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.3 > Part 15
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Your most obedient servant,
JOHN JAMES.
[No. 175.] Gen. Marion to Col. Horry.
MURRAY'S FERRY, Sept. 23, 1781. Dear Sir :
Gen. Greene desires me to call your Cavalry as soon I shall march from here. As the enemy is expected to cross the Santee, you will be ready at a moment's warning to join me. Indeed, I think it will be much for the good of the service, that you send all
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the men you have that aro mounted and equipped immediately to me, as the enemy may cross suddenly, without having to send to you. I am informed that you or some of your oficers have order- ed a tar-kiln of Brockington's to be set on fire to make coals for your workmen, if it is done, those that ordered it shall pay the val- ue of it. Capt. Lenud has given Mr. Snow an order respecting his property. If' I find it true, that gentleman shall be immediately put under arrest and tried by a general court martial, for assuming a power which is only vested in the Governor and delegated to me. I have heart a number of liberties which your officers have taken out of their sphere and line of duty, and shall in future take such steps with them as will bring them to their senses, for I think they are entirely out at present. I am informed of a great number of men in your Infantry, all of them not doing the service of one third. You will please send me the names of all such artificersas you have employed and are actually at work, and their different callings, that I may not only know who make it a pretence from doing du- ty as militia, but to jadge what numbers may be sufficient for your purpose. As it stands at present, you ought to have a third of a Regiment. None but such as you give names of, shall be per- mitted to stay from camp ; you will therefore send me a list per bearer. You will retain as few men as possible, as we shall want every ican that can be got, for if the enemy cross the river an ac- tion must ensue. I ara, dear sir,
Your humble servant, F. MARION.
[No. 176.] Gen. Greene to Col. Peter Horry.
HEAD QUARTERS, HIGH HILLS SANTEE, September 24, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Your favor of the 20th was delivered ine last evening. I am sorry to And the Tories are getting formidable upon the borders of South Carolina. I had heard some time ago of their growing pow- er and increasing confidence, to which Col. Wade's misfortunes. 1 believe, have contributed nos a little. As you are acquainted with
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all their haunts in that part of the country, I wish to have your opinion respecting the force necessary and the best mode for dis- persing them I recommend calling your troops together as fast as they are calisted and putting thein under discipline, they will be sooner fit for service, and at the same time serve to awe the To- ries, as the very name of a regular soldier fils them with terror. I am happy to find by your returns your Regiment so strong, and only wish that horses and accoutrements could be had to mount them" immediately ; however, I am in hopes the mode you have fallen upon will afford you a considerable number. I have heard nothing farther from Virginia, by which the ene ny's interroos can be more fully explained, than when I wrote you before, but every hours de- lay will render their retreat more difficult and dangerous.
I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble serrant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 177.] Governor Rutledge to Col. Peter Horry.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1781.
Sir :
You are hereby empowered to impress and take what horses are wanted for your corps, except such as are in the Dragoon service, necessarily employed on public duty or belonging to the public. The Honorable Major Gen. Greene's powers to you to procure articles for the equipment of your corps cro hereby fully confrmed, and you are authorized to exercise them in future. I am,
Your obedient servant, J. RUTLEDGE.
[No. 178.] Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
SEPTEMBER 26, 1781.
