ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH. 47 



treachery. When he was known to be at Lifeland, 

 Boisseau covertly introduced a party to his lurking 

 place, and at the same time a party of the British 

 approached the house by the avenue. As soon as 

 this party was seen, Mr. Sinkler retired to his place 

 of concealment and there found himself a captive. 

 He was not allowed to take leave of his wife and 

 daughters, but was carried to Charleston, a prisoner, 

 without even a change of clothes, and thrust in the 

 southeast cellar of the provost, now the post-office, 

 where were others as unfortunate as himself, with- 

 out bedding or even straw to lie upon. Typhus 

 fever soon put an end to his sufferings. 



He was detained at Lifeland long enough to wit- 

 ness the brutality of his captors and the savage 

 recklessness with which they wantonly destroyed his 

 property. The beds were taken from the house, 

 ripped open, and their contents scattered to the 

 winds ; his provision houses were opened and sacked, 

 his poultry and stock shot down, and several crops 

 of indigo destoyed or carried off. After his death 

 a commission was appointed by the State to ascer- 

 tain the amount and value of property so destroyed, 

 and the following schedule was furnished by Capt. 

 John Palmer: fifty-five negroes; twenty thousand 

 pounds of Indigo ; sixteen blooded horses ; twenty- 

 eight blooded mares and fillies ; one hundred and 

 thirty head of stock cattle ; one hundred and fifty- 

 four head of sheep ; two hundred hogs ; three thou- 



