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 22
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Men ought likewise to take into their consideration, that as the Coun- cil of Safety, by various, and a multitude of means, procure constant, speedy, and authentic information of the state of all parts of the
21-4
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
Colony. and of the Indians, so. by being much better informed upon those points than the public individually, therefore, the Council are the most competent judges where ammunition ought to be sent ; whether a small quantity to the Indians, with a view and probability of keeping them quiet, or a large quantity to the inhabitants necessarily to arm them against the Indians.
Common sense and common honesty dictate, that if there is a pro- bubility, that by a present of a small quantity of ammunition the Indians can be kept in peace. that present ought not to be withheld at the hazard of inducing an Indian war, thereby of expending not only a much larger quantity of ammunition, but of involving the Colony in an immense expense, breaking up whole settlements. and unnecessarily sacrificing a number of lives.
WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, President.
AGREEMENT FOR A CESSATION OF ARMS BETWEEN MAJ. JOSEPH RODINSON, COMMANDER OF A BODY OF HIS MAJESTY'S MILITIA NOW UNDER ARMS FOR HIMSELF AND THE TROOPS UNDER HIS COMMAND, OF THE ONE PART: AND MAJOR ANDREW WILLIAM- SON AND MAJOR JAMES MAYSON, COMMANDERS OF THE FORT AT NINETY-SIX FOR THEMSELVES AND THE TROOPS THEREIN UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Original MS.]
Ist. That hostilities shall immediately cease on both sides.
2nd. That Major Williamson and Major Mayson shall march their men out of the Fort and deliver up their swivels.
3d. That the Fort shall be destroyed flat without damaging the houses therein, under the inspection of Capt. Patrick Cunningham and John Bowie, Esq., and the well filled up
4th. That the differences between the people of this District and others disagreeing about the present public measures shall be submitted to his Excellency, our Governor, and the Council of Safety, and for that purpose that each party shall send dispatches to their superiors-that the dispatches shall be sent unsealed and the messenger of each party shall pass unmolested.
5th. That Major Robinson shall withdraw his men over Saluda, and there keep them embodied or disperse them as he pleaseth until Lis Ex- selleney's orders be known.
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
6th. That no person of either party shall in the meantime be molested by the other party either in going home or otherwise.
Tth. Should any reinforcements arrive to Major Williamson or Major Mayson, they also shall be bound by this cessation.
Sth. That twenty days be allowed for the return of the messengers.
9th. That all prisoners taken by either party since the second day of this instant shall be immediately set at liberty.
In witness whereof the parties to these articles have set their hands and seals at Ninety-six this twenty-second day of November, one thou- sand seven hundred and seventy-five, and in the sixteenth year of his Majesty's reign.
JOSEPH ROBINSON. A. WM.SON. JAMES MAYSON.
Present.
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM.
RICHARD PEARIS. ANDREW PICKENS. JOHN BOWIE.
MAJOR MAYSON TO COL. THOMSON.
[Original MS.]
NINETY-SIX, November 24th, 1775.
I now enclose you a copy of the cessation of arms agreed upon by Major Williamson and myself the day before yesterday, by which you will be able to judge of the terms we are to abide by on both sides. The persons chosen to represent the matter before the Provincial Con- gress are, Major Williamson, John Bowie, and myself, on the behalf of the associators for this Province; and Major Robinson, Captains Cun- ningham and Bowman, on behalf of the King. We who are appointed, are to meet here on Monday next, the 27th inst., in order to proceed to town to settle this disagreeable business. I shall now give you a small narrative of our battle. Ou Saturday last, about 4 o'clock in the after- noon, we received intelligence that all the people assembled in arms over Saluda river, bad marched over, and encamped about four and a half miles from our- camps, in number about two thousand. We had, at most, not more than five hundred men. At first consultation with Major Williamson, we agreed to march and meet the opposite party and
------
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
give them battle ; but, upon consideration, we thought it most prudent to march all our men to Col. Savages' old field, near Ninety-six. as our numbers were small, compared with the other party, and to fortify the same with the rails thereabouts. We arrived there about day break. and in about two hours a square of one hundred and eighty-five yards, was fortified in such a manner as to keep off the enemy; but before three days had expired, our men began to be outrageous for want of bread and water, and we had not above sixteen pounds of cunpowder left. On Tuesday last, in the afternoon, the enemy held out a flag of truce and sent into our fort a messenger with a letter from Major Robinson to myself, which was the first beginning of this treaty. We have only one man dead since this battle, and eleven wounded ; some will be mortal by the doctor's opinion. The enemy say they had but one man dead, who is a Capt. Luper, and about the same number wounded as ours ; by the best information they have buried at least twenty-seren men, and have as many wounded. I am certain I saw three fall at the first fire from our side. The swivels are to be delivered up this evening to us, although inserted in the articles of cessation as given by us up, as agreed to by the head men of the other party.
