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 17
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Your most obd't humble servant,
N. GREENE.
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[No. 199.] Gor. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
OCTOBER 24, 1781.
Dear Sir :
1 mentioned Mr. Peter Sinclair's case to Gen. Greene. Ex- changes between the two armies are now stopped, but (between our- selves) the General consents to your proposing, as without his knowledge, the exchange of any particular person whom you have or can get for Mr. Sinclair, and I hope you may, by this means, fall on some means of speedily relieving him. I have sent, your letter which mentions Col. Maham's taking Oliver's horse, to Gen. Greene, and recommended his signifying to Horry and Mayham, that they are under your orders, and to acquaint you of that mat- ter also. This will prevent all such and any other disputes with them in future, and make them serviceable. I have not heard from the General since, but I have no doubt that he will do this, as in a convention with him lately upon florry's conduct, we agreed that he should. All the gentlemen of our council, arrived yesterday. No news from Virginia, but I imagine Col. Lee will be back in a
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week. By him I hope we shall have something important. I wish when you can get at the Commissionsof the Peace, which I gave you, that you would send them to me, after writing in them the names of as many as you think fit for Magistrates. I want to have a list of the new Magistrates published, that people may know who they are, and that the old may forbear acting, many of them being very improper persons. Major Vanderhorst tells me that the second cask of wine, which you were so obliging as to give Col. Postell an or- der for, had been removed by Mr. Swinton. I wish you would have it sent to me, or if you will let me know where it may be got, and will enclose an order for it, when next you write, I will have it sent for. I am told that Putnam is coming up to me to endeavor to contract for several articles ; however from the specimens I have had of him, I believe he is very extravagant, and am in great hopes we may get supplies on much better terms from others. But of that I shall soon judge. I have given Mr. Clay, who has gone to Newbern, powers and instructions to treat with the owners of the prizes lately carried into that port; also with Mr. James Nelson and others about supplies. I have also sent for Wayne to come up here. I expect to see him soon, as I am told he went to North Car- olina to bring in some articles, with which he is daily expected at George Town. I sent Mr. Ravenel's mare to you by Antigu, the day before yesterday. I am told one McCoomber, in a cruising galley, is on our coast. I wish this man may not attempt to carry off negroes and commit such other outrages as Anthony and the like have done. I hope, however, you have issued orders, agreea- bly to my instructions to the militia officers in your district, on this subject. I wish you would send to me, per first opportunity, a dis- charge for one Thomas Ackin, of the second South Carolina Regi- ment of Continentals. He is unfit for duty, and I have promised a friend of his to procure him a discharge, in consideration of his ren- dering some important service to the State.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
J. RUTLEDGE.
P. S. Be pleased to have the proclamation herewith sent, circu- lated in your Brigade. Since writing the within, I have received yours of the 23d inst., and that which mentions the conduct of Hor- ry's officers. With respect to impressing, I have wrote to the
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General requesting that he will consent to your proposing an ex- change of as many of the privates taken by Capt. McCoomber, as will redeem your other men, besides Mr. Peter Sinclair, who are prisoners in the town, and I think he will. I shall inform you what he says, as soon as I see or hear from him. I have also sent to him your letter, concerning Col. Horry, and I have informed him that if I have any other complaint against Horry, I will revoke the press warrant and never give him another. Enclosed is a letter for Hor- ry, which I request you will have forwarded, after you have read and sealed it. But I think the best way would be to send for Horry to you, and hear what he has to say for such conduct, and talk the matter fully over with him, and if he does not give you satisfactory assurances that he will not abuse the press warrant in future, I will immediately withdraw it. De pleased to inform me, if you should send for him, what passes on the occasion. I find poor McCul- lough is in the Provost; however, it is impossible to help him. An offer of an exchange, as the enemy consider him one of their subjects, would injure instead of benefitting him.
[No. 200.] Gor. Rutledge to Col. Horry.