Sir :
I am informed that several persons liable to do militin duty, have found substitutes to perform it for them, and that others have paid
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money to officers to procure men in the Continental or State service, by which means, such persons have been excused by their officers from militia duty. As this practice has introduced and must occa- sion great irregularity and confusion, I think proper to issue a spe- cial and particular order on this head, and to give reasons against the practice above mentioned, and for the propriety of the order. The law does not allow any man the privilege of sending substi- tutes, nor does it exempt him from militia duty, by paying. such a sum as his officer may think proper to receive, either in lieu of per- sonal service to find a Continental or State soldier or for any other purpose. Therefore, ifan officer takes on him to give an exemption from militia duty to one who provides a substitute, or pays money to procure a regular soldier, it is illegal and unwarrantable ; such con- duct never did, nor will receive my sanction or approbation. The militia are to be divided into three classes, in one of which every man must be; each of these classes is liable to be called out for two months. This makes every militia man liable to march twice a year; (I mean those who are above 80 miles from the enemy, for if within that distance, the draught may be greater and the term of service longer) if he refuses or neglects to march, he is liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty pounds specie, being about the specie value (at the time when the Militia Act of the 13th February, 1779, was pissed) of five hundred pounds current mo- ney, and to a further fine, not exceeding a third part in specie of treble the part of his tax. Such third part being about the com- parative value (upon the principle laid down) between specie and paper money, in the latter of which he was liable to be fined not exceeding treble his tax: the only alternative then, is to do militia du- ty or undergo his trial by a coart martial, and pay such fine in spe- cie (not exceeding the amount above mentioned) as they may ad- judge for his neglect of refusal. You will give the necessary orders for observing this role with your Brigade. No other regard is to be had to those who have found substitutes or paid mo- ney to procure men, or for public purpose, than if they do not choose to perform militia duty, to allow them credit on account of their finn, for the specie value of what they paid to procure a sub- stitute or for public purpose. You will order a regular account to be kept of all monies received, or to be received on the score
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above mentioned, which is to be paid into your hands, by those who originally receive it, and be pleased to make a return to me of what- ever has been received, and every two months of all which may be received, that a proper disposition of it may be ordered. I hope these instructions and those of the 17th inst., are sufficiently clear and extensive. I will endeavor to make them so if any doubt should remain or arise or any explanation be requisite, upon your communicating them to me. I am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. RUTLEDGE.
[No. 179.] Gor. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
Dear Sir :
I have been very much puzzled about a proclamation to offer pardon to the Tories. I have, however, determined upon the whole, to issue one with certain exceptions. It is enclosed ; be pleased to have it properly circulated. I will send you some printed copies as soon as they can be struck off. You will have a regular account kept of all who surrender themselves within the time limited, and transmit it to me as soon as the time is expired.
Your obedient servant, J. RUTLEDGE.
PROCLAMATION-STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
By his Excellency John Rutledge, Esq., Governor and Commander- in-Chief of the said State.
Whereas, the forces of the United States having compelled the troops of his Britannic Majesty, to surrender or evacuate the seve- ral strong posts which they held in the upper and interior settle- ments, and retreat to the vicinity of Charles Town, and the enemy being therefore unable to give that protection and support which they promised to their adherents, loft many of the inhabitants of this State, who had taken up arme with them (induced so to do by their artful representations) to become victims to their in-
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jured country ; Whereupon, such persons to escape or avoid the effects of its just resentments, followed and remained with the Brit- ish army, or lurk and conceal themselves in secret places: And whereas, the commandant of Charles Town having sent beyond sea, the wives and families (who were in the said town) of all the avowed friends of America, the several Brigadiers of militia were ordered, as a retaliation of such treatment, to send the wives and families within their respective districts, of all persons who had joined or adhered to and remained with the enemy into their lines : And whereas, it is represented to me in behalf of the unhappy men who are with the British Troops, or scouting themselves as afore- said, that they are now convinced (being reduced with their fami- lies to great distress