Moultrie, he had scarcely crossed the Savannah River higher up when his sagacious adversary, Prevost, finding the way to Charleston open, made a brilliant dash for the capture of that city, and had nearly succeeded.
When he crossed the Savannah the city was without defenses, and Lincoln believing the movement but a feint, delayed to pursue him; but Moultrie, throwing himself in his path, met him at Tulifiny and Coosawhatchie, and by a defensive retreat delayed his advance until field works sufficient to withstand am assault could be thrown up for the defence of the city.
The approach of Lincoln's force, as well as Governor Rutledge with militia from Orangeburg, forbade regular approaches, and Prevost commenced his retreat by way of the islands to Savannah. The militia from the up country were then discharged, but William Butler, who had been of the detachment engaged in the action of Stono, remained and attached himself to Pulaski's Legion, in which he
remained during the campaign Of 1779. He was with the gallant Pole until his death at the siege of Savannah, and always spoke of him as a bold, dashing dragoon officer. (He complimented his memory by naming one of his grandson's after him.)
During the captivity of his father in Charleston all the responsibilities of family obligations devolved upon William
