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 6
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Your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE
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[No. 79.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, BEFORE CAMDEN, ? April 26th, 1751.
Dear Sir :
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters, dated 23rd and 25th instant. I congratulate you on your success against Fort Watson. The articles of capitulation I highly approve of, and feel myself particularly indebted to you and all the officers and men under you, for their spirit, perseverance and good conduct upon the occasion. The enemy advanced upon us yesterday and gave us battle. The conflict was short, and seemed once to prom- ise us advantage, but we were obliged to retire and give up the field. though with no material loss. We are now within five miles of Camden. and shall closely invest it in a day or two again. That we may be enabled to operate with more certainty against this post, I should be glad you would move up immediately to our assistance and take post on the north side of the Town. I have detached a field piece to your assistance, with an escort of a few Continental troops under the command of Major Eaton. I should be glad you would send them a guide and conduct them to your army. I am, with great esteem and respect, Your most obedient humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
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[No. 80.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
CAMP AT RUGELEY'S, April 28th, 1781.
Capt. Snipes has just arrived in Camp and says that reports were below, that we were routed and totally dispersed. You will take measures to have the above contradicted, and the people pro- perly informed. By mistake we got a slight repulse, the injury is not great. The enemy suffered much more than we did. What has happened will make ro alteration in our plan of operations, and therefore I wish you to pursue the same plan as you had in con- templation before. Ia my last I desired you to move up within 7
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miles of Camden; but Capt. Conyers thinks that with 50 men below, at the distance of 15 or 20 miles, all the supplies can be as effectnally cut off as if you were at a less distance, and that if vou cross the Santee you can take all the posts upon the Congaree, and those posts that lie between Camden and the River. I have there- fore sent Capt. Conyers to conduct the Artillery to you. which I was informed this morning by Express, was on its return. Major Eaton having heard of the reduction of the fort. You will cross the River Santee, or detach Lieut. Col. Lee and dircet your force as information and circumstances may direct, either towards George Town or elsewhere, as shall appear necessary, keeping me con- stantly advised of your situation, and leaving a guard of about 60 men at, or about the High Hills of Santee, to prevent supplies from going to Camden. Get all the good Dragoon Horses you can to mount our Cavalry; those for Col. Washington's Corps, Capt. Conyers will take care of. This is a great object, and I beg you to pay particular attention to it.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 81.] General Greene to Col. H. Lce.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN THE 2Sth of April, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I have just received your letter of 19th, two of the 23d. and two of the 27th. I note all the contents. You know best your own situation, and your own wishes, but you are not well informed of mine. I have run every hazard to promote your plan of operations, as well as to oblige you, as from a persuasion the public service would be benefitted by it.
On the 25th the enemy sallied. It was what we wished for. and had taken a position about a mile from the town for the purpose, on a very advantageous piece of ground. The enemy were dis- covered by a fre upon our piquets. The line was formed in a few minutes, ready for their reception. The Light Infantry lay in our front, and a heavy fire soon commenced. I ordered the second
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Maryland Regiment to flank the enemy, and the first to advance and charge them in front. The two Virginia Regiments had orders to do the same, and Col. Washington to gain the enemy's flank and rear. Our artillery from the advantage of position was doing great execution. In this situation the action grew warm, and our troops advanced ; but from some unfortunate mistake of the true state of things the first Maryland Regiment being a little disordered, had or- ders to retire a few rods. This threw them into disorder. The second Marlyand Regiment seeing them fall back soon got into dis- order also; and the whole retired off the ground. This encour- aged the enemy, who before were retiring, and they pushed on and gained the top of the hill ; and the Artillery was obliged to retreat. Col. Haws's Regiment was then advancing in tolerable order, within forty yards of the enemy, and they in confusion in front, but from the enemy having gained their dank. by the retreat of the Mary- landers, I was obliged to order them to retreat also, to save them from being cut to pieces. I