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 5
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leads out of town. The officer we may have to deal with this winter is an officer of enterprise and resources, with judgment to discern, and a disposition to take all advantages he can not but observe, should the Nowk remain as it is. How easy it would be for an inferior army to shut in a superior ; and it admits not of a doubt but he will, if he can, avail himself of it. To prevent this, many works are requisite, and the sooner they are undertaken the better.
I shall now, sir, proceed to some circumstances of defence of a more general tendency. Among these, the building of some row-gallies appear to me as very consequential. I think it far from being im- probable, that they may be so constructed as to be formidable to men- of-war in their progress over the bar; and, if it is certain they must be so, should the ships ever get up and lay before the town, they will prevent all tenders, or other small armed vessels, from marauding those inhabitants who live upon the river-make it difficult, if not impossible, for the enemy to transport their troops by water into the country-a circumstance essentially important to the very being of this State. They will convey your troops to Georgia with safety and expedition, should that State require your aid, and facilitate the arrival of theirs, should your exigencies make it necessary; in short, the advantages of them are so manifold, that I earnestly hope they may claim your atten- tion.
As this State, and some neighboring ones are, unhappily, unequal in themselves to any formidable invasion, they must depend entirely upon that assistance they can mutually yield to each other. Every thing, therefore, which can retard the march of troops should be removed, and every measure fallen upon, which can contribute to bring them up with the utmost expedition. If North Carolina and Georgia would join your State in establishing magazines of provisions at proper places between your countries, it would certainly prevent a great delay; but this, I am afraid, will be a work of time.
I beg leave, sir, to urge the absolute necessity of keeping a great number of waggons always in the public service. Experience has taught me how difficult it is to procure them when suddenly wanted; and the time is probably at hand when the least delay may be attended with very fatal consequences.
The great delay I have met with in marching men at the ferries of every State, and at none more particularly than in this, induces me to wish that in future they may be better provided with boats. Few, if any of them, have more than one flat, and that generally not a good one, so that it will take a whole day to get over a battalion and its bag-
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gage. I leave you, sir, to judge what may be the event of this, when the fate of a country may depend upon a single hour.
The roads --- at all times an object of public notice-become of peculiar importance at this crisis, as upon the goodness of them an expeditious march in a great measure depends.
I would urge as a circumstance exceedingly necessary, the collecting and keeping for public use, a great number of canoes, and other rowing boats; as in a country so cut to pieces with water courses, and penetrable at such a variety of places, it is very uncertain where you may have occasion to convey your troops, or from whence to bring them. A provision of this kind, therefore, seems to be an act of necessity. Cer- tain I am, that in the late military operations of this country, the want of them was severely felt by the General, and the service greatly injured by it.
The short time I have been in this country renders it impossible for me to be so well acquainted with the geography of it as I wish, or as I hope soon to be. I, therefore, cannot undertake to point out every place where it may be necessary to erect works, or take other methods to prevent, or render difficult, the enemies' access. I am happy, how- ever, in the consideration that you, sir, and many members of your Legislature, from your perfect knowledge of this country, are adequate to this, and in the firm persuation that it will properly be attended to.
The building of barracks at those places where, in case of invasion, we should be obliged to station troops, particularly at Haddrell's, is a matter that ought, by no means, to be neglected. The inconveniences which the soldiers suffered for want of them, and the ill effect it had upon their health, even in the summer season, makes it evident that they cannot endure a winter campaign without them.
I am loth to mention a provision which I am fearful it will be difficult to make; I mean of clothes and blankets for the men. But I should be wanting in attention to them not to express a wish that every method may be fallen upon to procure them.
I know not whether the islands along your sea-board have any live stock upon them; but, if they have, and are suffered to remain there, I cannot but consider them as the absolute property of the enemy. I, therefore, think it my duty, in the most earnest manner to urge, that they be immediately removed ; indeed, I think the proprietors of these islands ought not to be suffered to occupy them at all at present. that the enemy may have no temptation to make or receive benefit, by making a lodgment on them.