JAS. MAYSON.
MAJ. WILLIAMSON TO MR. DRAYTON, GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE SIEGE, ACTION, AND TREATY AT NINETY-SIX.
[Original MS.]
WHITE HALL, Nov. 25, 1775.
To the Honorable William Henry Drayton, Esq ..
SIR :-- Your letter by order of Congress dated the 9th inst., I received on the 14th, by the Express, and am happy to find my past conduct met the approbation of your Honor and the Congress. It shall always be my study to discharge my duty and the trust reposed in me by that respectable body. Before I received your letter I had reinforced Fort Charlotte with fifty-two militia and supplied them with provisions, and have since given orders for their continuing there one month longer; I have also furnished Captain Caldwell with iron for the carriages to mount the guns.
I should have had the Honor of transmitting you an account of my situation before now, but could obtain no certain intelligence from the
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
opposite party, until the seventeenth instant in the night (norwithstand- ing I had used all possible endeavors and some expense to obtain some knowledge of their strength and designs) when I learned their numbers amounted to at least fifteen hundred men, and understood that it was chiefly owing to an affidavit made by Capt. Richard Pearis, that so many men were embodied-a copy whereof I now inclose you, as also a copy of the oaths they imposed on those who happened to fall into their hands, all of whom they disarmed except such as were willing to join their party.
On the eighteenth, in the evening, I received certain information that they were crossing Saluda river on their March towards us, and then was joined by Maj. Mayson, with thirty-seven rangers. I immediately ordered the men under arms, and took the resolution of marching to meet them, and demanding their intentions, and if they were determined to come to action to be ready before them, and on acquainting the offi- cers and men thereof, found them all cheerful and willing to proceed, but afterwards reflecting on the fatal consequences should we have been defeated, proposed in a Council of War, consisting of Maj. Mayson and all the Captains, to march from the camp near Ninety-six into the cleared ground of Col. Savage's plantation, where we could use our artillery with advantage, and there fortify our camp till we should re- ceive more certain information of their strength (being in immediate expectation of being joined by Col. Thompson and the rangers at least, and also some men from the lower part of this regiment and Augusta,) which was unanimously approved of, and early next morning we marched to Ninety-Six with all our provision and baggage, and in about three hours erected a kind of fortification of old fence rails joined to a barn and some out houses, which before we had quite completed they had surrounded us with a large body of men with drums and colors. I then sent out an officer to demand their intention, who, on his return reported that Major Robinson and Mr. Patrick Cunningham refused to have any conference but with the commanding officers. I then sent out Major Mayson and Mr. Bowie, whom they and Mr. Evan McLaurin met between their men and the fort in sight of both, and after about fifteen minutes conference they returned, and reported that they insisted on our immediately delivering up our arms to them and dispersing; which were the only terms they were determined to grant us. and that at part- ing they told them to keep our people within the fort, which was the only place where they could be safe ; and immediately they took two of our people just by the fort, before my face, whom I gave orders to re- take, and a warm engagement ensued, which continued with very little
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
intermission from three o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday. until Tues- day sunset, when they hung out a white flag from the jail, and called to us that they wanted to speak to the commanding officers. I replied, if they wanted to send an officer or any message they should be safe. On which they sent a messenger carrying a lighted candle and a letter from Major Robinson directed to Col. Mayson, demanding of us as before, to deliver up our arms and disperse, giving us one hour's time to return an answer ; to which Major Mayson and myself jointly answered that.we were determined never to resign our arms, and in about two hours, Mr. Bowie, who carried our answer returned with a letter making the same demand, and with him Patrick Cunningham, whom I met about fifty yards from the gate, where we conversed for sometime, and then he came with us into the fort, where, after some time, we agreed to have a con- ference on the morrow, at eight o'clock. Accordingly, on Wednesday morning Maj. Mayson. Capt. Pickens, Mr. Bowie and myself met with Major Robinson, Messrs. Patrick Cunningham, Evan McLaurin and Richard Pearis, and agreed to the cessation of hostilities now inclosed you, which was lucky for us, as we had not above thirty pounds of pow- der, except what little the men had in their horns; but no scarcity appeared, as no person knew our stock but one gentleman and myself. We had thirty-eight barrels of flour with four live beeres in the fort, and got very good water the third day, after digging upwards of forty feet, so that if we had had a sufficiency of powder we could have stood a siege for a considerable time. It will appear to your Honor by the articles that we gave up the swivels ; but that was not intended either by them or us, for after the articles were agreed on and were ready for signing, their people to the number of between three and four hundred surrounded the house where we were and swore if the swivels were not given up they would abide by no articles, on which the gentlemen of the opposite party declared upon their honor that if we would suffer it to be so inserted in the agreement they would return them, which they have done and I have this day sent them to Fort Charlotte.