was with this Regiment myself, and they suffered more than all the rest. Col. Campbell's Regiment got disordered about the same time the Maryland troops did. but by his exertions, and Captain Pierce's, my aid, they were soon rallied, and the whole of the troops rallied at different times, but not in such order, or with such spirit, as to recover the misfortunes of the day. We retired about two and a huit miles and halted without loss of artillery, waggons or stores of any kind, except a few of the sol- diers' knapsacks and blankets. Col. Washington never shone upon any occasion more than tias. He got into the enemy's rear and took upwards of 200 prisoners, whom he found retreating, and in the course of the day made several charges, and cut to pieces their Dragoons. He was obliged to quit the greater part of his pri- soners, though he saved upward of - and made good his retreat out of the enemy's rear. We had about 150 men killed and wounded, and the enemy a greater number. Among the wound- ed is Col. Ford, in the arm. A considerable number of stragglers have not yet come in, but we have heard of them. In this situation things are You will unddeceive the people respecting the conse- quences of the action, which at the commencement of it I was al- most certain would prove the euemy's ruin, as well from the supe- riority of our force as the advantages of the ground. I have sent
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Captain Conyers to conduct the field piece to you, if you and Gen- eral Marion think it will be useful. Gen. Marion and you will cross the river together, or act separately as occasion and intelligence may dictate as necessary, but dont run great risques. I congratulate you on your late success, and wish you fresh laurels.
Yours, affect'y.
N. GREENE ..
P. S. Col. Williams was very active and greatly exposed, but all would not do, the day was lost.
[No. 82.] Gen. Greene to Col. H. Lee.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN THE 29th of April, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Your letter of the 28th has just been received. You wrote as if I had an army of fifty thousand men. Surely you cannot bo unacquainted with our real situation. I have rur every risque to ta- vour your operations, more perhaps than I ought; clearly so. if I had not my own reputation less at heart than the public service in gen- eral, and the glory of my friends in particular. I wrote you an ac- count of the affair of the 25th last evening, and sent Captain Con- yers to conduct the field piece to you and Gen. Marion. The event of the day was contrary to my expectations. Whether it was ow- ing to an order of Col. Gunby's, or the misconduct of the Mary- land troops, is now a matter of inquiry. I took the position on purpose to draw the enemy out, after being fully satisfied that the town could not be stormed, the works being too strong and the garrison too large to hope for success. I never had an idea of the kind unless I found the place very weak. There were not wan- ting mad caps enough to urge it. Had we defeated the enemy not a man of the party would have got back into town. The sally was what every body wished for, but the event was unfortunate. The loss on either side is not greatly different one from the other. I think the enemy's must have been the greatest. The disgrace is more vexatious than anything else, though the disappointment in
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its consequences, is a capital misfortune. Camden must have fallen bad we succeeded. I am as strongly impressed with the necessity of pushing nar operations on the west side of Santee as you can be. but the means are wanting. We want reinforcements. You what denchmente; and if you and General Marion separate you will beleth exposed: and I am what our Hole repulse the other das will give fresh hope to the crowny, and damp the sp ties of our friends; however, the best way to counteract that, is to act vigor- ously. In my lover to Com. Brily just evening. I desired him, either to detach you, or cross the Santee with you, as he might think advisable, from the information he had of the enemy's posts, numbers, and situation. I love you not to think of running great hazards, our situation will not warrant it. If we cannot accom- plish great things, we must current ourselves in having avoided a misfortune. G n. Sumter las at bur few men; be has taken the field and is pushing after little parties of tories towards Ninety Six. Major Herne is gone to him, if possible to get him to join us, but this I know he will awell if he can with decency, for the same rea- son that you wish to act apart is from the army. Should be join us, we than go on with our & trade with security. I cannot agree with you that the farther so ith wo ro the better. The posts upon the Samee and Congaree should be our great object. I am still afraid whether the Earl will quit his footing in North Carolina to come to the aid of his pants here. Me Carrington, one of your of- ficers, Is here with a party of hade a and foot, but the most of them are without arms. They won't come on to you, but they are so defendtess that I am want to and from. for you not finish them with are ! It is out of war power to do it Once more let me warn you to be cautious.
Yours, N. GREENE.