OCTOBER 27, 1781. Sir :
Enclosed is an extract from a letter which I have received from Gen. Marion. It appears very extraordinary, that notwithstanding with respect to impressing, your officers should act in the manner which the General represents. I desire to hear from you who the officers alluded to are, and what they possibly can offer in extenu- ation of conduct, which may be productive of the most mischievous consequences, and I assure you, that if I ever hear another com- plaint of the abuse of the press warrant which, confiding in your discreet exercise of it, I gave you, I will instantly revoke it and ne- ver let you have another. I am very sorry for such repeated com- plaints from Gen. Marion, respecting the officers of your corps, who appear to take every step in their power to abuse, insult and exasperate the militia. Surely you will see the evil tendency of
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such behavior, and check it by the most determined conduct, and I hope you will, if not I shall very speedily take such a step as will most effectually stop it. I am, sir,
Your humble servant,
J. RUTLEDGE.
THANKS OF CONGRESS.
By the United States, in Congress Assembled.
OCTOBER 29, 1781. Resolved, That the thanks of the United States, in Congress as- sembled, be presented to Brigadier Gen'l. Marion, of the South Carolina militia, for his wise, gallant, and decided conduct, in de- fending the liberties of his country, and particularly for his prudent and intrepid attack on a body of British troops, on the 13th day of August last, and for the distinguished part he took in the battle of the Sthi of September.
Extracts from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sect'y.
[No. 201.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
OCTOBER 29, 1781. Sir :
I have the pleasure to inform you from authority, that Lord Cornwallis and his army surrendered prisoners of war to General Washington on the 17th inst. Some of your officers have taken two swords and saddles from Brown and Orr, of Capt. Green's company, which you will order restored, as they are my Light Horse and constantly on duty, and must not be disarmed. I wish to see you as soon as possible, that I may know for a certainty if the complaints against your officers are to be depended on. I am toll that Chpt. Black is with you. Please order him to come to me to answer for his conduct, which has been much complained of; it
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he does not come, I shall send and take him. Col. Maham is on command over the river, with 70 of his Horse, complete and equip- ped. He will do something. I shall be glad to know how many of our Cavalry is complete for duty, that I may know how to call on you if necessary, I am, with regard,
Your obedient servant,
F. MARION.
[No. 202.| Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
CANTEY'S PLANTATION, Oct. 29, 1781.
Sir :
I received yours of the 28th ult., with the return of your corps. I this day wrote you for it, but find you are not yet in a condition to act, and shall not call on you but when necessity obliges me. Just now I have a large body of Cavalry, and can give you time to com- plete the most of your men. I have not one musket to spare, and you may take any arms from the men, who have given substitutes, or money to procure them-but no other. You will receive my letter wrote this morning, wherein I desired to see you to settle some matters of complaint against your officers, and if convenient you will come ; whenever you think your corps is in a state to act, I shall find employment for them. Iam, sir.
Your humble servant,
F. MARION.
N. B. I have plenty of ammunition.
[No. 203.] Col. Peter Horry to Gov. Rutledge.
OCTOBER 30, 17S1.
Sir :
Yesterday and to-day, three of your Excellency's letters came to my hands dated 5th, 224 and 27th insts. In the first I am di- rected to enlist no more men for i less time than three years. As substitution is stopped, I have ordered in all my officers, having no
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more money. The second prevents my taking any more substitutes, as you are of opinion a better method may be fallen on to recruit Cavalry, than exempting the militia from duty for trifling sums. General Greene directed no particular sum to be received, but on ly giving a substitute, which was done either by money or other- wise, and Gen. Greene nor myself could at that time devise no het- ter method to procure regular Cavalry, which was much wanted, as the enemy appeared to be augmenting theirs. Enclosed please to receive a return of my substituting concerns, and the names of volunteers that do duty with me. It is needless my mentioning either McCormick's or Miller's cases to Gen. Marion, as I find him not disposed to give or receive any information from me. Your last letter enclosed an extract of a letter from Gen. Marion which says, " Since the letter you sent to Col. Peter Horry respecting impres- sing horses, his officers went to a general muster, which Col. Irvin called of his Regiment in order to draught the men for duty, that those officers took their horses, saddles and swords, which they resented and drew up and obliged them to give up, or they would have been fired on; since that, some men coming to camp on duty, had their horses, saddles and arms taken from