I am sorry to acquaint your Honor that some small difference arose between Major Mayson and me about the command of the militia, but flatter myself the service has not suffered thereby. To prevent any bad consequences I agreed that if he would come to Camp I would receive orders from him for the militia and volunteers, and give them myself until a gentleman should arrive who would command us both, but when I received your letter with orders from the Congress, I thought myself no longer bound by that agreement, especially when he told me he was ordered to attend the Congress; I beg to be understood that I don't
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wish for command. but would willingly be of any service to my country that I possibly could.
I am obliged in justice to the officers and men on this expedition to. declare that their behavior greatly exceeded the most sanguine expecta- tion. They did uot during, a siege of near three days, without water, either murmur or complain, and cheerfully stood at their posts during three nights without any fire, nor was there any symptoms of fear to be seen among them. Our loss was very small, owing chiefly to blinds of fence rails and straw with some boeves' hides, &c., erected in the night behind the men who would otherwise have been exposed to the fire of the enemy. We had only thirteen men wounded, Que of whom is since dead, most of the rest very slightly. The loss of the opposite party is said to be considerable.
I have the honor to be, sir, your Honor's most obedient, and very humble servant, A. WM.SON.
COL. RICHARDSON TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MS.]
CAMP NEAR CONGAREES, Nov. 27th, 1775,
SIR :- I arrived at this place last night, and take the earliest moment I can spare to write you this, as I have been very busy in getting the men's wagons, &c., over the river, which I shall scarcely complete to- morrow. The route I intended to have taken was very different from the one I at first anticipated; as when I heard of the fort at Ninety- Six being besieged, I altered my march, in order to make what speed I could to relieve them ; but they had concluded articles too soon, for a possibility of my reaching them. Perhaps it may be said in Congress, why did not Col. Thomson go and relieve them? I answer, he could not, was not able, nor had timely notice if he had been. We have yet received no accounts from there but what I herewith enclose a copy of, together with a letter from Mr. MeLaurin, which was sent to-day to Col. Thomson.
Col. Neel and Col. Thomas have not yet joined us. I addressed Col. Polk respecting his volunteer minute men and have received no answer; but all our distances are far, and time precious. I cannot
-
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
a certain the number of my men, as I have not, from the bustle, been able to obtain regular returns, and which, I believe, at this time, amount to about one thousand, with daily additions, and soon expect as many more, if they can fortunately join, which I hope may answer every purpose. Though we hear the opposers are very numerous and violent and desperate, yet hope in a little time to give you a more full account of our army and our opposers, who are now much elated and carry a high hand. But though much, very much, depends upon this campaign, do not be under too great apprehension for the event. If God is for us, we have nothing to fear. I might tell a thousand hear- says, but nothing of moment to depend on. I am ready to receive any orders, and execute any commands that may redound to the peace and tranquility of my country, that I may be favored with in return, by the bearer, which please dispatch without loss of time.
With profound respect,
I am, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, RICH'D. RICHARDSON.
P. S. I mean one thousand militia ; expect more soon, &c.
P. S. After I wrote and sealed, about 12 o'clock last night we were alarmed by some of our rangers, which we had sent light to discover where Col. Thomas was, who, I heard, was on his way, in a dangerous part ; they came to him about 22 miles from us, who had three pri- soners. Lient. Boykin, who commanded that light detachment of rangers, reported that Col. Thomas had stopped about dark to take a mouthful and refresh, intending then to drive on while he (Boykin). was there. Col. Thomas received a letter, informing him that Maj. Robinson was pursuing him with a thousand men, and would be cut off before he crossed the river. I immediately detached a party of rangers, - volunteers and militia, sufficient I hope to sustain him. This evening have not yet heard; think, if proper instructions be given to look sharp for Robinson in his way to town. It would be a great matter to get him without his putting himself in your power; a good watch at Dorchester, and other proper places may secure bim, for, I think, it will be his only refuge soon. I just heard from Col. Neal, not above twenty-five miles off. Do not let the expenses of this expedition be thought of; the state of our country just now require it, great as it may be. I am really ashamed of this serawl, but courtesy is not to be expected here, where a man must have the eyes of Argus, and as many ears as eyes. I am, with obedience,