There are other matters which strike me as necessary to the defence
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of this country, and from further observation many may occur to me; Wat. as i presume Government, in the recess of Assembly, will be furnished with powers to provide for contingencies, I have no occasion in trouble you with them now. I enter into the next object of my consideration with exceeding diffidence and anxiety, lest I should be thought to have exceeded the bounds of propriety, by touching upon it at all. If, sir, unfortunately for me that should be the case, will your Legislature do me the justice to impute it to the zeal I have for the service of this State, and kindly admit the cause to excuse the effect? The number of regular troops allotted to this country is not enough for its defence, though all the battalions were full. This, sir, militates strongly in favor of a well-regulated militia, aud I am happy to hear it is the subject of your present deliberation; but, as a military system, exclusive of militia, has been established in Virginia, which experience has shown to be a very good one, I presume just to hint it to you. I invan the establishment of minute battalions. In order to do this, their State was divided into districts, and each district furnished a battalion of minute men. Persons of the greatest consequence and influence were appointed as officers, who enlisted the men from the body of the militia. These men, beside attending a number of private musters, Were at stated periods obliged to embody in battalion for a specified number of days, and go through all the discipline and manœuvres of a camp. During this time they were paid and provisioned by the public, and were at all times liable to be called into service. I had the honor to command a great number of them the last winter, and it is but jus- tice tu them to say, that they deserved to be ranked among the best of our troops. The men of these battalions being enlisted upon the express condition of turning out occasionally, are always in expectation ut, and will be always prepared for it. They are, generally, better armed, and will probably be better disciplined, than militia; and may either make it unnecessary to call out the latter at all, or make a stand against the enemy while they are collecting. But whether such estab- lighinent may suit the policy of this country, the wisdom of your Legis- lature will determine. .
Permit me, sir, again, in the most earnest manner, to urge the abso- lute necessity of immediately taking measures to place us in the best state of defence possible. Our private interest, and our fidelity to the common cause, exart it of us. To lose the opportunity we now have, is to neglect the first, and betray the latter. Happy should I have been, had not the necessity of service deprived you of the Commander- in-chief of the Southern department at this critical juncture, from
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whose indefatigable attention to his duty, and from whose spirit and abilities in the execution of it, you could not but have derived every possible benefit.
I, sir, have nothing to offer you but an assurance of the most un- wearied attention to the duties of my station-the utmost exertion of such abilities as I have; and that I shall, by my most strenuous efforts, in the service of your country, demonstrate the zeal and attachment I feel for the glorious cause of freedom, to which I have devoted myself. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, sir,
Your Excellency's most obdt. and very humble servant,
ROBERT HOWE.
HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN RUTLEDGE TO HON, WM. HENRY DRAYTON,
[Original MS.]
CHARLES TOWN, Nov. 6, 1776.
SIR :
Enclosed you will receive an extract from the Journals of the Privy Council, in consequence of which, you will be pleased to repair to the Convention of North Carolina, and use your utmost endeavors to obtain such aid as the Council recommend should be applied for to that State. I am, sir,
Your very humble servant, JOHN RUTLEDGE. IN THE PRIVY COUNCIL, Wednesday, October 30, 1776.
The Board, taking into consideration the danger this State would be in should the same be again invaded this winter, and the little proba- bility of our having assistance from the Northward, were of opinion, and advised, that a gentleman of character be sent to North Carolina to solicit the aid of 1,500 minute or militia men, to be immediately marched into this State, and to remain here for two months, from the time of their arrival, who should be allowed the same pay and rations as are allowed to our own militia, from the time of their setting out until their return to North Carolina.
Mr. Chief Justice being proposed, azreed to go on this business.
IN THE PRIVY COUNCIL, Saturday, November 2d, 1776. The Board advised his Excellency to direct Mr. Drayton to solicit
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that, in case North Carolina shall agree to furnish us with 1,500 men, nul the exigencies of this State shall, in the opinion of the President and Privy Council for the time being, require it, they may remain for two months longer than the time before proposed.
True extracts from the Journals.
J. N. COLCOCK, Sec'y P. C.
ROBERT HOWE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONORABLE CON- VENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA.
[Original MS.]
CHARLES TOWN, November 7, 1776.
