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 26
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The particular accounts are as under, viz :
To Cash advanced Captain Will as per receipt,. ... £12 00 00 To Cash advanced Captain Sherman at several times as per
receipt, 33 00 00
Amount,
£42 00 00
259
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Amount brought forward £42 00 00 To Levi Sheftal, Butcher's bill, 12 15 74
To Adrian Loyer, for five guns for the sailors,. 6 5 00 To John Bowles, tavern-keeper, ( bills attosted.). 101 19 3 To Capt. Manson for four indented servants enlisted by Will,
the indentures shall be procured and sent up as soon
as Captain Manson comes to town,. 40 00 00
Total, £205 19 103
Enclosed you have copies of the above accounts. Exclusive of these, Sherman tells me has had about £40 of Mordecai Sheftal, and for which I suppose he will draw on you.
I have this day drawn an order ou you in favor of the Honorable Arch'd. Balloch, Esq., for one hundred and fifty pounds your currency.
I am sorry to inform you that we are at present a little unhappy in our C -- ss, owing to the ambitious views of some of our leading peo- ple. I think this Province is remarkable for a number of parties, and I am afraid we shall find it too true that a house divided against itself can never stand-this is entre nous. Our Battalion is to be raised- the field officers are Lach. MeIntosh, Sam'l. Elbert and your humble .serrant. The Captains and subaltern officers are by no means the men we would wish; however, as Gwinnet who was choson Colonel gave up the command, we were obliged to compromise-some of our domestics went on board the men-of-war; however, Thornbrough, sent up and informed us we might have them again on sending for them, this I believe proceeds from their want of provisions, as I am told those they brought from your Province are in a starving condition on Tybee and Coxspur, and upon the whole they appear to be heartily tired of their Company. I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
JOS. HABERSHAM.
P. S .- Sherman tells me he has twenty-five or twenty-six men to carry round.
RECRUITING ARTICLES OF THE SHIP PROSPER, COMMANDED BY WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON.
¿From the Original Articles.]
SOUTH CAROLINA.
We who have hereunto voluntarily subscribed our names, do hereby, severally and respectively, each for himself, engage, agree, and swear to
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
be true to the Associated American Colonies in general, and to the people of South Carolina in particular, and to serve them honestly and faithfully, in defence of their just rights and liberties, on board the Prosper ship-of-war, of South Carolina aforesaid, and to observe and obey all the orders of the Provincial Congress, or Council of Safety, for the time being, and the orders of the officers set over us, by them, or either of them, or public authority thence derived, for and in consid- eration of the following monthly wages opposite our respective names- that is to say :
Meu's Names.
Wages.
Stations.
When Shipped.
James Spencer,
Seaman Prom. Gunner's Mate. Dec. 21, 1775.
Rob't. Mungomery,
£21. Seaman,
Dec. 19, 1775.
John Swan,.
€21. eaman,
:Dec. 21, 1775.
Felix Maginniss
£21. Seaman,
Dec. 28, 1775.
John Laws.
£21. Beaman,
Dec. 23, 1775.
Chas. Hamilton,
£21. Seaman,
Dec. 28, 1775.
Will'm. Short,
£21. Seaman
Dec. 28, 1775.
Thos. Bradley,
£21. Seaman,.
Dec. 23, 1775.
Benj. Hudson,
£21. Seaman, ...
Dec. 25, 1775.
Will'm. Jenkins,.
Carpenter's Mate,
Dec. 23, 1775.
FORM OF ENLISTMENT.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Know all men, That I have entered, and I do hereby certify that I have voluntarily entered into the navy of the Colony aforesaid, on board the ship Prosper ; and I do hereby engage to be true and faithful in the said service, until I shall be discharged by public authority; and also to be bound by, and to obey, all and every rule, resolve, order, and regulation made, or to be made, by the Congress or the Council of Safety, or the naval officers under their authority. And I do hereby acknowledge the receipt of
Witness my hand this
MR. LAURENS TO COL. DRAYTON.
[Original MS.]
CHARLES TOWN, Feb. 26th, 1776
To Honorable Col. Drayton.
SIR :- As you intimated that you could conveniently assist the smaller . armed vessels, with forty good men from on board the ship Prosper ;
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
and as we judge it to be very necessary for the public service immedi- ately to equip these vessels for cruizing on the coast, we desire you will order thirty such men on board the brig Comet, to obey the orders of Capt Turpin and his officers; and ten on board the schooner Defence. to obey the orders of Capt. Tuft and his officers.
