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 19
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have not heard from Gen. Washington upon the subject of the Cavalry, nor can I tell why Major Hyrne detained your Commis- sions, unless it was to have the matter settled whether the corps were to be State or Continental Cavalry. It is possible I might have advised to it but do not remember it ; application being made to him, he will satisfy you on the subject. I have engaged Mr. Putnam at George Town to get me some blankets ; should he suc- ceed, you shall have part. All kinds of cloth we are in want of and in the greatest distress on the same account; near one half of our soldiers have not a shoe to their feet and not a blanket to ten men through the line. I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
N. GREENE.
[No. 229.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, ROUND O, Dec. 14, 1781. Dear Sir :
I have just received your letter of the 12th, and have sent you all the ammunition that arrived ; more is expected daily. I am sorry that the enemy have it in their power to take off rice with im- punity, but it is neither your or my fault. If we are not supported and supplied with the means to defend the country we cannot help it. It is true our masters are poor, and among some of them incli- nation is wanting, particularly in Virginia ; but be not discouraged, I look forward for better days.
With esteem and regard, I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
[No. 230.] Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
HIGH HILLS OF SANTEE, Dec. 15, 1781. Dear Sir :
You will consider the Charles Town Regiment of militia as an- nexed to your Brigade, and make the necessary appointments. I
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am told the troops which are coming from the northward, bring 800 stand of arms. If you apply to Gen. Greene, it is probable he may on their arrival, spare some to you. I have wrote to Phila- delphia for arms and ammunition for the State's use, expect them by return of the waggons, which carried Indigo thither, and which I think must be now about setting off to come back. On their ar- rival I hope to give your Brigade a good supply ; I wish to pro- cure 12 barrels of rice for the use of the Assembly at their intend- ed meeting on the 8th of next month. Be pleased to have that quanti- ty procured as high up Santee River as it can be got, and let me know as soon as possible where it is, that I may order wagons down to fetch it from thence to Camden in time. Capt. Bocquet says you wish to know what to do with respect to Messrs. J ----- and F- H-, who desire to remain neuter. They must certainly do as all others, perform militia duty, or pay such a fine for neglecting it, as a Court Martial may adjudge. I purpose set- ting ont for Gen. Greene's camp on the first of next month, and re- quest that you will send me an escort of 25 men, and a proper offi- cer from Maham's corps; let them be here the day before, and well mounted, as I shall travel pretty expeditiously.
I am, dear sir, Your most obedient humble serv't.,
J. RUTLEDGE.
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[No. 231.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
AT MR. ROGER SAUNDERS', Dec. 16, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I have this moment got intelligence that the enemy embarked about 1500 or 2,000 troops yesterday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and came up to Stono last night. I imagine they mean to burn the forage and drive cur light parties back; I have ordered the whole army to be put in motion, and wish you to march by way of Dur- chester to join us. On that route you shall hear further from mic It is possible the enemy may have a party there to prevent a jund- tion of our forces ; be on your guard therefore. I sent a quanti of ammunition to your camp on yesterday. You will take care
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to fall in with it; move with as much expedition as possible, and forward me an express, how soon I may expect you and the force you will bring.
I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 232.] Gen'l. Greene to Gen'l. Marion.
ROGER SAUNDERS' PLANTATION, Dec. 17: 1781.
