STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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Christopher Gardsden

The Liberty Tree and What Happened Afterward. What happened to the Liberty Trees that were used as meeting places for patriots? The Liberty Tree was a symbol of freedom. Such trees were meeting places of patriots and supporters of the Declaration of Independence. Boston, Rhode Island, Charleston, and other cities displayed the Liberty Tree as a symbol of freedom.

The tree in Charleston, located in a cow pasture, was chosen as a meeting place but was burned down by the British during the siege of Charleston.

Christopher Gadsden was born in South Carolina in 1724 and inspired the tree in Charleston, South Carolina. As early as 1762, he was known to have said that "nothing but open resistance would ever obtain justice from Great Britain."

Gadsden was compared to Samuel Adams. He was a member of the Congress that convened in New York in 1765 and one in Philadelphia in 1774. He also served as a General of the Militia.

The Siege of Charleston, South Carolina. March 29 to May 12, 1780

When the British engaged Charleston in battle, they won the City and began terrorizing its residents. Homes were seized for the occupation of British soldiers, others burned down, and prisoners taken. Local Tories were encouraged to act as spies and many citizens fled the area. As citizens and soldiers were seized, they were jailed in Prison ships floated on the Cooper and Ashley Rivers.

The British seized Christopher Gadsden, the Lieutenant Governor of Charleston, South Carolina.

On August 27, 1780, he was dragged from his sick bed, put on board a prison ship, and taken to the castle at St. Augustine in violation of the rights of prisoners on parole. Traditionally, the prisoners in St. Augustine were treated reasonably well, with officers being given he privilege of freely walking the streets.

General Gadsden was treated with great cruelty. When parole for the town was finally offered him at St. Augustine, he indignantly refused, saying he could place no dependence on any promise from a British officer. When news arrived in St. Augustine that Major Andre was executed for treason, General Gadsden was admonished to prepare for death as he would be made the retaliatory sacrifice. He firmly replied "I am always prepared to die for my country." General Gadsden died in 1805.



The above sign is in the park in St. Augustine.

Source: The Liberty Tree and What Happened Afterward by Jeannette Holland Austin