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 6
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there were no appearances of the enemy. We then began to collect what intelligence we could. We were informed that one Capt. Jeffres had been there that morning, and went off with a party to William Mills'; that Colonel William McIntosh's fellow, Osker, was with them. Lieut. Gooden and Lieut. Daughty, and a number of the men, knew this Jeffres to be a noted tory, and had been among the Cherokee In- dians endeavoring to, and did, bring themagainst us. I was very anxious to catch him. We were also informed of one McGuire, belonging to the Florida scout, about ten miles off, at one Loughton's, and that in all probability Jeffres was there, as it was on the way to Mills'. I took the men off immediately to Loughton's, and surrounded the house. McGuire, who was in the yard, spied us, and ran for the bush, which was not above twenty yards from the house-very thick. In his flight two of my men fired at him, but I believe with no success. We made a strict search in the bushes. but could not find him. Our horses were much jaded. Jeffres had not been that way, I was at a loss to think what was become of them. Our horses were not able to proceed any further, as some of the men then were obliged to walk on foot. We remained there that night; put all the men on guard. About break of day one of the sentry fired twice. We all ran out, thought the Indians and scouts were come up. I ordered the men to possess themselves of the houses, and detached a party to know the reason of the guns firing, The sentry says he shot at a man that was walking up within ten steps of him; he fired first with his pistol, then with his rifle. On his firing his rifle, the man stumbled very much; he believes he hit him. I then thought it could be no one but McGuire, who was endeavoring to steal our horses. I sent parties all round the plantation, but they could discover no signs of any body there. We were very clever in turning out, and to all appearance would have fought bravely.
SATURDAY, December 28, 1776.
We got from McGuire a negro boy, who he had taken from Captain Anderson, and a mare, saddle and saddle-bags, and his rifle, and some of his cloth, and returned. Crossed the river that night.
SUNDAY, December 29, 1776.
Proceeded on and joined the main body at Sattillie, and informed the colonel of our proceedings.
MONDAY, December 30, 1776.
Sergeant Warren informed me that one of my men, George Hall, had a fall from his horse, and was dangerously hurt. I went to see him im-
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malintely, and believe he will die. A court-martial was summoned to Lokd and try Levi Coleman and John Bilbo, two soldiers, for sleeping on their posts. The court-martial were of opinion that Levi Coleman +Would sit down, and have one gun under his hams, and another over his neck, and brought as close together as possible, and tied fast, there to remain for the space of ten minutes, and at the expiration of the tilne the upper gun to be fired off-the whole detachment to be drawn up at the same time. John Bilbo, who had some favorable circum- stances on his side, was to stand up alongide of Levi Coleman, with a gun across his head, and to remain ten minutes. Some of the plunder was sold. Ordered that every man be ready to march. We marched about six miles that night.
TUESDAY, December 31, 1776.
Several horses missing. We were obliged to wait until late in the afternoon. There were two sergeants and twenty men left to hunt the horses, and to follow. We proceeded as far as Red Cap that night.
WEDNESDAY, January 1, 1777. We got to the Bluff, where we were to build the fort that night.
THURSDAY, January 2, 1777.
Nothing particular.
FRIDAY, January 3, 1777.
Ordered, that a court-martial be summoned to try Josiah Clark for sleeping on his post. The court-martial ordered him to ride the wooden horse ten minutes. The colonel thought proper to take off five minutes. The major and myself viewed the Bluff, in order to point out a proper plan for a stockade. The tools were got in order to begin.
Ordered, that thirty men be set aside as a guard in the day. The whole are to be on duty to guard the workmen and horses-that is, twenty-two as a guard round the workmen, and eight as a grass guard, to go out by turns, and at night fifteen men on duty, who will be re- lieved the next night by other fifteen.
That fifteen men, with an officer, be kept as a scouting party con- tinually.
That the remainder be kept at work on the stockade, except a sergeant and six men, to be sent out occasionally to bring in cattle, or any other poressaries that should be wanting, as there is no commissary to supply them,
F
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In case the scout or any other party discover any of the enemy, the commanding officer will act as he thinks best for the good of the ser- vice.
That John Bilbo act as sergeant to the first company.
That William Goold and act as sergeants to Capt. Cade's company.