Dear Sir :
The enemy have made no movement into the country as yet, and as their object and time of execution is uncertain, you will halt at Dorchester or in the neighborhood of it, until you hear further from me or Col. Lee, who will be directed to write you, should I re- turn to camp without further intelligence from the enemy. It is said a great many cattle go in from Goose Creek or the neighbor- hood. Col. Lee keeps a party near the Dorchester road and the enemy's lines. If you were to keep another on the other road, few or none could get in. I am. dear sir,
Your most obedient servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 233.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, ROUND O, Dec. 22, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I have just received your letter of yesterday, dated near Dor- chester; when I wrote you to move this wav, I had every reason to believe the enemy intended to take the field ; by intelligence from different people, I thought it most advisable to draw our forces to- gether, that we might not be beatin detachment, and that if we did fight, to have it in our power to give the enemy a crippling blow, if we could not obtain victory. The enemy came out, but did not take any stay and the force was inconsiderable ; on hearing this, I directed Col. Lee to inform you thereof, and that if nothing
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appeared to indicate further operations in the country, that you might return to your old station ; you will therefore, after hearing from Col. Lee, take your measures according to circumstances. The enemy have a body of Cavalry which frequently comes out as far almost as Dorchester. Cannot Lee and Maham concert a plan in conjunction to cut them off? I am unacquainted with the ground and roads, and therefore cannot judge of the practicability. A blow of this kind could be effected with proper address, and would pre- vent further excursions, which will be more and more troublesome without some check. You will please to order me a return of the two corps of Horry and Maham, as well of the horse as the men, and I think, as there is a large body of regular Cavalry coming from the northward, that it will not be worth while to go to the ex- pense of equipping any more, especially as the nature of the war is changed so as to render Infantry much more useful than Horse. If these corps could be made legionary, one half Infantry and the other Cavalry, they will be more useful and less expensive; since the fall of Lord Cornwallis, I considered the plan of the war as to- tally changed, and what was before the first object is now only a secondary one ; I mean as having a very great body of Cavalry in the field. It will be impossible for the enemy to geta Cavalry, with every exertion they can make, that will be able to combat with one half of ours, and the Cavalry in this lower country, and especially in a siege, can be of little use to what Infantry may be, and they are five times as expensive. I beg your opinion on the matter.
I am, sir, most respectfully yours, NATH. GREENE.
[No. 234.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, ROUND O, Dec. 27, 1781.
Dear Sir :
By good intelligence from Charles Town, I learn the enemy are in hourly expectation of Four Regiments of Infantry and two of dismounted Dragoons, from Cork, and three Regiments from New York ; should this intelligence prove true, and it has all the marks of authenticity, I fear it will oblige us to collect our force, even
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although it should expose some part of the country. Please to let me know what militia force you can keep in the field dismounted. We shall be much more in want of Infantry that Cavalry ; a large reinforcement of the latter being hourly expected from the north- ward. Letmehear from you onthis subjectas soonas possible, and also inform me whether the enemy can get any horses or teams in your quarter, should they send a detachment on that service, for if they mean to take the field, they will want the means of transportation ;" and there can be little doubt of their taking the field and pushing us, if they are as largely reinforced as reports say they are; to de- prive them of the carriages and horses therefore will be the most effectual way to prevent their operating to our disadvantage. If teams and horses are to be had therefore in your quarter, take mea- sures to have them removed out of the enemy's way, should the reinforcements before mentioned arrive, for depend upon it they will try to get them, nor will it be in the power of the people to keep them out of their way, if they are left with them, for be assured the enemy will use less delicacy towards the people than ever, as their object will be conquest, and not a return to allegiance.
I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant, N. GREENE.
[No. 235.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, Dec. 31, 1781. Dear Sir :
I wrote you a day past of some intelligence I got of four Regi- ments of Infantry and two of dismounted Dragoons expected from Ireland, and three Regiments from New York. The Cork fleet has arrived, but no troops except about 60 artillery men ; the troops from New York are hourly expected, but one of the Regiments is a Regiment of dismounted Dragoons, and I am in hopes the Infan- try Regiment will not be large. In consequence of the intelligence of the reinforcement, I have detained for a few days the Governor's proclamation for the Assembly to set at Jacksonborough, thinking that position might be unsafe, if the enemy were to be as largely
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reinforced as was expected, but as the numbers fall far short of what was at first expected, I have forwarded the proclamation for you to distribute agreeably to the Governor's orders, and you will please to have them dispersed accordingly. Gen. St. Clair expected to be ut the Mills to-morrow upon the Edisto.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, NATH. GREENE.
[NNo. 236.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, Jan. 3, 1782.
