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.2 > Part 18
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never knew that such articles were ever given to troops but in a besieged garrison, where provisions are scarce, and therefore must be stopped. Mutton, real and poultry are not soldiers' food. I also am informed, that the officer who succeeds you in command, when you are absent, gives passes to men to go to Dewees' with articles for trading. You must give a general order to prevent it, and occasional commandants must be notified to take that liberty. Please send me some coffee by the bearer, as I am entirely out. You will let me know any particulars you may learn, for I find I cannot return soon, as we cannot finish here before the 25th ult., which is the time that these who are to go to town are to march, and possibly some few on the line, who never were subject to any command, may give us further trouble. I am with wish- ing you a speedy recovery,
Your obedient servant,
FRANCIS MARION.
GEN. MARION TO COL. P. HORRY.
[Horry MS.]
BURCH'S, June 12, 1782.
DEAR SIR :
Yours of the 10th came to hand the last evening, with the coffee, and shall be obliged to you to send me a few pounds of sugar per bearer. Provisions are so scarce here, that I am obliged to send boats down for rice. You will send by express thirty barrels, from whoever may have it, without regard of public or private property or engagements. If Heriot and Tucker have any by them, it must be taken from them, notwithstanding anything they may say, for without a supply I must move down, which would be of the worse consequence, until I can fully see the treaty properly executed. Mr. Fanning is very busy in recruit- ing men. On Friday next Ganey is to have a meeting of his people, to see who are to go to town, and who stay. I only wait until then, when I shall march over the river and overawe those who may be wavering, or will not give up or go to town. If Major Skelly is landed, I desire he may be parolled in a house where he may be genteelly and politely treated; and you will tell them I should have no objection to parole him to Charlestown, if he would get Lieut. Henry Ravenel parolled within our lines. I am told he is put in the provost; if so, Major
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Skelly will be detained until he is liberated. You will give the Major a flag to Gen. Leslie, to effect that matter, and send his letters, after perusing them; this I wish may be done immediately. Enquire of the captain of the vessel who captured Major Skelly, if he found no letters or papers about him, as he must be charged with some important busi- ness to the Commander in Georgia. Three boats set out this day for the rice; if they can take more than thirty barrels, they must bring them. I beg the rice may be ready by the time they arrive.
I am, dear sir, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS MARION.
N. B .-- Let me know if the man sent to Gov. Martin with my de- spatches has returned.
CAPT. CRAFTON (OF NORTH CAROLINA) TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
CAMP AT CONNER'S DOWDS, June 13, 1782.
SIR :
I have received orders from his Excellency Gov. Martin, to march the State legion and join you at Sent's Bridge, on Drowning Creek, where I expect I shall be by the 16th inst., ready to receive any orders from you, either to act jointly or separately, as you may judge most advisable. The Governor informs me that you are to be at Mar's Bluff, on the 17th inst., which place I have sent the packet directed to you. If any orders or directions would be necessary to alter my route, you will be pleased to order them to meet as soon as possible, as I should wish to be down to the place designed for my destination. The State legion, now under my command at this place, consists of about 270 men, all well armed. I have some powder for the militia that may be ordered to join me. The Governor promised to order lead down from Salisbury by that part of the legion that is to join me from that district, but they have not yet joined. I have about three hundred dozen of cartridges already made up. I shall march from this place to-morrow morning.
I am, sir, with respect, your very humble servant,
BENNET CRAFTON.
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
GOV. MATTHEWS TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
CANE ACRE, June 15, 1782.
