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Gc 975.7 G35d v. 3 1781-82 1686600
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02317 2726
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/documentaryhisto03gibb
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF THE
AMERICAN 3 CONSISTING OF
REVOLUTION
LETTERS AND PAPERS
Relating to the Contest for Liberty, Chiefly in South Carolina,
IN 1781 AND 1782,
FROM ORIGINALS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE EDITOR AND FROM OTHER SOURCES,
BY R. W. GIBBES, M. D.,
MEMBER OF THE AM. ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE ; OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY; OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ANTIQUARIES OF COPENHAGEN ; OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA ; OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY ; OF THE LYCEUX OF NAT. HISTORY OF NEW YORK; OF THE NATIONAL ACADE- MY OF DESIGN OF NEW YORK, &C., &C., &C.,
COLUMBIA, S. C. DANNER STEAM-POWER PRESS.
1553.
F866.32
1686600
COL. JAMES GADSDEN, HON. F. W. PICKENS,
COL. W. HAMPTON, HON. A. P. BUTLER.
Gentlemen,-The names of GADSDEN, PICKENS, HAMPTON and BUTLER are intimately and most justly associated with those of SUMTER and of MARION. They equally deserve to be preserved in the memory of every American. I trust that in these papers, when completed, the record will show them where they should be, embalmed in the History of South Carolina. May the future be as much honored by them as the past and the present !
Respectfully yours, ROBERT W. GIBBES,
PREFACE.
When I commenced the publication of this collection of papers, my intention was to confine it to the series of letters collected and arranged by Gen. Peter Horry. They have been in the hands of Weems, James and Simms, who have each written a Life of Mar- ion, but only a few of them have been published. As they contain much of the material of which the history of that day is construc- ted, I determined to print them for reference. After publishing a few forms, upon the suggestion of several friends, I concluded to extend the publication so as to embrace other papers of interest scattered through scarce volumes, with such additional manuscript letters as I had and might procure from my friends. I have, there- fore, selected a few letters from TARLETON'S MEMOIRS, now a rare work, from RAMSAY'S REVOLUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA, equally so, from Johnson's Life of Greene, Lee's Memoirs and Lee's Cam- paign of 1781, I have also been aided by my friends Hon. A. P. Butler, Col. F. W. Pickens, Col. W. Hampton, Col. J. Gadsden, Rev. J. M. Pringle, Col. J. Ferguson and Hon. J. B. O'Neall, who have furnished me with papers which will be used in other vol- umes. I expected to find valuable documents in the State De- partment, but relating to the Campaign of 1781 and 1782 there are scarcely a dozen letters, and few of them important. I have copied those most interesting.
As soon as I find a sufficient interest in this volume, I will put to press a second.
I have in my possession a valuable collection of the papers of the Council of Safety of 1775 and 1776, containing Gen. R. Rich- ardson's reports of the Snow Camp Expedition, with And'w. Wm Son's of his Indian expedition -- with the original papers of W. H. Drayton and Rev. Wma. Tennent in their tour, through the upper districts of the State, explaining the position and views of
vi
PREFACE.
the Whigs of that day. These, with many other valuable papers, will also be given in a third volume, if a sufficient number of copies is disposed of to pay the expense of publication.
I earnestly solicit the aid of my friends in carrying out any effort to assist in preserving the materials for the Documentary History of the Revolution in South Carolina. Many friends have promised to send me documents. I request them not to delay doing so.
REFERENCES.
