USA > South Carolina > Orangeburg County > The history of Orangeburg County, South Carolina : from its first settlement to the close of the Revolutionary War > Part 27
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"By order of the Council of Safety.
Henry Laurens, President."- "Mr. Chesnut.
Journal of Council of Safety. Jan. 18th, 1776.
Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 29, 1776: "To John Chesnut, esq., Pay- master to the rangers, for pay of the officers, and 6 companies of that regiment, up to the 20th instant ... ..... .€11,571 12 11."
*"John James Haig is appointed Our Pay Master."-Col. Thomson to Lieut. Col. Mayson, Sept. 15th, 1777.
+He was maternal uncle of John f'ald well Calhoun.
O'Neall's Annals of New berry District.
§Gen. DeSaussure says, pamphlet, page 7, that ('apt. Goodwyn resigned May 30, 1778, but Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, in his journal for April 26, 1780, states that "Captain Goodwin, of 3d South-Carolina", was on that day killed in the siege of Charlestown.
"Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 30, 1776.
|| DeSaussure, page 10. ºDeSanssure.
** ()'Neall's Annals of New berry District, page 243.
..
..
Killed by "Bloody Bill" ('n)- [ingham'stories, Nov. 1781.}
Deserted to the enemy, 1775. Resigned Jan. 30, 1776.1
..
David Hopkins
..
1778
William Caldwello
Field Farrarº
387
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
RANK.
NAME.
APPOINTED.
REMARKS.
Lieutenant John Donaldson
June 18, 1775
.€
66
Louis Dutarque
66
Francis Boykin
66
66
66
‹ .
Samuel Watson
6.
66
6.
Win. Heatly, Jr.+
66
17.
David Hopkins
Promoted Captain.
Thomas Charlton - Cantey
David Monoghan
Resigned Dec. 15, 1775.$
Moses Vance
July 1, 1775
-- Mitchell
1775
Joseph Pledger
Resigned Jan. 30, 1776.§
- Beames
1775 or 1776
.
Maskall
Resigned Oct. 1778. Promoted Captain. Promoted Captain .*
Willam Caldwell Charles M. Genney McGinis
Mentioned 1778
William Taggert
66
Resigned Oct. 1778.
.6
- Bailey
66
1779
Killed at Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779.
Louis DeSaussure
66
Killed at Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779.
Robert Gaston
Killed at Savannah, Oct. 8, 1779.
William Goodwyn*
Resigned May 30, 1778 .* 66
66
Cato West*
Sept. 14, 1778 .*
Isaac Cowther*
66
John Davis*
66
Wm. Fitzpatrick*
Benjamin Hodges* John Jones*
66
Richard Jones*
Edward Lloyd*
60
George Liddell*
66
Luke Mason*
66
James Roberson*
Wm. R. Withers*
Thomson's order book.
Section 3. Colonel Thomson's Order Book-June 24th, 1775, to November 3rd, 1778.
Dr. Joseph Johnson, in his "Traditions of the Revo- lution". page 99, states that the order books of Col. William Thomson "have been preserved by his family, and are very creditable to his officer-like conduct and
§Journal of Council of Safety, Jan. 30, 1776.
¡Heitman's Continental Officers.
¿Journal of Council of Safety, Dec. 15, 1775.
*DeSaussure.
|| Derrill Hart, no doubt.
6.
66
Promoted Captain. Resigned Jan. 30, 1776.§
June, 1775
6.
..
Crowthers
.‹
66
66
Hart ||
Wm. R. Thonison
66
66
John Lisle*
Aug. 1779 .*
William Love*
Ensign Corporal
Daniel Shannon
Hugh Middleton
3SS
THE HISTORY OF
discretion." One of these books is now in possession of Judge A. C. Haskell, of Columbia, who has very kindly allowed it to be copied for use in this work. The book is bound in soft brown leather, is about eight by ten inches in size, contains about ninety un- ruled pages, very closely written in the style of script that generally prevailed at the time of the American Revolution. The following is a carefully made copy of the original:
[1]st Regiment
2nd: Regiment
Rangers:
1st: Colonel € Mr: Gadsden : 6 per Day
Colonel 2nd: Regt:
Wm: Moultrie
Lt: Colonel of Rangers Colonel Thomson
Lt: Col: Isaac Huger
Lt: Col: Isaac Motte
James Mayson Ma-
Owen Roberts, Major
Alexr: McIntosh Major
Chis: Chwt: Pinckney Barnard Elliott ..