SIR :
I have the honor to transmit you, by the Hon. Mr. Drayton, the copy of a resolution of the Council of this State, for obtaining the aid of 1.500 minute men, or militia men, from North Carolina, for a certain time; and, as I have been applied to by his Excellency, the President, to take every measure necessary to enforce this request, I take the liberty of troubling you upon this subject, fully persuaded that to in- duce your assistance to a sister State, nothing more is requisite than to show the necessity for it. My letter to you of yesterday in a great measure anticipates what I should otherwise have to say upon this occa- sion, because the same motives urged to obtain a permission for their «theers to recruit, militato in favor of granting the request they now make. Suffice it, then, to say, that they are not in themselves equal to any very formidable invasion, and yet have every reason to expect one this winter; that they have innate foes, who wait but for an opportunity to rebel-who would fly to the banners of the enemy; several numerous tribes of Indians on their backs, whose present temper bears a very alarming construction; their militia but few, and those so divided and remote, as not to be collected in time for any sudden emergency, and not sufficient in number when they are got together; that, therefore, any aid which is to be sought for will, in all probability, arrive too late, the fatal consequence of which are too serious and melancholy to be dwelt upon. In this situation of danger and necessity, they apply to you for assistance, and the mode they have fallen upon seems calculated to obtain it without injury to you. The pay of their militia is more than equal to the labor of any common man-the rations more than
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sufficient for any appetite-the barracks they have built, comfortable and roomy. This, I presume, will induce your men to come willingly, especially at this idle season of the year, and the expense will be all their own. Upon these terms, I imagine, the aid they ask would be granted by any neighboring State, less zealous in the cause than yours. I should injure you, therefore, whose patriotic disposition and generous spirit I am so well acquainted with, were I to admit a doubt of your yielding them every assistance in your power. One benefit which may arise to you, particularly from this measure, is, that it may probably make it unnecessary to call away your regulars, who, by that means, will keep you in a state of security. The gentleman who visits you upon this occasion will fully explain to you every thing relative to this mat- ter. His rank, character and capacity, can not but make him an object of your respect and attention.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, sir,
Your most chedient humble servant. ROBERT HOWE.
Resolved, That Mr. Drayton be sent to North Carolina to solicit 1,500 minute men or militia. to be immediately marched into this State. and remain here for two months from the time of their arrival, who should be allowed such pay and rations as are allowed to our own militia from the time of their setting out until their return; and that in case the exigencies of this State should, in the opinion of the Presi- dent and Council, require it, they may retain them two months longer than the time above mentioned.
MAJOR F. MARION'S ORDERLY BOOK.
A COPY OF THE RESOLVES OF THE HONORABLE THE CONTINENTAL
CONGRESS.
IN CONGRESS, July 22d, 1776.
Resolved, That the thanks of the United States of America be given to Major-General Lee, Col. Wmn. Moultrie, Col. Wm. Thompson, and all officers and soldiers under their command, who, on the 28th of June last, repulsed, with so much valor. the attack which was that day made on the State of South Carolina, by fleet and army of his Britannic Majesty.
That the President tranen't the same to General Lee, Cols. Moultrie and Thompson, by order of Congress.
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A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE THE CONTINENTAL, CONGRESS TO COL. WM. MOULTRIE.
PHILADELPHIA, July 22d, 1776.
I am extremely happy to have it in my power to transmit to you, by order of Congress, the thanks of the United States of America, for your patriotic and spirited exertions in behalf of liberty and your runtry. This success of our arms, attended by every circumstance that can add lustre to the characters of those who conducted it, will forever render estimable your name with every friend of America; and posterity will be astonished when they read, that on the 28th June, an inexperienced handful of men, under your command, repulsed with loss and disgrace a powerful fleet and army of veteran troops, headed by officers of rank and reputation. May you go on thus to merit and receive the gratitude of your country; and, as a reward of your mili- tary service, may your name be enrolled in the list of American worthies, on whom posterity will bestow the most grateful and unceas- ing applause.
I have the honor to be, with respect,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
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GENERAL ORDERS BY GEN. HOWE.
NOVEMBER 23, 1776.
In consequence of the promotions of General Gadsden and General Moultrie, the following promotions take place in the 1st and 2d Regi- ment of the South Carolina Continental troops, viz. :
Lieut .- Col. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, of the 1st Regiment, to be Colonel of the same.
