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duty as well as his intention to defend the post to the last extremity, and that the threats or promises of Greene were to him alike indifferent. The besiegers thereupon opened fire from their batteries and for several days bombarded the defences, at the same time pushing forward a sap and erecting other batteries, one of which was at a distance of only thirty-five paces from the abatis of the fort. Attempts were made by means of African arrows^[1] to set fire to the barracks. Cruger ordered the barracks to be unroofed thereby saving them from destruction, but exposing his officers and men to the night air and the inclemency of the weather.

As the siege progressed the garrison continued their night sallies, often with success. But despite their best efforts their position daily became more critical. On the 12th of June, the enemy's trenches were advanced to the stockade and a sergeant and six men attempted to set fire to the abatis. Every man was shot by the defenders. However, a few days later the concentrated fire of the besiegers rendered the outwork untenable and it had to be evacuated. The garrison thereby lost their water supply. Their sufferings now became extreme. A well was dug within the fort but no water could be found. It was midsummer and at such times the heat of South Carolina is excessive. The only way to obtain water was to send out naked negroes by night whose bodies in the darkness could not be distinguished from the dead logs with which the place abounded. In this way a scanty supply was brought from within pistol shot of the enemy's pickets. Cruger continued at all times the life of the garrison, encouraging them by word and example and exhorting them to die in the last ditch rather than surrender.

At length on the 17th of June, a brave Loyalist rode in broad daylight at full gallop through the enemy's picket