John Gray, one of my troop, arrived express to the colonel, the pur- port of which was, that there were four men of the third troop killed, and the rest had evacuated the fort on Beard's Bluff, saving two men, which were all that Lieut. Bug could get to stay with him. These two men and himself went to Fort Howe.
SATURDAY, January 4, 1777.
Lieut .- Colonel McIntosh, Major Marbury, Capt. Caldwell and Lieut. Daughty, left us. Lieut. West, with fifteen men, went as a scouting party as far as the Altamaha, and on their return to bring provisions. The command now fell upon me, the Colonel and Major being absent. We had a great deal of difficulty to get the men to work on the stock- ade; however, promising them that they and their horses should be exempt from guard duty, they went to work.
SUNDAY, January 5, 1777.
Desired the Adjutant to give James Murphy and John Nepper a severe reprimand, for leaving their posts before they were regularly re- lieved. Some favorable circumstances being on their side, was the rea- son of their not being regularly tried.
MONDAY, January 6, 1777.
The men continued on the stockade. The grass guard reported that there were many horses missing. Sent men in search of them all day, but could not find any. One of Capt. Cade's men, who had his leg much hurt, applied for leave to go to Fort Howe for the benefit of his leg. Sergeant Bryson applied for leave to go with him. I granted it.
TUESDAY, January 7, 1777.
Copy of a letter sent to the commanding officer at Fort Howe :
" Sergeant Bryson has liberty to go to the Altamaha with the man who has his log hurt ; he returns to-morrow. I shall be much obliged to you to procure a few tools for the stockade, as they are much hindered for the want of them; also, two or three sets of wedges are very much wanted, and a cross-cut saw, file, one or two chisels, and some nails.
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Pray send by Sergeant Bryson what he can bring, and send the rest by the next opportunity. We get on very well with the stockade, con- sidering the want of tools. Some axes are also wanted.
" There are a good many horses missing. I have had men out all day yesterday looking for them, but they could not be found. I have ordered men out again to-day.
" Our provisions are out. I hope though before this reaches you, the supply will arrive.
"C. S. M."
Sent men out in search of the lost horses, but they returned without them.
WEDNESDAY, January S, 1777.
Seut Lieut. Fitzpatrick and fifteen men to scout up Sattillie as far as the Old Ferry, and round by Middleton's, as a reconnoitering party. Sent out again for the lost horses, but they were as unfortunate as the
* rest.
THURSDAY, January 9, 1777.
Capt. Donaldson, Lieut. Goodin and seventeen men, set off for Fort Howe.
Copy of a letter wrote to the commanding officer at Fort Howe :
" Lieut. Beams and his attachment arrived here 7th inst. I was a good deal alarmed that they brought no provisions, at least not enough to last two meals round to each man. We have here, including Lieut. Beams' party, near one hundred souls. I sent out Lieut. Fitzpatrick and fifteen men yesterday, with orders to scout as far as the Old Ferry, on Sattillie, round by Middleton's plantation, to answer two purposes-first, as a scouting party; second, in hopes they might meet with the lost horses. The horses mentioned in my last are not yet found. I hope there will be some method fallen upon to supply this place with provi- sions. The men seem eager to have an opportunity of complaining; they are coming to me every moment enquiring what they should eat. I have had hunters out since yesterday morning; they have not come in yet, so that we are out of beef as well as rice.
"The hunters are just come, and brought beef, which is some satisfac- tion. Pray, don't omit sending as much salt as possible, as we shall be obliged to keep a good deal of beef salted up, the cattle being very hard to get here unless it is breeding cattle. Some chisels are very much wanted to finish the fort gate. The horses are very troublesome, as they incline much to ramble."
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FRIDAY, January 10, 1777.
Sergeant Crayton set off without liberty to the Altamaha, and was carrying one of the scout men's horses. I stopped him and ordered him to stay until I gave him orders, and that if he or any man attempted to leave the fort without my permission, should be sent after, and taken as a deserter. Several men leaving the place before, without my know- ledge. In consequence of that I issued these orders. Lieut. Fitzpatrick and his party arrived ; had discovered signs of Moccosins, very fresh, supposed to have crossed Sattillie about three or four hours, and signs of four horses, supposed to be the four that was lost on our march from the Old Ferry to the Bluff. There appeared by the signs of the tracks to have been about fifteen men. They crossed at Lemmons' ferry.