Dear Sir :
It was notmy intention to have the teams removed until the enemy got a reinforcement, as I did not wish to distress the inhabitants but from absolute necessity; however if you think they are unsafe where they are, as a reinforcement may arrive at once, and remo- ving the teams requires time, yon will act in the business as you think proper. Your Assembly is to set at Jacksonborough, and you must take measures for covering that part of the country with your own force, as it will not be in my power to detach for that service, as the service of Virginia is disposed of, and they are gone home. As to passes, you will give such as you think proper, and I am happy to hear that you are likely to get clothing for us, as our poor fellows are in great want. Enclosed I send you an order for holding a Court Martial upon the deserters of Cols. Horry's and Maham's men. With esteem and regard,
I am, dear sir, your obedient humble servant,
N. GREENE.
[No. 237.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
JANUARY 10, 1782.
Sir :
You will take the command of my Brigade until I return You will keep the guards at Cainhoy and Fogartie's; their orders is to prevent any boats or persons from going to or from town without
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a written pass from me or yourself. Such persons who have al- ready had my pass to get out goods for the army must be permit- ted to pass and re-pass for that purpose, and the goods brought up you receive and send over Santee to Mr. Joseph Legare. You will not permit any men to have leave of absence without they are re- lieved or served two months. You will endeavor to cover this part of the country as much as possible, and may remove to my place from which you may get subsistence and forage. Col. Maham's corps will be ordered to Mepkin to remain there until my further orders. I think in a few days you may remove to my old quarters at Comingtee, and get your forage for the Brigade from the other side of the river at - - ; but that position may only be taken when the forage about this neighborhood is expended. I expect Mr. Lockwood will send out some goods for me, and I have given Lieut. James Simons a permit to send boats to town to get out goods; whatever you can get for soldier's clothing you will embrace by all means. Serg't. Mathew Smith has a small command at Goose Creek, and is to remain to give us intelligence and prevent women and others from going in town; his orders is to take all their horses and send them back on foot. I wish you to send him four men ; Philips' Schconer has my passport to come up to with Mrs. Pinckney, Mrs. Sinkler, and Doughty. with their goods. and the vessel to return. You will let me know every occurrence per express. I am,
Your obedient servant, F. MARION, Brig. Gen. Militia.
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[No. 238.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
MRS. ELLIOTT'S PLANTATION, Jan. 16, 1782.
Dear Sir :
Your favor of the 15th, has just this moment come to hand. I cannot imagine upon what principles Lt. Col. Maham presumes to dispate rank with Lt. Col. Horry; the latter has been a Lieut. Colonel in the Continental service, and still claims his rank in that line, but supposing his chait not to be well founded, he is out of
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1
service, not of choice but necessity, and is a supernumerary officer on half pay, and therefore his claim to rank must be good whenev- er called into service ; there is a great difference between the claims of an officer who resigned and one who goes out of service upon the half' pay establishment. On this ground I think Col. Horry has clearly the right of out ranking Col. Maham. Much is due to the merits and exertion of Col. Maham, but no less is due to the rights and claims of Lieut. Col. Horry. It was never my intention that Lieut. Col. Maham's corps should be subject to no order but my own, but in the first instance this would be totally incompatible with the nature of the service. My intention with respect to that corps was, that it should stand upon the same footing as Lieut. Col. Lee's Legion, which is called an independent corps ; no body has a right to command them but the Commander in chief, unless by him placed under some other command. Lee's Legion is frequently put un- der particular officers' command. according to the nature of the ser- vice, and to be otherwise would be burdening the public with a useless expense, for many things which are practicable with a com- bined force could not be attempted without it. I am persuaded when Col. Maham thinks more fully on this subject, he will, he must be convinced his ideas of the constitution and nature of his corps is totally inadmissible. The care and expense he has been at, claim every indulgence that the nature of the service will admit, but the public finance does not admit of show in preference to sub- stantial service. It was my wish that you should use the corps on- ly upon the most material service, that they might be always in readiness for the most important calls, and these are my wishes still, at any rate I cannot think of removing them from the quarter they are employed in, as I am but too sensible of their utility there. I received a line from Lieut. Col. Horry to-day, informing me of the militia having deserted him in great numbers since you came away, and the Colonel begs you to return as soon as possible, consistent with the public good ; and this is my request also. Lieut. Col. Horry writes that the enemy have detached a large body of troops to George Town, but I believe the intelligence to be premature. In your report of the action of the other day, you don't mention the loss of the enemy, as you mention in a former letter that they had
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requested you to bury their dead. I am sorry to find your loss greater than you first expected, and wish to learn the enemy's.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,
N. GREENE.
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[ No. 239] Col. Laurens to Col. Maham.
