USA > South Carolina > 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 the editor, and other sources, V.1 > Part 21
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR FORMING A PLAN OF DEFENCE FOR THE COLONY. .
[Original MS .- Autograph W. II. Drayton.]
The Committee for forming a plan of defence for the Colony, report : That upon the first appearance of the enemy, or certain intelligence of a designed attack upon Charles Town, an alarm should be fired as a signal that the draughts of wilitia, who ought to have previous notice for this purpose, should, with all expedition, repair to head-quarters at Dorchester.
As, in all probability, if the enemy invade this Colony; they will attempt to land in Charles Town, so a redoubt ought to be erected at Cum.nins' Point, consisting of six 20-pounders; a redoubt of four
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26-pounders should also be erected on the south part of Sullivan's Island. These will not be more than two and a half miles distant ; they will assist each other, and ships carrying only 6 and 9-pounders, cannot long sustain so superior a weight of metal. The ships, there- fore, must either be shattered here, or they must pass on. after, in all probability, having received considerable damage. If the ships ad- vance by Fort Johnson, they must receive the fire of the lower battery containing fifteen Is-rounders, and also of a redoubt of twelve pieces of cannon upon an eminence to the westward. Or if the ships advance by Hog Island Creek they must receive the fire from a redoubt of ten 26-pounders, at Haddrel's Point; and, in all probability, Fort John- son and the battery will much support this fire; and if the ships pass all these batteries, they ought to be received by the batteries at the south end of the town, or by batteries at the north end, opposite the mouth of Hog Island Creek.
If the enemy run through all this fire, it is evident, that, in all pro- bability, they will receive considerable damage, with but little loss to ourselves ; and if they stop to batter our posts, in all probability. their loss must be very considerable : and as our redoubts will be made of mud and sand, we cannot receive any great loss. This defence may consume about four thousand weight of gunpowder. Eight hundred regulars, and two hundred artillery and fusiliers will fully man these works, near which boats should be properly stationed to effect their retreat to headquarters.
Admitting that the enemy having passed through this severe fire, land in Charles Town. Upon their landing, they cannot make any offensive motions ; for, some time will be required to land their stores and to fortify their front to the land-more time will be. neces- sary to refresh their sick after their passage, and to recover their wounded after the action, and to refit their ships. This interval will furnish abundant time for the troops to retreat from their batteries, and for them and the militia to repair to Dorchester, from thence to prepare to attack an enemy reduced in their numbers, and discouraged by their reception. At this time our force ought to stand thus: All the regulars and militia ought to be posted at Dorchester, from whence they should maintain two posts; the one over Goose Creek bridge- the other at Stono; and these will cut off the communication between the town and back country. The principal magazines, the records, and the press, should be established at Dorchester, as well, because that it will be a place of great security, as it must be entrenched and mounted with cannon, as that the post may be an object to entice the enemy to advance into the country.
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All the negroes between the sea, and a line drawn from North Edisto Inlet to Tugaloo, thence along the river to Stono, thence to Dorchester, thence to Goose Creek bridge, thence to the mouth of Back river, thence to Cain Hoy, and thence to the sea, should be removed upon the ap- proach of the enemy ; and the militia within those lines, and upon the outward borders of them, should form a constant and continued chain of patrols along those lines, by which all communication will be cut off between the enemy in the town, and the negroes in the country. Orders should be immediately issued, so that this plan should be executed when it may be necessary.
In this situation of affairs, there will be a considerable and intricate tract of country for the scene of military operations. The enemy posted in Charles Town, will be watched by the army at Dorchester; who ought to throw out every allurement to induce them to advance into the country, not only that we might avail ourselves of the natural strength of the country and of ambuscades, but that we might have a chance to get between the enemy and the sea, and thus to attempt to finish the war in this country by destroying the enemy at a blow.