SIR :
Your letter of the 9th inst., enclosing the articles of agreement en- tered into with Ganey and his party, came safe to me on the 13th. I took the earliest opportunity of laying them before the Council for their consideration, and, after weighing them with that circumspection which was due to their interesting contents, they have signified their unanimous approbation of the same. They also meet with my most hearty concurrence; and permit me, sir, to express to you the high sense I entertain of the services you have rendered to the State on this important occasion. The measures adopted by you are so well calcu- lated, that they could not fail to produce the favorable issue which has attended them; and I think there is every reason to expect that the advantages to be derived to the State from so happy a termination of this matter, will be still more diffusive than they have yet appeared to be, and will, in a short time, work a total extinction of that spirit of discord which has so unfortunately pervaled this State for some time past. It is necessary I should have the names of the persons who are parties to the agreement, as every man's name must be included in the proclamation of pardon; I should, therefore, be glad you would forward them to me as soon as you can, and, in the meantime, inform them of the reasons for delaying the proclamation, as they might otherwise sus- pect an intention of avoiding it. I have no particular orders to give, but I must earnestly recommend your earliest attention to be paid to the militia of this brigade, who are the most incorrigibly obstinate and perverse beings that I have ever met with, and who are absolutely a disgrace to the State. I am convinced, from repeated experiments I have made of them, that nothing but the most rigid execution of the militia law with regard to them, can ever bring them to a proper sense of their duty. In speaking of the brigade, it is necessary I should inform you that the militia of the islands are by no means to be included in the censure; on the contrary, they merit applause; for, notwithstand- ing their exposed situation, they early submitted, and, whilst the other parts of the brigade were behaving in the most unwarrantable manner, they cheerfully submitted to every order given them, and have repeat- edly repulsed the attacks of the enemy on the islands, and, as far as 1 have had occasion to employ them, they have done their duty. I have
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
this moment received your letter of the 16th inst. Most of its contents have already been observed upon. The mode in which you propose to treat Major Skelly, I think may be productive of very good conse- quences. I sent Mr. Wilson, the sheriff for Cheraws, his commission three months ago, and am surprised to find he has not received it. It must be lying somewhere at Georgetown; but, if he cannot get it, I will send him another. However, his not having the commission need not prevent him from acting. The appointment by the Legislature is the substantial part; the commission is more a matter of form.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
JOHN MATTHEWS.
GEN. MARION TO COL. P. HORRY.
[Horry MIS.]
BURCH'S, June 15, 1782.
SIR :
Enclosed you will find Gen. Greene's information of the enemy's intention. You will, if possible, take your post in Georgetown, and follow the orders given to Lieut .- Col. Badley, as I do not know where you are, or if you can possibly take the command.
I am, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS MARION.
NATHANIEL GREEN TO MAJ. RUDULPH AND THE CAPTAINS OF THE LEGION.
[Original MS.]
HEAD QUARTERS, June 18, 1782.
GENTLEMEN :
Your letter of resignation of this day contains an accusation no less indelicate than unjust. You say, my orders contain such injustice, and are so repugnant to your feelings, that you cannot consistent with your established rights serve me any longer. I am not conscious of having done you injustice-I am sure I never intended it. You arrogate the sole right of judging and deciding upon privileges claimed but not authorised. You do not distinguish between what has been matter of
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
indulgence and what are rights inherent from the constitution of your corps. I will not take upon myself to say positively that I have not invaded the privileges of your corps ; but I am so fully persuaded of the propriety of my conduct upon the strictest military principles that I am perfectly willing to submit it to our superiors in Congress-the Board of War -- the Commander-in-chief, or either of them. I have always conceived some privileges were intended your corps, not in common with the rest of the cavalry; but in that I may be mistaken. The late referrence to the Board of War will decide. I can see no necessity for the extraordinary step you are taking ; if you think yourselves injured in matters of right and not of indulgence, represent the affair to Con- gress. Enclose a copy of my orders to Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, and let him bring the business to an explanation. If their decission corres- pouds with your sentiments, I shall be happy to confess my error. I
