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 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
34
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
them to discover one where the law of arms or nations has been properly attended to by any of your party. An enumeration of the various particulars of such practices on your side, beginning with the very disgraceful conduct of Congress respecting the Con- vention troops, and the incessant instances that from that time to this hour have occurred in the different provinces, would be needless. I think it however right to mention one, as I meant to inform Gen'l. Sumter of it. A few days ago, after Gen'l Sumter had taken some Waggons on the other side of the Santer, and the escort to them had laid down their arms, a party of h's horse who said they had not discharged their pieces came up, fired upon the prisoners and killed seven of them. A few days after we took six of his people. Enquire how they were treated. As to reflecting on our practice of hanging your followers whom the chance of war puts into our hands, I have to answer, that if your followers are composed of our people (for all people upon parole to us I call ours) who have broken their paroles, they must expect to suffer that punish- ment (which in opposition to the late cruelties exercised by those who say they belong to you) it becomes necessary for us to inflict and which the law of nations justifies. The houses of desolate widows have been laid waste -- even burnt by these people. By these people too, many individuals defence- less, without arms, and taking side with neither contending party, but residing peaceably in their own houses, have been murdered. By what law are these proceedings justified ? does martial any more than civil law countenance such people? If ever they fall into our hands, they will meet with the punishment due to their crimes. When noble enemies make war, such men are pro- tected by no side. You say it was agreed that an exchange of prisoners should take place at George Town, and that Capt. Postell went with a Hag for that purpose, in consequence of that agree- ment. But I conceive it was not agreed that a man on parole to us should become our enemy. Capt. Postell was, I understand, taken at Charles Town, and admitted to the country on parole, if so, his detention, with all its consequences, is justifiable. With respect to. your threat of retaliation-so long as you will permit us by a return of similar behaviour, we will make war with that generosity, that it is the boast of Britons is the characteristic of their nation. Men
35
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
like his Majesty's troops, fighting from principle for the good of their country, with hearts full of conscious integrity, are fearless of any consequences. War itself bears with it calamities sufficient. Take care then, sir, that you do not, by improper behaviour to our people who may from its chance of war become your prisoners, add to its natural horrors. 1686600
I am, sir, your very humble servant, JOHN WATSON.
[No. 53.] Col. Balfour to Capt. Saunders (both of the British.)
CHARLES TOWN, March 12th, 1781.
Sir :
I am favoured with yours, and have written you by two oppor- tunities, one of which by mistake, was by sea. As to Postell you have done perfectly right. I have got his parole which he has broke, and which renders him wholly unfit to enter into any service, as it entitles us to seize him as our prisoner wherever we can find him ; no sanction whatever can defend him against a breach of the par- ole by which his liberty was allowed him, and by trusting to his honour, permitted him to use the means of making his escape if he chose to break it, and take advantage of those means. He takes the chance of falling into our hands and feeling the punishment due to his breach of the laws of war. I wished you to send him by land, but if inconvenient, you may send him by water in Dorrell's vessel or any other fast sailor, when she returns with a guard ; but of this do as you will, only be so good as not to allow him to have a chance of escaping. I send you an answer to a letter received from Mari- on by a Hagg of truce, sent into Col. Watson's post ; and I also send you a copy of his letter to me. In sending it out be so good as to be careful who you send ; a non-commissioned officer will be best, for fear he detains the person sent on account of Postell, which I forgot to mention to you in my last. I am, with regard, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
W. BALFOUR.
36
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
Capt. John Postell's Parole.
I do hereby acknowledge myself a prisoner of war upon my parole, to his Excellency. Sir Henry Clinton ; and that I am there- by engaged until I shall be exchanged or otherwise released there- from, to remain at my plantation in the Parish of St. Marks, in the county of Craven in the province of South Carolina. And that I shall not in the meantime, do or cause anything to be done prejudi- cial to the success of his Majesty's aims, or have intercourse or hold correspondence with his enemies; and that upon a summons from his Excellency, or other person having authority thereto, that I will surrender myself to him or them at such time and place as I shall hereafter be required. Witness my hand this 19th day of May, 1780-Jno. Postell, Lieut. Adj't., Craven county. Wit_ nesses-John Gillon, Mckillop, Major Stewart, Commissary pri- soners, John Hamilton. A true copy taken from the original in my office, this 12th May, 1781.
LEWIS DEROSSET, Commissary Prisoners.