But if the enemy make good their landing in Charles Town, it is but too probable they will remain there entirely upon the defensive, in order that the war may be drawn into length, to ruin us by our expenses, and depreciation of our currency ; to tire us out by our new manner of living and great fatigues, and, above all, to allow time for discontents among ourselves -- thus to break our combination even without their attacking us. Therefore, to avoid these consequences, we must act offensively, and attack Charles Town, by surprise, storm, or regular siege. And we do not see that works and entrenchments can, with propriety, be erected on the neck, but from a knowledge that the enemy mean to remain in Charles Town, and that in such case, we prefer the attack by regular siege, rather than by surprise or storm. On which plan, we do not see of what advantage strong entrenchment upwards of four miles from Charles Town can possibly be. And so far does it appear to us to be our interest, not to do any thing tending to confine the enemy to Charles Town, that it seems clear, we ought, by every possible means, to entice them to advance into the country.
Besides, if the enemy, contrary to what seems to be their interest, should resolve to penetrate into the country, we ought not only to remember that they are much better skilled in attacking, than we are in defending entrenchments, but that they may penetrate into the country, even without being under any necessity of passing those en- trenchments. For in- one night, they may pass from Charles Town, to
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Old Town, on the one hand or to Cain Hov. on the other hand and from either of those places render our entrenchments on the neck utterly useless to us, since we must march with all our force against them, and the situation of the war will then be exactly the same as if we had no entrenchment on the neck, and had marched from Dorches- ter, except these differences ---- the loss of the money expended in making the entrenchment, which the enemy may effectually render useless, even by any one out of a variety of manœuvres equally adapted to such an end. The enemy will. in the absence of our forces, occupy these lines and turn them against us; or, if we leave a force to maintain them. we shall not be able to march so large and good an army as we otherwise should.
A RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[Original MS.]
IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY, October 14th, 1775.
Resolved, That the Hon. William Henry Drayton, Thomas Heyward, Jun., Esq., and Col. Motte, be, and they are hereby appointed Commis- sioners, for erecting a redoubt to mount twelve pieces of heavy cannon, on the most convenient spot to the westward of Fort Jolinson, on James' Island.
A true copy from the minutes.
PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary.
ANDREW WILLIAMSON TO THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[Original MIS.]
HARLIN'S FERRY, SAVANNAH RIVER, Oct. 16th, 1775. To the Honorable the Council of Safety :
HONORABLE SIRS :- Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you the report of the militia, and volunteers, under my command, at Har- lin's Ferry. Savannah River, and the Camp near Ninety-Six, by order of the Honorable William Henry Draytou, also a general return of rations supplied to the troops, with an account of monies disbursed,
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and other necessaries found for their use, by order of the said Mr. William Heury Drayton.
Your Honors will be pleased to observe, that on complaint of the troops at Harlin's Ferry of want of arms and ammunition, I took the liberty to furnish them with a quantity of powder, lead, and flints, as mentioned in my account, for which I have made no charge; not in the least doubting, your Honors would order the same quantity to be replaced me from the magazine.
From the best intelligence I can learn since Mr. Drayton went from hence, I have the pleasure to acquaint your Honors. that every thing seems in perfect tranquility, both here and on the other side of the river. Volunteers are there and here forming. Application has been made to me for commissions, and great complaints, of their want of arms and ammunition, which I have assured the people, I would do all in my power to procure, and am in hopes your Honors will order a sufficient supply to Fort Charlotte where they can be safe; and I would appre- hend a guard may be necessary to conduct them up from Orangeburg. which I shall supply on receiving orders.
I am sorry to be under the necessity of returning the commission of Mr. Allen Camerou, in whose favor I solicited it. I also take the liberty of troubling your Honors with his letters, which I received a few days ago. In his relation of a conversation that passed, I shall only remark, that after saying "his baggage was light to carry," that he must have bread.
I beg leave to subscribe myself with the greatest respect,
Honorable sirs, Your IIonors most obedient, Most humble servant, A. WM.SON.
MIR. CAMERON TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MS.]
KEOWEE, Oct. 16, 1775.