Nichs : Eveleigh
Samuel Wise. Ezek: Polk.
Francis Marion
Isaac Harleston
Wm: Cattel.
Thos: Pinckney
Peter Horry.
Francis Huger
Robert Goodwyn
Daniel Horry
Wm: Mason ..
Moses Kirkland.
Adm: McDonald
Edmd: Hyrne
Edwd: Richardson
Thomas Lynch
Roger Saunders
Thos: Woodward ..
Win: Scott.
Benj: Cattel.
John Purvis.
John Barn well.
Chas: Motte ..
Lieutenants
Anthony Ashby.
Alexr: McQueen
Jno: Lewis Pyre Inhoff Chas: Heatley
James Ladsden
Jas: Perrineau.
John Vanderhost
Richard Shubrick
Allen Cameron
John Mouatt
Richard Fuller.
Richd: Wyron Winn. John Donaldson.
Wm: Oliphant.
Jno: Allen Walter
Hugh Middleton.
Glyn Drayton.
Ben: Dickenson
Lewis Dutarque.
Joseph Ioor.
Wm: Charnock
Francis Boyakin
Robert Armstrong
Thos: Lesesne.
Samuel Watson
Pay Master: Thos: Evance
Pay Master: Jno: Sandît: Dart
pay Master:
Jno: Chesnut
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Col: Pinckney
Mr: Lowndes
Wm: Hen: Drayton
Wm: Williamson
Col: Laurens Mr: Brewton
Thos Bee Thos: Ferguson
Col: Parsons Ben: Elliott
Thos: Heywood John Huger Andw: Middleton
On the 24th June, I received my Commission from the above named Council of Safety with the following orders.
Captains
Jas: McDonald.
Captains
Lieutenants
Lieutenants
John Blake.
Thos: Moultrie.
Captains
John Caldwell. Eli Kirshaw.
Thomas Elliott
Richd: Shingleton.
389
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
In the Council of Safety.
21st June 1775./
To William Thomson Esq !.
Lieut: Col: Commandant of the Regimt of Rangers or to the commanding officers for the time being.
Sir,
You are hereby directed forthwith to Issue Or- ders for levying in this and the adjacent Colonies proper men not exceeding thirty in each Company to serve for six months certain and not longer than three Years in the Regiment of Rangers under your com- mand observing the Articles agreed upon in Provin- cial Congress, for Ordering and governing the Forces in this Colony. And it is recommended to all the good People of this and the neighboring Colonies to give you and the officers under your command all necessary aid and assistance therein.
Signed by the above Council.
True Copy.
Amelia 24th June 1775./
Şir,
Inclos'd is a Copy of orders I recd from the Council of Safty. You will observe the contents and give orders accordingly to the four upper Companies Viz: Capts Perwis, Kirkland, Caldwell, and Polk, you will also order an Encampment in the most con- venient place near Reedy River and that each Captn as soon as he bas enlisted Ten men to send them to the Camp in order to learn their Exercise and be in readiness with a good Horse, and Rifle, and other ne- cessaries.
directed
To Major James Mason.
sign'd Wmn Thomson
True Copy
390
THE HISTORY OF
same day gave orders to the remaining five Capts Wise, Woodward, Kirshaw, Richardson, and Good- wyn, for their levying thirty men with speed, with orders for each Captain immediately upon raising Ten men to send the same to their Camp near Holmans.
Wm Thomson
In the Council of Safety. Orders. To Col: William Thomson
Charles Towne June 26th 1775 Sir,
You are hereby forthwith ordered to station at Fort Charlotte a Company of Rangers to Garrison that Post, and to take care of the Military Stores which are there deposited.
