"Great things were done by the soldiers, as well as by the officers of
that Legion," said Kinnison. "At the siege of the Stockade Fort at
Ninety-Six, Colonel Lee, who had charge of all the operations of the
siege, thought that the Fort might be destroyed by fire. Accordingly,
Sergeant Whaling, a non-commissioned officer whose term of service was
about to expire, with twelve privates, was detached to perform the
service. Whaling saw that he was moving to certain death; as the
approach to the Fort was to be made in open day, and over clear, level
ground, which offered no cover. But he was a brave man, and had served
from the commencement of the war. It was his greatest pride never to
shrink from his duty. He dressed himself neatly--took an affectionate
but cheerful leave of his comrades, swung his musket over his shoulder,
and with a bundle of blazing pine torches in his hand, sprang forward,
followed by his little band. They reached the Stockade before the enemy
fired a shot. But a deliberate aim killed Whaling and all his men except
one, who escaped unhurt. It was the opinion of most of the officers of
the Legion that Whaling's life was sacrificed in attempting to carry out
a rash idea. But we oughtn't to judge Colonel Lee without being more
certain of the facts."

"But we know enough to say it was a very wild idea to send men up to a
fort in open day, and over ground where they could have no cover,"
remarked Ransom. "I know General John Stark would never have sacrificed
his men in that way."

"Perhaps," said Hand, coming to the rescue of his hero, "a desperate
measure was necessary. I've heard that at the time, Lord Rawdon was
marching very rapidly to relieve the garrison, and Colonel Lee thought
that every means should be tried to reduce the Fort ere the siege was
abandoned."