To the Honorable William Henry Drayton :
SIR :- By Mr. Wilkinson I received your letter of the 26th ultimo, which I have maturely considered. The contest and confusion in . America at present, gives me real conceru, but who the aggressors are
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I am not a competent Judge to determine, nor will I pretend to blame men who have already advanced so far as the Americans have done, in support of a cause which their conscience dictates to them is just. to avail themselves of every means in their power. either for their defence, or in order to terminate the present unhappy and unnatural conflict with their parent State.
Be pleased, sir, to accept of my sincerest acknowledgments for the concern you express for requesting of me to remove to some distance from my present residence among the Cherokees. This concern. sir, makes the demand still more heavy upon me, as I cannot find myself at liberty to comply with it; at the same time I think, that the chiefs of your province can be under no apprehension of danger from me or my connection with the Indians, if we are at liberty to enjoy peace and tranquility where we are.
The great men, (his Excellency Lord William Campbell and the Honorable John Stuart, Esq.,) whom you are pleased to mention to me, sir, for the rule of my conduct, were very differently situated. They were stationed among the most strenuous part of the people, in the pres- ent quarrel, where they could not officiate any part of their duty without censure, and run, perhaps, the risk of their lives to no end.
I am particularly sorry, sir, that my being in this nation gives you any uneasiness. But while I have the honor to serve in my present office, I must implicitly observe the directions and orders of my superiors, and cannot recede from my part without first obtaining their leave.
From the day I commenced as Mr. Stuart's Deputy, I received no in- structions injurious to the frontier inhabitants, but on the contrary and agreeably to my duty I have assiduously endeavored to cultivate peace and friendship between the Indians and them, and at this very juncture when I am threatened with condign punishment from all quarters of your Province, I am endeavoring a mediation.
In your talk to the Indians, by Mr. Pearis, of 21st August, you men- tioned that you was told that I spoke to the Indians with two tongues. I think, sir, you might as well have omitted such uncourtly expressions. as it could answer no purpose; for I defy you or any man breathing to make good these assertions, and if it was with a view to prejudice the Indians against me, all the rhetoric Mr. Pearis is master of, could not effect it; although he is well Known to be a person who will not stick to truth, or any thing. to accomplish his designs.
I am with all due respect, sir, your most obedient
and most humble servant, ALEX'R, CAMERON.
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COL. RICHARDSON TO THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[Original MIS.]
CAMP NEAR MOLAURIN'S, November 2d, 1775. To the Honorable the Council of Safety :
SIRS :- On a very wet day, in the midst of bustle, and just starting to march, I take the liberty to acquaint you, that we are near MeLau- rin's, in the Fork, and, yet. unmolested by the opposites. Our people have taken the persons herein named, which, from their knowledge of the part they have vigorously acted, will not permit me, even if I was inclined to let go, viz : Capts. John Mayfield, Benj. Wofford, Wm. Hunt, Daniel Stagner, Jacob Stack-the cause of their being sent will appear -- but. at any rate, they are not to be set at liberty till matters are settled, as they are looked upon as active and pernicious men. I am now joined by Col. Thomas with about two hundred, Col. Neel as many, Col. Lyles about one hundred, together with Col. Thomson's regiments of rangers and militia, with my own, may make in the whole about 2,500; and I received, last night, accounts of Col. Polk being near with six hundred. An army, if it was a favorable time of the year, might go or do any thing required, which I hope we shall. I hear of their moving about, but yet have made no opposition. In the state I am now in, I can say no more than that when I may attend, and have it in my power, will transmit such things as may occur
I am, sir, Your most obedient humble servant, RICH'D. RICHARDSON
MAJOR WILLIAMSON TO MR. EDWARD WILKINSON.
[From Copy Original MS.]
CAMP NEAR. LONG CANE, November 6th, 1775.