By order of the Council of Safety.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
A GENERAL RETURN OF THE DIFFERENT DETACHMENTS AT PUR- RYSBURGH, MARCH 10TH, 1776.
[Original MS.]
Names of Companies.
Captains.
Leuten'ts.
Surgeons.
Sergeants.
Corporals.
Drums.
Privates.
Charles Town Volunteers
11
1
1
1
33
Charles Town Rangers,
3
3
29
· Charles Town Light Infantry, Charles Town Fusiliers,
2
3
14
2
25
Beaufort Light Infantry,
1
2
1
16
St. Helena Volunteers,
1
1
2
30
Euhaw Volunteers,.
1
1
1
31
Huspa Volunteers,
1
2
1
17
Light Horse, including Officers,.
1
1
1
27
Total, ..
15 |3
|18
10
14
On duty at Savannah, under Maj. Bourquin, 113
On duty at Ebenezer, guarding powder and the records of Georgia, ... 40
Privates,
375
Officers, Sergeants, &c.,. 67
Total, on duty in the service of Georgia,
119
-
SIR :- Above is a statement of the troops under my command in the service of Georgia, the light horse have already taken part in that Province, where I purpose landing, by recommendation of Col. MeIn- tosh. I should have embarked sooner. but the different detachments dropped in so irregularly, particularly the Fusiliers and Light Infantry, who only arrived at two o'clock this afternoon, and then too much
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
fatigued to proceed, but shall embrace to-morrow morning early on board of a sufficient number of proper boats that I had provided. and mounted swivel guns on them. By the latest accounts Savannah is safe and no troops landed.
Inclosed is a copy of my orders, to which I refer you. On my arrival at Savannah I shall write you fully ; in the interim
I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, STEPH'N. BULL.
GENERAL ORDERS BY COL. STEPHEN BULL.
¡Original MIS.]
PURRYSBURGH, March 9, 1776.
Order, The Troops are to embark this day in different boats now at the landing, on board of which the commanding officers of each detach- ment are to have their baggage put.
Order, The detachments are to take post in the line of march as fol- lows : the Charlestown Light Infantry to take the right; the Charles- town Volunteers on their left ; the Charlestown Fusiliers on their left : and the Charlestown rangers on their left. The Beaufort Light Intan- try take post on the left of the line; the St. Helena Company on their right ; the Huspa Volunteers on the right, and Euhaw Volunteers on their right ; the officers of line not to take post according to seniority. but to act and command their own detachments.
Order, The officers and men of the Charlestown Light Infantry with Sergeant Black, and the Beaufort Artillery men or matrosses to embark in the decked armed boat as an advanced quard to the line, who are to keep about one hundred and fifty yards before the line, and then the line follows.
Order, That a Sergeant and thirteen men of the Euhaw Volunteers form the rear guard, and follow in the rear of the line.
Order, The guns of the advanced and rear guards are to be loaded before embarkation with running ball; the swivel guns on board the boats to be loaded and charged with cannister or grape shot. The lint- stocks, wads, and every thing necessary to be on board.
Order, That an officer of each detachment before embarkation do examine and see that the cartridges are not too deep in the boxes, but that the caps may be so far out, as to be readily taken out, in time
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
of action. Should the cartouch boxes be too deep for the cartridges, then in that case let there be a wad of moss put to the bottom of each so as to raise them to a proper height ; the officers to see that the cartridges are so fitted that they will readily go down the barrels of the guns even after many firings.
Order. That the officers do instruct their men how properly to charge with cartridge : that is after uncapping. to let the whole of the powder, run down the barrel, before they ram down the paper and ball ; for by neglecting this and ramming before the powder is out, the paper is apt to stop the touch holes and prevent firing.
Order, That the officers do examine the guns of the line, and that none be loaded but upon apprehension of an attack, and then the first charge be with running ball, for which purpose each man should be provided with moss wadding in his pocket.
Order, That when the line is disembarked and landed in Georgia. the whole line is to form two deep, the right of the line to march fore- most with the advanced guard, about one hundred and fifty yards a head ; the light horse before them about a quarter of a mile, who are to examine every thicket, suspicious place or swamp ner the road. where an ambuscade or armed force may lay concealed-as soon as they dis- cover such suspicious place. the commanding officer of the light horse is to send a non-commissioned officer or intelligent private to give infor- mation to the commanding officer of the line, which is to halt ; when the commanding officer of the light horse has examined and finds there is no enemy in the place suspected, he is to make a report accordingly, upon which the line will march.
Order, That if the advanced guards are attacked they are by no means to retreat, but at all hazards maintain their ground as they may depend on being supported by the line.
