IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I I 1^128 125 ■u 1^ mil Hf U£ 12.0 1.25 i 1.4 V3 >^ ^r^'^' % 4\^V ^^^^"^ Hiotographic Scmces Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. USSO (716) 872-4503 \ 4 ^JA '^>^ V v\ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historicai IVIicroreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The tot The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual r.-1p- • , i -:I •s 1' ■'■ ; 1 i l-i^ M P f O v^T^ /^ OF THE r A r G N s ( o t 78 O A IJ D 7$ "'\'*i^ IN THE ^O UT, HERN PROV IN C E S o r N R T Ht. A M E R I C A. •i.-f I liij^ !^ r y^.j a Y LlEtllTENANT-cCaLQNEL TARLETON, rtfOMMANDANT OF THE LATfi BRITISH LEGION', c Pft.r?ITED •-•w ■ M 1 } —^•mn'^i^^m k ^ 4 ■ ^■^ "a -..^..<^^.. ■i ' -> r^9/^-'*a, .$'«'.• f i ^^> C O N E N S. CHAPTER I. E FF F^T of D'Eftaigivs attack upon Savannah — . Rhode ifliul evacuated — • — F.mbnrluioii nf a body of rroojis — Sir Hcay Clinton fails from New York, and arrives at Savannah Diiliciilk'S to cncountfr before the fiege 0/ Charles town The ;iruy crofs Alhlcy river — The ati'iiral paflcs the bar and fort Moultrie — Charlcitown fummoncd — ' , .— Aiucrinns furprifed at Monk's corner — - Chailc town completely inverted — i^ail Cnv.vallis takes the command in the country — Amcria'is furj>rifed at Lcncw's ^ — 4 Fort Ijoaltrie furrenders — -« Charii ■^nv/n capitulab.s — — Prociaiations Effeftjt proclamationj Part q" the army cmbarl Earl (prnwallis palFes the Santcl^^vcr Adioj It Wrxfaw ..— jark „ A 2 ^* ^ i t C' P»£;e" 2 i 3 ih> 4 * ;«. 9 10 - *» IZ A 1^ 13 17 t ^ m i!{ 20 ib. ih 22 24 25 '>^ i 26 \ 27 JO Sir #^ % 1 •» v^- « . V ■■I' I -' T -\ ,^ Iv CONTENTS. Sir Henry Clinton fails from Charles to'.vn Notes to the Firll Cliapter — Si to 84 CHAPTER II. Earl Cornwallis takes the command of the King's troops in Georga and Soiuh Carolinia — — — His difpofuion of the King's troops — — • F.arl Cornwallis goes to Charles town — — Eight hundred loyalifts from North Carolina join the Britifli — Iiuclligcncc of a tuiitiiKiital army — — The effedt it produces in South Carolina — — Colonel Sumpter attacks Rocky mount and Hanging rock — Baron de Kalb approaches with the American army — G.:neral Gates fuperfedes De Kalbc — — Lord Rawdon affembles the King's troops — Earl Cornwallis arrives at Camden — • — Battle near Camden — — Acftion near the Catawba fords ■— — 8S 86 89 91 9* ih. 94 97 a. 101 102 114 Notes to the Second Chapter iiyto 153 CHAPTER III. I, State of the royal army — State of South Carolina — The King's troops move forward — And halt at Charlotte town — Lieutenant-colonel Brown attacked by Colonel C And relieved by Lieutenant-colonel Cruger Fcrgufon defeated The Britifh armv falls back f 'S5 158 159 i6i 161 164 167 rafltfs CONTENTS. I PalTcs the Gtawb.i river — And takes pft at \V\ nncfborougli — Marion ovcriins the lower dlllriCts Ineffectual ttcmpt upon Siimptcr — Suinptcr mvcs towards Nu^cty Six — Action at Backftock's — State of tb American army — Major-genial Greene takes the command Preparatios for a fecond invafion of North Carolina Major-gerral Leflic arrives wiih a reinforcement Notes to ic Ihird Chaptc. — — Page 167 169 171 »73 >74 .78 i8i i3i 184 185 to 207 C HA P T E R IV. '5J ^5S 158 161 i6z 164 167 Tafles Mo\ciucts of the Americans -^ «« 207 The Brilh light troops pafs Broad river — 210 Earl Cavval lis moves from Wynncfborough — 212 Aftlon : the Cowpcns — — 215 GeneraJLeflie joins Earl Cornwallls — 222 Purfuiof General Morgan ^» — it,. Morga pafles the Catawba river — 223 The Kig's troops pafs the Catawba — 224 Affair aTarrant's — — 226 Earl Ccnwallis marches to Salilbury — C27 Skirmii at the Trading ford — — ii, . EarlCfnwallis moves to the upper fords — 228. GeneraGreene paffcs the Dan — 229 Earl Crnvvallis marchesTli Hillfborough, and ercds the King's ftandard i^. GeneraGreene re-crofles the Dan — 233 Earl Crnwallis paffcs Haw river •-• -• 234 Skirmh near Allamancc •— — 235 Affair f*>Li .-A r T VI C O N T E N T S. * Afiair at Wctzcll's mill — Ivirl Convvallls jnifTos a branch of Deep river Notes to ilic Fourth Chapter — r.ig« ' 237 239 141 to 269 c 11 A V r n R V.' r i [I 1 Ihttlc of GuiKll'onl — — I'.arl Coriuvallis croil'js Dccpriior, riul n.tlrcs towards Crol's cictk General Grivnc folio vb the Drirllli — E.ii! Coi'n\v.iili;, lurivos r.t Croli crcvk " — . And mows tu V/llii/ms/wjii — — General Grccno advances towrirds Soii'li Carolina — Earl Cornwallis niarclics towards the Roanoke — Pkirmiiliat Ilaliiax — — E.;rl Cornwallis unices the ro\ al armies at I'l i.iflnir[;h — The Britifli pals James river at Wellover — The Marquis dc la Fav«ttc cro.Tes the Soiuh and Nnrtli Aniia Earl Cornwallis kiuls detachments to deitroy Ilores — The BritiHi move towards Richmonil — The M.ircpii,-, ilc la l'".'.\ctte follows ihc JLing's troops — Earl Cornwallis moves towards Williamfljvu^h — Afil an- ne:;r tl.e Chiekahomany 271 279 280 281 2X2 285 ZOl '■09 ib. -xoo Notes to ihe Fil'ih Chapter :to \oi .iJ)' I C II A P T i: K VI. I^arl Corriwal'is moves to. James river Afiair near James ifiand — •■ Earl Cornwallis marches to Portfmomli Hampton road not approved of as a Ration for the navy Earl Ccrnwallis takes poO'effion of York town V-Vy iZ.'VfW- \r,i 354 bo Port.nouth C O N T E N T S. V»i Pigc ;6i Porifinovitlvvacuatcil • — — 'I'hc Fr;ncii/L'tt enter the Chci'ipcak .» _ La Fayette ikes jioll at Willi. '.nilbiii'^h — General W.hinj^ton's loicc tonceiu rated at W'llllainfljurgh — York town uillecl — — Two reiloiih earried at York town by tlie French and AiiKileaiis Sortie frDiift'ork town — — Surrender o Yoik town and Gloucefler — Notes to ilf Sixth Chapter — — 395 to .\yj 3'H 37' .vS 385 3S6 388 A P P E N D 1 X. 1 .9 it;. SCO 01 A(5tion no" Camden — Surrendepf tort Watlbn — • Camden racuated — Ninety Si inverted — Surrcndcot" Augulla — General 7 +y8 50Z i 35^ 354 359 361 ■louih ^~ \ '■''ftwi'-- a ^ ■| 'll li m ^. . 1' f i" n I R i: C T I O N S to T It n HINDER , I MAP of the lounrry to face page i. Plan of the ficgc of Charles town, page 32. Plan of the hnttle ncir Caimlcn, pnge io3. Plnii of the battle of GuiUlfiMcl, page 276. I'hin of the liege ot York tu»vii, page v;4' Hi. ,.*", * f ERRATA. Page 17, line 13, iot ilif,rel!onnl xfii tti/irelioxary. V.« %, 164, 166, «»3» -*--^. lO, — to wliitlihc oppokd, icmi to which he ««/ oppofcd. 1, — Charles to" n i t.ul C'uvlottf town, iS, — Nvitli &;; intention ic^ij with o« intcntiou< 15, —• gf'urj! tad £fnfrals> ■ f w. •i* H^^ 41 kw ' ►. y^r ^ t*.- ir- •* j::k<.^....,ii^ ,d»m\i^*> .J i 'If 41 .^ Jl,^.y(nl.-,^/. L ♦ ^ ^Tmi'Hi.i.^Hrii^ /js fc»-«r I J- ^»A.OTA-->»,^y^*£ii^ »«».. "/ \ ^ ■ toiulni.lSililillitHl IVb''. •j.i7i;^,l)y\V'"Frtdoii, t»p«r«iilu . ^I'S '^^ V "'>>. k' ir''f\t^/'^ftr > -''''* -||. ■•■II ■ii*r^^iii --- i.- i*-'/ .'/laid - - - — fjJW7//v'^.''4(V. V .. S<'t' c/)r>'» -.!**^ ^ ^ ---^ V7-4l /^ 1 ■ ,yrfMi- k % r < " jP'vJ lA, V. f^-iS **; W^ \\ yiyi. I ^ f" t/\^ ^SuMertJihji W [\1 y u J . J y ,i/.%^ j^H IS iCwtrr \j.> i^msL SmImI 1 |-a|>fll.ill.-i-.is ..... v^^^O^ ^/j/.m.J REFKHJiNIKS Til, Mar.-h,-.' ii'th, .Inin iiiiMi l,''u'iimaUU till it'li'uriJ R»'fl //;.'■•(■ , :' the diuml.! iinil.r lUw' 1^,11' Oli,iiii an ti'lt'iiml lllur \rii.",- i'l' ill, liriliili /.I, lion uJi,/iiJ.'('o/.'Jiir/,/i»i\ ,iir /V'/.'///w/'^«'lli)\v. f.onoifititt- IV,:if tif' Lonj:.\ 4Je<»yraj>lu-r IdiIic Kinj;;. Xiiiitir /.tii,/iii\f ■>,' /■• 'f /*,;/'rf. m t','Hr-f //,'ti.,;\,- .*. ilu/nlH /.'II7/.I' 7.-> 7" ^-^ ,■).) 17.- >'cb'^. .i.iyU^.liy W™Fiidoii, Oegra|>lii'i- to llio KlN(i;Cliiiiiii^' C'lol's i% i.;- 1 G N S 01- 1780 AND 32 I7S1 IN THE Chap. I. Carolina fuggeOcd itfelf as the grand objctfl of entcrprlze ; the mild- nefs of the climate, the richncls of the country, its vicinity to Geor- gia, and its diftance from General Wafliington, pointed out the advan- tage and facility of its conqueft. As foon (a.) as the commander in chief had certain intelligence of the return of the French fleet to the Weft Indies, he arranged the public bufinefs at New York, committed the command of the King's troops during his abfence to Lieutenant- general Knyphaufen, and embarked with four flank battalions, twelve regiments and corps, Britifli, Heflian, and Provincial, a powerful de- tachment of artillery, two hundred and fifty cavalry, and ample fup«- plies of military ftores and provlfions. sir Henry VicE- ADMIRAL Arbuthnot, wrth 3 tiaval force competent to the Clinton lai's ^ ii-t /-• i--i» • r from New purpolc, and which was luperior to any thing in the American leas, arrives at prepared to convoy this expedition to the place of its deftination. On the 26th of December 1779, the whole fleet got under way, and with- out difficulty cleared the ice in New- York harbour. For a few days the weather proved favourable ; the admiral led the van, and kept in- fhore ; but this gleam of good fortune was not fuflSeiently permanent to give a fortunate termination to the voyage : a fucceffion (b.) of ftorms difperfed the fleet ; few Ihips arrived at Tybee in Georgia be- fore the end of January,, fome were taken, others feparated, one ord- nance veflel foundered, mort of the artillery, and all the cavalrjr DiflScultiestohorfes periftied. Thefe accidents greatly deranged and impeded the encounter be- fore the (icge intended attack upon Charles town. The lofs of ftores, cavalry, of Charles cowo. and military equipage, would have been fcnfibly felt in any lituation ;- but in the prefent, nearly proved deftrudive to the expedition. rhi.» commander in chief, with the aftiftance of the admiral, the generals,. (a.) In note E. #' b.) In note B. and! SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH A »%» K R ' C A . 5 atul other officers, fought with indefatigable nrdmir to remedy thcfc Chap. I. misfortunes. The troops who had fo gallantly defended Savannah againft the joint efforts of the French and Americans, welcomed the arrival of the royal army, and contributed their endeavours to alle- viate prefent difficulties, and tc participate in future glory. Accord- ing to American accounts, (a.) the delay occalioned by the damage fuf- tained on the voyage, yielded the continentals, the ftatc troops, and the militia, a favourable opportunity to augment the fortiiica'-ions of Charles town^ and by the united exertions of art and labour to ren- der them formidable. From this circumftance it may be inferred, that the crofles and accidents which had hitherto befallen the King's troops, did not in the end prove a real calamity ; as the period con- fumed in reparation of the loffes fuftained, allowed time to the Ameri- cans, enabled them to affembla their forces, and colleft provlfions and other ftores neceffary for the garrifon, and finally, by affording them an opportunity to perfect their fortifications, gave them confi-- dence (b.) to hazard their lives and fortunes upon the event of a fiege^ ■U N Sir Henry Clinton lofl no time in forwarding the original inten- tion of the expedition. On the lotli of February 1780, the tranf- ports, with great part of the army on board, convoyed by a proper force, failed from Savannah to (c.) North Edifto, the place of de-- barkation, which had been previoufly appointed. They had a fa- vourable and fpeedy (a.) paflage ; and though it required time to have the bar explored, and the channel marked, by the adtivity of the navy, thefe difficulties were furmounted, the tranfports all entered the harbour the next day, and the army immediately took poffeffioni of John's ifland and Stono ferry : James' ifland, Perreneau's land-- aiid: (a.) In note A.. (b..) In note A. (c.) Ill note B.. (a.) In note F»„ l^^v y /I VKS y 32 6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE Chap. I. Ing, Wappo cut, and other adjacent places, were foon afterwards obtained ; and by a bridge thrown over the canal, the neceflhry com- munications were fecured, and the adv anccd part of the King's army occupied the bank of Afhley river, oppoUte to Charles town : This pofition, for the prefent, was the moll eligible that could be efta- bliflied ; the air was healthful, and provifions were plentiful ; its fitu- ^tion equally covered the Wappo cut, through which the boats and gallies were to pafs for the croffing the troops over Alhley river, and prote<5led the corps which was to march under the command of Bri- gadier-general Pattcrfon from Savannah. When the commander In cliief quitted that place, to proceed to the neighbourhood of Charles town, many of the tranfports were not arrived from the voyage ; the lofs of men and ftores, made it ne- ceflhry to difpatch an order to New York for reinforcements of both, from that garrifon. Intelligence was now daily obtained, that the defences of Charles town increafed very fnft, and that the troops who were to maintain them, received hourly raldltions from Virginia and the two Carolinas. In confequence of this information, the gene- ral did not hefitate to make preparations, to aflemble in greater force than appeared requifite at the firft view of the expedition ; In addition, therefore, to the order conveyed to the northward, commands were forwarded to Major-general Prevoil, to fend a detachment of twelve hundred (d.) men, the cavalry inclufive, from the garrifon of Savan- nah. This order reached its deftinatlon, before Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton with the principal part of tlie dragoons, arrived in Tybee harbour, lie found the condition of his corps mortifying and diftref- Jiiig; the horfes of both officers and meii, which had been embariced (d.) In note B. Ill m .■H-, 1 ■^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERI'^f, JP in exctllcnt order were delhoyed, owing to the badiicfs of tiie vcfTcls C.iAr. I. employed to tranfport them, or to the fcvcrity of the weather on the paflage ; and unfortunately there was no fubflitute to be found in Gcoreia to remedy fucli a cataftrophc. In this forlorn condition. Lieutenant-colonel Tarkton requefttd the ufe of fomc of the (juarter- inafter-general's boats, to traniport his men and furniture to Pott- Royal ifland, in order to collect at that place, from friends and ene- mies, by money or by force, all the horfcs belonging to the iflands in ^ the neighbourhood. This demand was complied with, as there was na other chance of obtaining horfes to carry the dragoons and their ap- pointments to Brigadier-general Patterfon's corps, which was foon to march in the vicinity of that quarter, on its route to the main army. About the middle of March, General Patterfon crofled the Savan- nah river, and on his march towards the Cambayee, through fwamps and difficult pafles, had frequent flcirmifhes with the militia of the country : A cafual engagement likewife took place between Majors Fergufon and Cochrane, the former witli his own corps, the latter with the infantry of the Britifli legion ; in which, the intrepidity and prefence of mind of the leaders prevented any fatal extremity. Thefe adive officers, with their light troops, moved on the flanks of Briga- dier-general Patterfon's command, and each receiving Intelligence of a corps of the enemy in the front, thought to furprife the Americans, and by an attack in the night deliver the main body from moleftation.. Fergufon marched, and arrived early in the night near the poft from which he meant to diflodge the enemy ; he found they were de- camped, and he took their pofitlon, as the King's troops were to pafs near it in the morning : Cochrane reached the place before day, and judging by the fires that the enemy were flill in poflcffion, he led his men to the attack with fixed bayonets, when the two commanders, it m '1;' iu, m ■i'i 'i 'i ■* ,1,- 1 if^: .<;S I CAMPAIGNS 6|- 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Chap. I. jn fVont of their rcfpe£live corps, recognized each other's voice, and luppreHed a conflivfl wliich might have been both mortifying and de. flrutflive. Officers of this enterprifing defcription, removed the ditfi- cultics which occurred to General Patterfon, on his march through a country interfered with creeks and moraflcs, and facihtated his ap- proach to tlie neighbourhood of Port-Royal ifland ; from whence, he difpatchcd an order to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, to join him with the cavalry, then lying at Beaufort, if he had allemblcd a fufficient number of horfes to remount the dragoons; the number was com- plete, but the quality was inferior to thofe embarked at New York by the detachment of the 17th light dragoons, and by the icgion. The corps felt not difcouraged by this circumftance, but inOtantly joining General Patterfon, fought for occafion to acquire better horfes by exertion and enterprife. The inhabitants of Carolina having heard of the lofs of the cavalry horfes at fea, had flattered themfelves that they could not be fpeedily recruited. In order to confine the Britifli troops as much as po'^ble to the line of march, .uid to prevent their colledling horfes in the country, fome of them accoutred themfelves as cavaliers, and a few days after the junftion of the dragoons from Beaufort, ventured to infult the front of General Patterfon's corps, which was compofed of his cavalry, who made a charge, unexpe£i:ed by the Americans, and without any lofs took fome prifoners, and ob- tained a number of horfes. This affair was nearly counterbalanced in the neighbourhood of Rantol's bridge, where a body of the continen- tal cavalry, confifting of Wafhington's and Bland's light horfe, and Pulalki's huflars, carried off Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, of the North-Carolina provincial regiment, with fome other prifoners ; and owing to the imprudence of the officer who commanded the advanced guard of the Britifh dragoons, fent in purfuit, was on the point of gaining advantage over that corps. The error was re(ftified, and the , .3 m . affair 4 ^ I ce, aiiJ and ile- lie tlitfi- rough a I his ap- ence, he itn with futficient 'as com- e\v York e icgion. inftautly er horfes ng heircl Ives that le Briti(h ent their rifelves as ans from I's corps, nexpe£ted , and ob* ilanced in contlnen- lorfe, and ,. of the ners ; and 5 advanced ; pouit of , and the affair SOUTHERN PnOVINCns OF NORTH AMERICA. | affair ended with equal lofs to hoth parties. Nothing material oc- ' »■ '•*• currcd from this period, and General Patttrf()n foon after joined Sir Henry Clinton, who was occupied in eAablllhing magazines, and creeling works to defend the comnuuiications, near the l)anks of (a.) Afliky river. Captain Elphinflone of the navy, having ftationed the gallies toThcirmy proted the boats on their paUage with the troops to the neck, twelve river, miles above Charles town, the main body of the forces ijioved from their ground, embarked, and crofled the river on the 39th of March without oppofition. (b.) On the following day, Sir Henry Clinton ordered the light infantry and yagers, fupported by the grenadiers, and the other corps and regiments, to gain the principal rojid, and move on towards the lines of the enemy. A few fcattered parties of the Americans (kirmiflied with the head of the column, and after wound- ing the Earl of Caithnefs, aiSling aid-de-camp to the commander ii^ chief, and a few private men, ftll back to their fortifications. The royal army, without farther moleftatlon, took a pofition acrofs the neck, about a mile and half from Charles town, and effedually in- verted it, between the rivers Aftiley and Cooper, Great part of Brigadier-general Patterfon*8 command was left near Wappo cut, in order to guard the magazines, till the main body fhould gain the neck ; when a paflage acrofs Afliley river was to be fought for, nearer the town, for the conveniency of tranfporting all the rttjuihtes for a fiege. Captain Elphinftone foon difcovered a land- ing place, which Ihortened the trouble and delay attendant upon land carriage, and by which the King's troops received fupplies of cannon, flores, provifions, and baggage, with facility and expedition. m ii (a.) In note £. (b.) In note E, The '^^ •/- ^^ 10 CAMPAIGNS dp 1780 AND I78T IN TUB Chap. I. Tur geticial and his tnglneers having fixed upon the point and mode of attaciv, a huge working party broke ground, under cover of an advanced detachment, on the night of the ift of April; (c.) Two large redoubts were thrown up within eight hundred yards of the Aineiicau hues, and were not dilcovered before day-break, when the fiic from the town had very inconfiderable efFevH:. Tlic next evening, anoiIii.r redoubt was added, and for five fuccefhve days and nij»hts, the hibour of the artificers and foldiers was dire»£led to the coi.uruc- tion of batteries, which on the (d.) eightii were completed with ar- tillery. 32 The admiral In the meantime. Admiral Arbuthnot had been fully occupied In pallf s the bar, and fort accomplifliing the general's wifhes ; heavy cannon (b.) were colleded Moultrie. from the line-of-battle ftiips, and conveyed to the magazines ; detach- ments of feamen were furnifhed to a€t on fliore, under the command of Captaitis Elphinftonc and Evans ; and preparations were made for parting Charles-town bar, to fecond more efFcftually the operations of the army : For this latter purpofe, he fliifted his flag from the Europe, of the line, to the Roebuck of forty-four guns, which with the Renown and Romulus, were lightened of their (c.) guns, provi- llons, and water ; the fmalier frigates being capable of pafTing tlie bar, without that previous exoneration. The bar was pafied wi the 20th of March without any accident, notwithftanding the enemy's galleys attempted to prevent tiie boats from founding the channel. The Americans had a confiderable marine force in Charles-town har- bour, from which, powerful afliftance to their defences, and great obftruiflion to the approach of the Britifli fleet, might be equally ap- prehended : It confifled of aii American fliip, built fmce the com- (c.) Ill note E. (d.) hi note E. (b.) In note F. (c.) In note F. mencement 'T' '\%. -*»■. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. menccmciit of the war, and pierced for fixty guns, but inountlng only forty-four; of fcven frigates, of the fame country, from ihiity-two to (ixtccn gun ; with a French frigate of twcnty-fix guns, and a polacrc of eighteen : Thcfe at firrt adopted the phm of difputing tlic pafliigc up the channel, by mooring with their gaUies at a narrow pafs be- tween Sullivan's ifland and the middle ground, in whicli flation they could have raked the Brltifh fquadron on its approach to fort Moul- trie ; but this defign was abandoned for a lefs judicious operation : The French and American armament retired to the neighbourhood of Charles town, without yielding any aHillance to the fortifications on Sullivan's ifland, where being furnilhed with chevaux (d.) de frifo, the fliips were funk to block up the pafliigo of Cooper river, between the town and Shute's folly. 1 1 I'l.Ar.I. On the (e.) 9th of April, the admiral, by fignal, difcovered his in- tention to the navy and army, of paffing Sullivan's ifland, on which was conftru6led a formidable fort, with batteries of heavy cannon. The Roebuck, Richmond, Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigh, Sand- wich, and Renown, weighed about one o'clocl- . and exhibited a mag- nificent and fatisfadory fpeftacle to the royalifts, by fleadily efFe(fling their paflage, under the fire of tlie American batteries, with the tri- fling lofs of twenty-feven men, killed and wounded : The Acctus, a flioreflilp, in following the fquadron, grounded, and was bu.nt ; other- wife the navy fufFered lefs thaii could have been cxpe»fled from fo fevere a cannonade. The frigates now taking a pofition under James' ifland, blocked up the harbour, and Charles town was debarred from all communication with the Cvountry, in every point of its circum- ference, except in that quarter which faced the river Cooper. '11 (i.) In note F. J (e.) In note I". C 2 Prk- ^^ ft' m^' 12 Chap. I, CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND X78: IN THE Previous to the admiral's paffing fort Moultrie, the commander in chief had ordered Major Andre, afting adjutant general, to direfl Bri- gadier Pattcrfon to fend the cavalry, (a.) with two light companies and the legion infantry, to the main army, by a circuitous march up the banks of Alhley river : This movement was accomplilhed without any oppofition from the American corps of cavalry and infantry which lay at Middleton's plantation, near Goofe creek, no great diftance from the route of the Britifti troops. A large quantity of forage, and fome horfes, were coUedled on the march, by the detachment of the 17th light dragoons, and by the British legion, previous to their arrival at the quarter houfe ; where. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton received orders to take poft with his own corps, and to fend tlie light infantry for- wards to the armv. .*»,,: u Charles town fummoncd loth April. At this period of the fiege, and before the batteries opened. Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot thought it a^viiable to fend a fummons (a.) to Major-general Lincoln, who commanded in Charles town, reprefenting the dangerous confeqnences of a cannonade and ftorm, ftating the prefen^ as the only favourable opportunity for pre- ferving the lives and properties of the inhabitants, and warning the commander, that he fhould be refponfible for all the calamities w]E%l might be the refult of his temerity and obftinacy. General Lincoln an» fwered, (b.) that the fame duty and inclination which had prevented him from abandoning Charles town, during fixty days knowledge of their hnftile intentions, operated now with equal force in prompting him to defend it to the laft extremity. - >• /- ^,..-. The defences (e.) of Charles town, on the land fide, cwififted of a chain of redoubts, lines, and batteries, extending from one river to (a.) la note C. (a.) In note G. (b.) In note G. (e.) In note E. the ander in re6l Bri- nies and 1 up the lout any hich lay ce from nd fome he 17th rrlval at :d orders itry for- led. Sir o fend a Charles ade and for pre- ing the oln ail* evented ledge of xnpting ifted of river to 1 note E. the SOITTHETIN PROVINCES DP NORTH AMERICA. I3 the Other, and furnifhed with eighty cannon and mortars ; the front Ciia?. r. works of each flank were ftrengthened by fwamps, originating from the neighbouring rivers, and tending towards the center, through which they were connefted by a canal paffing from one to the other : Between thefe outward impediments and the redoubts, were two ftrong rows of abbatis; the trees being buried fliuiting in the earth, with their branches facing outwards, formed a fraize work agaiiifl the aflailants ; and thefe were farther fecured by a ditch double picketted ; In the center, the natural defences were inferior to thofe on the flanks ; to remedy this defe£t, and to cover the principal gate, a horn work of mafonry had been conftru£ted, which being clofed during the fiege, formed a kind of citadel. The fortifications facing the two rivers and the harbour had been erected with uncommon labour and ex pence : Ships with chevaux de frife, conne(fted by fpars and booms^, were em- ployed to block up the channels, in order to hinder a near approach of the King's frigates ; and piles and pickets were fixed in the ground, at all the landing places, to prevent any debarkation from boats : The whole extent was likewife covered by batteries, formed of earth and pimento wood, judicioufly placed, and mounted with heavy- can non. The garrifon, under the orders of Major-general Lincoln, was com- pofed oi ten (f.) weak continental and ftate (2.) regiments ; of militia, drawn from the Carolinas and Virginia ; and of inhabitants of the town ; amounting in the whole to near iix thoufand men, exclufive of the failors. The body of regular troops deftined for this fervice, though aflifted by the militia and by the inhabitants, was fcarcely •*•. i*f '-.'■.'■■ ' ' (f.) In note E» (2.) State regiments, troops engaged by the difTerent dates, for a Aipulated period of twelve or eighteea months* 1* adeq^iiate * ..- 14 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE adequate to the defence of luch extcnfive fortifications, and could have been more ufefully employed in the field ; where, judicious operations, airifted by the rcfources to be found in the country, and by the ap- proaching heat of the feafon, would have prote<£led the greateft part of the fertile province of Soutli Carolina, would have foon over- balanced the prefent fuperioiity of the British forces, and would ef- fedually have prevented the co-operation of tlie royal navy and army. General Waihington adopted this line of aclion, when he abandoned New- York illand for the Jerfies, when he yielded Philadelphia to the Englidi arms, and in many other inflances, where a contrary con- dud, to all human appearance, would have unavoidably eftabliflied the fovereignty of Great Britain. i f On the rejection of the fummons, the batteries (g.) were opened, and foon obtained a fuperiority over thofe of the town. The offenfive operations of this fiege were advanced under the infpedion of Major MoncreifFe, the principal engineer, whofe fame was fo juftly acknow- ledged in the late defence of Savannah : The attacks were planned with judgement, and the works were pulhed forward with induftry. Soon after the middle of April, the fecond parallel was carried within four hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's main works, new batte- ries were conftruded, and all the communications were fecured. Before this time, the Americans had joined a body of militia to three regiments of continental cavalry, and the command of the whole was intruded to Brigadier-general Huger : This corps held pofleffiou of the forks and paffes on Cooper river, and maintained a communi- cation with Charles town ; by which, fupplies of men, arms, am- (g.) In note £. munition. lid have rations, the ap- ed part in over- 3uld ef- d army, andoned la to the iry con- tabiilhed opened, offenfive if Major acknow- )lanned induftry. within IV batte- SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 1$ munition, and provifion, might be conveyed to the garrifon during the Chap. I. liege, and by which, the continental troops might efcape after the de- fences were deftroyed. Sir Henry Clinton was thoroughly fenfible of the inconveniencies that might arile from this fituatlon of the enemy's Ijo-ht troops ; and being lately relieved by a detachment of failors and marines, from the charge of fort (h.) Johnfon, he direded his atten- tion to diflodge them from their pofition. As foon as he received in- telligence of the arrival of a number of waggons, loaded with arms, ammunition, and clothing, from the northward, he feledled a detach- ment of one thoufand four hundred men, whom he committed to Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, with orders to countera^fl the defigns of the Americans, and to break in upon the remaining communications of Charles town. On the 12th of April, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, being reinforced Americans ,_ fuipiifcJ at at the quarter houle by Major Fergufon s corps of markfmen, advanced Monk's cor- ner. to Goofe creek : Colonel Webfter arrived on the following day at the fame place, with the 33d and 64th regiments of infantry ; Tarleton again moved on in the evening, with his own and Fergufon's corps, towards Monk's Corner, (i.) as had been previoufly concerted with the commander in chief, in order, if poffible, to furprife the Ameri- cnns encamped at that place : An attack in the night was judged moft advifable, as it would render the fupcriorlty of the enemy's cavalry ufelefs, and would, perhaps, prelcnt a favourable opportunity of getting pofleflion of Biggin bridge, on Cooper river, without much lofs to the affailants. Profound filence was obferved on the march. At fome dif- tance from Goofe creek, a negro was fecurcd by the advanced guard, who difcovercd him attempting to leave the road. A letter was taken {« 4!' (h.) In note E. (i.) In note E, 7, rroiii >« 10 T8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 17S1 IN THE Chap. L from Ills pocket, written by an officer in General Huger's camp the af- ternoon of that day, and which he was charged to convey to the neiglibourliood of Charles town : The contents of the letter, which was opened at a houfe not fiir diftant, and the negro's intelligence, purchafed for a few dollars, proved lucky incidents at this period t Lieutenant colonel Tarleton's information relative to the fituation of the enemy was now complete. It was evident, that the American cavalry had pofted themfelves in front of Cooper river, and that the militia were placed in a meeting houfe, which commanded the bridge, and were dlflributed on the oppofite bank. At three o'clock In the morning, the advanced guard of dragoons and mounted infantry, fupported by the remainder of the legion and Fergufon's corps, ap- proached the American poft : A watch word was immediately com- municated to the officers and foldiers, which was clofely followed by an order to charge the enemy's grand guard on the main road, there being no other avenue open, owing to the fvvamps upon the flanks, and to purfue them into their camp. The order was executed with the greateft promptitude and fuccefs. The Americans were com- pletely furprifed : Major Vernier, of Pulalkl's legion, and fome other officers and men vho attempted to defend themfelves, were killed or wounded ; General Huger, Colonels Wafliington and Jamiefbn, with many officers and men, fled on foot to the fwamps, clofe to their en- campnaent^, where, being concealed by the darknefs, they effeded their efcape : Four hundred horfes belonging to officers and dragoons, with their arms and appointments, (a valuable acquifitlon for the Britifh cavalry in their prefcut ftate) fell into the hands of the vidors ; about one hundred officers, dragoons, and huflars, together with fifty wag- gons, loaded with arms, clothing, and ammunition, (hared the fame fiite. Without lofs of time. Major Cochrane was ordered to force .the bridge and the meeting houfe with the infantry of tiie Britifh I - '^ legion : li ! -^^mL 'm SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ) ~ y the af- ^ to the , which IVigence, period - uation of American that the le bridge, ;k in the infantry, ;orps, ap- :ely com- llowed by )ad, there he flanks, uted with ere com- bme other : killed or fon, with ) their en- jded their )ons, with he Britifti )rs ; about fifty wag- l the fame 1 to force tiie Britifti legion : legion: He charged the militia with fixed bayonets, got pofleflion of Chat. I- the pafs, and dil'pcrfed every thing that oppofed him. In the attack fit Monk's corner, and at Biggin bridge, the Britifli had one officer and two men wounded, with five liorfes killed and wounded. Tliis fignal inftance of military advantage, may be partly attributed to the judge- ment and addrefs with which this expedition was planned and exe- cuted, and paitly two hundred men, feeing the imminent danger to which they were Chap. U expofcJ, and fenfible of tlie in-ipoffibility of relief, accepted of the terms otllred by a furnmons on the yth of May j and by capituhi- tion, (g.) furreudcred themfclves prifoners of war. DuRiNC, thefc operations, the bcfieging army finifhed their third parallel, (n.) which ihey had cairied clofe to the canal, and by a fap pufhed to the dam which fiipplied it with water on the riglit, drained it in feveral parts to the bottom. On the 6th and 7th of May, the artillery was mounted in the batteries of this parallel, and the tra- verfes and communications were perfuftly completed. Thus enclofeJ (4.) on every fide, and driven to its lall defences, Sir Henry Clinton wifliing to prelerve Charles town from deftruclion, and to prevent that efFufion of blood which muft be the inevitable confequence of a ftorm, opened a correfpondence on the 8th with General Lincoln, for the purpofe of a furrender: But the conditions demanded by tlis American commander being deemed higher than he had a light to ex- peft from his prefent fituation, they were (c.) reje£ted, and hoftilities renewed. The batteries on the third parallel were then opened, and by the fuperiority of fire, both of artillery and fmall arms, the Britifli troops were enabled to gain the counterfcarp of the outwork which flanked the canal ; which they likewife pafled, and then pulhed ou their approaches dire^flly towards the ditch of the place. The prefent ftate of danger now urged the citizens and militia, who had formed the objections to the late conditions, to acqulefce (d.) in their being relinquifhed : General Lincoln accordingly propofed to furrender on. the terms lately offered. The commander in chief and the admiral. • 1 I 1 (g.) In note F. (n.) In note E, (4.) Annual Regifter 1780, page 221. (c.) In note G. (o.) In note E. (il.) In note G. befidif3- ■^ ^*^. 1lf!Q\ m aa CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN' T If F. Chap. I. bcfiiUs their didlkc; to the cruel extremity of a llorm, were not difpofeJ to jMxis to iincomiltional fobmifriou an enemy whom they uilhcd to conciliate hy clemency. They now granted the raine conditions whlcli CIkuIph town tlicy had l)cforc prel'crihcd as the toundation Tor treaty. The (p.) capl- tuhitiuii was ligin-d the iith of May, and on the izth, Major-general Leflie, by the order of Sir Henry Clinton, took policllion (q.) of Charles town. As the fiege was not produ'live of Hdlies, or defpcrato afl'aiilts, which \vere in a confiderablc degree prevented by fitiiation rnd the na- ture of tlie works, the carnage was not great on either fule, and was not unequally fharcd. The lofs (r.) of the King's trooj s during the fiege, before the town and in the country, amounted to feventy-fix killed, and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded; and that of the Americans, in the town, to eighty-nine killed, and one hundred and forty wounded. - • By the articles of capitulation the garrlfon were allowed fome of the honoars of war; they (e ) were to march out of the town, at an hour appointed for that purpofe, to the ground between the works of the place and the canal, where they were to depofit their arms ; but the drums were not to beat a Britilh march, or the colours to be uncaftd : The continental (f ) troops and feamen were to keep their baggage, and to remain priioneis of war until they were exchanged: The mi- litia fg.) were to be permitted to return to their relpeclive homes, as priloners on parole ; and while they adliered to their parole, were not to be molerted by the Britifh troops in perfon or property : The citi- (p.) In note E. (e.) Ill note G. (q.) In note E. (f.) In note G. (r.) In note E. (g.) ia note G. ?en3 )t difpofcJ w idled to )iis wlilcli (p.)cai)l. f' or-gcncral .' i m (q.) ot • 1* SOCTIIKRN PnOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, 23 zctis (h.) of ;ill (Icfcrlptuins, to be coiifidercd as priroiicis on parole, Cha". I. r.iul to lu'ld their property on the fame terms with the militia : The officers (i.) of the army and navy to retain their lervaiitr,, Iwordj, pifloh, and tluir baggage unfcarclied : They were permitted to f. 11 their horfes, but not to remove them out of Charle'. town. A vci\'A ('c.) was allowed to proceed to Philadelphia with General LincohTs dilpatches, which were not to be opcntd» ; aflaiilts. ul the na- , and was ■ iiring the eventy-(ix at of tlie idrcd and •i .[li ne of tlie i t an hour •' i?^ ks of the * ; but the uncaftd : baggage, The mi- omes, as g| were not ■ The citi- ■ 7 en 3 Seven general officers, (a.) ten continental regiments, and three battalions of artillery, became prifoncrs upon this occafion. The whole number of men in arms who lurrendered, including town and country militia, and French, amounted to five thouland lix hundred and eigliteen, cxclulive of near a thoufand iuimen. A confideraLle quantity of artillery (b.) was taken ; the total exceeded four humlred pieces. (5.) Three llout Anu-rican (h.) fiigarcs, one I'rencli, and a. polacre of fixteen guns, of the lame nation, which tfcaped the opera- tion of being funk to block up the channel, fell likewile into the hands of the victors. * After the furrender of the town, th.e commander In cl:ic;f, with- out lofs of time, adopted meafures which appeared both judicious and iiecefiary. He returned thanks to the army (r.) in general, and ex- prefi'cd himfelf in the language of gratitude when he partlculari/.cd thofe officers and men, whole attention, toils, and courage, had contri- (h.) In note G. (i.) In note G. (k.) In note G. (a.) In note H. (1).) In note H. (5.) A number of fitiall arms were likcwife co!lc6led in tlie town, for llic life of the friends to the liritifli government in the province of South Carohna; but tliey were un- fortunately deftroyed by the magazine taking fire a few days after the capitulation, tosrc- ther with Captain Collins, .1 valuable officer, and fever.nl men of the royal artillery. (h.) In note E. (r.) In note E, !• bated. f \'!i ISJsC 24 CAMTAIONSOF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Chap. I. butcil to his fucccfs. He dilpatclicd the E;ul of Luicohi to Europe, with iiitcUigcncc of the impoitnnt ailvantago whicli had attciultd His rrociam:i- Maicfiv's ainis ; aiul he circulated proehiiii.itioiiij amoiiffft the iiihaln- taiits of South Carolina, well calculated to induce them to return to their allegiance, and to nianifeft their loyalty by joining the King's troops. (6.) It was ftatcd, that (a.) the helping hand of every man was wanted to re-cftabli(h peace and good government : And that as the commander in chief wiihcd not to draw tlie King's friends into danger, while any doubt could remain of their lucccfs ; fo now that tills was certain, he trufted that one and all would heartily join, and, by a general concurrence, give elTccl to fuch necclVary meafures for that purpofe as from time to time might be pointed out. Th(»i'c who had families were to form a militia to remain at home, and occalionally to afl'cmble in their own diilrids, when required, under officers of their own chufing, for the maintenance of peace and good order. Thofc who had no fiimilies, and who could conveniently be i'pared for a time, it was prefumed, would chearfully adifl: His Majefly's troops in driving their oppreflbrs, aiding under the authority of L'ongrefs and all the mi- feries of war, far from that colony. For this purpofe it was faid to be neceflary, that the young men fliould be ready to aflemble when re- quired, and to ferve with the King's troops for any fix months of the enfuing twelve that might be found requifite, under proper regulations. Thej might chufe officers to each company to command them, and were to be allowed, when on fervice, pay, ammunition, and provi- fions, in the fame manner as the King's troops. When they joined the army, each man was to be furniftied with a certificate, declaring that he was not only engaged to ferve as militiaman for the -time fpe- 32 (a.) In note T. (6.) Annual Regifter, year 1780, page 74, cifi&d il .^- !'|1 3 Europe, ;iultil His le liihal)!- rctuni lo :he Kiiig'i •very man lul that as leiuls into now that join, and, cs for that ; wlio had Jionally to IS of their ;r. Thofc for a tirne» in driving 11 the mi- laid to he when re- ths of the gulations. lem, and nd provi- ley joined declaring -time fpe- clfied ; SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 2$ clfied ; that he was not to be marched beyond North Carolina and t^Hxr. I. Georgia ; and that when the time was out, he was freed from all claims whatever of military fcrvice, excepting the common and ul'ual militia duty at the place of his refidence : He would then, it was faid, have paid his debt to his country, and be entitled to enjoy, undifturbed, that peace, liberty, and property, at home, whicli he had contributed to eAablifh. ral produced great effctfl in Eflia of the The proclamations iflued by the gi South Carolina: In moft of the diftri(fls adjoining to Charles town,tioiii great numbers offered to ftand forth in defence of the Britifli govern- ment, and many did voluntarily take up arms, and place thcmfelves under the dire(Stion of Major Fergufon, who was appointed to receive and command them. A general revolution of fentiment Teemed to take place, and the caufe of Great Britain appeared to triumph over that of the American Congrefs. (7.) Two hundred and ten of the inhal..'' ^nts of the town, figned an addrefs to the commander In chief and the ad- miral, foliciting to be re-admitted to the charafber and condition of Britifli fubjeiSts, the citizens having been hitherto confidered as pri- Ibners on parole, declaring their difapprobation of the do£lrIne of American independency, and exprefling their regret, that, after the repeal of thofe ftatutes which gave rile to the troubles, the overtures liiade by His Majelty'd commlflioners had not been regarded by the ge- neral affembly of the United States of America. Sir Henry Clinton, in one of the manifeftoes Iflued at this period, declared, (b.) that if any perfons fliould thenceforward appear in arms, In order to prevent the eftablilhmcnt of His Majefty's government in that country, or laina- (7.) Annual Regifter, 1780, page 75. (I).) In note I. H' I E (hould. a6 CAMFAIGKS OF I780 AND lyZl IK THE Chap. I. fliould, under any pretence or authority whatever, aitennpt to compel any other perfon or perfons fo to do, or who Ihould hinder the King's faithful and loyal fubjeds from joining his forces, or otherwife per- forming thofe duties their allegiance required, fuch perfons fliould be treated with the utmoft feverity, and their eftates be immediately feized for conHfcation. 32 army eiH' bark The commander in chief having eftabhfhed order in Charles town, and having marked the general line of conduct to be obferved through- out Carolina towards the friends and enemies of Great Britain, began to make arrangements for his return with part of the army to New York ; which had been particularly expofed to the attempts of Gene- I>artofthc ral Wafhington, owing to an uncommonly fevere winter. Previous to his embarkation, he planned feveral (a.) expeditions to march into the interior parts of the country : One, to move up the Savannah river in Georgia ; another, to pafs the Saluda to Ninety Six ; and a third, under the command of (a.) Earl Cornwallls, to crofs the Santee river, and by marching up the north-eaft bank, to endeavour to ftrike at Colonel Buford's corps, which was retreating to North Carolina, with artillery, and a number of waggons, containing arms, ammunition, and clothing. EAni. Cornwallis left his ground near Huger's bridge on the 18th of May, and direfted his march to Lenew's ferry, with five pieces of cannon, and upwards of two thoufand five hundred men : Boats were colleded with feme difficulty to pafs the troops ; the Americans having concealed or deftroyed all within their reach, to retard the progrefs of the royal army : By the information of negroes, who dif- (a.) In note M. (a.) In note K. covered SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. i7 to compel the King's irwife per- fliould be iraediately irlcs town, d through- ain, began y to New & of Gene- Previous to :h into the ah river in d a third, ntee river, o ftrike at )lina, with amunition. 1 the i8th e pieces of Boats were Americans retard the >, who dif- Qovered where feme were fecreted, and by the afliftance of carpenters, Chap. I. wlio repaired others that were damaged, the light troops were not Karl Cor,!- * _ vvallis piirui Ion"- prevented from crofling the river. As foon as the legion and the the Samtc o ^ " ^ rivci. detachment of 17th dragoons had pafled, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton received inftrudicns to march to George town, in order to chafe away, or take prifoners, all tiie violent enemies to tiie Britllh govern- ment, and to receive the allegiance of the well affedled. This fervicc was performed without any oppofition, during the paflage of the other troops. On (b.) the zzd, the army moved forwards upon the fame road by which Colonel Buford had retreated ten days before : The infantry marched to Nelfon's ferry with as much expedition as the climate would allow. From this place. Earl Cornwallis thought pro- per to detach a corps, confifting of forty of the i j:th dragoons, and one hundred and thirty of the legion, with one hundred mounted in- fantry of the fame regiment, and a three pounder, to purfue the Americans, who were now fo much advanced, as to render any ap- proach of the main body imprafticable. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, an this occafion, was defired to confult his own judgement, as to the diftance of the purfuit, or the mode of attack : To defeat Colonel Buford, and to take his cannon, would undoubtedly, in the prefent ftate of the Carolinas, have confiderable efFedl ; but the practicability of the de(ign appeared fo doubtful, and the diftance of the enemy lb great, that the attempt could only be guided by difcretional powers, and not by any antecedent commands. The detachment left the army on the 27th, and followed the Americans without any tiling material happening on the route, except the lofs of a number of horfes, in Qonfequence of the rapidity of the march, and the heat of the climate : iiy prefling horfes on the road, the light troops arrived the next day tf I*. covered (b.) la note K. E 2 at ^8 CAMPAIGNS- OP 1780 AND I781 IN THE Chap. Iv at Camden, when Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton gained iiALlligtnce^ that Colonel Buford had quitted Rugeley's mills on the 26th, and that he was marching with great diligence to join a corps then upoa the road from Saliibury to Charlotte town in North Carolina. M pn^t This information ftrongly manifefted that no time was to be lofT:, and that a vigorous effort was the only refource to prevent the junc- tion of the two American corps. At two o'clock in the morning, the Britilh troops being tolerably refrelhed continued their purfuit : They reached Rugeley's by day light, where they learned that the conti- nentals were retreating above twenty miks in their front, towards the Catawba fettlement, to meet their reinforcement. At this period, Tarleton might have contented himfelf with following them at his- leifure to the boundary line of South Carolina, and from thence have returned upon his footftcps to join the main army, fatisfied with purfuing the troops of Congrefs out of the province ; but animated by the alacrity which he difcovered both in the officers and men^ to undergo all hardfhips, he put his detachment in motion, after adopting a ftratagem to delay the march of the enemy : Captain Kin- lock, of the legion, was employed to carry a fummons (a.) to the American commander, which, by magnifying the number of the Bri- tilh, might intimidate him into fubmiflion, or at leaflr delay him whilfl: he deliberated on an anfwer. Colonel Buford, after detaining the flag for feme time, without halting his march, returned a defiance, (b.) By this time many of the Britifli cavalry and mounted infantry were totally worn out, and dropped fuccefiively into the rear ; the horfes of the three pounder were likewife unable to- proceed. In this dilemma, J^ieutenant-colonel Tarleton found himfelf not far dlAant from the ■4 (a.) Ill note L. (b.) In note L. enemy. ■(■■^l SOUTHEnN PPOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. Sp enemy, and, though not in a fuit?-ble condition for a£lion, he deter- Chap. I- mined as foon as poffible to attack, there being no other expedient to flop their progrefs, and prevent their being reinforced the next morn- ing : The only circumftance favourable to the Britifli light troops at this liour, was the known inferiority of the continental cavalry, who could not harafs their retreat to Earl Cornwallis's army, in cafe they, were repulfed by the infantry. Si- ■,\¥M it At three o'clock (a.) in the afternoon, on the confines of South Carolina, the advanced guard of the Britifli charged a ferjeant and four men of the American light dragoons, and made them prifoners in the rear of their infantry. This event happening under the eyes of the- two coi,. aanders, they refpe£tively prepared their troops for aftion. Golonei ' 5; I's force confifted of three hundred and eighty continen- tal infauw/ of the Virginia line, a detachment of Waftiington's cavalry, and two fix pounders : He chofe his poft in an open wood, to the right of the road ; he formed his- infantry in one line, with a fmall referve ; he placed his colours in the center ; and he ordered his cannon, baggage, and waggons, to continue their march. Lieutenant-colonel- Tarleton made his arrangement for the attack with all poflible expedition : H« confided his right wing, which was compofed of fixty dragoons, and nearly as many mounted infan- try, to Major Cochrane, defiring him to difmount the latter, to gall the enemy's flank, before he moved againft their front with his cavalry: Captains Corbet and Kinlock were direcled, with the 17th dragoons and part of the legion, to charge the center of the Ameri- cans ; whilil Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with thirty chofcii horfc* (a.) In note M. and; s w* ■ ':>' 30 Chap. I. Artion at Wacfaw. CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IN THE and fome infantry, afliiulted their right flank and refervc : This parti- cular (ituation the commanding officer feledled for himfelf, tliat he might difcover the effecl of the other attacks. The dragoons, the mounted infantry, and three pounder in the rear, as they could come up with their tired horfes, were ordered to form fomething like a re- ferve, oppolite to the enemy's center, upon a fmall eminence tiiat commanded the road; which difpofition afforded the Britiih light troops an objedl: to rally to, in cafe of a repulfe, and made no incon- fiderable impreffion on the minds of their opponents. The difpofition being completed without any fire from the enemy, though within three hundred yards of their front, the cavalry advanced to the charge. On their arrival within fifty paces, the continental infantry prefented, when Tarleton was furprifed to hear their officers command them to retain their fire till the Britilh cavalry were nearer. This forbearance in not firing before the dragoons were within ten yards of the object of their attack, prevented their fcUliiig into confu- fion on the charge, and likewife deprived the Americans of the farther life of their ammunition : Some officers, men, and horfes, fufi^cred by this fire ; but the battalion was totally broken, and flaughter was com- menced before Lieutenaut-colonel Tarleton could remount another horfe, the one with which he led his dragoons being overturned by the volley. Thus in a few minutes ended an affiiir whicli might have had a very different termination. The Britilh tr«ops had (b.) two officers killed, one wounded ; three privates killed, thirteen wounded ; and thirty-one horfes killed and wounded. The lofs of officers and men was great on the part of the Americans, owing to the dragoons fo efFedually breaking the infantry, and to a report amongft the ca- ll' 1(1 (b.) Ill note M. valry, t N SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 3I valry, that they had loft their commandhig officer, which ftimulated Chap. I. the foldiers to a vindiclive afperity not cafily reftrained. Upwards (c.) of one hundred officers and men were killed on the fpot ; three (d.) co- lours, two fix-poundcrs, and above two hundred prifoners, with a^num- ber of waggons, containing two royals, quantities of new clothing, other military ftores, and camp equipage, fell into the poflcffion of the viftors. The complete fuccefs of this attack may, in great meafure, be af- cribed to the miftakes committed by the American commander : If he had halted the waggons as foon as he found the Britifh troops pref- ling his rear, and formed them into a kind of redoubt, for the pro- tcdion of his cannon and infantry againft the aflault of the ca- valry, in all probability he either would not have been attacked, or by fuch a difpofition he might have foiled the attempt : The Britifli troops, in both cafes, would have been obliged to abandon the pur- fult, as the country in the neighbourhood could not immediately have fupplied them with forage or provilions;. and the continen- tals might have decamped in the night, to join their reinforce- ment. Colonel Buford, alfo, committed a material error, in ordering the infantry to retain their fire till the Britifh dragoons were quite clofe ; which when given, had little efFeft either upon the minds or bodies of the afTaiJants, in comparifon with the execution that might be expeded from a fucceflive fire of platoons or divifions, commenced, at the diflance of three or four hundred paces. The wounded of both parties were collected with all pnffible dif- patch, and treated with equal humanity. The American officers and foldiers who were unable to travel, were paroled the next morning,. (c.) In note M, (d.) In note M, r.r.d i^l yi. ijp'*'. ^iu> .."T*' V Sir Henry '• •Clinton • fails from Cliailcs '*->.-: town. ja CAMPAIGNS or 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Chap. I. mid placed at the neighbouring plantations and in a meeting houfe, rot far diftant froiii the field of battle : Surgeons were fent for from Camden and Clxirlotte town to aflift them, and every poflible conve- nience was provided by the Britifh. This bufinefs being .iccompliflied. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton gained intelligence, that the American reinforcement had fallen back upon the report of the late affair; therefore, on the evening of the 30th, he commenced his march towards Earl Cornwallis. The main army (e.) had not moved more than forty miles from Nelfon's ferry, when the firfl: exprefs arrived Svith the news of the advantage obtained by the light troops. A few days afterwards. Lord Cornwallis was joined at Camden by the de- tachment under Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with the addition of the American cannon, royals, and waggons, which were delivered" to the artillery aiid quarter-mafter-general's departments, i^ On the 5th of June, Sir Henry Clinton left Charles-town harbour, on board the Romulus. Before he failed, he had the agreeable iittel». ligence of the defeat of the Americans at Wacfaw ; a circumftance that evinced the total extirpation of the continental troops within the provinces of Georgia and South Carolina. This event tended to in- crcafe the fatisfadtion he had before experienced, on account of the favourable reports (f.) from Augufta and Ninety Six ; where the inha-- bitants had manifelled their peaceable intentions, and fome thoufands of militia men had flocked to the royal ftandard. 32. ■/■ (e.) In note M. (f.) In note M. ■#& -^ NOTES t ■? =y:'i. Stviffw SCALE Ruimf. '''><> t London Fublilh'd March 1*^8;. Plan o/ f/ir SIEGE of C H ARLE S T O WX V ^ yr>f///r tare///. ///a SCALE of Afri.ES. i f i '\ I t =1 Milri .ondon Fublilh'd Marcki^^S^. •» • tr \i ■■<:. «*'if*'. m "-M \ SOUTirURK PROVINCES OP KOATH AMERICA. 33 N O E TO TUB l7.ie author ihinks it nccejliry to ohferve, that the originals of all letten marked thus ^j^ are in his pojejfion \ the rejl are copied from authentic publications. (NOTE A. ) Extradlsfrom a letter ^ written by Colonel John Lawrence. Im I' I R S T CHAPTER. i! Ji^i Charles town, Feb. 25', 1780. JL HE Brltlfli army, fald to be under the command of Sir Henry "Clinton, are diltributed on Port-Royal ifland, John's ifland, Stono ferry, and a detachment laft night upon James ifland — Head quarters are at Fenwick's houfc, on John's ifland — Four of their gallies have been feen between John and James iflands ; the number of troops not known, fuppofed to be much diminifhed fince the embarkation at New York — There is, undoubtedly, fome grand impediment to the enemy's progrcfs. All their horfes perifhed at fe(i, and much of their F furniture r; fm I 1 34 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE Notes toihe furniture was captured. — The enemy's (a.) delay lias artbrtlcd an op- Chapter, portunity for ftrcngthctiiiig the lines of Cliarlcs town, which will be in pretty good order to-morrow — Reinforcements arc expedcd — Ge- neral Hagaii is within a few miles — The Virginia troops are fomc- wlicre ! AJfiJlame from that JijUr Jiale has been cxpctled thefe eighteen months — General Moultrie is forming a camp at Bacon bridge, where he has about five hundred horfe, being horfe of this ftate, Baylor's and Bland's of Virginia. General Williamfon is encamped at Augufta. A thouHiad men are cxpeded from his brigade — General Richardfon and Colonel Caphew are raifing the militia at and about Camden.— At this moment our efcape depends on farther delay on the enemy's part. Two or three weeks more will make this garrifon ftrong ; the inhabitants, in general, are in good fpirits. Competent judges (b.) fay, that Sir Henry Clinton will then have caufb to repent his enter- prize. (NOTE B. ) From the London Gazette, Whitehall, April a6, 1780. Extra3i of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton^ Knight cf the Bath, to Lord George Germain, dated Head garters, James* IJland, South Carollnay March gth, 1 780, Received by the Swift packet, Capt. Nichols, from New Tork. M Y laft difpatch, No. 83, will have informed your lordfhlp, that the admiral and I only waited pofitive information concerning Count D'Eftaing's fleet to put to fea.. Intbl. SOUTHERN PROVIIJ'JCS OV NOUrn AMERICA. 