[ No. 83 ] Gen Bunter to Gen. Marion. CAMP CONGAREE, April 30th, 1781. Sử : I hate arabien yours of the Ichnot what on you observe that you write me on the bill, which fetter is not lost, as you allege.
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You gave your opinion in that, it is true, with respect to raising troops upon the State establishment, which opinion it appears you have resumed, not from the ill policy of the measure, but because Major Sipes might have disobliged you. Whether he gave a cause of umbrage. I know not, he was acting by no particular direction of me. If he has transgressed, he is amenable, and may, as an officer, be punished with great propriety, notwithstanding there is neither executive or legislative body in the State; yet I think their powers exist, and whoever denies it is dilating the al- most mortal wound our laws have received, and directly admits what Major Snipes may have done to be just, or that what he prevented another from doing was unjust. I revere the citizen who is tenacious of the laws of his country. I lament their being so much abused If I have done it, I think myself accountable and shall no doubt be called upon by the gentleman to whom you say you shall represent the matter, and if he is unacquainted with my motives and the step I have taken, should be happy to have his opinion upon that head. To his judgment and authority, I pay the greatest respect; but I have not a doubt but he and all impartial men, will applaud an undertaking which promised so much good to the United States, and this in particular; especially as it was the last and only measure that could be adopted for its security, or possession of, even the last part of it. As to the powers by which I act, they ought not to be called in question by any man, until gentlemen whom it might concern, had used proper means to obtain information. I am sorry the party you allude to is not likely to be taken. Gen. Greene wrote me a few days ago, that Col Lee had made his appearance very wear, so that he could take it in a few minutes with a piece of Artillery which he had sent him. Since which, I hear it is taken.
I am sir, your most humble servant, THOS. SUMTER.
P. S. Permit the bearer to pass the guards
NATH. GREENE.
5
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[No. 84 ] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
CAMP NEAR RUGELEY'S MILL, May Ist, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Yours of the 30th came in last evening. Keep a good look out for Tarlton, I think it is probable he is on the George Town route, but it is possible he may be on the upper route, as I hear of a guard being lately surprised near the Cheraws. Gen. Sumter is on the Congarees, with a considerable force and daily increasing. Please to communicate with him, and if necessary for any capital purpose, form a junction of your force. I hope the Artillery is with you before this, and you will employ it in any manner that you think will most effectually promote the service Should Tarl- ton get into Camden, Lieut. Col. Lee with his force must join us immediately. Major McArthur is on his way to Camden, and I fear has passed Sumter. If all those detachments which are di- recting their course towards Camden get in, the enemy will be strong then. The Marquis De Lafayette with a large detachment from the Northern army and the Pennsylvania Line are both on the march to join the south ward army. We shall soon be in force to drive the enemy out of the upper country.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, NATH. GREENE.
[No. 85.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
CAMP AT 25 MILE CREEK, May 6th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I wrote you day before yesterday that Lord Cornwallis was in motion and that it was uncertain which way he meant to operate, but in any case, it was necessary for us to collect our force, for which purpose I had given Lieut. Col. Lee orders to join the main army immediately with the several detachments and the field-piece. I am not determined yet what line of conduct to pursue, supposing Lord Cornwallis to move northwardly, and therefore wish you to continue at or near the Congaree, so as to prevent supplies from
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coming to Camden until you hear further from me. I expect more full intelligence to-night which will enable me to decide. Don't forget to give me an account of your numbers, and you would promote the service greatly if you could furnish us with sixty or eighty good dragoon horses. I am sorry for Col. Kolb's death, and the necessity there is for detaching a part of your Regiment.
With esteem and regard, I am,
Your most obedient humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
[ No. 86.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
Dear Sir :
CAMP AT 25 MILE CREEK, May 7th, 1781.