Order, The detachments to be told off in platoons in proportion to the number of officers and men.
Order, That no soldier do fire his gun without orders from an officer ; no soldier to quit his rank or platoon without leave of an officer.
Order, That a roster be kept of the officers and men, that each officer and private may take the tour of their different duties.
Order. That Sergeant Black do distribute the cartridges and shot in the different boats that have swivels, in proportion to the number and size of the swivels, and that the eighteen pound shot, spare powder and lead. be properly stowed in the boat, in which the rear of the line do embark, of which the commanding officer of the Beaufort Light Infantry is to take charge.
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
Order, All orders delivered by Capt. Doharty are to be obeyed. he being one appointed by Col. Bull, for that purpose.
Order, That a Sergeant and six men do march as a flanking porty ou the right, and another Sergeant and six men on the left, to march at one hundred yards distance from the line in Indian file, each mau to be about fifty yards distance from each other, and should they discover any enemy they are to fire on them, and to retreat to the line, and give notice that the line may face towards the enemy, and not be attacked to disadvantage. The two Sergeants and their men to be relieved every half hour alternately, by those detachments who have not any men on duty in the advanced and rear guards.
A true copy from the Col.'s Order Book.
THOS. RUTLEDGE, Adjutant.
AFTER ORDERS.
Order, The troops, for sufficient reasons, do not embark this day, but Capt. John Huger of the Volunteers, Lieutenant Fenwicke of the Ran- gers, and Capt. John Jenkins of the St. Helena Volunteers, do order their drums to beat and muster their men on the parade joining the Church; from thence march them to the landing where the Pettiaugers are ; there to embark as many men as they will conveniently hold, in order to judge of the number of boats that will be necessary.
Order, That the General do beat by dawn of day to-morrow-the baggage stowed, and the tents left standing till breakfast is over, and two only to be carried to shelter the guards that be at any out-post.
· A true copy from the Colonel's Order Book.
THOS. RUTLEDGE, Adjutant.
COL. BULL TO MR. LAURENS.
[Original Ms.]
HEAD QUARTERS, SAVANNAH, March 12, 1776.
To Col. Henry Laurens, Esq., President of the Council of Safety in Charlestown:
SIR :- I wrote vou a letter on Saturday last from Purrysburgh, wherein I informed you I should embark for this place next morning at eight o'clock, which I did with the whole of my command, the two last detachments of Light Infantry and Fusileers did not arrive till two
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
o'clock, Saturday afternoon, and then so fatigued that I judged it best to halt till next morning.
I landed at Mr. Kincaid's plantation on Savannah river, about nine miles from hence, and marched in in the evening, where I found all quiet. Their fleet was lessened by four rich vessels belonging to the tory party, being burnt by the other inhabitants; they were opposed by the King's troops, who as soon as fired on quitted their ground and scampered across Hutchinson's Island in so great disorder as to leave two field pieces which was not known till after they were carried off by Mr. John Graham's negroes, employed for that purpose, the King's troops not caring to venture back for them, since which the Cherokee and a transport have worked up the Back river, and several loaded vessels, whose Captains inclined to sail, obtained assistance, and "by throwing over board about two thousand pounds of Rice," did get down, and are, if they have not sailed, at Cockspur ; this circumstance happened the day the Volunteers left Charlestown. Yesterday I had a conference with the Council of Safety, but came to no determination but that I should mount guard in the town and hamlets adjacent, and began the duty yesterday with the Beaufort Light Infantry and the Huspa Vol- unteers, who were relieved this morning by the Charleston Volunteers.
I have just been waited on by one of the Council of Safety, acquaint- ing me they were to set this forenoon ; they yesterday told me they had sent an express for Col. McIntosh, who will probably be here to-morrow, and on conferring with him, if any thing material occurs shall immedi- ately send an Express to you.
The following is a list of the vessels which are at present in the Harbor : Two ships-Unity, Wardell, about 700 lbs. Rice.
Georgia Packet, Inglis, 500 lbs. Rice.
Five brigs-Amity, Ash, Live Oak.
Rebecca Rutherford, with Lumber.
Yorick, Steel, Ballast. Beaufort, Wood, Ballast. Fair Lady, Robertson, 30 hhds. Tobacco.
Schooner-Race Horse, Buret, Ballast,
and two Sloops ; one very stout, and has already twelve port holes.
When I meet the Council of Safety I shall press the matter of strip- ing the vessels in port; in the meantime my guards have an eye on them. I am so quartered with a parade before the doors that I can in a few minutes turn out the troops and form them between the front of the bay and the shipping, either to attack or defend, as the service may require.