am sure I have not a wish in my heart to retrench one privilege of the Legion, nor am I disposed to wantonly sport with the feelings of officers. But it is not in my power always to accommodate the service to the views of particular officers. Every person can judge of their own difficulties, but it is impossible to judge fairly for others without a collective view of all the circumstances. This you cannot have in the present case or I am persuaded you would not decide so hastily. The measure you are about to take may involve some disagreeable conse- quences to yourselves-perhaps to me. The world will judge of the propriety of your conduct not according to your way of thinking, but from the original principles of the matter in dispute; and I leave you to consider how unwarrantable a combination of this sort will appear in the critical situation of the Southern States, and how in- consistent with the character and dignity of your corps and the duty and obligation you owe to your country, and to the cause in which you are engaged. I readily confess you may have it in your power to hurt me as an individual, but let not little resentments plunge you into measures injurious to the public and unjust to yourselves. I am per- suaded upon a fair investigation of the matter and by reasoning more fully on the subject, you will be convinced that I have acted perfectly consistent with the duties of my station, with the established customs of armies and consonant to the rights of your corps. But be that as it may, let it be decided by those in power, whose determination shall govern my conduct; and to convince you that I am by no means diz- posed to do the least injury to your rights you shall see all I write both to Congress and Lieut .- Colonel Lee. If I am mistaken Congress will correct me; but if you are wrong, I presume you will have generosity
1
----
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
enough to acknowledge it; and I am persuaded you will have the spirit of patriotism sufficient to continue your services to your country. I will add only one more observation and close this long and disagreeable letter. I have never known but very few officers leave the service in the progress of this war, but have repented of it. Combinations are always odious, and no character, however important, or set of men, how- ever useful, can produce any great revolution in so great a cause. Let not secret insinuations mislead you, nor be so idle as others have been to think the public cannot do without you. I know your value and shall feel your loss, and wish you to reconsider the matter before you take your final resolution.
I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant, NATHANIEL GREENE.
MAJ. RUDOLPH TO GEN. GREENE.
[Original MS.]
JUNE 19, 1782.
SIR :
We are this moment honored with yours. We differ in opinion as to our rights, and can't think of waiting the decision of Congress laboring under the grievance.
You have already decided-our men are drafted from us, and of con- sequence you thought our services to our country no longer wanted.
As to our patriotism we beg leave to judge for ourselves.
We have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant, JOHN RUDOLPH, &c., &o., &c.
-
GEN. LESLIE TO MAJOR SKELLY.
[Horry MS.]
CHARLESTOWN, June 21, 1782.
DEAR SKELLY :
I am glad to hear you are well. Mr. Scott showed me a letter from you. I fear the Commandant of Georgetown cannot settle anything in 13
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
regard to your exchange, however, on your arrival in this city. I do assure you that Lieut. Ravenel shall be immediately parolled, and sent out of town. I am going to a grand German fete champetre. I hope you got mine by Mr. Bordeaux.
Yours, in haste,
A. LESLIE.
You shall hear from me very soon, if I don't see you.
GOV. MATTHEWS TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
CANE ACRE, June 22, 1782.
SIR :
The evacuation of Savannah, and the highest probability that St. Augustine is likewise evacuated, offer so fair an opportunity of oblig- ing the enemy to abandon the post they hold in this State, that it would be criminal not to make the attempt. I must, therefore, desire you would immediately draft one-half of your brigade, and as many more within eighty miles of Charlestown (agreeably to the law) as will be consistent with the safety of the country, and immediately put them in motion, and join the army under the command of Gen. Greene. If the men will now do their duty with cheerfulness and punctuality, I think I may almost venture to assure them this will be the last grand effort they will be called upon to make. I hope you have finished the busi- ness you are at present upon, before you receive this; if not, pray ex- pedite it as much as possible, so that that may not interfere with the great object.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant, JOHN MATTHEWS.
P. S .- It will be so long between the time of your receiving this and your orders respecting this brigade, and the service of, at least, 3 part of the men being immediately required, that I have given the necessary orders to these three regiments. The Commanding Officer at Georgetown is to forward this letter by express, with all possible expe- dition.
J. M.
1
195 .
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
WILLIAM PIERCE, JR., TO MAJOR RUDOLPH, AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE LEGION.
[Original MIS.]
HEAD-QUARTERS, June 23, 1782.
DEAR GENTLEMEN :
I have had a long conversation with General Greene respecting your resignations, and am happy to assure you that he discovered a disposi- tion to accommodate the matter. He has, be assured, a proper idea of your merit, and upon all occasions speaks of the Legion in the warmest strains of panegyric. Your services are acknowledged with great generosity, and his friendship for you, individually, I know to be sincere.