35 Intelligence (a.) of ihdr having quitted the coaft arrived latoN-u^ttotha in December, and tlie troops having been feme time embarked, the Chni-tci. admiral was enabled to fail the 26th. I WILL trouble your lordfliip with no other particulars of a vciy tedious voyage in (b.) uncommon bad weather, than to mention, that in our loHes of tranipDrts the lives uf the crcus have been favcd ; that only one fliip is mifling, having on board a detachment of Ilcinans, and fuppofed to have bore away for the Weil Indies : But we have co regret the total lofs of an ordnance (hip, which foi' dered at Tea, aud of much the greater part of tlie horfes brouglit for ca-valry, or other public ufes. It was judged bcfl to proceed by a f("cond navigatioi; from Ty bee to North (c.) Edifto, and from thence to pafs to John'; and next to James ifland. By a bridge over VVappoo cut, wc h.ivc from this laft gained the banks of Alhlcy river. My inte/u^'.u is to pafs to the neck of Charles town as foou as pofllble. I'he enemy have, I find, collected their whole force to that place. This is faid not to exceed five thoufand men at prefent ; but reinforcements arc daily expected. In the mean time, as the rebels have made the de- fence of Charles town their principal obje»fl, I have determined on my part to aflemble in greater ftrength before it, and with this view have, called immediately to this army a corps (d.) I had left In Georgia. They will pafs the Savannah river, and join mc by land. The force afloat at Charles town Is four rebel and one French fri- gate, with an old fixty-gun flilp, and fome brigs and gallles. •t Although our long voyage, and unavoidable delays fince, have given the rebels time to fortify Charles town towards the land, a labour their number in negroes has greatly facilitated; yet, confiding F z m 1^ '^^li 36 CAi\rPAlGN3 OF I780 ANB ly^t IN T II K Notes totiie ill thc mcilt of the troDus I have tlic lionour to command, in the Chapter, great afliftaucc I have from Earl Cornwallis, and thc tarthcr co-ope- ration of the navy, I entertain great hopes of fuccefs. I CANNOT clofe my letter without exprcHing how much I am obliged hitherto to Admiral Arbuthnot for the aflirtance given me through Captain Elphinftone, who as yet has been chiefly employed in the naval tranfadions immediately relative to the army. Tiiis gen- tleman's unremitted attention to us, from liis fo ably and fuccefsfuUy conduding the transports into Nortii Edido to this hour, with the great beneiit I have derived from his knowledge of the inland navi- gation of this part of thc coafl:, merit my warmeft thanks. • P. S. Since thc above a reinforcement Is arrived in Cliarles town> faid to coniift of two thoufand men, from the northern army. (NOTE C. ) JLxtraH of a letter from Mo.j'-jr Andrc^ Deputy AJjuiant General, /3 I'tcutemint-colonel Tar le ton. T2 Head Qiiarters, William's Hoiifci the lil April, 1780. I HAVE, by thc gcnerarc; orders, juil: clofed a letter to Brigadier- general Paterfon, in confequence of which a march of cavalry, (a.) light and legion infantry will be ordered : It is to leek a paflage acrofs Alhley river, at or above Dorcheller and Baycon bridge, and by this means to join the army before Charles tov.?n. The general wou'd not have you undertake any excurfion out of your route to us, or make If ^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. any otiicr delays, after pnfling the river, than for the purpofc of ta- Notcstothe king forage : Between your prcfent encampment and the pafl'age you Chciptci. will of courfc make none, as it wou'd invite oppofition. (NOTE D. ) Copy of a Idler from h'lcutenant- general JLarl Cornwallis to Licutemnit' colonel 'Tarlcton. ^ S I R, Camp, near St. Thomas's Cliurcli, Apiil 25th, 1780. T H E commander in chief having dlreded me to ufe every effort to prevent fupplies and reinforcements being thrown Into Charles town, but particularly to guard agalnft the garrilon's elcapiiig out of it and its dependent fortrefles ; (a.) 1 find it neccflary at prefent to place the corps under my command on the eaft fide of Mllltr';i hiulgc, keeping a redoubt on the weft fide to fecure a communication ; I muft therefore commit the care of the country between tlie Cooper and Wando to your charge, with the cavalry and infantry of the legion. The prin- cipal objects of your care will be the landing places on the well fide of the Wando and la Daniel's liland ; and 1 truil In your vigilance that I (hall receive the earlieft information of any material movement of the enemy in that quarter ; 1 mull llkcwlfc recommend it to you to take every opportunity of procuring intelligence, either from the town, or the Santee river and the back country. I leave it to your dlfcretion to take luch pofitions as you fliall fmd moll: convenient : You will pleaic to report to me whenever you move, that I may know where to find you. As you will be fo conflnntly moving, you will not of courle be able - '■ . :i f* W' n ,1 ,?■ ¥ I i''!f /: k ^8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN TITfi , Notcstothe able" to cmbaiTafs yourfelf with the care of fuch ftores as mav fall into I'iiil . " , Clijptc4-. your hands : If you apprehend that any fucb may be in danger of being retaken by the enemy, and that they will be ufeful to them, you will pleafe to deflroy them. I muft recommend it to you in the ftrongeit manner to ufe your utmoft endeavours to prevent the troops under your command from committing irreguhirities, and I am con- vinced that my recommendation will have weight, when I afl'ure you that fuch conduifl will be hiohlv aorecnble to the commander in chief. I am, S I R, Your moft obedient, humble fcrvant, CORN WALL IS. Lieut. Col. Tadeton. (NOTE E. ) From the London Gazette Extraordhiary. ^\ hitehall, June 15, 178c. ^his morning the Earl of Lincoln^ aid-de-camp to his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton^ Knight of the Bathy arrived at this office . - ■ We could now form juiler opinions of the defences of the town to- wards the land, which extended in a chain (e.) of redoubts, lines, and batteries, from Afliley to Cooper. In front of either flank of the works, fwamps, which the canal connects, ooze to each river; betwixt thefe impediments and the place are two rows of abbatis, various other obftru lions, and a double picketted ditch ; a horn-work of -mafonry, which, during the (lege, the enemy clofed as a kind of citadel, ftrengthened the center of the line and the gate, where the fame na- tural defences were not found as near the water : Eighty pieces of can- non or mortars were mounted in the extent of thefe lines. On the 6th of May our batteries were ready In the third parallel. New and very forcib>3 motives now prevailed to induce the place to ca- G pit-.latCa d- .1 * tiilP -' **11*L ■ . I ■:l' ,1 4:ii iRi .:,--!! 1 ; ( ■ 1,1 .- V. Ill ' \ 1 i \ .*■ .i : i Ml ■' I 1 ilUL 42 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Notes to the pltulate. Admiral Arbuthnot had landed a force of fcamen and marines Chapter, on Sullivan's ifland, under Captain Hudfon, to whom, on the threat that fliips Ihould batter the fort, the garrifon delivered themfelves upon terms. Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis had been no lefs fuccefsful in the country. The cavalry under Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton had again the good fortune which conduft and gallantry deferve, and over- took nt the Santee a body of horfe the enemy had, with infinite diffi- culty, colleded together. They (m.) were moft fpiritcdly charged,. and ilcfeated. Moil of the riders fled to the moraflcs, or threw them- fclv'ts into the river, tVom whence few have extricated themftlves. I'irty or Cwty men were killed or taken, and every horfe of the corps, with the arms and appointments, fell into our hands* Although, in a fccond correfpondence which the enemy folicitcd, t!icy had Ihewii in their propofals for a furrender far too extenfive pre- tcnlions, the admiral and myleif could not refrain from attempting once more to avert the cruel extremity of a florni. In this renewal of treaty, however, we did not find their iudifcretion much abated. The batteries of the third parallel (o.) were therefore opened, and a manifeft fiiperiority of fire foon obtained ; the corps of yagers adting as markfmen, were on this occafion extremely ufeful. Under this fire we gained the countcrfcarp of tiie outwork which fi.uikcd the canal, tiie canal itfclf was pafled, and work carried on towards tlic ditch of the place. The iOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 43 The I ith, General Lincoln fent to us iiis acquiclccncc 'm the torin-, Notc> toil lie had two days before objeiled to. Whatever fevere jullicc might Cii,.; di(5late on fuch an occafion, we refolved not to prefs to unconditional fubmiffion a reduced army, whom we hoped clemency might yet recon- cile to us. The articles of capitulation were therefore figned, fuch as 1 have the honour to inclofe them. lirll On the 12th, Major-general Leflie took (q ) poflelTion of tiie town. There are taken, feven general officers, a commodore, (f) ten conti- nental regiments, and three battalions of artillery, together with town and country militia, Fi-ench, and feamen, make about fix thou- fand men in arms. Tiie titular deputy governor, council, and civil oificers, are alfo prifoners. Four frigates and feveral armed veflels, with a great number of boats, have likevvife fallen into our pofleflion, and about four hundred pieces of cannon. trim Of the garrifon, artillery, and ftores, your lordlhip will have as perfeft returns as I Ihall be able to coUeft. I have yet, my lord, to add to this letter, the expreflions of grati- tude I owe to the army, (r.) whofe courage and toil have given me fuccefs. I HAVE moft warmly to thank Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwalhs, Major-generals Leflie,> Huyne, and Kofborth, and Brigadier-general Patterfon, for their animated affiftance. G 2 I TRUST 4-4 N>itP3 to the Fnlt Chaptc. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND' l^St IN THE I TRUST I do not flatter myfelt* vainly, that the good fcrviccs dunng the (lege, of the officers and foldiers of tlic royal artillery, of Captain Elphiiiilone, and the officers and feamen of tlie roy;U navy ferving with us on fliore, of the corps of engineers, of the officers and fol- diers of every corps, British and Heffian, and particularly the yager detachment, will receive His Majefty's gracious approbation. I HAVE efpecially to exprefs ray obligation to I/ieutcnant-colonel Webfter, and the corps which aded under him. And I have to give the greacefl: praife to Lieutenant-colonel Tarletoa and the cavalry, fcr their condudl, bravery, and eminent fervices.. But to Major MoncriefF, the commanding engineer, who planned^ and, with the affiftance of fuch capable officers under him, conduced, tlie fiege with fo much judgement, intrepidity, and laborious atten- tion, I wilh to render a tribute of the very higheft applaufe, and mofl permanent gratitude ; perfuaded that far more flattering commenda«> tions than I can beftow will not fail to crown fuch rare merit, -t^ '!!' 1 Your lordffiip has feen how great a fliare Admiral Arbuthnot and the fleet have had in every meafure. I can add, that had we been ne- ceffitated to make an aflault, I am perfuaded a very confpicuous part would have been taken by the fliips, to favour us at that important crifis. l.HAVE the honour to feud your Idrdffiip returns of our lofs* I have the honour to be, &c. H. CLINTON. Returfif / SOVTHERK FROVXKCBS OF NORTH AMERICA. 45 Return (r.) of the killed and wounded of the troops under the command o/* Notes to the his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton^ from the debarkation in South Chapter, Carolina the i ith of February ^ to thefurrender of Charles town the izth of May, BRITISH. Royal artillery. 5 rank and file killed ; 7 ditto wounded. ift battalion of light infantry, 8 rank and file killed ; i ferjeant, ly rank and file wounded. 2d battalion ditto. 1 1 rank and file killed ; i lieutenant, 1 2 rank and file wounded. Detachment of ditto. 3 rank and file killed ; 7 ditto wounded. ift battalion grenadiers, i ferjeant, 4 rank and file killed ; 2 lieute- nants, I ferjeant, 13 rank and file wounded. 2d battalion ditto. 10 rank and file killed ; i lieutenant, 11 rank and file wounded. 7th. I rank and file killed ; 2 ditto wounded! 23d. 4 rank and file wounded; 33d. I rank and file killed ; 2 ditto wounded. 62d. 2 rank and file killed. 63d. 4 rank and file wounded; 64th. I rank and file wounded. 71(1. 2 enfigns, 6 rank and file killed ; i captain, i lieutenam, 14 . rank and file wounded. GERMAN. Yagers. 7 rank and file killed ; 14 ditto wounded, Linfing, 2 rank and file killed ; 7 ditto wounded. Lengcrck. 1 rank and file killed ; j 5 ditto wouaded. I. Schuleri. II i 46 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THR Notes to the Schuler. a rank and file killed ; 18 ditto wounded. Fiift _ „ Chapter. GratF. 2 rank and file killed ; 2 lieutenants, 8 rank and file wounded. Hoyne, 5 rank and file wounded. »« T»ROVINCIAL. New- York volunteers, a rank and file killed ; 1 ditto wounded. Britiih legion. 5 rank and file killed; 9 d'tto wounded. Fergulbn's corps. 5 rank and file woundet,. " • ' Total BRITISH, GERMAN, and PROVINCIAL. 2 enfigns, i ferjeant, 73 rank and file, killed ; i captain, 7 lieutenants^ z ferjeants, 179 rank and file, wounded. OFFICERS KILLED. 7 1 ft regiment. Enfign McGregor, Enfigii Cameron. OFFICERS WOUNDED. 2 2d regiment grenadier company. Lieutenant White. ^ ■ 33d ditto. Lieutenant Bevor. 42d ditto. Lieutenant Grant. 64th ditto. Light infantry. Lieutenant Freeman. 71ft regiment. Captain M*Leod, Lieutenant Wilfon. Graff's grenadiers* Lieutenant Frietfon, Lieutenant Oethaiifs. H. CLINTON. 32 (NOTE iii:h SOUTHERN PHOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 47 (NOTE F. ) Admiralty Office, June 15, 1780. His Majejlys Jl/ip the Perfeus, commanded by the Hon. Keith ElphinJ}one, Note, to the arrived late Icijl night at Spitheady from Charles fown^ in South Carolina^ Chapter from whence fix failed the 1 'jth of lafi month, having on board Sir Andrew Hammond, who came to this Office this forenoon with a tetter from Fie e -admiral Arbuthnot, to Mr. Stevens, of which the following is a copy : SIR, Roebuck, ofF Cliarlos town. May 14, 1780. I HAVE the fatisfa^lion to acquaint you, for the information ot my lords comniKfioners of the admiralty, that Charles town, witii all its dependencies, the (hipping in the harbour, and the army under General Lincoln, has furrendered to His Majt fty's arms. My laft letters by a Dutch fliip bound to Amfterdam, which failed the i6th of Febiuary, will have informed you of my departure from New York, and my arrival off Savannah, with a fquadron of His Majefty's (hips, elcorting a confiderablc body of troops under the com- mand of Sir Henry Clinton* Most of the mifling (hips having arrived, no time was loft In pro- fecuting the intended expedition. I fhiftcd my flag from the Europe to this fhip ; and the truifports having repaired their damages fuf- taincd on the pafl'age, I proceeded with the fleet, on the 10th of February, to North Edifto, the place of debarkafion previoufly agreed upon. Our pafllige (a.) thither was favourable and fpeedy ; and al- though it required time to have the bar explored, and the channel 3: marked^ ^ il''U:ll ■l'^ CAMPAIGNS or 1780 AND X781 IN THE NuujfotiK marked, the tranrnorts all entered the liarUour the next day ; and the riilr ciuipicr. army took pofl'ciHon of Jolm's ifland without oppofition. The general havhig made a requlfition for heavy (b.) cannon, and a detachment of feamcn from the fleet, the latter were put under the command of Captain Elphindone and Captain Evans, and the guns forwarded to the army as foou as they could be coUefted from the line-of- battle fhips, which the bad weather had forced from their anchors. in Preparations were next made for pafling the fquadron over Charles-town bar, where the high water Tpring tides tliere, is only nineteen feet water. The guns, (c.) provifion, and water were taken out of the Renown, Roebuck, and Romulus, to lighten them ; and we lay in that fituation on the open coaft in the winter feafon of the year, expofed to the infults of the enemy, for fixteen days, before an opportunity offered of going into the harbour, which was effe£led without any accident, on the 20th of March, notvvithflanding the enemy's galleys continually attempted to prevent our boats from founding the channel* I ENCLOSE a lift of the rebel naval force, wlilch, at this time, made an appearance of dlfputing the paflage up the river, at the narrow pafs, between Sullivan's ifland and the middle ground, having moored their fliips aiid galleys in a pofition to make a raking fire as we approached fort Moultrie ; but on the fquadron arriving near the bar, and an- choring on the infide, they abandoned that idea, retired to the town, and changed their plan of defence. The Brlcole, Notre Dame, Queen of France, Truite, and General Moultrie frigates, with feveral mer- chant fliips, fitted with chevaux de frife (d.) on their decks, were funk ill SOUTIIRRN PROVINCES OF NOnTl! AMERICA. 49 in the channel between the town and Shute's Folly; a boom was ex- Notu tn Hio I'iii} tended acrofs, compofcd of cables, chains, and fpars, fecurcd by the cii,ii-tr. /liips' mafts, and dcfemle 1 IVoitj the town by ftrong batteries of pimento logs, in which were mounted upwards of forty pieces of heavy cannon. EvERv thing being in readin^fs for eroding the army over the Afliley river, the boats of the Hect, with the flat boats, vmdor the command of Capt. Elphinflone and Capt. Evans of the Railbnable, the whole army, with tiie artillery and rtores necellary for the fiegc, were landed under the cover of the galleys, on the town fide, with artonilhing expedition. As foon as the army began to cred their batteries againll tiic town, 1 took tiie firfl: favourable opportunity to pafs Sullivan's ifland, upon which there is a flrong fort and batteries, the chief defence of the harbour ; accordingly I weighed at one o'clock, on the (e.) pth ult., with the Roebuck, Richmond, Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigh, and Sandwich armed fhip. The Renown bringing up the rear, and paffing through a fevere fire, anchored in about two hours under James' ifland, with the lofs of twenty-feven feamen killed and wounded. The Richmond's foretop maft was fliot away, and the fliips in general fuftained damage in their mafts and rigging ; however, not materially in their hulls: But the Acetus tranfport, having on board a few naval ftores, grounded within gunfliot of Sullivan's ifland, and re- ceived fo much damage, that (he was obliged to be abandoned and burnt. Having fl:ationed fliips and armed veflels off the difllrent ii»lcts, upon the coaft, and the town being now nearly inverted, attempts were made to pafs a naval force into Cooper river, by Hog's ifland, H (the li ll I " "^o CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN T II «i Notes to the (the inaiti channel being rendered inipra(5licabk) and iniall veflels to Tint Chiiiitcr. carry heavy guns were fitted for that fervice; But oil being found tho enemy liad alfo funk veflels in that channel, and its entrance was de- fended by the works on Sullivan's ifland, and mount Pleafant, it was refolved to difpoflefs them of the latter, by the feamen of the fleet ; and in the mean time, to arm the fmall veflels that had been taken by Earl Cornwallls in the Wandoo river. i[fti i n For this purpofe a brigade of five hundred feamen and marines wa', formed from tlie fquad:on, and luider the command of the Captains Hudfon, Orde, and Gambier, landed at day break, on the 7,9th, at riouiit Picafant ; where receiving information that the rebels were abandoning their redoubt at Lamprie's point, (an advantageous port on Cooper river) they marched with a view of cuttJng off their rear, but, on a near approach, found the garrifon had efcaped in veflels to Charles town ; but their fudden appearance p<-evented the rebels from carry- ing ott their cannon and fl:ores, or from deflroying their works* About the fiime time, a major, a captain, and fome other commif- fioned and non-commiihoned officers, with eighty privates, were made prifoners by the guard boats of the fleet, in retiring to the town. 32 Captain Hudfon being relieved in his pofc by Colonel Fergufon^ returned to the fort at mount I'leafant, which being in the neighbour- hood of fort Sullivan, brought us in dcferters daily, from whom I learnt very favourable accounts of its garrifon ; I therefore (f.) formed a plan to attack it, which fliould not interfere with the important operations the army were carrying on, and which now became every «3ay more and more critical. Thb SOTTTriERN PROVrKCES OF NORTH AMERrCA. 5* The attention of the rebels, I found, had been clncflv dircclcd to XotcM to iKc Kint th.e foutli and eaft fides of the fort, which were moil open to nttack ; C"ha;)t.i, hut tlie weft f.Ke and north-weft baftlon, I difcovered, had been neg- le»5led ; I therefore determined to attempt to carry the fort by ftorm, under cover of the fire from tlie fti'ips of the f(juadron. The Captains Ihidfoti and Gambier, and Captain Knowles, agent for tranfpotts, with two hundred feamen and marines, embarked in the boats of th.r fquadron, in the night of the 4th inftant, and paffiiig by the fort uii- obfcrved, landed before day light, and took poflbflion of a redoubt on tlie eaft end of the iiland; wliilft other boats were preparing to carry over the iame number of feamen and marines from mount Pleafluit, under the command of Captain Orde. On the whole being ready, and the Ihips only waiting for the tide, to begin the attack, the fort was fummoncd by C^, tain Hudfon, when, after a little confideration, the garrifon Uirrendered themfclves prifoncrs of war. A copy of the capi- tulation, and the return of prifoners and ftorcs, accompany this letter. The redu^ion of the city followed four days after ; for the prepara- tions to ftorm it in every part being in great forwardnefs, and the (hipcj ready to move to the aflault, the town was fummoned on the 9th, by his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, to furrender ; terms were in confe- quence propoled, and the cnclofed capitulation, figned by the general and myfelf, the loth inftaiit. I HAVE commlfTioned the rebel and French frigates. In the King's fervice, and have given the command of them to officers of long fer- vice, and acknowledged merit. The conduft of Sir Andrew Hammond, of the Roebuck, wlio. bears this difpat.-Ii to you, dcferves particular mention ; whether in the H 2 great .ifBrf rSi 52 CAMPAIGNS OF X780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the great line of fervice, or in the detail of duty, he has been ever ready, Chnptcr. forward, and animated. The Captains Hudfon, Orde, Gambier, El- phinftoac, and Evans, have diftinguiihed themfelves particularly on (hore ; and the officers and feamen, who have ferved with thena on this occafion, have obferved the moft perfedl difcipline. Our whole lofs in the fhips and galleys, and the batteries on fhore, is twenty-three feamen killed, and twenty-eigiit wounded ; among the latter is Lieutenant Bowers, of the Europe, but iu fair way of re- covery. ;r,; ■• The fleet has endeavoured moft heartily and effetJlually to co-operate with the army in every poffible iuflance ; and the moft perfed harmony has fubfifted between us.. J ii I jufi add, that rebel privateering has recently received a fevere check ; the Iris and Galatea having lately, in the fpace of ten days^ taken nine privateers, (two of which were (hips of twenty guns, and none lefs than fixteen) and eight hundred feamen, I have the honour to be, SIR, Your moft obedient fervant, M. ARBUTHNOT. ji hji of rebel Jblf>s (h.) cf war taken or dejlroyed in the harbour of Charles town. THE Bricole, pierced for 60, mounting 44 guns, twenty-four and eighteen pounders, funk, her captain, officers, and company, pri- ibners, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. :>J foners. — The Truite, 26 twelve pounders, funk, her captain, &c. pii- Notes 'o ii^ Fiitt fcners. — Queen of France, 28 nuie pounders, funk, ditto. — General Chapter. Moultrie, 20 fix pounders, funk, ditto. — Notre Dame, (brig) 16 ditto, funk, ditto. — Providence, 32 guns, eighteen and twelve pounders, taken, captain, officers, and company, prifoncrs. — Bofton, of the fimc force, taken, ditto. — Ranger, 20 fix pounders, taken, ditto. FRENCH SHIPS. L'AViiWTURE, 26 nine and fix pounders, commanded by the Slcur de Brulot, Lieutenant ■ de Vaifleau, taken, ditto. — Polacre, 1 6 fix pounders, taken, — Some empty brigs lying at the wharfs, with other frnall veflels, w«*e alfo taken, with four armed galleys. M. ARBUTHNOT. Articles (g.) of Capitulation, agreed on befwcci Captain Charles Hiidfon^ commander of His Majejlys fip the Richmond, and Lieutenant-colonel Scott, commandant of fort Moultrie, on the furrender of that fort and its dependencies. May 7, 1780, Art. I. THAT the troops in garrifon fhall be al!o\'.-cu to march out with the ufual honours of war, and to pile their anns ouU'cje of the eate.. Art. II. That all the officers in garrifon, as will continental Ti militia, and the non-commifiioncd officers and privates of tlie miii/ », (hall be confidered as prifoners of war at large on their parole, until exchanged ; and be allowed, in the mean time, to refide with their la- milies and friends, Charles town excepted, as it is at prefent uadf-r fiegc. f Art, 5-I- C A M P A I G X S OF I 780 AND I ;8 I IN THE Notes fo the Art. Ill, T])at the continental :ind .nllltia oiriccrs be permitted to Vh.\yv::. vvcar tiiclr Iklo arnis. AuT. IV. That the flavcs ami other property of every indlvulual In garrilbn be Iccured to tlieir rclpedive owners : That all Kich flaves ia s^uiiloii, bclonguig; to pcrlons out of it, be IcCurcd to their relpecflive -owiuis in I'uch manner as may be agreed upon between Captain Hud- son and the commanding officer of the fort. Art. V. All property, fiaves, &c. to be fecured to each individual of the garril'on ; fuch as is lodged in the fort for kcurity or otherwife, belonging to individuals, not of the garrifon, to be delivered up. Art. VI. That the lick have every neceflary accommodation, and all the continental private fi^ldiers be treated in a humane manner, and not rigorouily confuicd ; every humanity to be ilicwn to both iick and well. Art. VII. The fort, artillery, arms, ammunition, and ftorc^, of all kinds, to be delivered up to luch officers and ^uard as Captain ilud- fon ffiali think proper to fend for that purpole. 32 n I. Art. VIII. The garrifon to march out of the fort, and pile their arms early in the moriiing, in front of the Britilh forces, who will be drawn up before the entrance of the fort on the occalion. C II A R L E S HUDSON. WILLIAM SCOTT, Lieut. Col. I ft rcg. and commandant of fort Moultrie. A Copy. M. Arduthnot. Fort ImI I , SOUTHERN P R ^' I r op NORTH AMERICA. 5S Fo .vloultrie, on Sullivan's ifland, May 7, 1780. y^ return of the garr'tfon of fort Moultrie % made prfoncrs of nvar by a brl- Nutcs to the gade of fe amen and marines j commanded by Capta'.ns Iludfonf Gambier., ChaptuiM and KnoxvleSf of the royal navy» : ; Continental commlinoned olFicers. Lieutenant colonel, i ; Captains, 3; Lieutenants, 4; Non-commilliontd and privates, iio. Militia.- Captains, 2; Lieutenants, 7; Non-commillloned and privates, 91. (Signed) C H A. H U D S O N. VI ! j1 return of ordnance and other fl ores taken on fort Moultrie^ on Su/!han.f if and y by the fiaval brigade. May ith, 1780. IRON ORDNANCE. Twenty-four pounders, 9 ; eighteen pounders, 7 ; twelve pounders, 10; nine pounders, 9; lix pounders, 2; four po\.nders, 4; mortar of ten inches, i. Total of iron ordnance, 41. ROUND S H O T. twenty-four pounders, 539 ; eighteen pounders, 613 ; twelve poun- der 690; nine pounders, 1334; fix pounders, 264; four pounders, 369. Total, 3809. BAR SHOT. Twenty-four pounders, 50 ; eighteen pounders, 47 ; twelve poun- ders, 42 ; nine pounders, 9. Total of bar (hot, 148. GRAPE '] ' % •(^. tftl Il f 56 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IS THE I ; ./.:. GRAPE S H O T. if III NotMtothe Twenty-four pounders, 82; eighteen pounders, 50; twelve poun- Firll Chapter, ders, 42 ; nine pounders, 50. Total of grape Ihot, 224, CANNISTER SHOT. Twelve pounders, 13 ; nine pounders, 56 ; nx pounders, 30 ; four pounders, 34. Total of cannifler (hot, 133. Ten-inch OicUs, i 20 ; fix-inch fliells, 32 ; litit flocks, 54 ; barrch of powder, 4^'; worms, ladles, and fpongcs, x()^; Jantlitjrns, 10; handl;.)!<.c:,, 2 -f) ; flannel cartridges for field pieces, r^S ; mulquet car- tridg:s, 61.3. ; beds fpare, ^^ ; coins fparc, 39 ; ftaiid of arms, 520 i cartridges liiledj 2706; blank cartridges, 1994', portfires, 250; fpare fufes, 300; hand granadoes, 120; bits and prickers. So; reams of paper, 2 ; tubes fpare, 100 ; fpare gun carriages, 9 ; barrels of tur- pentine, 40; 3 waggons ; i (ling cart for great guns; 1 gin ; i ditto fall and (lings.; i water engine ; 3 coils of rope, (four inches.) (Signed) CHA. HUDSON, A Copy. M. Arbuthnot. 'f'-n p2 ; (NOTE G. ) 'Supplement to the Londo.< OazcUe Extraordinary. Copy of the fummons fent to Major -^"neral Lincoln, the i oth of Aprils 1780. 'Camp before Charles town, April 10, 1780* SIR (a.) Henry Clinton, K. B. general and commander In chief of His Maje(l:y's forces in the colonies lying on the Atlantic, from Nova Scotia^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF N R T ft AMERICA. 57 Scotia. &c. &c, and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot, commander in chief ofXo'owotiic His Majefly's (hips, &c. in North America, &c. &c. regretting tlic Chapter, effufion of blood, and tlie didrefl'cs which inufl: now commence, deem it confonant to humanity to warn the town and garrifon of Charles town of the havock and defolaticii with which they are threatened from the formidable force furroundiiig tiiem by land and fea. An al- ternative is offered at this hour to the inhabitants of faving their lives and property, (contained in the town) or of abiding by the fatal confe- quences of a can»ionade and (lorm. Should the place in a fdlacious fccurity, or its commander in a wanton indifllrcnce to the fate of its inhabitants, delay the furrender, or fhould public ftorcs or Hiipplng be dcflroyed, the refentment of au cxafperatcd foldlery may intervene ; but the lame mild and compal- llonate offer can never be renewed. The rcfpcdlive commanders, who hereby fummon the town, do not apprehend {o rafli a part as farther refftanco will be taken ; but rather that the gates will be opened, and themfelves received with a degree of confidence which will forbode farther reconciliation. (Signed) n. C L I N T O N. M. ARBUTHNOT. Copy of ii leiter from Afijor-gencrttl L;ncc'n to Gcncitil Sir Henry Clinim and Viceadmh'nl ^rbutbmt^ JiticJ Charles town, ylpril lo, 1780. Gentlemen, (b.) I HAVE received your fummons of this date. Sixty days have palled fince it lias been known that your intentions againil this I town % n '' i. 58 CAMPAIGNS O? i;So AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the towii wcre hodile, in which time has been afforded to abandon it ; but Chapter, duty and inclination point to the propriety of fupporting it to the laft extremity. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) B. LINCOLN. Commanding in the fouth department. Copy of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Major-general hmoln^ dated camp before Charles town. May 8, i j'So. SIR, CIRCUMSTANCED as I now am with refpeft to the place in- vefted, humanity only can induce me to lay within your reach the terms I had determined fliould not again be proffered. The fall of fort Sullivan, the deftruftion on the 6th inftant of what remained of your cavalry, the critical period to which our approaches againft the town have brought us, mark this as the term of your hopes of fuccour, (could you ever have framed any) and as an hour beyond which refiilance is temerity. By this laft fummons, therefore, I throw to your charge whatever vindiAive feverity exafperated foldiers may inflidt on the unhappy peo- ple whom you devote, by perfevering in a fruitlefs defence. I SHALL expe£l your anfwer until eight o'clock, when hoftilities will commence again, unlefs the town be furrendered. I have the honour to be^ ^^c (Sigrd) H. CLINTON, H 'H ll iPtei. SOUTH'^Ki^* PROVINCES OF NORTH AME11ICA» 59 (c.) In confequence of this letter, articles of capitulation were pro- Notes to tUc pofcd by Major-general Lincoln, and anfwered by their Excellencies Chapi General Sir Henry Cl'nton, Knight of the Batii, and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot ; wiiich anfwers being deemed by General Lincoln to be in- dmifTible, he propofed that other articles, which he then Tent, might be acceded to. Thofe articles were rejefted by Sir Henry Clinton and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot ; a'-.d on the i ith of May Major-general Lin- coln wrote the following letter : Copjf of a letter from Major-general Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton^ dated Charles town^ May 11, 1780. SIR, THE fame motives of humanity which inclined you to propofe ar- ticles of capitulation to this garrifon, induced me to offer thofe I had the honour of fending you on the 8th inftant. They then appeared to me fuch as I mighn proffer, and you receive, with honour to both parties. Your exceptions to them, as they principally concerned the militia and citizens, I then conceived were fuch as could not be con- curred with ; but a (d.) recent application from thofe people, wherein they exprefs a willingnefs to comply with them, and a vvllh on my part to leffen as much as may be the dlftreffes of war to individuals, lead me now to offer you my acceptance of them. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) B. LINCOLN. His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton. liffl ^ i I 2 Copy nv. ^: ^¥ ■■-, (13 6o CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE iTOvC Notes to the Copy of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Major-general Lincolnt dai:d Chapter. ' camp before Charles town^ May 11, 1780. SIR, WHEN you rejcdled the favourable terms wlilch were didatcd by an carntfl defirc to prevent the etlufion of blood, and interpofcd article;; that were wiiolly InadiniUille, both the admiral and mylclf were ot oj inion that the ilirrender of the town at difcretion was the only con- cision that fhould afterwards be attended to ; but as the motives which then induced them are ftill prevalent, 1 now inform you that the terms then offered will ftill be granted. A COPY of the articles fhall be fent for your ratification as foon aa they can be prepared; and immediately after they are exchanged, a detachment of grcu.idiers will be fent to take pofleflion of the horn work oppofite youi" maiu gate. Every arrangement which may con- duce to good order in occupying the town, fhall be fettled before nooii to-morrow, and at that time your garrifon will march out. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) H. CLINTON. Major-gereral Lincoln, T2 SOUTH ■€■ cr, SOUTHERN I'ROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 6l SOUTH CAROLINA. ArUck^ of cafiluhtUon between their Excellencies Sir Henry Ciinton, Knig/.U Norcc ti t:-.; of the Bath, general and commander in chief nf His Majejlys forces in Cii.ii.r the fe-ceral provinces and colonics on the Atlantic ^ from Nova Scotia to Wejl Florida inclufivCt Mariot Arbuthnot, Efq. yice-admlmj. of the Blue, and commander in chief of all His Maj, fy^s fips and vejjl'ls in North America, and Major-general Benjani.n •oln, commanding in chief in the town and harbour of Charles town. Art. I. THAT all ads of hoftility and work fhall ccafe betwceti the bcficgcrs and the bcfiegcd, until the articles of capitulation ihall be agreed on, figiicd, and executed, oi colleflivcly rejected. Answer. All adts of hoftility and work (hall ccafe, until the ar- ticles of capitulation are finally agreed to cr rejcLlcd. Art. II. The town and fortifications .hall be furrendered to the commander in chief of the Britifh forces, fuch as they now fland. Answer. The town and fortifications, with the Ihipping at thi- wharfs, artillery, and all other public flores whatfoever, fliall be fur- rendered in their prefent ftate to the commanders of the inverting forces ; proper officers fliall attend from the reipedlive departments tc) receive them. vn \ ' ■* i I \ I il II , *• M II Art. III. The (f.) continental troops and failors, with their bag*- gage, (hall be condutfled to a place to be agreed on, wiiere they fliall re- main prifoners of war until exchanged. While prilbners, they fliall be fupplied with good and wholefome provifions in fuch quantity as is ferved out to the troops of His Britannic Majefly. Answer. Granted. 2 Art, m II life' ^, ^^J^ s^^.^^a?^ >.ir. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-^) &c {./ /.Q ^ 1.0 1.1 11.25 bilM 125 ■so ■^~ I^H £: u& 12.0 MUU U 11.6 ^1 V] ^>. %J>i Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 \ <^ ^ %^ \\ '^ 0' 4" > • ' 6^ r J: V m I iJB ^i 1 y i|j 1 iHI I Notes to tlie Hill CJiai'ttr. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND178lINTHa Art. IV. Tlie miliiia now in garrifon fliall be permitted to return to their refpcdlive homes, and be fccured In their perfons and property. Answeh. The militia (g.) now in garrifon Ihall be permitted to re- turn to their refpedlivc homes as prifoners ou parole ; which parole, as long as they obferve, Ihall fecure them from being molefted in their property by the Britilh troops. Art. V. The fick and wounded (hall be continued under the care of their own furgcons, and be fupplied with medicines and fuch necef- faiies as are allowed to the Britifh hofpitals. Answer. Granted. Art. VI. The officers of the army and navy fliall keep their liorfcs, fwords, piflols, and baggage, which fliall not be fearched, and retain their fervants. Answer. Granted, (i.) except with refpedl to the horfes, which will not be allowed to go out of the town, but may be difpofed of by a perfon left from each corps for that purpofe. Art. VII. The garrifon fliall, at an hour appointed, march out with fliouldered arms, drums beating, and colours flying, to a place to be agreed on, where they will pile their arms. Answer. The whole (e.) garrifon fliall, at an hour to be appointed, march out of the town to the ground between the works of the place and the canal, where they will depoflt th'eir arms. The drums are not to beat a Britifli march, or colours to be uncafed. Art. VIII. That the French conful, his houfe, p^'pers, and other moveable property, fliall be proted^d and untouched, and a proper time granted to him for retiring to any place that may afterwards be agreed SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 63 agreed upon between him and the commander in chief of the BritiHi Note* to the Firft forces. Chapter. Answer. Agreed, with this reflri^ion, that he is to confider him- felf as a prifuner on parole. Art. IX. That the citizens (hall be protected in their perfbns and properties. Answer. All civil officers* (h.) and the citizens who have borne arms during the iiege, mud be prifoners on parole ; and with rcfpefl: to their property in the city, (hall have the fame terms as are granted to the militia ; and all other perfons now in the town, not to be de- fcribed in this or other article, are aotwithftanding underflood. to be prifoners on parole. Art. X. That a twelvemonth*s time be allowed all fuch as do not chufe to continue under the Britifli government to difpofe of their effeAs, real and perfonal, in the (late, without any moleftation what* ever ; or to remove fuch part thereof as they chufe, as well as theqi- felves and families ; and that, during that time, they or any of them may have it at their option to refide occafionally in town or country. Answer. The difcuflion of this article of courfe cannot pofiibly be entered into at prefent. a 1 i' I :l!!:f!l \ Art. XI. That the fame protection to their perfons and proper- ties, and the fame time for the removal of their efFe£ls, be given to the fubjeds of France and Spain, as are required for the citizens ia the preceding article. Answer. The fubjeds of France and Spain (hall have the fame terms as are granted to the French conful. AaT» \ i':| 6+ CAMPAIGNS OF 1780' A NO 17S1 J ^ THE Notes to the Art. Xir. That a veflel be permitted to go to Pliilaticlphla with Fiift Chapter, the general's difpatches, which are not to be opened. Answer. Granted, (k.) and a proper veflel with a flag will be provided for that purpofe. All pul^lic papers and records muft be carefully prcfcrved, and faithfully delivered to fuch perfons as fliall be appointed to receive them. Done in Charles town, May 12, 1 ;8o. B. LINCOLN, Done in camp before Charles town. May 12, 1780. (Signed) H. CLINTON. M. ARBUTHNOT. r, '• i •■l BBB'MB nE 1 KHiEHUnl To fa/ of the rebel forces comfmnded by Majer-general Lincoln at the fur- render of Charles town. May 12, 1780, now prifoners of war. TWO major generals, 5 brigjidier generals, 3 majors oi brigade, 16 colonels, 9 lieutenant colonels, 41 cornets or enfigns, i payraafler, 7 adjutants, 6 quarter matters, 18 furgeons, 6 mates, 322 fcrjeants* 137 drummers, 4710 rank and file. The above is a copy of a return figned by the Britifh commiflary o( prifoners. JOHN A N D R f:. Deputy adjutant generaL Return SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMBUICA. ^.s liclurn of ordnance, (\i.') arms, and anwwnition in Charles town, when Kotos to the furrcndercd to hJ!s Tixcellency Sir Henry Clinlon, Knight of the Bath, chapicr. cor,whirJer in chief of His Miijejlfs forces, &V. May 14, 1780. Ordnance mounted on carriages and beds, with fide arms^ C3c. BRASS GUNS. One fix pounder, i 7 four ditto, 3 three ditto. BRASS MORTARS. One ten inch, i nine inch three quarters, i fcven incli one quarter, 3 five inch and half, 3 four inch and half, i eight-inch brafi howitzer. IRON GUNS. Twelve twenty-fix pounders, la twenty-four ditto, 29 eighteen ditto, rp twelve ditto, 70 nine ditto, 27 fix ditto, 44 four ditto, 6 three-half-pound fwivcls, 2 carronades, 3 four pounders. SHOT, ROUND LOOSE. Forty twenty-fix pounders, 626 twenty-four ditto, 1219 eighteen ditto, 3 1 2D twelve ditto, 2089 nine ditto, 500 fix ditto, 700 four ditto, 100 three ditto. CASE FIXED WITH POWDER. Three thoufand two hundred and thirty-fix four pounders, 108 three ditto, 420 two ditto. ^•'Fif ' ! i tti K SHELLS, 66 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE SHELLS, EMPTY. Notc^fotii; iSmcty tcu inch, 96 nine ditto three quarters, 150 eight ditto, 30 «.h.ipt(i. llvc-n ditto three quarters, 40 (ix ditto three quarters, 26 five ditto and half, 100 four ditto and half, 212 hand granadoes, fixed. SHOT, GRAPE AND CASE, UNFIXED. Fifteen twenty-four pounders, 96 eighteen ditto, 256 twelve ditto, 897 nine ditto, 214 four ditto ; mulcjuct (hot, 2 cwt. W- » I; .DOUBLE HEADED. Eighty-fix eighteen pounders, 209 twelve ditto, 40 four ditto; 55 fpongcs, with ftavcs and rammer heads, of forts ; 209 ladles, with ftavcs, &c., of forts; 21 wadhooks, with ftaves. HANDSPIKES. One hundred and twenty-nine common, 41 iron-crow leavers, 80 fpikes, with flaves. CARTRIDGES, FLANNEL, FILLED. Two liundred and twenty nine-pounders, 8 four pounders. DITTO, PAPER, FILLED. One hundred and fixty-three twenty-four pounders, 422 eighteen. ditto, 455 twelve ditto, 671 nine ditto, 20 four ditto, 100 three ditto, 25,550 mufquet cartridges filled with ball, 7796 carabine ditto, 2 car- riages, fpare four pounders, 71 cutlaffes; 3 gun triangles, with blocks complete; m SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 67 complete; 14 lanterns, common; match How, 2 cwt. ; 376 barrels Notf* to the Fiift of powder, corned ; ^"^ powder horns, PAPER CARTRIDGES, EMPTY. Two hundred and twenty twenty-four pounders, 941 eighteen ditto, 800 twelve ditto, 990 nine ditto, 400 fix ditto, 6 dozen port (wt:-* 270 tin tubes filled, 6000 ditto empty. Cliapttr. ilfVl FRENCH M U S Q.U E T S. Eight hundred and forty-feven m (lore, 4569 delivered at the abbatis, 15 (lands of regimental colours. #3" Large quantities of mufquet cartridges, arms, and other finall articles, not included in the above return : The fcattered fituatioii of the different ftores not admitting of collecting them in fo fliort a time. A more cxaA account will be given as foon as poflible. *m ABSTRACT OF ORDNANCE. Brafs guns, 21 ; mortars, 9 ; howitzers, i ; iron guns, 280. To- tal, 311. Befides the ordnance taken in fort Moultrie, Lamprics, mount Pleafant, and on board the veffels, amounting in the whole to eighty or ninety pieces ; and one ten-inch mortar. 'J! . ' (Signed) ighteen ■ I e ditto, 1 1 2 car- ■ 1 .1.. , blocks 1 1 nplete; 1 1 N. « PETER TRAILLE, Major, commanding in the royal artillery. (NOTK t^A t». 68 rAMFAIGN'S OF 1780 AND I781 IN TlfR (NOTE I. ) London Gazette* Xnr-; fo t!ij C(f>y rf J letter- ffcm General Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Lord Georgt Ciwj.tcr. Gerrmhiy dated Head i^unten; Charles town, South Carolina, June 3, 1-80. My Lord, t FIAVE the honour to cnclofe, for your lordftili/s information, the copies of two proclamations I have found it necelVary to ifluc as commander in chitf, and the copy of a handbill which has been circu- hitcd amongft the inhabitants, and appears to have had a very good I have the honour to be, &c. H. CLINTON.. Handbill ijfued after the furrender of Charles toivn. WHEN the royal army arrived in Soutli Carolina, the commander in chief avoided, as much as poilible, every mcafure which might ex- cite the loyal inhabitants to rife in favour of government, and thus bring danger and trouble upon themfelves, at a time when the King's army, being employed in the redudioa jof Charles town, could not alfift or fecond their flruggles. The blood of the loyallfts tliat had been unhappily fhed, and the fcverities which had been inflit^ed on them by the rebels, in confe- ijuence of the former fpirited but ilUtimed infurrections of the King's numerous friends on the back of both Carolinas, had already occafioned J . too »^f^ SOVl'IISKN PnOVINCES OF N OUT II AMERICA. 6^ too much grief and regret to His Majefty, and the fellow fubjods in Notes to th? Europe, for liim wanton y to bring again into hazard the lives and hap- Chaijur. pinels of men who defervc fo well of their country. But Charles town, with its harbour, and fort Moultrie, being now reduced, and their garrifons, to the amount of fix thouland men, with all their arms, ftores, artillery, and (hips of war» being in poflefilon of His Majesty's forces, the time is come when it is equally the intcrell and duty of every good man to be in readincis to join the King's troops, and .lilii't them in eftablifning juftice and liberty, and in reftoring and fecuring their own property, whenever they fliall march to fupport them againfl the fmall rebel parties that flill linger at a diilance in the province. After fo much diforder, violence, and opprefTion, the helping hatul of every man (a.) is wanted to re-eftabllfh peace and good government; and as the commander in chief wiflied not to draw the King's friends into danger, when any doubt could remain of their fuccefs ; fo now tJiat that is certain, he trufls tliat one and all will heartily join, and, by a general concurrence, give efT. > to fuch ncccflary mcafures for that purpofe, as, from time to time, may be pointed out to them. And they may refl: afl'ured that every means will be ufed to avoid giving them any trouble but what is neceflhry to fccurc to them peace, liberty, and profperity. \ f I.: h 1 tjj ^■1 »:;; h "" I ) i f ^k In order to attain thefe happy ends, it is the duty of all men, who wlfli well to themfelves and their country, to be ready at a moment, with their arms, to regain their juft rights, and fupport the free con- ftitution of their forefathers, under which we all increafed and prof- pered* Those ,|^ >. \ 70 \ntf . to ttic I'i.ll t"li;t|)tcr. CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN TIIR '1'hosk who have fanilhca will form n militia to remain at hotr\c, and occalioiially to alVemhlc in their own tiirtriifts, when required, un- der orticers ot their own chufing, for the maintenance of peace and good order. I'hofe who have no families, and can conveniently be ijiurcd for a time, it is hoped will chcarfuUy allift Mis Majefty'j) troops in driving tiitir rebel oppreflors, and all the miferics of war, far from the province. *'.. For this purpofe it is neccfl'ary that the young men be ready to aflcmhle when required, and ferve with the King's troops for any iix months of the enfuing twelve that may be found rcquifite, under pro- per regulations. They may chufe officers to each company to com- mand them, and will be allowed, when on fervico, pay, ammunition, and provifions, in the fame manner as the King's troops. When they join the army, each man will be furniflied with a certificate, declaring that he is only engaged to ferve as a militia man for the time fpecified ; that he is not to be marched beyond North Carolina and Georgia j and that when the time is out, he is freed from all claims whatever of military fervice, except the common and ufual militia duty where he lives. He will then have paid his debt to his country, and be entitled to enjoy, undifturbed, that peace, liberty, and property, at home, which he had contributed to fecurc. SOUTH %u ^ *. >*- m> SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMKRICA. 7« SOUTH CAROLINA. Bv His Excellency Sir Henry Clin/on, Kuii\ht of the mojl homuriihlc o/v/ivvoirj tithe ........ I'irt /yf the BiUby general ivui covwuinder in cb.'tf of all His Mijejlys Jorces c... p.i. ivithin the colom'S lying on the ylthvitic ocean^ from Nova Scotia tn li'cjl luoriJa incliijivc. r R O C L A M A T I O N. WHEREAS, iiotwithftaiullng the gracious offers .vhich have been made to receive to His MajeUy's peace aiul protection, with pardon and oblivion for their part ofll-nccs, all thofe his deluded and infatuated fubje^^s, who (hould return to their duty, and a due obedience to the laws, yet there arc fome wicked and defperatc men, who, regardlel's of the ruin and mifcry in whicli the country will be involved, arc flill endeavouring to fupport the flame of rebellion, and, under pre- tence of authority derived from the late ufurped legiflatures, are at- tempting, by enormous fines, grievous imprifonments, and langui- nary punifhments, to compel His Majefty's fiiithful and unwillitjg fubjedls to take up arms agalnft his authority and government ; and it is therefore become necefl'ary, as well for the protedlion of the loyal fubjeiHis, as to procure the eftablifliment of peace and good govern- ment in tiie country, to prevent, by the terror of example, fuch enormous offences being committed in future : I have therefore thought fit to ifllie this my proclamation, to declare, (b.) that if any perfon (hall hereafter appear in arms, in order to prevent the eftablifli- ment of His Majefty's government in this country, or fliall, under any pretence or authority whatfoever, attempt to compel any other perfon or perfons to do fo, or who fliall hinder or intimidate, or at- tempt to hinder or intimidate, the King's faithful and loyal fubjeds ^ from K I ■■■A %' 1 , r H v Til i> I'l-.ijMcr. CAMl'AKJNS Of 1 ;-8o ANn I 781 IN TIFF. from joiiiiiip; hi; torcci, or othcrwifc performing tljofc tlutitS their nllt'giiticc ri.(]ii'ucr,, fucli pcrloii or pcrfons fo olVciuUng flmll Ik: trcatcJ xvith that Icvcrity (o ciiiu"m:il ami hardciu:J an ohftinacy will dcfeivc, and his or their cllatcs will be immediately fiixcd, in order to he con- fifcated. And for the encouragement of the King's faithful and jcaceahlc fub)C(il3, I do again allure them, that they fhall meet with cffcdual countenance, piotcsflion, and lupport ; and whenever the fituation of the country will pc rmit of the relloration of civil govern- ment and peace, tlv.y will, by tljc commifiioncrs appointed by His Majirty for that purpofc, be reftorcd to the full poiVeUloii of that liberty in their pcrfons ami property which they had before expe- rienced under the BritlHi government. And that fo dtlirabic an event may be the more fpecdily accomplilhed, I do hereby, iti His MajcHy's name, require and command all pciliins whatfocvcr to be aiding and adifting to his forces, whenever they (hall be required, in order to ex- tirpate the rebellion, and thereby rtAoic peace and profpcrity to this, at prefent, dcfolatcd and diiba>5lcd countiy. Given under my hand, at head quarters in Charles town, the 22d day of May, 1780. (Signed) H. CLINTON. ">%) By his excellency's command, .»-j. •1 (Signed) , Nathaniel Philips, *'' Afiifting fecretary. (COPY.) 8 O U T II r R K I' n \ I N C K S or NORTH A M F, n I C A. 75 ( C O i' V. ) SOUTH CAR O I, I N A. 7?v Ills Kxcellcncv Sir Henry C/itJicn, Kniirhi nf ihi imjl honour able orih'rs.,t,-t<%u vf the hitth. ^I'tifriil tvtJ crjnimanJer In chief <>f ii!l I Hi Mnjejh^s forces cii.j.oT. vi^hiH the C'hniei hin^ on the /{tljutic icctin, fiuvi KjVa Scotia /j // V/? FhiJj inch five ^ ^e. l^c. Uc, P R O C L A M A T I O N. WHEREAS after the arrival oC His M.ijrfty's forces uiiclcr niv command in this province, in Fchrunry hifl, numbcra of ptrfons wcvc jv.ade prifoncrs by the army, or voluntarily furrcndtrcil thcmfcivcs as i'uch, and luch pcrfons were afterwards diimiflcd on their rcfpcdivc paroles ; and whereas Hnce the fiirrcndcr of Chailcs town, and tlic de- feats and dilpcrllnn of the rebel forces, it is become unncccHary that fuch paroles Ihoiild he any longer obfcrvcd ; and proper that all per- sons IhouJd rake an aclive pait in fettling and fecuring His Majcfty's government, and delivering the country from that anarcjiy which for iome time paft hath prevailed ; 1 do hereby ifllie this my proclama- tion, to declare, that all the inhabitants of this province, who are now jirifoners upon parole, and were not in the military line, (thofe who were In fort Moultrie and Charles town at the times of their capitula- tion and furrender, or were then in a<5lual confinement excepted) that from and after the twentieth day of June inflant, they are freed and exempted from all fuch paroles, and may hold themfelves as reflored *o all the rights find duties belonging to citizens and inhabitants. And all perfons under the defcription before mentioned, who fliall afterwards «eglc(5l to return to their allegiance, and to His Majefty's L government. »'v !, i i..^ i'i I 1 i I ,' 1 |i 1 32 B ; 1 ifli 1 W- iUIIhiiI illf i np'l II 1 1 74 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IK THE Notes to the government, will be confidcred as ci emies and rebels to the fame, and Kiiil Chaj)tcr. treated accordingly. Given under my hand, at head" quarters in Charles town, the 3d day of June, 1780, and in the iwentieth year of His Majefty's reign. (Signed) H. CLINTON. By his excellence's command, (Signed) Peter Rus^el, Aflifting fecretary. SOUTH CAROLINA. By Sir Henry Clint on j Knight of the Bathy general of His Majejl/sforces, and Mariot Arbuthnot^ EJquire, vice admiral of the blue. His Majejlys commifjioners to rejlore peace and good government in the fever al colonies in rebellion in North America. PROCLAMATION. HIS Majefty having been pleafcd by his letters patent, under the great feal of Great Britain, to appoint us to be his commiflioners, to reftore the blellings of peace and liberty to the feveral colonies in re- bellion in America, we do hereby make public his mofl: gracious in- tentions, and in obedience to his commands, do declare to fuch of his deluded fubjeif^s as have been perverted from their duty by the fadious arts of fclf-intcrcfted aid ambitious men, that they will be received with mercy and forglvenefs, if they immediately return to their alle- giance, and a due obedi-juce to thofe laws and that government whicii they formerly boafled was their bcrt, birthriglit and nobleft inheri- 3 tancc ; ■f SOUTHERN' PROVINCES OF NORTH AMEHICA. 75 tancc ; and upon a due experience of the iincerlty of their prolcllioiis, Note: t^ the •re ''"" a full and free pardon will be granted for the trcalonable offences Chniut.. which they have heretofore tommictcd, in fiich manner and form as His Majefty's commiihon doth dirccl. ^r;' Nevertheless it is only to thofe, who, convinced of iheir ciror3, are firmly refolved to return tO and fupport that government under which they were formerly ^o happy and free, that thcfe gracious ofilrs are once more renewed ; and therefore thofe perfbns arc excepted, who, notwithllanding their prefent hopelels fituation, and rcgardlefc. of the accumulating prelllirc of tlie miferics of the people, which their infatuated conduit mufl contribute to incrcafe, arc nevcrthelefs ftlll fo liardened in their guilt, as to endeavour to keep alive the flame of re- bellion in this province, which will otherwife foon be reinftated in its former profpcrity, fecurity, and peace. Nor can we at prefent refolve to extend the royal clemency to thofe who are polluted with the blood of their fellow citi/ens, moft wantonly and inhumanly flicd under the mock forms of juAicc, he- caufe they refufed fubmiihon to an ufurpation which they abhoired, and would not oppofe that government with which they deemed themfelves infeparably conneded : And in order to give quiet and content to the minds of His ]\Iajefl:y's faithful and welUatteded fub- jetSts, we do again affure them, tiiat they fhall have eileiTcual counte- nance, proteftion, and fupport, and, ar, foon as the fituation of th: province will admit, the inhabitants will be re-infbated in the polilf- lion of all thofe rights and immunities which they heretofore enjoyetl under a ix^Q Britlih government, exempt from taxation, except by their own legiflature : And we do hereby call upon all His Majelly'? faithful fubjcds, to be aiding with their endeavours, in order thrt a 1- 1 nieafiirc 1 i 1:i-¥ h ' I Is' 76 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN TUB Noffstothe meafurc fo conducive to their own happinefs, and the welfare and Chapter, profperlty of the province, may be the more ipeedUy and eafily at- tained. i;J Given under our hands and feals, at Charles town, the ift day of June, in the twentieth year of His Majefty'i reign, and iu the year of our Lord 1780.. H. CLINTON, M. A R 13 a T H N O T. By their excellencies command, James Simi'son, Sec. NH (NOTE K.) E.x/rafl of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Eiirl Cornwnllist dated Charles town^ May 17, 1780. YOUR (a.) lordfliip has already with you (in the field) two thoufand five hundred and forty-two rank and file; but if you have the Icafl: reafon to fuppofe the enemy likely to be in great number, you Ih.ill be reinforced with the 42d, the light infanTy, and any other corps you chufe. As your move is important, it ^luft not be ftinted. I will give you all you wilh of every fort. Let me know what it is as foon as poffible. In the mean time, I fhall order the light Infantry and 42*! regiment to prepare ; depending upon it, that as foon as you can fpare them, you will return them to me ; for all I opera- SOtfTHRRN PROVINCES OP KOllTH AMERICA. -,^ operations to the northward muft be cramped without them. It you N'otc^fotha chufe to keep the 17th dragoons, you are heartily welcome to them Ch;.pi^r. during this move. Extratl of a later from Earl Cornivallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ dated Camp at Lenew's, eaJlfiJe of S antes ^ May ii, 1780. THE march of the light infantry and 42d to Monk's corner will be of ufe to thofe corps, and will help to fpread alarm through the country ; but from what 1 hear, I do not believe that there can be any neceliity for detaining any part of the firft: embarkation a moment after the (hips are ready for them. (NOTE L. ) Copy of a fummom fent by Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to Colonel Buford^ dated Jfacfawsj May 29, 1780. ♦Hr SIR, RESISTANCE being vain, to prevent the effullon of human blood, I make offers which can never be repeated : — You (a.) are now almoft encompafled by a corps of fcven hundred light troops on horle- back ; half of that number are infantry with cannon, the reft cavalry : Earl Corwallis is llkewife within a ^ort march with nine Britllh bat- talions. m '% '■■R« t :■' I WARN you of the temerity of farther inimical proceedings, and I hold out the following conditions, which are nearly the fame as were accepted 7 «f' IT' V' "I'l !' 1 :il:i :% it » .;<} ti^. f: '' ' i If i,i ''I; Lj)< /i^ 78 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE Notssiothtf accepted by Charles town : But if any perfons attempt to fly after this Firii: Chiptcr. flag is received, reft aflured, that their rank fliall not protcd them, if taken, from rigorous treatment. I ft Art. All olficers to be prifoners of war, but admitted to parole, and allowed to return to their habitations till exchanged. 2d Art. All continental foldiers to go to Lamprie's point, or any neighbouring poft, to remain there till exchanged, and to receive the fame provifions as Britifli foldiers. 3d Art. All militia foldiers to be prifoners upon parole at their refpedtive habitations. 4th Art. All arms, artillery, ammunition, ftores, provifions, wag- gons, horfes, &c. to be faithfully delivered. 5th Art. All officers to be allowed their private baggage and horfes, and to have their fide arms returned. I EXPECT an anfwer to thefe propofitions as foon as poflible ; if they are accepted, you will order every perfon under your command to pile his arms in one hour after you receive the flag : If you are rafl^ enough to rejed them, the blood be upon your head. 1 have the honour to be, (Signed) BAN. T A R L E T O N, Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britifli legion. •Colonel Buford, lie. &ti 'Cojiy SOUTHERN PRfVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I") Notes to I he Copy of Colonel Buford's anfwer to Lieniemint-colonel Tarlclons Ch:'it.i. Jummons to Jur render. S I R, Wacfaws, May 29, 1780. (b.) I REJECT your propofals, and (hall defend myfclf to the laft extremity. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) A B R. B U F O R D, Colonel. Lieut. Col. Tarfeton, Commanding Britilli legion. (NOTE M. ) London Gazette Extraordinary, Whitehall, July 5, 1780. 'fhe following letters from Sir Henry Clinton ^ Knight of the Bath, com- mander in chief of His Majeflys forces in North America^ to the Right Hon. Lord George Germain^ one of His Majefty's principal fecretaries of jiate, were this day received By Lieutenant-colonel Bruce, one of Sir Henry Clinton's aids-de-camp, who arrived in the South-Carolina packet. Head Quarters, Charles town, South Carolina, June 4, 1780. My Lord, I HAD the honour, in my dlfpatch, No. 88, by the Earl of Lin- coln, to communicate tc your lordfhip the furrender of Charles town. 1 ara now able to give your lordfhtp a return of the prifoncrs * taken, * Placed after \\\z public letter tranfmitted by the Earl of Lincoln. amounting, % '1 111 fit ;iS •1 :'V •1 I TOK '80 * CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 781 IN THE Xorctoiiu- amounting, as you will obfcrve, exclufive of near a thoufand failors in 1 irii C':i:ii»ier. atms, to live thoufand fix hundied and eighteen men. J INFORMED (a.) your lordfliip, that I icutcnant-general Earl Corn- wallis was to march up the north fuie of tlie Santce, while another corps moved up the hither fliore of that river towards the diftrift of Ninety Six. Tliefe corps arc in motion, as well as tlic one up the Savannah river in Georo;ia. "The troops immediately under his lordftfip's command have prcfled fo elTe£lually upon a body of the rebels which remained in the pro- vince, that the earl, by detaching his corps of cavalry, and with them the legion infantry, (mounted) has completed the deftri'dioa of every thing in arms againil us in this province. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton headed this detachment, whofe celerity in performing a march of near a hundred miles in two days, was equal to the ardour with which they attacked the enemy. Thelc refufing the terms which were oftered them, were charged and de- feated, with the lofs of one hundred and feventy-two killed, and fome taken, together with the remainiiig field artillery of the fouthern army, their colours, and baggage. With the greatefl: pleafure ,(f.) I farther report to your lordfhip, that the inhabitants from every quarter rfepair to the detachments of the army, and to this garrifon, to declare their allegiance to the King, and to offer their fervices, in arms, in fupport of his government. In many inftances they have brought prifoners their former oppreflbrs or leaders ; and I may venture to aflert, that there are few men in South Carolina who are not either our prifoners, or in arms with us. 1 HAVE SOUTHERN PROVINCKS Of NORTH AMERICA. Bl 1 HAVE alio tlie (iitlsfadioii to receive correfpoiuling accounts, that Not. . toihe I'iin the loyalifts in the back parts of North Carolina are arming. I dare Clmptci. entertain hopes that Earl Cornwallis's prefcncc on that front Icr, and perhaps within the province, will call back its inhabitants from thtir (late of error and difobedience. If a proper naval force can be col- lected, 1 purpofe fending a fmall expedition into Cape-fear river, to favour the revolution I look for higher in the country. I AM, with the troops I could take, quitting the harbour of Charlei town, on my way to New Vork, hoping no foreign armament can yet have reached the coaft, or have been able to attempt any thing, in our abfencc, againft that place. LiEUTEXANT-colonel Bruce, my aid-de-camp, will have the ho- nour of prefenting thefe difpatches to your lordHiip. lie has ferved with diftin»!l:ion during this whole war, and is well able to fatisfy your lordftiip in any inquiries you may be pleafed to make concerning the late operations in Carolina. Your lordfhip will receive by Major-general Prcvofl, who fails in a few days, the account from Earl Cornvvallis of what fhall have oc- curred to that time. 1 have the honour to be, &c. H. CLINTON. w Romulus, off Charles-town bar, June 5, 1780. My Loub, 1 II AVE juft received from Earl Cornwallis a letter, enclofing a more particular report than has yet been received from Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton, of the ailair at Wacfaw. I have the honour to en- M clofc %X CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE , together witli a return of the Ch;ipter. the artillery and other implements taken. Notf«tothe dole botl), together with a return of the killed and wounded, and of V\rA Your lordfliip will ohferve, that the enemy's killed and wounded, and taken, exceed Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton's numbers with which he attacked them. I have the honour to be, &c. H. C L 1 N T O N. V ;m (COPY.) Cnimlen, June 2, 1780. SIR, IN my letter (e.) of the 30th of laft month, I enclofcd a note fron^ Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, wrote in great haftc from the field of adlion, and I explained my reafons for fending the detachment under Ills comniand in purfuit of the enemy. I HAVE now the honour of tranfmitting to you his account of the march and engagement, with tlie lols on both fides. J CAN only add the highcft encomiums on the condudl of Licute- iiant-colonel Tarleton. It will give me the moft fcnfible fatisfa^J^ion to hear that your Excellency has been able to obtain for him fome dif- tinguither mark of llis Majefty's favour. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALL] S. Hii Excellency Sir Heury Clinton, K. B. &c. (COPY.) SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTU AMERICA. (COPY.) My Lord, 1 HAVE (a.) the honour to inform you, that yeHenlav at three o'clock, P. M. after a march of one hundred and five miles in fifty- four hours, with the corps of cavalry, the infantry of the legion, mounted on horfes, and a three pounder, at Wacfaw, near the line which divides North from South Carolina, the rebel force, commanded by Colonel Buford, confining of the nth Virginia and detachments of other regiments, from the fame province, with artillery, and fome ca- valry., were brought to adion. After the fummons, in wtiicli terms fimilar to thofe accepted by Ch.ulcs town were offered, and pofitively rejefbed, the adion com- menced in a wood ; the attacks were pointed at both flanks, the front, and referve, by two hundred and feveuty cavalry and infantry blended, and at the fame inftant all were equally vitSlorious, few of the enemy efcsping, except the commanding officer by a precipitate flight on horfeback.. It is above my ability to fay any thing in commendation of the bravery and excition of officers and men. I leave their merit to vour lordfhip's confidenition. I liave tlie honour to be, &c. B A N. T A R I, E T O N, Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britilh legion. Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis, ice. &c. 8j N'oui to tlu Pint Clinpter. M z Return m ; 'ft' ( ^! r-i J ■ ! i I- it I: ., 2 8* \,AMPAIOKS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE V :.; "^'^'pirft''"' ^'■'^'^''^ ('-'•) ^J' '"'■'^'■'^^ klllciit iVGundcdt atid taken ^ in the nffltir at If'acfatu^ ^'■'•'''"^•- the H)tb of May, 1780. X Lii'UTRNANT coloiiel, 3 caj)tains, 8 lubalterns i atijutant, i ijuaitcr mailer, 99 ll-rjeants ami rank and file, killed. 5 Captains, 5 riihalterns, 142 fcrjcants and i*auk and file, wounded, unable to travel, and lett on parole. 2 Captains, i fubaltern, 50 ferjeants and rank and file, prifoners. Takkn', 3 ftand (d.) of colours, 2 brafs fix poiuiders, 2 royals, 2 waggons with ammunition, i artillery forge cart, ^^ barrels of pow- der, 26 waggons loaded with new cloathing, arms, mufquet cartridges, new cartridge boxes, flints, and camp equipage. (Signed) BAN. TAR LET ON, Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britilh legion. (b.) Return cfBr'itifo killed and ivounded in the affair at Wacfaw^ the z^th of May, 1 780. Cavalry. 2 privates, 1 1 horlcs, killed ; i fubaltern, 8 privates, 19 horfes, wounded. Infantry. 2 fubalterns, i private, killed ; 3 privates wounded. N. B. Lieutenant Patefchall, 17th dragoons, wounded; Lieute- nant Lauchlin MDonald, of the legion infantry, killed ; Enfign Campbell, of the legion infantry, ferving with cavalry, killed. (Signed) B. TAR LET ON, Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Biitilh K-gion. 3 CHAP- SOVTriRRN PnOVINCI.S OK NOKTJI AT/ .'RICA. CHAPTER II. Eivl ConnvuHis takes the cnwimml of the King*s troops in Georgia nnJ South Carolina. — His difpofnion of the Kings troops. — TavI CornivaHis goes to Charles town. — Eight hundred loya^ifis from North Carolina join the Briti/I\ — Intelligence of a continental army. — 7'hc effect it produces in South Carolina. — Colonel Sumpter attacks Rocky mount, — and Hanging rock. — Baron de Kalbe approaches ivith the American army. — General Gates fuperfedes de Kalbe. — hord Raivdon ajfembles the King's troops. — Earl Cornzvallis arrives at Camden. — Battle near Camden. — Aclion near the Catawba fords. Upon sir Henry Clinton's departure, tlie command of the King's troops to the fouthward devolved to Lieutenant-general Earl Corn- wallis. The I'ubmiliiou of General Williamlbn (a.) in Ninety Six, who formerly commanded the militia of that diftrid, and the difper- iion of a party of Americans who had aflembled at an iron-work, on the north-wcrt border of the province, put a temporary period to all rcfiftancc in South Carolina. The heat of the fummcr, the want of {lores and provifions, and the unfettled ftate of Charles town and the country, impeded (b.) the immediate invafion of North Carolina : Earl Cornwallis dilpatched emiflhries with inftrudions to tlie leading- men in that province, to attend to the harvcft, to prepare provifions. Chap. II. Earl Corn- wallis t.ikcs . the commaini of the Ki:v^''» tronps in (ji'orgi.i anil Smith Cum- linj. ! .T June 6. (a.) In note A. (b.) In note A, aiu! '-i' 1.-*'. 84 CAMI'AlON.'^ OF I7S0 AND i;8l IN TIIH Ci.vi'. IF. niul to remain i]iilct, till the King'3 troops were ready to ailv.uict', which operation could not take place hctore the latter end of Aiip,u(l or the bcgiiinin^^ of September : That interval of time was deemed in- dil'pcnfably retjuillte for the coiilhudion of magazines witli propcily- ftcured communications, for a clear c(labli(hn«cnt of the militi;i, ami for a iMial adjulhnent of thofc civil and military regulation'! which in future were to govern Georgia and South Carollua. Ii II tw In the beginning of June Colonel Lord Rawdon, with the volun- teers of Ireland and a dctachn^nt of legion cavalry, made a (hort ex- pedition into a fettlement of Irilh, fituated in the VVacfaws : The fcn- timcnts of the inhabitants did not correfpond with his lordlhip's expec- tations : lie there learned what experience confirmed, that the Irilli were the mod averfe of all other fettlers to the Britifli government in America. During the ftay of the volunteers of Ireland in the Wac- faws, many of the inhabitants gave their paroles ; an obligation they readily violated, when called to arms by the American commanders. Lord Rawdon being returned to Camdcu, and the move into North Carolina being poftponed. Earl Cornwallis made a difpofition (i.) of the King's troops upon the frontiers, and within the provinces, well calculated to procure the regiments and corps every nccefl'ary and con- venience, to protect the new levies who had begun to iiicorporate, and to llcure tlic pofleiiion of the lately-acquired dominion. His liitpol;- riiiii ot" ihu Kind's '.110P5. I'lFE 23d and 33d regiments of Infantry, the volunteers of Ireland, the legion infantry, IJrown's and Hamilton's corps, and a detachment of artillery, were placed in and about Camden, where huts, of proper (i.) South C:irolin.i contaiiicil ;:l)out live lli')ul'an(l four luimlred eft'f^f^ivCF, and Georgia •ibcut civj tliouiuiil one hundred, Britilli, Ilefllans, auU Provincials. materials SOUTHERN PROVINCr.S OF NOIlTIf AMEIIICA. 8/ materials to rclill the hot weather, were coiiftru»flcd. Major M'Ar- Ciiai-. II. thiir, with tlic 71ft rcgiiiiciit, was ftatloncil at the C'hcraus, in the \\' cinity of the Pedcc river, (o cover the country between C.inuKn ;i;xl (icorge town, ami to hoM corrclponilencc with a friendly fcttleuKiU at Crofs cicek, in North Carohna. A fniall detachment of proviiuial.^ was deemed fuHicient for tlie protc^flion of (ileorge town ; the pofitiun of the 71ft and the neighhouiljood of Charles town leaving no apprehcn- fions of an attack in that quarter. 'Die chain, to the weftward of Camden, was conne6\ed witli Ninety Six by Rocky mount, a flrong port on the Watcrcc, and occupied by Lieutenant-colonel TurnbuU, with the New-York volunteers and fomc militia. Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, and afterwards Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, commanded at Ninety Six : The force there confiflcd of a battalion of Dc Lanccy's, and Innes's and Allen's regiments of provincials, with the i6th and three other companies of light infantry. Major Fergui'on's corps and a body of loyal militia travcrfed that part of the province fituated be- tween the VVateree and Saluda, and fometimes approached the borders of North Carolina. Lieutenant-colonel Brown held pofl'cflion of Au- i;ufta, the frontier town of Georgia, with his own and detacliments from other regiments in that province. Savannah, the capital, was fufficiently garrifoned by a corps of Heflians and provincials, under the orders of Colonel Alured Clark. Charles town contained the 7th, 63d, and 64th regiments of infantry, two battalions of Heffians, a large de- tachment of royal artillery, and fome corps of provincials, under "the command of Brigadier-general Patterfoii. The legion dragoons (the i 7th being ordered to New York) were direaed to keep the communi- cations open between the principal ports of this extended cantonment : This fervice injured them inf litely more than all the preceding moves iiud actions of the campaign, and though hitherto fucccfsful againft their enemies in the field, they were nearly deftroyed In detail by the J pat role 5 •♦ t \l n I «!' kH f" 88 CAMPAIGNS or 1780 ANn 1781 IN TIIF. CuA-. II. pntrolcs and detachments required of thcni during the intciifi- heat oi the feafon. y.\\ ? (, ., i Besides the defence of the frontiers, another material and narional. .idvantage refulted from .iiis difpofition of the Kli)P,'s troops. The ofHcers and men of the dllTcrent regiments and corps were fupplied by the flour and cattle, whillT: the horfcs were foraged by the produce of the country. Any expenditure of the provifions broiigiit acrofs the Atlantic was unknown except in Ciiarles town and Savannah. Tlic militia, the cavalry, the fecret fervice, the rum, and the pay of the troops, were almoft the only ncccfl'ary expences. The contingent charges for the civil and military ellablifliments requifite for Charles town and Savannah could not be burdenfome : And the affiftance yielded to the quarter-mafter-general's and commifl'arlat departments, by the country, by confifcation, and by captures from the enemy, af* forded an eligible opportunity for retrenching the diiburfements of thofe chargeable branches of the army : In fhort, fo favourable a junc- ture, owing to many propitious circumftances, never before prefented itfelf in America, for the exercife of public oeconomy. t\ i I i II , Rum, fait, aird other flores, that were wanted by the regiments, by the artillery, by the quarter-mafter-generaPs, and by the commiflarlat tlcpartments, were ordered to be conveyed from CharleR town to Cam- tlen. Tiic magaxinc was formed at th5t place on account of the con- venience of water carriage by the river from Nelfon's ferry, and be- caufe it was the moft eligible pofition to fupport the communication between the army and Charles town, when the King's troops moved forwards into North Carolina. Th* town. SCTJTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ^9 The (a.) arrangement of the commercial and civil regulations, for Ckap. ii. the profperity of South Carolina, next demanded the attention of Earl Cornwallis; for this piirpofe he committed the care of the frontier to Lord Rawdon, and repaired to Charles town about the middle ofEulCorn- w illis pocs tf» June, where he entered upon that difficult bufincfs with great atten-^-'iiirits tion and aliiduity. The inhabitants wiio had formerly borne arms againft the BritKh troops In the province, and had returned to their pl.uitations llnce the departure of Sir Henry Clinton, were dlfarmed, •and admitted to their parole. The ellates of the violent abientecs were feir.ed, and placed in the hands of commilijoneis, who were veftcd with power to fell the produce, which, with the ftock of cattle and horfes found upon them, was appropriated to the ufe of the army, upon the commiliaries giving receipts to the truftees for the different articles they received. The friends to the Britifh caufc, who had been «!riven out of the country, on proper application, had their property, or what remained of it, reflored. The havoc made by the Ameri- cans, during their banifhment, often defeated this intention En- couragement was given to trade, by allowing merchants to convey to Charles town n variety of manufa*5lures which had been long wanted throughout all the foutheru provinces, and permitting them to receive payment in t!ic produce of the country. * Commiilloners were ap- pointed to arrange the ditlerences which lubfilled in Carolina concern- ing the negroes. It i:^ here neceflary to obf'ervc, that all the negroes, men, wouien, and children, upon the approach of any detachment of the King's troops, thought themf'elves abfolved frotn all refpecl to their American maflers, and entirelv releafed from fervitudc: luflu- cnccd by tliis idea, tliey quitted tlie nlantations, and followed the army ; wiiich behaviour caufed neglect of cultivation, proved d.-tri- t!! *'/« V (a.) fa note B. N mental H t ' 'It ;i 1 !,!*'( 90 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Cha?. II. mental to the King's troops, and occafioned continual difputes about property of this defcription : In a fhort time the attention of the com- niillioncrs produced arrangements equally uleful to the military and inhabitants. Lord Cornwallis attempted to conciliate the minds of the wavering and unfteady, by promifes and employments : He en- deavoured lb to conducl himlelf, as to give offence to no party ; and the confequence was, that he was able entirely to pleafe none. He carried his lenity fo far, that violent enemies, who had given paroles for their peaceable behaviour, availed thcmfelves of the proclamation of the 3d of June, and, witliout examination, took out certificates as good citizens ; which conduft opened a door to fome defigning and infuiious Americans, who fecretly undermined, and totally deftroyed, the Britifh intercft in South Carolina, The army was governed with particular difcipline, and notwithftanding the exultation of vidory, care was taken to give as little offence as poffible in Charles town and country to the jealoufy of the vanquidied. This moderation pi-o- duced not the intended effe. il! Col. Siimp' t'.-r att;ii:ks Rocky nio\i,ir, 94 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE CuAr. II. Near the end of July he paffed Broad river, at Blair's ford, with about nine hundred men, and advanced upon Turnbuil, whofc force was compofcd of one hundred and fifty provincial?, and as manv militia. The defences of Rocky mount confiltcd of two log houfes, a loop-holed building, and an abbatis ; placed upon an eminence, which commanded a view of the neighbouring country. Colonel Sumpter having no cannon to deftroy the abbatis or the buildings, fele*fled fome of his braveft followers, to r.^move the former, and to endeavour to fct fire to the latter, whilfl; his people, under cover of the trees and rocks, on the declivity of the mountain, maintained a heavy fire upon the garrifon. After three attacks, in the laft of which fome of the forlorn hope penetrated within tlie a'obatls, the American commander retreated with lofs and precipitation. In the gallant de- fence of this port, Lieutenant-colonel Turnbuil had one officer killed, one wounded, and about ten men killed and wounded. Colonel Sumpter crofled Broad rjver, and retired to his former camp in the Catawba fettlement ; where, reinforcing the numbers he had lofl: at Rocky mount, he was foon in a condition to project other operations. This a6live partizan was thoroughly fenilble, that the minds of men are influenced by enterprize, and that to keep undifci- plined people together, it is neceflary to employ them. For this purpofe, he again furveyed the ftate of the Britilh jiofts upon the frontier, and on ininute examination he* deemed Hanging rock the moft vulnerable : He haftened his preparations for the attack, becaufe a detachment of cavalry and mounted infantry had been ordered from cndHnnging that placc to rcinforcc Rocky mount. On the ^th of Auguft, at fcven o'clock in the morning, he approached the flank of the poft, which was entrufted to the North-Carolina refugees, under the orders of Colonel Br\ an. This loyaiifV, with his undifciplincd pcoplr, thougli 2 oppoftd ■tuck M ■J , wkli ! force many louies, iiience, rolonel SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 9 cppofcd by troops equally \.indirci])lined, foon retreated from his ground, Ciia-.H. and Colonel Sumpter dire£led the weight of his attack againft the legion infantry, which refifted his efforts with great coolnefs and bravery. The example of courage exhibited by one hundred and llxty men of the legion, who charged the Americans twice with fave their thrt fixed bayonets, to lave tlieir three pounder, made a detaclimcnt Colonel Brown's regiment recover from the confternation into which they had been thrown by the flight of Colonel Bryan, and they now joined their endeavours to defend the Britifli encampment. Colonel Sumpter ftill perfevered in his attack, and very probably would have lucceeded, if a ftratagcm employed by Captains Stewart and M'Do- iiald, of the Britifh legion, had not difconcerted his operations. Thefc officers, with forty mounted infantry, were returning the fame morn- ing from Rocky mount, and on the route heard the cannon and muf- ketry at Hanging rock ; on a nearer approach to their port, they judicioufly left the Rocky mount, and made a circuit to get into the main Camden road, to reinforce their companions : When they ar- arrived in fight of the Americans, the bugle horn was direfted to found the charge, and the foldiers were ordered to extend their filos, in order to look like a formidable detachmeiit. This unexpeded ap- pearance deranged the American commander, and threw his corps into a flate of confufion, which produced a general retreat. Captain M'CulIock, who commanded the legion infantry with fo much dif- tindion, was killed, with two other officers, and twenty men : Up- wards of thirty of the fame corps were wounded. The detachment of Colonel Browne's regiment had, likewife, fome officers and men killed and wounded, and a few taken prifoners. Colonel Bryan'i North-Carolina refugees were greatly difperfed, but did not fulTer confiderably by the fire of the enemy. About one hundred dead and wounded Americans were left on the field of battle. Colonel Sump- ter. • ' ■' -i« % I, ■! il "'!;■! p6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN T II K Chap. II. tcr rallied his men not far from Hanging rock, and again fell back to the Catawba fettlement, to collect more men from the VVacfaws, and to receive refugees, who flocked from all parts of South Carolina. The repulfcs he had fuftained did not difcourage him, or injure hi» caufc : The lofs of men was eafily fupplied, and his reputation for aclivity and courage was fully eilabllOied by his late enterprlzitig cou- dua. klilM /ii As foon as the account of Colonel Sumpter's attack reached Cam- den, Lord Rawdon ordered the 23d regiment to advance from Ruge- ley's mills to Hanging rock. This reinforcement under Major Mecan put the poft in fecurity, and enabled Colonel Bryan to colle«Ct his people, who were fcattered over the face of the country. The wounded were afterwards conveyed to Camden, where the climate had fent a number of non-commiffioned officers and foldiers into hof- pital. W In this fituation of affairs upon the frontier. Lord Rawdon received frequent intelligence that the American army, compofed of the Mary- land brigades, the Delawar regiment, fome Virginia ftate troops, and Colonel Armand's legion, continued to advance : He had, likewil'e, authentic information, that the continentals had been reinforced 011 Deep river, by General Cafwail, (b.) with the North-Carolina militia. As foon as General Walhiiigton obtained accounts of the critical fitua- tion of Major-general Lincoln to the fouthward, owing to the great addition of force carried to that quarter, under the immediate direc- tion of the Britifh commander in chief, he judiciou^y determined to fend a confiderable detachment of continentals from the American (b.) Ill note C. I army )ni.iciici \\, ill\ souTilEHN pnoviNcr.i; or NOiiTir amf.ru a. 9"; army in tlie Jerfics, to Hop the profriefs of tlic loyiilifts. Tliis Ciiai. 11. nowcrful reinforcement was committed to Major-general Baron do Kalbe, an officer of reputation, who prcfled forwards the troops with indefatigable attention : By long and repeated marc! cs they now np- Riron il-. proached the frontier of South Carolina. Their pafllige through Vii ginia had given vigour to that province, and largo detachments of;invy militia followed the route of the main army. North Carolina likcwife made exertions to raife troops, and the governor and afllmbiy voted three thoufaud men for the fervlce. Notwithllanding thefc formida- ble preparations, the Baron de Kalbe met with great difficulties after he pafled the Roanoke river : Provifions (2.) were fo fcarce in North Carolina, that the continental troops endured extreme hardfliips, and were frequently retarded on their nfarch for want of necelVary fupplles. Whether the compbints and remonftrances forwarded by Barnn dc Kalbe to the governor and the aflembly of the province, to Congrefs, and to General Wafliington, on this fubjeft, produced an alteration of opinion refpeding himfelf, is not certain, but another commander in chief was foon afterwards appointed, and fent to the fouthward. i I 'm On tlie 24th of July, Major-general Gates arrived in the xAmerican Oen.-ai Ci 'tis luiv.-i-. camp. His name and former good fortune re-animated the exertions ftdos Do of the country : Provilions were more amply fupplied by the inhabi- tants, and the continental troops foon reached the frontier of South Carolina. On tlie banks of the river Pedee, the American general ifiued a proclamation, (K.) inviting X.\\e patriotic citizens of Carolina to aflemble under his aufpices, to i-itidicate the rights cf /hnerica ; holding- out an amnefty to all who had fubfcribed paroles, impolod upon them (2.) Remembrancer, part 2d, 1780, page 279. (K.) Note K. by ■J :i tii)'.f| oS CA.MPATONS OF IjSo AND I781 IN THE r,r\r. ir. l)y the ruffian l.wiJ of conquejl ; and excepting only thofc, who la the hour r,J ikvafalion Iiad cxcrcifed a»fls of barbarity and depredation upon the pcrlbns and property of their fellow citizens. The approach of General Gates with an army of fix thoufand men, induced Lord Rawdon gradually to contra*^ the ports upon the fron- tier, in order to aflemble his forces : Major M'Arthur was diredcd to draw nearer to Camden ; the two battalions of the 71ft regiment, imder his orders, were at this period confidcrablc fulKM-ers by the un- healtliy climate of Carolina. To difencumber hiiufelf for movement, he colle^fled fome boats on the river Pedee, and committed upwards of one hundred fick men to the care of Colonel (c.) Mills, to be cfcorted to George town by the militia under his command. After the fick were embarked, Major M'Arthur commenced his march. In lefs than two days the militia mutinied, and fecuring their own officers and the fick, conducted them prifoners to General Gates, in North Carolina. This inftance of treachery in the eaft of the pro- vince followed the perfidious condud of Lieu ten ant- colonel Lifle on the weflern border, and ftrongly proved the miftake committed by the Britifli, in placing confidence in the inhabitants of the country when a£llng apart from the army. The only probable way to reap advar^ tage from the levies made in Carolina, would have been to incorporate the young men as they were raifed in the eftabllflied provincial corps, where they could be properly trained, and formed under officers of experience : By fuch a line of condudt, all the Britifh regulars would have been faved, the King's troops in general would have been aug- mented, and confiderable fervice might have been derived from their additional numbers. (c.) In note E. When SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMI. H'CN. •>9 When General Gates paflld the boundary line of South CaroHua, CaA.ii. ihc Britifh detachment was recalled from Hanging rock. Lord Raw- don afterwards took poll: on the wort branch of Lynchc's creek, about fourteen miles from Camden, with the 23d, 33d, and yi(i regiments of infantry, the volunteers of Ireland, l.ieutcnant-coloncl Hamilton's corps, about forty dragoons of the legion, and four pieces of cannon. Tlic infantry of the legion, and part of Colonel IJrowne's regiment, were placed at Rugcley's mills. I'lic hofpital, tiic baggage, tlic pro- vifions, the ammunition, and tl»e ftores, remained under a weak guard at Camden. General Gates advanced to the creek oppofitc to the Britifli camp, and IkirmiOies enfued between the advanced partie.^ of the two armies. The American commander difeoveted that Lord Rawdon's pofitiou was f^rong, and he declined an attack ; but he had not fufficlcnt penetration to conceive, that by a forced march up the creek, he could have pafled Lord Rawdon's fl.ink, and reached Cam- den ; which would have been an eafy conqueft, and a fiital blow to the Britifli. •4, While the two armies remained flKlng each other at Lynchc's creek, Lord Rawdon fent an order to Lieutenant-colonel Crugcr, to forward to Camden, without lofs of time, the four companies of light infantry, under Captain Charles Campbell : He llkewlfe dircfted the troops at Rugeley's mills to quit their pofition : Major Garden, with the detachment of Browne's, was ordered to Camden ; and the legion infiUitry, under Captain Stewart, were dcfired to find the moft: dircA road from their prefent fituation to the camp at Lynchc's creek. A guide conduced Captain Stewart to the outpofl: of General Gates's army ; a warm Hilutatlon from the picket difcovered the mlftake : No fartlier Inconvenience enfued, though Armand's cavalry, and Porter- lield's light infantry, fullowcd the legion till they reached the Brltilh O 2 cncamp- 1 IP \i H: u ii w t Hiijl . c * 100 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE Chap. ir. cncnmpmciit. Lord Uawdoti withdrew the corps from Rugcley's mills, on account of its cxpofcd fitualion ; and i'ulpcduig yet that the eiicniy meant to detach agninfl: fomc of iiis outpofls, he dcfircd l^iciitcnant-colond Tiirnbull to evacuate Rocky mount, and to join Major Fcrgufon at his pofition on Little river, where he had trccled fonic field works, with his corps of provincials and loyal militia. Lord Rawdon fent regular information of every material (n.) inci- di.Mt, or movement, made hy the Americans, and by the King's troops, on tlie frontier, to Earl Cornwallis at Charles town ; where iIiL public bufinefs, (U.) relative to claims, commercial arrangements, and other civil regulations, required great time to reduce it to order. The appearance of a formidable army in the province prevented a me- thodical completion of the fyftem of government, and called the at- tention of Earl Gornwallis to objedls of more immediate importance. His lordfliip, therefore, prepared to leave Charles town, after fome of the moft necefl'ary and ellcntial (b.) points were adjuftedv Is the mean time. Lieutenant-colonel Tarlcton, being recovered from a fever, was dcfired to colled all the dragoons he could find in Charles town, and join Lord Rawdon in the country : With the aflif- tance of Major Manger, who was lately appointed to the cavalry thirty dragoons and forty mounted militia were aflembled : With this force Lieutenant-colonel Tarlcton croffed the Santee at Lenew's ferry on the 6th of Auguft : He moved from thence to the Black (c.) river, which he paiTcd, in order to punifti the inhabitants in that quarter for their late breach of paroles and perfidious revolt, A neceffary fervice was concealed under this difagrceablc exertion of authority ; The vici- (a.) In note F. (D.) Note D. (b.) In note F. (c.) In note F. nity '^li 11 i SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. lOI nify of tlic rivers Snntcc aiul Watcrtc, unil ut M the Cliatki-town Cii:r.n. CDnmjunicatioiis with the royal army, rciuLrcd it hij^iily proi^i- to Orikc terror into the inhabitants of that dllbic):. This point of doty being cffcdcd, Lieuttiiant-cohjncl Tarlcton cioilld the BKick river, giving out to the country that he intended to ji)iji tlic l>riti(h army by tiic main road over the Santcc liilb ; but r^.tlly dcfigning to rc-crol.. the river, to gain intclhgcncc of General CJatcs's operations : H> ac- cordingly patted at a private place in the night, and marched wlt!^ great rapidity for twenty-four hours ; when, ordeiing his party to m- fume the enemy's appearance and names, the Americans were liberal of their information and every other attittancc. A member of aflembly, of the name of Bradley, at that time on parole, was fevere in his ile- lumciations againft the Brititti officers and foldiers, and warm in com- mendation of the heroic fpirit of his fupjiofed friends and guclh. The nearncfs of C^Mieral Gates's camp at laft ob!it;rd Tarleton to de- fire his new acquaintance to conduft him over a very intricate morafs, that lie might attack the rear of Lord Rriwdon's potts: Bradley en- tered heartily into the plan, and coiledtcd feme neighbouring American niiliiia to join in the cpedition ; After patting Megert's fwamp, tli.; fource of Black river, Tarlcton undeceived his late hott, and conduiflcJ him and his volunteers prifoners to Camden. On his arrival at that place, he had evident proof that the legion cavalry were nearly de- ttroycd by thcconttant duties of detachment and patrole : lie collevfted all the dragoons at that pott, and in the neighbourhood, and joined Lord Rawdon at Lynchc's creek on the loth day of Auguft. A PATROLE, fent by General Gates to Rugeley's mills on the latii, occaiioncd a report that the American commander was moving to his right : The tttuation of the Brititti hofpital and magazine, and the pre- Lord ]\-m- lent diltance or the army, pointed out to Lord Rawdon the propriety vm K.\ny;i M :Jm ot ..I'oi'Ctj. •I i ^; ,ih' ;■ ^- ' J 02 CAMPAIGKS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE t'.iAi. II. of lallliig back iroiii Lynchc's creek, and of concentrating his force near Cr.niden. The move was accordingly made, without any niolel- tation from tlie enemy, and an encampment was chofen at Log town, the D'.oll eligible to be found in the neighbourhood of Camden, which did not al'lbid any naturally-advantageous pofitioa for defenfivc ope- rations. IHI ■ I ■ . ;■ J iM T..i\\ Coni- »\:ilii-. arrived or Cuuulcii. On the 13th, (a.) General (>atcs moved the American army to Rugeky's iiiills : The Maryland brigades, tiie Delawar regiment, the cannon, the ca\aliy, the baggage, and the militia, were polkd on the north fide of Granney-quarter's creek ; and Colonel Porterfield and Major Armftrong's corps of light infantry were advanced over the creek, on the road leading to Camden. On the fame day the four companies of light infantry arrived from Ninety Six, and in the night (d.) Earl Cornwallis crofled the Wateree ferry, and joined the Britifli army. The arrival ( '' the noble carl and of the light infantry were fortunate events : A reinforcement (b.) of feven hundred Vir- ginia militia, under the command of General Stevens, which reached Rugeley's on the morning of the 14th, prompted the American com- mander ia chief to make an addition of one hundred continentals, three hundred mJitid, and two pieces of cannon, to the corps under Colonel Sumpter, who was immediately directed to interrupt the communications between Charles town, Ninety Six, and Camden. Colonel Sumpter appeared on the monfing (a.) of the 15th on the weflern bank of the Wateree, and captured fome waggons with- rum and (lores below Camden, feveral waggons loaded with Tick and tired light-infantry foldiers on the road from Ninety Six, and the efcorts of ioyal militia and regulars attending each convoy. (4.) In note M. (d.) In note F. (b.) In note Mt (a.) In note N. Lord IQS SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH A ^t ERIC A. LoRDCoruwaHls, upon his arrival with the army, adopted the moll Cir.\r.n. llktly mealures to obtain inteUigcnce of the enemy's force and pofition ; he hkewife diretftcd his attention to ftrcngthen the Britifh regiments and provincial corps, by multering the ableft convalefcents ; and he was not unmindful of his cavalry. Upon application from Lieute- nant-colonel Tarleton, he ordered all the horfes of the army, belong- ing both to regiments and departments, to be aflembled : The beft were feledcd for the fervice of the cavalry, and, upon the proprietors receiving payment, they were delivered up to the Britifli legion. Thefe aftive preparations diffufed animation and vigour throughout the army. On the 15th the principal part of the King's troops had orders to be in readiuefs to march : In the afternoon Earl Cornwallis defired Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to gain circumftantial intelligence, by in- tercepting a patrole, or carrying off fome prifoners, from an American picket : About ten miles from Camden, on the road to Rugeley's mills, the advanced guard of the legion, in the evening, fccured three American foldiers : The prifoners reported, that they came from Lynche's creek, where they had been left in a convalelcent ftate, and that they were direded to join the American army, on the high road, that night, as General Gates had given orders for his troops to move from Rugeley's mills to attack the Britilh camp next morning near Camden. The information received from thefe men induced Tarle- ton tq countermarch before he was difcovered by any patrole from the enemy's outpoft : The three prifoners were mounted- behind dragoons, and conveyed with fpeed to the Britifli army : When examined by Earl Cornvvdlis, their ftory appeared credible, and confirmed all the other intelligence of the day. Orders were immediately circulated for the regiments and corps, dcfigned for a forward move, to ftand to their arms. The town, the magazine, the hofpital, and the prifoners, were l-i im ! i -M \ \ mi ' m I ! ■ IsiV. IV'il' 104 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Chap. II. wci'e committed to the care of Major M'Arthur with a fmall body of provincials and militia, and the wcakefl convaleicents of the army •. A part of (e.) the 63d regiment, who had been fupplied with horfc-, at Charles town, were expelled to join this detachment in the night, by the Nelfon's-ferry road, for the fecurlty of Camden. At ten o'clock the King's troops moved from their ground, and formed their order of march on the main road to Rugeley's mills : Lieutenant-colonel Wcbfler commanded the front divifion of the army. lie compofed his advanced guard of twenty legion cavalry, and a.- many mounted infantry, fupported by four companies of light infan- try, and followed by the 23d and 33d regiments of foot. The center of the line of march was formed of Lord Rawdon's divifion, which copfifted of the volunteers of Ireland, the legion infantry, Hamilton's corps, and Colonel Bryan's refugees : The two battalions of the yiit regiment, which compofed the referve, followed the fecond divifion. Four pieces of cannon marched with the divifions, and two with the referve : A few waggons preceded the dragoons of the legion, who compofed the rear guard. About twelve o'clock the line of march was fomewhat broken, in pafling Saunders' creek, five miles from Camden. A fliort halt re- medied this inconvenience, and the royal army proceeded in a compad flate with moft profound filence. A little after two the advanced ^uard of the Britifli charged the head of the American column : Thi' weight of the enemy's (L.) fire made the detachment of the legion give way after their officer was wounded, and occafioned the light in- fantry, the 23d and 33d regiments, to form acrofs the road. Muf- (e.) In note F. 3 (L.) Note L. kctry SOUTHERN PnOVINCES OF N O n T 11 AMERICA. I O i ketry continued on boh rules near a quarter of an lioiu', when tp.c Ci',\r, n. t\vo armies, finillng thcmfelves oppoled to each other, as If aclii.iied by t'.-.c iame prefent fcclhigs and future intentions, ceafed firing. 0\\ examining the guides, and the people of tlic country. Earl Cornwallis difcovered that the p round the Britilh arniv now occupied was re- markahly (f.) fivourable to abide the event of a general action againil the lupcrior numbers of the enemy : Tiic f n-tunate lituation ot two fwamps, wliich narrowed the pofition, fo that the Engiifii army could not be outflanked, inftantly determined the Britifli general to halt the troops upon this ground, and order them to I:,? down to wait the ap- proach of day: Thcic commands were executed as foon as a few fmall pickets were placed in the front : A by-way, beyond the morafs upon the left, winch led to Camden, gave Earl Cornwallis for a (liort time fome unealinefs, left the enemy fticuld pafs his flank ; but the vigilance of a fmall party in that quarter, and the rccolledion of the hazard in- curred by fuch an attempt, foon dilfipated his jealoufy. Except a few occafional fliots from the advanced fentries of each ar pedation ufliered in the morning. my, filent ex- . M At dawn the two commanders proceeded to make their refpeftlve ar- Rattle near rangements for adlion. The light (g.) infantry, the 23d and 33d re- giments, under Lieutenant-colonel Webfler, formed the right divifion, in the front line, of the Britifn army : The flank was covered by a Iwanip ; the left extended to the road. The other divifion of the front line, confifting of tlie volunteers of Ireland, the legion infantry, Ha- nfilton's corps, and Bryan's refugees, was commanded by Lord Raw- don : The flank was likewife prote' kl '■ f y :, 110 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN TUT tti.vr.II. rate from the continentals, and too much confidence had not been phiccd in them, pcrhapr^ that confufion in part of the Maryland liuc, owing to the early flight of Cafwall's brigade, had never happened. His lall and greateft fault, was attempting to make an alteration in the difpofition the inftant the two armies were going to engage ; which circumftance could not cfeape the notice of a vigilant enemy, who by a ikilful and fudden attack threw the American left wing into a (late of confufion, fnm which it never recovered. The favourable oppor- tunities which prcfcnted themfelves to Earl Cornwallis during the march and the a*5Hon, were feized with judgement, and profccuted with vigour ; a glorious viiflory crowned the defigns of the general, and the exertions of the troops. TiMMEDiATELY after the a C A M P A I G K S OF I 7S0 AND I7S1 IN THE c II AT ir. Ta I'.ton iiillmtly dctaclu'd C.i l^tain ClanipuLll, of the \\g\ it inf.intrv. ^vir li n fmall party acrols the river, with infl-rv ^.'lions to lolcl out .1 wh itc liaiulkcrchi.t" on Rocky mount, if C 'olon^ 1 Sumpti 1 continui(.l his route up t!ic W'i.tcicc : In t )c mean tini e, pn parations vvcrc WMli for pnfluij; the river : Captain Cair ])hell, on I lis arrival at Rocky mount, took a priloner, and Jiiplayeil the appointed fignal : The boat;, with the three-pounder and the infantry, immediately pulhid ofl', and the cavalry crofled the part which was not furdable hy Iwimniin};'. After the paflagc was etTeifled, a patrole of legion dragoons was di- re£ted to proceed a tew miles to the wellvvard, to inquire aft.r Turn- bull and Fergufon ; but no intelligence was obtained. In the mean time, Colonel Sumpter, with his detachment, confin- ing of one hundred continentals, fd.) I'even hundred militia, and two pieces of cannon, dire(f\ed his marcli towards the fords near the Ca- tawba fettlcment, where he intended to pafs the river, in order to take a pofition eligible for his own numbers, and well adapted to receive the fugitives of thr American army. This officer, lincetiie period that he received reinforcement from General Gates, had been fortunate in his operations : He had taken above one hundred IJritilh foldiers, he had fecured one hundred and fifty loyal American militia, and he had cap- tured near fifty waggons loaded with arms, flores, and ammunition. Liformation was obtained at Rocky mount, tliat thclli trophies of fuc- cefs were in Sumpter's poffeflion, and under the el'cort of his advanced guard: The impofiibility of reaching that part of his corps, without the knowledge of tlie main body, determined Lieutenant -colonel Tarleton to hang upon the rear, and watch an opportunity of attempt- ing fon:iething in that quarter : He was fenhble that no alarm had been (il.) In note M. given. sovTiir.nN rnoviNCEs of NonTu amf iut.\. ! 1 civ'cn, aiul that no jealouly couKl yet bs entertained of hi.; having Cit,\r.ll. pnlV.'il the Watcrcc. Thcfc incidents, wliich at fiifl rii;ht ap|KaicJ (u )1( jtcrbahuiccd hv the c!ih of Si ltCI :^ l.ivoiJiaDIO, were noariy coinm.uj;iuiiii;cu uy uie luiij'jcnce niiich, hy the cxhaiiflcd condition of tli^ liritilh hj^lit ticnijv;, hy thf iiUcnfc heat of the; day, and hy the ground yet to be gained before au attack could take place. When Tarleton arrived at iMfliing creek at twelve o'oliivk, he found tlic greatcft part of his command over- powered hy fatip;ue ; »-he cor])S could no longer be moved forwards in a comparand fei-viccable ftatc : He therefore determined to fcparatc the cavalry and infantry mofl able to bear farther liardHiip, to follow the enemy, wiiilft the remainder, with the three poutulcr, took port, on an advantageous piece of ground, in order to rcfrelh thcmfelvcs< and cover tiie retreat in cafe of accident. The number felefled to continue t'ne purfulf did not exceed one hundred legion dragoons and fixty foot foldiers*. The light infantry furniliicd a great proportion of the latter. This detachment moved forwards with great clrcumfpef^ion : No intelligence, except the recent tracks upon the road, occurred for five miles. Two of the enemy's vedettes, who were concealed behind fomc bu(hes, fired upon the advanced guard as it entered a valley ami killed a dragoon of the legion : A circumrt:ance which irritated the .foremoft of hie comrades to fuch a degree, that they difpatched the two Americans with tlieir fabres before Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton could intcrpofe, or any in- formation be obtained refpccting Colonel Sumptcr. A ferjeant and four men of the Britilh legion foon afterwards approached the fumtnlt of the neighbouring eminence, where in(l;antly halting, tiiey crouched upon their horfes, and made a fignal to their commanding officer. Tarleton rode forwards to the advanced guard, and plainly difcovercd .over the creft of the hill the front of the American camp, purfeclly W:' m CHAr. 11. thc'Catiiwb.i fpids, CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AN'D I781 IV THE quiet, aiul not the lead alarmed by the fire of the vedettes. The dcclfion, and the preparation for the attack, were momentary. The cavalry and infantry were formed into one line, and, giving a general Ihout, advanced to the charge. I'he arms (n.) and artillery of the continentals were fecurcd (a.) before the men could be afiembled : Univerfal (m.) confternation immediately cnfued throughout the camp ; fome oppofition was, however, made from behind the wag- gons, in front of the militia. The numbers, and cxtenfr/e encamp- ment of the enemy, occafioned feveral conflids before the aftion was decided. At length, the releafe of the regulars and the loyal militia, who were confined in the rear of the Americans, enabled Lieutenant- colonel Tarlcton to rtop the flaughter, and place guards over the pri- foners. The purfuit could not with propriety be puflied very far, the quan- tity of prifoncrs upon the fpot demanding the immediate attention of great part of the light troops. Lieutenant -colonel Tarleton loft no time in fending for the detachment left at Filhing creek, thinking this additional force neceflary to repulfe any attempt the enemy might make to rcfcuc their friends. All the men he could affemble were likewife wanted to give afliftance to the wounded, and to take charge of the prifoners ; the troops who had gained this aftion having a juft claim to fome relaxation, in order to refrefli themfelves after their late vigorous exertions. Captain Charles Campbell, (n.) who commanded the light infan- try, was unfortunately killed near the end of the affair. His death cannot be mentioned without regret. He was a young officer, whofe (a.) In note P, (a.) In note O. (m.) In note F. (n.) In note F. conduifl; ' m SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. tl$ condutl and abilities afforded tlie moft flattering profpefl that he Chap.U. ^vould be an honour to his country. The lofs, otherwlfe, on the fide of the Britifli was iticonfiderable ; fifteen non-commiflioncd officers and men, and twenty liorf'cs, were killed and wounded. Colonel Sumpter, who had taken off part of his clothes on ac- count of the heat of the weather, in that lltuation, amidl't the general confufion, made his efcape : One hundred and fifty (o.) of his officers and foldiers were killed and wounded ; ten continental officers and one hundred men, many militia officers, and upwards of two hundred private*, were made prlfoners ; two three pounders, two ammunition waggons, one thoufaud fland of arms, forty-four carriages, loaded with baggage, rum, and other flores, fell into the pofleffiou of the Brltilh. The pofitlon occupied by the Americans was eligible and advanta- geous ; but the fuppofcd diflance of the King's troops occaHoned a neg- ligence in their look out, and lulled them into fatal fecurity. Some explanation, however, received after the a£tion, greatly diminifhed the miflakes which Colonel Sumpter feemed to have committed : It ap- peared upon inquiry that he had fent patroles to examine the road to- wards Rocky mount ; but, fortunately for the Britifh, they had not proceeded far enough to difcover their approach : It was erident like- wife that he had demanded the caufe of the two (hots, and that an officer jufl returned from the advanced fentries had reported, that the militia were firing at cattle : A common praiStice in the American camp. In one word, the indefatigable pcrfeverance of the BritlHi light troops obtained them a moft brilliant advantage when their hopes (o.) In note f. II. u ■ i I!' I 1 '■ 1? M ■i - I; ,1 r 1 If] and Jl6 CAMPAICNS OP 1780 AND I781 IK THE CiiAr.lI, and ftrength were nearly exhaufted. The wounded being dreffed, and the arms and prifoners behig coUeded, the legion and light infan- try commenced their march towaids Camden. The three following days finlflied their toilfome duty, when their fervices were rewarded by tlie approbation of Earl Coruwallis, and the acclamations of their fel- low foldiers. NOTES 11! ;;i 50VTHEBN PB0VIN0E3 OP NORTH AMERICA. "7 N O TO THE E SECOND CHAPTER. ■m ***'* (N O T E A. ) ExtraSl of a letter from Lieutenant-general Earl CornwaWs to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles toxvn. South Carolina, fune 30, 1 780. A HE fubmiffioti of General WilHamfon (a.) at Ninety Six, whofe Note, to tho capitulation I enclofe with Captain Paris's letter, and the difperfion of ciuipttu a party of rebels, who had aflembled at an iron work on the north-weft border of the province, by a detachment of dragoons and militia from Lieutenant. colonel Turnbull, put an end to all refiftance in South Carolina. I HAVE agreed to a propofal made by Mr. Harrifon, (c.) to ■ ralfc a provincial corps of five hundred men, with the rank or miijor, to be compofed of the natives of the country between tlie P< dee and Wateree, and in which it is at prefent extremely probable that ho will fucceed. li 1 %^ I HAVE Il8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I7S!l IN Tllfi Notes to the I HAVE cflabliflied the moft fatisfadtory corre(pondence, and havr Second *■ . cjiiiipter. feen feveral people of credit and undoubted fidelity from North Caro- lina. They all agree in the aflurances of the good difpofition of a confiderable body of the inhabitants, and of the impoffibility of fub- fiftlng a body of troops in that country till the harveft is over. This reafon, the heat of the fummer, and the unfcttled ftate of South Caro- lina, all concurred to convince me of the neceffity of poftponing (b.) ofFenfive operations on that fide until the latter end of Auguft, or be- ginning of September ; and, in confequence, I fent emiffaries to the leading perfons amongft our friends, recommending, in the ftrongefi; terms, that they fliould attend to their harveft, prepare provifions, and remain quiet till the King's troops were ready to enter the province. Notwithstanding thefe precautions, lam forry to fay, that a confiderable number of loyal inhabitants of Tryon county, encou- raged and headed by a Colonel (d.) Moore, rofe on the 1 8th infi;ant, without order or caution, and were in a few days defeated by Gene- ral Rutherford with fome lofs. (NOTE B. ) ExtraSi of a letter from Lieutenant-genera/ TLajrl Cornwallis to Sir Henry CUntorii dated Charles towny July 14, 1780. SINCE my arrival at this place, 1 have been employed in the internal (a.) regulations of the province, and fettling the militia of the lower diftrifts, both of which are in great forwardnefs ; and I have kept up a continual correfpondence with the frontiers, and the inter- nal SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I ti na 1 parts of North Carolina, where the afped of aftairs is not {o peace- Notco t) th Scconii ■: 1 ■■ able as when I wrote laft. Major-general dc Kalbe (c.) is certainly at Chii})ti HilllLorough, with two thoufand continental troops, including fome cavalry, and faid to be preparing to advance to Saliibury : Porterfield is in tlie neighbourhood of Salifbury, with three hundred Virginians ; and Rutherford, with fome militia, with him : Cafwall, with one thouHind five hundred militia, is marched from Crofs creek to Deep river, between Hillfborough and Saliibury ; and Sumpter, with about the fame number of militia, is advanced as far as the Catawba fettle- ment. Lord Rawdon reports to me, that many of the difaffeded South Carolinians, from the Wacfaw, and other fettlements on the frontier, whom he has put on parole, have availed themfelves of the general releafe of the 20th of June, and have joined General Sumpter. Accounts from Virginia, through different channels, fay, that two thoufand five hundred of their militia had followed De Kalbe ; that the afl'embly had voted five thoufand men to be immediately drafted to ferve as a corps of obfervation, and had vefted their governor with abfolute power during their recefs. The government of North Carolina is likewife making great exertions to raife troops, and perfe- cuting our friends in the mofl cruel manner ; in confequence of which. Colonel Bryan, although he had promifed to wait for my orders, loft all patience, and rofe with about eight hundred (b.) men on the Yad- kin ; and, by a difficult and dangerous march, joined Major M'Arthur on the borders of Anion county : About two thirds only of his people were armed, and thofe I believe but indifferently. . Ml in The effefts of the exertions which the enemy are making In thofe two provinces, will, I make no doubt, be exaggerated to us. To enable me to begin firft, I am ufing every pofiible difpatch in tranf- 3 porting II n m Not>-iJ to thr Chajitcr. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN T-IIE • porting to Camden, rum, fait, regimental ftores, arms, and ammu- liition, which, on account of the diftance and exccflivc heat of the feafon, is a work of infinite lahour, and requires confiderable time. In tlic mean while, the meafures I have dirc(Cled Lord Rawdon to take, v;ill, I truft, put it out of the power of the enemy to llrike a blow at «ny of our detachments, or to nruike any confiderable inroads into this province. I have (d.) the fatisfadlion to aflure your excellency, that the numbers and difpofitions of our militia equal my moft fanguinc expe*5lations. I HAVE agreetl to the propofal of Mr. Cunninghamc, in Ninety-fix Lord I i I I SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH A^fERICA. I 2f Henry lat Dc II Deep •thur's m with iig-rock fear the down lements e other Loud Lord Rawdoii likewife hiclofed to me a letter from Lieutenant- Notts to the Second colonel Turnbull, (a.) at Rocky mount, on the weft bank of ths Ch.ii)tci. Wateree, thirty miles from Camden, who reports, that having heard that fome of the violent rebels, about thirty miles in his front, hnd returned to r'^-iir plantations, and were encouraging the people to join ther he lu Captain Huck o ti- legion, with a detachment of about thirty or forty of that corps, twenty mounted men of the New- York volunteers, and fixty militia, to feize or drive them away. Captain Huck, encouraged by meeting with no oppofition, encamped In an unguarded manner, was totally furprifed and routed. The captain was killed, and only twelve of the legion, and as many of the militia, efcaped. (NOTE D. ) SOUTH CAROLINA. By the Right Honourable Charles Earl Cornwall/s^ Lieutenant-general of His Majejly*s forces y &c. &c. &c. PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS It hath been reprefented unto me, that fome li- centious and evil-difpofed perfons have lately drove away, from the plantations of feveral of the Inhabitants in this province, the cattle which were upon the fame, falfely afferting, that they were properly authorized fo to do, to the great lofs and Injury of the proprietoxs of the faid cattle ; In order that a flop may be put to fo Iniquitous and unjuft a praftlce, 1 do, by this my proclamation, moft ftridly prohibit and forbid the fame ; and I do hereby give notice, that if any perfoii R or Hi I m I * No•« SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. »2i and merchandize of this province, fetting forth, "That, in con fc- Notes to the " qvicnce of their former deahngs, they are indebted unto feveral Chipta. «* merchants and manuf^nSturers in Great Britain, in large fiims of ♦* money, which they are anxious to difchargc as faft as poHible, and '* that there are now in this province, over and above what will be " wanted L< the confumption of the army and inhabitants, Icvcral •• thoufand barrels of rice, and alfo other ufual articles of produce, to «' a very coniiderable amount, which, if they are permitted to be *' fhipped to Great Britain, would be applied to that purpofe, but if " detained in the country, will, from their perifbable nature, greatly *' dlminiih in value." And they have therefore prayed, that I would grant them my permiffion to export the fame to Great Britain, under fuch regulations and rertri«flions as may be thought fit to be efta- bliflied. And whereas, upon due confideration it hath appeared to me, that it will be fit and expedient to grant the prayer of the faid memorial, I do, by this my proclamation, notify and declare, that permifiion will from henceforth be granted to His Majefty's faithful and loyal fubjeifls, to export to Great Britain or Ireland, for the pur- pofe above mentioned, fo much of the rice now remaining in the country, and alfo fuch other articles of produce as may be lawfully exported, and will not be wanted for the ufe of the army, navy, or inhabitants ; fubjedl neverthelefs unto, and under fuch rules, regula- tions, and reftrii5lions, as it hath been found necefliuy to fubftitutc and fuperadd to thofe fpecified and direfled by the proclamation iflued by His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, on the twenty-feventh day of May laft. And all mafters of veflels, and other perfons, are hereby cautioned againft receiving on board any merchandize or efFetfls which may belong to prlfoners, either upon parole or under confinement, or to any others whatfoever, except His Majefty's loyal fubjecls, as their veflels will thereby be rendered liable to confifcatioii, and thenifelves 1 Mf & » 4;:iil m R to ■ » i 1 n III 124 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Nofoto the to Other forfeitures ami puniflimcnts, which will be levied and iiifli£led Second . . r • • Ch;ii)tcr. with the rigour fo criminal a co!idu(5l doth dcfcrvc. Given under my hand, at Charles town, the twenty-fecond day of July, Anno Domini one thoufand fcven hundred and eighty, and hi the twentieth year of His Majcfty's reign. (Signed) CORN WALL IS. By his lordfhip's command, (Signed) A. Ross, Aid-de-camp. SOUTH CAROLINA. By the Right Honourable Charles Earl Cornwallist Lieutenant-general of His Majejifs forces, &c. PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS it hath been rcprefentcd unto me, that fome of the inhabitants of this province have endeavoured to difpofe of great part of their property, and intended to remove vv-ith their effeds out of the limits of His Majefty's government, whereby the merchants in Great Britain, and other lawful creditors, may bo greatly Injured and defrauded of the juft debts which are due to them ; and for many other rcafons, the fame ought not at prelent to be permitted : I do therefore, by this my proclamation, ftridlly forbid all perlbns what- ever, from felling or difpofing of, or from offering to fale or difpofai, any lands, houfes, or negroes, without liavlng fu-ll; ( btained a llcenle fo to do from the commandant of Charles town, who in fit and rea- fonable cafes will grant the lame ; and all houfes, lands, or negroes, which ufliaed I day of and in IS. imp. ifieral of fome of of great £ts out auts ia red and 3r many : I do what- Ipoial, llcenle \nd rea- icgroes, Avhlch SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 121 which (hall hereafter be fold, or othcrwifc difpofed of, witiiout fuch Notes to the licenfc, will be fcized and Icqucftcred. And whereas the privileges Cimptci. and advantages incident to the trade and commerce which is carried on in this province, are by law limited to, and ought to be txciu- fively enjoyed by, His Majefty's llcge and faitliful fiibjc»5ts ; yet, ne- verthelefs, perfons who are prifoncrs have prefumcd to interfere therein, and have opened fhops for the purpofs of carrying on trade and commerce in Charles town : All fuch perfons are hereby cautioned againft continuing fuch pratflices ; and if, in future, they do not dcfift therefrom, their goods and merchandize will be ftized and forfeited ; and all auctioneers and vendue maflers, or other perfons, are hereby fliiflly enjoined fiom carrying on any trade, or felling, or difpofmg of any goods, ware;, or merchandize, on account of, or for the bene- fit of fuch perfon'-, upon pain of having their licenle taken from them, or being otherwife dealt with according to the nature of the cafe. Provided, neverthelefs, that nothing is hereby to be conftrued to extend to prevent bakers, butchers, or any handicraft tradefman, manufadlurer, or labourer, from exercifnig or carrying on their ufual = and accuftomed occupations and employments. And as fundry perfons may clandeftinely withdraw themfelves from this province, to the prejudice of His Majefty's fervice, and injury of their lawful creditors, I do hereby, in the moft ftridl manner, prohibit and forbid all mafters of tranfports, or other veflels employed in His Majefty's fervice, from receiving on board, or carrying away any perfons whatever, either white or black, except the crew they brought with them, unlefs they fhall receive a written paffport or permlJlion from the commandant of Chailes town for that purpofe. And the more effetHiually to prevent nnloved in the trade and com- tl le iflbh nierce of the country, the maflers of all fuch veflels are hereby or- dered to comply with the dircdions fpecihed in two a£ls of the gene- m Urf I a' ; t k^ z. ral f 26 CAMPAIONS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE TJotcstotlic ml aflcmbly of this province ; the one entitled, " An aft for the entry SroiDil Cliai>tcr. " of vcflcls ;" and the other, " An additional aft to an aft for the *' entry of vefl'els," upon pain of being profccutcd for the penalties inflifted by the Hiid afts, in cafe of their negleft or refulal. Given under my hand, at Charles town, the twenty-fifth day of July, Anno Domini one thoufand (even hundred and eighty, and in the twentieth year of His Majefty's reign. (Signed) CORNWALLIS. By his lordfhip's command, (Signed) A. Ross, Aid-de-camp, (NOTE E. ) ILxtraSl of a letter from Lieutenant-general Earl CorntvuHis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles town, -^'{gtfjl 6//6, 1 780. THE general ftate of things, in the two provinces of North and South Carolina, is not very materially altered fince my letters of the 14th and 15th of laft month were written. Frequent Ikirmidies, with various fuccefs, have happened in the country between the Ca- tawba river and Broad river. The militia* (a.) of the dirtrift about Tiger and Ennoree rivers was formed by us under Colonel Floyd ; Co- lonel Neale, the rebel colonel, had fled ; but Lieutenant-colonel Lifle, who had been paroled to the iflands, exchanged, on his arrival in Charles town, his parole for a certificate of his being a good fubjeft, returned to the country, and carried off the whole battalion to join I General I sov'fiiF.nN pnovrNCEs op north amebica. 