Col. Watson I find is on his way to Camden, this is rather an unfortunate circumstance, as the enemy will begin to be impudent and to shew themselves without their works, which they have never ventured upon since the morning of the 25th. Our force divided, and the enemy collected, put matters upon an unmilitary footing. There is no further intelligence from Lord Cornwallis, which induces me to believe he is marching northwardly. Major Hyrne will inform you of my plan. Supposing that to be the case, the Major will inform you also how far Lieut. Col. Lee is at liberty to continue to operate with you against the fort you were yesterday firing at. I should be exceedingly glad to have an account of the probable operating force you may expect to act with you for some months to come. This will enable me to judge with more certainty, the propriety of the plans I have in contemplation.
With esteem, I am dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
NATH. GREENE.
[No. 87.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
CAME COLONEL'S CREEK, May 9th, 1781.
Dear Sir :
I am favoured with yours of the 6th inst. I am sorry the Militia are deserting because there is not greater support. If they were
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influenced by proper principles, and were impressed with a love of liberty and a dread of slavery, they would not shrink at difficul- ties. If we had a force sufficient to recover the country, their aid would not be wanted, and they cannot be well acquainted with their true interest to desert us, because they conceive our force unequal to the reduction of the country without their assistance. I shall always be happy to see you at Head Quarters, but cannot think you seriously mean to solicit leave to go to Philadelphia. It is true your task has been disagreeable, but not more so than others, it is now going on seven years since the commencement of this war, I have never had leave of absence an hour, nor paid the least attention to my own private affairs. Your State is invaded; your all is at stake, what has been done will signify nothing, unless we persevere to the end. I left a wife in distress, and every thing dear and valuable to come and afford you all the assistance in my power, and if you leave us in the midst of our difficulties while you have it so much in your power to promote the service, it must throw a damper upon the spirits of the Army, to find the first men in the State are retiring from the busy scene, to indulge themselves in more agreeable amusements ; however, your reasons for wishing to decline the command of the militia, and for going to Philadelphia may be more pressing than I imagine, I will therefore add nothing more upon this subject till I see you. My reasons for writing so pressingly respecting the dragoons, was from the distress we were in. It is not my wish to take the horses from the militia if it will injure the public service. The effects and consequences you can better judge of than I can. You have rendered important services to the publick with the millua under your command, and done great honour to yourself; and I would not wish to render your situation less agreeable with them, unless it is to answer some very great purpose, and this I persuade myself you would from a desire to promote the common good. I wish you success in the fort you are besieging. Lord Rawdon was out yesterday, we had the night before taken a new position ou Sanders' Creek, and imagined he came ont to attack us expecting to find us on the Twenty-five Mile Creek. We did not like the situation on Sanders' Creek to risk an action on, and therefore took a new position at this place, leaving the Horse, Light Infantry, and Piquets at the old encamp-
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ment, the enemy came and drew upon the other side of the Creek, but did not attempt to cross, but retired into Camden before night.
We are in daily expectation of a large reinforcement of Virginia militia and some Continental troops, when those arrive we shall push our operations with more vigour. No further news of Lord Cornwallis.
I am, sir, with the highest esteem and regard, Your most obedient humble servant, NATH. GREENE.
|No. SS.]
Maj. Pendleton ( Aid-de-Camp ) to Gen'l. Marion.
HEAD QUARTERS, COLONEL'S CREEK, May 10th, 1781. General Greene has this moment received information that the enemy have evacuated Camden. They moved out this morning very early, after destroying the mill, the goal, and their stores, to- gether with many private houses; what may have induced this un- expected and precipitate movement is uncertain, but the General is of opinion that the same motives which have induced Lord Raw- don to take this step will also induce the evacuation of all the out- posts, which the enemy have at Ninety-Six, Augusta and on the Congaree. He begs you to take such measures as may prevent the garrison at Mott's from escaping. The army was to have moved to-morrow morning towards Friday's Ferry. I will move that way still, though by a different route and perhaps more slowly. It is un- certain which way Lord Rawdon took his route ; it was either to George Town or Charles Town and most probably the latter. The General is firmly of opinion the enemy will, if they can, evacuate all their out-posts. You will therefore take such mea- sures as you think best calculated to prevent their design.
I am, sir, with high respect, Your most obd't .. most humble serv't.,
NATH. PENDLETON, Aid-de-Camp.
