Gen. Moultrie, with a party of about 300 militia, mostly citizens of
Charleston and Beaufort, with the company of ancient artillery of Charleston,
was posted at Beaufort, where he heard the enemy was advancing.
He immediately dispatched his aid, Capt. Francis Kinloch, to reconnoitre;
while he moved forward on the road to Beaufort ferry. Kinloch returning soon,
stated the supposed force of the British, and that they were near
upon the road; Moultrie now pushed on to gain a defile, but found it occupied
by the enemy. There being no alternative, he then drew up his men
in open ground, with two field pieces in the centre, and one on the right.
The British force was two companies of picked light infantry,
posted under cover of a swamp. The militia engaged them,
and fought under this disadvantage till their ammunition was all expended,
and Moultrie ordered a retreat; but the British made a simultaneous movement,
and it became a drawn battle. Lieut. Wilkins of the ancient artillery,
was mortally wounded, and seven men were killed. Capt. Heyward,
Lieuts. Sawyer and Brown, and fifteen men, were wounded.
In the general's account of the action, the loss of the British is not stated;
he speaks highly of the conduct of his officers and men;
particularly of Capt. John Barnwell; and indeed it was no little matter,
thus to bring militia, in the open field, to fight regulars under cover.

Lincoln's force was fluctuating, as it consisted principally of militia,
who could not be brought under control; and in the midst of arms,
when the enemy were at the distance of only three miles,
their officers refused to subject them to the articles of war;
and insisted upon their being tried by the militia laws of the state,
which only subjected them to a small pecuniary fine.
The case too was a flagrant one; a private of Col. Kershaw's regiment
had absented himself from guard, and upon being reproved by his captain,
gave him abusive language; the captain ordered him under guard,