SATURDAY, January 11, 1777.
Early in the morning I wakened, and was told that Sergeant Crayton was gone off with the horse, notwithstanding the particular orders I gave him yesterday to remain here. I thought it such an insult upon orders, that I got immediately ready, took Sergeant Bilbo along with me, and hurried after him, and overtook him about one mile-and-a-half from the fort, brought him back, and had a strong guard put over him, for he could be looked upon as no other than a deserter, and in a par- ticular manner guilty of breach of orders.
F. MARION'S ORDERLY BOOK.
GENERAL ORDERS BY GENERAL HOWE.
February 14, 1777.
Gen. Howe, with concern and surprise, has observed the frequent applications made by gentlemen of the army for leave to resign their commissions at this important crisis, when it is difficult to find any reason sufficient to excuse men for not endeavoring to get into the ser- vice. What can possibly exculpate those who desire to forsake it? The freedom of America, and all its essential privileges, are at present the objects of contest. . Compared with these all private interests, how- ever important, and every darling inclination, attachment and sympathy, however endearing and heartfelt, are but futile considerations. The present generation, and all the generations of succeeding ages, have
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the strongest claim upon a soldier for every strenuous endeavor and uibtost c.Hort to preserve and maintain such invaluable rights, and to haud them down to posterity unimpaired. Difficulty and distress and danger are the mediums through which this purpose is to be effected, which every officer must have been sensible of at the time he solicited a commission. Local advantages, therefore, and temporary inconve- maonce, are but contemptible pleas for retirement ; an opinion of an officer's spirit, and abilities-a belief that he would, by attention to duty and by every other means in his power, gain a proper knowledge of his profession, with a firm persuasion that he would not forsake the service at the very moment he has qualified himself to be useful, must have been what induced his country to honor him with a commission, which otherwise would undoubtedly have been granted to those who, emulous to serve, were probably possessed of equal abilities, and who, by greater perseverance, would have continued in the common cause. The benefit of that experience they must have obtained, had not the interference of those very officers who now wish to resign, deprived them of the opportunity. Let, therefore, those officers now solicitous of leaving the army, but for one moment consider that by the superior confidence placed in them by the country, they were preferred to those who would have served it to the last; and let them ask their own hearts, if withdrawing from their duty at this critical juncture, is not a poor return for the very honorary preference given them? Let them then add to this the noble and animating consideration that they are actors upon that glorious stage where every incident is to become an historical fact. and the General persuades himself that they will not, by future application for leave to resign, reduce him to the painful necessity of refusing the requests of gentlemen he respects, or by complying with them deprive the army of officers so capable of doing honor to them- selves, and rendering service to the common cause. This order to be transmitted to the commanding officer at Haddrell's Point, Sullivan's Island and Fort Johnson, who are to take care that it is made known to the officers of their corps. Adjutant Dellient will inform Gen. Gads- den (if in town), Gen. Moultrie, and all the field-officers in town, that Gen. Howe would be glad to speak with them at his quarters, at 5 o'clock this afternoon.
PAROLE BEAUTORT.
May, 4, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Captain Potts, Town Guard from the 5th Regiment; Magazine, Fort Perrineau; Brick-house, Lieut. Read; Bar- racks, a sergeant.
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Gen. Howe approves of the proceedings of the General Court Martial lately held at Fort Moultrie, which he ratifies accordingly, with this only exception that the punishment to which Robt. Cunningham was sentenced is remitted, in respect to the court, as they recommended him to mercy; the judgment of the court to the other prisoners may be carried into execution at such time and in such a manner as the commanding officer for the time being shall direct ; or is impowered if he thinks proper to pardon the criminals, provided they agree to enlist for the war. Adjutant Delliant is to transmit this order to Fort Moul- trie.
PAROLE PUTNAM.
May 15, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Capt. Cogdell, Town Guard, Lieut. Mazyck; for the Magazine, Lieut. P. Gray; Brick-house, from the 5th Regi- ment; Barracks, a sergeant.