and poverty ) that they relied on false and spe- cious engagements, and were flattered with vain expectations and detusive hopes, and that they are therefore anxious (if they may be permitted) to return to their allegiance and use their utmost exer- tions to support American Independence. Ou duly weighing and con- sidering the premises, I have thought fit, by and with the advice and consent of the Privy Councils, to issue this proclamation, offer- ing, and I do hereby offer to all persons who have borne arms with the enemy and who now adhere to, or are with them in this State, or are lurking or concealing themselves in secret places in any part of the State. a full and free pardon and oblivion for such their of- fence of having borne arms with or adhere to the enemy, upon the conditions following : That is to say, that such persons do and shall within thirty days after the dite hereof, surrender themselves to a Brigadier of militia of this State, and engage to perform constant duty as privates in the militia for six months next ensuing the time of such surrender, and that they actually perform such duty; and do further offer to the wives and children of such persons, upon their husbands or parents complying with the condition first above mentioned, license and permission to return to their habitations and to hold and enjoy their property in this State without molestation or interruption, Provided, that if such persous shall desert from the militia service within the time above limited, their families shall be immediately sent into the enemy's lines, and neither they or their husbands or parents suffered to return to or reside in this State. Nevertheless, I do except from the pardon hereby offered and from
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every benefit of this proclamation, all such persons, as having gone over to or joined the enemy, were called upon by me in and by two several proclamations, to surrender themselves to a magistrate within forty days after the respective dates of those proclamations, in pursuance of an Ordinance, entitled an Ordinance to prevent per- sons withdrawing from the defence of this State to join the enemy thereof: All such as were sent off or obliged to quit the State for refusing to take the oath required of them by law, who have re- turned to this country : All those who subscribed a congratulatory address, bearing date on or about the 5th day of June, 1780, to Gen. Sir Henry Clinton and Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, or another address bearing date on or about the 19th day of September, 1780, to Lieut. Gen. Earl Cornwallis : All such as hold or have held any commission civil or military under the British government, and are now with the enemy, and all those whose conduct has been so in. famous, as that they cannot (consistently with justice or policy) be admitted to partake of the privileges of America; notwithstanding which last mentioned exception, such persons if they be deemed by me, or the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, (for the time being) inadmissable to the rights and privileges of subjects, will not be de- tained as prisoners, but shall have full and free liberty and a pass or permit to return : At a juncture when the force of the enemy in this State, though lately considerable is nearly reduced, by the many defeats which they have suffered, and particularly in the late important action at Eutaw, when they are dispossessed of every post except Charles Town garrison : When the formidable fleet of his most Christian Majesty in Chesapeake Bay, and the combined armies of the King of France and of the United States under the command of his Excellency Gen. Washington, in Virginia, afford a well grounded hope that by the joint efforts of these armies, this campaign will be happily terminated and the British power in eve- ry part of the confederated States soon totally annihilated : It is conceived that the true and real motive of the offer here made will be acknowledged; it must be allowed to proceed, not from timidi- ty, (to which the enemy affect to attribute every act of clemency and mercy on our part) but from a wish to impress with a sense of their error and reclaim misguided subjects, and give them once more an opportunity of becoming valuable members of the com-
12
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munity, instead of banishing them or forever cutting them off from it; for even the most disaffected cannot suppose that the brave and determined freemen of the State have any dread of their arms. With the persons to whom pardon is thus offered, the choice still re- mains, either to return to their allegiance and with their families bo restored to the favor of their country and to their possessions, or to abandon their properties in this State forever and go with their wives and children whither, for what purpose, on whom to depend, or how to submit they know not, most probably to experience in some strange and distant land all the miseries and horrors of beggary, sickness and despair. This alternative is now, for the last time, sub- mitted to their judgment. It will never be renewed. Given un- der my hand and the great seal at the High Hills of Santee, this 27th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1781, and in the sixth year of the Independence of America.
By his Excellency's command.
JNO. SANFORD DART, Secretary.