[From the parole it appears he was paroled in Charleston, but soon after, the British or Tories stripped him of all his property, which was a breach of it on their part, and thus he was released from any obligation. In a letter to Gen. Marion, 14th January, he says, "iny honour is all I have left-my family has been reduced to beg their bread."]-ED.
[No. 54.] Col. W. Balfour to Brig. Gen'l. Marion.
CHARLES TOWN, March 12th, 1781.
Sir :
I have received your letter of the 7th instant, respecting the de- tention of Capt. John Postell, when charged with a flagg of truce to George Town, and complaining of the same as a breach of the law of nations. The best answer I can return to which is transmitting you his parole, which will clearly evince that the breach of such laws, as well as those of honour, rests solely with that gentleman,
37
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
who has acted in a military capacity when engaged by the solemn- est ties to remain in a neutral state. I therefore trust when you represent this case to your Congress, you accompany it with so es- sential a documentas the enclosed. I shall certainly make enquiry into the ill-treatment you complain your prisoners at George Town receive, and it well founded, must certainly have it redressed ; but from the confirmed character of Capt. Saunders, I must as yet doubt the accuracy of your information respecting the hanging of three of your men by Lord Rawdon and Col. Watson, as it is a point of which I am wholly unacquainted, so I can specifically make no reply to, but have generally to observe, that if such executions took place on good grounds it will require reasons equally cogent to jus- tify a retaliation. My wishes of rendering the situation of prison- ers in all respects as little irksome as possible, and mitigating on all occasions the honours of war, perfectly coincide with those you express, and therefore this part of your letter gives me great hopes. Mine of the 2d instant will be attended with the very best conse- quences, and settle that humane line of conduct which it is the duty of all parties to observe. I am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
W. BALFOUR.
[No. 55.]-Colonel Balfour to Colonel Cassels.
Sir :
HEAD QUARTERS, Charles Town, March 13th, 1781.
Enclosed is Sir Henry Clinton's proclamation of the 27th May, last, for opening this port, but you will please to observe that, at present, the port of George Town can only be opened to and from Charles Town-and you are not to allow any vessel to load or dis- 'charge until they have first obtained your permission for that pur- pow, and on the arrival of any vessel in your port from this, you are to see that she has a pass from the Superintendant's Office here. All vessels arriving in your port from any quarter whatever, except from this, you are immediately to order the Master to proceed here with his vessel and on no account suffer him to discharge with you. I am, sir, your most obd't humble serv't,
W. BALFOUR.
38
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
[No. 56.]-Colonel Watson to General Marion.
BLAKELEY'S, March 15th, 1781.
Sir :
The very extraordinary method you took of sending the letter I received from you, makes it rather difficult to guess in what way you mean to carry on this war, and therefore induces me to take the mode of addressing you through a neutral person. The bearer is a little boy of John Witherspoon's. We have an officer and some men wounded, whom I should be glad to send where they could be better taken care of. I wish therefore to know if they will be permitted to pass without interruption from any of your parties to Charles Town. I am, sir, your very humble servant, JOHN WATSON.
[No. 57.] Gen. Marion to Lieut Col. Watson, (in answer to the above Letter.)
Sir :
Yours of this day's date I received. In answer, I wish to carry on this war as usual, with all civilized nations. The violation of my flag is a good reason to believe it may a second time be done, and oblige me to act as I did ; when my Hag is released, I will have faith, and act in the usual way. If Cupt. Postell was a prisoner, it was no reason for the violation of my fag. especially when it was sent to exchange prisoners agreed to by Capt. Saunders ; but this matter I expect Lord Rawdon will set to rights. The enclosed letter gives me reason to believe it, and you may be assured I will? not act in any other way, than what I find is done by the British Troops. If you will send me the number of wounded you wish to send to Charles Town, I will send you a pass for them.
I am, sir, your obedient servant. FRANCIS MARION.
39
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
[ No. 53 ] Col. Watson to Gen. Marion.
BLAKELEY'S HOUSE, March 15th, 1781.
