The neutrality of South Carolina during the war, leaving the question whether that state should finally belong to Great Britain or the United States, to be settled in the treaty of peace, was proposed by the garrison, and rejected by Prevost; who required that they should surrender themselves prisoners of war.

This proposition being also rejected, the garrison prepared to sustain an assault.

But an attempt to carry the works by storm was too hazardous to be made; and Prevost came to the prudent resolution of decamping that night, and recrossing Ashly River.
[Sidenote: Lincoln attacks the British at the ferry but without success.] The British army passed into the island of St.James, and thence to that of St.John's, which lies south of Charleston harbour; soon after which General Lincoln encamped in the neighbourhood, so as to confine them in a great degree to the island they occupied.

This island is separated from the main land by an inlet, to which the name of Stono River has been given; and the communication is preserved by a ferry.

A British post was established upon the main land at this ferry, and works were thrown up in front for its defence.