them. It is out of my power to do anything, as they believe they are to obey no other power than Gen. Greene's orders." These are such charges that I hope your Excellency will give me leave to endeavor to confute them. A Captain Black, Gen. Marion's officer and not my officer, but a person that assisted Cornet Elholm, my recruiting officer on Pee Dee, coming down with some men which Elholm sent me, called in at the musterfield, and it appears that he behaved much amiss in endeavoring to impress, &c .; but while he continued with me, which was several days, I had no complaint made against him, and if he was my officer and acted wrong, my quarters were direct- ly in Col. Irvin's route to Gen. Marion's camp, and he or Gen. Ma- rion could with great ease have informed me of it. Any person whatever that will lodge information to me against any of my offi- cers, will find that I am far from upholding them in any abuse of the inhabitants or of power given them, but will inquire strictly into their conduct and give satisfaction to the complaint; but gen- eral charges are unfair and ungenerous, and difficult, if not impos- sible, to vindicate ourselves against. Gen. Marion's charges always
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say "your officers," but do not name the officers in particular ; in respect to a contempt of authority, I never showed any to your Excellency or Gen. Marion, whose authority I never doubted or disobeyed. He, a good while ago, and then only was pleased (amidst so many general charges of complaints made to you against my oficers) to write me as follows : " I am informed that you or some of your officers had ordered a tar-kiln of Brockinton's to be set on fire to make coals for your workmen; if it is done, those that ordered it shall pay the value 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 Court Martial, for assuming a power, which is only vested in the Governor, and delegated to me. I have heard a number of fiber- ties which your officers have taken out of their sphere and line of duty. I shall in future take such steps with them as will bring them to their senses, for I think they are entirely out at present." On receipt of this letter, I immediately wrote the General an an- swer that Capt. Lenud was absent, that I knew nothing of his or- der to Snow nor had I or any of my officers to my knowledge, or- dered any kiln to be set on fire ; that if any of them behaved amiss they were answerable, and would suffer for it. Since that I have had no complaint from Gen. Marion, and it was very easy for him to name the officer, which any complaint was lodged against, and if he did not confide in inquiries of the matter, he could write me to send him the officer, or to order him under arrest ; however, I am since told it was his officer that ordered the kiln to be set on fire and not mine. Capt. Lenud says he only gave Snow a pro- tection for a horse against any of his parties taking him, as he thought the horse unfit for our service. Thus you see how tales run to the General, and how ready and willing he is to hear and believe them against myself and officers, and as readily conveys them to your Excellency, and under the ungenerous charge of Col. P. Horry's officers ; however, after all his complaints, I received his letter yesterday, dated 29th instant. His words are, " I wish to see you" (for now I am immediately under his command and he finds that you have sent ine au extract of his letter) " as soon as possible, that I may know for a certainty if the complaints againts your officers are to be depended on," so that after endeavoring to
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injure us in your Excellency's opinion and drawing your displea- sure on us, he now wishes to know if what he has asserted be truc. If General Marion's motives for this and other charges against us do not appear to your Excellency, to me they are obvious, but I wish not to tire your patience. Reprimands I am not accustomed to, and such your Excellency's letter appears to me to be, and so severe a one that in the course of near seven years' service, I never received from any of my superior officers, and it hurts me much to receive this unmerited one from your Excellency. I value my commission as serving my country with honour and reputation, which I have ever endeavoured to do, free from any other inter- ested motives. I assure you my property is no way augmented by serving my country, but much the reverse. If my conduct is so offensive, your Excellency or General Marion had best order a Court of Inquiry on the same, or that I be tried by a Court Mar- tial, then I may have an opportunity of vindicating myself and silencing General Marion's complaints. I have, by General Ma- rion's orders, sent for Capt. Black to come to him to answer com- plaints lodged against him ; and no other officers have ever been named to me but Capt. Lenud, Major Benson will wait on your Excellency and fully inform you of all the grounds of these com- plaints, which I hope will satisfy you ; however, if not, and if you do not rely on my statement of the matter, I will endeavour to get leave of my good friend, General Marion, and with my papers, let- ters, &c., support these my assertions.
I am, your Excellency's ob'dt. serv't.,
PETER HORRY.
[No. 204.] Gen. Greene to Col. Peter Horry.
