The Sack of Charles Town occurred in the aftermath of the arrest of Captain James Flint at the hands of Lord Governor Peter Ashe and his men. Charles Vane, who had followed Flint to take his ship, instead resolved to rescue him and prevent his execution.
History[]
Background[]
After learning that Charles Vane was holding Abigail Ashe captive, Flint attempted to convince him to hand her over. This was just after Flint had launched his Assault on Fort Nassau with Benjamin Hornigold to oust Vane and his men, and they caused significant damage to the structure. Flint hoped that by returning Abigail to her father and his old friend, Lord Peter Ashe, Governor of Carolina, they would be able to convince him to argue in Parliament for the reconciliation of Nassau with the British Empire. Vane refused, but Eleanor Guthrie seduced him and then absconded with Abigail in the dead of night.
After learning that the Urca de Lima gold had been recovered by the Spanish and winning the election over the combined crew against Hornigold, Flint shifted all his efforts to returning Abigail to her father. The crew sailed to Charles Town, and Flint, Miranda Barlow and Abigail went ashore. Abigail was reunited with her father, and Flint and Miranda began negotiations.
Vane, angry over the theft of Abigail, ambushed Richard Guthrie and crucified him. He then tailed Flint to Charles Town, and while the crew was focused on the threat of The Battery and the Charles Town Fleet, boarded their ship and killed or captured her crew. He was prepared to sail away before learning that Flint had been arrested and a trial was taking place the next day, and the pirates were given until its conclusion to depart, or their ship would be seized or sunk.
Vane explained to his men that Nassau is strongest when feared, and one of her most notorious captains swinging over Charles Town was a statement they could not afford. He took half his men with him, as well as Abigail Ashe's Journal on Billy's advice. The other half, who believed that the rescue was a bad idea were left under the command of his quartermaster, Jenks, with the knowledge that they did not have sufficient men to sail the ship.
The Trial[]
When the trial begins, Vice Admiral Lord Kensington produces affidavits given by sailors of ships Flint has attacked, testimonials of widows and orphans rendered into that state by his actions, and insurance petitions for the loss or destruction of property caused by Flint. Kensington accuses Flint of having wreaked untold havoc throughout the New World and clawing at the very fabric of civilization. Kensington gives him the opportunity to deny these charges or repent. Kensington tries to get Flint to respond to the allegations, but Flint remains in a sullen silence. Kensington tells the crowd that the crimes are so vile even the perpetrator is struck dumb when given the chance to speak in his won defense. Flint finally speaks up, telling them he has one regret; his regret is coming to Charles Town thinking reason could be a bridge between them and reconciliation could be found. He says everyone is a monster to someone, and he is content to be there’s.
A militia guard then walks into the square with Charles Vane in tow, announcing who he is. He tells them that Vane turned himself in. Vane then says that he is here to offer testimony in defense of Captain Flint. Ashe scoffs at the idea of Vane as a credible character witness, but Vane clarifies that he isn’t offering testimony, he is offering Abigail Ashe’s, producing her diary.
Meanwhile, Vane's men assault the militiamen guarding the Battery, and take over and barricade several portions of it.
The Battle Begins[]
While a clerk is reading the diary, Vane stands up and announces that he wishes to speak on behalf of the defendant. Kensington orders him to sit down, but Vane continues speaking. He says that men like Kensington have convinced the people of Charles Town that they speak for them, that the power they are given is used in their interests, that the prisoner before them is their enemy. Vane says that for the people who live to see tomorrow, they should know that they had a chance to see the truth but let themselves be convinced otherwise. Throughout the speech, Kensington futilely attempts to shout Vane down. He tries to order Vane removed from the dais. but Vane raises his arms, giving the signal for his men on the Battery’s walls to open fire on the square.
Chaos ensues as Vane's men continue to fire on the square. Flint catches Lord Ashe trying to flee and kills his guards and then stabbing him in the stomach, leaving him to slowly die as he watches his city destroyed around him. Vane's men on the city walls also begin firing on the Charles Town Fleet.
Retaking of the Spanish Man O' War[]
Aboard the Spanish Man O' War, Jenks and his men decide to try and sail away. After taking away John Silver from the rest of his crew, which resulted in a brief scuffle with the captured Walrus crew, they ask him to provide them with a list with ten men who would help them if released on the advice of Vincent. Silver refuses, understanding that it would mean the death of the rest of the crew. Jenks then kills Vincent, and has his men hold Silver down on a table and Jenks begins hammering his leg with the blunt end of an axe.
Meanwhile, the men on the Battery's walls begin firing on the fleet, which begins to scramble. Jenks decides to take his chances fleeing over taking on the fleet. However, the Walrus crew has since freed itself, having secretly taking the Bayman Lieutenant's keys during the aforementioned scuffle. They retake the ship and kill or capture Vane's men, including the ones returning from the shore. Silver is taken to Dr. Howell to get his leg tended to while Billy has the gun crews fire on the patrol ships, sinking them.
Destruction of Charles Town[]
Ashore, the militia attempts to retake the Battery, exchanging small arms fire with the pirates on the walls, who have barricaded access to the ramparts with flaming debris. As the militia clear it away, the pirates flee using the ropes they'd used to climb up to the ramparts in the first place.
Flint and Vane manage to fight their way through the city, dodging cannon-fire and militiamen all the way, until they reach the jetty. There, they take a longboat and begin rowing away. However, Colonel Rhett and several of his men catch up to them and try and fire on them with their muskets but they all miss. They then begin loading a cannon and aim it at the boat. Just before they fire, they are distracted by a piercing whistle, and several cannonballs fired from the Spanish Man O' War strike the fortifications, killing Rhett and his men.
Once back aboard his ship, Flint orders Vane's men freed and tells Vane to keep them in line. He then orders his crew to sail the ship towards the sandbar at the southwest corner of the bay, and for the gun crews to prepare a full complement. Billy asks what the target is and Flint says whatever is left. The pirates completely destroy the city, and Lord Ashe succumbs to his wounds as he watches his city literally crumble around him.
Aftermath[]
John Silver is elected quartermaster, out of respect for his actions that saved the crew and cost him his leg. When he awakes, he informs Flint that just before dying, Vincent told him that he lied about the Spanish reclaiming the gold but sold the location to Jack Rackham.
In Nassau, Flint, Vane and Rackham agree to a partnership. Flint and his men return to the Walrus, which was repaired by Rackham for the hold space. The Man O' War is left in the bay as a floating battery. Should any threat to Nassau arrive, Flint would command their naval forces while Vane commanded the militia on the beach. Jack provides a stipend to the other crews on the island with the agreement that they would all band together to defend Nassau if necessary.
Jack also tries to pay men to work on repairing Fort Nassau, which is overseen by Mr. Scott. However, the pirates are lazy and often refuse to work. Eventually, he has to resort to sending Vane to unwittingly capture a Dutch Slaver.
Meanwhile, Flint declares that any magistrate in the New World who hangs men for piracy will receive a visit from him. Flint sacks St. Kitts, Nevis, Martinique and eventually Bath.
Trivia[]
- The Sack of Charles Town appears to be inspired, but not based on actual real world events. In 1718, Edward Teach besieged the city for several days, plundering ships and taking hostages. He released the hostages after the governor handed over a chest of medicine.