From Tarleton's Memoirs. No's. 90, 97, 111, 112, 156
Ramsay's Revolution, No's. 92, 182, 183, 134, 135, 186, 137
" Lee's Campaign of 1781, No's. 70, 81, 82, 247, 262
" Lee's Memoirs, . No's. 89, 99, 114, 125, 126
" Johnson's Life of Greene No's. 128, 160
viii
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
28. Gen. Huger to Gen. Marion, . 18
29. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 19
30. Gen. Greene to Col. Wm. Campbell, (R. W. G.) 19
31. Gen. Greene to Gen. Mariou, 20
32. Gen. Greene to Col. Wm. Campbell, (R. W. G.) 21
33. - Armstrong to Col. W. Preston, (R. W. G.). 21
31. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 22
35. Col. WVm. Preston to Col. Wm, Campbell, (R. W. G.). 36. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion,
23
37. Capt. J. Saunders to Gen. Marion, 24
38. Gen. Marion to Capt. Saunders, 3S
39. Capt. Saunders to Gen. Marion, 25
40. Gen. Greene to Col. Wm. Preston, (R. W. G.)
25
41. Capt. Saunders to Gen. Marion, 26
42. Gen. Marion-to Capt. Saunders, 26
43. Col. W. Balfour to Gen. Marion 27
44. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, 27
45. Capt. J. Saunders to Lt. Col. Irwin. 28
46. Col. Watson to Gren. Marion, 29
47. Gen. Marion to Lt. Col. Balfour, 30
48. Gen. Marion to Col. Watson
49. Gen. Marion to Capt. Saunders, 30
50. R. to Lt. Col. Watson, . 31
31
51. Gov. J. Rutledge te Gen. Marion 32
52. Col. Watson to Gen. Marion, 33
53. Col. Balfour to Capt. Saunders, Capt. John Postell's Parole, 36
35
54. Col. Balfour to Gen. Marion, 36
37
5G. Col. Watson to Gen. Marion,
57. Gen. Marion to Col. Watson, 38
58. Col. Watson to Gen. Marion, 39
59. Col. Watson to Gren. Marion Gen. Marion's pass to Lieut. Torianno, 41
40
60. Col. Lec to Col. W. Campbell, (R. W. G.). 41
61. Col. Balfour to Gen. Marion, 42
62. Capt. J. Saunders to Gen. Marion, 42
55. Col. Balfour to Col. Cassels, 38
22
ix
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
63. E. Giles to Gov. R. Howley, (R. W. G.) 43
64. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, .. 44
65. Col. Watson to Capt. Saunders, 47
66. Col. R. Hampton to Maj. J. Hampton, (.R W. G.) 47
67. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 48
68. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, 49
69. Col. Harden to Gen. Marion, 40
70. Gen. Greene to Col. H. Lee, (Lee's Campaign,) 51
71. Gen. Moultrie to Gen. Marion, 52
92. Col. Kolb to Capt. Snipes, 52
73. Capt. Snipes to Col. Kolb, 53
74. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 53
75. Col. Harden to Gen. Marion, 53
76. Col. Kolb to Gen. Marion, 55
77. Gen. Marion to Gen. Greene, Articles of Capitulation at Fort Watson,
58
7S. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 53
79. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion,
60
60
81. Gen. Greene to Col. H. Lee, (Lee's Campaign,)
63
83. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion,
$4. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 66
66
86. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion,
87. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 67
65. Maj. Pendleton, A. D. C., to Gen. Marion,
69
80. Lord Rawdon to Lieut Col. Lee.
70
00. Gen. Greene to S. Huntington, (Tarlton,) 70
91. H. Barry to Wells & Son, 72
92. N. Balfour to Prisoners, . 72
93. Maj. Burnet, A. D. C., to Gen. Marion, 74
94. Lt. Col. S. Moore and Maj. Barnwell to N. Balfour,. 7.4
74
95. Lt. Col. S. Moore and Maj. Barnwell to Gen. Greene, .. Prisoners on board the Torbay,. 75 et board the Packhorse, . 70
06. Stephen Moore and others to Lieut. Col. Balfour, 76
57
80. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion 61
82. Gon. Greene to Col. H. Lee,
85. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion
67
X
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
97. Lord Rawdon to Earl Cornwallis, 77
98. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion,. 80
99. Earl Cornwallis to Sir H. Clinton, . 81
100. to 111. Letters relating to the Capitulation of' Fort Cornwallis, S3 to- 8S
Lord Rawdon and Col. Balfour's Proclamation, SS
111. Lord Rawdon to Lt. Gen. Cornwallis, S9
112. Jord Rawdon to Sir H. Clinton, 90
113. Gen. Pickens to Gen. Greene, . 91
114. Earl Cornwallis to Lt. Col. Tarleton, 92
115. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, 93
116. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 94
94
117. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 95
118. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion,
119. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, 95
120. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion 96
191. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion,
97
122. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion, 97
Agreement between Col. P. Horry and Maj. Ganey,. 98
Treaty between Gen. Marion and Maj. Ganey, 98
123. Marquis La Fayette to officers. 99
124. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 100
125. Gen. Greene to Lt. Col .. Lee, 101