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[No. 89.] Lord Raudon to Lieut. Col. Lee.
CAMP, May 14th, 1781.
Sir :
I beg leave to return you many thanks for your politeness in transmitting to me the letters which fell into your possession at Motte's house. Lieut. M. Pherson having mentioned to me that you proposed an exchange of the garrison taken at that post, I have only to promise, that an equal number of continental officers and soldiers shall be immediately set at liberty for all such as General Greene may think proper to send to Charleston.
Lieut. M'Pherson further informed me, that the troops taken at Wright's Bluff were understood by you not to have adhered to the terms of capitulation, as strictly as they ought to have done : I beg you will believe, sir, I consider the charge of so serious a nature, that the most exact inquiry shall be made upon it as soon as possi- ble. I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant, RAWDON.
[ No 90.] Gen'l. Greene to Samuel Huntingdon, Esq.
From Tarlton's Southern Campaigns.
CAMP AT MCCORD'S FERRY, ON THE CONGAREE, May 14, 1781.
Sir :
I had the honour to send despatches to your excellency on the 5th from near Camden, by Captain O'Hara. On the Sth the place was evacuated by the enemy with the utmost precipitation ; Lord Rawdon burnt the greatest part of his baggage, stores, and even the effects belonging to the inhabitants ; he set fire also to the prison, mill. and several other buildings, and left the town little better than a heap of ruins : He left behind him our people who had been wounded in the action of the 25th of April, and had been taken prisoners; they are thirty-one in number. His lordship left also Af- ty-eight of his own people, with three officers, who were so badly
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wounded, that they could not bear a carriage. Several of the in- habitants assert it as a fact, that, in the last action, the loss of the enemy, in killed and wounded, was not less than three hundred men.
As soon as the enemy left Camden we took possession of it, and are now employed in raising all the works ; a plan of which I en- close for your excellency. Had the Virginia militia joined us in time, the garrison must have fallen into our hands, as we should then have been able to invest the town on all sides ; and the garri- son was in too great want of provisions and military stores to be able to stand out a siege. The detachnients under General Marion and Lieut. Col. Lee, in the lower districts of the country, had cut off the enemy's provisions, and particularly salt, with which they were totally unprovided. On the 9th our army began their march towards this place. On the 11th the post of Orangeburgh, defend- ed by eighty men, under the command of a colonel and other otfi- cers, surrendered to Gen Sumter, who, by his skill in the disposi- tion of his Artillery and Troops, so intimidated the garrison, that the place soon submitted. We thus got possession of a very strong post, without loss either of men or time; a great quantity of pro- visions and other stores were found in it. The 12th, Motte's fort submitted to Gen' !. Marion; the garrison consisted of upwards of one hundred and forty men; one hundred and twenty were British or Hessians, with seven or eight officers. The place had been in- vested the Sth ; nor did it surrender till our troops had made their approaches regularly up to the abbatis ; the redoubt was very strong, and commanded by Lieutenant M'Pherson, a very brave young officer. Great praise is due to General Marion, and the handful of militia that remained with him till the reduction of the fort. Lieut Col. Lee's Legion, and the detachments under Major Eaton, the artillery under Capt Finlay, and the corps of Infantry under Captains Oldham and Smith, were indefatigable in carrying on the siege There were found in the fort, one carronade, one hun- dred and forty muskets, a quantity of salt provisions, and other store ..
When we marched from Deep river towards Camden, I wrote to General Pickens to assemble all the militia he could muster, to lay siege to Augusta and Ninety-Six. These two places are actually
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invested, and the fort at Friday's ferry will be invested to-morrow morning, as Lieut. Col. Lee set out for that purpose last night, with his Legion, and the several detachments which serve under him : The whole army began their march this morning for the same place. The last intelligence I received, informed me that Lord Rawdon was near Nelson's ferry, where the enemy have a post ; but they were sending away their stores from it, which sufficiently indicates that they intend shortly to evacuate. Gen's. Sumter and Marion narrowly watch all his lordship's motions. I am, &c., NATH. GREENE.
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