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 5
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I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,
THOS. SUMTER.
N. B. I shall be happy to hear frequently and fully from you .- I shall make some movements in about six days. I write in so
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much pain as hardly to know my own meaning, or read what I write.
[No. 65.] Col. Watson to Capt. Saunders.
CHOVIN'S HOUSE, March, 1781. Sir :
I shall be this afternoon with the corps under my command at George Town, or very near it, and will be oblidged to you to have some forage ready for us, rum, salt and flour, if you have it, we shall want to take with us. If there are are any mens' shoes to be purchased in town, we shall be glad to get them. You will be pleased to have some chests of musket cartridges ready for us. The officers would be extremely obliged if you could send them an intelligent man who would inform them of the proper people to send to, to get those little supplies all troops must want who have been in the field for three months, such as wine, &c., &c. I have the honor to be, sir,
Your very humble servant, JNO. W. WATSON.
A negro of Mr. Chovin's was sent with this letter, who was pur- aued and killed by one of Marion's scouts,
[ No. 66.] Col. Richard Hampton to Maj. John Hampton. 2d April, 1781.
Dear Brother :
For news I give you the following, viz : Bro. Wade has joined Gen'L Samter, and has left all his property in the possession of the British and Tories; he now fights them hard. Bro. Henry is rai- sing a regular Regiment of Light Horse, as also Col. Middleton, Hawthorn hill. I have accepted the Majority in Middleton's Regiment. Dry Wade I believe will also raise a regiment. It will not be antee to mention the terms on which they are to be rai- sel, and the number each Regiment is to consist of. The troops are
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to enlist for ten months, each Regiment to have one Lieut. Colonel, one Major, five Sergeants, ten Lieutenants; each company two Serg'ts, twenty-five privates-the pay to be as follows :
Each Colonel to receive three grown negroes and one small negro; Major to receive three grown negroes ;
Captain, two grown negroes ;
Lieutenants, one large and one small negro ;
The Staff, one large and one small negro ;
The Sergeants, one and a quarter* negro ;
Each private, one grown negro ;
And to be furnished with one coat, two waistcoats, two pair over- alls, two shirts, two pair stockings, one pair shoes and spurs; one horseman's cap, one blanket, (and one half bushel salt, to those who have families ;) with two-thirds of all articles captured from the enemy except negroes and military stores ; and salvage allowed them for all the articles belonging to our friends which we may capture from the enemy, and to be equipped with a sword, pistols, horse, saddle and bridle, &c. Should you meet with any young men who are willing to turn into this kind of service, you may assure them that the terms will be strictly complyed with, and the Gene- ral directs that any who may think proper to come out with the wag- gons in order to join the said service, are to be served with provi- sions for themselves and horses.
Bro. Wade has brought one of your negro fellows with him, (Ja- cob). We are all in high spirits.
I am, dear brother, yours sincerely, R. HAMPTON.
[No. 67.] Gen'l. Greene to Gen'l. Marion.
CAMP DEEP RIVER, April 4th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
This will be handed you by Capt. Conyers, who will inform you what we have contemplated. He is sent forward to collect provi- sions for the subsistance of the army, and I beg you will assist him in this necessary business. The army will marab to-morrow, and I hope you will be prepared to support its operations with a consider-
* Under 10 years or over 40 was a half' negro, a full negro being valued at $400.
: vês
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able force. General Sumter is written to, and I doubt not will be prepared to co-operate with us. The Captain can give you a full history of Lord Cornwallis' manoeuvres in this State, and of the well .sirmisho ..... well as the battle of Guilford, which terminated 1: n kapott of the enemy, and Lis lordship was obliged in turn to rundasple I am, sir,
Your most obd't humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
[No. 65 ] Gen. Sumter to Gen. Marion.
CAMP AT FARR'S, Feb. 28th, 1781. Daar Str:
I have received wour favor of the 26th inst .. and am extremely And to hear you are so for mulvanced this way. I passed the river West night at Mrs. Fluid's, have been at Col. Watson's station, and And that he has collected his whole force at that place I think it of isn't that we should form a juversion, or at least approach so " wwith other as to co-operate upon the shortest notice. Nothing rovar this time be more essentially necessary to the interest of this www.try, than to form a well regulated army in the interior part Y ... ar ate, while the enemy's principal force is so far removed. Lige a will not interfere with any plan that you might have laid wecome this way. From the idea I have of the state of things in Www quarter, I think it expedient for you to proceed to this place. I in wait impatiently for the happiness of an interview with you. I have. dear sir, the honour to be Your most obedient humble servant,
THOS. SUMTER. This letter should have followed No. 42.
