great fleet past the palmetto fort on Sullivan's Island, and that he met disaster and defeat by following a military rule of that day,—never to leave an enemy in a fortified post behind you. It is interesting to know that the twenty-four pounder, the largest ball in use at the battle of Fort Moultrie, was the smallest in use during the siege of Charleston in the war between the States.
The devoted city was again besieged in 1779 by the British under General Augustine Provost, and was again successfully defended.
The third siege by the British was successful and the city was surrendered on the 12th of May, 1780, after a siege of four months and heavy bombardment. It was held by the British under military rule until evacuated by them December 14, 1782. General William Moultrie in his Memoirs thus describes the reoccupation of the city by the American forces:
"I cannot forget that happy day when we marched into
Charlestown with the American troops; it was a proud
day to me, and I felt myself much elated at seeing the
balconies, the doors and windows crowded with the
patriotic fair, the aged citizens and others congratulating
us on our return home, saying, 'God bless you