Was the matter properly inquired into, and your rights fairly inves- tigated, perhaps you would be of a different opinion to what you are now. From the information I have received, you did not fairly com- prehend the order, and there appears to have been a mistake with re- spect to the disposition of the troops.
All this, I think, I can convince you of; and I shall feel myself the happiest man in the world to be able to restore to the service a set of officers whom I love and esteem. I think it can be done with satisfac- tion to yourselves, and with honor to the General.
You complain of having received a letter couched in terms improper and indelicate. I confess it struck me in the same point of light; but be assured I am authorised to say, that the General did not mean it as an insult, nor did he expect that it would meet with such a construction,
The manner of resiguing your commissions, in my opinion, was im- proper, and I think all combinations to oppose the measures of a com- manding officer had better be avoided, because it inflames and irritates the mind more than it can well support. Had the commissions been sent separately, I think it would have been better, Your letter was rather violent. I wish it had been more moderate. The General is governed as much by prudence as almost any man I know; but in this instance, perhaps, he was carried too far, and in my opinion you have been too hasty. But the matter must be settled, and I beg you to throw aside every prejudice, and prepare your minds for a candid ex- amination of the matter to-morrow. I will wait upon you at McQueen's, between twelve and one o'clock.
I am, dear gentlemen, with sincere friendship, your very humble servt., WM. PIERCE, JE.
Will Major Rudolph inform Roger Saunders that we will dine with him to-morrow ?
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
COL. P. HORRY TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
GEORGETOWN, June 29, 1782.
DEAR GENERAL :
I commissioned some days, Capt. Seamour, to send me out for our soldiers some clothing-say Russia drab; 70 yards coarse blue cloth, at 6s .; 22 yards red do., at 5s .; 5 dozen coarse hats, at 30s. a dozen; thread, coarse buttons, large and small; about 200 yards coarse linen for pants, from 6d. to 2s. per yard; 3 reams paper, wafers, ink-powder and shirt buttons, amounting in the whole to about £107 sterling, prime cost. These goods have arrived at Santee. My own men that remain are few, and their time nearly expired. I think it best to give them to your men, as very few of mine have only yet three or four months to serve. You desired me to endeavor to procure such goods for the troops. Capt. Seamour entreats you to give him rice, rough even will do; indigo and tobacco will not sell .. Lockwood is here with orders from the Governor to load with rice for goods received; and, as you want goods, and they are present, I wish you may find it consistent to take these, and make payment agreeably to the adventurer. The boat waits your answer. The captain has risked these goods (and with- out a pass) to serve us, and is willing to send you any quantity you may commission him for.
I am, dear General, your obedient servant, PETER HORRY.
GEN. MARION TO COL. P. HORRY.
[Horry MS.]
July 4, 1782.
SIR :
Since you left me, Mr. Dewees has shown me the bill for the goods you mentioned to me this morning. You will procure as much rough rice as will pay the amount, giving a receipt for it on the public ac- count, and shall be glad you would send the goods to Capt. Roux. You will give what you think is a reasonable profit.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS MARION.
€
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
GOV. MATTHEWS TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
CANE ACRE, July 5, 1782.
SIR :
I am informed there is a number of seamen prisoners at Georgetown ; I, therefore, desire you would endeavor to negotiate an exchange with the British Commander at Charlestown, for an equal number of Ameri- can seamen, giving a preference to our own as far as we have a claim.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
JOHN MATTHEWS.
GEN. GREENE TO GEN. MARION.
[ Horry MS.]