Yours, as before,
R. R.
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Col. Thomas took Capt. Mayfield and two more, whom Lieut. Boykin brought in from him last night. I just received account that Col. Polk is on his march, and will soon join us. &c. I fear we shall be put to great inconvenience in getting the cannon from Fort Charlotte, should we want them, and powder we shall surely want, and perhaps soon, though we are too sparing.
A REPORT OF THE MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS ON DUTY IN THE FORTIFIED CAMP AT NINETY-SIX ON SUNDAY THE NINETEENTH NOVEMBER. 1775, UNDER THE COMMAND OF MAJOR ANDREW WILLIAMSON, BY ORDER OF THE HONORABLE THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
[Original MS.]
No. of Companies.
Natnes of the Commandiog Utticers of the several Companies.
No: of Officers.
No. of No. of Sergits. ! Privates.
Total.
1
George Reed.
1
21 0
22
25
2
Andrew Pickens,
3
35
40
Aaron Smith,
3
12
17
5
Andrew Hamilton,
3
2
18
23
6
Thomas Langdon
2
1
9
12
8
Matthew Beraud,
3
0
10
13
9
Charles Williams,
2
8
11
10
Francis Logan ..
1
15
18
11
Alexander Noble,
2
0
2
4
12
John Anderson,.
2
1
8
11
13
James Williams,
ยท)
25
30
15
John Rodgers
15
20
16
Jacob Colson,
1
15
18
17
Hugh Middleton,
1
0
2
3
18
Francis Singuefeld
2
0
15
17
19
James McCall,
3
3
48
54
20
David Hunter
2
2
15
19
21
John Erwin ..
3
21
26
22
Robert Anderson
2
1
15
15
23
Nathaniel Abney
3
2
18
23
24
William Wilson,
2
1
13
16
25
Jos. Hamilton's Artillery,
1
0
16
17
Total,
55
36
432
523*
1
2
29
34
Benjamin Tutt,
3
Adam C. Jones,
2
22
26
14
Robert McCreery
24
28
2
* It is supposed that Maj. Maysun and his thirty- seven rangers ought to be added to this return.
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
COL. THOMSON TO MR. LAURENS.
[Original MS.]
CAMP, CONGAREE, Nov. 28th, 1775.
HONORED SIR :- You will see by the enclosed that our party and the opposite have had an engagement, and came to a cessation of arms on the 22d ; and you will perceive how dilatory they were, in giving us information of it. The moment I received it from above, I acquainted Col. Richardson with the same, who was then about eight miles distant from us, and joined me about four hours after. We immediately sum- moned our officers and held a consultation on the following propositions :
Ist " Whether according to our orders in the present situation. the cessation of arms stipulated between Col. Mayson, Major Williamson, and Mr. Bowie on our side, and Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Robinson and others, on the part of the others. have any weight upon our operations. Carried in the negative.
2d. " As we have been informed of a kind of cessation of arms between the contending parties, if it be not necessary to acquaint the Congress therewith and ask their advice. Affirmative.
Brd. " As we have heard that troops were, or are now, assembled, near Augusta, at the Cherokee Ponds, whether it may not be necessary for them to be desired to advance and meet us at some convenient place appointed, and a letter dispatched for that purpose. Affirmative.
4th. "Which may be the most necessary route to order our march, and the destination of the wagons now on the other side of the river.
5th. " Whether if they can be come at. it may not be prudent to take Cunningham, Robinson, and Pearis, in custody, though they are the persons acceding to the cessation of arms at Ninety-Six, and the best method to be pursued for that end."
By order of Colonel Richardson. I marched with my regiment of rangers on Monday last, with about one hundred of the draughted militia to this place. Col. Richardson gave orders for draughting two hundred men, which orders I directed the officers of my militia to dis- tribute, but was unfortunate enough to raise but about one hundred, and those collected from three companies in my own neighborhood. When the Sergeants warned the draughted people about Orangeburgh and the Congarees, they seemed very insolent, asked which camps they were to join, and, in fact. did as much as to declare themselves King's men, as they term it. The same dissatisfaction seems to have reigned
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
amongst a part of. Col. Richardson's people. But I am persuaded, after all their murmurings, we shall have a sufficient number of men to van- quish all the disaffected people in South Carolina, and I hope Col. Richardsou will have orders so to do before we break up. As I have heard several of the officers and men declare, that they would never take up artis again, unless the militia who have been draughted and do not appear, are made to suffer by fine or otherwise, and they have the liberty to subdue the enemies of America, as they observe that those who are not for America, are undoubtedly against it. Such discourses we hear spreading through our camps, and I have reason to believe is their determination.
