28 June 1776 - Benjamin Mazyck to Daniel Ravenel
Charles Town, 10 o’Clock at Night, 28 June, ’76
Dear Brother Ravenel,
Yr. Buff Going up gave me an opportunity of acquainting you (as none other had time so to do) that the Contest of our freedom or abject Slavery commenced this day at 11 o’Clock A.M. The Boom Catch fired 10 shells on the Island as a signal for Clinton’s troops to land on the back of Haddrel’s Point, wch. they attempted but was repulsed twice with loss, while the 50, 44, 36 & 28 & 20 Guns Ships made up for the Island, when ab’t a 1/4 of a mile distance a most violent cannonade Insude, which continued without intermission until 1/4 after nine. An Express sent up after 3 o’Clock gives acc’t. that our works was no wise injured, but the flag staff Carr’d. away by the 4th Shott, 1 gun dismounted, a Boy killed and 2 Turkeys killed by the bursting of a shell. The 50 gun ship much damaged & as well the others, as appears by the wainscoting Carvings, Blocks yards, &c. &c. &c. &c. Drifted up and was lodged inthe Exchange as Trophies of the day. 3 shots in 5 of ours took place: its Computed the ships fired 13,000 shott & 50,000 wt. of powder – The Siren of 28 & a frigat of 20 guns in making up to the Island got aground in the Middle Bank and still remains, pr’haps forever, or they would a’been in the Line of Battle, the Boom vessel play’d all day, but w’th no Great effect. – a Reinforcem’t of 400 men was sent down this Even’g in 4 Schooners & this Evening Brot over from Hobcaw that number just arrived there from N. Carolina in nick of time to Replace them.- The whole Town is under arms this night. – as a Greater, or their whole Naval force will be in a line before the Island Tomorrow, & a vigorous push made by Clinton. The fate of the Island, Town & province will be determined here or they’l make the best of their way out, from whence they Came. – As soon as the Engagem’t begun, the Crown officers & Tories were Carried to Roupels House under a guard, a seizure made on their papers &c. The monies in the Treasury &c. sent out of Town to Dorchester this afternoon and the powder sent for from thence, a supply also sent down tot he Island this Evening.
The troops her gained gr’t Hon’r this day. – Notwithstanding a report prevelent in Town that 5 or 6 men in the fort was killed, I hope in God yr. Nephew, my son, is not one, as he was to have fired the first shott, his post being on the weather flank & most expos’d.
I came down Tuesday intending to stay but 1 night, but finding my daughter in Town, Mrs Waring Intreating me very pressingly to stay to carry her out of the way when danger approached, which shall Tomorrow if I can obtain a pass, as none is now suff’d to quit. – It’s say’d this is the Greatest Cannonading that was ever in America before. – May the God of Israel who is the God of Hosts give success & victory to our arms, then we will not fear their strength and numbers.
My best regards and love to Mother, and am in great haste yr. friend and Brother B. Mazyck
Gen’l Lee went over to haddrels this morn’g & will be there to oppose Clinton. The Transports lay in their former position, none but the ships of war have come up.
Sat’y Morn’g. The 50 Gun Ship is now all in flames – soon after she began to cannonade the gun room took fire. God of His Infinite Goodness fights our Battles.
To Capt. Daniel Ravenel
In St. John’s Parish.
Yr. Buff.
[Note: A two page pamphlet, just found in the Mazyck Vertical File, notes that 50 copies of this letter were printed for private distribution by Daniel Ravenel, great-great-grandson of Capt. Daniel Ravenel, paternal side, and great-great-great-grandson of Benj. Mazyck, maternal side). An introduction to the letter gives its provenance, including that in Nov 1906 the letter was given to Mr. Daniel Ravenel in Providence, RI by Mr. Benj. B. Edmonds of that city. During the Civil War, Mr. Edmonds was a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry and told Mr. Ravenel that in the Spring of 1865 he was on duty outside Charleston and found a deserted house with letters and papers thrown about on an upper floor. He stated, “The historical interest attached to this one was too much to permit my leaving it there, subject to all the chances of loss or destruction, but I am happy in returning it to its rightful owner.”]