Gen. Moultrie is requested to appoint some officer of his Brigade to take an exact list of the prisoners of war in town and to make a report thereof at Head-Quarters.
The four following French vessels having come to this State under particular circumstances, viz : the Union, Capt. Laroach ; the Marquis de la Chalerac, Capt. Poligny ; the Thunder, Capt. Aldirron ; the An- drea, Capt. Corronant; the men of these vessels-are not upon any ac- count whatever to be enlisted in the Continental Battalions, and if any of their men have been enlisted, the commanding officers of those Bat- talions into which they have entered are immediately to discharge them from the service, and have them safely conveyed to the officer of the main guard in Charleston, who is to have them taken care of and de- livered, when demanded, to the master of the vessel to which they be- long; the Adjutant is to transmit this order immediately to the out- posts.
The honorable the Continental Congress, having entered into the fol- lowing resolutions relative to some of the articles of war, Commanding Officers of Brigade and of Battalions not formed into Brigades are im- mediately to have them published to the army that none may plead ignorance thereof; this order is also to be transmitted to the outposts.
IN CONGRESS, April 14th, 1777.
Resolved, That from and after the publication hereof the 2nd Article of the 8th Seetion, the 1st Article of the 11th Section, the 8th Article of the 14th Section and the 2nd Article of the 18th Section of the
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" Rules and Articles for the better Government of the Troops, raised or to be raised and kept in pay by and at the expense of the United States of America," passed in Congress the 28th September, 1776, shall be, and they are hereby repealed, and that the four following articles be substituted in the place and stead thereof :
ARTICLE IST .- All officers and soldiers shall have full liberty to bring into the forts or garrisons .of the United American States any quantity of eatable provisions, except where any contracts shall be entered into by Congress, or by their orders, for furnishing such provi- sions so contracted for.
ARTICLE 2D .-- If any officer shall find himself to be wronged by his colonel or commanding-officer of the regiment, and shall, upon due ap- plication made to him, be refused to be redressed, he may complain to the Continental General commanding in the State where such regiments shall be stationed, in order to obtain justice, who is hereby required to examine into the said complaint, and take proper measures for redres- sing the wrongs complained of, and transmit as soon as possible to Con- gress a true statement of such complaint, with the proceeding had thereon.
ARTICLE 3D .- No sentence of a general court-martial shall be put in execution till after a report shall be made of the whole proceeding tu Congress, the Commander-in-chief, or the Continental General com- manding in the State where such general court-martial shall be held, and there on his order being issued for carrying such sentence into execution.
ARTICLE 4TH .- The Continental General commanding in either of the American States for the time being, shall have full power of ap- pointing general court-martial to be held, and of pardoning or mitigat- ing any of the punishment ordered to be inflicted for any of the offences mentioned in the aforementioned rules and articles, for the better government of the troops, except the punishment of offenders under the sentence of death by a general court-martial, which he may order to be suspended until the pleasure of Congress can be known, which suspension, with the proceedings of the court-martial, the said General will immediately transmit to Congress for their determination, and every offender convicted by any regimental court-martial may be pardoned, or have his punishment mitigated by the colonel or officer commanding the regiment.
May 24, 1777.
Lieut. Thomas Shubrick is appointed Brigade-Major to Gen. Howe
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till the pleasure of the honorable the Continental Congress be known; he is to be respected and obeyed as such.
PAROLE BURKE.
June 10, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Capt. Conyers; town-guard, subaltern from 5th regiment ; magazine, Lieut. IIort; brick-house, Lieut. Henry Grey.
The General having considered the proceedings of the general court- martial, lately held for the trial of Lieut. Raphel of the artillery, charged by Capt. De Treville for having ungenteelly and falsely aspersed his character in a manner unbecoming a gentleman and an officer, and for the trial of a number of prisoners of different corps for desertion, and other crimes, find that the sentence against Lieut. Raphel thus : That he was no wise criminal, but rather indelicate; the court, there- fore, find him not guilty. Lieut. Raphel, in consequence of his acquit- tal, will do duty as usual. The General, however, thinks it incumbent on him, for the sake of service, to observe that indelicacy in the con- duct of one officer to another in a profession so pure as that of a sol- dier, ought upon every occasion to be avoided as inconsistent with that nicety of honor which gives dignity to the character. The General thinks proper to suspend his determination till a further day upon those . sentences which inflict capital punishment. All those inflicting corporal punishments he approves of and ratifies. The sentence respecting those criminals belonging to the corps in town will be carried into execution at such times and in such manner as the commanding officer of those corps shall think proper. Those under sentence belonging to outposts are to receive their punishment at those posts in the manner and at the time the commanding officer there shall direct, who are to order proper persons to receive the criminals of their several corps from the officer of the main-guard, and convey them safely to the place of punishment.