127 Hen. J General Sumptcr at Catawba. Wc have not, liouxvcr, on the whole, Notes to tho loil ground in that part of the country. TumbuU was attacked at (h.) Chapter. Rocky mount by Sumpter, with about one thoulaud two hundred men, militia and refugees, from this province, whom he repullcd with great lofs : Wc had, on our pari, an utRccr killed, and ono wound'J. Colonel Turnbull's condu!j-cr tiian it was in- tended he fliould when I had the honou: ;.f writuig to yvu on the 15th.. At lail, however, the yifl: regiment ^;cw lo exceedingly iickly, that he found it ablblutcly ncceiiary to move, and m.,ichcd on the 24th to the call: brancli of Lincoln's crci k. Gales, vviio had taken the com- mand of De Kalbe''s corps, vv.u. iiii on Dcip liver ; and Rutjjerford no farther advanced ihan Rocky rivxr, Peuee. Knowing of no enemy within many mllcs, he ventured to lend about one hundred lick iu boats down the.PeJecto George town. Colonel (c.) Mills, wlio com- manded the militia of the Chcraw dirtri(5t, though a very good man, had not con-plied with my 'iiril.U(fHons in forming his corps ; but had placed more faith in oaths and profelHons, and attended lets to the for- mer conduifl of thofe ho admitted. The inllant the militia found that M'Arthvrr had left ! is poft, and were allured that Gates would come there the next day, they feized their own officers, and the hundred fick, and carried them all pril'oners into North Carolina. Colonel Mills with difficulty made his efcape to George town. The wheat har- veft in North Carolina is now over, but the weather is dill exccflively hot; and, notwithftaiiding our utmoft exertions, a great part of the rum,, M i M ' ■ . ml,™ 128 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Notes to the rum, fait, cloathing, and neceflaries for the foldlers, and the arms for Second • • r I Chnptcr. the provincials, and ammunition for the troops, arc not very far ad- vanced on their way to Camden. However, if no material interrup- tion happens, this bufinefs will be nearly accompliihed in a fortnight or three weeks. Our aflu ranees of attachment from our diftrefled friends in North Carolina are as ftrong as ever. And the patience and fortitude with which thofe unhappy people bear the mofl: oppreflive and cruel tyranny that ever was exercifed over any country, deferve our greateft ad- miration. (NOTE F. ) ^he London Gazette Extraordinary, WhitehaU, 0(^.9, 1780. ^hls morning Captain Rofsy aid-de-camp to Lieutenant-general Earl Corn- ival/isf arrived in town from South Carolina^ with a letter from his lordflnp to Lord George Germain^ one of His Majejlfs principal fecreta^ ries ofJlatCf of which the following is a copy. Camden, Aug. 21, 1780. My Lord, IT is with great pleafure that I communicate to your lordfliip an ac- count of a complete viftory obtained on the i6th inftant, by His Ma- jefty's troops under my command, over the rebel foutheri army, com- manded by General Gates. •■ 1 1?y SOUTIIEnK PROVINCES OF NOnTIF AxNTETICA. 129 1780. Ifl mv dlfpatch, No. i, I had t'.e honour to inform yovir lord Hiip, Notes tn tiu tliat while at Charles town, I was regularly acqjaintcd, by Lord c'h.iinii-. Rawdon, with every material (a.) incident or movement made by the enemy, or by the troops undv-r his lordlhip's command. On the 9th inftant two cxpreflcs arrived with an account that C- neral Gates was advancing towards Lynche's creek with his whole army, fuppofcd to amount to fix thoufand men, exclufive of a detach- ment of one thoufand men under General Sumpter, who, after having in vain attempted to force the ports at Rocky mount and Hanging rock, was believed to be at that time trying to get round the left of our pofition, to cut oft" our communication with the Congarces and Charles town ; that the difaftetfled country between the Pedee and Black (c.) river had adtually revolted ; and that Lord Rawdon was contracting his ports, and preparing to alfemble his force at Camden. In confequence of this information, after fmifliing fome important (b.) points of bufinefs at Charles town, I fct out on tlie evening of the 10th, and arrived at Camden on the night between the 13th (d ) and t4th, and there found Lord Rawdon with all our force, excei)t Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull's fmall detachment, which fell back from Rocky mount to Major Fergufon's ports of the militia of Ninety Six, on Little river. I HAD now my option to make, either to retire or attempt th^: enemy ; for the pofition at Camden was a bad one to be att.ickt J in, and by General Sumpter's advancing down the Wateree, my lupphc^ murt have failed me in a few days. 'u U I SAVV .•Hi 13^^ CAMPAIGNS OF I7S0 AND i;8l IN THE S'ou-itothe I SAW no difficulty ia making good my retreat to Charles towrk Ciupter. with the troops that were able to march ; but in taking that refolu- lion, I muft have not only left near eight hundred Tick and a great quantity of flores at this place, but I clearly faw the lofs of the whole province, except Charles town, and all of Georgia, except Savannah, as immediate confcquences, bcfides forfeiting all pretentions to future confidence from our friends in this part of America. On the other hand, there was no doubt of the rebel army being well appointed, aiul of its number being upwards of five thoufand men, exclufue of General Sumpter's detachment, and a corps of Vir- ginia militia, of twelve or fifteen hundred men, either adually joined, or expe(^ed to join the main body every hour ; and my own corps, which never was numerous, was now reduced, by ficknefs and other cafuakies, to about fourteen hundred fighting men, of regulars and provincials, with four or five hundred militia and North-Carolina refugees. However, the greatefl; part of the troops that I had being per- fe£lly good, and having left Charles town fufficiently garrifoned and provided for a fiege, and feeing little to lofe by a defeat, and much to gain by a vi£lory, I refolved to take the firft good opportunity to at- tack the rebel army. ; 1 Accordingly, I took great pains to procure good information of their movements and pofition ; and I learned that they had encamped, after marching from Hanging rock, at Colonel Rugeley's, about twelve miles from hence, on the afternoon of the 1 4th, After SOUTHERN PROVINCES On' NORTH AMERICA. '3' Ition of jmped, I twelve l!\FTEfi After confultlng fome intelligent people, well acquainted with No^cs to the Second the ground, 1 determined to march at ten o'clock on the night of the Chapter. rjth, and to attack at dayhrcak, pointing my principal force agalnll tlicir continentals, who, from good intelligence, I knew to he haJIy jjolled, clofe to Colonel Rugcley's houfe. Late in the evening I re- ceived information, that the Virginians had joined tliat day ; however, that having been expefted, I did not alter my plan, but marched at the hour appointed, leaving the defence of Camden to fome provin- cials, militia, and convalefcents, and a detachment of the (e.) 63d regiment, which by being mounted on horfes which they had prefied on the road, it was hoped would arrive in the courfe of the night. I HAD proceeded nine miles, when about half an hour pafl: two in the morning my advanced guard fell in with the enemy. By the weight of the fire 1 was convinced they were in confiderable force ; and was foon afl'ured by fome deferters and prifoners, that it was the wliolc rebel army on its marcli to attack us at Camden. I imme- diately halted and formed, and the enemy doing the fame, the firing fjon ceafed. Confiding in the difclplined courage of His Majefty's troops, and well apprifed by feveral intelligent inhabitants, that the ground (f.) on which both armies ftood, being narrowed by fwamps on the right and left, was extremely favourable for my numbers, I did not chufe to lia/.ard the great flake for which I was going to fight, to the uncertainty and confufion to which an aftlon in the dark . is fo particularly liable ; but having taken mealures that the enemy Ihould not have in their power to avoid an engagement on that ground, I refolved to defer the attack till day : At tlie dawn I made my lafl: dlfpofitlon, and formed the troops in the following order : The dlvi- fion on the right, confifling of a fmall corps of light infanty, the 33d and 33d regiments, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Web- S 3 Her ; 11 ■'■M'i' m 'lEJJkt'E kMrn im m • ix^sfjt, f ' I 1 k> 'i »i lii 13a Not 'S to til! .S'.'i.oml C"h:ij>tcr. CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Her; the dlvllion of the left, confining of the volunteers of Ireland, Infantry of the legion, and part of Lieutenant- colonel Hamilton's North-Carolina regiment, under the command )f Lord Rawdon, with two fix and two three-pounders, which were 1 ommanded by Lieute- nant M'l^cod. The 71 ft regiment, with two fix pounders, was formed as a rcferve, one battalion in the rear of the div ion of the right, the other of that of tiie left, and the cavalry of the gion in the rear, and the country being woody, clofe to the 7111: regiment, with orders to iHze any opportunity that might offer to brea! the enemy's line, and to be ready to protcdl our own, in cafe any corps lliould meet with a check. This difpofition was juft made when I perceived that the enemy, having likewife perfifted in their refolution to light, were formed in two lines oppofite and near to us ; and obferving a movement (h.) iix their left, which I fuppofed to be with an intention to make fome alteration in their order, I dirccled Lieutenant-colonel Webfter to begin the attack, which was done with great vigour, and in a few minutes the action was general along the whole front. It was at this time a dead calm, with a little hazincfs in the air, which preventing the fmoke from rifing, occailoned {o thick a darknefs, that it was dif- ficult to fee the effed of a very heavy and wcll-fupported fire on both fides. Our line continued to advance in good order, and with the cool intrepidity of experienced Brithh ibldiers, keeping up a conftant fire, or making ufe of bayonets, as opportunities offered, and, after an obftinate refiftance during three quarters of an hour, threw the enemy into total confufion, and forced them to give way in all quarters. At this inflant I ordered tiie cavalry to complete the rout, which was performed with their ufual promptitude and gallantry ; and after doing great execution on the field of battle, they continued the purfuit to Hanging soy T HERN PnOVINCF.S OF NORTH AMERICA. I3J Hanging rock, twenty-two miles from the place where the jnflion Nofr-, t> ti.c Si.\-oivl happened, durhig which, many of the enemy were flain, and a num- Clmpi';. 'ocr of prifoners, "jar one hundred and fifty waggons, (in one of which v/as a hrafs cannon, the carriage of which had been damaged in the Ikirmifli of the night) a confiderahle quantity of military flores, and all the baggage and camp equipage of the rebel army, fell into our hands. 3. At 1 h was 1 doing 1 fult to j anging J The lofs o(- the enemy was very confiderahle ; a number of colours, and feven pieces of hrafs cannon, (being all their artillery that were in the atSllon) with all their ammunition waggons, were taken ; be- tween eight and nine hundred were killed, among that number Briga- dier-general Gregory, and about one thoufand prifoners, many of whom wounded, of which number were Major-general Baron de Kalbc, fincc dead, and Brigadier-general Rutherford, I HAVE the honour to inclofe a return of the killed and wounded on our fide. The lofs of fo many brave men is much to he lamented -j but the number is moderate in proportion to fo great an advantage. The behaviour of His Alajefty's troops in general was beyond all praife ; it did honour to themfelves and to their country. I was parti- cularly indebted to Colonel Lord Rawdon, and to Lieutenant-colonel Wcbfler, for the diftingulflied courage and ability with which they con- duced their refpecStive dlvifions ; and the capacity and vigour of Lieu- tenant-colonel Tarleton, at the head of the cavalry, deferve my highcP commendations. Lieutenant M'Leod exerted himfelf greatly in the condu(fh of our artillery. My ald-dc-camp, Captain Rofj!, and Lieu- tenant Ilaldane, of the engineers, who a6ltd in that capacity, ren- dered me moft efl'entlal fervice ; and the public officers, major of bri- gade England, who adcd as deputy a Ijutant general, and the majors 3 of ' ■ L- 1 ' * ■'! ■ ir It ! i I-:? H ht^' 35'^ 134 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 ANn 1781 IN THE Notes to the of brigade Manley and Doyle, fliewed the moft aftlve cmd zealous at- ScCDlld Chapter, tcntioii to their duty. Governor Marthi became again a military man, and behaved with the Ipirit of a young volunteer. The fatigue of the troops rendered them incapable of farther exer- tion on the day of adlion ; but as I faw the importance of deftroyiiig or difpcrfing, if polllblc, the corps under General Sumpter, as It might prove a foundation for afl'embling the routed army, on the morning of the 17th I detached Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton with the legion ca- valry and Infantry, and the corps of light infimtry, making in all about three hundred and fifty men, with orders to attack him where- over he could find him; and at the fame time I fent orders to Lieute- nant-colonel TurnbuU and Major Fergufon, at that time on Little river, to put their corps In motion immediately, and on their fide pur- fue and endeavour to attack General Sumpter. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton executed this fervice with his ufual a^llvity and military ad- drefs. I-fc procured good Information of Sumpter's movements, and, by forced and concealed marches, came up with and furprifed (m.) him in the middle of the day on the i8th, near the Catawba fords. He totally deftroyed or dll^ierfed his detachment, confining then of {even hundred men, killing one (o.) hundred and fifty on the fpot, and taking two pieces of brafs cannon and three hundred prifoners, and forty-four waggons. He likewlfe retook one hundred of our men, who had fallen into their hands partly at tli£ adllon at Hanging rock, and partly In efcorting fome waggons from Congarees to Camden ; and he releafed one hundred and fifty of our militiamen, or friendly coun- try people, who had been feized by the rebels. Captain Campbc-ll, (n.) who commanded the light infantry, a very promifing officer, was mifortimately killed In the affair. Our lofs otherwifc was trifling. This a(5lion was too brilliant to need any comment of mine, and will, I have SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I35 I have no doubt, highly recommend Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to Notes foihj His Majefty's tavour. The rebel forces being at prefcnt dlfiierled, the Chapt^ji. internal commotions and infurre£lions in the province uill now fublide. ]3ut I (hall give direclions to inflitSl exemplary puniflimcnt on lome ot the moll: guilty, in hopes to deter others in future from fportlng with allegiance and oaths, and with the lenity and generofity of the Biitllli government. p ; anci coun- Inpbcll, fr, was trifling. id will. 1 have On the morning of the 17th I difpatched proper people into North Carolina, with diredions to our friends there to take arms and aflem- ble immediately, and to feize the mofl violent people, and all military ftores and magazines belonging to the rebels, and to intercept all ftrag- glers from the routed army ; and I have promlfed to march without lofs of time to their fupport. Some neceffary fupplles for the army are now on their way from Charles town, and I hope that their arrival will enable me to move in a few days. My ald-dc-camp, Captain Rofs, will have the honour of delivering this dlfpatch to your lordfhlp, and will be able to give you the fullell: account of the ftate of the army and the counti'y. He is a very de- ferving officer, and I take the liberty of recommending him to your iordfliip's favour and patronage. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS. NOTE \:l ■' '! i. < ■ ■l'^ &I,- ■ ;i? m m Ml Kul;':- to the Second di'iitn. CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND l"^^! IN THE (NOTE C. ) Fii'/J return 'J the troops wukr the comnuvid of Licuiowrnl-gcncrirl Etvl % CornwiiHisj on the night of the i$lb nf AiiguJ}, i 7S0. R OY A L artillery. 2 Ikutcnants, 2 fcrjennts, 15 rank and file. Light companies. 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, i cnlign, i adjutant, •II ferjeants, i drummer, 129 rank and file. 23d regiment. 3 cajitains, 6 lieutenants, i adjutant, 13 ferjeants, 3 drummers, 261 rank and file. 33d regiment, i lieutenant colonel, 5 captains, 4 lieutenants, z enligns, i adjutant, i furgcon, i mate, 13 ii;rjcants, i drummer, 209 rank and file. I ft battalion, 7 1 ft regiment. 2 captains, 4 lleLtcnants, i enfign, 1 adjutant, i quarter mafter, i mate, 14 ferjeants, 6 drummers, 114 rank and file. 2d battalion, ditto, i captain, 3 lieutenants, 3 enfigns, 9 ferjeants, 94 rank and file. Volunteers of Ireland, i colonel, 4 captains, 4 lieutenants, 6 en- ligns, I mate, 23 ferjeants, 11 drummers, 253 rank and file. Biitifh legion cavalry, i lieutenant colonel, i major, 2 captains, ^ lieutenants, 2 cornets, i adjutant, i furgeon, 12 lerjeants, 2 trumpe- ters, 157 rank and file. Britifli legion infantry. 4 captains, 4 lieutenants, 9 ferjeants^ 3 drummers, 106 rank and file. Royal North-Carolina regiment, i lieutenant colonel, i major, 5 captains, 6 lieutenants, 4 enfigns, i adjutant, i quarter mafter, i furgeon, 16 ferjeants, 8 drummers, 223 rank and file. Pioneers. 2 lieutenants, 3 ferjeants, 23 rank and file. Volunteers -^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OK NORTH AMI RICA. I37 Volunteer militia, i lieutenant colonel, i major, 3 captains, 5 Notes to the Sicond lieutenants, 4 enfigns, 8 lerjeants, 300 rank and file. ciminci-. Total. I colonel, 4 lieutenant colonels, 3 majors, 31 captains, 46 lieutenants, 23 enilgns, 6 adjutants, 2 quarter mailers, 3 furgcons, 3 mates, 133 ferjeants, 40 drummers, 1944 rank and file. (Signed) R. ENGLAND, Aiding deputy adjutant general. (NOTE II. ) Riturn of the killed^ wounded^ and miffing, of the troops under the com- mand of Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwaiiisf in the battle fought near Camden f South Carolina^ on the idth of Auguft, 1780. ROYAL artillery, i lieutenant, 2 rank and file, wounded. Light infantry, i ferjeant, 6 rank and file, killed ; i enfign, 5 rank and file, wounded. 33d regiment. 6 rank and file killed ; i captain, 1 7 rank and file, wounded. 33d regiment. 1 captain, 1 7 rank and file, killed ; i lieutenant co- lonel, I captain, 2 lieutenants, i enfign, 4 ferjeants, 72 rank and file, wounded ; i rank and file miflling. I ft battalion, 71ft. i lieutenant, 4 rank and file, killed ; i captain, 1 lieutenant, i ferjeant, 22 rank and file, wounded. 2d battalion, ditto, i ferjeant, 4 rank and file, killed ; i ferjeant, 8 rank and file, wounded. T Voluu- \\ ( 'i\ I . \ ^1 133 N.);i's v> the CAMPAIONS OF 1780 AND i;-8l IN T II & Volunteers of Ireland. 17 rank and file killed ; 1 lieutenant, 2 rn- figns, 2 f^rjcants, i drummer, 64 rank and lilc, wounded. Legion cavalry. 4 rank and file killed; i lerjcant, 3 rank and file wounded ; 2 rank and file mifiinp. Ixgion infiintry. 1 rank and file killed ; i lieutenant, i fi^rjeant, 10 rank and file, wounded ; 2 ferjeants, 3 rank and file, milfing. Royal North-Carolina rtgimcnt. 3 rank and file killed ; 1 lieute- nant colonel, I lieutenant, r cntlgn, 3 ferjeants, 8 rank and file, wounded. Pioneers. 2 rank and file killed ; i lieutenant wounded. Volunteer militia, a rank and file wounded ; 3 rank and file miffing. Total. I captain, i lieutenant, 2 ferjeants, 64 rank and file, killed ; 2 lieutenant colonels, 3 captains, 8 lieutenants, 5 enfigns, 13 ferjeants, i drummer, 213 rank and file, wounded; 2 ferjeants, 9 rank and file, milling. OFFICERS KILLED and WOUNDED. m h Royal artillery. Lieutenant Marquols Wounded. Light companies. Enfign Bowen wounded. ■23d regiment. Captain James' Drury wounded. 33d regiment. Captain Allen Malcolm killed ; Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, Captain Richard Cotton, Lieutenants George Wynyard, James L. Ilarvy, Enfign John-Wheeler CoUington, wounded. 1 ft battalion, 71ft. Lieufenant Archibald Campbell killed ; Captain Hugh Campbell, Lieutenant John Grant, wounded. Volunteers] of Ireland. Lieutenant Gillifpie, Enfigns Whatley and Thompfon, wounded. Legion infantry. Lieutenant Donovan wounded. North. ud file SOUTHERN PROVINCES or NORTH AMEUIl'A- ».)9 North-Carolina regiment. Liciitenant-coloucl Hamilton, Licutc- N>i;c' to the n:^nt M'Alpine, Enllgn Shaw, woumled. Ckiptei:. Pioneers. lieutenant MacdonaUl wounded. irjealit, I' licutc- :id flic, (Signed) CORN W A 1. 1. I S Lieutenant. General. > and file nd file, gns, 13 eants, 9 (NOTE I. ) Re I urn of ordnance and military /lores taken by the army under the command 1 ,4 M *l I '. iH J'' I'M 140 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN TWE Not •., to the Tiikev by fJcutcmtnt-colonel Tarleton at the defdU of General SumMert I'll iptr,. T'Iji'cc poundcii, 2, Augujl 18, 1780. FIELD PIECES. (Signed) J. MACLEOD, Lieutenant, commanding officer of artillciy. Return of killed and ^voumied of the troops under the comtmnd of Lieutenant' colonel Tarkton^ in the aSlion near Catawba fords^ on the 18//6 of AuguH^ I 780. LIGHT infantry, i captain, 5 rank and file, killed. Legion cavalry, i ferjcant, 2 rank and file, killed ; 6 rank and file wounded. (Signed) R. ENGLAND, A£ling deputy adjutant general. (NOTE K. ) Copy of a proclamation ijfued by General Gates at Pedee^ the 4th of Augufl 1780* By Horatio Gates^ Efj. major general and commander in chief of the army of the United States in the fouthern department of America^ ^c. (£c. &c. A PROCLAMATION. THE patriotic exertions of the virtuous citizens of the United States having enabled me, under the protedlion of Divine Providence, to SOUTIIEnN PROVINCES OP NOR Til AMF.niCA. Tit to vlnJlcatc tlio rights of America in this llatc, aiul by tlic npproach Motcs'i'hu of a luiincrous, vvtllnj pointed, and formidable army, to compel our Cli.iiter, late triumphant and infuking foci to retreat from their moil aiK'au- t.geous ports with pi(xipitntioii and difmay, I have judged it moft cxpedi.-nt, at thi:^ period of my progrefs, to give afl"urancc3 of for- given 's and perfeft llcurity to fuch of the unfortunate citizen.^ of this ftatc as have been induced, by the horror of languinary punifli- inents, the menace of confilcation, and all the arbitrary meafurcs of military domination, apparently to accjuiefce under the Critilh govern- ment, and to make a forced declaration of allegiance and liipport to a tyranny, which the hidignant fouli of citizens, rcfolved on freedom, inwardly revolted at, with horror and Jeteftation. And In order to affi)rd an opportunity to real friends of America, to teftify tlie afleiftion and attachment to the caufe of liberty, an Invita- tion is held out to tiiem to aflert that rank among the free and inde- pendent citizens of America, in which their former exertions and zeal had defervedly placed them, and to join heartily, when called upon, In refculng themfelves and their country from an oppofition of a government impofed on them by the ruffian hand of conquefl:. Ne- vcrthelefs, I cannot at prefent refolve to extend thefc offers of pardon and fecurlty to fuch as In the hour of devaflation have cxcrclfed a(fti of barbarity and depredation on the perfons and property of their fel- low citizens ; nor to fuch, as being apprized of the fecurlty afl'orded to them by the army under my command, fliall be (o loft to a fenfc of honour, and the duty they owe to their country, as hereafter to give countenance and fupport fo that enemy, who, but for the difiif- feiflion of many of the apoftate funs of America, had long ere this been driven from the contlnenf. The . ■J,\f :Tl > ■■!.-.'l. il\ :'•'% ,1 : li (■ .t 142 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN T IT 15 Notes to the The irhnbitants of this ftate may rely on the aflurancc that an Second Chapter, army compolel of their brethr-n and fellow citizens cannot be brought among them witli the hoflile vices of plunder and depredation. Such triumphs, under tlie colour of prote^lion and fupport, arc left to grace the Britilh arms alone ; but they may reft fatislied, that the genuine motive which has given energy to the prcfcnt exertions, is the hope of refcuing them from the iron rod of oppreflion, and refto- ring to them thofe bleffings of freedom and independence which it is the duty and interefl: of the citizens of thefe United States, jointly and reciprocally, to fupport and confirm. Given at our head quarters, on the river Pedee, this fourth day of Auguft, in the year of our Lord one thnufand feven hundred and eighty, and in tlie fifth year of our independence. HORATIO GATES. By the general's command, Christ. Richmond, Sec. ( N O T E L. ) " Copy of General Gates's' orders. AFTER ORDERS. Camp, at Rugeley's, i5thof Auguft, 1780^ THE fick, the extra artillery ftores, the heavy baggage, and fuch qu.uter-mafter's llores as are not imniediately wanted, to march this evening under a guard to Wacfaws : To this order the general re- . I quefts SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, 14.? nucllis the brigadier generals to fee that thofe under their command Notes to tbs , Second pay the moft exadt and Icrupulous obedience. Chapter. Lieutenant-colonel Edmonds, with the remaining guns of tlie park, will take poft, and march with the Virginia brigade, under General Stevens; he will dlrecl, as any deficiency happens in the artillery affixed to the other brigades, to fupply it immediately ; his military ftalFs, and proportion of his officers, with forty of his men, are to attend him, and wait his orders. The troops will be ready (o march precifely at ten o'clock, in the following order, viz. Colonel Armand's advance, cavalry commanded by Colonel Armand : Colonel Porterfield's light infantry on the right flank of Colonel Armand, in Indian file, two hundred yards from the road ; Major Armflrong's light infuitry in the fame order as Colonel Porterfield's, on the left (ic.nk of the legion ; advanced guard of foot, compofed of the advanced pickets, fiill; brigade of Maryland, fecond brigade of Maryland, divifion of North Carolina, Virginia dlvlfion ; rear-guard volunteers, cavalry on the rlgiit and left of the baggage equally divided. In this order the troops will proceed this ni^ht. In cafe of an attack by the enemy's cavalry in front, the light Infiuitry on each flank will indantiy march up, and give, and continue tlic mofl galling fire upon the enemy's horie ; this will enable Colonel Armand not only to I'upport the enemy's chaige, but finally rout them : The colonel will therefore confider the orders to ftand the attack of the enemy's cavalry, be their numbers wliat they may, at pofiti^c: General Stevens will immediately ordjr one captain, two lieutenants, one eniign, three ferjeants, one drum, and fixty rank and file, to jci'^ Colonel Porterfield's intantry. Thefc men are to be taken from - i.i , 155,^^1= 1 4 -2 ■i I i i^rtr s — -f'- H. ' . T t* l! .it 144 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I '; S ! IN T H E Notes to the from tlic mofl experienced woodfmcn, and men every wny fittcH fur Second Chapter, the fervice. w,^ ^ m. The general will likewife complete Armflrong'i light infantry to their original number ; thofe muft be immediately marched to the advanced poft of the army. Tlie troops will prefcrw the profaimdefl: filence on the march ; and any foldier who offers to fire, without the command of his officer, mwift bi inftantly put to death. When the ground will admit of it, and tl;e near approach of the enemy renders it nectiViry, the army will, when ordered, march in columns ; the artillery at the head of their refpeftive brigades, and the baggage in the rear. The guard of the heavy bngg.'.ge will be com- pofed of the remaining officers and folders of the artillery. One cap- tain, two fubalterns, four ferjeants, four drums, and fixty rank and file, and no perfon whatever is to prefume to fend any other foldier upon that fervice. All batmen, waiters, &c. who arc foldiers taken from the line, are forthwith to join their refpeftive regiments, and a£l with their mafters, while they are upon that duty. The tents of the whole army to be ftruck at Tattoo. J ''M < N O T F. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. (NOTE M, ) Extracf of a letter from General Gates to the PreJiJent of Congrefs, dated Hillfborough, ^ug. 20, 1780. S I R, I N the deepeft diftrefs and anxiety of mind, I am obliged to ac- quaint your excellency with the defeat of the troops under my com- mand. I arrived with the Maryland line, the artillery, and the North- Carolina militia, on the (a.) i^th inftant at Ri'.geley's, thirteen miles trom Camden ; took poft there, and was the next (b.) day joined by ''ieneral Stevens, with fevcn hundred militia from Virginia. Colonel Sumpter, who was at the Wacfaws with four hundred South-Carolina militia, had the Sunday before killed and taken near three hundred of the enemy, who were pofted at Hanging rock. This, and other flirokes upon the enemy's advanced polls, occafioned their calling in all the outpofls to Camden. The 15th, at d..y''ght, I reinforced Colonel Sumpter with three hu.'ni^d (d.) North-Carolina militia, one hundred of the Maryland line, ^n-l two three-pounders from the artil- lery, having previoully ordered bim down to the Wacfaws, and dircdcd, as foon as the reinforcemci ' joined him, diat ne fhould proceed down tlie Wateree, oppoiite C,:mden, intercept any ftores coming to the enemv, and particularly tb.e troopH from Ninety Six, who were like- wife withdrawn from that poll. Thi;^ w uell executed by Colonel Sumpter, as his letter inclofed will (htw. Having communicated my plan to th ■ general officers in the afternoon of the 15th, it was rcfolved to march at ten at nigjit, to take poft in a very advantageous fituation, with a dc^p creek in front, U feven H5 Notos CO the. Second Ch.iptcK m 1 1 ,1. i: ^1 iiN !"i.i, i'l i tit- I ■f 1 t' if :^ 1 II 146 Niitci to 1! CAMPAIGNS^OF 1780 AND lySf IN THE Icvcn inik'S from Camden ; the heavy baggage. Sec. being ordered to inarcli hnmcdialLiy by tlie Waclaw road. At tea the army began to march in the toliowing order : Colonel Arniand's legion in I'ront, lupported 0:1 both flanks by Cloloncl Porterficld'.s reginicnt, and the light ir.tantry of the militia; the advanced guard of infantry, the Maryhuid line, with their artiliCry, in front oi the brigades, the North-Carolina militia, the Virgiifia militia, tlic artillery, &c. and tlie Tvar guard. Having marched about five niik\>, the legion was charged by the enemy's cavalry, and well fupported on the Hanks, as they^ were ordered, by Colonel Porterfield, wlio heat back the enemy's liorfe, and was himfclf unfortunately wounded ; but the enemy's in- fantry advancing with a heavy fire, the troops in front gave way to the firft Maryland brigade, and a confufion eafiicd, which took (ome time to regulate. At Icnr^lh the army was ranged in line of battle, in tl)e following, order : General Gill's brigade (c ) upon tlic right, with his rigl>t clofe to a fuamp, the North-Carolina militia in the center, and the \lrginia militia, with the light infantry and Porter- il eld's corps, on the left ; the artillery divided to the brigades ; and the firft Marj'land brigade as a corps do rclcrve, and to cover the cannon in the road, at a proper cllftancc in the rear. Colonel Armand's corps were ordered to tiic L ft, to iupport the left flank, and oppofe the onem^'s cavalry. At daylight the enemy attacked and drove lii our tight party in front, wlien 1 ordered the left to advance and attack the "oniihment, the left ^vino: and N ny i^\ir( a a n)llitla gave way. Generd Calwall and myfelf, allifted by a nuniber of officer:,, did all in our power to rally the broke!) troo[v, h'lt to no purj)oie, for the enemy coniing round the left fiank of the Mar' land dlvifion, completed the rout of ti.e whole niilltia, who left tlie contl- uentals to oppole the cncn:iv's whole force. 1 endeavoured, with Gc-*- neral Calwall, to rally the niilltia at Ibmc diilancc, on an advantageeui piece si :hern provinces of north America. J47 piece ground, but the enemy's cavalry continuing to harafs tlieu Notes to the Second rear, they ran hke a torrent, and bore all before them. Hoping yet, Chapter. that a few miles in the rear they might recover from their panic, and again be brought into order, I continued my endeavour, but this like- wife proved in vain. The militia having taken the woods in all dIretf\ions, I concluded, with General Cafwall, to retire towards Charlotte. I got here late iti the night ; but reflecting there was no profpe6l of colleding a force at that place adequate to the defence of the country, I proceeded with all poffiblc difpatch hither, to endeavour to fall upon fomc plan of defence, in conjundion with the legHlative body of tiic liatc. I ii ill immediately difpatch a flag to Lord Cornwallis, to know the fituation of our wounded, and the number and condition of the priibners in iiLs hands. '■■i : '} ) 1: !■ 1 !i>:i' 1 our . the •o'iua nvber to no ■ and coiiti- 1 Gc^ genus piece (NOTE N. ) Cof.y of a letter from Colonel Sumpter to General Gates ^ dated Water ec ferry ^ Augufi i^tb, i;So. Dear General, I HAVE juft time to inform you, that early this Jiiorning I took pofleflioa of all the paflways over the Watcrcc liver, from Elkins' ford to Mr. Wiiitear's ferry, five miles below O.mdcn. The enemy had guards at many diiTercnt places upon tlic river, all of wliich were evacuated lafl: nign.t or this morning, and the guards ordered into Camden, except thofe at Watcrce ferry, which was continued oa both fides of t!ic river, of which the guard upon the well: fide was l'^ 2 furprifcd. \syA ■ ■ : ■ :- ^h : m ', r *: i; ^:. «;•*.. MM iliiKiinl'S i 5lion of the i6tli, fortune ieemed determined to continue to diftrels us ; for Ccjlonel Sumpter, Iiaving marched near forty miles up the river Wateiec, halted with the waggons and prifoners on tlic i ^th. IJy fome indif- crction, the men were furprifed, cut oil' from ihcir arms, (a.) the whole routed, and the waggons and prifoners retaken. Colonel Samp- ler, fuice his furp.rifo and defeat up the well fide of the W'aterec, has rcinftatcd and increafed his corps to upwards of one thouland men. I have dn-eded him to continue to harafs tlie enemy upon that fide: Lord Cornwallis will, therefore, be cautious how he makes any con- fiderable movement to the cailward, while this corps remains in force upon his left flank, and the main army is in a manner cantoned in his front. Anxious for rlie public good, 1 (liall continued my unwearied, endeavours to llop the progiefa of the enemy, to reinftate our aifairs,. to recommence an otrejifive war, nnd recover our lofles in tlicfe fou~ • thern ftates. L/j'I oj the coni'incntrd oftccrs killtd^ capt'rvaicd, ivoundcd, and fn-jjif-'g, m the acl'iom rj' the ibth and i8//j of Augnjl , 1780, KILLED. The honourable Major-general the l^aron de Kalbe ; Captain Williams, 6th JNlaryland rcgin::ait ; Captain Duvall, .-.d ditto 5 ]-,:cutenan'.- '5» Notib ioilie Sicoixi C'li.ij.iti-. ft SI li; ;i''^W fi If'J 1 fl 1 i\ Ik ' f '■ 1 ■ \ \% [:-::M ,, 1-1' ' 1 ] 1 'Sis::^' :■!' ( ■f-t *: \$ f Lp' 1 El' * ! ! li ■fi iPP»I Sj^ii iPrl ,. 1 |'„i ' ■It I ; ti: 1^' h I"!,' . )'', 1^«; »52 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I78r IN THE Notes tj the Lieutenant Donovan, 6th ditto; Lieutenant and Adjutant Coleman^ Second Chipter. artillery. Wounded. Captain Somervvell, 6th Maryland regiment ; GILlon, 5th ditto ; Roun, Virginia-flate artillery ; I icutcnant Duvall, 3d Ma- ryland regiment ; Sears, ditto ; Enlign Fickle, 7th. Prisoners. Licutcnant-coloncl Woolford, jtli Maryland regiment, wounded ; Lieutenant-colonel Vaughan, Delaware ; Lieutenant-colo- nel Porterfield, Virginia flate, wounded ; Lieutenant-colonel Du Bii- fon, A. D. C. Gerald Kalbe, ditto. Majois, Winder, ifl: Maryland regiment; Penton, Delaware regiment ; Pinkney, A. D. C. General Gates, wounded. Captaini;, Brice, 3d Maryland regiment ; Hoops, 5th ditto; Lynch, 5th; Hamilton, 5th; Hardman, 2d, wounded; Smith, 3d, ditto ; Dorfet, artillery, ditto. Lieutenant Brune, legion, ditto; Rhoads, Delaware regiment; Lamout, ditto; Captain-lieute- rant Waters, artillery ; Lieutenant Shoemaker, 4th Maryland regi- ment, wounded; Hanfon, 4th ditto, ditto; Norris, 6th ditto, ditto; Wallace, artillery, foot legion ; Morcley, artillery ; Doll, Delaware regiment; Skillington, ditto; Lieutenant and Adjutant Pcnvie, ditto. Enfigns, Burgis, 4th Maryland regiment; Roacii, Delaware regiment. Volunteers, Nelfon, 6th Maryland regiment, wounded ; Rutledge, 4th ditto. Missing. Captains, Morris, 7th Maryland regiment, wounded; Gaflay, 2d ditto. Lieutenant Gaflaway, 2d ditto ; Captain Meredith, artillery ; Captaiu-ljgutenant Blair, ditto. S I R, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ^53 SIR, THE above is the moft accurate return at prcfciit. Thofe who Noffe m tlir have received fliglit contulioiis, which do rot liindcr their doing their C'Iuik-.i. duty, are not included. Your moT obedient, humble lervant, O. II. W I L L I A M S, Deputy adjutant general. Hilllborough, Auguft 29, 1780. N. 15. Seven hundred non-commlfnoncd officers and foldiers of the Maryland divilion have rejoined the army. An exatH: return thereof Ihall be fcnt by the next conveyance. HORATIO GATES. Publiflied by order of Congrcfs. Charles Thompson, Sec. •'> Ml CHAPTER ' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // <.^.«^!^ /. ■J 1.0 ill 1.1 ^ Ui2 12.2 y£ 12.0 Ui IL25 i 1.4 1.6 vl o / Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. I4S80 (716)872-4503 iV ^v a>^ \ :\ ^^- «^\^\ ) > ^ 4i /i ^ ^ Q> CAMPAIGNS OV ;;3o AND lySl, ^v.-, I .- C ir A P T E r. III. SUif<: of ihe royal army. — State rf Sonlb Carolina. — The Kin^s troop's move for^vards, — and halt at Charlotte town. — IJcutcihint-cf.'.ncl Broivne attacked by Colonel Clarke^ — a?id relieved by LieutcnatU-coloni'l Cruder. — Fergufon defeated. — 'The Brit'f) amy fall i back. — Paf'es the Broad river, — and takes pofl at IVynncf^orough. — Marion cvcrruns the kivcr difritis. — IneffiClual attempt tipm Suraptcr. — Su/nptC'f moves to- tvards Ninety Six. — ^"iHion at Blackfloclis. — State rf the American armv. — Majcr-genera/ Greene takes the command. — Preparations for a fecond invajton rf North Carolina. — Major-general Lefie^arnvcs at Charles iotvn ivith a reinforcement. X HE immediate advance of the King's troops into Xortli Ciu-olina CiiAP. III. \vould undoubtedly, at this critical period, have been productive of va- rious, and important advantages. The appearance of the royal forces, aftei fuch brilliant fiicccls, would have animated their friends, difcou- rnged their enemies, and continued the confufion and dilperfion. of the American army. Buc however ufeful and bcnelicial fuch an expedition niigiit have proved, many material requilites and ncccflary arrange- ments were not in convenient ftate or kifficient forwardnefs to warrant the undertaking. The number of fick in the hofpital, the late addi- State of the . . loval urmy. tion of the wounded, the want of troops, and the deuciency of ftorcs upon the frontier, operated with tlic prefcnt heat of the climate, and X 2 the 15'' CAMPAIGNS OF 1*180 AND l*;Sl IS i-HF. CiM'. III. tlic Icrirclty of provit'ions in North Carolina. The convoy? with fu])- plics were again [>rclii\l forward, and a rclnforccnunt of n^cn was or* dercd from Charles town. In the mean time, directions (A.) were ilil]>atched to the well aillclcd, to lole no time in aflembling for the purpofta ol llojiplng thij fugitives, and fecuring the continental llores, to the loutliward oi the Roanoke. Ali'urances of an early movement of the royal army accompanied tlicfe inftrudions : And, in order to kocp alive tlie Brltidi Intereft in North Carolina, Major Fer.gulbn's corps of rangers, and about one thoufand loyal militia, were advanccil to the weflern borders, to hold communication with the inhabitants of Tryon county till the King's troops under Earl Cornwallis were in condition to advance. ?t;ifro'"<5(nitli NoTWiTHsTANDrwG thc commotlons had been violent, and almoll general, in South Carolina, it was imagined and hoped that thele m- ternal troubles would fubfide, when the inhabitants gained informati(.n of the late diftinguifticd fnperiority which had attended His Majefty's arms : But accident now difcovered how much the enemies exceeded the King's friends in artillce. Perfidy and revolt had not been con- fined to the lower order of fociet}'. Some papers taken in the baggage of the American general officers, and other collateral intelligence, dif- playcd t!ic late opinions and condud of many of, thc principal inhabi- tants of Charles town : Upwards of thirty (H.) of this dej'cription, f.nce they had received pardon and protection from the Britilh com- manders had held treacherous correfpondence with the armed encmiti of England, or had been indefatigably engaged in fccretly advancing the intercft of Congrefs throughout South Carolina. An order was immediately given to fecure the perfons of thofe individuals who had A.) Note A. (B.) Note B. violated SOITTHEnN rnoVINCES OF NORTH AMEllICA. fy violated their ciif^agemcnts. The accufcd were coinmittcJ to the pi.- C.\r.li.'. l')!! (hips, and from thence conveyed to confinement at Augufline. A dilKrcnt fate awaited thole (Iclinqucnts who had fought againll the Ihitiih troops with parohs in their pofllUion. A number of thi-lo olllnJcfs were led forth from the provoA, and, upon a full convic\ioi; of their guilt, were publicly executed. A suBSEQiTENT event manlfeftcd In flrong colours the duplicity ol the Inhabitant? of the province, and the neccffity of occafionally cxti- clfiiig exemplary punilhment on the moll guilty. In the dithicls through which the prifoncrs were to pafs, on their journey to CliaiUs town, the inhabitants had almoft univtrfally gi\cn fhtir paroLs, or taken out certificates as good citi/.cns. This reilcvnion, and the heat of the weather, caufed the King's officers to fend fmall guards only of infantry from Camden to efcort detachments of continentals and mi- litia, taken in the late ad^ions : The tlrfl: and the fccond convoy pallid in fecurltv ; but th'" third was waylaid by the inhabitants of the coun- trv, under the illrtvflion of one Ilorry; the Hritilh were made pil- Ibners, and the Americans relealed from captivity. Earl Cornwallls had Iclfurc, before the army was ready to move, to adjuft Ibme civil arrangements, which were wanted in Charles town, and to digclt judicious regulations for the future government of the (C.) commiJJioners verted with powers to feize the cllates of tiie \i(.lcnt enemies of Great Britain. Conhlcation was a proper punilh- ment for the avowed partizans of Congref;, and for rcvoltcrs ; but ma- terial benefit could not be derived from it, except order and a'conomy direcled the application. About this time Brigadier-general I'alterfoa (C.\ Not? C. was ! 1 1 ^-S c.i Ml- A f') ?:'! or i;!5o Avn r;-8i r\ the c.v-.rii \'-'.' .i'.i\i;''l ))y t!:v. i^!,yi.ciai".s to leave Cut/luia uii account oi' his biul Iichli ; .;:-.v!, upon l.i:> t.icpartinv', J^icutcnaut-cciloucl Balfour was ap- pfiiU.vl voLiiiiaiulTiit ul' C^!nrlc.> town. I'l iDui'. the niiikllc ot '6c[^lcmhcr, part ct tiic ftorcs being arrivcil, wiih a r. in force ir.cnt from Charles town, confilllng of the j-th regi- ment, an J lome reeniits for the provincials, the intended niovenieaJ; into North Carolinn was immediately undertaken. No great altera- tion was made upon the frontiers ; Lieutenant-colonel Brown being l?:'t at Augufta, Lieutenant-colonel Crugci* at Ninety Six, and Lieu- r innt-coloncl TurnhiiU at Camden ; except, that fonic directions were given for the conftrudiou of redoubts, to defend the magazine, and t.) ]M()tcd the communications with Charles town. Earl Cornwallis, riuKi'.''s ^^'^'^ f'l'-'' p»'inc:pal column cl the army, compok-d of tlic ~th, 23 fcd rth d. I'D'.ips i;uivO .■)> ], and 7 1 ft regiments of i:iiantry, the volimteeis of Ireland, Ha- ;, four pieces of cannen, about fifty miltoii s corps, liry an s reiki < waggons, and a detachment of cavalry, marched by Hanging rock, towaids tlic Catawba jettlemcnt ; whilft th^e body of the Dritilh dra- '•(fons, and the light and legion infantry, with a three pounder, eroded th" Watercc, and moved up the call: fido of the river, under Lieu- teiiant-coloiu.l Tarleton. Tiie fcarcity of forage in the diftrid of the Wacfaws was the principal rcaibn for this temporary feparation. MuViV, cattle, and forage were cMletfled with diKiciiIty by the maiiA ,.rmy, to fupply the men and horfcs upon the marcii, the deprcdi'.- tions of both parties having made a defcrt of the country. On tl c 2ad, Earl Cornwallis dirc^Sted the Britifli legion and light i;i fail try to crofs the Catawba at Blair's ford, in order to form the ad- vanced guard, fur the immediate (D.) pofllllion of Charlotte town. (D ) Note D. Tlie souTirr.RX i'Ro\incks of noiith amerk.a. »59 is bad .IS ap- Thc riivcd, 1 1 rcgl- 1 ciiiciit: 1 altera- 1 being ■ , Lieu- is were le, and iwalli:?, h, 23d, id, Ha- ut fifty g rock, ilh dra- , crofild :r Licu- t of the ^ration. lie main • * ikprcdi'.- 1 nd light '■ , the ad- ^1 tc town. : The jiiiit^tlou of the light troops had been prevented for a fow da vs, Ci!\r. lU. by a violent fever which iiad attacked J iieutencnt-coloiicl T.ulclo.j, and which yet dlfablcd him from (a.) hoi ling his lituation wiicn hi.: regiment moved forwards. Several convaiefccnt men of the armv ha.'ing rclapftd, the 71II, (a.) under M'Arthur, was left near Bl,ui'.-> mill, to afford proteclion to the fick, to cover the mills in the neigh- bourhood, and to hold communication with Camden, till the arrival • ,f the additional fupplies. Earl Cornwallis moved forwards as foon as the legion under Major Hanger joined him. A party of militia fired at t!.c advanced dragoons and light infantry as they entered the town, and a more confiderable body appeared drawn up near the court houfc. The coikUuT; of the Americans created fulpiciou in the BritilTi : An anibiifcade was apprehended by the light troops, who moved forwards for fotne time with great circumfpe<^ioii : A charge of cavalry, under Major Hanger, diflipated this ill-grounded jealoufy, and totally dil- perfed the militia. The purfuit ,lalted fome time, and about thirty of the enemy were killed and taken. The King's troops did not come out of this ikirmifli mihurt : Major Hanger and Captains Campbell .nnd M'Donald were wounded, and twelve non-commiflioncd officers and men were killed and wounded. Charlotte town aflfordcd fome conveniencies, blended with great difadvanragcs. The mills in its neighbourhood were fuppofed of fuf- ficient confcqucnce to render It for the prefent an eligible pofition, And imit at and, in future, a neceflary poll, when the army advanced: But thctovvn. aptnefs of its intermediate fituation between Camden and Salillniry, and the quantity of its mills, did not counterbalance its defers. The town and environs abounded with Inveterate enemies ; the planta- (a.) Ill note E, (a.) In note D. ticn; . i m ■ PI ^^!i ■ 1 :! I. ■ r m 11 m i Mm ^@n Hi !l 160 CAMPAI6KS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE CnAF. III. tions in tlie nclgbourhood were fmall and uncultivated; the roads narrow, and croflcd in every dircrnl a corps of back woodfnion about the beginning of September, with J?'^wn ir- wliich he marched to attack the Hritifli poll at Augvi'.ta : Upon the '^"^''-'•J'''^' approac!) of the Americans, Lieutenant-colonel Brown thouglit it ne- ccdary to call Come friendly Indians, about three milts diilant, to hi» afTiflancc. As loon as he had joined two hundred Cherokccs to his corps of piovincials, which confined of one hundred and fifty, he was informed of the near advaiice of the enemy. The town of Augufta did not afford an eligible pofition ; the Britilh commander, therefore, direfted his couife towards Garden hill, a plantation on the Savannah road. When the provincials and Indians arrived in fight of Mackay's houfe, it was difcovercd that the Americans were already in poflellioii of Garden hill. Lieutenant-colonel Brown orderer ids cannon to fire upon the enemy, and gave direclion to his troops tc charge and dll- lodge them. Notwlthilanding the lofs of a three pounder, the attack ■was attended with tuccefs, and the buildings on the hill, after a con- flicl: of twenty minutes, were pollcfled by the afl'ailautSc Great part of tlie Indians behaved with order and bravery. ■JHh .<' 1 ' i Immkdiate infiruftions were given to the Britiih, to loophole the buildings, and to remain upon the dcfenlivc. Colonel Clarke rallied (i.) Vide page 28 RemetnbraHccr, p.irt ifi, ycir 1781. his H,i ]pji 1 1 lil^£l iH< 1 1^1 ;« M^ 1 ■ 1 OH 'I J(S: fA MP A IONS or 1780 ANn 1781 I vf TUP, LiiA.. ill. In- iu.n, aiid ixccivcil a rLiiiforcciii.nt bctbrc evening, when lie de- tached a party ot' liHcmcn to fire upon the provincials and Indians. Nothing otconloqucncc happening hclorc daybreak, Licutcnant-coloiici ihown dircvStid his people to throw up fonic intrcnchnicnts round the liiiKliuj^b. Tiiey had not proceeded tar with this work, when ano- f'-..r detachment ot" fifty Cherokces came into the port, and reported, tliat thi Americans were a])proaching. Soon after, Colonel Clarke I'.rcd upon the buildings with cannon ; The attack with artillery and imall arms was continued witli little intcrmillion. After two days cidfe ficoc, the American fent a fummons to the Britifli commanding (>:Hcer, to furrendcr Garden hill : Lieutenant-colonel Brown anfwered, tb. w he would defend the place to the lart cxfcmity. Not fatisfied with this corrcfpondcncc, Clarke infolcntly required a compliance with his demand, accompanied with menaces of cruelty in cafe of refufal : He received for reply, that the Britiih would commence hof- tilitles on the rtturn of the flag. The befiegers began a very heavy fire from their artillery and fmall arms, in which the lofs of the gar- rifon was Inconfidcrable : They renewed it at intervals during the night. At daybreak it was repeated and returned ; when a fog clear- ing away, the Britiih difcovercd that the Americans were retreating. And relieved b) l^icutc- n.inr-coloncl The motive for the preffing fummons and ftibfequent retreat was foon apparent. Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, who commanded at Ninety Six, had made exertions to relieve Lieutenant-colonel Brown from his cinbarralicd lltuation. Upon the firft news of the advance of Clarke againft Augufta, he colleded a number of friendly militia, and after adding them to the force which he could with propriety draw from his garrifon, he marched towards the Savannah river. In confequence of his approach, the Americans began to retreat. On the 19th, he fent a meflage over the river to Brown, requefting his advice concerning ''If ic dc- diaiis. oIoikI nil the 11 ano- porteil, Clarke ry and ,-o days landliig ifwercd, fatisfied npliancc cafe of nee hof- i-y heavy the gar- ring the g clear- eating. I SOL'TTinRN PROVINCF.X OF NORTH A J.' r. R I C A. concerning co-operation. The plan hcinq fpccdily adinft.d, a (lio C UMS commenced from (rardcn hill, to cover the p:ifl'ij,";j of the rein- forcement acrofs tlie river, and throvigh a IidHow w.iy : Ik fore rho .1 1- vanced guard reached the garrifon, Clarke's corps had abandoned t':iir camp with evident marks of confufion. The Tuitidi purfuod the rcu (b.) of the Americans, made fomc prifoneis, and retook t!ic cant'.o.i tliey had lofl In the firft avftion. In this rcfolutc defence, I/icutenant-coloncl Brown h.ul otlior diJil- culties to Ariigglc with, belides the fuperiority of the enemy. 'VKc diftancc of the wells from the buildings rendered the pofition ex- tremely inconvenient and difadvantageoiis, as it was impoii'.blc to procure I'upplics of water for the garrifon towards the end of tli.* fiege. Oil the part of the Britifli, Lieutenant-colonel Brown wr.3 wounded ; Captain Johnfon, a very promifing officer of the fame corps, was killed : The lofs, otherwife, was not confidcrable, ami kli principally upon the Indians. The American force which formed the attack confifted of feven hundred men, and their killed and wounded amounted to near a fixth of their number. Although this expedition was baffled, the cloud which hung over was not difperfed. Many parties from the back fettlcments had taken the field, to reinforce Clarke, and overwhelm fome port or detacli- ment on the frontier. The diftance of the country from whence the mountaineers marched, together with the rapidity of their movements on horfeback, equally prevented intelligence of their approacli, or pre- paration for their reception. The failure of Colonel Clarke before Augufta infpired Lieutcnnnt-cclonel Cruger with an idea of cutting'. ^b.) In note E. Y I o?; »\1 III. INI ■, 1 i • I 1..1 .' II k' ■I: •III I i I dm :. h 1 i •^4 CAMPAIONS OF 1 780 AND I7S1 IV T IT R <■ lur. III. oil' liU rctrc.U to the mountains: lie ^avc iiotico ol" U\i dcfij^n to Major rcrguloii, thtii employed upon the frontier, who wlUln^ly con- curieil in tlie projecl. Crugor, after j];ainiiig fonic advantage, found the purfuit wovdd carry liini too far from Ninety Six, to which place lie judiciouny ri,turn(.(.l. Fergufon unfortunately adhered to thi- plan of ihiking at Clarke, and thought the direction which he had taken towards (jill)crt town pctfedly eonfonant to his jjurpofe. The ohjeifl Clarke aimed at, was to form a communication with many tletach- mcnts of his fi lends who were approaching ; or, if the luperiority, or advanced fituation of Fergufon prevented that Intention, to join Colo- nel Sumpter on the borders of South Carolina. Near the end of Sep- tember, Major Fergufon had intelligence of Clarke's having joined Sumpter, and that a fwarm of backvvoodfmen, by an unexpe and loyal miliatia were killtil, one hundred and fifty were wounded, and eight hundred were made prifoners. The mountaineers, it i-. lepuiteii, uled every infult and Indignity, after the acVion, towards the dead body of Major Fcrgufon, and exercifed horrid cruelties on the priloners that fell into their poHelfion. In tlie beginning of Odobcr It was intended to fend a corps from Charlotte town, under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel WeuUer, to attack a party of Americans, commanded by (icncral Sumner, at Alexander's mill, on a branch of Rocky livcr ; but the dcfigix was laid nfide, on account of the news from the WVihvard. On the loth, Earl Cornwallis gave orders to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, to march with the light infantry, the Britiih legion, and a tiircc pounder, to adift Major Fergufon, no certain intelligence luwing. arrived of his- defeat: It was rumoured with great confidence by the Americans in the neigbourhood of Charlotte town, and the probability of the cir- cumftance gave weight to the report. Tarkton's infliuctions directed him to reinforce Fergufon wherever he could fuul him, and to draw his corps to the Catawba, if after the juiK^ion, advantage could not bo obtained over the mountaineers ; or, upon the certainty of his defeat, at all events to oppofe the entrance of the victorious Americans into South Carolina : Accordingly, Tarleton marched to Smith's ford, below the forks of the Catawba, where he received certain information of the ,!M. h'.' )66 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 ;So AND 1 78 1 IN THE d'Ar. Hi. tlio melaiiclioly fate of Major Fergufon. This mortifying intelligeiicr was forwnrdcd to Charles town, and the light troops croHed the river, to give protection to the fugitives, and to attend the operations of tlu cnemv. 'I'liE dcflruflion of Fergufon and his corps marked the period and the extent of the firrt expedition hito North Carolina. Added to the dcprefiion and fear it commun!».r.ted to the loyalifts upon the borderl- and to the fouthward, the ciTe«n: of fuch an important event was fen- fibiy felt by Farl Cornwallis at Charlotte town. The weaknefs of his army, the extent and poverty of North Carolina, the want of knowledge of his enemy's dedgns, and the total ruin of his militia, prefentcd a gloomy profpevSt at the commencement of the campaign, A farther progrefs by the route which he had undertaken could not pofTibly remove, but would undoubtedly encreafe his difficulties ; he therefore formed a fudden determination to quit Charlotte town, and pafs the Catawba river. The army was ordered to move, and expreffes were difpatched to recal Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton. In the mean time the light troops, after crofling the Catawba, di- reeled their courfe to the weftward ; on the route, they picked up a fmall number of fugitives, and gained intelligence that the hoft of mountaineers which had del^royed Fergufon was returned to the north- ward, without following the vi£lory j that Colonel Sumpter with his corps remained upon the frontier ; and that General Gates was expelled to advance, upon the news of the late fuccefs, with the continentals and militia to the Yadkin. The fituation of Colonel Sumpter's de- tachment on Bullock's creek attrafted Tarleton's attention, and he was adopting meafures to diflodge the Americans when the expreffes from royat SOUTHERM PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 167 the royal army prevented liis dt ilgn, by requiring hU iralant icturr. ro C;i-.-. m. the Catawba. The Khig's troops left Cljarlotte town on the evening of the 14th, T!.-- iiiirih to march to the Catawba ford : Owing to the hadnrfs cf tlic road, the LkI. ignorance of the guides, the daiknei's of the niglit, or forne other un- known caufe, the Britilh rear guard deftroyed, or left behind, near twenty waggons, loaded with fupplies for the army, a priming preis, and other ilorcs belonging to public departments, and the knapfacks of the light infantry and legion. Lieutenant-colonel Taikton had di- rected his troops to leave their baggage with the army, when font ujjon the late expecUtion. The order for the move being unexpe^ftcd at Char- lotte town, the property of the abfent was committed to the worft waggons, and was unfortunately loft. As foon as the Britiih Ugion, and the light infantry, arrived at the Catawba ford, they were ordered to crofs the river, which they accompliflied with lome difficulty, on account of n great fall of rain. The royal forces remained two days in an anxious and mlferable lituatlon in the Catawba fettlement, owing to a dangerous fever, which fuddcnly attacked Earl Cornwallls, and to the want of forage and provifions : When the phyficians declared his lordfliip's health would endure tlic motion of a waggon, Colonel Lord Rawdon, the fecond in command, direT PROVINCES Ol- NORTH A^rr;RIC\. Tun fircuniftai'iCc (K.) v.lilch occalloncd thi.^ unexpected oixUr { CAMI'Air.NS OP I7S0 ANH I^Sl IN 1" II E t'jt\r. III. i^rcat ililigi iicc, ami mcampcd ar ui^i^Iit, with l^crccy am! precaution, near the Ennorcc. Another day's mowmout was intended up tha banks of that river, which, it coni})ltted without dilcovLrv, would, pel haps, give an opportunity ot* dertroyinj; CJeneral Sumpivi's corps by furprife ; or certainly would pi\.vent his aeconijdiniiiig a retreat without the rilk of an adion. This encouraging hope was frullratcd in the cvcnii!g by the difertion (b.) of a foidier of the 63d, and the American commander at twelve o'clock at niglit olttaln':;d intellig-cnce of his danger. TarletoM purfucd his march at dawn, and before ti.n o'clock in the morning had information of the retreat of General Sumpter : He continued his route to a ford upon the Ennoree, where he expecled to gain farther intelligence, or peihaps meet the Ame- ricans. On his arrival near that place, he found that tlic advanced guard and m.:in body of the enemy had palled the river near two hours, and, that a detachment to cover the rear was waiting the re- turn of a patiole : The advanced guard of the IJritKh dragoons ciiarged this body, and defeated them with confiderable flaughter. From pri- foners it was karncd, that the fudden movement of the Americans was owing to the treachery of the deferter, by whole Information General Sumpter had fortunately cfcaped an unexpeded attack, and had now the option to fight or retire. Thou(>h greatly fuperlor in number, he did not wait tiic approacii of the Britilh, but by a rapid march endeavoured to crofs the 1 Ivors ni his rear; beyond which, if prcliLd to extremity, he could dllband his followers in the woods, and without great detriment aflcmblo them again at an appointed quarter to the nortiiward of t!ic Pacokt. The march already made by the Briliih infantry, he imagined mull: (^.) In note M, fo on r, SOVTHRRN FnoVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ioon render thcrri unable to keep up with the cavalry ; wlilch circum- Chap. III. ftancc, he flattered himielf, would impede the advance of I Jcutcnant- colonvl Tarlcton, or, at the word, produce only a partial cnj^agcment. Influenced by fucli rcflcclions, he continued an indefatigable march, which was followed without intcrtnilfion by the Britifh. Tarlcton, unwilling to divide his corps, and ri(k an adlion againft a great fuperiority with his dragoons and the 63d, prcfl'ed forward his light and legion infuitry, and three pounder, in a compa«!!l body, till four o'clock in the afternoon ; at which time It became evident, that the enemy would have an opportunity of palling unmolcftcd the Tygcr river before dark, if he did not alter his difpofition : He therefore left his legion and light infantry, who had made meritorious excrtiony during the whole day, to march on at their own pace, whilft he made a rapid purfuit with one hundred and fevcnty cavalry of the legion, and eighty mounted men of the 63d. Before five o'clock the- advanced guard charged a detachment of the Americans, who gave joth Noveni ground after fomc lofs, and retreated to the m«in body. Sumpter now difcovercd, that he could not with fafety immediately attempt to pafs the Tyger, and that the ground which he poflefled on its banks gave him a favourable opportunity to refift the efforts of the cavalry. Regular information of his being prefl'ed at this period by the mounted part of Tafleton's corps had been communicated to him; wiiich, without fuch report, lie might have calculated by the diftancc and duration of the movement : A woman (c.) on horfeback had viewed the line of march from a wood, and, by a nearer road, had given intel- ligence that the Britifti were approaching without infantry or cannon. Decided by thefe confiderations, the American commander pre- pared for a(Clion, and made a judicious difpofition of his force : He (c.) In note M. A a polled . ilv I ' «ii h i ,1 ■7S C.IAl'. IIJ, Action ;it CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 And 1781 IS run • pcAcil tlie center ot* his troops in Ionic lioufcs aiul out-lioufcS, com- pofctl of lo!;.