126. Gen. Greene to Lt. Col. Lee, 102
127. ---- to Gen. Marion, . 103
128. Adj't. Gen. Williams to Maj. Pendleton 105
129. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 106
130. S. McDowall to Col. W. Campbell, 107
131. Col. W. Washington to Col. R. Hampton 108
132. Maj. C. Fraser to Mr. Hayne, 108
133. Maj. C. Fraser to Mr. Hayne, 109
134. Maj. C. Fraser to Mr. Hayne, 109
135. I. Hayne to Lord Rawdon and Col. Balfour 109
136. Answer of Lord Rawdon and Col. Balfour, 111
137. Ladies' petition for Col. Isaac Hayne, .. 112
Consultation on the case of Col. Hayne, ( Ramsay's Revo-
lution. ) 114
INDEX. xi
No. PAGE.
Proclamation by Gen. Greene, 115
Dr. Olyphant on treatment of prisoners, (Ramsay's Revo- lution.). 116
Dr. Payssoux to Dr. Ramsay, ( Ramsay's Revolution,) .. 118
138. Col. Wm. Campbell to Sam'l McDonald, 122 General Exchange, . 123 Orders by Gen. Marion, 123
139. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry 123
140. Gen. Wayne to Gen. W. Campbell, 124
141. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 124
142. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 125
143. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 126
111. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 126
145. Col, Balfour to Gen. Marion, 128
146. The Officers of the Army to Gen. Greene, 128
117. Major Ganey to Gen. Marion, 130
148. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 130
119. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 131
150. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 132
151. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 132
152. Col. Balfour to Gen. Greene, 133
153. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 134
154. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 135
155. Maj. Ganey to Gen. Marion, 135
150. Lt. Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis, 136
157. Wm. Swinton to Gen. Marion, 140
158. Win. Snow to Mr. Rhodes, 140
159. (ion. Greene to the President of Congress, . 141
160. Bottle of Eutaw. (From Johnson's Greene.) 144
141. Capt. Win. Richardson to Gen. Marion, 158
163. Gov, Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 159
143. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 160
164. Gen Marion to Col. P. Horry
160
165. Mij. Pierce to Gen. Marion, . 161
166. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 162
167. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 163
Proclamation of Governor Rutledge, 105
xii
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
168. Gov. Rutledge to Col. R. Hampton, 165
169. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 166
170. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry 167
171. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 168
172. Gen. Greene to Col. Balfour, 169
173. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 170
174. Maj. J. James to Gen. Marion 170
175. Gen. Marion.to Col. P. Horry 171
176. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry 172
177. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry 173
17S. Gov. Rutlenge to Gen. Marion, 175
179. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, Proclamation of Gov. Rutledge, 175 178
180. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 181
181. Col. P. Horry to Gen. Marion,
182. M. Mvers to Gen. Marion,
182
183. W. Swinton to Gen. Marion, 183
184. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry, 184
185. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry
184
186. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 185
187. Gen. Marion to Col. T. Horry, 187
188. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 188
189. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 189
190. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 189
191. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 190
192. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 190
193. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 190
194. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 192
195, Gen. Greene to Con. Marion, 193
196. Gen. Marion to Col. Maham,. 191
197. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry,. 194
19S. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 195
199. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 196
200. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry, . 19S
Thanks of Congress. 199
201. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 109
202. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 200
173
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
203. Col. P. Horry to Gov. Rutledge, 200
204. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 203
205. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry 204
206. Col P. Horry to Gen. Greene,. 204
207. Maj. D. Hart to Col. R. Hampton, 205
208. Gov. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry, 206
209. Geu. Greene to Gen. Marion, 206
210. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, . 207.
211. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 208
212. D. Doyle, (British,) to Gen. Marion. 208
213. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 209
214. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 210
215. Gen. Greene to Gen, Marion, 211
Gen. Washington to Gen. Greene 211
216. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 212
217. J. Doyle, (British,) to Gen. Marion, 213
918. Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion. 213
219. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 214
220. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, - 215
221. H. Hampton to Capt. W. Butler 216
222. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 217
223. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 218
224. Lieut. P. Poissin to Gen. Marion, 219
221. Capt. T. Shubrick to Gen. Marion, 220
226. Gen. Barnwell to Gen. Marion, 220
927. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 221
228. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry 222
220. Gen. Greene to Gen. Garion, 223
930. Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion, 223
231. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 224
232. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 225
233. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 225
234. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, . 226
235. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 227
236. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 22S
237. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry 228
238. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 229
xiv
INDEX.
No. PAGE,
239. Col. Laurens to Col. Maham,. 261
240. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry. 231
Governor Rutledge's Message, 233
241. Col. P. Horry to Col. Maham, 238
242. Col. Maham to Col. P. Horry, 238
243. Col. Maham to Col. P. Horry, 239
244. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 239
245. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry 240
216. John Nicholson to Gen. Marion, 241
247. Gen. Greene to Lt. Col. Lee,. 242
218. Gen. Greene to Gov. Rutledge, 243
219. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 244
250. Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry 245
251. Col. Peter Horry to Gen. Marion, 245
252. Gen. Greene to Col Peter Horry, 247
253. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 248
251. Gen. Manon to Col. P. Horry, 219
255. Gen. Greene to Gov. Rutledge,. 250
256. Maj. Isaac Harleston to Gen. Marion 250
257, Capt. Saunders to Gen. Marion, . 251
253. Gov. Mathews to the Legislature, 251
259. Gen. Greene to Col. Horry, 251
260. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 253
261. Doughty & Bryan to Gen. Marion, 253
962. Gen. Greene to Lieut. Col. Lee, 254
263. Jas. Hammond to Gov. Rutledge, 255
264. W. Hampton to Gov. Mathews. 257
265. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 257
266. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 258
267. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion; 258
268. Gen. Greene to Hugh Rutledge, 259
269. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 259
270. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, . 260
271. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry 260
272. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 261
273. Cornet Elholm to Col. P. Horry 262
274. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 263
..
INDEX.
No. PAGE.
275. Col. Laurens to Gen. Marion, . 263
276. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 264
277. Gov. Burke to Gov. Rutledge, 265
278. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry 266
279. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 267
280. Col. P. Horry to Gen. Marion, 268
281. Gren. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 270
282. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 270
283. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry,. 271
2St. John Dorsius to Col. P. Horry, 272
285. Cornet Elholm to Col. P. Horry
273
286. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 271
287. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 274
2SS. Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion, 275
289. Gon. Greeene to Gen. Marion, 276
290. Le Roy Hammond to Capt. W. Butler, 277
291. Gen. Marion to Col. Horry, 277
292. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry, 278
203. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 270
801. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry 260
295. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 280
906. Gen. Greene to Col. P. Horry, 281
207. Edward Walsh to Gen. Marion 283
298. Gen. Marion to Col. P. Horry 284
200. Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion, 285
300. Col. P. Horry to Gen. Marion. 285
001. Col. P. Horry to Gen. Greene, 286
302. From a Secret Correspondent, 287
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
CONSISTING OF
Letters and Papers relating to the Contest for Liberty
CHIEFLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
FROM ORIGINALS IN THE POSSESSION OF GEN. FRANCIS MARION, BY GEN. PETER HORRY, OF MARION'S BRIGADE : TOGETHER WITH OTHERS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE EDITOR.
BY ROBERT W. GIBBES, M. D.
[ No. 1.] Gen. B. Lincoln to Col. Francis Marion.