We have had great uneasiness amongst them, when the news arrived of the cessation of arms, and we have no other means of appeasing their disturbed minds, but by signifying that the cessation of arnis was not binding on us, and so forth.
I have some reason to believe that the late mob has privately mur- dered people in the woods who had been our associates. I imagine we shall march from here to-morrow. to the Forks betwixt Broad and Saluda rivers. If any part of this you think will prove of service to the country, I beg you would show it to the Congress ; such other parts of it, beg you would treat as from your friend.
I am, honored sir,
Your very humble servant, WM. THOMSON.
P. S. I believe part of the disaffection among the people at Orange- burgh, proceeded part from cowardice, and part from the speeches of disappointed gentlemen in our parish. But I hope to have the liberty of putting the militia law in force against the defaulters, and that I shall see their expectations frustrated.
COL. RICHARDSON TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Origina! M3.]
CAMP NEAR CONGAREES, Nov. 30, 1775.
SIR :- By Maj. Mayson, just setting out for Charlestown, I take the liberty of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 25th, by Livat. Charleton, and am extremely happy in the intelligence it contains. The additional numbers from Colonels Powel's and Rothmoler's, as well as Colonel Bull's, may, I think, bo numbers we shall have no occasion for.
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We have now, at least one thousand men, and are still increasing, and. intend entering the Fork of Broad and Saluda rivers this day. I am really at a loss how to proceed, as I do expect they will couch under their cessation, which we in Council of War have voted not to affect us. Pray, if possible, send some more ammunition, the only thing I have yet asked ; money may be wanted, but you will honor our orders. I have only to say I think we have little to fear from the opposers of our peace. In haste, I have the honor to be, sir,
your most obedient humble servant,
RICH'D. RICHARDSON.
LORD WM. CAMPBELL'S CERTIFICATE CONCERNING CAPT. FLOYD.
[Original MS.]
ON BOARD HIS MAJESTY'S ARMED SHIP CHEROKEE, Rebellion Roads, S. C., Dec. 7th, 1775.
To all whom it may concern :
I do hereby certify, that at the desire of His Excellency Lord Wil- liam Campbell, I detained the bearer hereof, Mr. Floyd, two nights, on board His Majesty's ship Cherokee, under my command, as the circum- stance of his coming on board with the messenger of the Council of Safety, made it highly suspicious that he did not come with any mes- sage from His Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects in the back part of this Province.
JNO. FERGUSSON.
DECLARATION BY COL. RICHARDSON TO INSURGENTS UNDER CUN- NINGHAM.
[Original M3.]
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, on the third day of November last past, Patrick Cunning- ham, Henry O'Neal, Hugh Brown, David Russe, Nathaniel Howard, Henry Green, and sundry other persons, did, in Ninety-six District raise a dangerous insurrection and commotion, and did, near Mine Creek, in said District, feloniously take and carry away a quantity of ammuni-
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
tion. the property of the public, and in contempt of public authority, and did also, with further aid, and by force of arms, on the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first days of said month of November at Ninety- Six, in the District aforesaid, attack, besiege, kill and wound a number of the good people of this Colony, and in manifest violation of peace and good order, and breach of a solemn treaty entered into on the eighteenth day of September last, made and concluded between the Honorable William Henry Drayton, on the one part, and Col. Thomas Fletchall and others, on the other part, thereby becoming guilty of the atrocious crimes of robbery, murder. and breach of treaty of peace. To satisfy public justice in the just punishment of all which crimes and offences, as far as the nature of the same will admit, I am now come into these. parts, in the name and behalf of the Colonies to demand of the inhabit- ants, the delivery up of the bodies of all the principal offenders herein, together with the said ammunition and full restitution for the ravages committed, and also the arms and ammunition of all the aiders and abet- tors of those robbers, murderers, and disturbers of the peace and good order as aforesaid ; and, in case of refusal or neglect, for the space of five days, I shall be under a necessity of taking such steps as will be found disagreeable, but which I shall certainly put in execution for the public good.
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