(35, 69] Col. Ilanden to Gen'l. Marion.
CAMP NEAR GODFREY SAVANNAH, Apri: 700, 1781.
Hours of the WIat of last month came safe, and I am very glad to
$ 14
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hear our affairs are in so prosperous a way. I have not been able to do much since I wrote you. I have stopt three schooners, one of which was loaded with rice, that I had unloaded and stored; the other two I scuttled. I also stopt a sloop, got four cans salt that were coming to Blake's plantations; I ordered that not to be touched till I could hear from you. Col. Ballingall came up with one hundred regulars and sixty horse to Pon Pon a few days ago, and said he would ron me off. However I sent a small party to see how he was situated, as I purposed to surprise him that night ; my party went in and brought off two British prisoners within three hundred yards of his main body, and that evening he made a pre- cipitate retreat to Parkers Ferry, and the next day to Dorchester, and yesterday I heard he was moving to town. I send a party down to see. I have been able to keep from Purisburg to Pon Pon clear, that two or three men may ride in safety, and would have gone lower down, but was in hopes you would have been : ver the river and been in their rear, when we might have been sure of them. I shall remain hereabout till I can hear from you, as I have not been able to take orders from Gen" Pickens, as he is at Ninety-six. The day before I received your letter, I received a letter from Col. Wil- liamson to form a junction with him, and sent up to him as I men- tioned to you, I heard last night. that Augusta and the fort at Gal- phin's, and one other fort composed of militia, were all besieged ; that we had about six hundred men, and those in the fort were de- serting daily, and expect every hour to hear from that quarter of the surrender of one or all of them. You will receive a letter from Col. Hayne with the commission., You will hear his reasons for not accepting it. This gentleman has kept many from joining me on his staying on too much formality. . I have given the command of the Regiment to Major Ladson, who turned out the day I cross- ed the river, without hesitation. I hope you will not take it amiss, as Col. S- wont be seen, and the Lieut. Col. Saunders is to the northward, Ladson to act as his Major on his old commission. 1 find the leading men very backward, which keep many thus, so hope you will send me or some other officer some proclamations or orders what to be done on this cecasion. They all say they wait for your army to come this way, then they will all turn out, but I find too many of them are waiting for commissions-they can't turn
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out without. I shall give you a particular account of them when I see you I bog to hear from you immediately, when you may be assured your orders shall be punctually obeyed. With compliments to all the officers in your camp, you will please accept the same from
Your most obd't. humble servant,
WM. HARDEN.
[This letter and Nos. S1 and 52 are from Lee's Campaign in 1781.]
[No. 70.] Gen. Greene to Col. H. Lee.
HEAD QUARTERS, AT THE MOUTH OF ROCKY RIVER, April 10th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Your letter without date or place wrote at, was handed me this morning. We got here night before last, and should have been on our march to-day for Camden, had we not been delayed for want of boats to cross the river.
General Sumter will have 1000 men to join us by the 20th, but he is going to take a position between Camden and Ninety Six, about thirty miles from the former. If you go over Sintee you will fall in with him. We shall march directly for Camden, and avail ourselves of circumstances. If the detachment you mention low down Pee Dee, is on the march for Wilmington to join Corn- wallis, it is almost certain that he has no idea of our scheme. All things promise well as yet. Inform yourself if possible whether any reinforcements have arrived at Charleston. Col. Morris has arrived from Virginia, and says, a report prevails there that two Hessian Regiments had arrived from Europe. I don't believe it, but it may be so
tto eu and prosper, and let me hear from you as often as possi- Wie; anlif you hear that Lord Cornwallis is on the march for Caunion you must join the army immediately, that we may beat han before he gets us, by a junction with other force joining him. The balt horse, in Virginia, shall have fresh orders to march for North Carodua.
Yours sincerely,
N. GREENE.
..
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[No. 71.] Gen'l. Moultrie to Gonl. Marion.