HEAD QUARTERS, HIGH HILLS SANTEE, October 30, 1781. Dear Sir :
I have just received your letter by Lieut. Huggins and Capt. Gough. I congratulate you on the glorious news from the north- ward, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and army to Gen. Wash- ington and his army. It is said to have happened on the 17th. No
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official accounts have arrived, but the channel through which the intelligence comes, leaves no room to doubt its authenticity. I wrote to you a few day days since to join Gen. Marion and to take his orders in all matters till you hear further from me. If that let- ter should not have come to hand, you will please join the General immediately on the receipt of this. It is not a little surprising how my letters miscarry, not one of your's has remained unanswered long in my hands. As soon as I hear from Gen. Washington, you shall hear further from me on the recruiting service.
I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant, J. RUTLEDGE.
[No. 205.] Gov. Rutledge to Col. Peter Horry.
OCTOBER 31, 1781. Sir :
I have received your letter of the 28th inst., per Lieut. Huggins, but I sent to you under cover to Gen. Marion last week, a full an- swer to your letter on the same subject of volunteers and substi- tutes, so that it is unnecessary to repeat here what you have cer- tainly received some days ago. Mr. Snipes is much mistaken as to what you mention; I have given orders to the Colonels of the Southern Regiments on that point, and desired Col. Sanders to show Capt. Kirkburn my letter relative to it.
I am, sir, your very humble servant, J. RUTLEDGE.
[ No. 206.] Col. Peter Horry to Gen. Greene.
INDIAN TOWN, October 31, 1781.
Dear General :
Agreeably to your orders, I have put myself and corps under General Marion's command. I before wrote you that while the enemy continued in the country, I was willing to submit to your commands, and be in any manner employed by you in the service
!
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of my country that you thought fit. I used to submit to General Marion's orders with pleasure, but at present I assure you it is dis- agreeable to me and all my officers that have experienced his late usage. That gentleman, for reasons to me obvious, but which I forbear to trouble you with, seems to have used every means in his power, by writing to the Governor to prejudice myself and officers in his opinion, and has drawn two letters from the Governor to me, which are such reprimands that the like I never in near seven years' service experienced from any of my superior officers, and which I declare to be groundless, and which indeed General Ma- rion writes that he wishes me to come to his camp to know for a certainty if the complaints against my officers are to be depended on, after writing them to the Governor as facts. I wish you to in- form me if myself and corps are on Continental or State establish- ment. If on continental, I shall receive my orders from no other person but yourself, and wish you to send me commissions for my officers. No more substitutes being allowed, and my money being out, I have ordered in all my recruiting officers, and wish to know how I am to complete my command of men. Major Benson waits on you, and will carry your commands to me.
I am, dear General, your obedient servant,
PETER HORRY.
[No. 207.] Maj. Derrill Hart to Col. Richard Hampton.
THURSDAY NIGHT, Nov. 1, 1781. Dear Colonel :
I this moment returned from Head Quarters, but the Governor and the General both disapprove of moving the stock, except those belonging to people who are obliged to go off; the Governor would not undertake to do anything respecting the Tories, and after keep- ing me the day out, sent me to Gen. Greene, who says he will take the matter up in a few days, but at the present can do nothing with them. I have certain accounts of about 150 Tories being gone to town; they are promised clothes, blankets and arms; they have carried 4 wagons said to be for ammunition, &c. Gen. Sumter
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is by this time in camp; I expect to be there myself on Sunday, would have gone immediately on, but the family is very ill.
I am, dear Colonel, your very humble servant, DERRIL HART.
P. S. The Governor was surprised to hear of your going on this expedition.
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[No. 20S.] Gor. Rutledge to Col. P. Horry.
Sir :
NOVEMBER 4th, 1781.
