Moultrie erred in not making continued fight in the swamps and strong passes, the thick forests and intricate defiles, which were numerous along the route of the pursuing army.

His policy seems to have been dictated by an undue estimate of the value of the city, and the importance of its safety to the state.

But for this, even an army so much inferior as his, could have effectually checked the enemy long before the city could have been reached.

Moultrie continued in advance of Prevost, and reached Charleston a few hours before him; just in season to establish something like order, and put the place in a tolerable state of defence.

The fire from the lines arrested the British advance.