CHARLES TOWN, April 16th, 1781.
Sir :
I have this day received information from Lieut. Col. Balfour in Charles Town, that your troops have been guiity of many cruelties upon the people in the country, particularly in the murders of Mr. John Inglis, Capt. Clark, and John Frazee (Mr. Maxwell's over- seer). As I know you are well acquainted with the customs of war, and that your disposition will not countenance such cruelties, especially as it cannot answer any good purpose, I am therefore to request the favour, you will give such orders as will prevent private animosities from taking revenge at this time by such unwarrantable practices, as can only serve to disgrace the generous and the brave." I dare say the people that have been guilty of these outrages will be called to a proper account. I am, sir,
Your most obd't humble servant, WM. MOULTRIE, Brig. Gen'l.
[ No. 72.] Col. Kulb to Captain Snipes.
Sir :
I am informed you are taking all the young men that I have or- dered to join Gen'l. Marion, with you to the southward. I must now beg leave to inform you of Gen'L. Marion's orders against such proceedings, which I have just received, forbidding any persons leaving his Brigade without his leave. Iam, sir,
Your most obd't humble servant,
A. KOLB.
[ No. 73.] Capt. Snipes answer to the above.
Sir :
April 16th, 1781.
I received yours, and this will inform you that I have instructions
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from Gen'l. Sumter, who commands General Marion, to raise men where I can, and as to Gen'l. Marion's orders, in this case it avails nothing. I am, sir,
Your most humble servant,
WM. CLAY SNIPES.
[No. 74.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, WIDOW SHOEMAKER'S, April 17th, 1781. Dear Sir :
We are on our march for Camden, and shall be there next day after to-morrow. I am greatly in the dark respecting the enemy's strength and situation in South Carolina, and also of Lord Corn- wallis's motions. This last circumstance is of the highest impor- tance to the safety of our army, and I beg you to communicate to me all the intelligence you can obtain, and take measures to get all you can. Lieut. Col Lee is gone towards the Santee : intelligence to him is equally as necessary as to me; you will please therefore to send him information accordingly. Don't spare either time or pains to get the earliest information, and to forward it as soon as possible. Your present force and situation, I should be glad to have a particular account of. Please give me an official account of Col. Horry's attack upon a party of Watson's detachment.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
[No. 75.] Col. Harden to Gen. Marion.
CAMP ON SALTKETCHER, April 18th, 1781.
Dear General :
This will be handed to you by Mr. Cannon, who will acquaint you of many particulars, which I can't mention at this present -- Oa Saturday, obie Four Holes, I came to a musterfield, where I took a Captain and 25 men, and paroled them, and on Sunday night
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got within six miles of Captain Barton, and six men to guard him. I detached Major Cooper and fifteen men who surrounded his house and ordered him to surrender, but he refused; a smart fire com- menced and Major Cooper soon got the better, wounding Barton, who is since dead, and one other, killed three and took two prisoners. The Major got slightly wounded and one of his. men, and lost a fine youth, Stewart, who rushed up and was shot dead. I then heard Col. Fenwick and his corps of Horse Dragoons was at Pocotaligo, 35 in number, I proceeded on my march to sur- prise them, but the Colonel had heard I was coming, and he at- tempted the like on me. Our advance party met and hailed, when I ordered my men to turn out in the woods, but unluckily, went too far from the road. I fred a few shots when they retreated; I rushed ont, but they charged and my men gave way ; I had one man taken, and two wounded, we shot one of his men dead, and wounded seven; next morning took two of his Dragoons and retreat- ed back about ten miles, and stayed two days, when I marched on again and got within sight of Fort Balfour, at Pocotaligo, at 12 o'clock in the day. I placed my men and sent ten of the best horses to draw them out, but luckily, Colonels Fenwick and Letch- mere were at Vanbiber's and were taken, with seven of the Dra- goons, and brought to me, the rest of them were in the fort. I then sent Captain Harden with a flag to demand a surrender of the fort and the men in it ; they sent for answer they would not give it up ; I sent the second time, and told them that if I was obliged to storm it, that I would give no quarter. Col. Kelsell then desired half an hour to consider, I gave him twenty minutes ; they then agreed to give up the fort on terms which I granted, and in two hours the fort with one Militia Colonel, one Major, three Captains, three Lieutenants, and sixty privates of Col. Fenwick's, one Lieutenant and 22 dragoons and their horses gave up to me, and they marched out and piled their arms without the abbatis, and I marched in and took possession of it, and that night and the next day had it destroyed, as I had intelhyence of a party coming from Town which did the day after. Col. Ballingall with one hundred of the Seventy-first, thirty Highlanders mounted, and about forty militia mounted came, but I could not give them battle, as I had sent a party up the Savannah River with Captain Bartonand MeKoy in pursuitof