The commanding officers of the main-guard for the time being are in the most particular manner enjoined to be careful of Robert Potts, of the second regiment, and John Cooker, of the first-an escape of either of those prisoners will be considered as an unpardonable neglect of duty. The Adjutant-General will transmit a copy of these orders to the outposts, with a copy of the sentence of the general court-mar- tial relative to the criminals of each corps.
PAROLE DISCIPLINE.
June 19, 1777.
For' the day, to-morrow, Capt. Lesesne; town-guard, from the 5th regiment; magazine, Lieut. Shubrick ; brick-house, Dr. Burke.
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The General, with surprise and displeasure, has observed the slovenly, indecent and dirty state in which the soldiers have of late, upon almost every occasion appeared, inconsistent to their health, disgraceful to the army, censurable at all times, and, when upon duty, absolutely unpardon- able. He laments the inattention of officers of companies to their men, to which this degeneracy must in a great measure have been owing, sad which it was their absolute duty, as much as possible, to have pre- vented. They cannot surely suppose that their whole duty consists in appearing at, and that it ends in, parade, or that their reputation is not concerned in the appearance of their men. If, however, they do, it behoves them to adopt ideas more consistent with their own credit, and the good of the service. The uncombed, unshaved and dirty condition of many soldiers, even upon duty-the rusty, improper condition of their arms, and degeneracy in other particulars of late, too discernible, denote past inattention, and will, if not corrected in future, be deemed and treated as disobedience of orders. The relief of sentries sent from guard. even to the President's door, and head-quarters, come up with flapped hats, bare legs, long beards and uncombed hair; in short, in a manner so shamefully dirty and indecent, that officers of guard permit- ting it may, with too much appearance of justice, be accused of inat- tention and neglect. The General hopes that reformation will follow reprehension in all persons, and every department, where requisite ; the soldiers will, therefore, take care to appear at all times, but particu- larly for duty, in a manner as decent as the situation of things will per- mit; and all adjutants are warned against receiving them, and all officers of relief against marching them off, till that is the case. It is painful to the General to have occasion to remonstrate against any impropriety in the conduct of officers and men he has the honor of commanding. He wishes them to be assured that he never has, or never shall do it, but where duty exacts it of him, and that he has never served with any officers or men in his more respectable than those he is now with.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS, COL. MARION.
June 23, 1777.
On Saturday, 10 o'clock in the morning, divine service will be per- . formed by the chaplain in St. Michael's Church. All officers and men are desired to parade with their side-arms at the new barracks at nine o'clock in morning, from which the regiment will be marched to the church. It is expected the men will be clean and neat as possible, with their hair powdered-the men to receive their coats from the
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quarter master that day, for which commanding officers of companies to give a receipt.
ORDERS BY GENERAL HOWE.
PAROLE MOULTRIE.
June 27, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Capt. Lesesne; town-guard, Lieutenant from 5th regiment; magazine, Lieut. Proveaux; brick-house, Lieut. Per- rineau.
In commemoration of the 28th June last, on which day the good conduct and spirited behavior of the officers and men of this State deservedly obtained honor for themselves, and rendered essential service to their country and common cause of America, the following firing are to take place :-- At Fort Moultrie, 13 pieces of cannon ; at Fort John- son, 11; at Broughton's Battery, 7; at Littleton's, 7; at Elliot's, at Gadsden's Wharf, 7. The firing to begin at Fort Moultrie, and when finished there, to commence at Fort Johnson, then at Broughton's, then at Littleton's, and to finish at Elliott's. Col. Huger (as General Moultrie is sick), will order an officer, with a proper number of men, from the 2d and 5th regiments, to get the guns in order at Elliot's, and to direct the firings at that place.
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