Major Wm. Cattle to be Lieut .- Colonel, and Captain Adama McDon. ald to be Major.
Lieut .- Colonel Isaac Motte, of the 2d Regiment, to be Colonel of the same.
Major Francis Marion to be Lieut .- Colonel, and Capt. Peter Horry to be Major.
According to a resolution of the Honorable the General Assembly of ibis State, the following promotions take place in the Sd and 4th Regi- menta of Continental troops in this State, viz. :
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Lieutenant Colonel Wm. Thomson of the 3rd Regiment to be Colo- nel of the same. Major James Mayson to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Samuel Wise to be Major in the same.
Lieutenant-Colonel Owen Roberts of the 4th to be Colonel of the same. Major Bernard Elliott, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Bernard Beekman, Major of the same.
GENERAL ORDERS BY GEN. HOWE.
NOVEMBER 26, 1776.
The main guard to be re-inforced to-morrow with six mnen; two sen- tries to be fixed at his Excellency the President's door ; the men to re- inforce the main guard to be taken by detachment from the 2nd and 5th Regiments in proportion to their strength. General Howe sets out for Georgia to-morrow. He strongly recommends to commanding offi- cers of Battalions to have their men exercised frequently in the use of spears, and to the soldiers to be attentive in learning what in course of service may so essentially contribute to their honor and safety. He is obliged to the officers of every department for their attention, which he had with pleasure observed they pay to their duty, and takes this op- portunity to express his approbation of the orderly behavior of the sol- diers, of which he hopes a continuance. The important and beneficial public work General Gadsden has undertaken, and is so happily exe- cuting, on Sullivan's Island, requiring all his attention, he has desired to be confined in all his commands, at present, on this work and the Island. The command, therefore, of the town and outposts, in the ab- sence of General Howe, will devolve on General Moultrie until General Gadsden chose to assume it.
Col. Motte, having represented to General Howe that James Kelly, now under arrest for desertion, has one circumstance in his favor which in some measure mitigates his crime, that is: that he had surrendered himself to one of his corporals, and, the Colonel having compassionately solicited his pardon, General Howe, in respect to Colonel Motte, will, for once, deviate from a resolution he had fixed, never to pardon a de- serter, and consent to pardon James Kelly on this condition, namely : that of' enlisting in his Battalion during the war, and by future good behavior he promises to atone for the heinous crime he has committed so contrary to all duty and to the solemn oath be had taken; he is to
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do duty in Colonel Motte's Regiment until the arrival of Colonel Thomson; and, lest this lenity should have a bad effect, the General warns all soldiers against desertion, which he now declares he never will again pardon on any condition.
This order to be read before the men on parade.
JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN CHARLES S. MIDDLETON.
[Original MB.]
DECEMBER 20, 1776.
The men all got over the river on our march southwardly. Colonel McIntosh, Major Malberry and Lieutenant Dogharty sat off from the river to join Captain Caldwell. Lieutanint West and myself with a small party stayed at the river that night.
SATURDAY, December 21, 1776.
Lieutenant West and myself, with the party, sat off early in the morning ; returned one man that had lost the cock of his gun ; joined the main body at Carnay's Old Cowpen.
SUNDAY, December 22, 1776.
Major Malberry took a detachment of thirty privates, three non-com- missioned officers and one commissioned officer ; crossed the river at the Bluff, where Lieutenant Jenkins was stationed, to join us at the old ferry ; the main body sat off. Adjutant Fash waited on the Colo- nel to know whether the Carolinians were to take the front or rear ; the Colonel did not chose to determine, as he did not know which was the oldest Regiment, but, in order to satisfy both parties, gave order that the officers and men were to fall in promiscuously and no distinctions made-which was agreeable to both parties until it was known which had the rank. On our march some one discovered, as he thought, a party of mep running from us ; a party pursued but could make no dis- covery of them. I was detached off with a party to stop the advance guard and join a small detachment that was sent round as a reconnoi- tering party. I met them at the place appointed, but never overtook the advance party until we got to Middleton's plantation, which was to have been our rendezvous that night, but the alarm altered our designs. We were to join and rendezvous that night at Mr. Williamson's cowpen,
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but the main party proceeded to pursue the tracks, following them some distance, found them to be cattle tracks. Judged the man who had thought he saw people made a mistake, and then proceeded on the old plan of going to Middleton's that night. On my return from Middle- ton's, met the main body and rendezvoused at Middleton's that night.