[No. 180.] Gor. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
OCTOBER, 5th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I received your letter of the 2d inst., the day before yesterday and should have answered it sooner, but have been disabled by sick- ness. The order respecting militia marching on foot, was general to all the Regiments, but as the movements and employment of your Brigade are different from those of any other, I think the rea- sons good for your continuing to act on horseback. You will there- fore order them to do so. By your order of the 2d inst., to Col. Richardson, I perceive you have mistaken myintention, which was not to bring to a trial by court martial (in order that they may be fined in specie) such persons as have refused to do duty. My de- sire is, that the Regiments be mustored and classed or draughted. and the extracts of the militia law, my orders respecting the mili- tia, and the proclamation suspending the Tender Acts, read at the head of each Regiment, in order that they may be publicly notified
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and no person hereafter preten1 ignorance of them. This being done the instructions are to operate against all future offenders, whether they have found substitutes in the militia, provided regular soldiers, or paid money for those or other purposes, but until this be done, persons who have refused to do duty are only fineable in paper money, and am rather of opinion, that it is most expedient not to inquire into past offences, but to begin upon the new plan which I have laid down. As to persons who have found substi- tutes or done any other act which they have been made to believe, would exempt them from militia duty, and who have therefore re- fused to perform it, the bringing them to court martial for such past offences, would be extremely hard, if the court martial should fine largely, and might give umbrage to many officer swho probably conceived that they had a right to receive money or substitutes for exemptions from duty, and that in so doing they were rendering the most effectual service to their country, but it is likely that under such circumstances, the Court would fine him in a very small sum. For these reasons I would recommend the overruling of all past offences or neglect of duty ; and you will therefore altor your or- ders to Col. Richardson, and any other similar orders which you may have given to other Colonel's, and make these orders conform- able to this explanation, but enjoin the strictest and steadiest execu- tion of orders in future. Gen. Greene informs me that he is in want of a Chausseur Corps of militia, to natrole in the vicinity of his camp, and prevent the soldiers from strolling and offering any inju- ry to the inhabitants. You will be pleased to order Col. Richard- son to go to the General, know from him what number of men he will want, and to furnish them for that purpose out of his first draught, the performance of such duty to exempt the men employ- ed in it (whilst they are so employed) from any other. My idea is, though I presume no doubt has arisen with you on the point, that no man that is within the district of any Regiment out of Charles Town, shall be excused from militia duty under a pretence that he is on parole, or a British subject, unless the former has been fairly taken in arms and paroled as an officer ; any other men who are on parole I wish on their being British subjects, and therefore refused to do militia, may take their chance, either of doing it or going into the enemy's lines, and if they will not go and refuse to do duty,
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they must be tried and fined, as it is directed with respect to other privates; you will not however consider this instruction, it being a general one, as any prohibition to you to suffer such persons in either of the predicaments last mentioned, as you may think proper to permit to remain out of the British lines without doing any mi- litia duty at all for some more valuable purpose, this being a matter which I leave to your direction. I find there are many gentlemen riding about the country under the description of volunteers who render no kind of service to it ; this practice being very injurious. should be immediately suppressed ; and no man is to be excused from doing militia duty in the district of the Regiment to which it belongs, unless he is actually enrolled and obliged for some cer- tain time to serve in some regular corps of Cavalry, not merely as a volunteer, but to do the same duty and be subject to the articles as the rest of the corps are obliged to do, or are subject to. The blan- kets and cloth you mention will certainly be wanted for public use. You will therefore have them safely kept, somewhere under your orders, and indeed we shall want more than you can procure ; I shall therefore be glad that you obtain all that you possibly can, and have that also kept in the same manner. Be pleased to forward the enclosed letters to Cols. Horry and Mayham. There are seve- ral other matters that I shall write to you about, as soon as I con. sider and arrange them ; I am unable at present to do so. Capt. Richardson informs me that he has not above three bushels of salt left. As three barrels or twenty-four bushels will be absolutely necessary for the use of myself and the gentlemen of the council whom I daily expect here, I shall be much obliged to you to send in your first letter to me, an order on the person who has the charge of any salt of yours (the nearest to the place to deliver that quan- tity to such person as I may send for it).
I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,
J. RUTLEDGE,
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[No. 181.] Col. Peter Horry to Gen. Marion.
OCTOBER 5, 1781.
Dear General :
In your letter of the 23d September, you say that none but such as I give in the names of shall be admitted to stay from camp, and that I do therefore send it you per bearer. I therefore at that time answered your letter and sent you the names of such as I then had in employ for my Regiment, and I hoped that you would have suf. fered such as I find industrious to have continued working, as you must know 'tis impossible to equip my Regiment without employ- ing artificers ; whether 'tis your order or not, I am ignorant; how- ever, the workmen in this part of the country, (and am told Gen- eral, all my workmen) say they can work no longer as you have ordered them to stand their draft for the field, and several are draft- ed, and the rest say they must stay at home without working for me, as the next month will be for their going out. I am sorry for such orders, and believe there must be some mistake, as I do not suppose your instructions can be to prevent my equipping my men for the field, which must be the case, if you debar my employing workmen. In a few days I hoped the workmen I had employed here would have enabled me to take the field, by finishing me off a number of scabbards, bridles and halters, and binding the scabbards with iron; but they have stopped, and unless you will suffer them to go on I cannot send you mounted above half as many men as I would otherwise do ; hereunder are the names of such as I wish you to suffer me to continue, and to give your own exemptions for them, which I suppose your officers will pay some respect to, which they will not do for mine. My Pee Dee command is not yet returned ; I expect them on Thursday or Friday next, and then I will send you all the men I can mount and equip.