WRAGGS, NEAR STRAWBERRY, Jan. - , 1852. Dear Sir :
I leave my letter to Gen. Marion and the papers mentioned in it open for your perusal ; however little inclined to believe that the enemy seriously meditates an enterprise against Gen. Greene's army, it is our duty to take every precaution, relative to such an event ; there may be still more forage found this side of Goose Creek, and · a very little time will discover whether intelligence transmitted is well founded. I have no intelligence this morning, but have reason to believe that all is quiet as yet ; however if a move is to take place, it is an event that may happen from one moment to another.
Yours, sincerely,
JOHN LAURENS.
P. S. I shall move hence immediately towards Dorchester, and will transmit you iramediate intelligence of anything that may oc- cur, and of the final position which Gen. Greene wishes to take.
[ No. 240.]
Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry. . JANUARY 18, 1782. Dear Sir :
I send you the proceedings of the general Court Martial. You will dissolve the Court and put the sentence in execution. I send you Gen. Greene's letter in tuswer to mine sent him as soon as I ar- rived here, and it is determined as I expected. You will keep the letter, and if the enemy should approach your quarters and you find it necessary, you must call on Col. Maham's Troops and Horse as a reinforcement, and wish he may not be called en for no
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other purpose, If you find the men desert you, a smail par- ty of six men, or two such parties, sent to bring them back and put them in confinement will have the best effect. I fear you! patience must be something longer tried with the militia, as I can- not be spared without stopping the whole proceedings of the House. We have but 13 Senators, which isthe least number that can do bust. ness. The other House has 74-09 can do business ; but it requires 202 members of both houses to chose a Governor. As soon as they can spare me I will return. You did very right to send Mrs. J --- H ----- back, and hope you will send every one who has their husbands with the enemy. I am informed that a pass is given to Capt. Williams, of the schooner which came up to carry produce down, and she is to be up again in a few days, to carry Mrs. P -: if she comes up without your pass or mine, she must be ta- ken and sunk, and if Mrs. P- goes down she must not be suffered to return. The pass [ allude to above is said to be given by Col. Maham, which I cannot believe. Gen. Wayne is gone to Georgia with White's Cavalry. The enemy has evacuated Johns Island and Wadmalow ; they took a subaltern and six privates of Col. Washington's Horse at Dorchester; through carelessness and bad conduer, they have also taken John Glaze and young Parker. If you can spare Capt. Gough I wish he may come to the House, or Major Benson; I think one may be spared. The account of the enemy's going to George Town I believe is not true, though it is pro- bable they may try to have a blow at you, or your parties of ob- servation down the neck. We have in the Philadelphia papers an account of the combined fleet tal ing a 90 gun ship and three frig- ates, and 83 sail of the Jamaica fleet. Anything material I wish you would let me know per express. Col. Serwen had leave of absence for a few days. to move his family, but if he is wanted, I wish he may be called on to take the command Nelson has I am so perfectly satisfied that you can command these, as well as my- self, that I shall be very easy in every respect ; and I know you · only want patience with militia, which you will gain by experience.
I am, with esteem, dear sir.
Your most obedient servant. F. MARION.
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GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Gentle- men of the House of Representatives :
Since the last meeting of a General Assembly, the good people of this State have not only feltthe common calamities of war, but, from the wanton and savage inammer in which it has been prosecu- ted, they have experienced such severities as are unprecedented, and will scarcely be credited by civilized nations.
