Had Prevost continued his march with the rapidity with which it was commenced, the place must have fallen.

But, after having gained more than half the distance, he halted, and consumed two or three days in deliberating on his future measures.

While his intelligence determined him to proceed, and assured him of a state of things which rendered success almost certain, that state of things was rapidly changing.

Fortifications on the land side were commenced and prosecuted with unremitting labour; the neighbouring militia were drawn into the town; the reinforcements detached by General Lincoln, and the remnant of the legion of Pulaski arrived; and the governor also entered the city, at the head of some troops which had been stationed at Orangeburg.
The next morning Prevost crossed Ashly River, and encamped just without cannon shot of the works.

The town was summoned to surrender, and the day was spent in sending and receiving flags.