You will direct the commanding Officer of this De- tachment to take an Inventory of the Military Stores he shall find in the Fort and to send to the Council of Safety an Exact Copy of it, and also an Account of the state of the works.
Order the Commanding officer, whom you send on this Service to inlist the Men at Present in Garrison to serve as Rangers if they are willing, and give Mr. Whitfield* all proper Encouragement to remain in the Fort, provided he will be subject to your order, we are very desirous of retaining him in the Service of the Colony, and therefore you might propose to him pay equal to his present allowance, which we will confirm if he accepts it, and will upon Your Recommendation of him as a proper Person appoint him to the first Va- cancy in your Regiment.
You will also cause the two Brass Field Pieces, and
*George Whitfield, a nephew of the celebrated Rev. George Whit- field.
391
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
all the Spare Bayonets in the Fort, to be sent in a cov- ered Waggon and by a careful Waggoner to the Coun- cil of Safety in Charles Town.
You will immediately send a copy of these Instruc- tions to Major Mason, in order that he may not exe- cute any thing relative to the Directions he had con- cerning Fort Charlotte.
We are Sir. Your most humble servt Col. Wm Thomson : By order of the Council Henry Lawrens, President. Colonel Wm Thomson
Amelia July 1st 1775. /
Orders:
To Major Jas Mason. Sir. Inclos'd you will find orders, I recd from the Council of Safety You are hereby or- dered forthwith carefully to put them into Execution, direct Capt! Perwis to take the Command, desire You will see that he has good likely Men and good Rifles &c.
Desire You may give Capt! Purvis orders to see that Mr Whitfield and his Possession is not molested if he will accept the offers made him, and if it is conven- ient for him I would be glad to see him at my House.
I hope you will see that the four Capts of Rangers in your neighborhood does list good likely Rifled Men. I expect to hear from you as soon as you have executed these orders, which I make no doubt will be on sight. I intend for Town this Day week, but will be home in few Days.
Wm Thomson.
True Copy
392
THE HISTORY OF
Amelia 1st July 1775.
Sir
Yours of the 29th by Mr Swanston I received, I desire You will send some of Your Men, not less than Twelve, with one Officer, as soon as You can, I inclose You the Articles against Meeting, and the Oath to be taken by the Men when listed. Have the Meeting Act Read to Your Men, and them properly enlisted, good likely Rifles, I hope to see You have, as I know You can have choice. tell my Friend your Brother, I am oblig'd to go to Town this Day Week, as soon as I return hope to see him, in mean while hope he will endeavor to settle the Minds of the Catawbas as I am almost sure some one has been tampering with them.
True Copy. Wm Thomson
To
Capt! Eli Kirshaw.
Sir,
3rd July 1775. /
Some time past I wrote to you to come down or send Your Lieutenant to receive Your commission and orders, but has not heard from You, makes me think the Letter miscarried I expect you have listed Your number of thirty before this time our Camp is near Holman's on the old Road, I shall go to Town Satur- day, in the mean time beg to see you or Your Lieu- tenant
I remain. Sir
Your humble Servt W Thomson
True Copy
To Capt! Woodward.
In the Council of Safety, 13th July. 1775.
ordered,
That Col: William Thomson do immedi-
393
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
ately make a return to the Council of the several Companies in the Regiment of Rangers specifying the names of the officers non=commissioned officers, and Privates, the station of each Company together with a state of their Cloathing, Horses, and Ammunition.
That if the Companies are not full, he use his ut- most Diligence in order to complete them- and that each Man be well mounted, armed and accoutred. On the Tenth Day of August next, Eight companies shall rendezvous at some proper Place to be appointed by the Colonel, and march by the following Routes, to wit:
Three Companies to the Southward by Orangeburgh, to the three Runs, thence down Savannah River to Purrysburg, thence to Ponpon, and downward by the High Road.
Three Companies to the Northward, by the Kings Tree, and the most Populous Parts of Waccamaw and Pedee to George Town, thence by Wambaw to Hugers Bridge, and by the Strawberry Road going up to Childsburry=Town to Biggin Bridge, Monck's Corner, and thence downward by the High Road.