Sir :
I am just now favoured with your answer, and take the earliest opportunity of enclosing you the name of the officer, and the num- ber of men I wish to send to Charles Town, consisting of one officer and six privates wounded, with their attendants. As you have received Lord Rawdon's opinion in a direct line, his Lordship being always as clear in his expressions as he is just in his senti- ments, there remains nothing for me to explain upon that subject. Were-we to differ, it would be of little consequence, as Lord Rawdon's judgment must direct my conduct. I am happy how- ever, that you, sir, have by this means, an opportunity of seeing the perfect consonance of our ideas respecting the treatment it is meant to hold towards your Troops. It is not worth mentioning, because probably sooner or later we shall be even with them .- Your people are daily doing what is not customary, but as you say, you wish to carry on war as usual with civilized nations, we must suppose you ignorant of numberless transactions of the peo- ple under your command, and take it for granted that you never heard of people whipped by Maynard and others of your followers : of two prisoners taken on the 13th January by a party under the command of Capt. Daniel Conyers, one of which was whipped almost to death, Thomas Wise, a Militia man, and the other John Stilwell of Hannon's corps whose horse threw him ; he got upon his legs and was desired to surrender, which he did ; he was asked for his pistol, he delivered it up and was instantly shot through the body with it; he complained of this behaviour. he was abused and ordered to deliver his sword, he did, and was cut through the skull in five or six places with his own sword, and when a party brought bim home, who went out for that purpose, his brains, that is part of them, were two inches issued from his head. He preserved his seoses perfect for two days, and told regularly the same story, then died. Gen Sumter, after his lying before the post at Scott's Lake, sent a day to say, if we woul! let him have four men, he would exchange four he had taken at Nelson's Ferry for them, three of
40
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
those he sent for were killed, but we sent him six others, and re- quested he would get from you Thomas Wise and another man if you had him, for the other two sent more than he had men to ex. change for; this the flag took upon himself to answer for. If therefore you thought proper, I should be glad to have that Wise and another man. Gen. Samter did not send the four men he pro- mised to me, but that I presume must have been owing to some accidental circumstances previous to his affair with Major Frazer, and as that meeting has prevented his doing it at present. It appears to me equitable that you should return us what prisoners you have till we have six men for those I delivered to his flag. The men we took from him, all but one or two who were badly wounded, were on their way to Charles Town, but reposing, per - fect confidence in you and him, I remanded them, and let them go as I before mentioned. I must therefore request of you that num- ber. Those two you took the other day you can send to us imme- diately, and the others as soon as you can conveniently. You seem to be satisfied the business of (feorge Town will be properly settled ; it certainly will. meantime give us no reason to want confidence in you, and I assure you, you may place it fully in us. You know the dictates of Lord Rawdon. I shall do my endeavours to put them in execution as closely as possible.
I am, sir, your very humble servant, JOHN WATSON.
[No. 59.] Col. Watson to Gen'l. Marion.
BLAKELY'S. HOUSE, March 16th, 1781.
Sir :
I do not think it necessary to enter further into a detail of your conduct, or words to justify our own. Your mentioning that you wished to carry on the war as usual with civilized nations led me to mention the circumstances I did. Care is taken to prevent any- thing being taken from those who do not bear arms against us, or who do not secretly assist our enemies. Whatever other people are deprived of we do not col plunder, but property fairly taken from the enemy, and what cannot be carried away conveniently we de-
41
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
stroy, if we think proper ; the burning of houses and the property of the inhabitants who are our enemy is thought right and is custom- ary in all countries, but further than the distress that it occasions to their funifies, the distressing women or children, is so far from be- ing either countenanced or connived at by any officers in our service, that on the contrary, every assistance possible is afforded them. Your paso only mentions Nelson's ferry. I believe Nelson's ferry is im- practicable for men in their situations, and therefore should be glad you would give it for Murray's or any other ferry they find they can pass with least inconvenience in their way to Charles Town. I will inform Lord Rawdon of your inclination respecting a gen- eral exchange of prisoners. I am, sir,
Your humble servant,
W. WATSON.
-
Gen. Marion's Pass granted Lieut. Torianno and 12 Privates.
BLACK RIVER, 16th March, 1781.
One officer and six wounded men with six attendants of the Brit- ish Troops, are permitted to pass to Nelson's Ferry, from thence to Charles Town unmolested.
F. MARION, B. G. M.
Lient. Torianno wounded, 3 soldiers and a negro servant to attend the Lieutenant; 6 soldiers wounded, and 2 soldiers as attend- ants to the wounded soldiers.
[ No. 60.] Col. Lee to Col. W. Campbell.
March 17th, 1781.