MONDAY, December 23, 1776.
. Sat off: discovered some fresh tracks going down to Inglis'; Lieu- tenant Fitzpatrick was detached with ten men to find out whose tracks they were. We arrived at the old ferry ; I was ordered with a party to reconnoiter the landing, but could make no discovery of the enemy. Ordered that every officer mounting a guard should sleep at the main guard, and visit the sentries at least three times a night. Placed a lance sergeant and four men as a guard at the river. Sergeant Warren, who was ordered from head-quarters to bring provisions round to us, arrived in the night ; hailed the sentry. but was made no answer, came past theut, landed and came up to the Colonel's camp; the Colo- nel immediately ordered the sentry under the main guard.
TUESDAY, December 24, 1776.
Major Malberry arrived with his detachment at the other side; a boat was sent for him immediately ; he had seen no signs of the enemy. Lieutenant Dogharty came over the river; says he saw very fresh signs of four or five men crossing the river. Ordered that a Court Martial be held upon Abner Islands for being caught sleeping on his post. Lieutenant Fitzpatrick returned ; says he followed the tracks up to Mr. Inglis' plantation ; they appeared to have run off from there ; they fol- lowed the tracks until they got intermixed with ours in such a manner that they could follow theur no longer. The Court Martial were opinion that the prisoner should receive twenty lashes on the bare back, but my writing a note to the Colonel, informing him of the character of the soldier, of its being his first offence committed in the service, the Colo- nel thought proper to forgive the prisoner. The Regiment was drawn up and some of the articles of war I read to them. Ordered that every man hobble and bell his horse and have him ready to cross the river early in the morning.
WEDNESDAY, December 25, 1776
The whole detachment crossed the river, all to a small guard at the river of a subaltern and twenty men. The detachment proceeded as far as Lee's hill. I was detatched to MoGirth's as a reconnoitering
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party : could make no discovery of any sign fresher than three or four days; joined the party.
THURSDAY, December 26, 1776.
I was ordered to take a subaltern and twenty-three privates, volun- teers, to eross the river St. Mary's in search of the Florida scouts ; the men turned out, and we crossed the river that night and went as far as Taylor's.
FRIDAY, December 27, 1776.
We proceeded, and in about an hour afterwards came upon fresh signs of cattle, imagined to have been drove along late last night. I gave the necessary orders, es in all probability we might expect to come upon them every minute. However we did not come up with them un- til we got to Cornelious Rains', where they had just gone from, but dis- covering a house we made three different parties to surround the houses. L'aluckily, Joseph Rains was going over to his brother's and discovered us creeping up ; he immediately ran and gave the alarm at the house ; then proceeded after the men who were driving the cattle and alarmed them also. We surrounded the houses and came in; the men were all gone; though I could not learn there were more than Cornelious Rains there at that time ; the cattle drivers had been gone about half an hour before; Mrs. Rains and her daughter informed me that one Captain York, with a party, was with the cattle, and that James Moore and Sampson Williams were each to have been there the night before with each of them a company. We had several times information that there was a strong party of whites and another of indians coming out, though I did not put much faith in the report. I thought if it was true, and any strong party came against us and we should be defeated, I should be much blamed, my order being very particular to be as care- ful as possible what number I was to engage. Again our retreat was very bad no conveniency for crossing the river St. Mary's, we thought proper to retreat as fast as possible over St. Mary's and there ambuscade on the river bank, on the Georgia side, as there we might give them bat- tle, be their number what they would. We took two negroes and three horses from Rains', and retreated. About two miles from there we met a party that was detached to join me on coming up with the sign where the cattle had crossed the river. Lieutenant Gooden communded the party, fifteen strong, which made the command forty, officers included. We then thought we were strong enough for anything on this side St. Johu's, and returned and surrounded Rains' bouses a second time, but
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