Two Companies through St Stephen's Parish down to Monck's Corner thence to Edistow saw Mills, and from thence thro' the Horshoe, and Round O to Par- kers Ferry, Dorchester, and thence down the High Road.
That Col: Thomson do march with the First Detach- ment to the Southward. That Major Mason do march with the second Detachment to the Northward.
That the senior Capt! on Duty march with the third Detachment of two Companies.
That the whole meet and rendezvous at some con- venient Place within Ten Miles of Charles Town on the First Day of September, and that notice of the
394
THE HISTORY OF
Junction and Encampment be immediately given to the President of the Council.
That the utmost Diligence be constantly used, to train and Exercise the Regiment by Companies and otherwise as Opportunities may permit. in the use of Arms agreeable to the Manual Exercise approved of by the Council.
That strict discipline be at all times kept up in the Regiment, Companies, and Detachments, . . That Ma- rauding and every degree of Injury to the Inhabi- tants or their property be strictly forbidden; and that exemplary Punishment be duely inflicted upon offend- ers against the orders of the Council and the Articles of War.
That all needful and proper Assistance be given, when required by the Parochial Committees, officers of the Colony Regiments of Foot, Magistrates and offi- cers of the Militia who have signed the general Asso- ciation; and immediate Notice transferred to the Council of such Requisitions, and services intended or performed.
That orderly Books be kept by the commanding of- ficer of each Detachment and the whole returned, to- gether with a State of the Regiments, at the time of their Rendezvous on the first of September to the Council.
As there are persons suspected of attempts to alien- ate the affections of the Inhabitants of this Colony from the Interests of America, Col: Thomson and all the officers of the Regiment of Rangers, are ordered to take proper Notice of such suspected Persons. And if it shall appear to the Colonel, or the Commanding officer of any Detachment, that the conduct or be- havior of such Person or Persons are dangerous to the safety of the Colony the Colonel or such Com- manding Officer of any Detachment is required to
395
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
confine such Person or Persons in the District Gaol or otherwise, and report immediately to the Council of Safety.
Col: Thomson is to procure from Fort Charlotte, half a Pound of Gun=Powder per Man, and Lead in proportion, for the Eight Companies which are to march and to the Commanding Officer of Fort Char- lotte, a receipt for such Powder and Lead. Strict or- ders to be given for the Preservation of such Pow- der and Lead, against all kind of Damage; and that no part be used but as occasions may require solely for the service of the Colony.
Owners and Keepers of Ferries are to charge Ferri- age of the Rangers and their Horses, to the Public: Accounts thereof to be certified by the Commanding officers of Detachments, and transmitted to the Coun- cil of Safety .*
The Council of safety recommend to the Inhabi- tants-throughout this Colony, to treat the Regiment and Detachments of Rangers with Hospitality, and to supply them with Provision and necessaries, for their Money, at Reasonable Rates. By order of the Council of Safety.
True Copy.
Henry Laurens President.
Amelia 17th July 1775./
Sir,
I herein inclose you copy of the orders received from the Council of Safety. You will please to give the three Companies in Your District orders accord- ingly I should be glad if you would have them all in Amelia by the sixth Day of August as I could wish to have them together four Days before they March.
* "To Jonas Beard, for ferriage of rangers, £34 17s 6d."-Journal of Council of Safety, Nov. 30, 1775.
396
THE HISTORY OF
You'll observe the Instructions about the Powder and Lead in Proportion and order down sufficient Quantity for the five Company's in this Neighbourhood, as perscribed in the General orders, that I may be able to make a return of the whole You may supply those three Company's with their Dividend of Powder and Lead before they come down in order to save Car- riage. I make no doubt but you have comply'd with the orders concerning Fort Charlotte before this time. I should be glad to hear from You immediately.
To Wm Thomson
Major Jas Mason. True Copy.