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seven boats going to Augusta, and they have not yet returned ; but hope they will join me to-morrow at farthest. The enemy left Po- cotaligo and is now lying at Blake's Plantation. I imagine for some of the Tories to join them; however, I hope but few will join, as I have been about them, and they all took the swamp. I am obliged to haul off southwardly to collect all the men I can in those parts, and am in hopes the most of the men near the Okaties will join me. The men about Pon Pon are the backwardest though ; when I first went there, I learned they were all to be in arms, only waiting till they could send a man to you for Commissions, when they were to turn out. I beg you will send some immediately with your orders, it seems they wait for Col. Hayne's, and he says he can't without a Commission, and is sure, if he turns out, that at least two hundred will join him, if so, I am very sure that this part of the country may be held. I beg to hear from you as soon as possible, and in the mean time, you may be assured I will do every thing in my power. I would be glad if you would send a party over the River again, as I am told, they want to bend all their force to run me off, and a Command there will stop themn. I have not had time to go to the River to see about the powder, and there was but little in the fort; however, if McKoy takes those boats, I can supply you with a good deal. I have not heard from Gen. Pickens as yet, but expect to hear by McKoy when I will send to him. I have no more to add at present, but my best, and all the officers' compliments to all the officers and acquaintances, and you will please to accept the same from, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant, WM. HARDEN, Colonel.
| No. 76.] Col. Kolb to General Marion.
April 18th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Through much difficulty, I have sent you Captain John Wilds with a few mon, though not the number you expect. Something Lexpressed a few days ago that I should not be able to send you a
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single man; as soon as the men were ordered to join you, Snipes and some officers whom he had appointed out of this Regiment, endeavored to prevent their joining you, by telling them some fine stories, and speaking rather disrespectfully of you as I have been informed, to prevent their joining you. As soon as I received your last orders, I immediately informed Lieut. Lyons, who I had or- dered to join you with the young men that were to have been con- tinued with you, of your orders, informing him that I thought the young men that were ready in turning out with him to join Gen. Sumter, would receive the same advantage by joining you, but this did not avail anything. When I found this to be the case, I wrote him again, also wrote Captain Snipes, a copy of which I have in- closed you ; also Snipes' answer. I saw Lyons yesterday myself, I asked him about the men that he had raised, he said he had sent them to Gen. Sumter and that he would send every other man of the Regiment that he could recruit to him, notwithstanding they were ordered other ways. He damned himself if he would serve under any officer but whom he pleased ; that he disregarded any orders that might be issued to the contrary. As soon as I received your orders, I ordered my Capture to have half of their men in readiness to join you, by a certain time; just as they were ready to march, the said Lyons immediately suppressed several of their horses, and sent them immediately off, which prevents many of them coming to you, the scarcity of horses at this time and place, pre- vents their being replaced. I should be glad to know what method you would have me to take with such persons. I shall endeavour to send some few men on to you as soon as horses can be had, as we are obliged to stop plows to get horses at this time to do patrol duty. We have no news at this time, only of a party of Tories, who have been in Capt. Murphy's Company, commanded by a Captain John Brockinton.
I am, dear sir, your most humble servant. ABEL KOLB.
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[No. 77.] Gen'l. Marion to Gen'l. Greene.
FORT WATSON, SCOTS LAKE, April 23d, 1781.