DEAR SIR :- On Saturday morning last, about 4 o'clock, I received a letter from Major Mayson, which, to my great surprise and astonish- ment, informed me, that the day before, about 5 o'clock. Jacob Bowman and Patrick Cunningham, with about one hundred and fifty armed men, from the north side of Saluda river, stopped a wagon loaded with am- munition, about seventeen miles below Ninety-Six, most part whereof' 14
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I fancy you are not insensible. was a present from this Province to the Cherokee Indians, all of which they took and carried off, making a guard of twenty rangers and the officers prisoners; and as John Vann was here yesterday on his way to the Nation, and on his arrival will be apt to inform the Indians of this robbery, and lest some young in- considerate man of the Cherokees should think of revenging this on the people of that side of the Saluda, I have embodied part of this regiment, and this moment intend to march to Ninety-Six to join those that are there; and hope, in a few days, to retake that ammunition, and bring those people to justice who committed this act. But should . the powder and lead be so distributed among the people that it cannot be got back, I make no doubt. but that the Council of Safety will order a like quantity for the Cherokees immediately. But I expect, when they see their error and my force (which will soon be very consider- able, as all the first people of this district appear to turn out to a man), they will give up the ammunition, and the people who committed the robbery. I have thought necessary to acquaint you of this by express, that you may be able to explain this matter properly to the warriors and head meu. and I am confident they will be able to prevent this affair being productive of any breach of comity between them and this Pro- vince, as I think the people who committed this act, were led on to it. by two rash inconsiderate men. And, indeed, it appears to me that by getting this ammunition into their lianids, they thought to rule this Province, but I flatter myself they will soon be fully convinced to the contrary. And, as you wrote ine in your last, that you intended to be at Salisbury on the 10th day of this month, I have taken the liberty to direct this, in your absence, to Mr. Cameron, with my compliments, and hope he will do me the favor to explain it to the principal men.
And I am, dear sir, Your most obedient, Very humble servant, A. WM.SON.
DECLARATION BY THE AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS.
[Printed Circular.]
SOUTH CAROLINA-CHARLESTON DISTRICT.
CHARLES TOWN, November 19, 1775.
It has been the policy of America in general, and of this Colony in particular, to endeavor to cultivate a good correspondence with the
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neighboring Indians : and especially so, since the commencement of the preseut unhappy disputes with the British administration. This policy originated from a view of preserving, at the cheapest rate, our benders from savage inroads, pushed on by Freuch and Spanish management, or Indian avidity or ferocity. Of late this policy has been perseverd in ; and our endeavors have been redoubled, in order to oppose and to frustrate the design of the British administration, by the hands of the: Indians, to delare our frontiers with the blood of our fellow-citizens Experience has taught us, that occasional presents to the Indians nes been the great means of acquiring their friendship. In this necessary service, government every year has expended large sums of moder ; and the Continental Congress having divided the management of the Indian affairs into three departments, have allotted for the expenses cf this southern department the sum of ten thousand dollars, in order to preserve the friendship of the Indians on the back of our settlements. The late Council of Safety spared no pains to confirm them in their pacific inclinations ; but, from the repeated. constant and uniform accounts they received from the Council of Safety in Georgia, the Indian traders in that, and in this Colony, and among the Creeks and. Cherokees, and the persons there employed by the two Colonies to superintend the Indian affairs, it clearly and unfortunately appeared, that a general Indian war was inevitable, unless the Indians were fur- nished with some small supplies of ammunition, to enable them to procure deer skins for their support and maintenance.
Rather than draw on an Indian war. by an ill-timed frugality in with- holding ammunition, our friends in Georgia resolved to supply the Creeks with such a quantity as might, in some degree, satisty their urgent wants, but could not incite, by enabling, them to commit hostili- ties. They sent on that service two thousand weight of powder and a proportional weight of lead. They also strongly pressed the late Council of Safety to supply the Cherokees. About the end of Septem- ber, the Honorable William Henry Drayton, a member of the late Council of Safety, met several of the Cherokee head men at the Con- garees. Nothing could in the least degree satisfy them but a promise of some ammunition. At length the late Council, in October last, issued a supply of ammunition, consisting of ouly one thousand weight of powder, and two thousand pounds weight of lead, for the use of the Cherokees, as the only probable means of preserving the frontiers from the inroads of the Indians, and the Council the more readily agreed to this measure, because, as they almost daily expected that the British arms would attack the Colony in front on the sea coast, they thought
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they would be inexcusable. if they did not, as much as in them lay. remove every cause to apprehend an attack at the same time from the Indians upon the back settlements.
