Edward Rutledge
Among the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is that of Edward Rutledge, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in November of 1749. He was the son of Dr. Rutledge, a native of Ireland, who married Sarah West, a lady of refined accomplishments, piety and good sense. Edward lost his father at an early age. In 1769, he went to England, became a student at the temple, and made himself familiar with the courts, rules of parliament, the policy, designs and feelings of the British ministry and cultivated an acquaintance with the celebrated orators and statesmen; Chatham, Mansfield and others. He returned in 1773.
Edward Rutledge was elected a member of the first Congress in 1774. He was appointed, in conjunction with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to meet Lord Howe when he came to offer terms of ministerial peace. They were received with marked attention and respect by the royal messenger. He only had power to pardon repenting rebels, and these were not to be found. His insulting proposition was repelled with indignation. The committee disclaimed all allegiance to the crown; it had been sacrificed at the shrine of an ambitious and oppressive ministry. Freedom was their motto, Liberty their watchword, their terms, and Independence or Death.
1779. The British Lands at Port Royal
When the British landed at Port Royal in 1779, Rutledge he led his company to the attack with the skill and courage of a veteran. During the siege of Charleston on 1780, he was again on military duty, and was taken prisoner and sent to St. Augustine and was not exchanged for nearly a year.When he returned to his native state, he became a memb er of the Assembly at Jacksonborough in 1782. With his recent personal injuries pressing upon him and those of his friends bleeding fresh before him, he was induced to sanction the bill of pains and penalties, which, under other circumstances he would have opposed. During the time it remained in force he smoothed its roughness as much as possible.
British Occupation of Charleston
During the time that the British occupied Charleston, Mr. Rutledge's mother was taken from her home and confined. She was punished because she was the mother of one of the rebels who had signed the Declaration of Independence.In 1798, Mr. Rutledge was elected governor of South Carolina. Soon after he entered upon the imposing duties of his office, and died on January 23, 1800.
Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson
Quoted from Hero Implants by Jeannette Holland Austin:
" Edward Rutledge entered service the second time in April of 1781 in Augusta county Virginia as a volunteer for a tour of three months and under the command of Colonel Thomas Hughart, Thomas Hughart, Major Andrew Hamilton and Capt. Francis Long, he marched to the general rendezvous in Augusta at a place called Waynesboro and from there to Charlottesville in Albemarle in Virginia. Rutledge, with the other forces,hung upon the rear of Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton's Legion (British) until he arrived at Richmond after being in the vicinity of Richmond a short time and maneuvering about in the country around for some time to prevent the depredation of Predatory parties of the enemy. "we went to old Jamestown where we remained a few days, and along with the forces under General Anthony Wayne, and had a sharp skirmish with the enemy at Green Spring Plantation on July 6, 1781. We went then to Burnt Ordinary where we remained a few days and had another skirmish with a British foraging party, we wentfrom there to the vicinity of Williamsburg, at this. " time the British army lay in Williamsburg."