I am, dear General, your obedient servant,
P. HORRY.
At George Town, Gauf, Boot Maker, and 3 workmen; 2 Han- cocks and Crone.
At Britton's Neck, Brown, Cap maker.
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At Lower Pee Dee, Wort (Curryer) and 3 Rozolonger (Boot makers).
At Upper Pec Dec, Dewet and Lebracl, Sword makers.
At Township 3 Nermyths and Scott, are Smiths and Sword ma- kers. Knox and Kirkpatrick. Suddlers. Total: 17. Anthony M. White acts for meas agent and Quartermaster, and procures me at George Town whatever I wish for.
[No. 182.] Mordecai Myers to Gen. Marion.
GEORGETOWN, Oct. 6, 1781.
Honored Sir :
Agreeably to your letter by Capt. Mitchell of the 15th Septem- ber, and your order of the 1st inst., I have supplied commissary Swinton with the following articles as per bill enclosed. I can as- sure you I have charged the goods at the same rate, I sold them last fall for cash to the inhabitants of this part of the country, which any of them can testify. The Indigo you were so obliging as to promise me in payment for these articles you receive for the public use, I should be glad to receive when convenient, as there is now a trade commenced between this post and some of the northern States, that I may be able to supply the public as well as individuals with necessaries ; but it will be of little consequence for me to receive Indigo in payment, unless your honor would be so kind as to give me a protection for it, as Major Vanderhorst is here at present press- ing all of that article that he can lay his hands on. Your honor must be sensible that unless the traders of the place are indulged to keep what produce they have on hand or what they may receive from time to time, they cannot barter with those masters of vessels be- fore mentioned, and of course will not come to this post, will be of infinite disadvantage to the people at large as well as the public, and as I have no other dependence, must of course perish unless your honor will take this matter into your consideration and give me some relief. I have also supplied Col. Peter Horry's Regiment of Light Dragoons to a considerable amount, also Capt. Ransom Da- vis, which I should be glad to receive payment for in Indigo, as it
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will enable me to give you further assistance in supplies, as I in- tend being concerned in a vessel to trade at present to Nerbern, there being at present a large quantity of captured goods there and if your honor should think me worthy, I should be happy in importing any articles from thence that your honor or the public may stand in need of.
I am, with the greatest esteem and respect,
Your honor's very humble servant, MORDECAI MYERS. P. S. I delivered your handk's. to Capt. Mitchell some time ago.
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[No. 183.] William Swinton ( Commissary) to Gen. Marion. OCTOBER 9, 1781. Honored Sir :
I received yours dated the 2d of this inst., and according to your order I have been to George Town and have received the articles which you desired me to receive of Mr. Myers, of which I have enclosed a list. I have likewise purchased a puncheon of rum and a cask of sugar for your use. Sir, I would have impressed the rum, but as there is a trade just open in that place, I was afraid that if I went to press, it would be the means of stopping the trade which I thought would be a hurt to the public in general ; in the next place Capt. Putnam, whom I got the liquor of, says that if the pub- lic will make him returns in Indigo, rice or negroes, he will supply them with a great quantity of liquor, blankets, cloth, and saddles, which he will bring in the course of three weeks; his price for the liquor will be two dollars a gallon, the saddles twenty-five dollars, and the blankets hecould not tell what they would come at ; he will likewise take bills on France in payment. Sir, the liquor I pur- chased is at a very high rate, it is at $33 per gallon, and the Indigo 3 sterling per pound. If the price is too high, would be glad if you would send me word what I should give, and if your desire is that I shall not pay for it in Indigo, I beg you will send me a posi- tive order against it, as I have given my obligation for the same and Mr. Wayne is my security, and I would not be willing to suf-
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