Amelia 17th July 1775. /
Sir,
You are hereby required to rendezvous your Company in Amelia by the sixth of August next, in the meantime you are to be very diligent to learn them their Exercise. I hereby send you the Manual Exer- cise that is ordered to be learned by the Council of Safety, which You'll please to teach them except the Bayonet Exercise, and in loading, the Breech of Rifles must go to the Ground, and that You immediately make a return to me of your Company, specifying the names of the Officers, non commissioned officers, and Privates, the Station of Your Company with the State of their Cloathing, Horses, & Ammunition, if your Company is not full, use your utmost diligence to compleat it
I remain
Sir
Your humble Servt Wm Thomson
The underwritten is a Copy of Orders from the Council of Safety, which please strictly to observe.
"As there are Persons suspected of attempts to
397
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
"alienate the affections of the Inhabitants of this Col- "ony from the Interest of America, Col: Thomson and "all the Officers of the Regiment of Rangers are order- "ed to take proper Notice of such suspected Persons. "And if it shall appear to the Colonel or the Com- "manding Officer of any Detachment that the Conduct "and Behaviour, of any Person or Persons are danger- "ous to the Safety of the Colony, the Colonel, or such "commanding officer of any Detachment, is required "to confine such Person or Persons in the District "Gaol, or otherwise and report to the Council of safe- "ty immediately.
The above is a copy of Let- ters to Captns Wise, Woodward, Goodwyn, Kirshaw and Richardson.
True Copy.
In the Council of Safety. Charles Town, 15th July, 1775.
Ordered.
That Col: Thomson do immediately march with his whole Regiment, or such Part as may be ne- cessary for his Service, and take possession of Fort Charlotte, if the same is not already secured agree- able to the order of the 26th of June last, after which he is to leave one Company in Garrison and follow his late orders: And that the President do forthwith transmit a Copy of this Order and write Col: Thomson on the Subject.
Sign'd
True Copy. Petr Timothy, Secretary.
10th July 1775
Sir
Please to order your Men to be in readiness to March at half a Days Warnings for perhaps I may call
398
THE HISTORY OF
upon them about Monday next to take a Tour of about Ten Days, owing to some Intelligence I just, now received let Lieutenant Hopkins proceed on his Journey. forward the Express to Major Mason with all possible speed I am.
To
Your hum'ble Seryt W T.
Captn Robert Goodwyn.
Amelia, 10th July 1775.
Sir
I just now recd your friendly Letter with the orders from the Council of Safety which shall be put in execution immediately. I expected that Major Mason had executed the orders of the 26th June long before this time, as I trusted that part of the service to him with particular orders to execute it, being in his neighborhood I am very sorry the Council of Safety has to repeat their orders to me.
To
W T:
Col: Hen: Lawrens.
True Copy.
19th July 1775.
Sir.
Since the Express sent You, Yesterday, I have recd Orders from the Council which makes it neces- sary to March to Fort Charlotte on Savannah River. It is hereby ordered that You, with your Company meet me on Sunday next at the Congarees in readi- ness for that Service.
W Th .. Copy's of the above was sent to Capts Woodward, Richardson, and Kirshaw.
True Copy.
399
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
Amelia. 19th July 1775.
Sir,
Since the Express sent you Yesterday, I have recd a Letter and orders of which I have sent you a Copy, I desire you will immediately transmit to me a state of the whole affair as it now stands. I shall col- lect four of the Lower Company's Immediately and be at the Congrees in five Days in order to March up if the needful is not done already of which I hope to be acquainted from you before that Day. I desire you will collect the four upper Company's to have them in readiness to join me when I come to Ninety six, that is if Capt. Purvis is not in the Fort already according to the first Orders, If so the express of Yesterday will acquaint You what to do with the other three Com- pany's. . I shall be extreamly sorry & surprized to find the orders of the 26th has not been put into execution by You, as I depended entirely on You, expecting to have them as absolutely executed as If I had been present. I shall add no more at present but that I expect to hear from You as above. I am
Your humble Servt
True Copy W T.
Tó Major James Mason,
For Copy of Letter and & order sent inclosed see. orders sigu'd Petr Timothy & Letter. Henry Law- rens.
Granby near Fridays Ferry, the 22d July 1775 The Honourable Council of Safety.
Gentlemen, ..