I received yours of the 31st ult., with the several papers enclosed in the letter, which is referred to. I am exceedingly sorry for the misunderstanding which seems to have taken place between Gen. Marion and you. However, I am in hopes now, that as you are both together, it will subside and nothing of the sort happen in future. I could not suppose that his complaints of your officers' conduct were ill founded ; therefore, I expressed myself as if they were just. I am glad to find your account of the matter so favor- able, and doubt not that Gen. Marion will be convinced that he has been misinformed. When I was at Mrs. Motte's, at Congaree, about 12th September, I gavo Maj. Hyrne, commissions for all the officers of your corps, as well as of Col. Mayham's. You may therefore, get commissions for your officers, by sending to Maj. Hyrne. I am sir, your very humble servant,
J. RUTLEDGE.
[No. 209.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
MT. RICHARDSON PLANTATION, Nov. 5th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Your favor of the 2nd, I have received. Officers of the militia not in arms, are upon the same footing as privates. Those you sent up are upon parole, until the enemy give an answer upon the subject. Gen. Sumter has orders to take post at Orangeburg, to prevent the Tories in that quarter from conveying supplies to Town,
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and his advance parties will penetrate as low as Dorchester; there- fore you may act in conjunction with him, or employ your troops on the enemies left, as you may find from information they can best be employed. Please to give me your opinion, on which side you think they can be the most useful; also, give me an account of the force you have with you, including the Riffemen, Horry's and Mayham's Corps. With esteem and regard,
I am dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 210.] Gen. Greene to Col. Peter Horry.
HEAD QUARTERS, NOV. 6, 17S1.
Dear Sir :
Your letter of the 30th October, by Major Benson, I have re- ceived. Nothing gives me more pain than to find disputes and dis- agreements beginning among officers high in rank and on whom the people have their eyes for examples. Such disputes will weaken our own exertions and encourage the enemy, for they will be in- formed of all these matters. The high opinion I have of both of you, as well in matters of patriotism as good sense, induces me to hope that you have but to meet and all matters will be accommoda- ted to your mutual satisfaction. Gen. Marion cannot wish to injure you after knowing how much you have done and suffered for the cause. It is your interest to be friends; it is the interest of the public that you should be so, and let me beg of you to render things as agreeable as possible. The General is a good man ; few of us are without faults ; let his virtues veil his if he has any. Let neither prepossession or resentment widen the breach between you. Your bleeding country demands a sacrifice of little injuries, and your own good sense will point out the best mode of avoiding them. I beg leave to recommend harmony and concord between you, as the most effectual way of rendering the service most agreeable to yourselves and beneficial to the public. Our public affairs are at such a crisis, and the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army will make such a change in our measures, particularly in the Cav- alry department, that I cannot at present decide anything on that
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head, nor until I receive Gen. Washington's dispatches, which are daily expected. As soon as this happens, you shall hear further from me on this subject. I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 211.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
NOVEMBER 6, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Capt. Withers arrived here with his troops yesterday, at 2 o'clock P. M, which came too late for the present design, but a grand movement will take place in two or three days, when I shall pass the river. Gen. Greene has called for your return, and I will send the one you made me, but must take notice you mention in your last, that Capt. Withers has all that is fit for duty. If you have any more men fit for duty, I beg you will send them to me immediately, as I am obliged to take post low down the country. Enclosed is what you desire.
I am, with great regard, your obd't. servant, F. MARION.
[No. 212.] D. Doyle, D. Adjutant General ( of the British) to Gen'l. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, CAMP AT RAVENEL'S PLANTATION, November 9, 1781. Sir :
I am directed by Brigadier General Stewart to state to you an outrage that has been offered by a party (who style themselves un- der your command) to a safe-guard placed at the widow Ravenel's plantation, for the purpose of protecting her house; although her family are avowedly opposed against us. Some day last weck, a certain Mr. Daniel Ravenel, with some armed men, came to Mrs. Ravenel's, and after abusing the safe-guard, left solely for her pro- tection, took his sword which they have carried off and never since
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returned. As such improper behavior will be the means of pre- venting the General's protecting the peaceable, helpless families, as he would wish to do without respect to party ; he therefore desires me to represent to you the necessity of ordering the sword to be immediately returned to the safe-guard, which as consonant to pol- icy as well as humanity, the General has no doubt you will rea- dily acquiesce in. Upon every movement of the British troops, the General would wish to send safe guards to the neighboring planta- tions to protect the harmless neutral individuals, but for the fear of their being ill-treated by the mistaken zeal of the irregulars of your party. It would seem well worthy the attention of both armies to prevent as much as possible the horrors of war being carried to ex- tremes, by stamping upon safe-guards the respect and sacredness which they receive in every civilized country.
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