In the Council of Safety,
[Charleston] Monday, Jan. 22nd, 1776
The report of the committee to prepare a plan of defence, being taken into consideration, the council resolved to issue the following orders:
1. That proper signals, for giving notice of the appearance of vessels on the coast, be fired on, at the Light-House, Sullivan's Island, and Fort Johnson. That a corporal and six men of the first or second regiment be stationed at the Light-House, and that a good look-out be kept, at all those places. The signals not to be by guns, except in thick foggy weather.
2. That one hundred and thirty men, rank and file, of the first or second regiment, under proper officers, be posted on Sullivan's Island, for manning the battery there, and eighty good rifle-men, rank and file, under proper officers, to prevent an enemy's landing.
3. That no boat or other vessel, be suffered to pass that island, without a permit, from the Council of Safety, the commander of the troops, or the officer commanding at that or some other post, and that the forces stationed on Sullivan's Island use their best endeavours to take or destroy every boat or other vessel, which shall pass, or attempt to pass without such permit.
4. That no boat be suffered to land on that island, without such permit; and that the forces stationed there, use their best indeavours, to take or destroy all boats attempting so to do.
5. That fifty men, rank and file, of the first or second regiment, under proper officers, and a detachment of two officers and twenty-five men of the volunteer and militia companies in Christ-Church Parish (the latter to be relieved every forthnight, by a like detachment from the companies) be always posted at the battery on Haddrell's Point, for the like purposes as those stationed at Sullivan's Island.
6. That two hundred and fifty men, rank and file, of the first or second regiment, under proper officers, be stationed at Fort Johnson, for the like purposes.
7. That the command of the battery westward of Fort Johnson, being given to Capt. [Benjamin] Stone's company of militia on James Island, twenty men of that company under a proper officer be constantly posted there; the remainder of the company to repair thither upon any alarm by beat of drum. That sixty men rank and file, of the first or second regiment, under proper officers, be posted near that battery, to sustain it ー and that the commanding officer of Fort Johnson do reinforce that battery when necessary; and if he shall see occasion, send an officer to take the command of it, that the forces stationed at this battery use their best endeavours to take or dstroy any vessel which shall attempt to annoy or pass Fort Johnson.
8. That the scooner Defence be stationed about Crab Bank in Hog Island Creek, and the Ship Prosper to the westward of and near the battery next to Fort Johnson; and that the commanders of those vessels use their best endeavours to take or destroy the enemy's boats or other vessels.
(Eighth order postponed, till Capt. [William Henry] Drayton according to his desire, be heard.)
9. That on the drums in Charles-Town beating to arms, the artillery company, together with an officer and twenty-five men of Col [Charles Cotesworth] Pinckney's regiment, to be appoinited for that purpose, repair to, and take post in, Broughton's battery ー Capt. Darrel's company, and an officer and the like number of men from Col. Pinckney's regiment, Lyttleton's Bastion ー the grenadier company of the second regiment augmented to fifty men, and one subaltern and twenty men from the regiment of artillery, in Granvilles ー the fuziliers company in Beale's ー Capt. Cannon's company in Prioleau ー Capt. Alexander Moultrie's musketeers to Craven's Bastion ー the remainder of the artillery regiment in Lauren's ー and forty men of Col. Pinckney's regiment, under proper officer's in Gibbes's.
10. That six subalterns, six sergeants, and one hundred and twenty rank and file, of Col. Pinckney's regiment, take post at the State House, Branford's Corner, Grimke's, Rantowles, Ramadges, and Brewton's, viz: one subaltern, one sergeant, and twenty privates at each of those places, with one of the Fire engines, and a sufficient number of negroes with fire hooks, axes, ropes, and every thing necessary for extinguishing fires or pulling down houses, that Mr. Manigault and Mr. Smith, and four such persons as they shall think proper and appoint for that purpose (which they are desired to do) be requested to attend at the places above mentioned (one at each of them) and to give such directions as they shall think necessary for extinguishirig any fires that may break out in the town: which directions are to be obeyed by the detachments aforesaid.
11. That if fire should break out in the night, some persons from the main guard go to the upper gallery of St. Michael's Church Steeple, and there hold out a lighted lantern on a pole, pointing to the fire.
12. That a guard of fifty men, rank and file, of the militia be stationed at the magazine and prison: and the like number at the barracks, for the protection of women and children who may be sent there.
13. That there pe proper patrols, on horseback or foot as shall be ordered, in the back parts of the town, to prevent disorder.
14. That the remainder of the first and second regiments ー of Col. Pinckney's regiment ー and of the country militia and volunteer companies who may be in town, repair to such places as the commanding officer shall appoint, and there wait orders.
15. That able-bodied negro men be taken into the public service, and enrolled and employed, without arms for the defence of the several batteries in Charles-Town, Fort Johnson and other batteries, at the rate of two to each gun, and that this be done as soon as possible, for every battery, by the officer whose company is directed to be stationed at it. That they be in constant pay at the rate of ten shillings per day, and the public to find them in provisions. If killed, wounded or disabled in the public service, the loss or damage to be paid for by the public, and that suitable rewards shall be given to those slaves, who behave well in time of action.
16. That the men directed to be stationed at or on an alarm, to take post in the forts and batteries, be exercised at the cannon there one hour every day, from eleven to twelve o'clock, for ten days next ensuing, the delivery of these orders.
17. That a return be forthwith made to this board, of the state of the first and second regiments, the artillery regiment, Col. Pinckney's regiment, and Charles-Town artillery company, and the country militia and volunteer companies now in town; and of the scooner Defence, ship Prosper and Brigantine Comet, and of what arms and ammunition are still wanting for those forces and vessels respectively.
18. That no guns be fired in or about town without permission from the proper officers.
19. That as the Council of Safety will repair to the State-House on any alarm, the commanding officer give them notice where he is to be found in such case.
Read a letter from the Hon. Capt. Drayton of this date.
The Council issued an order for the payment of £160 to James Barker, for his expenses and service in engaging seamen for the naval armament of this colony.