HEAD-QUARTERS (Mr. Cattle's Plantation), July 9, 1782. DEAR SIR :
Yours of the 16th June and 8th July I have had the pleasure to receive, and am made happy that you have brought Major Ganey, and his party, to submit to the laws of the State without making much use of force. Nothing reflects more honor upon an officer than accomplish- ing that by address which others could effect only by force; to save the effusion of human blood must be the wish of every humane and generous bosom. I fancy you must be mistaken about Mr. Ravenel's being in confinement. Capt. Warren, our Commissary of prisoners, was in town to examine the state of all the prisoners, as well militia as regulars; his report contains no such thing. Capt. Skelly is released in considera- tion of Judge Pendleton being set at liberty. The Judge has come out, and Capt. Skelly gone in. Should it be found that Mr. Ravenel is in confinement, which I cannot suppose, I will write to Gen. Leslie on the subject. It is evidently for the interest of those corps of Maham and Hampton to be incorporated. Neither would have existence long without it; but, by being consolidated, they will have, perhaps, a per- manency during the war, and provision made for them accordingly. You will inform the officers thereof, that it is a matter settled between the Governor and myself, that the two corps be united, and that they are to be considered in future upon the State establishment. This was thought advisable after the fullest examination of the matter, and I
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DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
hope the officers will make no difficulty in concurring in a measure equally beneficial to them, as necessary for the public good. The requi- sition for the militia was upon the supposition that the garrison of Savannah might come to Charlestown, and give the enemy such an additional force as to enable them to give a blow to our army. I believe Savannah is not fully evacuated, and therefore nothing to apprehend at present; you will remain, therefore, on the other side of Cooper River, between that and Santee, to protect the people from the daily depreda- tions of little parties from Charlestown. If the garrison of Savannah arrives, I will notify you, and direct you where to form a junction with me. It is said that Fanning is determined to have you, dead or alive, therefore, take care of yourself. It is, also, reported, by a person in the enemy's secrets, that a large party of the enemy is to move out soon into St. Thomas' and St. Stephens' parishes.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, NATHANIEL GREENE.
July 10, 1782.
By a woman from town last night, I have just heard the garrison of Savannah is actually arrived at Charlestown. If it should prove true, you will hear from me again immediately.
COL. SAUNDERS TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
July 10, 1782.
SIR :
Enclosed you will find a return of the defaulters of six companies. Not a single man has come to camp as yet, nor don't believe they will without being forced to it. I will send you a return of my regiment as soon as I can get the reports from the upper companies. I have sent for them repeatedly, but to no purpose. The Governor desired me not to order any man from the islands. I have got about fifty men on duty near Bacon Bridge, and don't expect any more will join camp without there is something done to make the men at home do duty.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant, JOHN SAUNDERS.
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
GOV. MATTHEWS TO GEN. MARION.
[Horry MS.]
ASHLEY RIVER, July 18, 1782.
SIR :
I received your letter of the 16th late last evening. The officers of Col. Maham's corps seem to imitate the principle upon which the incor- poration is founded. They appear to imagine it to be an admission of Major Conyer's corps into Col. Maham's; but this is not the case. There is a material difference between drafting one regiment into another, and consolidating two regiments into one. In the first in- stance, the drafted regiment is either disbanded altogether, or the officers sent out to recruit; in the second, there is an indiscriminate mixture of men, without giving a superiority in either one or the other, and the officers are commonly retained according to their rank; but sometimes the arbitrary rule of retaining them, according to their merit, has been adopted from this state of the case. The objection that Con- yers is disliked by Maham and some of his officers, is frivolous, because Conyers can with equal propriety make the same objection to Maham and his officers; and these gentlemen deceive themselves very much when they set up a claim of superiority, for they have no manner of pretension to it, for the reasons I have given ; and as to the abilities of Major Conyers, I believe, sir, you are no stranger to them, and that they entitle him to a claim equal to most officers; his merit stands con- fessed by every impartial man who knows him. If, after these con- siderations, gentlemen will suffer themselves to be guided by private pique, and rather resign their commissions than submit to the estab- lished rules of propriety and justice, why, they must do so, and we must endeavor to find men that will engage in the service from a pure, ardent zeal to love their country. Such will be less governed by pas- sions, when they can't have their own humour gratified. I send you an extract of the minutes of the Council, from which time the commissions of Conyers and his officers are to bear date. It is true the corps was ordered by Gov. Rutledge to be raised in September; but, as it was afterwards rejected by the Legislature, the whole of that arrangement was done away, and can only be considered as commencing from the re-establishment by me after I came into office. On consulting Gen. Greene, I find Maham's must be considered as a State corps, on Con- tinental pay. I should be very glad to be furnished with a return of Maham's and Conyer's corps as soon as you can procure it with accuracy.
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