I this evening arrived at this Place with an Intention to have March'd in the morning
400
THE HISTORY OF
with Capts Kirshaw, Richardson, Goodwyn's & Wood- ward's in order to carry into Execution your orders of the 15th Instant, it was not in my Power to collect the four Cympanys together sooner Capt" Wise being at the greatest distance and also near a Quarter where I was inform'd several disaffected Persons live say on Thomson's & Lynch's creek's, for which reasons I only sent him your orders of the 13th Instant, & in- tended leaving him there in order to watch the Inten- tentions of these Persons, But on my way up hither, I met an express from Major Mason, to the Council of Safety and also one for my self, a copy of which I herewith send you Inclosed. I shall now Camp a few miles above this Place, with the four Company's above mentioned & dispatch an Express to Capt: Wise in the morning with orders for him to repair immediately with his Company to this Camp, I shall also send or- ders to Major Mason to have Fort Charlotte well guarded, If he finds it necessary with the whole of the other three Company's, or whatever part of them may be rais'd. The paymaster who is now with me, has only yet received 1000€ which I brought up from Charles Town for him, there being no more ready £500 of which shall be sent Immediately to Fort Char- lotte, with a Detachment that I purpose sending there in order to get a small supply of Gunpowder, and Lead agreeable to your order of the 13th Instant being entirely without, Excepting 151bs borrowed of Mr. Kir- shaw. this will be handed you by Capt! Woodward* who being desirous of going to Town in order to fit out himself and his Men, & as he also comes from near that Quarter where most of the disaffected lives he
* "The President laid before, and read to the Council, sundry pa- pers, contained in a dispatch from Col. William Thomson, received last night by Capt. Thomas Woodward, of the Rangers."-Journal of Council of Safety, July 26th, 1775.
401
ORANGEBURG COUNTY.
may be able to give some farther particulars as with regard to them.
I am Gentlemen Your most obt Servt Wm Thomson
Sir, Your favour dated, Amelia June 27th came safe to Hand, on Sunday last the 2nd In- stant. I have the honour of acquinting You by the return of the Express that we left Charles Town not sooner than the 24th of last Month, the very Day after the conclusion of the Provincial Congress, having ar- rived at my Place I begun immediately to enlist Men, the number of which consisting this Day in 22 well cho- sen, young, and well mounted Men, I shall no doubt compleat my Company, this, or the beginning of next week. But permit me Sir, to observe that our people wants time to equippe, and prepare for a march as long as such we have to perform from this place to the Camp. I hope to set out at the Head of the whole Company about the 1st of August, and Join the Camp with all possible diligence. I have the honour to be Sir
Your most obedt humble Servt:
Sam! Wise
Pedee the 15th July 1775.
Sir,
Just as I was about to dispatch Mr. Sallens yes- terday with the four Blank Association Papers, which you will receive in a seperate packett, certain intelli- gence arrived from. Fort Charlotte which render'd it proper to detain him till this morning.
The Council of Safety alarmed by an intimation of Mr St Pierres proceed- with one Cossel, in the Fort as given by Capt: Whitefield in a letter to Mr. Gervais
402
THE HISTORY OF
& not clearly informed of the part which the Capt himself means to take, are anxious that you should carry their Orders of the 26th June into execution & immediately take possession of the Fort & all the Military & other Stores contained in it, for this end the Council made another order last night for enforc- ing the former, a certified Copy of which you will find here inclosed.
The Gunpowder is most particularly recommended to your care, not only to get possession of the whole, but to prevent damage waste and misapplication of any part & not a moment to be delayed.
I flatter myself with hopes that you will have antic- ipated the wishes of the Council, that the Fort is now in the Hands of their Officers nevertheless I have it in charge to signify their commands that if it shall be necessary You immediately attempt to surmount every difficulty by the united efforts of your whole Regiment, You at their Heads together with such as- sistance as our Friends & associates in that neighbor- hood may think proper to lend upon this momentous affair. The Council entertain hopes that Capt: White- field will associate in the Interest of America. in such case he will correspond with the Council, by trans- mitting to them a return of all the Stores at the time of his surrending to their officer which must be coun- tersigned by that officer or Yourself if you shall find it necessary to go there.
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