CHS TOWN, November 11th, 1779.
Sir :
You will please to take the earliest opportunity to send to Charles Town all the entrenching tools and axes, saving about fifty which you may send in camp, as also all such stores in the Qr. Mr. Department which will not be necessary for you.
I am, sir, your most obedt. servant,
B. LINCOLN.
P S. Please to order the Qr. Mr. to make an exact return of all ttores which will be left in his hands.
2
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
[No. 2.] A. Dellient ( Brigade Major ) to Col. F. Marion.
CHS TOWN, November 12th, 1779.
Sir :
I am ordered to transmit to you the following orders, by Genl. Lincoln, for which, you will be kind enough to acknowledge the reception. I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obed. humb. servt., A. DELLIENT, B. M.
-
[Gen. Orders.]
HEAD QUARTERS, CHS TOWN, Nov. 12th. 1779.
At a general Court Martial whereof Colo. Horry is president, Conrad Bessinger a private soldier in the 3d. South Carola. Bat- talion was tryed for desertion, being found in arms against the United States, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged by the neck until dead. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed on Wednesday next, between the hours of 9 and 11 in the forenoon. At this Court also, Capt. Lieut. Wilson, and Lieut. Field, both of the So. Carola. Regimt. of Artillery were tryed for absenting themselves from camp and duty on the 25, 26, 27 and 28 days of October, 1779, without leave, were found guilty, but considering the circumstances thereof, and the number of days of remaining under arrest adequate to the offence, and recommend they be discharged from their arrest, and to return to their duty. The General approves the sentence, and the Officers immediately return to their duty. The Court Martial is dissolved.
[ No. 3.] Gen. William Moultrie to Lieut. Col. Francis Marion.
CHs Towy, Novemr. 13th, 1779.
ยท Sir :
I received yours yesterday, and inform you that the command of the Continental Troops cannot devolve upon Colo. Garden, no more than Cole. Garden can be tried by the Continl Articles, should he disobey Geul. Lincoln's orders, or any superior officer's order be- longing to the Continent, as the State has absolutely refused to put
.
3
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
their Militia under the Continental Articles, when doing duty with us. I will shew you only one absurdity : Can Colo. Garden issue an order to try any Continl. Soldiers, when he is not liable to be tryed by the same law, these several reasons will inform you are not to give up the command to Col. Garden, but that you should form separate camp. Remember me to my Brother Tom.
I am, your most obedt. humbl. servt., WILLM. MOULTRIE.
[ No. 4.] General B. Lincoln to Lieut. Colo. Marion.
CHS TOWN, Novr. 25th, 1779.
Sir :
I have been favoured with your letters of the 14th and 18th. I had it not in idea that the command of the Continental Troops was given to Colo. Garden, nor had I the least intimation thereof untill nformed by you-though I have a great opinion of Colo. Garden. and think him a man of worth, yet I certainly could not stand justi- fied to the Continent, to give up their troops to the controul of any of the United States-you therefore did perfectly right in retaining the command. Colo. Garden may question the right you have to command him, if he is a Senior Colonel, as there is no resolve of Congress within my knowledge which annexes any peculiar rank to a Commander. In that case, I suppose he will act as command- ing a different body of men from you, which may be attended with ill consequences. If any mischief should arise, the blame must fall on those who have refused to place the Militia, while in the field and acting with the Continental Troops, under the same laws. In consequence of your representation that medicines were wanted in camp, I spoke to the Director General for the time being, he says they have ever been supplyd from the Hospital when requested- and he is ready to supply them whenever returns are made. Com- manders and officers of corps must not grant leave of absence to their Surgeons, unless a mate or assistant remain with the Regi- ment, it is from this improper indulgence you must be persuaded that the present inconvenience arises, as there is one Surgeon at least belonging to each corps now in camp. If they are absent,
4
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
the most positive orders must be given requiring their immediate return and in future no Surgeon is to leave camp without the per- mission of the commanding officer there. You will please to write particularly to your officers to return to camp, and request Colo Horry to do the same. If the gentlemen do not return on such notice, the line of duty will be plain. I will enquire into the rea- son why the officers of the Third are absent, I must find some officers who belong to another corps to do duty in that Regiment. I am with esteem, Sir, your most obdt. servt.,
B. LINCOLN.
N. B. I will order in some Rum.
[No. 5.] Gen'l. B. Lincoln to Lieut. Col. Marion.
