southern provinces, where the Protestants were most numerous, to compel the unhappy inhabitants to abjure their faith.

To prevent the emigration of the Protestants, the frontiers were guarded with the utmost vigilance ; yet more than 500,000 Huguenots fled to Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and England. Many who could not escape, were obliged to renounce their faith. Lists of Protestants, who, it was pretended, had been converted, were sent to the king, and it was very easy for his flattering counsellors to persuade him that he had gained honor, by having almost extirpated the Protestants in France. Under this erroneous supposition, he revoked the Edict of Nantz, Oct. 22, 1G85. But he had still more than half a million of Protestant subjects, and this unjust and umvise revocation robbed Prance of a great number of useful and rich inhabitants, whose industry, wealth, and skill, found a welcome reception in foreign countries.