I am very happy in informing you that the bravery of your Battalion. displayed in the action of the 13th, is particularly noticed by the General. It is much to be lamented that a failure took place in the line, which lost the day, separated us from the main body, and exposed our retreat. I hope your men are safe, and that
42
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
the scattered will again collect. Be pleased to favor me with a return of your loss, and to prepare your men for a second battle. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY LEE.
-
[No. 61.] Col. Balfour to Gen. Marion.
CHARLES TOWN, March 21, 1781.
Sir :
I am greatly astonished to find you should have detained an of- ficer of ours sent out with a flagg of truce to you, and acting under its sanction. This indeed is an impaction of the laws of nations and of war, as you complain in the case of Captain Postell ; and such a one as if not immediately redressed, I shall be obliged to punish in the most exemplary manner by the severest retaliation. If in this action you could for a moment have alluded to the case of Capt. Postell, my letter of the 12th inst. must surely have con- vinced you, how truly dissimilar in every respect they are, but, as from such conduct I must conceive sir, this letter may not have reach- ed you. I now enclose a copy for your information and conviction. Let me observe, as faith had been violated by Captain Postell, he naturally became to us an object for capture and punishment, under what circumstances he might be met, and to argue from his jus- tifiable detention, a right to extend the liketo those most unimpeach- ably upright in their conduct, is a confounding of all right and wrong and a violation of all principles, under which any intercourse can subsist between powers at war with each other.
I am, sir, your most obd't and humble servent, W. BALFOUR.
[No. 62.] Capt. John Saunders to Gen'l. Marion.
GEORGE TOWN, March 24, 1781.
Sir :
The inclosed were received from Lient. Col. Balfour, with or- ders to forward them to you. There is such an apparant dissimi-
4.3
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
larity in the cases of Mr. Merrit and Mr. Postell that I am confi- dent Mr. Merrit will be immediately sent in. I am happy to hear by Mr. Spencer, who fell into my hands yesterday, that the deten- tion of Mr. Merrit is occasioned equally by that act as in sending an improper person with a flagg. I am, sir,
Your obd't humble servant, JOHN SAUNDERS, - Commanding George Town.
[ No. 63.] E. Giles to Gov. R. Houley.
ANNAPOLIS, March 27th, 1781. My Dear Sir :
I have the pleasure to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Marquis La Fayette, dated 25th inst., from Williamsburgh. " I have received certain intelligence of a very severe action having been fought between the fleet of his most Christian Majesty and the British near Cape Henry, in which the British were worsted so much as to be obliged to run in two of their seventy-fours. Being joined by the Charon of forty four and some frigates of Mr. Ar- nold's feet, they put to sea again on the 23rd, and on the 24th a very heavy cannonade was heard near Cape Henry, which lasted for some hours."
So says the Marquis.
Capmain McLane, who left York Saturday, informs me that he there saw a letter from Colonel Otho H Williams to Col. G Smith, wherein he gives an account that on the 15th inst., Lord Cornwallis advanced with an intention of surprising General Greene, but failed, owing to Colonel Lee's falling in with Colonel Tarlton who com- posed Mr. Cornwallis' advance guard. Lee, after a short conflict, obliged Tarlton to retreat with a great loss to the main body, when an action commenced which lasted more than an hour. As General Greene, owing to the unexpectedness of the attack and the detach- ed situation of his troops, could not collect all his force to a point, he thought it expedient to retire for two miles, where he drew op on advantageous ground in expectation Mr. Cornwallis would attack
44
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
again. The regular troops in action were all of Maryland. They took 200 prisoners, which finding it impossible to secure in their retreat. they bayonetted. Williams says the Militia bore the great- est heat of the action and behaved with unparalleled gallantry. He concludes with saying : The action would have been greatly to the honour and advantage of the American arms, had we not lost four pieces of cannon.
So far says Williams.
Will it not sir, be a prelude to Lord Cornwallis' total destruction ? Did not a similar action lead the way to Mr. Burgoyne's ?
Every opportunity, I shall take to give you all the news. The fate of the last action I will transmit as soon as possible. God bless you.
E. GILES.
[E. Giles was A. D. C. to Gen. Greene.]-Ed.
[No. 64.] Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion.