CHARLES-TOWN, December 13th, 1779.
Sir :
Yours of the ninth is before me; on the contents, would observe that, the four prisoners of war apprehended have been duly ex- changed ; you will, therefore, order them across the Savannah to join their corps. As those who wished tor a Hagg, are inhabitants of this State, I referred the matter to the Governour-he will not permit them to go to Savannah-I have called on Mr. Rutledge to supply you with a new waggon-master. If Mr. Bond should re- turn you will arrest and have him tryed, unless he has such excuse for his absence as will satisfy you. You will appoint a General Court Martial to set immediately for the tryal of all such prisoners as shall be brought before it. Shoes are ordered and the troops in camp to be first cloathed. You will endeavour to secure the de- serters, if in camp, mentioned in the enclosed list, and send them to town. I am, sir,
Your most ob'dt serv't, B. LINCOLN.
[ No. 6.] Gen'l B. Lincoln to Lieut. Col. Marion.
CHARLES-TOWN, December 17th, 1779.
Sir :
The prisoners that were here are exchanged I suspect those you have with you are exchanged also-if you will send the names
5
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
of them I can ascertain the matter. If they are not exchanged I will send them across the River upon parole. You will, therefore, as much as possible, keep them from obtaining a knowledge of your strength or of your designs. It would be well, before they leave you. to give out that you expect a large reinforcement-this you can do, very justly, for one is expected. The first Division, I have reason to believe, is now in this State. I am informed that we are very short of cartridge paper, I wish, however, when you know of an opportunity of its coming safely to you, that you would write for it, to Col. Drayton. Six hogshead of rum are now on the road for your camp, or, at least, six were ordered, and the wagons are gone. You will please instruct your Commissary of Issues to apply in time to Mr. Rutledge, Commissary General, for pur- chase for a further supply, as, probably, you may remain some time on the same ground. You will direct the men to be very at- . tentive to their hats, and let them be as comfortable as possible- there is now cloth enough for jackets and overalls, for all the troops, and, I believe, coats also ; but tailors are needed ; you will, there- fore, please to send down, under the care of a good sergeant, all the tailors you have in camp, if they do not exceed twenty.
I am, sir,
your most obedient serv't, B. LINCOLN.
[No. 7.] Gen'l. B. Lincoln to Lieut. Col. Marion.
CHARLES-TOWN, December 20th, 1779.
Sir :
I am informed that gangs of cattle and sheep are driving from Consawhatchie to Mr. Wall, at Pendarvis' place, near May River, probably, with a design, to be sent over to Savannah. You will, therefore, be pleased to detach a party of horse to enquire into this matter, and, if you find that any unwarrantable practices are carry- ing on, or any communication with the enemy, you will order those persons to be secured and the stock remaining brought off.
I am, sir,
Your most obed't servit,
B. LINCOLN.
6
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
P. S .- The General delivered this letter to the bearer at half- past 1 o'clock, Tuesday morn, and gave him 10 dollars, with a pro- mise that you would give him 10 more, if he reached camp in 48 hours.
[No. 8.] Gen'Z. B. Lincoln to Col. Marion.
CHARLES-TOWN, December 30th, 1779.
Sir :
Congress have resolved that the Regiments of this State should be incorporated and formed on the plan ordered by them for the Army of the United States, May, 1778, and have left the execution of this matter with his Excellency, the Governour of this State and the Commanding Officer here ; I have the Governour's permission to inform you that he wishes this business may be conducted in a manner most agreeable to the line of officers, and that they would point to a mode of officering the retained regiments, which would give the greatest satisfaction. I am with his Excellency in sentiment, and wish you would immediately take the opinion of the officers in camp, on the matter, and send it to me by the very first opportu- nity. I am, sir,
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