The enemy, unable to make any impression on the northern States, the number of whose inhabitants and the strength of whose country had baffled their repeated efforts, turned their views to- wards the southern, which, a difference of circumstances afforded some expectation of conquering, or at least of greatly distressing. After a long resistance the reduction of' Charles Town was effected by the vast superiority of force with which it had been besieged. Theloss of that garrison, as it consisted of the Continental Troops of Virginia and the Curofinas, and of a number of militia, facilitated the enemy's macch into the country, and their establishment of many posts in the upper and interior parts of it; and the unfavorable issue of the action near Camden, induced them vainly to imag- ine, that no other army could be collected which they might not easily defeat. The militis commanded by the Brigadiers Sumter and Marion, whose enterprising spirit and unremitting perseverance under many difficulties, are deserving of great applause, harrassed and often defeated large parties, but the numbers of whose mi- litia were too few, to contend effectirlly with the collected strength of the enemy. Regardless, therefore, of the sacred ties of honor, destitute of the feelings of humanity, and determined to extinguish, if possible, every spark of freedom in this country, they, with the insolent pride of conquerors, gave unbounded scope to the excess of their tyrannical disposition, infringed their public engagements, and violated the most solemn capitulations. Many of our worthiest citizens were, without cause, long and closely confined ; some on board of prison shins, and others in the town and castle of St. Au- gustine: their properties disposed of at the will and caprice of the enemy, and their families sent to a different and distant part of the
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continent, without the means of support : many who had surren- dered as prisoners of war, were killed in cold blood; several suf- fered death in the most ignominious manner, and others were deliv- ered up to savages and put to tortures. under which they expired. Thus, the lives, liberties, and properties of the people were depen- dant solely on the pleasure of British officers, who deprived them of either or all, on the most frivolous pretences. Indians, slaves, and a desperate banditti of the most profligate characters, were caressed and employed by the enemy to execute their infamous purposes. Devastation and ruin marked their progress and that of their adherents ; nor were their violences restrained by the charms or influence of beauty and innocence; even the fair sex, whom it is the duty of all, and the pleasure and pride of the brave to protect, they and their tender offspring were victims to the in- veterate malice of an norelenting foe; neither the tears of mothers nor the cries of infants, could excite in their breasts pity or compas- sion. Not only the peaceful habitations of the widow, the aged, and the infirm, but the Holy Temples of the Most High were con- sumed in flames, kindled by their sacrilegions hands. They have tarnished the glory of the British army, disgraced the profession of a British soldier, and fixed indelible stigmas of rapine, cruelty, per- fidy, and profaneness on the British name. But I can now congrat- ulte you, and do so most cordially, on the pleasing change of af- fairs, which, under the blessing of God, the wisdom, prudence, ad- dress, and bravery of the great and gallant Gen. Greene, and the intrepidity of the officers and men under his command, have hap- pily effected-a General who is justly entitled, from his many spe- cial services, to honorable and singular marks of your approbation and gratitude. His successes have been more rapid and complete than the most sanguine could have expected. The enemy, com- pelled to surrender or evacuate every post which they held in the country, frequently defeated, and driven from place to place, are obliged to take refuge under the walls of Charles Town, and on Islands in its vicinity. We have now the fall and absolute posses- sion of every other part of the State, and the Legislative, Execu- tive and Judicial powers, are in the free exercise of their respective authorities
I also most heartily congratulate you, on the glorious victory ob-
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tained by the combined forces of America and France, over their common encmy ; when the very General who was second in com- mand at the reduction of Charles Town, and to whose boasted prowess and highly extolled abilities, the conquest of no less than three States had been arrogantly committed, was speedily com- pelled to accept of the same mortifying terms, which had been im- posed on that brave, but unfortunate Garrison ; to surrender an ar- my of many thousand regulars; and to abandon his wretched fol- lowers, when he had artfully seduced from their allegiance, by specious promises of protection, which he could never have hoped to fulfil, to the service or army of their country ; on the naval su- periority established by the illustrious ally of the United States- a superiority in itself so decided. and in its consequences so exten- sive, as must inevitably soon oblige the enemy to yield to her the only post which they occupy in this State-on the reiterated proof of the sincerest friendship, and on the great support which Ameri- ca has received from that powerful monarch-a monarch whose magnarimity is universally acknowledged and admired, and on whose roval word we may confidently rely, for every necessary assistance-on the perfect harmony which exists between France ind America ; to the stability which her independence has acquired, and on the certainty that it is too deeply rooted ever to be shaken; for animated as they are, by national honor, and united by our com- non interest, it will and must be maintained.
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