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
Nine of Mr. Arthur Middleton's negroes, and some others, the whole in number about twenty-five, have gone on board the man-of-war.
There are in this town at present one hundred Creek and Fuchee Indians, about seventy men, who are now employed in the service of the Province, the rest women and children.
America has here many hearty, spirited friends, but there are a great many tories, which in my opinion rendors it necessary that at least two hundred militia should continue quartered here, which may be collected from the Southern Regiments, in our Province, until the Continental Regiment have enlisted that number; at present they have but fifty.
Our troops are all in good health, und fare very well.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble servi .. STEPH'N. BULL.
COL. BULL TO MR. LAURENS.
[Original MS.]
HEAD QUARTERS SAVANNAH, March 13, 1776.
To Col. Henry Laurens, President of the Council of Safety in Charles Toun.
SIR :- I wrote you yesterday, by Col. Wells, two letters, one of which contained an Indian talk. Some of the head men knowing who I am, were glad to see me, and conversed with me on the present unhappy dispute. I met them at Mr. Jonathan Bryan's, attended by one Gray, a favorite linguist of theirs. They made great profession of friendship for the people of Carolina, took me by the hand and wished that they and the Carolinians might always hold fast to each other, and so forth. I believe them sincere in their profession, and doubt not a very good use may be made of them, if properly attended to.
In my last I mentioned to you, that nine of Mr. Arthur Middleton's negroes were gone on board the man-of-war, but .am sorry to acquaint you, that I am well informed between forty and fifty of his have really deserted. and above one hundred and fifty more, the property of others, who are now on Tybee Island.
There was a full board at the Council of Safety this day, where I attended, and pressed the matter touching the shipping and cargoes now in the harbor, and wished that they, themselves, would do the needful. as it was in their own Province. I told them if they were apprehen-
267
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
sive of being opposed by the tory or any other party, I would, with the mien under my command, support them. They are divided in their opinions how to dispose of them : some for sending them up the river, others for keeping theni where they are, and depriving them of their sails. However. you may rest assured I shall not leave this Province until I see this matter adjusted to my satisfaction, of which I have not now the least doubt from the present disposition of some of the Council of Safety, though I have been told that my coming here, with the command I brought with me. has done the cause great service.
It is absolutely necessary to stop the correspondence carried on between the tories in the two Provinces. This you will receive by a negro belonging to Mr. Deas's estate, hired by Mr. Alex. Inglis to Philip Wills, to ride post in the Continental service; and as few would suspect that the Continental riders would carry tory letters, it will be a safe conveyance ; and as it is highly probable such may be in the mail, or secreted in the fellow's own pockets. I shall, for your guide. furnish you with a list of such letters as he may have in charge, that you may have it in your power to demand a sight of such as you may think necessary, from the persons to whom directed; the bearer is to call at Joseph Town, where, it is highly probable, he may receive dispatches from Mr. John Graham and Mr. John Inglis, who, it is well known, are disaffected, and, it is said here, they are frequently on board the men-of-war. Certain it is, the former has been there within these few days.
I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, STEPH'N. BULL.
P. S. Mr. Wills tells me that he has sealed up all the letters, and directed them to your Deputy Secretary, Mr Bouneatheau.
-
COL. BULL TO MR. LAURENS.
[Original MS.]
To Col. Henry Laurens, President of the Council of Safety in Charles Town.
HEAD QUARTERS SAVANNAK, March 14th, 1776.
SIR :- I last night wrote you a letter, which you will receive by this same opportunity. I had forgotten to acquaint you, in the letter I wrote by Col. Wills, that the troops that are here are two hundred, who were
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
brought from St. Augustine. in the man-of-war schooner St. John, and when she came from thence left two hundred more there ; and yester- day I was informed, by the Council of Safety, that a Capt. Carney in the Continental battalion here, has enlisted forty-eight out of those two hundred, and now has them at his plantation, about fifty miles from this place; and the men enlisted say all the rest would gladly desert, but they are afraid to trust each other. If this comes to be known at Cockspur, I imagine, they will decline making another attempt to take post at this town, as they were made to believe they would not meet any opposition here. But as they are now fully convinced that their friends and our enemies were mistaken, perhaps they may return to St. Augustine to secure that post, lest more of their men should desert, though some more troops are still expected there.