Sir :
Lieut. Col. Lee made a junction with me at Santee the 14th inst., after a rapid march from Ramsay's Mill, on Deep River, which he performed in eight days; the 15th we marched to this place and invested it. Our hope was to cut off their water; some riflemen and continentals immediately took post between the fort and the lake. The fort is situated on a small hill forty feet high, stockaded, , and with three rows of abbatis around it; no trees near enough to cover our men from their fire. The third day after we had invest- ed it, we found the enemy had sunk a well near the stockade which we could not prevent them from, as we had no entrenching tools to make our approach, we immediately determined to raise a work equal to the height of the fort. This arduous work was completed this morning by Major Mayham, who undertook it. Wethen made a lodggement on the side of the mount near the stockade; this was performed with great spirit and address by Ens'n. Johnson and Mr. Lee, a volunteer in Col. Lee's legion, who with difficulty as- scended the hill, and pulled away the abbatis which induced the commandant to hoist a flagg, and Lieut. Col. Lee and myself agreed to the enclosed capitulation, which I hope may be approved of by you; our loss on this occasion, two killed, and three continentals and three militia wounded. I am particularly indebted to Lieut. Col. Lee for his advice and indefatigable diligence in every part of this tedious operation, against as strong a little post as could well be made on the most advantageous spot that could be wished for. The officers and men of the Legion and Militia performed every thing that could be expected, and Major Mayham of my Brigade had in a particular manner a great share of this success, by his unwearied diligence in erecting a tower, which principally occasioned the reduction of the fort. In short, sir, I have had the greatest satis- faction from every one under my command. Enclosed is the list of the prisoners and stores taken, and shall without loss of time proceed to demolish the fort, after which, shall march to the High
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Hills at Capt. Richardson's plantation, where I will wait your further orders, and am with great esteem sir,
Your obedient servant, F. MARION.
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Articles of Capitulation proposed by Lieut. McKay, Commandant at Fort Watson.
ART. I. The officers to be allowed their parole; to wear their swords; and shall have their private baggage secured to them.
Granted.
ART. II. The British officers shall be permitted to march to Charles Town, where they shall remain, without entering into any active service, till they shall have been exchanged ; till which time they shall be bound to surrender themselves, whenever called upon by the commander-in-chief of the American Southern army.
Granted.
ART. III. The irregulars shall be treated as prisoners of war. Granted.
ART. IV. All public stores shall be surrendered to the quarter master general of the Legion, and the fort to Captain Oldham, who shall take possession this evening, with a detachment of the Mary- land division.
I agree to this capitulation, such as it is at present, in considera- tion of the bravery with which the fort was defended.
PATRICK KARNS, Captain of Foot belonging to the Legion. JAS. McKAY, Lieut.
April 23, 1781.
[No. 78.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
CAMP BEFORE CAMDEN, April 24th, 1781.
Dear Sir:
Your favour of the 21st has just come to band. When I con- sider how much you have done and suffered, and under what dis-
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advantages you have maintained your ground, I am at a loss which to admire most, your courage and fortitude, or your address and management. Certain it is no man has a better claim to the public thanks. or is more generally admired than you are. History affords no instance wherein an officer has kept possession of a country under so many disadvantages as you have; surrounded on every side with a superior force; hunted from every quarter with veteran troops, yon have found means to elude all their attempts, and to keep alive the expiring hopes of an oppressed Militia, when all succour seemed to be cut off. To fight the enemy bravely with a prospect of victory is nothing ; but to fight with intrepidity under the constant impression of a defeat, and inspire irregular troops to do it, is a talent peculiar to yourself. Nothing will give me greater pleasure, than to do justice to your merit, and I shall miss no oppor- tunity of declaring to Congress, the Commander-in-chief of the American Army, and to the world in general, the great sense I have of your merit and services. I thank you for the measures you have taken to furnish us with provisions, and for the intelligence you communicate. A field piece is coming to your assistance, which I hope will enable you and Col. Lee to get possession of the fort. With the Artillery you will receive 100 lbs. powder and 100 1bs. lead. I wish my present stock would enable me to send you a larger supply, but it will not, having sent you near half we have. I have reason to believe the enemy have evacuated their post upon the Congarees ; and if there is no object very important on the other side of the River, it is my wish you should move upon this, in order to enable us to invest Camden to more advantage, the garrison of which, I have good reason to believe is short of provi- sions. I have this moment got intelligence, that Lord Cornwallis crossed the Cape Fear River last week, in order to begin his march towards this State. I beg you to take measures to discover his route and approach. Col. Horry's attack upon a party of Wat- son's does him great honour. With the highest respect and es- teem, I am, dear sir,
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