=., ami iituated 011 the niuKlL' of an eminence ; he ex* trntkil his right along Ibnie rails, which were flanked by an inaccefli-. ble mountain ; and he dirtribuled his loft on n rugged piece of groiuul that was covered by a bend oi' the river ; a Iniall branch of water ran in front ol tlie whole rifmg ground, which was called IJlackrtock's hill: The great road to the ford acrol'^ the ii\er palled through the center of the Americans, and clofe to the doois of houles where the main body were Aationed. The whole pofition was villble, owing to the elevation of the ground, and this formidable appearance made Tarlcton halt upon the oppolite heiglit, where he intended to remain (juiet till his infantry and three pounder arrived : To encourage the enemy to do the fame, he difmounted the 631I to take poll, and part of the cavalry to cafe their horfes. Sumpter obferving this operation, ordered a body of four humlred Americans to advance, and attack the 63d in front, whilll another party approached the drap,oons in flank. A heavy fne and Ihjrp conflid^ enfued : The 63d charged with fixed bayonets, and drove the enemy back ; and a troop of cavalry, under Lieutenant Skinner, bravely repulfed the detachment which threatened the flank. The ardour of the 63d carried them too far, and expofcd them to a confiderablc lire from the buildings and the mountain. 'I'hough t!ie undertaking appeared hazardous, 1/ieutenant-colonel Tarleton determined to charge the enemy's center with a column of dragoons, in order to cover the 63d, whofe fituation was now become dangerous. The attack was conducted with great celerity, and was attended with immetllate fuccefs. The cavalry foon reached the houles, and broke the Americans, who from that inllant began to difperie : The 6jil immediately rallied, and darknefs put an end to the engagement. A purfuit ncrofs a river, with a few troops of cavalry, and a fmall body of infantry, was not advifable in the night; 4 a pofition SOUTIIF.RN TROVINrns OF NORTH AM TRIG A. com- lie cx- icccfti- irovintl tcr rai\ .l\ock's g,h tlic icrc the vviuf'j to c miulc I rcma'm :.\gc the II p;ivt ot" pc ration, ttack the ill flank. ith t"ix.ed , undci- catcned expofcd lovintaln, -colonel olumu ot' become and was .chcd the began to u end to troops ot he night ; a politioa a pofitlon was thLrctoic t>-.kcii ndjo'uuug to the luKl v[ butk, to wait Cr-v.'. III. the arriviil ot llic light ni 1 legion lui.iiitry. An cxprcfs was ftit to accjnahit Earl ConuvnI'.is witli tlie fuccefs of Ills troops, and pitroks were ihlpiteln-d ovir tiie rivcT at dawn, to dileovcr it" any part of tlic cntniv rcin.iiiKd in a body : IntJHg.'nce was foon broiigiit acrols the Tvg(.r, tii.it the corps was entirely ilif- perfcd, except a jvarty of o\w. hnndri-cl, wlio rcnvilned in a conip;ikiT: ftatc, in (irder to efeort CJcncral Sinnpttr, who was woiiiuli.d in the action. Thli news, and Tome runiums of aj^proacnlng rclnforcetncnts, impelled Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to follow the late advantage, by pnrCuing tiic liigitivcs ; whieh would prevciit tluir rallying to afliil tlu-ir friends, if the report was true concerning their advance. Ac- cordingly, leaving a guard to |irotc*fl tlu wounded, he again com- nie need his march : 1 he men \\ ho had remained with tlu n- genera I fniee his misfortune, upon hearing of the ajiproach of tlie llritiHi, placed him in a litter bet'vc.-n two hoiics, anl dlt'perfed tlnough the woods. After a toillomc purfuit of tlirce days, in wliieh a few ilrag- uU;rs were fecurcd, intelligence was obtained that General Sumjiter h.ul been conduelod acrols the country by five faithful adiierent;-, till lie was removed out of danger. Tarleton upon lec;. iving this neWi, and haviii"- no farther information of an advancin-j' eneiuv, retir-.cl fiowly to lilackftock's. TiiRKE of the eneniy'j (d.) colonels fell in the atfiion, and (Jeneral' Su;npter received a fevere wound in tlie (houlder. Upwanls oi one huiulred Americans were killed and wounded, and litty were made priloiier?. On the fule of the Uritilh, Lieuhaants Giblon and Cope, Qi tlic Cjd, were killed ; and Lieutenant Money, aid-de-can:p to. (J.) bi notu M. A a 2. ■ Earli ' V wj w M. r.j n ' ' ;-fcv4^ •l8o CAMi'Aic-. Ns oi i;r3o : :irl Cornwallis, who ImJ ct)mniandi.'d the iletachmcnt of mounted infantry, with great gallantry, was mortally wouiulcd : Another officer oi the 6^:\, ami two fuhakcrns of the Bi'ullli legion, were likcwile womvicd. The fornur corps hail alio thirty, and the latter fifteen, non-connuiflioncd officers and men, with thirty horfes, killed and wounded. lit:" I f Gi'XF.RAT, Sunv^tcr made prop.-^r ufe of the good fortune which had nianiililed itfelf in his favour previous to the av^ion ; and if he liad waited in his ifrong poiitionr=«# Blackltock's till dark, without advancing a corps to attack tiie 63d, and tlic cavalry, he might have withdrawn, in all probability, without iiis adverfaries' knowledge; but, he would have been completely protedled in the operation, even if they had notice of his intention ; owing to the fuperiority of his numbers, and the advantages he derived from the lituatlon of the ground, and the river ; which could not be approached, after dark, by the Britilh, till the light and legion infantry arrived ; previous to wiilch event, the rear guard of the Americans might certainly have pnflcd the Tyger. The light troops made very great exertions, to bring General Suinptcr to aftion, and the hazard incurred by the cavalry, and 63d, was compenfated by the complete difperfien of the cncmv. A LETTER, (L.) which had arrived at Blackftock's, from Earl Corn- wallis, directed Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, on his return from the purfuit, to remain fome time in tiiat quarter of South Carolina ; in order to give prote ho; fes with the forage, which this dillricl abundantly fuppUed, to re- turn by flow marches, with his dragoons and infantry, who wanted many neceflailes and appointments, towards the neighbourhood of Broad river, whence he could have a more direcil communication with the magazine on the frontier, and with Charles town. About this time, the American force in North Carolina afllimed a tolerable appearance. General Gates had advanced from Hilllborough in the middle of November, to reinforce the detaciimcnts on the Yadkin; and on the Z5th, he again moved forwards with the con- f;,.„e ot the tinentals and militia, to Six-mile run, where he was foon joined by amu.' Colonels White, Waihlngton, and Armand, with two hundred ca- valry, and two pieces of cannon. Tiiis pofition was not far diihuit from the frontier of South Carolina, and was adopted in order to give fpirit and vigour to the militia. The American commander puh- liflied reports, that he would advance to the Tuckafeegc ford, to prote*5l the detachments which invaded Ninety Six ; and that General Smallwood would remain with a powerful corps at Six -mile run, which, in cafe of any movement of Lord Cornwallis acrofs Broad river, would incliiui towards the head of Black creek, to give ilrcngth and influence to Marion, who, in confequcncc of fuch aliilhncc, might be able to dcflroy the communications bclwccu Camden and Charles town. In Anniicai\ ■:. r l82 CHAr. iir. I ■;). M;'.io"-_a'cne r.il Gicir.j t;iki- :lu' •'••!U:iii;;ni!. rir;".tritirr.5 i'uvw lecnnl iiu;i!ior, (it iS.'on!; Ciio- CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE In the beginning of December, General Morgan and Colonel Wafli- ington, with Ibme ci)ntliicntal light int"iintry and cavalry, advanced through the Waclau 3 to Hanging rock ; fioni which place they de- tached a threatening fiimnions to Colonel Riigcley, who commanded the militia of the Camden dillrict, and was poilcd with one hundred men at his own houfe, where fomc defences iiad been erefled. Riipcley being Intimidated by the fummons, and the appearance of the Ame- ricans, who placed tlic refemblancc of a cannon oppodtc his lioufe, furrendercd to the light dragoons, without fuing a Ihot. The conti- nental infantry had not advanced within three miles of the port, wlien this (N.) irrcfolute commander laid down his arms, (icncral Morgan retreated with his prifoners to the main army, which about this time ch:nged its leader; General Gates being recalled, upon the appoint- ment of Major general Greene to fucceed hirn hi the fuuthern de*- partment. Major-gknerai, Leflle, being defircd in the beginning of November to leave Virgiina, and proceed to the louthward, was hourly expicled at Charles town. I'revious to his arrival, Earl Cornwallis nvade fomo nrrangemeuts, which were indlipenfably rcquifitc, btfore the King'i troops again invaded Nortii Carolina: Medireded the recruits and con- * vakiccnts to join their regiments ; He ordered all dehclencies of arm?, appointments, and ncceflaries, to be replaced : He prepared prope:' fupplies, to attend the march ; and he adopted judicious precautions for the fecurity of the frontier. In a (liort time, numbers, ftrength- ened cacli corps and regiment of the army : Above one hundred an.l fifty (a.) joined the liglit troops : Di^ficiencies of arms and neceflarlcj were completed : Many horfes were tolUcled, and purchalLd for tb.e cavalry : And the magazine at Camden was conriderably increalcL (N.) Note N. (a.) In Note O. Colonel, m ! V ; SOUtllEIiK IMIOVINCES OF NORTH AiVEklCA. 183 Colonel Lord Rawdoii was requeued to take the prelciit command of Ciat. HI. that place, and the future du-cilion of the frontier, when the arr.iy advanced. The foitiiications at Camden began to be relpc^ftable : l-tenfils, ammunition, and cannon, were conveyed thither, and cnj;i- necrs directed the labour of the garrilbn. The centrical fitualion oi-' this pofl, and the importance of its water communication, ftronglv manifcfted the advantage of holding it, if the army did not advance, and it became doubly neccirary to render it formidable, in cafe fuch an operation ihould take place; that it might then be deen^eu, by friends and enemies, the bulwark of the province. An oiFiccr of engineers was fent to Ninety Six, to fuperintend the works, and every requifite was furniflied to give fecurity to that pofl:. Redoubts, to ftrengthen the communications, were completed, and the defences of George town received additional improvement. i ■ li ■ ' !' In the mean time, the Americans were not idle, in attempting to difl:urb the frontier, and the interior parts of tlic province. Colonels Few and Clarke advanced to Long Cannes, in the diflrisft of Ninety Six, with on intention to frighten and difperfc the militia : Brigadier- general Cunningham gave notice of their approach to Lieutenant- colonel Cruger, who fecretly lent Liutenant-colonel Allen, with, a detachment from his garrifon, to give afliflance to the loyalifls. The Americans, ignoiuUt of this reinforcement, advanced upon Cunninri- ham, who received them with firmncl's, and defeated their prc^jeeT. Some recent ettecls of Marion, within tiic province, drew the atten- tion equally of Charles town and Camden. Lieutenant-colonel Bal- f)ur directed the 64th regimer.t to pafs the rivtr Santee, and take poll: on the cart of the communications; and I.ordRawdon detached the mounted infantry of the New-York volunteers, under Major Collin, to afiill Major M'Leroth, who commanded the 64th. Many Ikirmiihes took it :f 'hi '!i^)ljj \ ''!■ \i ?■'- i84 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE CiiAi'. Ill, took place witliout material lofs, and the fupplies for the royal army were alw.ivi prorctfl-ecl, though occafionally dehiyed. Since the period of their edahliniment, neither the encampment at WynntlLorough, nor its communication with the magazine at Camden, had ever been diflurbed or interrupted. Meal, flour, cattle, and fo- rage, were peaceably fupplied by the inhabitants ; and the convalefcent and fick men were daily recovering on the neighbouring plantations. The id battalion of the 71ft regiment continued to occupy Brierley's ferry, on Broad river, in order to cover the country between Wynnef- borough and that place : The vicinity of the Britifli legion and light infiintry to that poll, afforded fupport to Major M'Arthur, proteclion to the mills in the Dutch fork, and fecurity to all the diftridls in the rear. Many confifcated eflates (b.) yielded great fupplies to the royal army, which, in Its prefent polition, could enjoy tlie greateft plenty, with the ftridleil oeconomy of public money. Major-ptinc- ral Lefiic ar- rives at Charles tow with a rein- forcement. Before the middle of December, Commodore Gay ton convoyed a confidcrnble body of the King's troops to Charles town : Major-general Leflie, on his landing, found an order to march to the frontier, with the brigade of guards, the regiment of Bofe, one hundred and twenty yagers, and a detachment of light dragoons : The remainder of his corps being deftined to ftrengthen Camden, and augment the garrifon of Charles town. The arrival of a reinforcement of upwards of two thoufand three hundred men, feemed, at this crifis, to promife the fecure poffeffion of the two fouthern provinces, and the redudion of North Carolina ; whilft the offenfive operations carried on in Virginia by Brigadier-general Arnold, appeared well adapted to attrad the at- tention of that powerful quarter of America. (b.) In note O. NOTES SOUTIIEllN PR0VINCK8 OP NORTH AMERICA. 18.? I: r t! N o TO THE E THIRD CHAPTER. ( N O T E A. ) Extradl. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lord George Germain, dated Camden, ^uguji 21, 1780. v/N the morning of the 17th I difpatched proper people into North Notes to the Carolina, with direflions to our friends there to take arms and afl'emble Chapter, immediately, and to feize the moft violent people and all military ftores and magazines belonging to the rebels, and to intercept all ftragglers from the routed army ; and I have promifed to march without lofs of time to their fupport. Some neceflary fupplies for the army are now on their way from Charles town, and I hope that their arrival will enable me to move in a few days. (NOTE B. ) Chriftopher Gadfden, lieutenant Thomas Fergufon. governor. Anthony Toomer. Thomas Farr, late fpeaker. Alexander Moultrie. Bb Jacob ^f p 'i 1 H V 1 mm ill \ * ay ffifn Hn t86 Notes to the Tliiid Clinjnci. CAMPAIGNS OF Jacob Read. Richard Hutfon. Edward Blake. Edward Rutlcdgc. Ifaac Homes. Richard Lufhiiigtoii. Peter Timothy. John Edwards. Hugh Rutledge. John Eloyd. William Price. Thomas Savage. Thomas Heyward. William-Hazel Gibbj. 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Edward M'Crady. David Ramfay. John Todd. George Fhigg. Peter Fayflbux. Jofiah Smith. John Parker. John Sanfam. John-Ernefl Poyas. John Budd. John Loveday. Thomas Singleton. Edward North. Jofeph Atkinfon- ( N O T E C. ) SOUTH CAROLINA. By the Right Honourable Charles Earl Cornwallis, Lieutenant-general cf His Majejly'*s forces, tic. A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, notwithftanding the moderation of the Britifli go- vernment, and His Majefty's unparallelled clemency to thofe of his de- luded I'ubjcels, who, from a fenfe of their errors, have returned to their duty and allegiance, there are feveral perfons of property in tnli pro- vince, who obftinately perfift in their guilty and trcafonable prafllces, iind arc either in the fcrvice, or avtlug under the authority of the 2 rebel SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMEUICA. rebel Congrcfb ; or by abandoning their plantations, to join the cr.c- x,,: niies of Great Britain ; or by an open avowal of rLbclliou.; pilnci[>1.3, c and other notorious acts, do manifefi: a wiekjd and dcipcrate perkvj- rance, in oppofing to the utmofl: of their power the rc-cflabhfhment ot His Majefly's JLifl; and lawful authority : And whereas it is a duty in- cumbent upon me, to take all due precaution to fccurc the tranquillity of His Majefly's government, and the peace and liberties of his faith- ful and loyal fubjeds in this province, and to prevent the wicked dc- (igns of fuch ill-difpofcd pcrfons as are above defcribcd from taking effect : And whereas it might be of dangerous confeciuencc to fuiia- fuch perfons to poficfs and make ufc of tlicir cll:atcs in this province, thereby furnilhing tliem with the means of carrying on their mali- cious and traiterous defigns more cfkclually into execution ; and as it likewifc appears to me both juft and expedient, that the property which they have voluntarily ftakcd in fupport of rebellion, Ihould now be applied, on our part, to defray a portion of the cxpences ol-- cafioned by the obftinate delinquency of their faftion : I have, there- fore, thought proper to ilUie this proclamation, to notify to all perfons concerned, that I have ordered the cftates, both real and pcrfonal, in this province, belonging to the wicked and dangerous traitors above defcribed, to be fequeftered ; and I have conflituted and appointed John Cruden, Efq. to be commiffioner to execute the purpofcs of this proclamation, with full power and authority, on receipt of an order or warrant under my hand, or the hand of the officer commanding the Britifh forces in this province, or of the commandant of Charles town, and not otherwlfe, to take into his charge, cullody, and pof- kllion, the eftatcs, both real and perfonal, of thofe who have aban- doned their plantations to join the enemies of Great Britain ; and of the eilates, both real and perfonal, (not included in the capitulation ot Charles town) of thofe in the fervice, or acting under the authority B b 2 of 1S7 ['hi .a 'U i , '1^: I'; ^1 ' if. ifl 'r-M ^ 'I i'l '!•( < ; 1 m I iW CAMPAIGNS OF I ;8o AND I781 TN THIS Notcstotiic of the rebel Coiigrefs ; and of the eOatcs, both perlbnal aud real, or 1 h\al Ch.ijHcr. of-' thofc perfons, who by ati open avowal of tebellioi;; principles, or by other notoiious ails, do manifell: a wkkod and dcfpcrate pcrfc- vcrance In oppofing, to the utrnoft of their power, the re-crt.ibliflimcnt of His iVIajcity's juft and lawful authority. And the faid commif- fioncr fhall, within the term of twenty-one days after execution of every fuch order or warrant above mentioned, by feizure of the eftates or property therein defcribed, caufe notice thereof to he pub- liflied in three fucceffive ncwfpapers, that no perfon concerned may plead ignorance of the fame ; and the like term is allowed for the removal of poflefTors from the premifes fo feized. And to the end that this truft, of fo great importance, be duly and faithfully adminiftered for the public benefit, I do hereby ftridly require and enjoin, that the faid commiffioner doth, in every cafe of the feizure of property, whether real or perfonal, forthwith take upon the fpot, (if in the country) in the prefence of two perfons ading either as field officers, or captains of militia under His Majefty, and (if in town) in pre- fence of two creditable freeholders, an exaft inventory of the property fo feized, which they are hereby required to lign ; and it is to be kept and produced by the commifiioner, as a voucher on the exhibition of his accounts. And whereas it is dictated by humanity and compaffion, that due and reafonable confideration be had for .the families of trai- terous offenders, whofe property is neceffarily become the obje(5t of this proclamation, I have authorized and directed the faid commlf- fioner to pay, for the fupport and maintenance of families, confifting of a wife and children, one fourth part of the neat annual produft of the feized eftates refpedlively, and one fixth part where there is a wife and no children, as the cafe may be, provided they are refident, and continue to be refident, within this province ; and the receipts and ac- quittances of the parties (hall be, and are hereby directed to be, con- I fidercd SOUTHERN PROVrNCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 189 fidercd Ijfficient vouchers to the iaid commiffioncr at the fetiijmcnl ofKotf»-n the his accounts. Aim it bt'ing highly expedient, that accounts of all C'liupui. pcrfonal property, and of the iflues and produce of all tftates, confid- ing of land, negroes, cattle, and of every fpecies of property, fcizcd by virtue of this proclamation, be kept in the moft clear and diilincl manner poflibie ; I do hereby dirtcl:, that the laid commiflioncr do keep particular and fcparate accounts of all property, real and pcr- fonal, under the names of the perfons who were luppoltd and acknow- ledged to be the proprietors at the time of leizure : And I i.\o l.ereby farther direct and require the faid commiffioncr to make up a gene- ral account of the expence of management, and of the amount of the fale and difpofal of all property whatfoever that fhall come into liis hands, which is to be laid before the commandant and board of police of Charles town, every fix months, or oftener if it fliall appear necefiiuy and prai^icable J and he fliall be thereunto required, during fuch time as the faid eflates fliall remain under i'cqueftratiun : And the commandant and board of police are hereby directed and required to infpedt the faid accounts with all convenient difpatch, and if they appear to them to be jufl: and right, to grant a certificate thereof to the faid commiflioncr ; and the faid commiflioncr is hereby farther required, upon fuch certificate being granted, to pay the balance arifing from the above-defcribed eflates into the hands of the pay- mafter general of His Majefly's forces or his deputy, to be applied to the purpofe before mentioned, or in any manner that may be direcfled by His Majefly's commilfioners for refloring peace to America, or the commander in chief. And I do hereby declare, that any pcrfon or perfons obftrudling or impeding the faid commiflioner in the execution of his duty, by concealment or removal of any property he may be authorifed to ftize, or otherwife, fliall, on convii5lion, I e [ni'Uinti as aiding and abetting rebellion ; and if any perlon or peifono ih.dl nuko dilcuvjry i*/ (I ' "i. t- ,V| I 190 Nni.-» ir flu- Tliiul C'li;ii>tcr. C^MI'-UiiNS OF 1780 AND '781 IN THE ilifcovcry wlnre any etTecVs arc nnicijalccl, or attempted to be carried away, or fnall give any ncccfl;i'-j> iiilormntion to the faid folm Crudcn, Efq. i'o that ciVcds belonghig to a pcrfoti whole cftatc ir, fcciucflcrcd may be; kcurcd. the perfon or perfons givipg I'lch in^^bijnaiioii (hall be moll: liberally rewarded : And all officerr., civil or military, ind all other pcrfons whatlbevcr, arc ftrivftly ciijointd ind v'cqvi red to aid and ailill the laid Jolin CriuLn and hi:' dcpiUicL In die exccnrion of the trufl ri poled in him. And whereas certain li-nited ordcis and powers havr l\in piven by me to colonels and commandiu>/, ofhccrs ct militia, in lome "cw of the didricls of this provMre^ *;c I'/ize tii.; Jioills, cattle, negroes, and provifions of p'-il^iii-r '-oi-'Cf-rnccl '- ri.e l.vil le- -Mr, more particularly defcribed in the faid orders, and to app-v die iiiii.c, Mnder certain regulations and refl:rie>.ion&, .i t!-e inc'o ■>.... fjciiUon of die Rinj^'s loyal and faithful fubjecls in the ielpeiitivc diltrh^s, who liad llilflred by t!ic dcptedations of the rebels : /Wjd wiic.eas die colonels and commanding officers of militia were by the laid oidvMS dire<5led to report to me, at the head quarter? of tjic -[:n^y, t'i" property they Ihould Ici/.c by virtue of the lame, fpecifyi;ig clearly its nature and value, and the application thereof towards tiie relief and indemnity of His Majefly's faithful fubje>5ls who have fultercd as aforefaid ; I do now hereby require and command them, inllead of reporting to me their proceedings, as above directed, to tranfmit to the commandant of Charles town, within the term of fourteen days after tiie diftribu- tion of the property feized, particular accounts of all fuch property fti/ed, and of its application and dillnbution, m writing, which are to be llgncd bv llic colonel or commanding officer of the militia, and bv the twelve uicn of the neip,hbourhood wlio condemned the pro- p'.rty, and ordered dillribution of the fame ; and that they do tranf" Jiiit exact duplicates of the laid accounts, figned in the manner above dircviled, at tlic fame tinie to John Crudcn, Efq. the commllhoner named SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMEniCA. 9» named in this proclamation, to ')c lodccd in his office at Charles town ; No* ? t.. tin.- to the end that it may aiipcar and l-c afccrtainod how the property Chapter. feizcd, under the abovc-rocitcd orders, luuii been applied and ihllri- buted.. Given luido' iny h-.ind and i*;al. at head quarters, in the dil^riit ot Wacra\v, i:: lIil f'u.d prcince, ihu (Ixth day of Scptemljcr, Anno Do- mini one tliou'and f( "cn hundred and eighty, and in the ivvcnticth year of Hlfi Majefty's reign,. .: O R N W ALU .^. hy his lorJihip's command, J. Money, A. D. C. (NOTE D. ) Extracl. — From Earl Cornwallls to Sir Henry Clinton, dated cam^ c.t JVacfaw, Sept. -12, 1780, IF nothing material happens to obftrudil my plan of operations, I mean, as foon as Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton can be removed, to pro- ceed with the 23d, 33d, volunteers of Ireland, and legion, to Char- lotte town, and leave the 71ft here (a.) until the fick can be brought on to us. I then mean to make fome redoubts, and cflablilh a fixed port: at that place, and give the command of it to Major Wemyfs, whofe regiment is fo totally demolilhcd by fickncf^;, that it will not be fit for ailual fervlce for fome months. (NOTE ■E t '1 11 *■• =V3« 193 Noteiiott'.t Clinpteri CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AMD i;8l IN THB (NOTE E. ) Exir^Cl of a letter from Eurl Cornivallis to Major Fir^ufon^ found in the Major s hiig^iigCy ami piMjhed by the Americans ajtcr his deaths dated ffacfawSf Sept. 23, 1780.(1.) SI R, I HAVE jufl, received yours of the 19th, and Jafl night had the fa- tlsfa(ftion to hear from Lieutenant -colonel Cruger, tiiat he iiad arrived in time to fiue Browne, and (b.) retaken the guns, and totally routed the enemy, who had retired with great precipitation ; that the Ittdians had purfued and fcalped many of them. I have no objedlioiis to your making any allowance to the militia you think they deferve ; but had rather have it called gratuity than pay, even if it amounts to the fame fum. Tarleton (a.) is better, and was moved to-day in a litter ; his illnefs * . I fhall + I HEARD a report that a Major Davie, who commands a corps of about eighty horfe militia, had marched againft you. You will know whether this is true before this can poffibly reach you. « I am, &c. CORNWALLIS. Major Fergufon. P. S. As foon as I have confumed the provifions in this fcttlement, I fhall march with as much expedition as poflible to Crofs creek. I am told the climate will be healthy there by the middle of next month. (i.) Vide Remembrancer, page 280, part if}, 1781. * Tlie reft of the IJentence in cypher. •f Tliis alfo. Extra^ lOVTllKRN PROVINCEI 01 NOKTII AMURICA. »9J Exini^i rf a Idler (b.)from Miijor Fer^ufon to Lord ConnvalUst f>ul>/l/7.'cJs.'i-ttothc 'rhiiil ly the Americans, Mt Lor II, A DOUBT docs not remain with rcgnrd to tlic intelligence I fcnt your lordflilp : They arc fincc joined hy CJaik and Sumpter, of courfc arc hecomc an ohie*51: of fomc confequcncc. Happily their leaders arc obliged to feed their followers with fuch hopes, and fo to flatter them with accounts of our wcaknefs and fear, that, if neccffary, I (hould hope for fuccefs againft them myfclf ; but, numbers compared, that muft be doubtful. I am on my march towards you by a road leading from Cherokee ford, north of King's mountain. Three or four hun- dred good foldiers, part dragoons, would finifla the bufinefs. Somc- tliing muft be done foon. This is their laft pufli in this quarter, &c. PATRICK FERGUSON. Cli3i«i>r. (NOTE F. ) The following letters were publijfjed hy order of Co/igrefs : Extra^ of a letter from his Excellency Governor fefferfoHt of Virgin/ay ta the Prefident of Congrefsy dated Richmand, October 15, 1780, fx o^clocky P. M, SIR, I DO myfelf the pleafure of congratulating your excellency on the fmall dawn of good fortune which at length appears in the fouth, as you will find by the difpatches I have the honour of enclofmg to you, and which I this moment received from General Gates. C c SIR, 1 I I I ' *.! I ii' ''h I ( ■ [■ ' V ; ( , Iff' J • nu w :m K m rltu 1 Hi 1 .MiiM'\.«K;'ii in p:ili H P ''^in 1 Pi I 1, 8 fm ■' ' liVfffl , 1' . ''MH iH^K Hi v^BuH '-( '-'M' iHiHui' 1 ' URli ^ ilffflH 'IIbI:^' ;3|| ill w '"" hI 'HI m^ l^^i "'''- ' 1 Bf i" «)m!aiBHi ihr ■■* ■■■^■jm iHw [ T« l^i 'mm ''^ H 1 i J 1 194 Notes to the Third Chapter. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780'AND I781 IN THE SIR, Burk county, Odl. 2, 1780. I A M at prefent about fcventy miles from Saliibury, in the fork of the Catawba, with about four hundred and fifty horfemen, in purfuit of Colonel Fergufon. On my croffing the Catawba river, I difpatched to different quarters for intelligence, and this evening I was favoured with this news, which you may depend on : That Colonel Clark, of the ftate of Georgia, with one hundred riflemen, forced his way til rough South Carolina to Georgia. On his route thither, being joined by leven hundred men, he proceeded to the town of Augufta, and has taken it with a large quantity of goods ; but not finding it prudent to continue there, he has retreated to the upper parts of South Carolina, in Ninety-fix. diftriifl, and made a ftand with eight, hundred brave men.. This moment another of my^ exprefles is arrived from Colonels M'Dowcll and Shelby : They were on their march, near Burk court lioufe, with one thouHuid five hundred brave mountain men, and Co- lonel Cleveland was within ten miles of them with eight hundred men, and was to form a jundion with them this day. I expe(Sl to join them to-morrow, in purfuit of Colonel Fergufon, and^ under the direction of Heaven, 1 hope to be able to render your honour a good account of him in a few days, I am, &c. JAMES WILLIAMS. Major-general Gates. S 1 R, HilWborough, OiSt. 12, 1780, THIS inftant I received the great and glorious news contained in the cnclofcd letter from Brigadier-general Davifon to General Sumner, 3 who SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. who diredlly difpatchctl It to me by exprcfs. We arc now more than even with the enemy. The moment the fupplics for the troops arrive from Tjiylor's ferry, I fhall proceed with the whole to the Yadkin. General Smallwood and Colonel Morgan are on their way to that poll ; the latter, with the light infantry, was yefterday advanced eighteen miles beyond Guildford court houfe; the former, with the cavalry, lay laft night thirteen miles on this fide that place. I defne your ex- cellency will forthwith difpatch copies of all the letters I now fend you to the Prefident of Congrefs. ^9i Notes to the '1" hi 111 Chiiptcr. I am, &c. HORATIO GATES. Governor Jefteifon. Gamp, Rocky river, Ocl. lo, 17S0. SIR, 1 HAVE the plcafurc of fending you very agreeable inleUigcnce from the weft. Fergufon, the great partizan, has mifcarrled. This we are aflured of by Mr. Tate, who was major in General Sumpter's late command ; the particulars from that gentleman's mouth ftand thus : That Colonels Campbell, Cleveland, Shelby, Seveer, Williams^ Brandon, Lacey, &c., formed a conjund body near Gilbert town, conlUling of three thoufand men. From this body were fclcdled one thoufand fix hundred good horfe, wlio immediately went in purfult of Colonel Fergufon, who was making his way to Charlotte. Our peo- ple overtook him well pofted on King's mountain, and on the evening of the 7th Inftant, at four o'clock, began the attack, which continued lorty-feven minutes. Colonel Fergufon fell in the adion, befides one Inuulrcd and fifty of his men ; eight hundred and ten were made prl- foners, including the Britifh ; one hundred and fifty of the prifoners lire wounded : One thouliind five hundred fland of arms fell into our C c 2 hands. 1^^ M i r '■ ■' 1 1 196 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Note^toihc hands. Colonel Ferp;ufon had about one thoufand four hundred men. Third Chapter. Our people furrounded them, and the enemy furrendered. We loft about twenty men ; among whom is Major Chronicle, of Lincoln county ; Colonel Williams is mortally wounded. The num» ber of our wounded cannot be afcertalned. This blow will certainly afFeft the Britlfh very confiderably. The brigade major who gives this was in the aftion. The above is true. The blow is great. I give you joy on the occafion. I am, &c. WILLIAM DAVISON. Honourable General Sumner. SIR, Camp, Yadkin ford, 0£l. 10, I78a> eight o'clock evening. WITH great fatisfaftion I inform you of the defeat of Major Fcr- gufon on King's mountain, four o'clock Saturday afternoon. The par* ticulars I enclofe you as 1 received them a few minutes ago : Alfo a letter from General Davifon, of his fecuring twenty-nine barrels of powder, which were fecreted fome time iince near Charlotte. I am, SIR, • With great refpeft. Your very humble fervant, JETHRO SUMNER. General Gates* Publiihed by order of Congrefs, Charles Thompson, Sec. (NOTE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. (NOTE G. ) ip7 Copy of a letter from Colonel Lord Rawdon to Lieutenant-colonel Tarletcn, ^°^!^^°^^'' dated Smith's plantation, OSf. Z2, 1781. Chapter. Of" I AM very much obliged to you, my dear Sir, for the pains which you have taken in looking out for a pofition for us. All the maps of the country which I have are fo very inaccurate, that I muft depend totally on your judgement : Whilft 1 remain in this quarter, my principal point is to communicate readily with Camden and Ninety Six ; at the fame time that I (hall be in a neighbourhood where the camp may be well fupplied. The nearer to the great road I fhould imagme the better : However, I am not enough acquainted with that part of the country to decide. Swan's report appears to be in fome degree influenced by his defirc of getting in fafety to his own home. Twenty miles weft ward from the crofs roads I (hould think would re- move us too far from that diredl communication which we wifli. But I muft repeat, that I fpeak from mapsj in which I fufpeft the relative pofitions to be ill laid down. The fupplies of rum and other ftores which we muft receive from Camden, would make it eligible not to ftrike off too wide from tliat poft, I fhall proceed to the crofs roads to-morrow, where I ftiall hope to hear from you : But we beg that you will in the mean time encou- rage the inhabitants to bring us in as much flour and meal as pofTible ; afluring them that they fhall be pundually paid for every thing with which they furnifti the camp. I have the honour to be. Dear Sir, vAxh. great regard. Your very faithful fervant, . Lieut. Col. Tarleton. R A W D O N. Ccpy. u ;i * '■ -1. ■ ''!■• . • « ' ■ 'Fl ipS CAMPAIGNS or l-^dO ANO i;8l IN Till? Notes to the C<^^'. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarlefonf diiieJ ciwpter. Ifynnejhorough, Dec, 4//;, 1780. 9^ Dear Tarleton, A LETTER from Defpard Informs us, that you have the rank of lieutenant colonel, which gives me the greateft fatisfafbion, and which you fo truly deferve ; I am glad it was done before they knew of the affair of the i8th, as it puts them flill in yoijr debt. I know nothing more than when I wrote laft. Our fupplies of all forts very fcaniy. Rebel plundering parties come within fourteen miles ; their force on this fide only (b.) Sumpter, &c. Poor Captain Hovenden is laid up ivith fever and ague. I am, with the greateft regard, Moll fincerely yours, CORNWALLIS. Lieut. Col. Tarleton. Extra^. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, dated Wynnejborough, Nov. 5, 1781. ij^- I RECEIVED yours yefterday, and moft fincerely hope you will get at Mr. Marion, (a.) I am alw.iys fangulne when you are concerned. I cannot think the march of the detachment of cavalry on this fide very material. (NOTE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I9P (NOTE H. ) InJruSiions to the Hon, Major-general Lejlie, (fated head quarters^ New N'otei to th? 'f hirJ Torkf Oct. lo, 1780, ciuptti, SIR,, YOU will be pleafed to proceed with the troops embarked under 3four command to Chefapeak bay ; and, upon your arrival at that place, you will purfue fuch meafures as you Ihall judge moft likely to anfvver the purpofe of this expedition ; the principal obje£t of which is to make a diverfion in favour of Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis, who, by the time you arrive there, will probably be afting in the back parts of North Carolina. The information you (hall procure on the fpot, after your arrival at your deftined pofl, will point out to you the propereft method of accompliftiing this. But from what I have re- ceived here, I fhould judge it beft to proceed up James river as high as poffible, in order to feize or deftroy any magazines the enemy may have at Peterfburg, Richmond, or any of the places adjacent ; and finally to eftablifli a poft on.Elizcabeth river. But this, as well as the dlredion of every other operation, is fubmitted to Earl Cornwallis,. with whom you are as foon as pofllble to communicate, and afterwards to follow all fuch orders and diredions as you fliall fr-om time to time receive from his lordfliip. i -i (NOTE ■Mill n zoo CAMl'AiOXa 01' 17B0 AMP 1781 IN hUlS, (NOTE I. ) Note; ro the ExIiMii of ii letter fmiu Bill I Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ dated 'I'liinl Cii.iptc;. Cdinp at Wynnejborough^ December -^^ 1780. COLONEL Marion had fo wrought on tlie minds of the people, partly by the terror of liis threats and cruelty of his punilhments, and partly by the promife of plunder, that thirrc was Icarcely an inhabi- tant between the Santee and Pedee, that was not in arms againrt us. Some parties had even crofled the Santee, and carried terror to the gates of Charles town. My firft ohje*^ was to reinftate matters in that quarter, without which Camden could receive no fupplies. I there- fore fent TarletOH, who purfued Marion for feveral days, obl-ged his corps to take to the fwamps, and by convincing the inhabitants that there was a power fuperior to Marion, who could likewife reward and punifli, fo far checked the infurreftion, that the greateft part of them ,have not dared to appear in arms againft us fmce his expedition. (NOTE K. ) ♦ Copy of a letter from "Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, dated PFynneJboroughf November 9, 1780. {Jt* Dear Tarleton, MAJOR Wemyfs attacked Sumpter at Fifli Dam at one o'clock this morning, contrary to his plan, which was to wait until day light ; the confequence is, that Wemyfs is wounded and left, and about twenty men : Lieutenant Hovenden is wounded, but I believe the SOl/TItERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERfCA. 'ZOl the legion has not loft mucii — Miift beg of you to return immediately, N"otfi to the 'i'iiiiil leaving fome horfes for mounting men at Camilcn. I am under the Ch.ipti:-. greateft anxiety for Ninety Six, and tiuft you \vill lolc no time in returning to mc. 1 am, Yours finccrely, CORN W A L L I S, Licutenaiu-coIoiiLl Tarl'.'ton. ExiraS}, — From Earl CorniViillis lo J^icHiciani-cmnel 7,irit'ion, dalcJ 11 ynncjl'orougb^ November lo, r~8o. • .'. ./^ ^ Y O U will have received my letter of ycfterday, liiice whieh uc have intelligence that Sumptcr \i:\6 palled the Jjroad lliver, and joined Clarke, Brannen, &c. They talk of c:[n'eheiirive fome hccident may have happened to him. The enemy D d declare !; i ■ '•! ; t 1 1 t.H j ! 1 ■'A\\ 1 il 1 362 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE fJotpifotbe declare their intentions of going to Ninety Six ; I have lent M*Arthur Third Chapter, with thc I ft battalion (a.) of the 71ft, and the 63d under Money to Shirar's ferry : I wifh you would get three legions, and divide yourfelf into three parts : We can do no good without you, I truft to your coming immediately, unlefs you fee fomething more materially preffing. ( N O T E L. ) Copy of a letter from Earl Cornwallh to Lieutenant'colonel TarUiony dated Wynnejborough^ November zZy 1780, Olr My Dear Tarleton, I M O S T heartily wifli you joy of your fuccefs : But wifli it had rot coft you fo much ; I have ordered M' Arthur to proceed to Galley's ford on Ennoree, and to wait for your orders with his battalion, fend- ing on the baggage with ^ captain and fifty men : If you ihould want him it will mal^e but little delay ; if not, it will fave him a long march. I have fent Stewart to aflift your wounded ; I am happy to hear that Money is in no danger ; I moft fincerely rejoice in your efcape, as well on my own account, as on that of your dountry : That fuc- cefs and every happinefs may ever attend you, is the fincexe wifh Of your moft faithful And aftedionate friend, CORNWALLIS. ^ If you hear of Campbell, or any force advancing, you need not hurry yourfelf. In (hort, I leave all to your difcretioa ; you know a „ tU SOUTHEHN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 303 1 , the importance of putting tiie diAridt of Ninety Six into a ftatc of Notei to the Third fccurity, and will aft accordnigly : You will make any requifuions Chaptr^ you pleafc to Cruger, either from co-operation from him, or afliftance of militia, which is now under the dircftion of Cunningham, briga- dier general of the militia of the diftricl:, and which, I hope, will do better than it has lately done, I have a letter from L , who, on the firft application, com- plies with our wishes : I will not tire you with a repetition of my obli- gations to you ; I truft you will find that I fhall never forget tbctiu Pray exprefs my thanks in the ftrongeft terms to the officers and men under your command. Extra^. — From Earl Ccrnwallis to L'letilemfit'Coloncl larkton, dated JFynncJboroughy November 23, eight o'clock P. M. f[^ I H A V E no doubt but your vidory will be attended with as good confequences to our afrairs as it is with honour and credit to your- felf ; I (hall be very glad to hear that Sumpter is in a condition to give us no farther trouble ; he certainly has been our greatefl: 'plague in this country. (NOTE M. ) Extract,— From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camp, at JFynneJborough, Decemb.r ^^ 1780, SUMPTER having paffed the Broad river, and joined Brannen, Claikc, &c., I detached Major M'Arthur with the iH battalion of the Dd 2 71ft, i '■■i:\ ■. j .j 1 !^ t i i i^:. 1 ■'•n- 204. CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND lySl IN THE ^ V Notes to tiic 71ft:, and tlic 63d regiment, after having lent my aid-dc-camp, Licu- Lhaiiur. tenant Money, to take tljc command of it, to Bncrlty s ferry, on 15road River, in order to cover our mills, and to give fome check to the enemy's march to Ninety Six. At the (luiic time I recalled Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton from the low country. Tarleton was lb fortunate an to pafs not only t!ic Waterec, but the Broad river, without General Sumpter's bclnj; apprized of it, who having incrcafcd his corps to one thoulaml, had paflcd the Ennorce, and was on the point of attacking our hundred militia at Williams' (1.) houfc, fifteen miles from Ninety Six, and whcre^ I believe, he would not have met witli i«uch rcfif- tancc Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton would have furprized him on the Ibuth of Ennoree, had not a dcfcrtcr of (b.) the 63d given notice of his- march : lie, however, cut to pieces his rear guard in palling that river; and purfued his main body witii fuch rapidity, that he could not pafs tlie Tygcr, and was obliged to halt on a very ftrong pofition, at a place called Blackilock's, clofe to it; Tarleton had with him only his ca- valry, and the 63d mounted, his infantry and a three pounder being feveral miles bclund. The enemy not being able to retreat with fafety,. and being informed of Tarleton's approach and want of infantry, by a woman (c) who pafled him on the march, and contrived by a nearer road to get to them, were encourngod by their great fuperiority of numbers, and began to fire on the 63d, who were tlifmounted. Lieu- tenant-colonel Tarleton, to fave them from confiderable lofs, was obliged to attack, although at fotre hazard, and drove the enemy with lofs over the river: Sumpter was dangeroui'y wounded, three of (d.) their colonels killed, and about one and twenty men killed, wounded, or taken. On our fide about fifty were killed and wounded. Lieute- nants Glbfon and Cope, of the 63d, were amongft the former, and my aid-de camp, Lieutenant Money, who was a moft promifing officer, died of his wounds a few days after. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, as ^ , 3 - . foon :l|'t SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH A M K R I C A. 20: foon as he liail taken care ot hU wtmiukd, purfuctl niul ilir'Kiil(.l the Not tr- tlic jcniahung part ul" Sumjitcr's cor[)S ; ami then, havi.'ij?; aflliublcd I'omc Ch.ii>uT. niiUtia uiulcr Mr. Cmuiingham, \vhi)in I appointed brigr.dlcr g-cner.;! of the mihtla of that dlftri^, and who has by far the greatclT: influ- ence in that comitry, he returned to Broad river, where he at prefent remains ; as well as Major M'Arthur, in tiic neighbourhood of Brier- ley's ferry. It i.s not eafy for Lieutcnant-cuioncl Tarlcton to add to the repu- tation ho has acquired in this province ; but the defeating one thou- land iiKti, ported on very ftrong ground, and occupying log houfes, with one hundred and ninety cavalry and eighty infantry, is a proof of that fpirit and thofe talents which muft render the moft eircnti:il fervices to his country. I^ieutenant-colonel Tarleton commends much the gooJi behaviour of the officers and men under his command ; anel he particularly mentions Lieutenant Skinner, of the i6th regiment of inl"antry, who docs duty with the legion, a:') liaving dillinguKhcd himfelf. (NOTE N.) E%iradi. — From Earl CornwijlUs to h'tcutenant-coloncl Tarklon-t dated U^ynncjborough^ Dec. ^tb, 1780. ^ RUGELEY will not be made a brigadier. He furrendered without firing a iliot, hlmfelf and one hundred and three rank and file, to the cavalry only : A defertcr of Morgan's aflbres us that the infantry never came within three miles of tlic houfe. I wilh you to try all you can about inteHlgence, (NOTE N 1 i I J h % ■ * ''I Mi ii-i! ?'i y\'\\ m f'}^ CAM TAJ ON', or 1780 AND I'/fil IN UII (NOTE O. ) N>.-rs »r &,t J2\ff\i/-f. — From l^nrl Covtnvallis to Licutcnmit-coloncl Ttvht'')), f/jlci/ ti'i,.iw. /lyfwfjl'urouc^bf Dec. 15//', 1780. ■~^ W it fliould happen that any of your foraguig parties fhould go to any of the fequcftcrcd (b.) cftatcs on which a deputy of Mr. Cruden's may be phnccd, you will dircd your officer to make application to that deputy for the forage, and give him the receipt. I HAVE no material intelligence, and I am forry to fay, none that I tan depend on from the enemy on our front. If you can meet with ■Auy perfons more cnterprizing than thofe I can find, I beg you will employ them. No news from Ninety Six, or General Cunningham, fince you left us. I I'uv ycfterday your (a.) convalcfcents ; fome of them 1 hardly thought fit to join ; and there were rather more black attendants, botli male and female, than I think you will like to fee. As foon as I hear any thing material from Leflie, you (hall hear from me. CHAPTER • OVTlIEltN rKOVlVCEi 07 NORTH AMKRICA. CHAPTER IV. ao; i^4 "M Movements of the Americans. -^T'he Britijh light troops fa/s Broad rixtr, — Earl Cornwallis moves from fVyKneJborough. — A^ion at the Cow- pens. — General Lejlie joins Earl CorfH''allts» — Purfuit of General Mor- gan. — Margan pajfes the Catawba river. — The King's troops pafs the Catawba. —' Affair at Tar rant* s, — Earl Cornwallis marches to Salif- bury.—-SkirmiJh at the Trading ford. — Earl Cornwallis moves to the Upper fords. — General Greene paJJ'es the Dan» — Earl C^rnwalUs marches to Hilijborough^ —- and ereffs the King^s Jlandard. — General Greene repajfes the Dan. — Earl Cornwallis crojjes Haw river. — Siir- mi/b near Allamance. — Affair at Ifetzeirs milL — Earl Cui r Mallis pajfes a branch of Deep river. JJu RI NG the preparations for the fecond iuvadon of North Care- C»ap. iv. lina, emiifaries had been difpatched into that province, to obtain intel- ligence of the force and defigns of the Americans. Near the end of December information was received, that General Greene (D.) had made a divition of his troops, who did not exceed one thoufand four hundred men, excluGve of the militia ; and, that he had committed: the light infantry and Colonel Wa(hington's cavalry to General Mor-- gan, with directions to pafs the Catawba and Broad rivers, in order toMovcmmt* of the Aine>. coUed the militia in the diuriroiig to refill an aflault, yet the p refer vatioiv of the country in its neighbourhood was confidered as fo great an ob- jc<5l for the gnrrifon and the loyalifls of the din:ri£l, that Earl Corn- wallis difp.itched an ald-ds-ciimp (a.) on the ift of January, to order Lieutenant- colonel Tarlcton over Broad river, with his corps of ca- valry and infantry, of five hundred and fifty. men, the firfl: battalion (!-.) In note J3. (A.) Note A. (C.) Note C. (a.) In note F. of SOUTHERN PROVINCES 01' NORTH AMERK A. 211 of the 71ft, confifting of two 1 uiulred, and two flirec-poviiukrs, to Chap. iv. countera(5l the defigns of General Morgan, by protecting the country, and compelHng him to repafs Broad river. Tarleton received a letter the next day from his lordfliip, communicating an carneil: with, that tlic American commander, if within his reach, (hould be *' pufhed (b ) Xo " the utmoft ; and requiring, likewifc, his opinion, whether any move of the main army (c.) would be advantageous to the fervicc. On th.- receipt of this letter, he direfted his courfe to the weflward, and em- ployed every engine to obtain intelligence of the enemy. He had not proceeded above twenty uiiles from Brierley's ferry, before he had undoubted proofs, that the report which occafioned the order for tlie liglit troops to march was erroneous. The fecure (late of Ninety Six, and •■! -^ diftance of General Morgan, immediately prompted Tarleton to hai. roops under his command, as well to allow time for the jun(flic. . .... the baggage of the ditTerent corps, which had been left on the ground when they firft decamped, as to give information to Earl Cornwallis of the fituation and force of Morgan, and to propofc ope- rations which required his faniflion and concurrence. :\1' ..r^ .:',: .■?••;. i ■'• - : ; As Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton had been entrufted with the outline of the future campaign, he thought it incumbent on him to lay before his lordfliip, by letter, the probable accounts of Morgan's (a.) force . and defigns ; the neceflity of waiting for the baggige of tlie light troops in their prefent fituation, as any future delay might prove a -.great inconvenience to the army; and the plan of operation which ftruck him as equally necefl'ary and advantageous for the King's fervice. He reprefented the courfe to be taken, which fortunately correfponded with the fcheme of the campaign : He mentioned the (b.) la note F. (c.) [m note F. E J 2 (a.) In note G. mode II f Hi [>-5i I r lU i'A' '4 r-fr''! f: 2T2 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE '-i.Ai. IV, mouo (I).) of proceeding to be employed againft General Morgan : He propolcd the tame (c.) time, for the army and the light troops to commence their marcli : He explained the point (d.) to be attained by the main body : And he declared, that it fliould be his endeavour to pulh the enemy into that quarter, (e.) Earl Corn, wallis movM from Wyn- ncfborough. Earl Cornwallis approving the (a.) fuggefted operations, the light troops only waited for their baggage to proceed. Two hvnidred mea of the 7th regiment, who were chiefly recruits, and defigned for the garrifon at Ninety Six, and fifty dragoons of the 17th regiment, brought the waggons from Brierley's to camp. On their arrival, I^ieutenant-colonel Tarleton crofl'ed Indian, and afterwards Dunken creek, though both were confiderably fwelled by a late fall of rain : He hourly received accounts of the increafe of Morgan's corps, which induced him to requeft Earl Cornwallis, who was moving on the eaft of Broad river, to give him permiliion to retain the 7th regiment, that the enemy might be fooner prefled over Broad river, or fome favour- able fituation obtained, whence great advantage might be derived from additional numbers : Having received leave to carry forwards the 7th regiment, he continued his courfe on the 12th to the weflward, in or- der to difcover the nioft practicable fords for the paflage of the Ennoree and Tyger, and that the infantry might avoid the inconveniencies they had undergone in croffing the other waters. An ufeful expedient was concealed under this apparent neceflity. In proportion to the ap- proach of the light troops to thefources of the rivers, and the progrefs of the main army to King's mountain. General Morgan's danger would increafe, if he remained to the weflward of Broad river. The (b.) Tn note G. (e.) In note G. (c.) In note G. (a.) In note H.- (d.) In note G» Ennore* SOUTHERN PnOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 213 Entioree and Tyger were paffed on the 14th, above the Cherokee road, Chap. iv. and Tarleton obtained information in the evening that General Morgan guarded all the fords upon the Pacolet. About the fame time Earl Cornwallis advertlfed Tarleton, that the main army (a.) had reached Bull's run, and that General Leflie had furmounted the difficulties which had hitherto retarded his march. At this crifis Lieutenant-co- lonel Tarleton afiured Earl Cornwallis that he would endeavour to pafs the Pacolet, purpofely to force General Morgan to retreat towards Broad river, and requefted his lordfliip to proceed up the eaftern bank without delay, becaufe fuch a movement might perhaps admit of co- operation, and would undoubtedly flop the retreat of the Americans. 7 13 ■I I!' :. ':1-:ii i S On the 1 5th circumftantial intelligence was procured by Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton of the different guards flationed on the Pacolet. A march was commenced in the evening towards the iron works, which are (ituated high upon the river ; but in the morning the courfe was altered, and the light troops fecured a paffage within fix miles of the enemy's camp. As foon as the corps were afl'embled beyond the Pa- colet, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton thought it advifable to advance to- wards fome log houfes, formerly conftruited by Major Fergufon, which lay midway between the Britlfh and Americans, and were re- ported to be unoccupied by General Morgan. The neceflity and uti- lity of fuch a proceeding appeared fo flrong, that fome dragoons and mounted infantry were fent with all poiiible expedition to fecure them, left a fimilar opinion fliould ftrike the American commander, which might be produjflive of great inconvenience. Tarleton intended to- take poft, with his whole corps, behind the log houfes, and wait the motions of the enemy ; but a patrole difcovtriug that the Americans (a.) In note I,, were mi^:^^sm :rr4 ' campaigns of 1780 and 17R1 in tub Ca.vp. IV, were ilecampc(], the BrltUh liglit troops were directed to occupy their pofitioii, becaufc it yielded a good port, and allorded plenty of provi- fions, which they had left behind them, half cooked, in every part ot their encampment. •• »''^' ' ' Patroles and fpics were immediately difpatched to obferve tlie Americans : The dragoons were dire^fted to follow the enemy till dark, and the other emifl'ari; s to continue their inquiries till morning, if fonic material incident did not occur: Early in tlie night the patroles reported that General Morgan had flruck into byways, tending towards ThickcUe creek: A party of determined loyalifls made an American colonel prilbner, who had cafually left the line of march, and co!i- duclcd him to the Britlfh camp : The examination of the militia colu- nel, and other accounts foon afterwards received, evinced the propriety of hanging upon General Morgan's rear, to impede the junftion of re- inforcements, faid to be approaching, and likewifc to prevent his pa(- iing Broad river without the knowledge of the light troops, who could perplex his dcllgn, and call in the aHiftance of the main army if ne« cefllty required. Other reports at midnight of a corps of mountaineers being upon the march from Green river, proved the exigency of mo- ving to watch the enemy clofely, in order to take advantage of any f^ivourablc opportunity that might offer. . * Accordingly, at three o*clock In the morning on the 17th, the pickets being railed in, the Britifli troops, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, were dire^fled to follow the route the Americans had taken the preceding evening, and the baggage and wag- gons were ordered to remain upon their ground till daybreak, under tlie protccHon of a detachment from each corps. Thrce companies of light infantry, fupported by the legion infantry, formed the advance ; the SOUTHERN PROVINCES OV NORTH AMERICA. 3t5. tlir cavalry; whilft tho light troops, in cafe of repulfe, had the e: jictSiation of a neighbouring force to protefl them from deftrudlion. The difpofitioii was planned with coolnefs, and executed without embarraflment. The defeat' of the Britifh muft be afcribcd either to the bravery or good condudt of the Americans ; to the loofe manner of forming which had always been pradtifed by the King's troops in America ; or to fomc unforefeen event, which may throw terror into the moft difciplined foldiers, or countera(5l the beft-concerted defigns. The extreme ex- tenfion of the files always expofed the Brifh regiments and corps;, and would, before this unfortunate affair, have been attended with detrimental effe£l, had not the multiplicity of lines with whicii they generally fought refcued them from ficli imminent danger. If infan- try who are formed very open, and only two deep, meet with oppo- fition, they can have no ftabdity : But when they experience an un- expefted fhock, confufion will enfue, and flight, without immediate fupport, muft be the inevitable confequence. Other circumftances, perhaps, contributed to fo decifive a rout, which, if the military fyftcni : a,. admitted i l> i It f' t'5 "^l It 2ZZ CAMPAIGNS QV 1 780 AND I781 IN THE Chap. IV. admitted tlie fame judicious regulation as the naval, a court martial would, perhaps, have difclofcd. Public trials of commanding officer^ after unfortunate affairs, are as neccffary to one fcrvicc as the other, and might, in fome Inftances, be highly beneficial io the military pro- feffion. Influenced by this idea. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, fome days after the atflion, required Earl Cornwallis's approbation of his proceedings, or his leave to retire till inquiry could be inftituted, to inveftigate his condud. The noble earl's decided fupport of Lieu- tenant-colonel Tarletoii's manngcment of the Kijig's troops, previous to and during the adion, is fully expreficd in a letter (L.) from his lordfliip. Above two hundred cavalry who had fled to the main army, and feveral other fugitives, joined Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton the day General Lcf- after the action, at Hamilton's ford. Major-general Leflie's corps Cormvaiiis! marched into Earl Cornwallis's camp on the morning of the (a.) i8th: The 19th, the army, with the cavalry or; their left flank, moved towards King's creek : The 20th, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton was dire(flcd to pafs Broad river with the dragoons and the yagers, to ob- tain intelligence of General Morgan, and to give protection to the fugitives who might yet iiave efcaped the power of the vi^lorlous Americans. He rccrofied the river in tiie evening, having received information, that Morgan, foon after the adlion, had quitted the field of battle, to pafs his corps and the prifoners at the high fords on Broad river, leaving the wounded under the protedion of a flag of truce. Puifaitof This news induced Earl Cornwallis to crofs BufFaloe creek and Little tJcncral Mor- -r, . . . . ^ . . —, gan. Broad river, m hopes of interceptuig General Morgan ; but the cclc- tity made ufe of by the Americans, after their unexpedlcd advantage (T.,) Note L. (a.) In note R, at SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 223 at the Cowpcns, enabled them to evade his lordflilp's army, and Chai'. iv. reach (a.) the Catawba. In the mean tune, General Greene appointed iMoisnn the eafteru bank ot that river for the place of rendezvous of thetawba iin.r, militia, and to efFcd a junvftlon, if pofTiblc, of the continentals. In order to complete his plan, he prepared to difpute the paffage of the Britifli, with General Morgan's (b.) dlvifion and the militia, till th» other corps of continentals could, by forced marches, reach the upper parts of North Carolina. The King's troops, after their ineffe£lual purfult, pointed their courfe towards the Catawba : The train of waggons that now attended them met with great obilacles on the march, which confiderably im- peded the progrefs of the army. On the 25th, (b.) a halt was made at Ranfoure's mills, for the purpofe of deftroying all the baggage and carriages, except fuch as were abfolutcly neceflliry. Earl Cornwallis reduced the fize and quantity of his own baggage, and this laudable example was followed by the general and other officers under his com- mand. After adopting this meafure, fo neceflary for the prcfecution of ofFeniive operations, the army proceeded towards the Catawba. Pa- trolos were dlfpatched to reconnoitre the neighbouring fords : Par- tics of continentals and militia were difcovered on the oppofite banks : Intellii'cnce was likewife obtained of the arrival of General Greene, with an efcort of American dragoons, at Beatty's ford ; and, that his troops were advancing by rapid marches from the Pedce. The fitua- tlon of the public fords rendering them formidable. Inhabitants and fpics were employed to difcover the ftatc of the private pafles through the river, that the main column of the army might attempt fome place not flrongly guarded, whilft a detachment, with great demon- (a.) Ill note N. 3 (b.) In note N. (b.) In note R. il ration. if ■ '' ^^ 1 I * i^^ •224 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Chap. IV. i^ratlon, occupied the attention of the Americans at the moft fre- quented and Ihalloweft part of the Catawba. The Kino;'s troojjs pal's the Catawba. On the evening of the 31ft of January, a large proportion of the •King's troops received orders to be in readinefs to march at one o'clock in the morning ; and Colonel Webfter was direfted to move at day- fcreak, with the 3,3d, the fecond battalion of the 71 ft, Hamilton's corps, the yagers, the fix pownders, and all the waggons, to Beatty's ford. At the time appointed, Earl Cornwallis commanded the guides to condu£l him, with the principal part of the army (c.) and two three-pouiiders, to M'Cowan's, fix miles to the fouthward of the public ford. Owing to the intricacy of the roads, and the darknefs cf the morning, one of the three pounders was overfet, and for fome time caufed a feparation of the 23d regiment, the cavalry, and the artillery men, from the main body. The brigade of guards, and the regiment of Bofe, reached the river before dawn i and it evidently appeared, by the fires on the oppofite bank, that a detachment of the enemy were ready to conteft the pafllige. Brigadier-general O'Hara formed the guards into column, and dire(5led them to move forwards, and approach the Americans without firhig. As foon as the light company entered the water, fupported by the grenadiers and the two battalions, the enemy commenced a galling and conflant fire, which was flciidily received by the guards, without being returned. The column advanced without the fmalleft halt, though the foldiers were frequently above their midcll in water; and a rapid flream, upwards of five hundred yards wide, was pafled in the face of an enemy with great gallantry (d.) and refolution. The attack of the light and gre- nadier companies, as loon as they reached the land, difperfed the (c.) In note R. (d.) In note R. Americans, "^*»m- 2"« r oft fre- 1 of the e o'clock J at day- amilton's 3 Beatty's he guides and two :d of the e darknefs 1 for fome y, and the s, and the ■ evidently ent of the ral O'Hara forwards, the light d the two ire, which ned. The dlers were , upwards lemy with It and gre- Iperfed the Americans, SOUtHEHN PROVINCns OF NORTH AMERICA. Americans, who left their lender, General Davldfon, dead upon the Chaf. IV fpot, and about forty men killed and wounded. Lieutenant-colonel Plall, of the light infantry, fell as he quitted the ftream. The guards had very few men killed, and only thirty-fix wounded, on this trying occafioM. The regiment of Bofe, the 23d, the three pounders, and the ca- valry, followed in fucceflion. When the paflhge was completed, Earl Cornwallis diredled Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton (e.) to move forwards with his own corps and the 23d regiment, to attack the rear of the camp at Beatty's, in cafe the Americans had not quitted that pofition : But as that was looked upon as the probable confequence of the firing at M'Cowan's, upon finding the ford open for Colonel Webfter, he was inftru£\ed to make a patrole into the country, to gain intelligence of the enemy. The advanced dragoons foon brought fome prilbners to Tarleton, who informed him, that the different guards upon the fords had quitted the river, and were making a precipitate retreat. A heavy rain and bad rosds preventing the progrefs of the infantry, the 23d was ported about five miles eaft from Beatty's ford, on the main route leading to Salifbury, and the purfuit was continued with the cavalry: They had not proceeded above three miles, when Tarleton gained intelligence, that t!ie fugitives from the fords, and other par- ties of militia from the counties of Rohan and Mccklenburgh, were to alTemble at two o'clock in the afternoon at Tarrant's tavern. Al- tlioiigh the report of the diftance and the numbers was contrary to his wilhes, he refle£led, that the time was advantageous to make impref- fion upon the militia; that the weather, on account of a violent rain, .was favourable for the projed ; and that a retreat was always praifli- (e.) In note R. C g cable I t i I Z26 Chap. IV Affair at 'lairant's. CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE cable with a fupcrioi" body of cavalry. Aduatetl by thefe confKxra- tions, he deteimined, by a rapid march, to approach the eucmy : The militia were vigilant, and were prepared for an attack. In this critical fituation, Tarleton refolved to hazard one charge, ami, if in- fuccclsful, to order a retreat : When at a proper dilhnce, he del cd his foldiers to advance, and remember the Cowpens. Animated bv t m reproach, a furious onfet enfued : They broke through the cen .r with irrefirtible velocity, killed near fifty on the fpot, wounded ma / in the purfuit, and difperfed above five hundred of the enemy. Small parties of dragoons were detached in every diretflion, to continue their confufion, and prevent their affembling : The remainder of the ca- valry halted at Tarrant's. Seven men were killed and wounded, and twenty horfes fell, by the fiifl: fire of the enemy. This exertion of the cavalry fucceeding the gallant a£lion of the guards in the morning, difi\ifed fuch a terror among the (f.) inhabitants, that the King's troops palled through the moil hoftile part of North Carolina without a Ihot from the militia. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, on the return c<^ the detachir its, fell back with his corps and Ibme prifoners, to join the army, five miles from Bcatty's ford. . , Some papers belonging to Colonel Locke, who was killed in the late affair, difcovered General Greene's folicitude (M.) for the aflem- bling of the militia. On his firft arrival in Mecklenburgh and Rohan, he thought thofe counties would fupply force fufficient, with the aid of Morgan's corps, to prevent the King's troops paffing the Catawba ; but if the inhabitants joined their alhftance after that event, he had full confidence in the ability of General Piekens, to harafs and im- pede the progrcfs of the King's troops, till he placed the diftrids be- (f.) In note R. (M.) Note M. yond fitk ra- le my : u this if ni- ck I 'ed by I lis cen -f d ma y Small ue their the ca- led, and ertion of iiorning, e King's I without le return ners, to SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMKRICA. yond the Yadkin in a Ante of defence, by calling out their militia, and tlleding a junflion of the divided continentals. The dclign of the American commander being in ioui'* degree fruftrated, Earl Cornwal- lis proceeded with the royal army on the 2d of Febrbary, to endea- vour to render the whole abortive. He reached Saliibury on the 4th, where Ibme emiflaries informed him, that General Morgan was at the Trading ford, but had not pafled the river : Brigadier-general O'llara was diredted to march to that place, with the guards, the regiment of Bofc, and the cavalry. Owing to rain, darknefs, and bad roads, the troops did not arrive at the Yadkin till near midnight. After a Ikirmifli (c.) it was difcovered that Morgan's corps had crofled in the evening, leaving a detachment of riflemen to protett fome wag- gons and (lores belonging to country people, who were flying with their effe(^s, to avoid the Biitifli army. General O'Hara having made a fruitlefs (g.) effort to get pofltllion of the flats and large boats upon the river, took poft with the infantry on the ground which com- manded the ford and the ferry, and fent back the cavalry to Salifbury. A heavy rain fwelled the Yadkin the fucceeding day and night, and General Morgan remained on the eaftern bank, facing the Britilh troops. 227 CiiAr.IV. Knrl Corn- wallis marclu"! to tjalilbury. Skirmini at the Trading fold. :il ■M Earl Cornwallis finding that he could not attempt the Trading ford, on account of the advantageous pofition of the enemy and depth of the river, detached the cavalry, fupported by the 23d regiment, on the afternoon of the 6th, to reconnoitre Grant's creek, and the coun- try beyond it. Some militia broke the bridge on the creek, but re- riicd on the approach of the Britilh. As luon as the bridge was re- paired, Lieutenant -colonel Tarleton made a long patrole with the U.) In note N. (g.) In note R. G g 2 cavalry ti^S'.'vIl i i f II Earl Coin- MuUis moves to the upper ibrds. 228 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Chai-. IV. cavalry, and finding no obftacles to inopede the courfe of the main army to the upper fords, and no probability of oppofition in croiling the Yadkin above the forks, he returned towards his infantry, and fcnt a written report of his difcoveries to Salilbury. On this news. Earl Cornwallis diredled General O'Hara to quit his pofition at the Trading ford, and return to head quarters ; which being accompliflied, the royal army marched from Salilbury, and pafled the different creeks on the road to the (hallow fords, where they crofled the Yadkin, and entered the Moravian fettlement. The mild and hofpitable diipofition of the inhabitants, being aflifted by the well-cultivated and fruitful plantations in their pofleflion, af- forded abundant and feafonable fupplies to the King's troops during their paffage through this diftrift. Earl Cornwallis, wiihing to in- tercept the Americans) and force them to a£lion to the fouthward of the Roanoke, proceeded from Salem towar«..s the head of Haw river, and on his march gained intelligence of their having compofed a for- midable (d.) corps of light troops, confifling of Lee's, Bland's, and Washington's cavalry, the continental light infantry, and fome rifle- men, in order to watch his motions, and retard his progiefs, whilft General Greene removed the ftores and heavy baggage of the conti- nental army into Virginia, and haftened the remainder of his troops to the river Dan, on the frontier of that province. At the crofs roads, near the Reedy fork, the advanced guard of the Brrtilh light troops was attacked by Colonel Lee's dragoons, who were repulfcd with fome lofs ; but an officer of the advanced guard continuing the purfuit too far, was made prifoner,. with three of his followers. The bridge on Reedy fork being broken down, retarded for fome hours the adt (d.) In note N.. vanee 60VTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. vance of Earl Cornwallis, who afterwards crofled Troublefome creek, and perfevered in the diredlion to the high fords of the Dan. On the road many Ikirmlihes took place between the Britifli and the Ame- rican light troops, without great lofs to either party, or any impedi- ment to the progrefs of the main body. Owing to an excellent dif- pofition, which was attended with fome fortunate contingencies. Gene- ral Greene paffed the whole army over the river Dan on the 14th, near Country-line creek, without their receiving any material detri- ment from the King's troops. Every meafiire of the Americans, du- ring their march from the Catawba to Virginia, was judlcioufly de- ligned and vigoroufly executed. The Britifh proceeded without inter- miffion to Boyd's ferry, (h.) where they found fome works evacuated, which had been conftru£led to cover the retreat of the enemy, who fix hours before had finifhed their paflage, and were then encamped oft the oppofite bank. The continentals being chafed out of North Carolina, and the militia being awed and impeded from collefting. Earl Cornwallis thought the opportunity favourable for aflembling the King's iiiends. With thit; Intention he retired from the Dan, and proceeded by eafy matches towards Hillfborough, the capital of the province. On this movement the King's troops gradually recovered from the fatigue they had undergone on the late march, which they had borne with exem- plary patience and fortitude. Earl Cornwallis, on his arrival at Hillfborough, publlftied a proclamation, (O.) inviting all loyal fubjeds to repair to the King's ftandard, (i.) and to take an adive part in aflifting him to reftore order and conftitutional government. 229 ClIA?.IV. General Greene pafles the Dan. Earl Corn- wallis miirches to- Hillfbo- rough, And crc^t* the King's flaiiduL'd.. (h.) In note R. (O.) Note O. (i,) In note R.. DURIN<3. ill k f I" hi '~i' U . 'l';l*1 i^O CAMPAIGNS OF I780 A 1=^ D I7S1 IN T 11 K Cn.\r. IV, During thcfc operations. Generals Suniptcr and Marion endea- voured to diflur'j the communications, and excite infurrciftions, in South Carolina. Lord Ravvdon immediately fupprcflld all the ene- my's attempts within his reach. A body of continentals, under Colo- nel Lee, had met with fome fuccefs on the extremity of the eaftern border, where the garrilbn of George town were furprilod : But this part of the frontier was relieved by the recall of the continentals to the northward, and George town was again occupied by the Britifli, Previous to the movement of the roval armv from Wynnelbo- roup'h. Earl Cornwallis inftru£ted Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, to fend a detachment from Charles town, under the convoy of a naval force, to take poffeHion of Wilmington, in North Carolina. Information was received about this time, that Major Craig, of the Sad, with tiie flank companies of his regiment, and two hundred men, had pro- ceeded up Cape-Fear river with military fiipplies, and had fortiticd himfelf la that port. From Hilliborough, Earl Cornwallis opened correfpondence with Wilmington, and defired the officer commanding at that place to report to him the ftate of tjie country in his neigh- bourhood, and to gather as early and complete information as poUible, of the pradicability of eftablifliing a W'ater communication between his garrifon and Crofs creek. . .'••"•, *-•- ' "-- •' Soon after the King's flandard was erected at Hlllfborough, many hundred inhabitants of the furrounding diftrifts rode into the Brl- tifn camp, tt) talk over the proclamation. Inquire the news of the day, and take a view of the King's troops. The generality of thcfe vifi- tants I'jcmcd dLfnous of peace, but averfe to every exertion that might tend to [)rocure it. They acknowledged the continentals were chafed out of the province ; but they declared, they foon expetfled them to re- turn, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. turn, and the drcul oi' violence niul pciTccution prevented tluir taklnp; c a decided part in a caulc which yet appeared dangerous. Some of the niofl: zealous profcllors of attachment, who were denominated torie", iVom liaving publicly avowed their fentlments, promifed to raiic corps atvd regiments for the King's fervice ; but their followers and dependents protcning againft military reflraint and fubordination, numbers were never found to complete their eftablifliments. Another circumftance deferves mention, which undoubtedly had material influ- ence at this period. Owing to a variety of caufes, the King's troops had never made any ferious cirort to aflift the well ;iffe£led in North Carolina fince the commencement of the war. The length of time that had elapfed fince Governor Martin quitted the province, and the variety of calamities which had attended the exertions of the loyalids, had not only reduced their numbers and weakened their attachment, but had confirmed the power and fuperiorlty of the adverfe party, and had occafioned a general deprefiion in the King's friends, which would not eafily have been (haken off in the moft profpcrous times, and there- fore was not likely to be warmed into awion wltii the prcilut aj^pear- uncc of public alTairs. 231 IV ■ hi ) :i Notwithstanding the Indiflcrence or the terror of the loyalills was vifible at Hillfborough, Earl Cornwallis entertained hopes of re- ceiving reinforcements from the inhabitants between the flaw and the Deep river. On the 23d (k,) Lieutenant-colonel 1'arleton was de- tached with two hundred cavalry, one hundred and fifty men of Co- lonel Webfter's brigade, and one hundred yagers, to give countenance to the fiiends of government in that diftricl : A family of the name of Pyle had made preparation for an iufurre(5lion in that quarter, and had r ■jii (k.) In uote R. com« 232 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN TITR 'CiiAf. IV. communicated their iiucntlons to Earl Cornvvallis, vvlio allurcu tlicin that a Biiti(h force (hould be feat to give them protedion whlhT: they nflcmblcd, and at the fame time requefted them to march to Hillfbo- rough, or to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton's corps, as foon as tliey had colledled a body. On the 24th the Britlfh detachment pafl'ed the Haw, and difperfed a party of American militia, who had united to coun- teraaiul,;r'l had l)ccn crc^f^td at IJiniLorou^Ji, rviiil till- I'V.iHlls of North (.'.iri)Hiia invitfil to repair to ir, l^iilCorn- uallii dill not (l.ciu it judicious (h) U) rciuaia lonr in that iiriiatioii ;',t"tcr (icinral (irociic n.tviriKtl tVoiu V^irglnia. Oa the 26th the royal nriiiy marched hy the ktt, paflbd through IlilllLorough, niid pointed their courfe towards the Haw. The fruittuhiel'i of tlio country, nnil the protcc'^ion of a body of the King's friends, fjjipofed to rcfido in that dilhld, were the reafons adigned for thii movement. The Haw was palild on the 27th, and the King's troops took poll near AUamancc creek and Stinking quarter. If General Greene loft the conlidcncc of ]iis friendi by quitting North Carolina when pnrlucd by a fuperior force. Earl Cornwallis likcwife relinquilhcd his claim to the fiiperiority of the Hritifh arms by abandoning Hilllborougli upon the return of the American general into the province ; and undoubtedly Loth officers from this period placed their future hopes in their own military con- du(fV, and refted tiic event of the campaign upon the operations of their reipedive armies. As foon as General Greene was informed of the pofition of the main body of the King's troops near Allamance, and tliat their advanced guard extended a little way towards Deep river, ^le crofled the Haw near its fource, and took pofl: between Troublefome creek and Reedy fork. The two armies did not long remain in this fituation. The ]3riti(h cavalry were ordered on the 2d of March to forage about three miles in front of their encampment. Captain Hovcnden, of the le- gion, who commanded the covering party, obferving fome of the Ame- rican dragoons in the neighbourhood of the plantations where he was dire«£led to collect forage, rode forwards to examine more clofely ; (1.) Ill note R. when, • OUT lit. UN I'nOVlNCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ^35 when, juTcciviiig the c'liciny's inf.uitry, he clil|i.\tclKd tlic t"or.i<»crs to CnAr.lv, CMinp witho.it their burdens, and, on his return, reported tlic circuin- ihuiccs he had difcovcrcd. This intclIigvMicc induced Lieutenant-colo- ikI Tarlctun to make a patrole with his whole corps, wITkIi conlilLrd of" the cavalry, a few mounted infantry, tlic li.',ht company of tlic I'jUanls, and one hundred and fifty men ot Colonel W'thUer's brigade, after havin^i conveyed to Earl Coinwallis, by cxprefs, his realbn for fuch a proceeding. The approach to the ground where the enemy were delcrlbed to have been I'eeii proving unfit for the operations of ca- valry, Tarletoii dlreifted the infantry to form the ;;dvance, and to e» plore the thick woods upon the flanks with great attention. The light company of tlu guards, commanded by Captain Dundafs, led the co- lumn, the infmtry of the line followcil the guards, aiui the cavalry brought up the foragers In the rear, till the country would allow the dragoons to move on to the front. When the DiicUh drew near to the plantations which were to furnilh the forage, a heavy fire from fomc thickets on each fide of the road dlfjovcred the fituation of the enemy. The guards tormcd with their ufual alacrity* and Captain In^^ram, of 'i^inniiir 11. ,ir Allu-. the 33d regiment, who commaniled the hundred and tifcy men of \Vc!)- m-intt. fter's brigade, was direded to drefs his left by their right, whilft the cavalry moved to his right, where the country appeared mofl favourable for their exertions. The gallantry of the British tro^M s, after a Ihoit C(Uiflicl:, (liilotlged and diluorled a corps of eight hundred men, com- pofed of Lee's legi- n, Walhington's dragoons, and Prefton's back- woodfmen, Tlic lofs of the Americans was confined principally to the woodfmcn ; the continentals retreated early, and did not wait the charge of the Brltini dragoons, who were much impeded in their ad- vance by a thick wood and high rails, which prevented the a\D;ion from . being more general and dccifive. II h Thb mi 4 i< \ ■■ : i\V'. 336 CAMPAIONS OF 1780 AN15 I 78 1 IN T II K Cnvr. U', The puiTult v/as rcftrained on account of the various roadi: by which tlie encniv's cavalry could cfcapc, and in confcquence of the report of piifoners, wiio acknowledged that General Greene wa? iijoving ivith tlic American arn^y to the Ibuthward of the Reedy fork. Thougli the continentals lulllred little in this alFair, numbers of the riflemen were killed and wounded; and b^lng abandoned by their cavalry, the reft were totally (iilperlcd. The lofs of the BritiHi amounted to one officer wounded, and twenty men killed and wounded, which fell principally ujion the guards. Inuring the time that the dragoons were colIevfUng their trutles, an cxpreli was lent to Earl Cornwallis to advile him of the nvjvrment of the enemy ; and the forage being completed, the light troops fell back to their former encampment; where they found Major 1)2 Buy, with the yagers, the regiment of Bofe, and two pieces of cannon, Earl Cornwallii having advanced this lupport as fooii as he heard the mufketry in front. The next morning Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton was diredlcd to move a corps, confifting of two hundred cavalry, the light company of the guards, eighty yagers, one hundred and fifty men of Webfter's bri- gade, two fix-pounders, and the regiment of Bofe, fix miles to the front of the Britifh army, into the t.'cighbourhood of the enemy. He chole a ftrong port for his numbers. The intermediate country was foraged during the day : In the evening Tarleton was defired to main- tain his pofition till morning, unlefs he found that he was likely to be attacked by a force too confiderable to refift : The advanced pot^, m this delicate and ticklilh fituation, was felt all night by the enemy, and the patroles were frequently driven in. The forage being completed, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton withdrew, and joined the army in the morning. About which port of g with igh the ;ii were :he reft ; officer iicipally )llc>fl:ing him ut ted, the ;y found ,'0 pieces )oa as he SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. > 1'-' - .)/ About this period Earl Coniwalhs and Geircral Grectie entered into Cn.w. iv. correfpondence for the exchange of prlluncrs bcloiignig to the louthcni arnues. Captaiii Brodrick, who was empowered to treat hv the fur- nier, on account of fome difficulties which aroie, could not briiig the bulineis to a conclufion : It dropped for lonie time ; and being after- wards revived, was hnilhed by Captain Gornwallis, on the part of the BiitiHi, and Colonel Carrington as agent for the Americans, when the cuf!:omary tariff was llgned, and accordingly executed. On the 5th Information was conveyed to head quarters of the prin- cipal part of General Greene's army being fituated near Cniildford court houfe, and that the light troops and militia extended down Reedy fork and towards the Haw river, to protetl the country, and guard the communicat ns with Virginia, and the upper parts of North Carolina. Several reports confirming the validity of this intelligence, Earl Corn- wallis determined to move the next dxy to ditlurb the enemy's (a.) communications, and derange their projeds. (m.) Early in the morn- ing he pafled the Allamance : The light troops led the column, fup- ported by Colonel Webfter's brigade : The regiment of Bole was fol- lowed by the brigade of gu;'!rds ; and Hamilton's corps, with the wag- gons, brought up the rear. The Britifli dragoons foon puflicd Colonel Lee's cavalry from their advanced fituation : They retired to Wetzell's mill on the Reedy fork: Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton difcovered the enemy to be in force at that place, and reported the circumftance to Earl Cornwallis, who direclxd Colonel VV'ebfler to form his brigade into line with the light company of the guards and the yngers. This difpofition being made, the front line advanced, the reft of the King's troops remaining in column. The enemy did not oppofe the right Aftairat Wet- it ll'o mill. (a.) In note Q. 2 (in.) In note R. wmg .1 i ■ yi P .; :, '.: •l':Ul til ! I IBteli!^^ ,1 J: 1 :. m f} SjlP ,..33 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 r IN THE Ctur. IV. whig of tiic I)iirifli lo flciulily as the left: The a^d and yiO: moved i'ofwards to the crock without any great impediment ; and the ardent bravery of the 3 jd and the light conij)any of the guards foon dlflodged them from their llrong jwlition. The Infim try mounted the liill ahove the creek, and diljxTled the Americans lb efledually, that the cavaliv could only celled a kw fl:ra<;"ler3 from the woods in fn.nf. The n^i- lltla who guarded this pafs luui upwards of oiic hundred men kilLd, wounded, and taken. The killed and vvoua'.i<.d of the ]5ritlfli amounted to about thirty. If tlie defign liad been completed with the fame energy wifhi which it was commenced, the happiell c-Mifequences might haverefulted from it. An immediate movement of the King's troops acrofs lii;^h-rock ford might, at this period, have produced various and dccifive events. Such a manoeuvre (b.) might have intercepted the American flores and reinforcements, then a}i[iroaching from llilliborough and \ irginia ; might have interrupted the retreat of the American army, or forced the continentals to hazard an a>ftion without the affiftance of their eighteen-monlhs men and i^iliria. The news of Earl Cornwallis's march made Ckneral Greene decamp i^recipitately, in order to proceed towards the Haw for the protection of his (c.) flores and reinforcL* ments : Iiitelligcnce was obtained of this clrcumllance by the (x^'refs falling into the hands of a llritlfli legion dragoon, who conduced him to Earl Coruwallij with his dlfpatches, But notwithftanding tlicie weighty confiderations, it was flrcnuoufly urged to his lord(hip, thac a move towards Deep river would cover the King's friends, and that rho army had not fufficient provifions to proceed into the country beyond the Haw. In vain was it reprefcntcd that the Britifh troops could nevci: (b.) In note Q^ J (c.) In note Q. expcd^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF KORTir AMERICA. 239 cxped great aUKlaiu'c from the loyalifts till t'ley had dcPiroyed Crccne, Chap. IV. and acrviircd a marked fupcriority of arms ; that tiic prclcnt cnterprife was momentous, and happily commenced ; and that vigorous exertions for forty-eight hours would procure favourable opportunities of taking all the (lores of the Americans, beating their army in detail, and lecu- lina: the event of the camoaiirn. '4 i The performance of thefe operations, which would probably have ayertcd many of the lublequent calamities, was not, however, uni!cr- takcn, and an order was given for the King's troops to incline to th-j wellward : They accordingly moved in a fouth-wcf!: direclion for a few days, \vl*i|l«i'l: General Greene (d,) conneded, without moleflation, his militia, his' c'y^it-een-months men, and his continentals ; when he ad- vap.cod towar''-'"^'» "f army encamped on the 13th at the Quakers' meeti'ig houfe. (.1.) In note Q. N ( T E S \ i 1 I fl • i i'.i .1 !' I ill i'„. 10 CAMPAIC - ■• 1780 AND 178?, &C. N O E TO THE 241 FOURTH CHAPTER. '*« ;• ■yi' lu (NOTE A. ) Exinul. — From Earl Cornwallis to Major-general Lejlle, dated camp at Notes to the JPynneJborough, Nov. izth, 1780. Chapter. VV E will then give our friends in North Carolina a fair trial : If they behave like men, it may be of the greatefl: advantage to the af- fairs of Britain ; if they are as as our friends to the fouthward, we mud leave them to their fate, and J: cure what ive have got. \ (NOTE B. ) ./ .tra^l. — From Ear! ConnvaWs to Lkutenant -colonel Tarlelotiy dated Wynncfuoroughy Dec. iSih, 1780. i(3* IF you had not moved ycftcrday, Kiiilock would have in- lortned you that Leflie's fleet came over the bar on Thurfday laft, all I 1 well, u 24 i CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE Notc5tnthe wcll, aucl uot a luigle mifling fliip ; they will begin their march, I Fourth Cii.ipKT. believe, this day. I expeft Balfour here to-morrow or Wednefday. Lord Rawdon has received intelligence, which, however, he does not credit, that Morgan's corps and the cavalry had pafled the Catawba. I have fent out every body I could engage to go ; but the friends hereabout are fo timid, and fo ftupid, that I can get no intelligence. I APPREHEND we muft firft diflodge Lacey, &c. from Turkey creek, a; d then march up the weft fide of Catawba to l^nnc of the fords above the Tuckafeege. I wilh you would take pains to inform yo\ii cJ ■ 'ji thoroughly as pofiible of the ftate of the roads, (a.) pro- vifions, fornge, mills, &c. I have a good account of our recruits, in general, aud hope to march from hence three thoufand tlve hundred fighting men, leaving thofe I mention'ed to you on the frontiers. IL J I TRUST you will make every poflible ftiift rather than go much farther back, as I fhould then be uneafy about: M'Arthur ; and as foon as you have been able to get information about the country, I fhould be glad to fee yon, to talk over our march. (NOTE C. ) Extra^i. — From Major •general Lejlie to Lord George Germam, dated Charles towi;, Dec. \()th^ 1780. I DID myfelf the honour of writing to your lordfhip at fea, on board the Romulus, the 27th ult. From hard gales and contrary winds, we did not get here before the 13th inftant. The troops are all arrived in great health : We met with no lofs except our horfes. Com- SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 243 Commodore Gay ton paid the grcatcft attention in keeping his fleet Notes to the P'ourth together, and difpofing of his light armed veflels for the prote£llou of Chapter, the tranfports. I found orders here to march up the country with about one thoufand five hundred and thirty men, to join Lord Corn- wallis as foon as pofllble : The want of horfes and waggons prevented me proceeding on my march until this day. (NOTE D. ) Copy. — From Earl CornwaHis to hkutenant-colond Tarktorii date J IVynneJborought Dec. 26//&, 1780. Ot* A M A N came this morning from Charlotte town ; his fide- lity IS, however, very doubtful ; he fays, that Greene marched on Wednefday lafl towards the Cheraws, to join General Cafwall, and that Morgan, with his infantry and one hundred and twenty- four of Wafliington's light horfe, croffed Biggar's ferry, on Thurfday and Friday laft, to join Lacey. I expeft more certain intelligence before night, when you (hall hear again from me. (NOTE E. ) Copy. — From Earl Cot'N'Wtillls to Limtcniml-coloncl Tar/eton, dated IJynneJhorou^h^ Dec. 30/A, 1780. ^S" Dear Tarleto:i, I S E N D you the reports of the day. Firft, Morgin and Walliing ton have pafled Broad riyer j fecondly, a brig from York fays, that X x 2 a packet ^ 1 Iwiuf I^ w I^^Hu Wi m ■n B'^ti i^' i| '••§: hBi ' !■!*■ V I'm W^'\ :k:t -; I ■-'. I 1 244 CAMPAIGN'S OP 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the a packet had arrived there from England, and that accounts were Fourth Chapter, brought, that fix regiments were under orders for embarkation,///- pofed to be deflined for CaroHna ; thirdly, and the worft report of all, if true, that one thouland French are got into Cape Fear, who will probably fortify themfelves at Wilmington, and flop our water com- munication with Charles town for provifions ; fourthly, that an em- barkation was taking place, under General Phillips, from New York, li\id to be deftined for the Chefapeak. Lord Rawdon mentions, that by a letter from M'Kinnon to Eng- land, he is afraid that the accoutrements for the 17th dragoons are coming up by the flow procefs of General Leflie's corps. Try to get (a.) all pofllblc intelligence of Morgan. Your's very fincerely, CORNWALLIS. Lieut. Col. Tarleton. (NOTE F. ) Copy. — From Earl Corntvallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, dated PVynneJhorout^h, Jan. zdy 1780, /("^en o'clock A. M * ^ Dear Tarleton, I SENT Haldane (a.) to you laft night, to defue you would pafs Broad river, with the legion and th** firft battalion of the 71 ft, as icon as poffible. If Morgan is ftill at ' Villiams', or any where within your reach, I fhould wifh you to puih him to the utmofl: : 1 have not * This letter was mifdated by mirt.ike, being written on the 2cl of January, 1781. heard, SOUTHERN PROVINCRS OF NORTH AMERICA. 243 heard, except from M'Arthur, of his having cannon ; nor would I Notcb to ihe rouiiii believe it, uiilefs he has it from very good authority : It is, however, Chmncr. pofTible, and Ninety Six is of fo much confequence, that no time is to be loft. Your's fincerely, CORNWALLIS. Let me know if you think tliat the moving the whole, or any part of my (c.) corps, can be of ufe. (NOTE G. ) Extradi, — From Lieutenant'iohnelTarleton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Brookes', JaN. 4th, 1781. ^ MORGAN, with upwards of one thoufand two hundred men, being on this fide Broad river, to threaten Ninety Six, and evade your lordlhip's army whenever you may move, I beg leave to offer my opinion how his defign may be prevented. I MUST draw my baggage, the 71ft and legion's arc depofited at my old camp, to me. I wi(h it to be efcorted by the 17th light dra- goons, for whom horfes are ready ; by the yagerr, if to be fparcd ; and by the 7th regiment. The 7th I will fend, as foon ab I reach Ennoree, with the field piece, to Ninety Six. My encampment is now twenty miles from Brierley's, in a plentiful forage country, and 1 can loy in four days flour for a move. When ^4^ CAMP A IONS or 1780 AND 1 78 r IN THE Notfifoth'. When I advance, I muft cltlicr deflroy Morgan's (b.) corps, or Chiiptei. pufh it before me over Broad river, towards King's (e.)mouatai!'„ The advance of the army fhould commence (when your lordHiip orders thii (c.) corps to move) onwards for King's (d.) mountain. Frequent com- mimication by letter can pafs the Broad river. 1 feel myfelf bold ii: offering my opinion, as it flows from zeal for the public fervltx, and well-grounded inquiry concerning the enemy's dcfigns and operations. I HAVE diretSted Captain M'Pherfon, the bearer of this letter, who is going on the recruiting fervice, to deliver a letter to Lieutenant Munroe, whom I left at my camp, to bring up my baggage, but no women. If your lordfliip approves of this plan, Captain M'Pherfon may give my order to Lieutenant Munroe to efcort to me three puncheons of rum, and fome fait ; and, iipon their arrival, I will move. (NOTE H. ) Copy. — From Eixrl CormvaUis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarkton^ dated WynneJboroHghy January ^th, ''/Si, eight 0' clock P . M. ^ Dear Tarleton, SINCE I wrote to you this morning, I received yours, dated yef- terday, two P. M. You have exaftly done what I wiflied you to do, and underftood my (a.) intentions perfe£lly. Left my letter of this morning Ihould mifcarry, I repeat the moft material {.iragraph. Yot/H SOUTHERN PHOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. •47 * Your bagg.ige is ordered to Bricrlcy's, under care of fcvcnth regi-Norc, totie *■•* • Foil, ill nicnt. I propofe marching on Sunday. Chaincr. Lieutenant-colonel Tarlctoih Yours llncercly, CORNWALL IS. Copy. — From Earl Cornivallis to Lieut eno ' colonel Turlctoftf dated M*Jli/ier'Sf 'January %tJ /6i. ftS" Dear Tarleton, I HAVE juft received yours, yth January, three o'clock P. M. I (hall remain lierc to-morrow, march to crofs roads on Wednefday, halt Thurfday, and reach Bullock's-creek meeting houfc Saturday, I have no news. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton. Yours very finceroly, LORNWALLIS. Copy. — From Earl Cornivallis to Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton^ dated M^Jli/ier'st January 9, 1781, three P. M. ^ Dear Tarleton, NOTHING new fmce yefterday ; fome of Wafhington's cavalry,, who had been efcorting prifoners to Charlotte town, returned over m\ * It is neceflary to inform the reader, that all words or lines in Lord Cornwallis's fub- fequent letters, that have thcle marks ..... under them, are in the originals in cypher. Broad .^.M^oc- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k A {./ ^ >^. ^ 1.0 1.1 no 12.0 ut 11:25 il.4 1.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WiST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 145tO (716) 873-4503 •^ \ iV \ :\ ^v 4^ ) .**i^ ::48 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND lySl IN THE Notc3to iiic Broad river. I have taken every means in my power to find out Mor- Kiniifh Chapter, gan's movements, and whether he rcpafli-i Ijroad river. I RECEIVED yours January 8th. Yours very fiiiccrclvt COR NWALLIS. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton. (NOTE I. ) Copy. — From Earl Corniva/Iis to hicuteriant-alunel tarleton^ dated M'AUJlers, January nth, 1781, P.M. ^ DnAR Tarleton, I RECEIVED yours laft night, of the 9th, four P. iM. I fear the waters have been much more iVelled fince you wrote it. At pre- • • • lent I think 1 fhall move Saturday to crofs roads. I can hear nothing of Morgan ; they fay tiierc are fevcral ferries high up Broad river where he may pafs, p:4rticularly Talbot's ferry. Leflie is much re- t- iieral Morgan, after his attack on Colonel Tarleton, had very judi- cioufly made forced marches up the country, and happily (a.) crofled the Catawba the evening before a great rain, which fwelled the river to fuch a degree, as prevented the enemy from crolfing for fever»-»l days ; during which time the prifoners were got over the Yadkin^ and on their march to Dan river, which they pafled, and on the 14th of this month had reached Bedford court houfe, in the ftate of Vir- ginia. General Greene, on the latter end of January, arrived at the light-infantry camp, at Sherard's ford, on the Catawba. The enemy were a little lower down the river, at M'Cowan's ford, and the river was ftill fo high, that they could not crofs. They had deftroyed their waggons, and equipped themfelves completely as light infantry. Their force confifted of between one thoufand five Hundred and three thoufand troops, including near three hundred dragoons, and their mounted infantry. On the ift of February they crofled at M'Cowan's ford : General Davidfon, with a party of militia, was ported there, in order to oppofe their naflage ; but he falling by the firfl: difchatge, the enemy made good their landing, and the militia retreated. A PLACE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMRRICA. A PLACE of rendezvous was appoiiitcil for the militia to alVtmblo at, who were ported at the diiTorent fords up and down the river. Part of tiiem halted about fcvcn miles (hort of tlic place of rende/,- vous, and were overtaken by Tarlcton, and difpcrfcd. (jcncral (»rccne waited tliat night at the place ajipoiiitc^d, but Finding the militia did not collect, the light infinitry continued their march to Salifbury, and crolVod the Yadkin. Before they had got over all the baggage and flores, tlic enemy approached, and there was a pretty iinart Ikirmilh (c.) between a part of our riflemen and the advance of thv; enemy, near the ford. Tlic boats being fecurcd, and the river continuing high from the late rains, the enemy were for fomc time Aoppcd in their purfuit. Heavy rains, deep creeks, and bad roads, as wlII as delays for want of provifions and other caufes, prevented cur forming a jundion as foon as was expcticd : General Greene, therefore, fcai- ing the river might fall fo as to be fordable, ordered tlie army to file off to Guildford court houfe, where part of them arrived on the even- ing of the 8th, and the reft were expc^ed to be in on the 9th. Tlie enemy finding they could not pafs at the Trading ford, near Saliihury, marched up the fouth fide of the Yadkin, and on the night of the 7th crofled at the fliallow ford, and had on th" 9th advanced towards Salem, one of the Moravian towns, within t»,.'.ty-five or thirty miles of Guildford court houfe. These rapid movements having prevented tiie junction of the mi- litia. General Greene ordered the ftores and heavy baggage to be re- moved to Prince Edward court houfe, in the ftate of Virginia ; and having formed a light army, (d.) compofed of the cavalry of the lU mid 3d regiments, Lieutenant-colonel Lee's legion, a detachment ui light infantry under Colonel Howard, and fome few Virginia ritic- mcn, making in the whole feven hundred, ordered them with the miiitin. Kotc6 C AMP. \ IONS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN Tlir: Nnic, fo tin- niillti.i to liaialj the enemy in tlicir advance, anJ check their pio- » h.:pui. {;rcrs, whik lie, with the reft of the army, crollal the Roanoke. Ih the mean tunc (Jeneral Sumptir was ordend to tt)llctfl tlie militi:; in the upper part of South Carohna, and General I'ickens had orders to take the command of the men in arms in the rear of the enemy. buch wab the fituation of the two armies at the date of the laft dif- jnitchcS; ^^hiL•l^ was the i6th of this month. (NOTE O. ) (COPY.) By the R'lL^bt Honcuuible Charles Eurl Cornwall! s^ Lkutena/ii-gencral y. — From Earl Cornival/is to Lieutcmint-coloncl Tarlclon^ ddted H/7/Jborough, Feb. z^th^ 1781, three P, M. triplicate. *3r Dear Tarleton, I HAVE received intelligence from two perfons, that Greene • • • palled the Dan on the 23d, and was advancing to Dobbyns's. They mention fo many particulars, that I cannot help giving fome credit : I therefore wifti you to join me as foon as poffible. Your's fincercly, CORNWALLIS. I take my ground this evening on the fouth fide the Eno, LI (NOTE '■m »58 CAMPAicys or 1780 and 1781 in run ( N o r E (^) !»:o( . to the C pv . -~' Fro/ii Mt'i'.r-gencrnl Greoic to Gcwftil irirjh'nqtoft, dtttcd Clu|.ici. hcjJ rjihvicrsy iron Ivor h, North CitroHna, Mjrcb lo/A, 1781. SIR, SINCE I had the lionour of aiklicning your excellency lall, there have bcca fome changes hi our circuinn»nccs. On tlic 21I, Licutenant-coIoncl Lcc, with a detachment of liflemcn, attacked the advance of the Britifti army, under Colonel Tarleton, near Allamance, and killed and wounded, b^ report, about thirty of them. On the 6th, the Brltidi moved down toward High Rock, either with a view to in- tercept our (a.) ftores, or cut off the light infantry from the main body of the army, then advanced near feven miles ; but they were handfomdy oppofed, and fuffcrcd coufiderably, without effe^ing any tiling. This mananivre (b.) occafioned me to retire over the Haw river, * and move down the north fide of it, with a view to fecure (c.) out ftorcs coming to the army, and to form a junftion with feveral con- fidcrablc reinforcements of Carolina and Virginia militia, and one regi- ment of eighteen -months men, on the march from Hillfborough to High Rock. I cffcdcd (d.) this bufinefs, and returned to Guildford court houfe. Our militia had been upon fuch a Ibofe and uncertain footing ever fmce we crofi'od the Dan, tiiat I could attempt nothing with confi- dence, though wc kept within ten or twelve miles of the enemy for feveral days. Tlie enemy kept clofc, feemingly determined that we 4 fliou!.-'. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORfH AMERICA. 259 flioulil gain no ailvantagc of tlicm without rilkinj^ fomcthing of confj- Notes to tii« Fodidi I have the honour to hi*, With great rc^nc^5l and cftccni, Your mod obedient humble fervaiit, NATHANIEL G R E E N K. Hii Excellency General Wafliington. (NOTE R. ) Copy. — From Earl CorniViillis to Lord George Gerritvui iLitcd Gui.'JforJ, March 1 7//', 1781. My Lord, HAVING occafion to ditpatch my ald-de-camp, Captain Brodrlck, \vith the particuhirs of the adion of the 15th, in complianc: with general direiflions from Sir Henry Clinton, I Ihall embrace the oppor- tunity to give your lordfhip an account of the operations of the troops under my command previous to that event, ai^d of thofc lubfcquent, until the departure of Captain Brodrick. My plan for the winter's campaign was to penetrate into Nort'i Carolina, leaving South Carolina in I'ecurity ag.iinft any probal)!.- at- tack in my abfcnce. Lord Rawdon, witli a coiifiJcrabl.' body of troops, had charge of tiie dcfenfivc, and I proocedod aboat the middle of January upon tlie oHviidvc operation-. I decided to marc'.i by ti;e upper in preference to the lower roads leading into North Caroliii:), bccaufe fords being frequent above tlic forks of the rivers, my piilV^e there could not calily be obflru^flcd ; and General Greens ha^■ing t.ikcu . I IF ! ! p I 1 1 ^:. LI i pel 263 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the port on the Pedce, and there being few fords in any of the great Chiiptci. rivers of tliis country below tlieir forks, efpccially in winter, I appre« hended being much delayed, if not entirely prevented from penetra- ting by the latter route, I WAS the more Induced to prefer this route, as I hoped In my way to be able to deftroy or drive out of South Carolina the corps of the enemy commanded by General Morgan, which threatened our valuable diftriit of Ninety Six : And I i'kewife hoped, by rapid marches to get between General Greene and Virginia, and by that means force him to fight without receiving any reinforcement from that province ; or, falling of that, to oblige him to quit North Caro- lina with precipitation, and thereby encourage our friends to make good their promlfes of a general rifing, to afllll me ia reellablKhIng His Majefty's government. The unfortunate affair of the 17th of January was a very unex- pedled and levere blow ; for, befides reputation, our lofs did not fiUl fhort of fix hundred men : However, being thoroughly fenfible that defenfive meafures would be certain ruin to the affairs of Britain In the fouthern colonies, this event did not deter me from profecuting the original plan. That General Greene might be uncertain of my in- tended route as long as poUible, I had left General Lellle at Camden, until I was ready to move from Wynnefborough, and he was no'v within a day's march of me : I employed the i8th (a.) In forming a junftlon with him, and in colledlng the remains of Lieutenant-colo- nel Tarleton's cc^rps ; after which, great exertions were made by part of the army, without baggage, to retake our prifoners, and to inter- cept General Morgan's corps on its retreat to the Catawba ; but the i celerity SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 261 celerity of tliclr movements, and the fwcUing of numberlefs creeks in Notes to the . • Foil It Ii our way, rendered all our efforts fruitleis. .Chapter. 1 THEREFORE aflemblcd the army on the 25th (b.) at Ramfourc's mill, on the fouth fork of the Catawba ; and as the lofs of my light troops could only be remedied by the a^flivity of the whole corps, j employed a halt of two days in collecling flour, and in deftroving fu- perfluous baggage, and all my waggons, except thofe loaded with hof- pital (lores, fait, and ammunition, and four referved empty in readi- nefs for fick or wounded. In this meafure, though at the expence of a great deal of officers' baggage, and of all profpcCl in future of rum, and even a regular fupply of provifions to the foldiers, I muft, in juf- tice to the army, fay, that there was the moft general and chearful acquiefcence. In the mean time the rains had rendered the north Catawba im- paflable ; and General Morgan's corps, the militia of the rebellious counties of Rowan and Mecklenburg under General Davidfon, or the gang of plunderers ufually under the command of General Sumpter, not then recovered from his wounds, had occupied all the fords in a fpace of more than forty miles upwards from the fork. During its height, I approached the river by (hort marches, fo as to give the enemy equal apprehenfions for feveral fords ; and after having pro- cured the beft information in my power, T refolvcd to attempt the paffage at a private ford, then {lightly guarded, near M'Cowan's ford, on the morning of the ift of February. Lieutenant-colonel Webfter was detached with part of the army and all the baggage to Beattie's ford, fix miles above M'Cowan's, where General Davidfon was fuppofed to be polled with five hundred militia, and i in i ^ •■ .;fii i6:; CA^fl'AI^,^'3 of 1780 and 1781 in the Tsorcj to .'j t;> the Fourth Ch;iiter. 'If t' *1 ?/'^ 1 264 >'Dte.s to ilic i'ourth C'lluj'U:!'. CAMl'MGNS OF I780 AND. 1 78 1 IN THE noon and the following night towards SalilLury. Wc purlued next morning, in iiopcs to intercept him between the rivers ; and after liruoalinji with nianv dlfricultics, arilinjx from fwelled creeks and bad ronJs, the guards came up with his rear, In the evening of tiie 3d, routed it, and took a few waggons at the Trading ford of the Yadkin. Ho had paflcd the body of tiie infimtry in flats, and his cavalry and vMggons by the forJ, during that day and the preceding night -, buc at the time of our anival, the boats (g.) were fecured on the other lide, and the ford iiad become impaflable. The river continuing to rife, and the weather appearing unfettled, I determined to march to the upper fords, after procuring a fmall fupply of provifions at Sallf- bury : This, and the height of the creeks in our way, detained mc two days ; and ii\ that time, Morgan liaving quitted tiie banks of the river, I had information from our friends, who croflcd in canoes, that General Greene's army was marching with the utmoft difpatch to form a junction with him at Guildford. Not having had time to col- lect the North-Carolina militia, and having received no reinforcement from Virginia, I concluded he would do every thing in his power to avoid an action on the fouth fide of the Dan ; and it being my intereft to force him to fight, I made great expedition, and got between him and the upper fords ; and being aiTured that the lower fords are feldom pradicable in winter, and that he could not colleft many flats at any of the ferries, 1 was in great hopes that he would not efcape me with- out receiving a blow. Nothing could exceed the patience and ajacrity of the officers and foldlers under every fpecies of hardfliip and fatigue, in endeavouring to overtake them : But our intelligence upon this occafion was exceedingly defeftive ; which, with heavy rains, bad roads, and the paflage of many deep creeks, and bridges deftroycd by the enemy's light troops, rendered all our exertions vain ; for, upon our arrival at Boyd's ferry on the 12th, we learned, that his rear guard r a soL'TirF. ns I'RoviNCEs or north America. 265 guard hnd got over the T^ip^lit Lcforc, i.i.i bp,^',<2;np^e an J main body Ntrs ro the I'.innli having pafll'd t!ic prcctdin^^ day it tnat and thj iicif;,hhouring tbrd, ChaMcv. where more flats had been collcdtd tliaa had been rcprcilutcd to me as jiodible. My force being ill fuitcd to enter by that quarter lb [ owcrtul a pro- vince as Virginia, and North Carolina being in the utniofl: co-.jfulion, after giving the troops a halt of a day, I proceeded by cafy njarcl.ca to Hilllborough, where I e rented the King's ftandard, and invited, by pro- clamation, all loyal fubjedts to repair to it, and to ftand forth and t;^ke an a«5live part in affifting me to reftore order and conflitutional govern- ment. As a confiderable body of friends were faid to rofuic between tlie Haw and Deep rivers, 1 detached Lieutenant-colonel Tarlcton on the 23d, (k.) with the cavalry and a fmall body of infantry, to prevent their being interrupted in afl'embling. Unluckily a detachment of the rebel light troops had crofl'ed the fame day, and, by accident, id] in with about two hundred of our friends, under Colonel Pvle, on ti.cir way to Hillfborough, w ho, miftaking the rebels for Lieutcnant-coluiicl Tarleton's corps, allowed themlelves to be furrounded, and a number of them were moft inhumanly butchered, when begging for quarter, without making the kaft: refiftance. The fame day I liad certain intel- ligence that General Greene, having been reinforced, had recrofled the Dan, which rendered it imprudent to feparate my corps, occafioned the recall of Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton's detachment ; and forage and provifions being fcarce in the neighbourhood of Hillihorough, as well as the pofition too dirtaut (upon the approach of the rebel army) i'ov the proteflion of the body of our friends, I judged it expecfient (1.) to crofs the Haw, and encamped near Allamance creek, detaching Lieu- tenant-colonel Tarlcton, with tiic cavalry, light company of tlie guards, and one hundred and fifty men of Lieutenant-colonel Web- M m fici's i ill '1 If '^ i^' Mi' nil 2C6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to ih^. ftti's brignde, a few miles from me on the road to Deep river, more t'uuith Cliapitr. effectually to cover the country. II Gkneral Greene's light troop* foon made their appearance; and on the 2d, a patrole having reported that they had feen both cavalry and infantry near his poft, I dire• ! ■Wi\ S •'•. CAMPAIONS OF I780 ANT) I781 IN T II K c ' \T. V. ti.il articles, b" water, to Crofs creek : But tlie number and vicinity 01' tlic Amcrlcnu army, reported to be upwards of eight tlioulaud men. and advanced to GulKltbrd court houlc, would not allow the Britlfli commander to (end a detachment to Crofs creek, fuppofnig the ftores were already arrived at that place ; and, in all likelihood, if he moved with the main body in that diredlion, the fuperior force of General Greene would ftimulate him to interrupt the undertaking. ! Thus fituated, Earl Cornwallis had the alternative, either to com- mence his retreat, or prepare for a general adion. The power and f ofition of his enemy rendered all the country beyond the pickets hof- tile to the Britifh caufe, which had no friends or partizans at this period except thofe included within the extent of the royal camp. On the 14th of March, his lordfliip determined to advance upon the Ame- ricans at Guildford, and bring on an engagement, that he thought they would not avoid, and which he hoped would be produ6live of confiderable advantage. Before dawn next morning, the waggons, with the baggage, the wounded, and the fick, were inftrufted to move to Bell's mill, on Deep river, under the efcort of a detachment, com- manded by Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, (a.) formed of his own regi- ment, one hundred infantry of the line, and twenty dragoons of the legion. The main body at daybreak marched toward the enemy's camp. The cavalry, the light infantry of the guards, and the yagers, compofed the advanced guard. Colonel Webfter's brigade, the regi- ment of Bofe, and the brigade of guards, followed fucceffively ; The artillery marched with their refpeftive divifions. The Britifli had proceeded feven miles on the great Salifbury road to Guildford, when the light troops drove in a picket of the enemy, A fliarp conflid eii- (a.) In note A. 4 fued ■3. SOUTHERN PROVINCns OF NORTH AMfiRICA. 271 fiieil between the advanced (b.) parties of the two nrmics. in t!iC on- Cia:. V. lit, the fire of tlie Americans was heavy, and tl)e charge of their cavalry was fpiritcd : Notwlthflanding their numbers and oppofition, the gallantly of the light infantry of the guard.s ailifted by the Kj^ion, made impreflion upon their center, before the 23d regiment arrived to give fnpport to the advanced troops. Colonel Lee's dragoons re- treated with precipitation along the main road, and Colonel Campbell's mountaineers were difjicrfed with confiderablc lofs. The purfuit was not pulhed very far, as there were many proofs bclide the acknow- ledgment of the prifoners, that General Greene was at hand. Captain Goodrick of the guards, a promifing young officer, fell in this contcfl;, and between twenty and thirty of the guards, dragoons, and yagers, were killed and wounded. The King's troops moved on till they ar- rived in fight of the American army. An engagement was now be- come inevitable, and both fides prepared for it. with tranquillity and order. During the Ikirmlfh of the light troops. General Greene formed Battle of GuUdforil. the American army of feven thoufand men into three lines, (a.) and waited the attack. His front line conliftcd of North-Carolina militia, under Generals Butler and Eaton : The center was placed behind rails, in the rear of a clearing, about three hundred yards fpace, and the flanks extended into the woods : Two fix-pounders were flalloned to the right of the center, on the main road which led to the court houfe. The fecond line was compofed of the Virginia militia, under the com- mand of Generals Stephens and Butler, who formed their brigades in the woods parallel to the front line, and about four hundred yards in their rear. The continentals, confifting of two brigades, one Virgi- .1 II '■♦1 I !'?'! rti (b>) In note A. (a.) In note D. lua 272 i CAMPAIGNS OF ly^D AND 17S1 IN T IT F- CiiM. V. tii.i and tlic otlu-r Maryland troops, with iIk- IX-law.irc rcj;imcnt, wcic fomniandal by lliij^ndior-pcneral Ilup;cr ;uul Colonel \\iHi:mis, and wooc 1 ul KTC tlK.' two lines ot' nulitla were >vcrc pollt\i r.i(.ing the drawn up: Cnncral ( Jrecnc hnad the dragoons reached General Lcflie without delay. As foon as (f.) In note A. (g.) In noto; A. N n 2 th \>i frit A ■.^♦: '■ ■ ' ■ k 'I! < I'M mliS^W ■if .;6 CAMPAIGIJS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE Chat. V. the cavalry arrived, the guards and the Heflians were dire£led to fire a volley upon the largeft party of the militia, and, under the cover of the fnioke, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton doubled round the right flank of the guards, and charged the Americans with conliderable efFedt. The enemy gave way on all fides, and were routed with confufiou and lofi. Thus ended a general, and, in the main, a well-contefled ac- tion, which had laftcd upwards of two hours. General Leflle foon afterwards joined Earl Cornwallis, who had advanced a (hort diftance on the Reedy-fork road, with the 23d and 71ft regiments, to fupport the other fquadron of the Britifli kgion, who followed the rear of the continentals. On the part of the Britifli, (B.) the honourable Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, of the guards, two lieutenants, two enfigns, thirteen fer- jeants, and feventy-five rank and file, were killed : Brigadier-generals O'Hara and Howard, Lieutenant-colonels Webfter and Tarleton, nine captains, four lieutenants, five cnligns, two ftaff officers, fifteen fer- jeants, five drummers, and three hundred and fixty-nine rank and file, were wounded ; and twenty-five rank and file were mifling. The American (E.) lofs amounted to a more confiderabl&vnumber,. though it was eventually of lefs Importance ; moll of the militia having leturned to their homes, Inflead of repaiiing to the rendezvous at Speed- well furnace. The continentals had one brigadier general, one major, nine captains, feven fubalterns, fourteen ferjcants, eight drums and fifes, and two hundred and ninety rank and file, killed, wounded, and mif- fing. The Virginia mihtia had one brigadier general, eight captains, eighteen lubaltcraG, fifteen fcrjeants, and three liundrcd and fixty-one vV*».». ^.B.) Note li. 4 (r.) NotcE. rank \ The Ailiiutcf of'Iint cr' tf>e I'l'iitintrUulsX whi' I'li'/te tJif Briti-tfi (fntfr, and ^ iiuniarJirHl I'^ck to their (myitui/ jh-.'ltWfl ■ BATTLE OF (lUlLDFORl), Foiiglit oil the i^*of ^Lirch i-yfii . Ii«? i^ ii. .Ml ' \ ■ i ■•* .' 1 l1 ! ■■■, ! London I'ublinrd M«ril> l^7fl7. y":]!i v^\ \ v*i SOUTHEIIN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 277 rank and file killed, wounded, and mifluig. The Nortii-Carollna ml- Cha;. v lltia had fix rank and file killed ; one captain, one fubaltern, and three rank and file wounded ; and two captains, two fubalterns, and five hundred and fifty-two rank and file, milling. * ill.' 1. ' ,1^ ■•' .-^ Earl Cornwallis's dlfpofition of the King's troops was jiidlcioufly adapted to the ground where the av£lion commenced, and the gallantry and undaunted bravery of his officers and foldiers were confpicuous throughout the different and trying engagements of the dny ; but the fuperior numbers of the enemy, together with the prefent fituation of the royal army, far diftant from fupport or refource, and deficient in fupplies to profecute any advantage, undoubtedly rendered a general action more defirable to the Americans than to the Britlfh : The move, therefore, to Guildford, produced one of the moft hazardous, as well as fevcre battles that occurred during the war. The pofh occupied by General Greene on this occalion was extremely well chofen, and the manner of forming his troops unexceptionable. The reafons which now hiduced him not to decline an engagement equally indicated his wifdom and his profefConal knowledge. A defeat of the Britifh would have been attended with the total deflruclion of Earl Cornwallis's in- fantry, whilfl: a vidory at this jundlure could produce no very decifive confequences againfl the Americans. The ability of the Englifh com- mander, fcconded by the vigour and refolution of his officers and fol- diers, with extreme difficulty forced the enemy from their polition, and in that fortunate exploit the Britifli army was crippled, by the qua- lity and number of the officers and men killed and wounded. One op- portunity being overlooked by General Greene, towards the clofe of the aiflion, gave that advantage, whicii was long doubtful, to the difci- plined perfeverance of the King's troops. If one brigade of continen- tals, after the repulfe of the 2d battalion and the grenadier company of the m m 2;8 CAMl'AUiNS OF 1780 ANI> ly^l IN' 'tUK Chat. V. the gunids, had taken poflcfuon of, and remained at the ennnence on tljo edge of the wood, from wlience the three pound-rs afterwards fired upoa them, they wouhl cfkiflually liave hroken the left of the center, and con- tinued the confiifion of tlic Brltiih, there heing no fnppoit immediate- ly at hand, nor any corps in rcferve, except thecavahy, wlio could not Air a yard out of the road, on accovmt of the thicknefj of t!ie hruni" wood ; and the guards being prelled by tlie manwuvrc and entangled in difficult ground, could not have manifefted their aiflive aiid pcrrcvcring courage hy rallying and returning to the charge : l?y this advance like- wife the 23d and 7ifl regiments would liavc been kept afunder, and the :53d, with the light company of the guards, divided from the center. The fuperior number, as well aa freflinefs of the continental?, having had no march, and but a flight engagement, together with tiie compa<» rativc ftate of the Britilli, and the evident advantage of the ground, might have intimated and recommeiuled the movement, waicli, if car- ried into immediate execution, would probably have produced the mofl; fatal etfedl ; but the paufe of the Americans, and their voluntary return to the ground where they were originally formed, prefented the marked and favourable Interval, of which the Britifli availed themfelver., by collcding as large a force as poflible, and pufuing forwards their center. To this overfight or hefitation of the Ame.'jcans may chiefly be attri- buted aviiflory, wl)ich, however fplendid and honourable to the general and the troops, was not ufeful or advartagccus to Great Britain, The wounded of both armies were aflfembled cxpedltloufly after tin* adlon, and the lurgeons were direded to feparate the Britifli and Hef- fians, who were fevercly wounded, from thofe who could bear the exercife of travelling: The former, to the amo'vat J feventy, (h.) rid (i>.) In note A. W.icl e on the niecUatc- jould I'Ot angled in irfcvcriiip; nnce likc^ r, and the he center. If, having n.e compti'i le ground, ch, if car- id the mod tary return the marked nfelven, by heh' center. y be nttrl- thc general ItaUi. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 279 with liiverai Americans who were in tlie fame fituatlon, were lodged, Chap. v. under the proteiflion of a flng of truce, in New-garden meeting houfc, and c'tiicr adjacent buildings, whilft the latter were placed in the bc(t waggons, or on horfeback, to attend the motions of the King'a troops. The pofirlon and rtreiigth of General Greene, at the iron works on EnrlCcni- Troublelbme creek, about twelve miles diil:ant from Guildford, did not Ucc^- rivci! ' invite the approach of the British army; Earl Cornwallis, therefore, commenced his march on the i8th for Deep river, i:i his way to Crofs creek : On this move his lordfliip dilkibuted a proclamation, (C.) in wliich he pubh(hed an account: of his vi^Slory, exhorted the loyalills to join him. laul ciTered pardon to the Americans who had taken part in rebellion, if they would iurrendcr their arms and ammunition on or befoie the 20th di/ of April, and retire to their homes to live peace- ably till civil goveriiment was rellorcd. Some fupplies of Hour and meal being colleflcd in the neighbour- hood of Bell's (a.) mill, the royal forces again crofled Deep river, that they mlgiit move through a country well fupplied with foiage, on the Aiui retires road to Ramfey's mill. On this march the rear guard, which was nowcack. compoied of the light infantry of the guards, the yagers, and the ca- valry, under JLicutenant-colonel Tarleton, obtained information that General Greene with his army had reached ButTaioc (a ) creek, to the fourhward of Guildford court houfe : The day before the King's troops arrived at Ramfey's, the Americans Infulted the yagers in their encamp- men' : The royalifts remained a few days at Ramfey's, for the benefit . of the wounded, and to complete a bridge over Deep river, when the light '.roops of the Americans again dlfturbedthe pickets, and the army were ordered under arms.. Before the end of the month, the BritifliGen. Grefiv; 1 tiillous the Britilii. • M (C.) Note C. (a.) Jn note, G... (a.). In iiote F. crofled.. r it I, IH: ^m ¥m l8o CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Chap. V. crofled the river, and the fame day General Greene readied (b.) Ram« fey's with an intention to attack them. The halt of the King's troop? at that place nearly occafioned an adion, whicli would not proba- bly have been advantageous to the royal forces, on account of the badnefs of the pofition, and the disheartening ci re urn fiance of their being encumbered with fo many wounded officers and men fincc the adion at Guildford. Deep river, over which the rear guard broke the bridge, the want of provifions, (c.) and the defert country through whicli the King's troops now commenced their march, impeded the immediate advance of General Greene, and Earl Cornwallis, without Earl Corn- any material occurrence, entered Crofs creek. Wallis arrives at Crofs crctk. On his arrival, he received a letter from Major Craig, who very judicioully and explicitly pointed out the caufes which prevented his opening the water communication between tliat place and Wilming- ton. The diftance, the narrownefs of the river, the commanding elevation of its banks, and the hoflile fentiments of great part of the inhabitants, rendered the defign imprafticable (b.) for the corps under his command. This accurate account of the relative fituations of Crofs creek and Wilmington, which ought to have been clearly un- derftood before the King's troops entered North Carolina^ becaufe the mofl fortunate or neceiliiry operations of a campaign may be delayed, or counteradlcd, or totally fruftratcd, by blindly trufling to a commu- nication that cannot be opened, was now firfl dlfplaycd to the Britifh army, when they were encumbered with fick and wounded, deflituto of many neceflary fupplies, and in daily cxpetftation of receiving the mortifying intelligence, that their lately conquered enemy would make a fuccefsful irruption into South Carolina. Upon this ferloiis (b.) Ill nets F. (c.) In note F» (b.) In note Gt and lOUTHBRK PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. a8f and Important difappolntmcnt, refpeifling the navigation of the noitli- Chap. V. weft river, an inftant movement from Crofs creek towards Camden would have been an advifible meafure. Tlie comparative fitnations of the BritiHi and American armies, the ftate of South Carolina, the dll- mantled (K..) condition of Charles town, and the remembrance of the fecond objctfl of the campaign, which was to fecure old poffcHions, flrongly fuggeftcd and recommended fuch an expedition ; and it may be deemed unfortunate that fo eligible a plan was not carried Into exe- cution. ' A ' :i\ Notwithstanding the cruel perfccutlon the inhabitants of Crofs creek had conftantly endured for their partiality to the Britifli, they yet retained great zeal for the intereft of the royal army. All the flour and fplrlts in the neighbourhood were colleded and conveyed to camp, and the wounded officers and foldiers were fupplied with many conveniencies highly agreeable and refrefliing to men In their fituaiion. After fome exprefles were difpatched to Lord Rawdon, to advertlfe him of the movements of the Britifln and Americans, and fome wag- gons were loaded with provifions. Earl Cornwallis rt fumed his march for Wilmington. On the road (c.) fome valuable officers and brave And moves to WihniuC" men died of their wounds, but none more defervedly regretted than ton. Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, who united all the virtues of civil life to the gallantry and profeffional knowledge of a foldier. Though the militia of the country did not appear In arms, they had broken fome bridges over creeks, to retard the march of the royal a;my: They were repaired by the light troops as they advanced, and 'ihc main body foon reached a pofitlon facing Wilmington, on the 7th Apii!. . I ; "I : w, 'K.) Note K. (r.) Ill not« (..». Oo north- III kiiE '■- (l .ji m f4 U 282 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THB Ci!.\r. V noith-wtrt river, whence they were conveyed to it by the afliftance of the royal navy. M.ijor Craig, (ci.) lince his arrival in North Carohiia, h;ul nude hinilllt refiicftablc in tliat quarter of the country, by fcveral lucci^fsful excurlions into the adjacent dill:ri(fl3, and by fortifying a bad poft (o judicioufly, as to render it tenable, and the ftorcs and detach- ment committed to his care pcrfe^fliy fecure againft any attempt of the miUtia. As foon as the royal army was quartered in and about the town, the officers commanding corjis were requcfied to lofe no time in equipping their rcfpctftive dlvilions with ample ncceflaries for imme- diate fcrvlcc. Unluckily for many of the troops, and for the cavalry in particular, the Iiipplics tranfported from Charles town to Wilming- ton were inadequate to the deficiencies, and few iv:;':e{l'aries were ob- tained except fhoes for the infantry. In the menu time, Earl Corn- wallis prepared his public (i.) dilpatchcs for the miniller, and medi- tated the future operations of his army. The letters from (a.) Charles town, conveying the news of a rein- forcement of three regiments from England being defiiined for the Ibuthvvard of America, and giving accounts of the commander in chief's having detached General Phillips from New York, with a con- liderable force into tiic Chefapeak, arrived at Wilmington, when other intelligence equally interefting reached that place. Clear and pofitive information was now r^iceivcd, that the move towards the (hipping in Cape -fear river had prompted General Greene to point his courfe towards South Carolina, and tliat, after detaching Lieutenant-colonel Lee to adifl: General Marion in the center of tlic province, he hnd preficd forwards his march with an indefatigable attention, which (Jen. Grrciic .Klv.li)C(.3 tlJ- V. aiila South (..'uioiin;!. (i!.) Ii> t.tte Ci. (1.) W luch were conveycil to En;^Iaud by Captain BrcJ.nick. (a.) Ill iii.'tij 11. Toon t SOUTIIRRN PROVINCES OF K O R T 11 AMEKK . 2S j foot! carrLd his main body into the nei|^liboiirhood of Caiiu, n. The ruAr.V. uifdom and vigour of the Aniericaii operations not only dcrang,>.d all the dcfign3 of Earl Cornwalh;; at Wihiilngtoii, Luc threatened llvcrc confequences to the Britilh forces in South Carolina. Lord Rawdon, who commanded on the frontier, and who had been imlullrioufly cm- ployed in fupprcHing the infurrctHiions, and oppoling the incurlions of Generals Sumptcr and Marion, had now an vuicxpcdlcd and more for- midable enemy to contend with. On the approach of General Greene his lordfliip might juftly apprcliend, unlcl'ti he received tidings of Earl Cornwallis's movement to South Carolina, a total dcfcvn:iou of the Inhabitants, an interruption of all communication with Charles town, and the attack of a continental army fuperior to his own in nunibers. Though the exprefles (b.) from Crofs creek did not reach their dclli- nation, Lord Rawdon by fome other means gained fuch early intel- ligence of the approach of Greene, tiiat he made judicious arrangc- menrs to counteradl the dcligns of the enemy, and to advcrtil'e Earl Cornwallls of his embarraflcd fituation at Camden. The afpe£l of public affairs at this juncture prefented various (2.) and oppofite dcfigns to the noble earl at Wilmington. Upon the dif- ferent inveftigations of tlie fubjetft, it was too fuccefsfully defcribed, that the country (c.) between Cape-fear river and Camden was bar- ren, and interfered with creeks and rivers ; that the road to George (b.) In note B. (2. Lieutenant- colonel T.irleton, who commamlcd the advanccil guard of the anny, \\as confulteil upon llie feafiliility ot" movinp; t!ie Kiiig'b lroo|'.; iVom ^Vilmington to Suutli Carolina, and from Wilmington to Virginia : He anfwcred, ihut he thought either opera- lion practicable, and he olTercd, in cale the infantry embaiked <^"or Charles town, to con- dud his regiment of dragoon?, with lliu afliAance of one company of mounted i:\f.tnti_v, )nto South Carolina. (c.) In note H. O -% ' town ;a ivi I ''J m M ■■m M; M t: ^I-f It 284 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND i;Sl IN TUB CiiAP. V town was replete with the fame dltlicultlcs ; tliat ati embarkation for Charles town was difgracet'iil, atul would occafion delay whllft the craiifports were coming round ; and that Virginia was more acccHiblc, where General Phillips commanded a refpcdtable force. Happy would it h.ive been, 33 far as general probability can determine, had Earl Cornwallis dlre>5lcd his chirf attention to the critical ilatc of South Carolina, and commenced his return by any route to fecure it : But It was reprefented, that the plan of carrying the war into fo opulent a province as Virginia, would recall General Greene from the fouthward as foon as he had information of Lord Cornwallia's defign ; and that his Lordfliip would have the advantage of an early movement, to form a powerful army, by joining the corps at Wilmington to the troops under Major-general Phillips, on the banks of James river. This large fcalc of operations coinciding with Earl Cornwallis' prcfent views, he determined (I.) to make an inftant attempt upon Virginia. For this purpofe, orders were given to the principal officers to prepare their troops as weU as they could for a long march, and Lieutenant- colonel Balfour was dire«5led to fend tranfports from Charles town to Cape-fear river, to be in rcadinefs to receive them, in cafe the expe- dition was fruftratcd. At this period, Major-general Leflie's health being greatly impaired by the climate, his phyficians advifcd his return to a colder latitude than the Carolinas and Virginia ; upon which he prepared to embark for New York : Brigadier-general O'Hara, by great ftrength of confti- tution and the (kill of his furgeons, furmounted two painful wounds, which he had borne with fuigular fortitude, and was reftored to the command he had filled with fuch diftinguifhed reputation : Many (I.) Note i. officers lOVTHIRN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 2^5 cflBccrs ai\cl men daily recovered and joined their regiments : Captahu Chap. v. Lord Dunglafs and Maynard of tlic guards were unfortunately at- tacked by fevers, and died, finccrcly lamented by their nunicrouj friends throughout the army. > Before the end of April, Earl Corn'v.'Uls prepared to leave Wil- mington, having (I ) decided (L.) upon his plan of operation, and given his orders to Major Craig, to embark his garrifon and the fie' . for Charlts town as foon as he heard that the King's troops had pafll-d tlie Roanoke. A corps of about one thouland fix hundred men, con- E.ri Corn*- W.illis fifting of a detachment of royal artillery, with four pieces of cannon, marches to- w;irJs tlic the brigade of guards, the 23d, the 33d, the fecond battalion of the Koauokc. 71ft, the regiment of Bofc, a company of pioneers, the Hritilh legion, and the Szd and Hamilton's light companies, received orders to be in readinefs to march as foon as the cjuarter-marter-gcneral's waggons were loaded with an ample fupply ofrum, fait, and flour. This bjing ably and expeditioufly completed under tlie infpedion of Major Eng- land, deputy quarter-mafter general. Lieutenant-colonel Tarlcton, with the advanced guard, was direifted to fcize as many boats as podi- ble on the north-caft branch of Cape-fear river, and colled them at a place about fifteen miles a. ovc Wilmington. Some boats were fe- tured, and Captain Ingles, of the royal navy, dilpatched others from the King's fliips, to protect and expedite the pafl'igc of the army. The advanced guard crofled without lofs of time, and took poft on the oppofite bank, till the ftores, waggons, cannon, and troops, were brought over. As many rivers and creeks interfered the country between this place and Virginia, it was thought expedient to mount two boats upon carriages, which could proceed with the army, and might facilitate the p.^flage of any waters. ^ (1.) Note I. (L.) Note L. . The .J :i':'" ^1 I i ' b 286 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Chap. V. The King's troops moved for a few days without any obftacles on their route, and almoft without any intelligence. In the neighbour- hood of the river Nufe reports were brought to Earl Cornwallls, thai General Pliillips had proceeded as high as Richmond on the James river, and other, rumours hid, that he had embarked and failed from Virginia. This mortifying news was not alleviated by any favourable incidents on the march. The middle and eaftern diftrids of North Carolina were found more barren than they were defcribed, and much afiiftance of provifions to fave the flock upon the waggons could not be taken or bought from the inhabitants. At this period Earl Cornwallls thought proper to advance his light troops, as well to order the mills to grind under pain of military execution, as to procure Intelligence of the moft convenient place to pafs the Roanoke, and the fituatlon of the Erltifh troops in Virginia. In the beginning of May, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with ono hundred and eighty dragoons, and the light companies of the Szd and of Hamilton's North-Carolina regiment, both mounted on horfcs, ad- vanced in front of the army, eroded the Nahunta and Cotecknev creeks, and foon reached the Tarr river. On his route he ordered the inhabitants to colleft great quantities of provifions for the King's troop^ whofe numbers he magnified in order to awe the millaa, and fecure a retreat for his detachment, in cafe the Roanoke could not be pafied. When Lieutenant colonel Tarleton had proceeded over the Tarr, he re- ceived Inftrudlons, (M.) if the country beyond that river could aftbrd a tolerable fupply of flour and meal for the army, to make every poflibls effort to procure Information of General Phillips : Upon finding the dlrtrlcls more fruitful as he advanced, he determined, by a rapid march, (M.) Note M. to SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 287 to mrfke an attempt upon Halifax, where the militia were afltmbling, CuAr. v. and by that meafure open a paflage acrofs the Roanoke, for fomc of the emifl'aries, who had been difputchcd Into Virginia, to return to the King's troops in North Carohna. On this move the Americans at Swift creek, and afterwards at Fifli- Ing creek, attempted to ilop the progrcfs of the advanced guard ; but their efforts were baffled, and they were dilperfcd with fome lofs. The BritKh took the ftiortell: road to Halifax, to prevent the militia re- ceiving reinforcements, and recovering from the conftcrnatlon probably diffafed throughout that place by the fugitives from the crocks. The event anfwered the expedation : I'he Americans were charged and de- Skiimlfli at .•111 • • 1 • 1 • 1 1 <- . Halifax. fcated in detached parties, n\ the envnons and ni the town, before they liad' fettled any regular plan of operation : The ground about half a mile in front of Halifax afforded a flrong pofition, of which they did not avail themfelves ; but they were furprifcd whilft alfembliiig on the wrong fide of the bridge over a deep ravine, and were routed with con- fiifion and lofs : The only ufcful cxpedier.t which they had adopted was the fecuring a number of the boats belonging to the inhabitants of the place on the other fide of tlie river, where a party began to intrench, themfelves, and from whence they fned upon the Biitilh when liiey ;ipproached the bank : Ihis cncumrtauce, hov»evcr, could only be a temporary inconvenience to tlie King's troops, becaufe the Americans would be obliged to abandon that poll on tl.ie arrival of the cannon, the eminence on the fide of Halifax fo perfectly commanded the oppo- fite (horc. The damage fuilained by the llglit troops in taking pufllHion of Ilalif.'iX amounted only to three men wounded, and a few horfes killed and wounded. Some llores ot coiiiinental cloathiiig and other fuppilcs were :^i ill: H' fTW >•. r n ; 1:, t ! n '\ Q; 1^ n !(«: ! Si' ;i f m 11 E i \\ ■ I 288 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780'AND I781 IN THE Chai-. V. Avcre found in the place. Without lofs of time, guards were placed on all the avenues to the poft, and fpies were difpatched over the river above and below the town, to gain intelligence of General Phillips. Thefe precautions and neceflliry proceedings were fpeedily completed, owing to the affiftance of Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, who had for- merly been conneded with that quarter of North Carolina, and was a volunteer on this expedition. A report was afterwards difpatched to Earl Cornwallis, defcribing the fituation of the enemy on the oppofite bank of the river, and the accounts from Virginia, which were yet dark and perplexing. In his letter, Tarleton requefted that the light company of the guards might be detached on horfeback to aflift him in the defence of his prefent poft, till he could procure authentic informa- tion from James river, as it was rather hazardous for a corps of light dragoons, without carbines, and fixty infantry, to remain on the fame ground many days and nights, near fifty miles from the army, in a po- pulous and hoftile country. This requeft was not in any refpe^l com- plied with : It was anfwered, that the body of the King's troops could not advance beyond Vivarct's (a.) mill, before favourable news was ob- tained of General Phillips ; that the light company of the guards could not proceed for want of horfes ; but that Tarleton might ftay a few days at Halifax, if he thought it fafe, in order to acquire intelli- gence from the northward. , As the rumours from Virginia at this period were obfcure, and the :K:counts of Lord Rawdon's having beat General Greene were confi- dently (a.) reported, and daily confirmed, (b.) Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton deemed it probable that Earl Cornwallis would forego the ex- pedition towards James river, and return upon the back of Greene to (:i,) In note M. (a.) In note N. (b.) In note M. the SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NO H Til AMJJRICA. 289 tlie frontier of Soutii Carolina. I'o wait the event of intelligence or Chap. v. orders with greater fecurity, he changed his ground, by leaving Ha- lifax under the inl"pe£lion of an advanced picket during the day, and he took a pofition with his corps behind the ravine half a mile from the town. In this lituation he carneftly watched every path and road to his camp, and ufed efforts to collcifl and fecurc a number of boats fomc dirtance below the town : In this latter employment he was greatly adifted by fome refugees and negroes ; and his fufpenfe concerning General Phillips was alleviated by the appearance of fomc friends and emiflarics from Virginia, who brought information that the Britifli troops had not quitted James river, but were at or near Cabbia point. This news was immediately communicated to Earl Cornwallis by ex- prefs, who inftantly forwarded the light company (b.) of the guards, with fome pioneers, and a piece of cannon. Before the light company of the guards, and Lieutenant Suther- land, of the engineers, who was with them, arrived at Halifax, the militia evacuated the intrenchments they had thrown up on the oppo- fitc bank : Previous to their quitting the river, they damaged or fcut- tled the batteaux within their power, which were, however, foon re- paired by the carpenters of the town and the pioneers of the army. In order to fecure the boats and the paflagc, Lieutenant Sutherland conftruifled a fmall work beyond the river, which was garrifoned by a company of light infantry till the army arrived. f'li i f> As foon as Earl Cornwallis reached the Roanoke, he ordered Lieu- *cnant-coloncl Tarleton to crofs it with the cavalry and two com- b.) In note N. Pp panics I' il i 290 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THB Chaf. V. pnnies of mounted infantry, to explore the country and find out the convenient places for palling the rivers Meherrin and Nottoway, which lay between his army and Peterlburg, the place of rendezvous propofcd in his lordlliip's letters to General Phillips. The light troops had not proceeded above four miles beyond the Roanoke, when his lorddiip, attended by fix dragoons of his guard, overtook them, and halted their march. On the arrival of fome country people. Earl Cornvvallls direded Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to difmount his dra- goons and mounted infantry, and to form them into a rank entire, for the convenient infpedlion of the inhabitants, and to facilitate the dif- covery of the villains who had committed atrocious outrages the pre- ceding evening. A feijeant and one private dragoon were pointed out, and accufed of rape and robbery : They were condu£l:ed to Halifax, where they were condemned to death by martial law. The immediate infli£lion of the fentence exhibited to the army and manifefted to the country the difcipline and juftice of the Britifh general. The light troops reached and pafled the river Meherren at Armftead's bridge on the 14th of May : The next day they proceeded to the Not- toway, which they found Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe had crofled higher up, 01 his march towards Earl Cornwallis, who, in the mean time, had arrived at Jones' houfe to the northward of the Roanoke. The light troops of the two corps having removed all impediments between their refpedlive armies, and difcovered fords in lieu of bridges, which the Americans had deftroyed, Brigadier-general Arnold, who had for a few days commanded the King's troops in Virginia, with an efcort left- his own camp to meet Earl Cornwallis. Major-general Phillips, equally beloved and refpe5:ed for his virtues and his military talents, died at Peterfburg a fhort period before SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA, before the junction of the royal forces. Some information having reached Earl Cornwall! s, after he palled the Roanoke, relative to the union of a great reinforcement, defUned for the American army under the Marquis de la Fayette, he preflld (O.) forwards his march with great diligence, left the enemy (hould attempt any thing againft . the Britifli at Peterlburg before liis arrival : No movement was made by the Americans in the abfcnce of Brigadier-general Arnold ; and Earl Corn wallis joined his own corps to that wliich was Phillips', and took the diretflion of all the King's troops in Virginia foou after the middle of May. 291 Chap. V. Earl Com- walli iinitii the loval ar- mies at I'c- teriburgh. The force recently employed on James (P.) river, and now added by Earl Cornwallis to his Carolina army, confifted of a refpeiflabie de- tachment of royal artillery, two battalions of light infantry, the 76th and 80th Britilh regiments, the Hefiian regiment of Prince Heredi- taire, Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe's corps of cavalry and infantry, com- monly called the Qiicen's rangers, one hundred yagers, and Arnold's American legion ; befides the garrifon of Portfmouth on Elizabeth river. This combination, which had coll Earl Cornwallis To much toll and folicltude, was fcarcely completed, when he received Lord Rawdon's report of the advantage obtained over General Greene before Camden. This favourable circumllance, and tlie account of three Britilh regiments having failed from Cork for Chatle? town, eale . ,is anxiety for South Carolina, and gave him brilliant hopes of a glorious campaign in thofc parts of America where he commanded. Immediate meafures (Q.) being adopted by Earl Cornwallis tv-^ inform Sir Henry Clluton of his arrival at Pi.tcribL;rg, and to notity i': 1 1 :r (O.) Note O. (V.) Note l\ Pp z (Q;) N'O'- Q: to 292 CAMPAIGNS OF i;8o AND 1 78 1 I N THE Chat. V. to the ganlfuns of Charles town and Wilmuigton, that no adJltionai t ran fports would be wanted In Cape-fear river ; his lordflilp proceeded to learn the flatc of the enemy and the country, and to form arrange- ments, previous to his entering upon aftivc operations. The light troops and fpies were directed to find out the fituation and flrength of the Marquis de la Fayette : A patrole under Lieutenant-colonel Tarlc- ton being purtied to Warwick court houfe, fell in with a party of four hundred militia in that neighbourhood, who were routed with great lofs to the Americans, and a trifling detriment to the Britifli, the for- mer being furprifcd, and tlie latter confidcrabiy fliielded by a heavy fall of lain, which prevented the militia from ufing their fire arms : Fifty Americans were conducted to Peterfburg : From the prifoners and by emiflaries It was clearly dlfcovered that about one thoufand continental troops were ported between Wiltown and Richmond, waiting the junc- tion of General Wayne with the Pennfylvania line, and the expeded reinforcements of militia. About this time the arrival of a reinforcement (S.) from New York for the Chefapeak army was announced to Earl Cornwallis : The com- mander in chief had difpatched General I>eflie, whofe health had be- nefited by the fea air on the late voyage, and who was always zealous for the public fervice, with the 17th and 43d Britifli regiments, and two battalions of Anfpach, into Virginia, upon receiving news of the march from Wilmington. This addition of force prompted Earl Corn- wallis to accelerate the meafures for paffing James river : A movement of the King's troops from Peterfburg towards the frigates, armed vef- fcls, and boats, would fiwe time both to the navy and army, would prevent the Americans giving oppofition, and would facilitate the junc- (S.) Note S. I tion SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 293 over. tlon of any part of the troops lately arrived from New York : Accord- Chap. V. iiigly the royal forces marched to Mead's houfe, oppofite to Colonel Byrd's, at Weftover. The paflage of the river at that place afforded an eafy entrance into a fertile quarter of Virginia, and enabled the liritifli to profecute fuch operations againft the Americans as future cir- tumftanccs Ihould render eligible. Some boats which had been conftru£led under the infpeflion of Briga- dier-general Arncfld, for tiie convenience of the royal forces on their ar- rival at Portfmouth, were of great utility on the prefent occafion. The channel of the ferry, at which the infantry, the cavalry, the artillery. The Biltini the bat horfes, the baggage, and the waggons, were to crofs, exceeded vi-r at Weft- two miles ; but fuch were the exertions of the detachment of failors, under the orders of Captains Aplin aud Dundafs, that the paflage was completed in lefs than three days. Lieutenant-co.'onel Simcoe, with the Queen's rangers, and the yagers, firft arrived at Weftover : Great part of the infantry and cannon, and all the baggage, followed that divifion : The legion cavalry (R.) and fome mounted infantry, who had been pofted five miles from Mead's, on the Peterlburg road, at the commencemefit of the embarkation, were now dirctSled to move through the brigade of guards, wl.o, covered the rear, and on their landing at the oppofite Ihore, to march towards Turkey ifland. During the paflage of the troops. Earl Cornwallis dire£led the 43d regiment, who were part of the late reinforcement, to join the army; and he defired Major-general Leflie, to proceed with the 17th, and two battalions of Anfpach, to Portfmouth, in order to take the command of that pofl. Brigadier-general Arnold obtained, leave to (R.) Note R. • f. 1 |!i. V lis I ''ii| r.5.1:fJlf^|j rnii return 32 I I' M ■ ii *! :|!> r>''"'ir.' 294 CAMPAIGNS OF I7S0 AND I781 IN THE CiiAi'.v. return to New York, where bufmefs of confequence demanded iiis attendance. As loon as the guards and 43d regiment reached Weft, over, the ma!n body followed the advanced guard to Turkey ifland, and on tlie 27th of May encamped near White-oak fwamp. Informa- tion was obtained at this place, that the Marquis de la Fayette had abandoned Riehmond, and ciofled the Chickahomany. The royal army pointed their courfe towards Bottom bridge, on that river, and The Miirquis file Americans moved with celerity acrofs tiie South and North Anna. ilclii r.'ji'tic So.itli anj Noitii Anna. ^ FEW days aftcrwards, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton being directed to afcertain wiih his cavalry the fituation of the continentals, he ad- vanced to their camp near Mattapony river, drove in their pickets, and made them ftand to their arms. Whilrt: in this fituation, a patrole, which had been fent towards the rear of the enemy, conduced an ex- prefs and his difpatches to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton. Amongft other papers of confequence from the Marqus de la Fayette to Gene- rals Greene, Steuben, Sec. one letter, addrefled to Mr. Jefferfon, the governor of Virginia, was particularly ftriking : After exhorting that gentleman to turn out the militia, he prophetically declared, that the British fuccefs in Virginia refei bled the French invafion and poffeflion of Hanover in the preceding war, and was likely to have fimilar con- fequences, if the government and the country .would exert themfelves at the pre fent juncture. The light troops having effeded their orders, retired gradually from the prefence of their enemy, and with a few prifoners returned to the royal encampment near the North Anna. At this period, the fuperiority of the army, and the great fiipeiio- rlty of the light troops, were fuch as to have enabled the Britilh to traverfe the country without apprehenfion or difficulty, either to de- ftroy ftorcs and tobacco in the neighbourhood of the rivers, or to undertake SOUTHEnN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 295 mandcd his iched Weft, irkey ifluid, . laforma- Fayette had The royal It river, and North Anna. )eing dire£ted ;ntals, he ad- r pickets, and Ml, a pat role, idu»5led an ex- Mi. Amongft 'ette to Gene- Jefferfon, the xhorting that ared, that the and poffeffion e fimilar con- ert themfelves Id their orders, id with a few th Anna. great fiipeiio- Ithe Britilh to either to dc- rlvers, or to undertake undertake more important expeditions. While the main hody was in CiiAr. V. Hanover county, and the Marquis de la Fayette lay between them and Fredericklburg, Earl Cornwallis had clear intelligence of the meeting of the governor and afl'embly at Charlottcvillc, under the pro- tedlion of a guard, in order to vote taxes for the exigencies of govern- ment, to concert meafures for the augmentation of the eighteen- months men, or ftate troops, and to ifl'ue commands for a large draft of militia. At the fame time he obtained information, that Baron Steu- ben was gone to Point of Fork, which is fituated at the extremity of James river, between the Fluvanna and Rivanna, with the eighteen- months men, to cover a continental ftore, confifting of cannon, fmall arms, and accoutrements. To fruftrate thefe intentions, and to dif- trefs the Americans, by breaking up the aflembly at Charlotteville, . and by taking or deftroying the arms and other ftores at Point of Fork, , his Lordlhip employed Lieutenant-colonel (a.) Tarleton on the former expedition, as moft diftant, and on that account more within the Earl Com- 1 -in I • • wallls fends reach of cavalry, whim he committed the latter enterprize to the exe- dctaciimcms to dclUoy cution of Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, (b.) with the yagers, the infan- ftoics. try, and the huffars of the rangers. It was defigned that thefe blows fhould, as near as circumftances would permit, be flruck at the fame . moment ; that Tarleton, after completing his bufinefs, Ihould retire down the Rivanna, to give afliftance to Simcoe, if he failed in his firft attempt, and that both fliould afterwards join the army, which would in the mean time file to the left, through Goochland county, and ap- proach the Point of Fork. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with one hundred and eighty dragoons, fupported by Captain Champagne of the 23d regiment, and • (a.) In note W, . (b.) In note W. < >\'\ il : ■ ! ^ fcventy II 4 It ■':: I'i U I i I I '^]|T 296 CAMVAIONS OF 1 780 AND I'/8l IN THE CiiAr. V. fovciity mounted inuntry, lct"t the army in the beginning of June, anil proceeded between the North and South .Anna. The lieat ot" tin; wcatlicr obliged him to refrelh his men and horfes in the middle of the day : He preflcd forwards in the afternoon, halted at eleven tie.if Loiilla court houl'e, and remained on a plentiful plantation till two o'clock in the morning, at which time he again relumed hii march, lieforo dawn he fell in with twelve waggons that were on tiu.ir jour- ney, under a veak guard, from the upper parts of Virginia and Mary- ■ land, with arr.is and clothing for the continental troops in South Carolina. The waggons and llores were burnt, that no time might be loft, or diminution of force made, by giving them an efcort. Soon after daybreak, fome of the principal gentlemen of Virginia, who hiul fled to the borders of the mountains for fecurlty, were taken out of their beds : Part were paroled, and left with their families, while others, who were fufpedled to be more hoftile in their fentiments, were carried ofF. In the neighbourhood of Dr. Walker's, a member of the continenal Congrefs was made piifoner, and the Britifh light troops, after a halt of half an hour to refrefh the horfes, moved on towanhi Charlotteville. Various were the accounts on the road concerning •this place, and the force it contained. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton imagined, that a march of feventy miles in twenty-four hours, witli the caution he had uled, might, perhaps, give him the advantage of •a furprlfe, and concluded, that an additional celerity to the objed ot -his deftination would undoubtedly prevent a formidable reliftance : He therefo'"e approached the Rivanna, which runs at the foot of the Iiill on which the town is fituated, with all poffible expedition. The ad' vanced dragoons reported, that the ford was guarded ; an attack was -iieverthelefs ordered ; the cavalry charged through the water with very little lofs, and routed the detachment ported at that place. A' m ' 1^ ling of June, ; heat ot the ,lic miiUUc ot at eleven near tation till two led hii march, on tlu:ir jour- iiiia ami Mary- roops in South no time might m elcort. Soon iginia, who luul ere taken out ot ■ tamilies, while fentiments, were a member of the itilh light novecl on towards road concerning colonel Tavleton .four hours, with the advantage of to the objeaot ble reliftance : He ;e foot of the hill ,edition. The ad- ed ; an attack was le water with very place. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 297 As foon as one hundred cavalry had paflcd the water, Lieutenant* Cua?. v, colonel Tarleton diretflicd them to charge into the town, to continue the confufion of the Americans, and to apprehend, if poiliblc, the governor and aflembly. Seven members of aflcmbly were fecured : A Brigadier-general Scott, and fcveral officers and men, were killed, wounded, or taken. The attempt to fecure Mr. JclFerfon was ineffec- tual ; he difcovercd the Britilh dragoons from his houfc, which ilandj on the p(^int of a mountain, before they could approach him, and he provided for his perfonal liberty by a jM-ecipitatc retreat. A great quantity of ftorcs were found in Cliarlottevillc and the neighbourhood ; one thoufand new firelocks that had been manufadlurcd at Frcde- rickflnirg were broken : Upwards of four hundred barrels of powder were deftroyed : Several hoglheads of tobacco, and fome continental clothing and accoutrements, Iharcd the liime fate. The next morning the Britifh were joined by about twenty men, who being Ibldiers of the Saratoga army, had been difperfed throughout the diftricl, and allowed to work in the vicinity of the barracks, where they had been originally imprifoned. Many more would probably have joined their countrymen, if Lieutenant colonel Tarleton had been at liberty to remain at Charlotteville a few days ; but his duty-pclnted out the pro- priety of returning the fame afternoon, with his corps a;id tlic pri- foners, down the Rivanna, towards the Point of Fork. The gentlemen taken on this expedition were treated with kindnefs and liberality. In different converfations with Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, on tire flate of public affairs, they generally and ftp\irately avowed, that if England could prevent the intended co-o]ieration of the French fleet and army with the American forces during the enfuing autumn, both Congrefs and the country would gladly diflblve tl;e French alliance, and enter into treaty with Great Britain. Thcie Qa fentiments it ■A ^ 0m ■ipi CAMPAir.NS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN THE* Chap. V, fcnllments were communicated to Earl Cornwallis, who, doubtlcnj, made them known to the commander in chief, for tl)e information of the admiral in the Weft Indies, and the miniftcr in England. The captives of diftindlion, botli civil and mihtary, were retrained by their piomlfe not to quit tlie camps or line of march of the light troops till they joined the army, which they faithfully complied with ; but the lower clafs were fccured as prifoners o*' war. In the mean time, Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe executed the plan ' committed to his diredion with great zeal and indefatigable attention. Baron Steuben did not wait the attack of the King's troops, but aban- doning Point of Fork on their approach, loft part of his rear guard in retreating from that place. The Britifli found in the magazine fcveral brafs mortars and cannon, an immeufe quantity of fmall arms under repair, and other valuable military ftorei. If the dirtance would have allowed Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe to fend a fmall party of huflars to inform -the corps at Charlotteville of the flight of the Americans, i.ieutenant-colonel Tarleton might have been in time to harafs Barou ^Steuben's progrefs, whilft Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe could have prefled him in the rear ; and a combination of this fort would in all probabi- lity have ruined that body of new levies : But the diftance of thirty- five miles in an enemy's country, and the uncertainty of Tarleton's fuccefs, perhaps reprefented fuch a co-operation as too fpeculative and precarious. Upon the arrival of the main body at JefFerfon's plantation, in tlic neighbourhood of Point of Fork, Earl Cornwallis gave diredions for carriages to be provided for thr conveyance of the brals artillery and .other ftores, captured at Point oi Fork. The prifoners of note brought down the country were, in general, difmilled, on giving their paroles. I Imme- aOUtHBRK PROVINCES Of NORTH AMBRICA. 299 Immediately afterwards, the 76th regiment, commanded by M.\jor Chap. V. Needham, were attached to the BritiOl legion, who were dire^lcd to fupply them with horlcs for an expediton. This bufmefs was ahnort completed, when Lieutenant-colonel Tarlelon received a copy of liis Hiftru^ions, (T.) which guided hU march firft to Albemarle court houfe, to deftroy the magazine at that place, and from thence acrofs the Fhivaniva, to attempt (Jeneral Stcubrn : It was ftrongly recom- mended to defeat and ditperfc his corps, as they were the foundation of a large body of cigliteen-months men, lately voted by the province Tarleton was likcwile enjoined to do his utmoft to intercept any light troops that might be on their way from South Carolina, and to deftroy all the ftores and provifious between the Dan and Fluvanna, that the continental armies might receive no affiftance from fuch fupplies. Thefe fervices being performed, the Britifh light troops were to re* turn, with all (a.) their prifoncrs, both civil and military, to Min- chefter, where boats would be in readinefs to receive and convey t!)cni to the royal army at Richmond. Before Lieutei..nt-colonel Tarleton kft his camp to proceed upon this enterprise, reports reached head quarters, that the (lores were removed from Albemarle court houfe,. and that the Btkron Steuben had made a circuitous move, in order to- form a jundion with the American army, which liad now croflcd the North Anna ; the expedition, therefore, was counterminidcd, and theTlieBiitidi move towards royal, forces commenced their march towards Wtftham. l<.ichmond. The Marquis de la Fayette, who had hitherto praftifed defenfiveThcMaiqult- manaivres with ikill and fecurity, being now reinforced by General foiiuw; the Wayne, with about eight hundred continentals, and fome detachments troops, of militia, followed (V.) the Britifh as they proceeded down James f •! m 1 (T.) Note T. (a.) In note T, (V.) Note V. nver* M ' goo CAMPAIGNS OP 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Chap. V. rIver. This defigii being judicioufly arranged, and executed with ex- treme caution, allowed opportunity for the jundion of General Stu- ben, confined the fmall detachments of the King's troops, and both faved the property, and animated the drooping fpirits, of the Virgi- nians. While the royal army marched, (a.) the rear and left flank were covered by the Britifli legion and the 76th regiment on horfe- back ; and on its arrival at Richmond, Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, with his corps, was ported at Weftham, and Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, at Meadow bridge. During thefe operations, the Marquis de la Fayette continued to approach with the main body, and he ad- vanced his light troops to harafs the patroles. On the i8th, (a.) Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton made a forced march, to attempt Gene- ral Muhlenberg's detachment, who evaded the blow by an early re- treat, and the Britiih legion returned to the royal army. .1';,'' i r _f* L, - I' Earl Corn- V/allis moves fouMiJs Wil Earl Cornwallis left Richmond on the 20th, and direcfled his courfe by Bottom bridge and New-Kent court houfe for Williamlburgh* On this movement, the King's troops deftroyed Ibme cannon and ftores as they pafled through the country. After the Chickahomany was paffed, Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, with his corps, covered part of the rear, by proceeding flowly on the banks of that river ; and Lieutenant* colonel Tarleton performed the fame fervlce, by ponflantly inclining to the Pamunkcy. In the mean while, the Marquis de la Fayette employed the light troops, fupported by the continentals, to iiang upon the rear. At the time the royal army quitted New-Kent court houlc, the main body of the Americans approached within twelve miles of that place ; which clrcumftnncc nearly occafioncd Earl Corn- fa.) Ill note V (.1.) In note L''^i wall.is SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH A iM ERIC A. 301 wallls to countermarch, but, upon refleiflion, he purfucd his dcfign of CiiAi. v. moving to WlUiamfburgh, where he arrived on the 25tli of June. :^i-la^ ^M f '"I m' ^ "f Early next mornuig, the Britifli legion were diredcd to march fiom their pofition in front, leaving only a captain's detachment to forage for the regiment, and to proceed through the army to Burrcl's ferry on James' river. Before the horfes were unbridled, the found of mulketry and cannon announced the commencement of an allien at the outpofl:, and Lord Cliewton foon afterwards delivered Earl Corn- wallis' orders for the cavahy and mounted infantry to repair with ex- pedition to the army, (b.) who were already moving to the relief of Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe. The Queen's rangers had deflroycd a number of boats and fome flores on their route down the Chickaho- many, and were now advanced to Spencer's plantation, within fix miles of Williamfburgh, when they were (c.) attacked by about {even hundred light troops, under Colonel Butler, fupported by fome conti- nentals, under General Wayne. The cavalry and infantry of the rangers, with the detachment of Aff.rnnMr Hcfiian yagers, under Captain Ewald, gallantly refifled the effoAs of hJuwuy. the aiVailants, who finding they had not efkilcd a furprife, and tliat they could not make the imprtfiion they expected, began to be appre- hcnfive for their own retreat. The movement of Lleutcnant--coIo;ici Tarleton frOtn liis advanced poft in the morning was a fuourahle In- cident for the Americans ; for if the legion foraging parly, under Captain Ogllvle, who accidentally appror.chcd tlic fliiuk of tl-e riilc- nien, could produce hefitatlon and artonlflimcnt, the charge of the whole cavalry muft have confiderablc afiilled Lltutcjvant-coloncl Slm- (!'.) Tit note U. S .r'J^ (•?.) In note U coc. m ,^.^r"^ lllI'M I ■■ |! ■' '■'■ ;l< il"'-at^^■ ■•■i '"i^l r 502^ CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IK THE Chap. V. coe, whofe judicious condu(5t obliged Colonel Butler to fall back upon General Wayne^ before the arrival of the infantry from Wllliamf- burgh, or the dragoons from Burrell's. The lofs in this affiur was nearly equal, except that the Brififli took lome prifoners, (c.) upwards of thirty being killed ond wounded on each fide. The Americans re- treated to their army at Tyre's plantation, fifteen miles from the field of adlion, and the King's troops returned in the evening to WilHamf- burgh, where they found fome recruits for the guards, who had ar« rived during their abfence, (c.) In note W, NOT E S SOUTHERN CROVINCES OF NORTH AM£RI<:VU N O FIFTH E TO THE G H A P T E R, 3^3 '-\ :;^r* ■■I (NOTE A. ) Copy of Earl Cornivallis^s difpatchf No, 8, to Lord George Germain, Notes to the dated Guildford y i ph March ^ 1 7 8 1 . Chapter. My Lord, 1 HAVE the fatisfaftion to inform your lordfhip, that His Majefty's troops under my command obtained a fignal vidory, on the 15th in- fant, over the rebel army commanded by General Greene. In purfuarxe of my intended plan, communicated to your lordfliip ia my dlfpatch. No. 7, I had encamped, on the 13th inftant, at the Quakers' meeting between the forks of Deep river. On the 14th I re- ceived information that General Butler, with a body of North-Caro- iina militia and the expeded reinforcements from Virginia, faid to con- lift of a Virginia ftate regiment, a corps of Virginia eighteen-months men, three thoufand Virginia militia and recruits for the Maryland line, had joined General Greene, and that the whole army, which was repoittcj It i^U' V' vf "• i- k f i, ■: m mm'\ ■im t-' •;>■.. ii: liM \ m !■•.) m 004 Notes to the Fifth Chapter. CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I7S1 IN THE reported to amount to nine or ten thoufand mrn, was marching to at- tnck the Brltifh troops. Durhig the afternoon intelligence was brought, ■which was confirmed in the night, tliat he had advanced that day to Cuiklibrd, about twelve miles from our camp. Being now perfuadcd that he had refolved to hazard an engagement, after detaching Lieute- nant-colonel Hamilton (a.) with our waggons and baggage, efcorted by Iiis own regiment, a detachment of one hundred infantry, and twenty cavalry, towards Bell's mill on Deep river, I marched with the reft of the corps at daybreak on the morning of the 15th, to meet the enemy, or attack them in their cncampmiMit. About four miles from Guild- ford our advanced guard, (b.) commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, fell in with a corps of the enemy, confifting of Lee's le- gion, fome backmountainmen and Virginia militia, wiiich he attacked with his ufual good condu6l and fpirit, and defeated ; and, continuing our march, we found the rebel army pofted on rifing grounds about a mile and a half from the court houfe. The prifoners taken by Lieute- nant-colonel Tarleton having been feveral days with the advanced corps, could give me no account of the enemy's order or pofition, and the country people w^re extremely inaccurate in their defcription of the ground. Immediately between the head of the column and the ene- my's line was a cor.fiderable plantation, one large field of which was on our kft of the road, and two others, witli a wood of about two hundred yards broad, between them, on our right of it; beyond thefe fields the wood continued for feveral miles to our right. The wocd beyond the plantation in our front, in the fkirt of which the enemy's iirft line was formed, was about a mile in depth, the road then leading into an cxtenfive fjiace of cleared ground about Guiiv-ford couii: houfe. The woodi on our rigiit and left were reported to be imprailicablc for cannon ; but as that on our right appeared the moft open, I refolved to attack the left wing of the enemy ; and, whilft my difpofition was makuig ifc- SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. P5 making for that purpofc, I ordered Lieutenant Macleod to bring for- Notes to the Filth ward the guns and cannonade their center. The attack was direfted to ChaptL-r. be made in the following order : On the right, (c.) the regiment of Bofc and the 71ft regiment, IcJ by Major-general Lcflie, and fuppo'rted by the ift battalion of guards : on the left, the 23d and 33d (d.) regiments, led by Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, and fupported by the grenadiers and 2d battalion of guards, commanded by Brigadier-general O'Hara ; the yagers and light infan- try of the guards remained in the wood on the left of the guns, and the cavalry in the road, ready to aft as circumftances might require. Our preparations being made, the aftion began at about half an hour paft one in the afternoon ; Major-general Leflle, after being obliged, by the great extent of the enemy's line, to bring up the ift battalion of guards to the right of the regiment of Bofe, foon defeated every thing before him ; Lieutenant-colonel Webfter having joined the left of Major-General Lcflie's divlfion, was no lefs fuccefsful in his front; when, on finding that the left of the 33d was expofcd to a iieavy fire from the right wing of the enemy, he changed his front to the left, siul, being fupported by the yagers and light infantry of the guards, attacked and routed It ; the grenadiers ami 2d battalion of the guards moving forward to occupy the ground left vacant by the movement of Llsutenaut-colonel Webfter. ir M' ii Ijt -£ ■ 11 ilil: urn All the infantry being now In the line. Lieutenant-colonel Tarietcn had direftions to keep his cavalry compad, and not to charge without pofitive orders, except to protect any of the corps from the moft evi- dent danger of being defeated. The cxceliive thlcknefs of the woods rendered our bayonets of little ufe, and enabled the broken enemy to •T.ake frequent ftands, with an irregular fire, which occafioned fomc R r lofs, mm} 4% 306 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN T II E • Notes to the lofs, aiul to leveral of the corps great delay, particularly on our right, Chapter, whcrc the I ft battalion of the guards and regiment of Bofe were warmly engaged in front, flank, and rear, with fome of the enemy that had been routed on the firft attack, and with part of the extre- mity of their left wing, wi)ich, by the cloicnefs of the woods, had been pafled unbroken. The 71ft regiment and grenadiers, and 2d bat- talion of the guards, not knowing what was p..:fing on their right, and heariiig the fire advance on their left, continued to move forward, the artillery keeping pace with them on the road, followed by the ca- valry. The 2d battalion of guards firft gained the clear ground near Guildford court houfe, and found a corps of continental infantry, much fuperior in number, formed in the open field on the left of the road. Glowing with impatience, to fignalize themfelvcs, they inftantly at- tacked and defeated them, taking two fix-pounders; but, purfuing into the wood with too much ardour, were thrown into confufion by a heavy fire, and immediately charged and driven (e.) back into the field by Colonel Wafliington's dragoons, with the lofs of the fix-pounders they had taken. The enemy's cavalry was foon repulfed by a well-di- reded fire from two three-pounders juft brought up by Lieutenant Macleod, and by the appearance of the grenadiers of the guards, and of the 71ft regiment, which, having been impeded by fome deep ra- vines, were now coming out of the wood on' the right of the guards, oppofite to the court houfe. By the fpirlted exertions of Brigadier-ge- neral O'Hara, though wounded, the 2d battalion of the guards vvao foon rallied, and, fupported by the grenadiers, returned to the charge with the greateft alacrity.- The 23d regiment arriving at tliat inftant from our left, and Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton having advanced with part of tlie cavalry, the enemy were foon put to flight, and the two fix-pounders once more fell into our hands ; two ammunition waggons, and two other fix-pounders, being all the artillery they had in the field, 2, ^^^'^^' SOUTHERN PROVINCKS O i" NOIITII A M K 1( I '. A . 3 '7 were llkewlfe taken. About this time the 33CI regiment aiul h<;ht :r.-N'otc=Mt!ie Fiith f.uitry of the guards, after overcoming ir.any clliHcultius eo;u|lci.Iy Cu^.t-i. routed tlic corps which was oppofcd to them, niul put an eiiu to the a£lion in this (f.) quarter. The 23d and yifl regiments, with part of the cavalr}'', were ordered to puri'ue ; the remainder of tlie cavahy was detached ' -'th Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to our liglit, (g-) where : Meav)- - ftill continued, liu; vhere his appearance and Ipi- rited attack contributed much to a fpeedy termination of the adlion. The militia, with which our right wing had been engaged, dilperfed in the woods ; the continentals went off by the Reedy fork, beyond which it was not in my power to follow them, as their cavalry had fuf- fered but little. Our troops were exceflively fatigued by an ad ion which lafted an hour and a half, and our wounded, difpcrfed over an extenfive fpace of country, required immediate attention. The care of our wounded, and the total want of provifions in an exhaufted coun- try, made it equally impoffible for me to follow the blow the next day. The enemy did not flop unfil they got to the iron works on Trouhlc- fome creek, eighteen miles from the field of battle. From our obfervation, and the befl: accounts we could procure, wc did not doubt but the ftrength of the enemy exceeded feven thoul'and men ; their militia compofcd their line, with parties advanced to the rails of the field in their front ; the continentals were pofted obliquely in the rear of their right wing. Their cannon fired on us whllft we were forming from the center of the line of militia, but were with- drawn to the continentals before the attack. I HAVE the honour to enclofe to your lordfliip the lift of our killed and wounded. Captain Schutz's wound is fuppofed to be mortal ; but the furgeons affure me that none of the other officers are in danger, and R r 2 that '■ i'j' 4. M Ir' .* , I ^ I- %M w 308 CAMPAIGNS OF f/80 AND 1 78 1 IN T HE" Notes to the that a great number of tlic men will foon recover. 1 cannot a{'ctrtai;y Chapter, the lol's of the enemy, but it mufl: have been coiiiiderable ; between. two and three hundred dead were left upo" the field ; many of their wounded that were able to mo\ , whilll vvc were employed in the car; of our own, efcaped and followed the routed enemy ; and our cattL-i drivers and forage parties have reported to me, that the houfes in a cir- cle of fix or eight miles round us are full of others : Thofe that re- mained we have taken the beft care of in our power. We took fev/i prifoncrs, owing to the cxcellivc thicknefs of the wood facilitating their efcapc, and every man of our army being repeatedly, wanted for adlion. The condu(i^ and actions of the officers and foldiers that compol? this little army will do more juftice to their merit than I can by words. Their pcrfeverin" intrepidity in a£tion, their invincible pa- tience in the hardHiips J fiitigues of a march of above fix hundred miles, in which they have forded feveral lafge rivers and numberlefs creeks, many of which would be reckoned large rivers in any other country in the world, without tents or covering againft the climate, and often without provifiona, will fufficiently manifefl their ardent zeal for the honour and intereils of their Sovereign and their country. I HAVE been particularly indebted to Major-general Leflie for hb gallantry and exertion in the aclion, as well as his ailiftance in every other part of the lervice. The zeal and fpirit of Brigadier-general O'Hara merit my highed commendations ; for after receiving two dangerous wounds he continued in the field whilH: the acftion lafted ; by his earneft attention on all other occallons, fcconded by the officers and foldiers of his brigade : His Mnjefty's guards are no lefs diftin- guiihed by their order and difciplinc than by their fpirit and valour. The SOUTHF.nN' PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 309 The Heflian reciment of Bofc deferves my warmcft praifcs for Its dif- Notes to tiic ... . i"'f''i cipline, alacrity, and courage, and does honour to Major Du Buy, Clwiitc' who commands it, and who is an officer of fuperior merit. 1 am much obliged to Brigadier-general Howard, who ferved as volunteer, for his fpirited example on all occafions. Lieutenant-colonel Webftci' conduiSled his brigade like an officer of experience and gallantry. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton*s good conduft and fpirit in the manage- ment of his cavalry was conrpicuous during the whole aftion ; and Lieutenant Maclcod, who commanded the artillery, proved himfelf upon this, as well as all former occafions, a mofl capable and deferving officer. The attention and exertions of my aid-de-camps, and of all the other public officers of the iirmyj contributed very much to the fuccefs of the day. 1 HAVE conftantly received the moiV zealous alfiftance from Gover- nor Martin during my command in tlie foutJiern diftrid : Hoping that bis prefence would tend to incite the loyal fubje£ls of tliis province to take an atc;to t,;c 00 (.Is an .1 tl opL-n i; pitllid with two ticM j'iocts jul"! on the edge of the \v hack of a fence, which ran paralkl with the line, with dircctiv in thuir front. The Iccond line was in the wcods, a'uuut t!irvO j'.undred yards in the rear of the full ; and the concineutal troops about four hundred yards m the r<.ar of the fccond, with a doiibk- front, as the hill drew to a point where they were poflcd ; and on the right and left were two old fitids. In this pohtion we waited the, approach of the enemy, having previoully fcut off the haggage to this place, ap- riKh CWm It at, in cafe of a defeat. Lieutenant colonel Let p- lilt to rencltzvoiis at, with his legion, his inrantry, and part of his riflemen, met the enemy on their advance, and had a fevere Ikirmiih with Lieutenant- coloiitl Tarleton, in which the enemy futlercd greatly. Captain Armllrong charged the Britifli legion, and cut down near thirty of their dragoons; hut as the enemy reinforced their party, Lieutenant-colonel Lee was obliged to retire, and take his pohtion in the line. The adion commenced by a cannonade, which laded about twenty minutes, when the enemy advanced in three columns ; the Hcflians on the right, the guards in the center, and Lieutenant-colonel Web- fter's brigade on the left. The whole moved through the old fields to attack the North-Carolina brigades, who waited the attack until the enemy got within one hundred and forty yards, when part of them began to fire, but a confiderable part left the ground without firing at all. The general and field officers did all they could to induce the men to {land their ground ; but neither the advantages of the pofition, nor any other confideration, could induce them to ihiy. General Ste- phens, and General Lawfon, and the field officers of thofe brigades, were more fuccefsful in their exertions. The Virginia militia gave the enemy a warm reception, and kept up a heavy fire for a long S s 2 time ; f>\ :■!.