In 1692 Lord Cardross (afterwards
Earl of
Buchan), a Scotch nobleman, led a colony from his native land, where the Presbyterians were persecuted.
Some of their agents went to
England to treat with the proprietaries of
Carolina for a lodgment there.
It is believed that one of these agents was Lord Cardross, and that his colony were Presbyterians, who preferred exile in peace to their native land, where they were continually harassed.
When Cardross arrived there were instant premonitions of trouble.
In pursuance of some agreement or understanding with the proprietaries, Lord Cardross claimed for himself and associates coordinate authority with the governor and grand council at
Charleston.
This claim the provincial government disallowed, and the colony at
Port Royal was compelled to acknowledge submission.
Soon afterwards Lord Cardross returned home.
Some time afterwards his colonists were dislodged by the Spaniards at
St. Augustine (1686), who accused them of inciting the Indians to invade their territory.
In 1779, when
Prevost joined
Campbell at
Savannah, the
British commanders determined to extend a part of their forces into
South Carolina.
Major Gardiner was detached, with 200 men, to take possession of
Port Royal Island; but soon after he landed,
General Moultrie, with the same number of men (only nine of whom were regulars), attacked and drove him off the island.
Two field-pieces, well served by some militia under
Captains Heyward and
Rutledge, were principally gainers of this advantage.
A small body of horsemen, under
Capt. John Barnwell, who gained the rear of the
British, were also efficient in contributing to the result.