It is said, and generally credited, that a gentleman in this Province has received a letter from Mr. Forbes, a clergyman at St. Augustine, who just received one from a brother of his (of a very late date), in- forming him that a French and Spanish fleet, and upwards of twenty thousand troops had laid siege to Port Royal, in Jamaica; the fleet can- nonaded the fortifications eight-and-forty hours before the town sur- rendered. A vessel arrived at Sunbury, from the Indies, bringing the same accounts; if true, then, our business is done, and we shall soon have peace.
This in my own hand. If the Congress is still setting, no doubt my letters will be read in Congress, if so, I hope the Council will think as I do; that is, not to bave this last paragraph read to so large a number of people, but to be known only to the Council, for no one does, at least ought not to know, anything of the following matter, but the members of the Council of Safety of this Province and myself. The matter is this : It is far better for the public and the owners, if the deserted negroes on Tybee Island, who are on Tybee Island, be shot, if they cannot be taken, if the public is obliged to pay for them; for if they are carried away, and converted into money, which is the sinew of war, it will only enable an enemy to fight us with our own money or property.
Therefore, all who cannot be taken, had better be shot by the Creek Indians, as it, perhaps, may deter other negroes from deserting, and will establish a hatred or aversion between the Indians and negroes. Some of the Council of Safety are timid, particularly one Mr. Andrews, from St. John's Parish, Sunbury, who has influence, and through whose means Gov. Wright has been enabled to carry on his plans of late. There are a few others in the same way, but, notwithstanding that, you may
269
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
depend the business shall be done agreeably to the orders of Congress; but it will be best the Council of Safety here should give the orders, at least, if they have not men of their own to do the business. I am told my coming here. with my command and orders from our Congress, had great good effect.
I have just this moment had proper and certain assurance, that a good leader and party of the Creek Indians are willing and desirous of going to take the runaway negroes upon Tybee Island. if I choose it; but as I have no authority from you to send the Indians on such an errand. I must decline it, but still think the Council of Safety will do it. The two of that board, who I a few minutes ago had a private interview with. seem to doubt whether they will have a majority from it. But it must be kept a profound secret, lest the negroes should move off, or they should ask for arms, and so lay an ambuscade for the Indians. I have something farther to say on this subject, but defer it until I come to Charles Town.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant, STEPH'N. BULL.
COL. BULL TO COL. LAURENS.
[Original MS.]
HEAD QUARTERS, SAVANNAH, March 15, 1776. To Col. Henry Laurens, President of the Council of Safety in Charles- town :
SIR :-- I wrote you yesterday by the post, in which I told you I should be able to get the matter of the ships settled to my satisfaction, and not many hours after my letter was gone, the Council of Safety sent an order directed to me, as Commander-in-Chief in this Province, desiring I would immediately have the vessels unrigged and their rudders unhung, a work I was determined to do ere I left this place, agreeably to the orders given me by the Congress in Charlestown ; but as our Congress depended in some measure on my conducting matters properly. I had before given it as my opinion in the Council of Safety that it would have a much greater appearance of unanimity in the Colonies, and that Georgia was not so backward as was heretofore suspected. if they would make it an act of their own, and as the tories had yesterday said the Carolinians had taken possession of Savannah, and meant never
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
-
to give it up again, I thought it would bear that complexion, and it struck the Council of Safety in the same light. on which they resolved that Lieut. Col. Stirk, with a party of about forty men of their own militia should do the work, only requesting that I would be ready to support them, if necessary, and I accordingly had a sufficient number of men for that purpose, having now under my command four hundred and forty-two, who would have turned out at a minutes' warning ; yet I did not suffer any of my men to appear with arms or seemingly to know any thing of the matter, but ordered them to keep close to their quarters, which were but a few yards distance from the shipping; however, I have the pleasure of acquainting you. there was no opposition, but an application was made to spare the unhanging of the rudder of the ship Georgia Planter, Inglis, alledging it was so lashed under water that it could not be done. Major Joseph Habersham also applied to have the rudder of his vessel spared, and would have given surety for her not departing the Province, on which the President of the Council of Safety waited on me and mentioned both circumstances ; to the first I replied the rudder might be very soon rendered useless by the help of an axe, cutting it off near the water ; as to Mr. Habersham's vessel I thought they could not with any degree of propriety grunt his request, as it would wear the highest appearance of partiality, and would be absolutely repugnant to their own resolution which was without exception an order for which I was then possessed of; however, the officer and men came down, and I sent Messrs. Black aud Laurens, two ship carpenters, first making them put off their uniform and get common clothing, and mixed with the people to see that the work was properly executed. They are now at work, several vessels are unrigged and the rudders unhung, and by to-morrow night shall have finished the rest I hope.
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