NEW ACQUISITION, 28th March, 1781. Dear Sir :
It was exceedingly mortifying to me, after so much pains taken to be deprived of a conference with you, a circumstance much to be lamented, as both individuals and the publick are consequently much injured thereby. Your advice and assistance in framing, digesting and laying down a proper plan of operation against the enemy in future, might have produced the most happy events, My unfortunate failing herein and withal finding contrary to my expectation, that you had neither men, or surplus of any kind. and the force I had with me but small and from many causes decreas- ing, rendered my retreat at once both necessary and difficult. I find that the disorders are prevalent in your Brigade, which have for some time past been practised in the frontiers with such avidity as to threaten the State with inevitable ruin. To obviate which evil as far as possible, I have adopted measures truly disagreeable, such as can only be justified by our circumstances and the necessity of the case. But it is clearly my opinion, unless this or a similar method be immediately carried into effect, that neither the
45
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
State or the wealth thereof, will be in the power or possession of the deserving citizens after a few weeks. The dissoluteness of our pretended friends, and the ravages committed by them, are as alarming and distressing, as that of having the enemy among us. It is therefore necessary immediately to discriminate who are ene- mies, and who are real friends; the former treated as their base- ness and perfidy authorize, the latter to be known only by their conduct, that is, by bearing arms and doing duty when thereunto required by proper authority, and in case of refusal or neglect, both person and property to be treated and dealt with accordingly. Nothing can be more unwise or impolitic than to suffer all the wealth of our country to be so basely and unfairly appropriated, for the sole purpose of accumulating our misfortunes, and finally completing our ruin, when it is in our power at once to check, if not totally prevent the evils and disadvantages resulting therefrom ; to which end I propose raising several Regiments of Light Dra- goons upon the State establishment, agreeably to the enclosed sketch of a plan for that purpose. I therefore request that you would be pleased to cause to be immediately raised in your Brigade two Regiments agreeably thereto. I have also to request that you give orders and oblige every person with you to join their proper Regi- men's or Brigades, and that none of the enemy when taken be paroled, or set at liberty, but in cases of extreme necessity -- that all the property captured or taken from the enemy be securely kept for publick purposes, except what is allowed to, and appro- priated to, and for the use of the troops in service, agreeably to the terms proposed. Nothing can be more essential to promote the happiness and secure the peace and tranquility of the people of this country, than treating with the utmost severity, all persons, who, contrary to orders, and to the total subversion of all authority, take upon themselves to form parties to go a plundering, distressing the resources of the country necessary for the use and support of an army. I recommend that too great a number of servants, idle per- sons and led horses may not be suffered to follow the army. You will be pleased to let me know what your present strength is, and what you judge it may be ten days hence, what your views are, what is the situation of the enemy, and what position you think will most effectually tend to distress the enemy, by preventing their
~ん
46
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
being supported with beef, cattle, &c .- which at Camden they stand in great need of. At present it is my desire that you should have a position higher upon Black River, which is very necessary to not only prevent the stock from being drove to Camden, but also to facilitate my plans and designs on the west side of the Wateree .--- The more speedy your movements are, the better they will answer. The enemy are taking great pains to raise a number of horse, a circumstance that should by every possible means be prevented. If men were to turn out cheerfully, so that large bodies might pass through different parts of the country, it would at this time very materially injure the enemy. News from the army and north ward I have no doubt you have had. I have just received accounts that Col. Clark with a party of Georgians and South Carolinians fell in with Capt. Dunlap of the Legion near Savannah River, killed and made prisoners the Captain and about 70 more out of 80-some add that Capt. Dunlap was recruiting for the Legion. The Gov- ernour has probably mentioned something to you respecting some. stores, they were stored up in Virginia and will be of but very little consequence when brought forward, as what little there was, bas been much pillaged, the dry goods he requested you might have a part of, if you choose to take them. I am apprehensive that the whole will not be sufficient to cloathe one Regiment. The day I received your letter, Col. Marshall joined me with about --- men, chiefly North Carolinians, chiefly of -- Regiment that left the Waxsaws with him and deserted some days before. I doubt you will get but few out of that Regiment to join you until you are higher up, after our joining they might perhaps remain, if not too leniently treated ; they are an untoward set of people. If Col. Harden is still with you, I think it advisable for him to come this. way. General Pickens has gone to take command of his Brigade. Col. Harden may be wanted upon some particular occasion. I heartily congratulate you upon the happy advantage gained by Major General Greene and the army under his command, over Lord Cornwallis, near Guilford Court House.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.