But this measure, entered into by the Council, upon principles of the soundest policy of Christianity, breathing equal benevolence to the associators and non-associators in this Colony, and arising only from necessity, unfortunately has been by some non-associators made an instrument for the most diabolical purposes.
These wicked men, to the astonishment of common sense, have made many of their deluded followers believe, that this ammunition was sent to the Indians, with orders for them to fall upon the frontiers and to massacre the non-associators; and, taking advantage from the scarcity of ammunition among individuals, arising from the necessity of filling the public magazines, they have invidiously represented, that ammuni- tion ought not to be sent to the Indians, while the inhabitants of the Colony, individually, are in a great degree destitute of that article; industriously endeavoring to inculcate this doctrine even in the minds of the associators,
Wherefore, in compassion to those who are deluded by such represen- tations, the Congress have taken these things into their consideration, which otherwise would have been below their notice and they desire their deceived fellow-colonists to reflect, that the story of the ammuni- tion being sent to the Indians, with orders for them to massacre the non-associators, is absurd in its very nature :
1st. Because the whole tenor of the conduct of the Council of Safety demonstrates, that they were incapable of such inhumanity as a body ; the character of each individual shields him against a charge of so cruel a nature ; and Mr. Drayton's conduct at Ninety-Six, at the head of the army, fully showed, that the blood of the non-associators was not the object of his policy.
2d. Because also, if men will but call reason to their aid, they must plainly see, that if the Indians were let loose upon the frontiers, they must indiscriminately massacre associarors and non-associators, since there is no mark to distinguish either to the Indians; and. therefore, no associator, of but common sense, could think of promoting the interest of his party by executing a measure which must equally ruin friend and foe.
However, in order to clear up all difficulties on this head, and for the ease of the minds of our deceived friends, the Congress in a body, and also, individually, declare, in the most solemn manner, before Almighty God, that they do not believe any order was ever issued, or
.
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any iden was ever entertained, by the late Council of Safety, or any member of it, or by any person under authority of Congress, to cause the Indians to commence hostilities upon the frontiers, or any part thereof. On the contrary, they do believe, that they, and each of themd. have used every endeavor to inculcate in the Indians sentiments friendly to the inhabitants, without any distinction.
It is greatly to be regretted that our fellow-colonists, individually, are not so well supplied with ammunition as would be adequate to their private convenience. But is not the situation of public affairs, which renders it absolutely necessary to guide the channels through which ammunition is brought to the Colony into the public magazines, before any part of them can be permitted to reach the public, individually, also to be lamented ? Ought not -- nay, this unhappy situation of public affairs does justify the filling the public magazines, thereby securing the welfare, and forming the defence of the State, at the risk of the convenience or safety of individuals. And if, out of the public stock, a quantity of ammunition is given to the Indians, which may be sufficient to keep them quiet, by, in some degree, supplying their urgent occasions, yet, not sufficient to enable them to make war, ought our people-nay. they cannot have any reasonable ground, to arraign that policy by which they are and may be preserved from savage hos- tility ; or to complain, that because the whole Colony, the public and individuals, cannot be supplied with ammunition, therefore a small quantity ought not to be sent to the Indians. Men should reflect, that this small quantity is given, in order to render it unnecessary to supply the public, individually, on the score of a defence against Indians ; a service that would consume very large quantities of an article that ex- perience teaches will be diminished when individually distributed. Men should also reflect, that while the public magazines are well stored, supplies can be instantly, plentifully, and regularly poured upon those parts where the public service may require them. And the public are hereby informed, that although, when the present disturbances begon, there were not in the Colony more than five hundred pounds weight of public powder, yet, by the vigilance of the late Council of Safety, the public stock has been so much increased, as to induce the present Con- gress, to make an allotment of five thousand pounds weight for the defence of the interior parts of the Colony, besides several considerable quantities already disposed of on that service.
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