•: \i' i :m. x 3l6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Notes to the time; but beins; beat back, the adion became pcneral almofl every Filth , , , . . Chiiiuir. where. The corps of obfervation, under Wafhington and Lee, were warmly engaged, and did great execution. In a word, the engagement was long and levcrc, and the enemy only gauied their pohit by fupc- rior dilciphne. They havhig broken the 2d Maryland regunent, and turned our left flank, got into the rear of the Virginia brigade ; and appearing to be gaining our right, whicii would have encircled the whole of the continental troops, I thought it moft advifeable to order a retreat. About this time Lieutenant -colonel Waflilngton made a charge with the horfe upon a part of the brigade of guards ; and the firft regiment of Marylanders, commanded by Colonel Gunby, and feconded by Lieutenant- colonel Ho\\ard, followed the horfe with their bayonets ; near the whole of the party fell a facrifice. General Huger was the jail that was engaged, and gave the enemy a check. We retreated in good order to the Reedy-fork river, and croflTed at the ford, about three miles from the field of adion, and then halted, and drew up the troops, until we collected mod of the ftragglers. We loft our artil- lery, and tvi'o ammunition waggons, the greater part of the horfes being killed before the retreat began, and It being impoflible to move the pieces but along the great road. After colliding our ftragglers,. we retu-cd to this camp, ten miles diftaut from Guildford. From the b. it information I can get, the enemy's lofs is very great, not lefs in killed and wounded than fi.x hundred men, befides fome few prlfoners that we brought o!t^ Inci osriD I fend your excellency a return of our killed, wounded, and rniifing. Moft of the latter have gone home, as is but too cuf- toraary >• SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 317 tomary with the mihtia after an atlion. I cannot learn that the ene- Noios toihc I'ltiii my has got any confulerable number of prifoncrs. Our men are all Cii;ii)tcr. in good fpirits, and in perfcdl readinefs for another field day. I ONLY lament the lofs of feveral valuable officers, who are killed and* wounded in the adlion. Among the latter are General Stephens, Ihot through the thigh, and General Huger in the hand ; and among the former is Major Anderfon, one of the Maryland line. The firmnefs of the officers and foldicrs, during the whole cam- paign, has been moft luiparallelled. Amidft innumerable difficulties, they have difcovered a degree of magnanimity and fortitude that will for ever add a luftre to their military reputation. I have the honour to be, 4 With very great refpdl and eftcem, Your excellency's mofl: obedient. And mofl humble fervant, NATHANIEL GREENE, n Sv:V- m (NOTE E. ) Return of the killed, ivoumkd, and nitjjing, of the cofUinental troops, in the atlion of the i ^th of March, 1781, mar Guildford court houfe, in North Carolina. Camp, Speedwell fiirnnce, Guildford county, Nortii Carolina, Marcli 17, 1781. BRIGADE of Virginia regulars, commanded by Brigadier-general linger. Killed, i captain, 2 lubalterns, 3 ferjeants, 23 rank and file. Wounded, 4 ferjeants, 35 rank and file. Milling, ^^ rank and file. Brigad'X- % 1 3i8 Xotm fi" 'hi: Kiftli CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AKD 1781 IK TtfS ■Rngadci of M;ii'vliiul i'oj*uhir^, coDiminuleJ by CoUujtl Williams KiIIl'c!, I tiKijor, I lubaltcrn, 2 feijeants, li rauk and file. Wounded, 5 captains, i It i jcanr, 3'j rank and hie. Miffing, j Icrjcants, 6 drums iuid iit(-S, S8 rank and llle. Of ]')ela\vare battalion, Captain Ki; kwood's coi pany. Killed, y rank and tile. Wounded, 2 fubalterns, 11 rank am. file. Milling, 2 drums and fifes, 13 rank and file. Dctaciiments of lil and 3d regiments of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Waftiington. Killed, 3 rank and file. Wounded, (prifoners of war) 2 captains, 2 fubalterns, 4 rank and file. Miirnig, 3 rank pnd file. l\utizan legion, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Lee. Killed, 3 rank and file. Wounded, (prifoners of war) i captain, i ferjeant, 7 ratik and file. Mifling, 7 rank and file. Total. I major, 9 captains, 7 fubalterns, 14 ferjeants, 8 drums and fifes, 290 rank and file. Brigadier-general Huger flightly wounded in the hand. I HAVE received no return of the companies of artillery ; but their lofs, &c. is very inconfiderable. This return is the moft accurate that can be' obtained at prefent ; but it is expefted many of the mifling will yet rejoin their corps. O. H. WILLIAMS, Deputy adjutant general, Return SOUTHEHN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 3^9 Return of militia killed ^ wounded, and tnijfmgy in the a5iion at Guildford 'Soteitot\ic court houfct in North Carolina^ the \^th of March, i 781. Chapter. » Camp, Speedwell furnace, North Carolina March 17 th, 1781. FIRST brigade, Virginia militia, commanded by Brigadier-general Stevens. Killed, 2 captains, 9 rank and file. Wounded, i captain, 4 fubalterns, 30 rank and file. Mifling, i major, i captain, 3 fubal- terns, 3 ferjeants, 133 rank and file. Second brigade, Virginia militia, commanded by Brigadier-general Lawfon. Killed, i rank and file. Wounded, i major, 2 fubalterns, 13 rank and file. Mifling, i fubaltern,. 3 ferjeanto-, 83 rank and file. Rifle regiments, commanded by Colonels Campbell and Lynch. Killed, 2 captains, i rank and file. Wounded, i captain, i fubaltern, I ferjeant, 13 rank and file. Mifling, i captain, 7 fubalterns, 8 fer- jeants, 78 rank and file. Total. 8 captains, 18 fubalterns, 15 ferjeants, 361 rank and file. Brigadier-general Stevens wounded through the thigh. Many of thofe mifling are expeded to return, or to be found at their homes. O, H. WILLIAMS,. Deputy adjutant general. . Return of the North-Carolina militia killed., . wounded, . and fni//ing, in the a£fion at Guildford court houf in North CiiroHiia, the i ^th of March. , 1 78 1. TWO brigades, commanded by Brlgadier-'generals Butler and Eaton. Killed, 6 rank and file. Wounded, i captain, i fubaltern, 3 rank and file. Mifling, 2 cnptains, 9 fubalterns, 552 rank and file, . ' Total. 3 captains, 10 fubalterns, 561 rank and file, . • The. ; . \V: m I \%^ i .;> i!i:' V' ^ ' Mi'^:...s:X fmtm •r* il n • H ''I ^20 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Notes to the The North-Carolina cavalry, commanded by the Marquis of Bre« Chapter, tigiiey, loil one man killed, and one wounded. I HAVE received no return of one of the North-Carolina regiments Thofe mifling are fuppoied to have gone home. According to the reports of the general and field officers, very few were killed and taken, moft of them having thrown away their arms, and abandoned the field early in the a6lion. O. H. W I L L I A M S, Deputy adjutant general, Publifhed by order of Congrefs, Charles Thompson, Sec. (NOTE F. ) Philadelphia, April 18. *^he following is an extraSl of a letter from General Greenes head quarters , Colonel RamfeySf Deep river, March ^o, 1781. « I WROTE to you the 23d inftant from BufFaloe (a.) creek, (Ince xvhich we have been in purfuit of the enemy, with a determination to bring them to action again. On the 27th, wc arrived at Rigdcn's ford, twelve miles above this, and found the enemy then lay at Ramfey's mill, from which it was imagined they meant to wait an attack ; our baggage was accordingly left under proper guard in our rear, and the army put in motion with- out SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 321 out lofs of time ; but we found the enemy had crofled fome hours Notes to the before our arrival, (b.) and with fuch precipitation, that they left Chapter. their dead unburied on the ground. Our men had fullvred for want of provifions (c.) in this exhaufted part of the country, that many of them fainted on their march, and the difficulty of procuring any im« mediate fupply pi;evented our farther purfuit. The enemy arc on the route to Crofs creek and Wilmington. From undoubted information we learn, that the enemy's lofs In the battle of Guildford amounted to fix hundred and thirty-three, exclufive of officers, and moft of their principal officers were either killed or wounded. ■*'ifl *",,!, f!V; !^' 4 'I Nothing but blood and {laughter has prevailed among the Whigs and Tories, and their inveteracy againft each other mull, if it conti- nues, depopulate this part of the country. Since we re-crofTcd the Dan river, we have taken at diifcrent times upwards of one hundred and twenty Eritlfli prifoncrs, and feveral off.ccrs. The enemy left feventy of our wounded, who had fallen into their hands in the adtion of the 15th, behind them ; except thefe, they have taken but few prifoners ; not fo many as we took of tlieirs, notwitli- Hianding they kept the ground. iVt'imf..-. '':-• .: -I, i i h ■■ i 'WMm- 'Vt (NOTE m ' B;:| 322 CAMPAIGNS OF X780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE (NOTE G. ) ^''%hh^' ^°Py ofEarlCornwaUls's dlf patch. No. 9, to Lord George Germain^ dated Chapter. Wilmington, April \%, 1781, Mv Lord, I MARCHED from Guildford on the morning of the iSth of March, and next day arrived at Bell's (a.) mill, where I gave the troops two days reft, and procured a fmall fupply of provifions. From thence I proceeded flowly towards Crofs creelc, attending to the con- venience of fubfiftence, and the movement of our wounded. On my way I Iffued the enclofed proclamation, and took every other means in my power to reconcile enemies, and to encourage our friends to join us. From all my Information I Intended to have halted at Crofs creek, as a proper place to refrefli and refit the troops ; and I was much dif- appointed, on my arrival there, to find it totally impoflible : Provi- fions were fcarce, not four days forage within twenty miles, and to us the navigation of Cape-fear river to Wilmington (b.) impradicable ; for the dlftance by water is upwards of one hundred, miles, the breadtli feldom above an hundred yards, the banks high, and the inhabitants on each fide generally hoftile. Under thefe circumftances, I was obliged to continue my march to this place, in the neighbourhood of which I arrived on the 7th inft:ant. I HAVE been bufy fince my arrival In difpofing of our fick and wounded, and 'in procuring the ncceffary fupplies to put the troops in a proper flate to take the field. I am in daily expedatlon of feeing 3 the lu SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. the reinforcement from Europe, and of receiving the commander In Nou-stotU chief's dirc£lions for the farther operations of the campaign. Chnrtcr., Captain Scliutz died a few days after the a£llon, as we cxpefted ; but I am forry to Inform (c.) your lordfhip, that, not->vlthfhnding the flattering appearances, and the affurances of tlie furgeons, Colonel Webfter, (whofe lofs is feverely felt by me and the whole army) Captain Maynard of the guards, and Captain Wihnouflcy and Enllgn de Trott of the regiment of Bofe, are fince dead : The reft of tlie officers are recovering faft, and many of the wounded foldiers have already joined their regiments. Major Craig, who took pofleffion of this place in the latter end of January, has conducted hlmfelf with great zeal and capacity, having, with a very fmall force, not only fecured the poft from all infults, but made hlmfelf refpeflable in this part of the country by feveral fuccefs- ful excurfions. I shall not trouble your lordfhip on the fubje6l of South Carolina, having directed Lord Rawdon, who commands on the frontiers, and Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, commandant of Charles town, to take every opportunity of communicating to your lordftiip, as well as the commander in chief, the flate of affairs in that province. As they are both officers of capacity and great merit, I truft that their condud will have given fatisfatflion. I have tlie honour to be, &c. CORNWALL IS. *'•■ ' ii i/iB T t z CoJ>y u il 324 • C A M 1' AIUNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN riiQ tr\ the ttii C'.py rfllitn 0.rmv,ill:s's (Jjfpatch, Ko. \o, to Lord Gcorg ,' Gcnmwi, liiu-d Ch; jitcr. // Umin^ton , Jpril 1 3 , 1 7 8 1 , IMy Lonr >, AS Governor Mnrtiii rctvirns to England by this opportL nity, I fliall b. ■g L';\ve to refer your lordfliip to him for many particulars rela- tivc to thlii pro- '.. i -e : Hut 1 think it incumbent on mc to be explicit to you r lorJiliip, as Ills Majcrty's minifler, on one or two capital points. - . Tiiii: principal reafons for undertaking tlic winter's campaign were, tlie difficulty of a dcfcnfivc war in South Carolina, and the hopes that our friends in North Carolina, who were faid to be very numerous, would make good their promifes of aflembling and taking an active part with us, in endeavouring to rc-eftablifli His Majeily's govern ncnt. Our experience has (hewn, that their numbers arc not fo great as had been rcprefentcd, and that their filendlhip was only paflive, for we Lave received little affiftauce from them lince our arrival in the pro- vince ; and althougli I gave the flrongeft and moft public afllirances, that after refitting and depofiting our fick and wounded, I fliould re- turn to the upper country, not above two hundred have been prevailed upon to follow us, either as provincials or militia. •* This being the cafe, the immenfe extent of this country, cut with numberlels rivers and creeks, and the total want of internal naviga- tiun, which renders it impofilble for our army to rc:nain long in the Jicart of the country, will make it very difficult to reduce this pro- vince to obedience by a direct attack upon it. U^, ,Ai SOUTHERN PnOVlNCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 3^5 uvn, t/»''«^*' )rtunity, I ;uhrs reh- bc explicit wo capital paign were, hopes that r numerous, g an a£tivc [Tovernn.cnt. a reat as had ive, for we in the pro- aflurances, I {hould re- en prevailed ly, cut with Irnal naviga- long in the :e this pro- Jf, tlierefore, it flioulj appear to be the intcrcfl: of Great Britain, to Nufs to the maintain what flic aheaJy pulllfles, and to pufli the war in the fou- Chapter. tliern provinces, 1 take the hberty of giving it as my opinion, that a lerious attempt upon Virginia would be th moft folid plan, becaufo fuccefiiful operations might not only be ;>lti . ;d with important con- Ibquenccs there, but would t;.nd to the fecuruv of South Carolina, and ultimately to the lubmilhon ui North Carolin.i The great reinforce- ments fent by Virginia to General Greene whill General Arnold was in the Chefapeak, are convincing proofs that fm>dl expeditions do not frighten tluit powerful province. I have the honour to be, &:c. C O R N \V A L L 1 S. (NOTE H. ) Cofiy of Earl Cornivallis's difpatch. No. xi, to Lord George Germain, dated JVilniirigton^ ^prll ZT^d., 1781. My Lord, I YESTERDAY received an exprcTs (a.) by a fmall vcfltl from Charles town, infoniVuig me that a frigiitc was there, but not then able to get over the bar, vviJi dllpatchcs fro;n Sir Henry Clinton, no- tifying to me, that INLijor-gencral Plnillps had been dilpatchcd into the Chelapeak with a conliderable force, with inftruftlons to co-operate with this army, and to put himfclf under my orders. This exprefs likewife brought me the difagreeable accounts, that the upper ports of South Carolina were in the moil imminent danger, from an alarming I. fpirit /, * •^^/ I 'v\ % ■ t II 336 Note; fo the lilih C'li.ijitcf. CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I7S1 IN T II n I'pirlt of revolt among many ot the people, and by a movement of General CJreene's army. Altliougli the cxprclVes (I).) that I fent from Crofs creek to inform Lord Rawdon of the nccefllty I was under of coming to this place, and to warn him of the pollibillty of fuch an attempt of the enemy, had all mifearried, yet his lordlhip was lucky enough to be apprized of CJeneral Greene's approach at leall fix days before he could poffibly reach Camden ; and 1 am tlicrefore ftill in- duced to hope, from my opinion of his lordfliip's abilities, and the precautions taken by him and Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, that wc fliall not be i'o unfortunate as to lofc any confiderablc corps. The diftancc (c.) from hence to Camden, the want of forage and fubfiflence on the greateft part of tlie road, and the difficulty of paf- Cng the Pedce when oppofed by an enemy, render it utterly impofliblc for me to give immediate afliftance, and 1 apprehend a poflibility of the utmofl hazard to this little corps, without the chance of a benefit in the attempt ; for if we are fo unlucky as to fulfer a fevere blow in South Carolina, the fpirit of revolt in that province would become very general, and the numerous rebels in this province be encouraged to be more than ever adive and violent. This might enable General Greene to hem me in among the great rivers, and by cutting off our fubfiftence, render our arms ulelefs ; and to remain here for tranfports to carry us off, would be a work of time, would lofe our cavalry, and be othcrwife as ruinous and difgraceful to Britain as moft events could be. I have, therefore, under fo many embarraffmg circumftances, (but looking upon Charles town as fafe from any immediate attack from the rebels) refolved to take advantage of General Greene's having left the back part of Virginia open, and march immediately into that province, to attempt a juntSlion with General Phillips. I HAVE cment of lent tVotn s under of if fuch an was lucky ft fix days re ftill ii^- :s, and the r, that wc SOtfTHERN PnoVINCFS OF NORTIf AMRRTCA. J' I I iiAVR more readily decided upon this mcafurc, becaufc if General Notcn to the . . . . . l''"''' Greene fails in the object of his march, his retreat will relieve South Clunn..!. Carolina ; and my force being veiy infufficicnt for otfcnfive operations hi this province, may be employed ufcfully in Virginia, in conjuui^ion with the corps under the command of General Phillips. 1 have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALL IS. (NOTE L) Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry CUntotij K. B. dated inimingtoni April 24, 1781. SIR, I HAVE reflefted very ferioufly on the fubjeiSt of my attempt to march into Virghiia, and have, in confequcnce, written a letter to Major-general Phillips, of which I have the honour to enclofe a copy- to your excellency. I have, likewlfe, direfted Lieutenant-colonel Bal- four to fend tranfports and provifions to this poft, in cafe I fhould find the jun£lion with Major-general Phillips inexpedient or impraiflicable, and that I fhould have the mortification of feeing that tiiere is no other method of conveying His Majefty's troops to South Carolina, without the moil evident danger of being loft. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS. iV.C I .'II. UN. I ,K^ 1 ^\ i v^r I jji' 4 (NOTE :28 Notes to the Filth ChiiDtcr, CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN TUU, ( N O T E K. ) Exira^. — From Lord Rawdon to Earl Coriiivallis. daled May 24, 1781. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL Balfour was fo good as to meet me at Nelfon's. He took this mealure, thnt he miglit reprelent his cir-' cumftances to me. He ftaied, that the revolt was univerlal, and that from the httle rcafon to apprehend this feiious invalion, tlie old woiks of Charles town had been in part levelled, to make w.iy for new uijcs, which were not yet conftrudled ; that its garrifon was inadequate to cppofe any force of confequence ; and that the defedion of the town's people (hewed itfelf in a thoufand inftances. I agreed with liim in the couclufion to be drawn from thence, that any misfortune happening to my corps might entail the lofs of the province. (NOTE L. ) Copy of Earl Cornwallis's letter to Major-ge/tcral Phillips^ dated IVilm'm^toni ^prll 24, 1781. Dear Phillips, M Y fituation here is very diflrefllng : Greene took the advantngc of my being obliged to come to this place, and has marched to South Carolina. My exprefles to Lord Rawdon, on my leaving Crofs creek, warning him of the poffibility of fuch a movement, liave all tailed ; mountaineers and militia have poured into the back part of that pro- vince, and I much fear that Lord Rawdon's pofls will be fo diftant troiii each other, and his troops fo fcattered, as to put him into the greatcll danger ,l. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 3^0 vlanger oi being beat iii detail, and that the worfl: of confequences may Notes »n the Fifth happen to moft of the troops out of Charles town. By a dned move Chiii'tcr. towards Camden, I cannot get time enough to relieve Lord Rawdon ; and, (liould he have fallen, my army would be expofed to the utmoft danger frona the great rivers I fliould have to pafs, the exliaufted ftate of the country, the numerous militia, the almoll-unlvcrfal fpirit of revolt which prevaihi hi South Carolina, and the ftrength of Greene's aimy, whofe continentals alone are at leaftas numerous as I am; and I could be of no ufe on my arrival at Charles town, there being nothing to apprehend at prefent for that pofl ; I fhall, therefore, immediately march up the country by Duplin court houfe, pointing towards Hillf- borough, in hopes to withdraw Greene ; if that fiiould not fucceed, I Ihould be much tempted to form a jun£lion with you. The attempt is exceedingly hazardous, ^nd many unforefeen difficulties may render It totally imprafticable, fo that you muft not take any fleps that may ex- pofe your army to the danger of being ruined : I fhall march to the loweft ford of the Roanoke, which, I am informed, is about twenty miles above Taylor's ferry. Send every poflible intelligence to me by the cypher I enclofc, and make every movement In your power to faci- litate our meeting (which muft be fomewhere near Pcterlburg) with fafety to your own army : I mention the loweft ford, becaufe in a hof- tile country ferries cannot be depended upon ; but if I Ihould decide on the meafure of endeavouring to come to you, I (hall try to furprife the boats at fome of the ferries, from Halifax, upwards. \-l k :iV.,, ■fflJ h M ''I -U >• '?i. m m I am, &c. CORNWALLIS. U u (NOTE '< ' m ^^^ CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE Notos to the Fitth C'hujHtr, (NOTE M. ) C',py. — From Earl CormvaUis to "LkutcnanUeolonel Tarktoftf dated Nabunta crcekf May ^, 1781. ftlr Dear Tarleton, YOU muft be fenfible that, in the prefent inflance, I put tlie greatcil: confidence hi you. J truft: to your difcretion my honour and future happuiefs. I am conviacc CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 ANB I781 IN THE (NOTE N. ) Notfstothe Copj>. — From Eurl Cornwallis to Major-general Phillips^ dated camp on I'ifth Chapter. Tarr riverj Stb May, 1781. ^ Dear Phillips, I C A N learn no fatisfaftory accounts of you : Some fay that you are cmbaiked ; others, that you have paffed James river. I have in- telligence, almoft amounting to a (a.) certainty, that Lord Rawdoa has beat Greene at Camden, and confequently South Carolina is fafe : Still I v^rifh to join you ; but as many circumftances may happen which may prevent my flaying long enough in this country to get fuf- flcient information of you, you muft take no fteps with that view that may hazard the fafety of your own army. Let me hear from you by every po^fiblt opportunity. Yours fincerely, CORNWALLIS. Copy. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, dated Croweirs plantation. May 8, 1781, eight P. M. 03* Dear Tarleton, I HAVE juft received yours of this date with much more fa- tisfaiCllon than that of yefterday. The light company of the guards (b.) fhall proceed immediately; I will follow as faft as poffible : You will of courfe fecure the oppofite bank when Sutherland arrives. I am, very fincerely, yours, CORNWALLIS. (NOTE d camp on y that you I • • • ■ 1 have in- rd Rawdoa Ihia is fafe : lay happen If to get fuf- ' • • • at view that from you by 80 •*'"P1lN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 333 (NOTE O. ) Extradi. -^ From Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, t/^/^^ Notes to the Fifth Jones' plantation^ May i$thf lySi, ^ve P. M, Chapter. ff^ I A M making all pofTible expedition, and hope to be at Not- toway on Friday evening. I would have you proceed to-morrow to the Nottoway, and re'-nain near Simcoe's infantry, Arnold is ordered to march immediately to meet me on the Nottoway. Wayne's having joined La Fayette, makes me rather uneafy for Arnold until we join. If you (hould hear of any movement of the enemy in force to difturb Arnold's march, you will give him every affiflance in your power. J I L L I S. rkion, dated ich more fa- ^f the gua'-ds )offible: ^:'ou . . • • • vrrives. L L I S. (NOTE (NOTE P. ) Extradi,-^ From Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. to Lord George Germain, daicd Neiv fo/ky May \%th, 1781. My Lord, I AM happy in being able to congratulate your lordfhip on the very Important fucccfs which the King's troops in Virginia have had on their late expedition to Peter{burg, &c. (as defcrlbed iu Brigadier-general Arnold's letter) which mufl: ultimately be productive of the very beft confequences to His Majefty's fervice, as it is credibly reported that the greateft part of the tobacco coUeded there was French property, and- almoft their entire annual remittance. If ■ 334 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the Fifth Cliapter. ' i EstraB, — From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir Henry Clinton. Peterfburg, May 12, 1781. I A jM extremely forry to Inform your excellency, that Major-gene- ral Piuilips is reduced (o low by a fever, which kized him on the 2d inftaat, that he is incapable of bufinefs, and the phylicians are not without fears for his fafety. la this fituation, I tliiiik it my duty to tranfmit to your excellency, by exprefs, a detail of the proceedings of the army under the orders of Major-gene, al Phillips, fince they left Portfmouth, which his iudifpofition prevented him from doing as he intended. On the i8th of xApril, the light infantry, part of the 76th and 80th regiments, the Queen's ringers, yagers, and American legion, embarked at Portfmouth, and fell down to Hampton road : on ilie 19th, proceeded up James river to Burwell's ferry; on t'.ie 20th, Lieutenant-colonel Abercromoie, with the light infantry, proceeded up the Chickahomany in boars ; Lieutenant-colonel Simcoc, with a detachment, to York ; Lieutenant-colonel Dundafs, with another de- tachment, landed at the mouth of the Chickaliomany ; and Mijor-ge- neial Phillips and myfelf landed with part of the army at Williamf- burgh, where about five hundred militia were pofled, who retired upon cur approach. The nilitia at York crofled the river before the arrival of Lieutenant-cuionel Simcoc, who made a few priloncrs, fpiked and defli< yed fome cuinon, and next day returned to Wiliiamlburgh. On the 22d, the troops marched to Chickahomany. We were met on the road, live miles from the mouth of the river, by Lieutenant- colonel Dundafs with his detachment : This evening the troops, ca- I valiv, Clinton. ly 12, 1781. Major-gene- n on the 2d ians arc not my duty to roceedings of ,ce they left I douig as he SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 335 valry, artillery, &c. were re-embarked. The next morning we were Notes to the joined by Lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie with the light infantry, Chapter. who had been ten or twelve miles up the Chickahomany, and deftroyed feveral armed (hips, the lUte fhip yards, warehoufes, &c. &c. At ten o'clock the fleet weighed, and proceeded up the James river within four miles of Weftover. The 24th, weighed anchor at eleven o'clock, and run up to City points, where the troops, &c. were all landed at fix o'clock in the evening. 1; - JK. \n ' ifl 1 irf ;he 76th and ;rlcan legion, road : on the 3n t'.ie 20th, proceeded nicoc, with a another de- ad M ijor-ge- at Williamf- retired upon re the ariival s, fpiked and iburgh. We were met y Lieutenaat- 10 troopf, ca- vaUy, The 25th, marched at ten o'clock for Peterfburg, where we arrived about five o'clock P. M. We were oppofed about one mile from town by a body of militia, under the orders of Brigadier-general Muhlen- burg, fuppofed to be about one thoufand men, who were foon obliged to retire over the bridge with the lofs of near one hundred men killed and wounded, as we have fince been informed ; our lofs only one man killed, and ten wounded. The enemy took up the bridge, which pre-- vcnted our purfuing them. 26th, Destroyed at Peterfburg four thoufand hogflieads of to- bacco, one (hip, and a number of fmall velfeison the (locks and in the river. • 27th, Major-general Phillips, with the light infantry, part of the cavalry ot tlui Queen's raiigeiP, and part of the yagers, marched to Chelkrftld court houfc, where they burnt i\ range of Ijarracks for two thoufand men, and three hundred barrels of flour, &c. The I 1 't! P \ ill il* i*J ^r^m ii I Wmm % 3j6 Ni/tcs to the Mull Chaptei. C A M !• A I ti N S O l'- I ; i^O AND I ;;8 1 I N T If K TiiK fhnie day I nKUchcd to Olborn's, witli the yCm and Both re- gin. cnts, Queen's rangers, part of the yngtis, ar.d American legion, where \vc arrived about noon. Finding the enemy had very conlide- rablc force of fliips four miles above Ofborn's, drawn up in a hne to oppofe us, I fent a flag to the commodore, propofuig to treat with him for the furrendcr of his fleet, which he refufed, with this anfwer, *' That he was determined to defend it to the laft extremity." I im- mediately ordered down two fix and two three-pounders, brafs field pieces, to a bank of the river, nearly level with the water, and within one hundred yards of the Tempeft, a twenty-gun ftate (hip, which began immediately to fire upon us, as did the Renown, of twenty-fix guns, the Jefferfon, a rtate brigantine of fourteen guns, and feveral other armed fhips and brigantines ; about two or three hundred militia on the oppofite fhore at the fame time kept up a heavy fire of mulketry upon us : Notvvithllanding which, the fire of the artillery, under the direiSlioii of Captain Fage and Lieutenant Rogers, took fuch place, that the fhips were foon obliged to jftrike their colours, and the militia drove from the oppofite fhore. Want of boats, and the wind blow- ing hard, prevented our capturing many of the feamen, who took to their boats, and efcaped on fliore ; but not without firft fcuttling and fctting fire to fome of their fhips, which could not be faved. Two fhips, three brigantines, five floops, and two fehooners, loaded with tobacco, cordage, flour, &c. fell into our hands. Four fhips, five brigantines, and a number of fmall veflfels, were funk and burnt : On board the whole fleet (none of which efcaped) were taken and deflroyed about two thoufand hogfheads of tobacco, &c. &c,, and very fortunately we had not a man killed or wounded this day ; but have reafoa to believe the enemy fufFered confiderably. About SOUTHERN PBOVrVCES OF NOHTH AMERICA. About five o'clock we were joined by Major-general Phillips with the Notes to the light infant ry. Chapter. 28th, The troops remained at Ofboru's, waiting for boats from t!ie fleet ; part of them were employed in fecuring the prizes, and carrying them to Ofijorn's as a place of fafcty. 29th, The boats having' arrived, the troops were put In motion. Major-general Phillips marched with the main body ; at the fame time I proceeded up the river with a detachment in boats, and met him be- tween Gary's mills aiid Warwick. 30th, The troops marched to Mancheller, and deftroyed twelve hundred hogftieads of tobacco. The Marquis de la Fayette having ar- rived with his army at Richmond, oppofite to Manchefter, tlie day be- fore, and being joined by the militia drove from Peterlburg and Wil- liamfburgh, they we-e fpeiftators of the conflagration without attempt- ing to moleil us. The fame evening we returned to Warwick, where we defl:royed a magazine of five hundred barrels of flour, and Colonel Gary's fine mills were deftroyed in burning the magazine of flour. We alfo burnt feveral warehoufes, with one hundred and fifty hogf- heads of tobacco, a large fhlp and a brigantine afloat, and three veffcls on the ftocks, a large range of piiblic rope walks and ftorehoufcs, and fome tan awd bark houfes full of hides and bark. May I ft, marched to Ofborn's, and difpatchcd our prizes and boats down the river ; and in the evening marched to Bermuda hundreds, cppofitc City point. Xx Mav Jvl f-4 It 11 ^ 111 ' n't :.,j;^l,!j 1^0 338 Notes tn tlic Fifth Chapter. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE May 2d, embarked tlie troops, &c. 6cc. May 3d, fell down the river to Wcflovcr. May 4th, proceeded down to Tappahannock. 5th and ^)th. Part of the fleet fell down to Hog iflaud. 7th, Major-general Phillips having received a letter from Lord Cornwallis, orders were given for the fleet to return up the river again- We arrived at Brandon about five o'clock, and rnoft c^" the troops, ca- valry, Ike. were landed this evening, though it blew a gale of wind. May 8th, remained at Brandon. Major-general Pliillips being very- ill, and unable to travel on horfeback, a poftchaifc was procured for him. 'I May 'vth, the light infantry, and part of the Queen's rangers, iir boats, were ordered, with the Formidable and Spitfire, to proceed ta City point, and land there. The reft of the army were put inmotioir for PetcrlLurg, where they arrived late in the night, having ma.rcheJi near thirty miles this day. On our leaving Bermuda hundred,'' and going down the river, the Marquis dc la Fayette with his army moved towards Williamfburgh, and, by forced marches, had crofied the Chickahomany at Long bridge, when our fleet returned to Brandon ; which retrograde motion of ours occafioncd him to return as rapidly, by forced marches, to Olborn's, where he arrived the 8th, and was preparing to crofs the iiver to Pc« terlburg when -we arrived there, which was fo uue*peded, that we fur- piifed 31 SOUTHERN PROVINCES or NORTH AMERICA. .339 Mlll'd and took two majors, (one of tlicm ald*ilc-cainp to llarou Stcu-Notc- • > iite bens, the other to General Smallwood) ; one captain and three liciitc- Chn^tci'. nants of dragoons ; two lieutenants of foot ; a coinmillary, and a I'm- gcon : Some of thcie gentlemen arrived only two hours hcforc us, with un Intention of coUeding the boats for the marquis to crofs hii army. On the loth, the marquis made his appearance on the oppufitc uAa of the river with a itron^ ' fcort, and, having ilaid fomc time to recon- noitre our army, returned is camp at Olborn's ; and we are this day informed he is marched lu Richmond, where it is laid Wayne, with the Pcnnfylvanii line, has arrived : This is, however, uncertain; but he is certainly expccfled there. 1 M'*' JS M 's rangers. In' An exprefs pafled through tliis place the day before our arrival here, who left Halifax on the 7tli, and informed, that the advance of Lord Cornwallis.' arrived there that morning : This report wc have from fe- veral quarters, and I am inclined to believe it is true. Several ex- prefles have been fent to his lordfliip, informing him of our being here rcafly to co-operate with his lordfhip. We are in anxious cxpe»51:ation uf having particular intelligence from him every minute. As foon as it is reduced to a certainty that Lord Cornwallis has crofled the Roanoke, and is on his march for this place, the army will advance one or two-days march from hence to meet his lordfhip, nnd carry a fupply of provifions for his army. A CONSIDERABLE magazine of flour and bread has fallen into our hands near this place, and the country abounds with cattle. ^^*-iiiH^' Xx .i Major- ^^J1l^< ^ \^ ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 Ui|2£ 125 ■^ 1^ 12.2 fi I.I t Ml 12.0 I; ■ ^ 6" ♦ a;^ V iV N> V "<«*>. Sciences Corporation 23 WISr MAIN STRUT WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 873-4503 4y ^ 34° CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND' 1781 IN THE Notes to the Major-oener AL PhiUlps IS fo Weak and low, that it will be fome Chapter, coiifulerable time before he cnn go through the fatigue of buiinefs. In this critical fituation, I am happy to have the alTiflance of fo many good and experienced officers with me, commanding corps. If joined by Lord Cornwallis, or the reinforcement i'aid to be coming from New York, we (hall be in force to operate as we pleafe in Virginia or Maryland, I have the honour to be, &c. B. ARNOLD (NOTE Q;^) Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. dated Peterjhurg, m Virginia^ zoih May, 1781, SIR, YOU will eafily conceive how fenfible an afflidion it was to me, on entering this province, to receive an account of the death of my friend. General Phillips, whofe Jofs I cannot fufficiently lament, from per- gonal or public confiderations. , The corps which I brought from North Carolina arrived here this morning. The information conveyed by your excellency to General Arnold, relative to the probable movements of the French armament, retrains me at prefcnt from any material ofFeniive operations ; but as foon as I can hear any fatisfaftory accounts of the two fleets, I will endeavour to make the befl ufe in my power of the troops under my 4 command. iJ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 34I command. General Arnold bei.^ of opinion that Portfinouth, with Notes to the . . . f''*'' its prefent garrifon, is iecure againd a coup de main, I would with to ciwintr. avoid making a precipitate movemen*. towards that place, witliout ab- folute neceffity, becaufe it would Icflen our reputation in tliis province : But I have fent to afllire the commanding officer, that I will do every thing I can to relieve him, m cafe the French fhould attack the poft. La Fayette is at VViltown, on the other fide of James river, not far from Richmond : I have not heard that Wayne has yet joined him. It is with infinite fatisfadion that I cnclofe to your excellency co' pies of two letters from Lord Rawdoi;, which has relieved me from the mofl: cruel anxieties. His lordHiip's great abilities^ courage, and firmnefs of mind, cannot be fufBciently admired and applauded. There is now great reafon to hope that we (hall meet with no ferious misfor- tune in that province ; if, however. General Greene (hould perfevere in carrying on ofFcnfive operations againft it, we muA, I tliink, aban- don Camden, and probably Ninety Six, and limit our defence to the Congarce and the Santee : This will be only giving up two bad pofts^ which it is difficult to fupply with provifions, and quitting a part of the country, which, for fome months part, we have not really pofTeHed. I HAVE taken every means to inform Major Craig of my having palled the Roanoke ; on which event, it was previoufly concerted between us, that he ihould fall down to Bald head, and from thence proceed to Charles town as foon as tranfports arrive to carry him. The legion being in the utmoft diftrefs for want of arms, cloath- ing, boots, and, indeed, appointments of all kinds, I mufl beg that you* ^1 /•; ■ 1 :| 1 i, k A. 1. :ur. THE tirrlval of the reinforcement has made me cafy about Portf- mouth for the prefent. I have fcnt General Leflic tliithcr with the 17th regiment and the two battalions of Anlpacli, keeping the 43d with the army. 1 fhall now proceed to diflodge La Fayette from Richmond, and with my light troops to deftroy any magazines or ftores in the neiglibourhood which may have been colkcled either fur his ufe or for General Greene's army. From thence I purpofe to move to the neck at Williamlburgh, which is reprefentcd as healthy, and where fome fubfiftence may be procured, and keep myfclf unengaged from operations which might interfere with your plan for the cam- paign until I have the fatisfadion of hearing from you ; 1 hope I (hail then have an opportunity to receive better information than lias iii- therto been in my power to procure, relative to a proper harbour and place of arms. At prefent I am inclined to think well of Yorkt Theobjetflions to Portfmouth are, that it cannot be made ftrong with- out an army to defend it ; that it is remarkably unhealthy, and can give no protection to n fiiip of the line. Wayne has not yet joined La Fayette ; nor can I pofitivcly learn where he is, nor what is his force; Greene's cavalry arc fiiid to be coming this way ; but 1 have no certain • accounts of it» I lit i i ;M I I '■i v| (NOT E sn tAMPAIGNft OF 17^0 AND I781 IN THE (NOTE T. ) No-r-; to ih^ C'//^v. — From Earl CorntvaWs to Lieutenant -colonel TarL'toHf d.ited camh <-'i"i'":'. at JeJerfon'Sf June ^th^ 1781. 9^ Dear Tari.eton, YOU will proceed with the detachment of cavalry and mounted infantry under your command before daybreak to-morrow morning to Old Albemarle court houfe, where yc? will deftroy any ftores you may find. If you tlien hear of no other ftores of any confequence on this fide the Fluvanna, and that Baron Steuben fliould be flill ou the other fide, you will crofs that river, and make it your principal objed to ftrike a blow at Baron Steuben. As the corps under his command confiils of part of the new levies, snd is the foundation on which the body of eighteen-months men lately voted by the province in Virginia will be formed, it will be of the utmod importance to defeat and dif- perfe it ; I (hould therefore wi{h you to take every means in your power of efFefting this iervice, if you (houkl fee a probability of fuc- cefs. I likewife recommend it to you, to deftroy all the enemy's ftores and tobacco between James river and the Dan ; and if there ftiould be a quantity of provifions or corn collefled at a private houfe, I would have you deftroy it, even although there ftiould be no proof of its being intended for the public fervice, leaving enough for the fupport of the family ; as there is the greateft reafon to apprehend that fuch provifions will be ultimately appropriated by the enemy to the ufe of General Greene's army, which, from the prefent ftate of the Caro- linas, muft depend on this province for its fupplies. 1 SHALL SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 345 I SHALL proceed by eafy marches to Richmond ; and it will proba- Notes to tht bly be a bufiiicrs of eight or nine days from this time before I can get Chapter. up my boats to that place to receive you ; fo that you may very well employ tlut time on your expedition. As it is very probable that fome of the light troops of General Greene's army may be on their march to this country, you will do all you can to procure intelligence of their route. I need not tell you of what importance it will be to intercept them, or any prifoners of ours from South Carolina. ■•ti • ' f^.i I I I WOULD have (a.) all perfons of confequence, either civil or mili- tary, brought to me before they are paroled. Moii fincerely wKhing you fuccefs, and placing the greated confidence in your zeal and abili> tics, I am, with great truth and regard. Dear Tarleton, Moil faithfully yours, CORN WALLIS. M i. ' ( N O T E V. ) Copy of a letter from Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to Earl Cortewallis, which fell into the enemy's hands, and was publi/hed by them, dated Colonel jidam^s plantation, June 13, 1781, half paji four P . M. My Lord, I BELIEVE that La Fayette paffed the South Anna, or Pamun- key, this morning, for the Mountain road, at Bird's ordinary. He lay at Bird's mill yefterday evening. X have been on the Three- notched road all day ; I have left it for this place for the benefit of forage and communication with your lordfhip ; I fliall flrike it again Y y to-morrow 346 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THB Notes t.) the to-morrow morning, and go by Napier's to Pier's mill. I cannot yet • ChaiHci. icnrn what water it ftands on. La Fayette's deligii is to follow. I will immediately inform your lordfliip if he docs not keep a proper diftnncc ; any detachment 1 flmll ftrikc at. I have the honour to be, &c. BAN. TARLETON. Copy of a letter from an aid-de'Camp of Lieutenant-general Earl Corntvallii to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, dated head- quart ersy June 14, 1781, ftS* Dear Tarleton, LORD Cornwallis propofes moving (a.) to-morrow to Weftham, and defircs you will take port either at the fork of Pounce's traft and the Three-notched road, or nearer to Weftham, as convenient to you; that you will fend out diftant patroles ; 2nd that you will order Pier's mill to continue grinding, and to preferve the flour already ground, on pain of military execution, till fent for. Yours moft finccrely, Sac. ^. H A L D A N E. ( N O T E U. ) Copy, — Frcm Major-general Le Marquis de la Fayette to Major-general Greenct dated Mr, Tyre's plantation^ twenty miles from IFillian^Jburghy June 27, 1 781. S I R, MY letter of the i8th Informed you of the enemy's retrograde movement to Richmond, where they made a flop. Our lofs at the Point SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 547 Point of I'ork chiefly confiftcd of old arms out of repair, and fomcNotr^ fotiic Filrh Cluptf . cannon, moft of wliich have been fincc recovered. >! On the i8th (a.) the Britifli army moved towards us, with a defign, as I apprehend, to ftrike at a detached corps, commanded by Genc- ml Muhlenberg, Upon this the light infantry and Pennfylvanians marched under General Wayne, when the enemy returned into the town. The day following, I was joined by General Steuben's troops, and on the night of the 20th, Richmond was evacuated. Having followed the enemy, our light parties ftll in with them near New-Kent court houfe. The army was ftill at a diflancc, and l^ord Cornwallis continued his march towards Williamlburgli. His rear and right flank were followed by a large detachment under Colo- nel Butler ; but notwithftanding the moft fatiguing march, the colonel reports, that he could not have overtaken them had not Major Mac- pherfon mounted fifty light infantry behind an equal number of dra- goons, which coming up with the enemy, charged ihcm witiiln fix miles (c.) of Williamlburgh. Such of the advanced corps as could arrive, compofed of riflemen, under IS", ior Call and Major Willis, began a fmart adion. Inclofed is a retur . of our lofs ; tliat of the enemy is fixty killed, including, feveral officers, and one hundicd wounded, a dii'pioportiou which the Ikill of our riflemen cafily o:- plains. I am under great obligations to Colonel Butler, and the olli* cers, and the officers and men of the detachment, for their ardour ia the purfuit, and their condu*^ in the adion» . ; . , ,,. . w ■ k General Wayne, who marched to tl;e fupport of Butler, fent Jown fome troops, under M^jor Hamilton. The whole Britlih (b.) army came out to fave Simcoe, and on the arrival of our ar;ny on this Y y 2 . griH'.nd,. 348 CAMPAIGSS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 n* THE K.)f?#tot!;e ;;rou'.Kl, returned to W'illiamlburgli. Tlic poll they now occvipy iti ('•ri-nci. llrong under the proteclion of their (hipping, hut upwards of one hun- ilicd miles from tlie Point of Fork. 1 HAD the honour to communicnte thcfc movements to the execu- tive ot the commonwealth, that the feat of government may be again re-ertablilhcd in the capital. Lord Cornwallis has received a reinforcement from Portfmouth. With the greateft refpeifl, I have the honour to be, &c, LA FAYETTE. (NOTE W. ) KxtraSi. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ K, B. dated iniliamjburghf June ^o, 1781. AFTER pafling James river at Weftover, I moved to Hanover court houfe, and croffed South Anna. The Marquis de la Fayette marched to his left, keeping above at the diftance of about twenty miles. By pufhing my light troops over the North Anna, I alarmed the enemy for Fredericklburgh, and for the junction with General Wayne, who was then marching through Maryland. From what I could learn of the prefent ftate of Hunter's iron manufactory, it did not appear of fo much importance as the {lores on the other fide of the * country, lOUTIIERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. country, and it was In.ponibic to prevent tlit jiin R f U A M 1 1: I • \ 35 « «N I i i C n A P T E R VI. Earl ConnvJ/lj moves to JiUues river. — -/Iftdr ruw y.vnes IjUnJ. — Ejr* Cornivallis marches to Port/mouth. — ILimpton road //>/ oppr-.veJ of as a JIalionfor the navy. — Earl Cornwallis takes pojfejjl'jn of I'ork town. — Portfmouth evacuated. — the French feet enter the Chcftpeak. — La Fayette takes pof at IVIlllamfburgh, — General Wafungton's force con* ccniratcd at JVilliamfurgh. — ^ork town invcfeJ. — Tw) redoubts car- ried at Tcrk tozvn by the French and Americans, — Sortie from Vork town* — Surrender of Tork ioxvn and Gloucefer. UURING the late operations in Virginia, intelligence reached Sir Chap. Vi. Henry Clinton, which gave him fome uncafinefs for the ports imme- diately under his command. The cxtenfivc frontier of York, Statcn, and I.x)ng illands, required a powerful body of troops, as well as mi- nute circumfpe£lion and military arrangement : Strong information (a.) of the intended approach of the combined army of France and America, who could receive any fupplics of men and provlfions from the neighbouring populous provinces, naturally excited jealoufy in the commander in chief, who had not at this period eleven thoufand effec- tives to counteradl their defigns: He, therefore, whilft the rtorm threa- tened New York, and the climate rendered the King's troops inadivc or fickly in the Chefapeak, required a detachment from Earl Corn- wallis, if he was not engaged (b.) in any important enterprife ; and '. i «. I )f' (a.) In note A, (b.) In note A. rccom- 3'5i . CAMPAIGNS or 1780 ANO I781 IN THE c.iM'. VI. re'commendod to him a healthy ftat'on, with an ample defenfive force, rill the danger was difperfed to the northward. river. £ari. Cornwallis, judging the call for troops pofitive and prefling, ;iiul that his command, after fuch a ditninution, would not be adequate to maintain his prcfent pofition, dettrtnined inftantly to leave Wil- liamfburgh, and retire to (a.) Portfmouth ; whence he might fend the troops fpecified in the requifilion to New York : For the execution of this| projedl, it was ncceflary to crofs James river ; and James ifland prefented the moft convenient fituation to fecure an unmolefted paffage to Cobham. The navy, under the diredion of Captain Aplin, being prepared for fuch an undertaking, on the (a.) 4th of July the royal army marched by the left, and arrived the fame day in the neighbour- Earl Com- hood of James ifland, which is feparated from the main land by a wallis moves to James fmall gut of water, not two feet deep at the reflux of the tide. The advanced guard, under Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, pafled to the ifland, and from thence to Cobham in the evening. The legion cavalry and two companies of mounted infantry were directed to cover the right flank and rear of the Britifli column during the march : Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton moved to a church, eighteen miles from Williamf- burgh, which he underllood was fortified and garrifoned by the rifle- men who lay in front of the American army : By furprife he got within the abbatis, the church yard, and the church, and diflodged the enemy with fome lofs : He afterwards proceeded towards Tyre's plantation, when, under the advantage of a heavy rain, he drove in the pickets, and communicated a general alarm to the Marquis de la Fayette's corps. In the mean while, the Britifli army reached their encampment near James ifland, to which place the cavalry flowly retired. (a.) In note B. (a.) In note D» The SOUTBHRN PROVINCES OF Nt:)RTH AMERICA. The pofition occupied by the King's troops was equally lliong aiul Chap. \ i. convenient ; the right was covered by ponds, the cc>Ucr and kft by moraflls, over which a few narrow cau(lwa)s conncdlcd it witli ilio country, and James ifland lay in the rear. On the 5th, the ilorcs and wheel carriages began to pafs, which employment would continue till the 7th, when it was imagined (b ) the boats would be ready lor the troops. On the morning of the 6th, the foragers from the cavalry were ordered into the front, who reported that the enemy were advan- cing. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, after the party returned, gave money and encouraging promifes to a negroe and a dragoon, to com- municate falfe intelligence, under the appearance of deferters. Thefe emiflaries were dire<5led to inform the Americans, that the Briti(h le- gion, with a detachment of infantry, compofed the rear guard, the body of the King's troops having pafled James river. In the after- noon n patrole of cavalry was beat back over one of the caufeways on the left, and Lieutenant Grier, who commanded it, was wounded. Soon after, the American riflemen infulted the outpofts, whilft a body of continentals advanced towards the morafs : The Britifli cavalry fup- ported the pickets on the left, in order to contain the enemy within ' the woods, and to prevent their viewing the main army : Earl Corn- wallis dire£ted Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to continue this manoeuvre, and he ordered the battalions and regiments to remain quiet in their • amp, where they were concealed from obfervation. Before funfet, (c.) the Marquis de la Fayette had pafled the morafs on the left, with about fix hundred militia, nine hundred continentals, and fome can- non ; bodies of riflemen attacked the other pickets ; and the remainder of the American force took pofl: at a brick houfe, beyond the wood and the caufevvay. Upon the firft cannon (hot from the enemy, the ■ 'J-- (b.) In note D, (c.) In note D. Z z Britidi 354 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN TUB Chap. VI. Britlfli army formed anJ advanced, when the dragoons fell back through the intervals made for them by the influitry. Affiur iifiir Jumi'i ilhiiiJ. Lieutenant-colonel Dundas's brigade, (d.) conipofcd of the 43d, 76th, and 80th rfgimenta, with two fix-pounders, under Captain Fage, fuftained the weight of tlic enemy's attack. The contlltl in this quarter was fevere and well conttfled. The artillery and infantry of each army, in pre fence of their rcfpecilivc generals, were for fome mi- nutes warmly engaged not fifty yards afunder. The other part of tiie line, coiifirting of the two battalions of liglit Infantry, Lieutenant- colonel Y'Hke's brigade, (i.) the brigade of guards, and the Heflians, met with little or no refinance, being oppofed only by fmall parties of militia, who made a precipitate retreat : But on the left of the Critifh, the a£lion was for fome time gallantly maintained by the continental infintry, under General Wayne, againft the 76th, 80th, and part of 43d. The legion cavalry formed a fccond line behind the 80th, and the light companies, under Captain Champagne, difmounted to rein- force the 76th. The affair was not ended before dark, when the enemy abandoned their cannon, and repafled the fwamp in confufion. The woods, the morafles, and the obfcurity of the night, prevented the purfuit of the cavalry. The Marquis de la Fayette rallied part of the Americans to the troops polled beyond the fwamp, and halted fome hours at the Green Springs, to colled the fugitives. Earl Cornwallis returned to his encampment. The King's troops had five officers wounded, and about feventy men killed and wounded. The fteadi* nefs of the new regiments, who bore the brunt of the a ^on, did ho- nour to thofe corps ; and the conduct of Lieutenant-colonel Dundas, who commanded them, was highly animated and meritorious. On (d.) In note D. I (i.) Late Webfter's. the SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 355 the part of the Americans, near three hundred continentals and mill- Chap. vi. tia were killed, wounded, and taken. The events of this day were particularly important, and claimed more attention than they obtained. The Marquis de la F.ayette had inade a long march, in very fultry weather, with about fifteen hundred continentals and one thoufand militia, to ftrike at the rear of the Bri- ti(h before they pafled to James ifland : I'oo great ardour, or filfe iii- ttlligence, which is moft probable, for it is the only inrtance of this officer committing himfelf during a very difficult campaign, prompted him to'crofs a morafs to 'attack Earl Cornwallis, who routed him, took his cannon, and mufl inevitably have deftroyed his army, if night had not intervened. His lordfhip might certainly have derived more ad- vantage from his vidlory. If the two battalions of light infantry, the guards, and Colonel Yorke's brigade, who had all been (lightly en- gaged, or any other corps, and the cavalry, had been detached, with- out knapfacks, before d^iwn of day, to purfue the Americans, and pufli them to the utmoft, the army (c.) of the Marquis de la Fayette muft have been aimihilated. Such an exploit would have been cafy, fortu- nate, and glorious, and would have prevented the combination which produced the fall of York town and Gloucefler. It was fuggefted to Earl Cornwallis, in oppofitiou to the plan of purfuing the vi£lory, that Sir Ilcnry Clinton's rcquifition for troops was a circumHiance of greater confequence, and more worthy of attention. This was allowed to be a flrong and forcible reafon ; but at the fame time it was repre- fented, tliat the exertion of half, or two thirds of the Britifh army, in luirfuit of the Americans, would not occafion delay, or in the leaft de- ii' (■ i: (e.) In note D. Z / 2 range J5^ CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Chap. VI. range the original defigii of proceeding to Portfmouth. Experience fully evinced and juftificd the propriety of this opinion. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with two hundred dragoons and eighty mounted Infantry, was ordered to proceed after daybreak acrofs the fwamp, in purfuit of the enemy ; and three companies of light in- fantry were direded to take poft beyond it, until he returned. Some wounded men and deferters joined the Britllh before they reached the CIreen Springs, where the Marquis de la Fayette had rallied histroops after the a(Clion. The dragoons then ftruck into the road by which, about two hours before, the Americans had retreated, and they had not advanced four miles when they met a patrole of mounted riflemen. The captain who commanded it, and feveral of his men were killed or taken : The remainder were purfued into the Marquis de la Fayette's army, who had been forced by extreme fatigue to rcpofe themfelves not more than fix miles from the field of battle. In this lituation they would have been an eafy prey to a powerful detachment of the Britlfli, who could have marched Into their rear by feveral roads, whllft the light troops amufed them In front ; or the infantry might have followed the route of the continentals In cafe they retreated, and the Engllfli dragoons and mounted infantry could have pafled through the woods into their front, or on their flank, and have impeded and harafled them till the foot could force them to adion. Either of thefe plans muft have fucceeded againfl: a corps that was deftitute of cavalry ; that had made a forced march in very hot weather during the preceding day ; that had been routed, and had retreated without refrefliment or provlfions. When the late defeat, tlje diminllhed force, and the bodily fatigue of the Americans, are contrafted with the recent fuccefs, the fuperlor numbers, and the adlve vigour of the Britifli, It may fairly be prefumed, '9: i SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 357 prdumcd, Jiat lefs time than twelve hours would have given, without Cha . vi. the fmalleft hazard, a decifive advantage to the King's troops. When tlie cavalry and mounted infantry returned to camp, the army were ordered to crois to James ifland. On their arrival at that place, a confiderable part of the baggage, bat horfes, and ftores, were not tranfported to Cobham, and the rear guard did not embark till twenty-iuur hours after the action ; which circumftances iiicontcftibly prove, that a temporary purfuit of the enemy, with a powerful de- tachment, would not liave retarded the main operation of pa.T.ng James river : Or, fuppofing the march to Portfmouth had been put off for. twenty-four hours, would not the public fervice have been fufficiently benefited by the dcftrudion of La Fayette's corps, tojuftify the delay? No demand of Sir Henry Clinton for troops could be deemed prefllng before the difpatch Earl CornwaJlis received on the 8th (C.) at Cob- ham ; and in his lordfliip's anfwer to that letter, he mentions, that the corps will proceed to Portfmouth, to wait the arrival (f.) of the. tranfports ; no time, therefore, would have been loft by purfuing tlic enemy. In few words : Is it judicious to halt with a fuperlor army, and not profecute a vici^ory ? The folution of this queftion leads to others relative to the mode of proceeding proper to have been followed in this inftance. It would furely have been more judicious to have adopted a change of mealures at this critical junclurc ; to have couu- teimanded the expedition to Portfmouth ; to have prepared to pufh the enemy before, daybreak ; to have puifued the Marquis de la .Fayette till his corps was exterminated ; and to have exercifed dlfcretionary powers for the advantage of the troops, and the benefit of the nation, by ordering the tranfports from Portfmouth, and the ftores and bag- i^ I i i i:A W . M (C.) Note C. (f.) In note D, g^gc );' $S^ CAMPAlf. NS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Ciur. VI. gAgc from Coblum, to meet the vidlorious army at Williamfljurgh ; who, after their fucccfl'es, might have detached to New York, with little or no lofs of time, and have maintained their port and their re- jnitation. The day after tlie King's forces arrived at Cobham, Earl Cornwallis font I/iciitcnant-coloncl Tarleton with the legion cavalry and eiglity mounted infantry to Prince-Edward covirt houfe, and from thence to New London in Bedford county, and ordered him (E.) to deftroy on his march, all ammunition, clothing, and ftores of every kind, intend- ed for tlie American fervice : Private corn and provifions, except fucli as might appear neceflhry for the maintenance of the pofltffors, were likewife to be burned, to prevent the South-Carolina army receiving benefit from fuch fupplies. After executing thefe inftrudlions, he was to endeavour to Intercept any Britifh prifoncrs or American light troops returning to the northwards, and then retire at his Icifure to a detach- ment of the royal army at Suffolk. On the 9th of July, Lieutenant-colonel Tarloton left Cobham, and proceeded upon this diftant expedition by long movements in the morn- ing and evening : By which means the heat and darknefs were as much as poflible avoided, and time afforded for refrefhmcnt and repofe. The light troops foon reached Peterfburg, advanced to Prince-Edward court houfe, and from thence towards the river Dan. The ilores deftroyed, either of a public or private nature, were not in quantity or value equi- valent to the damage fuftalned in the {klrmlfl-;es on the route, and the lofs of men and horfes by the exceffive heat of the climate. The in- telligence which occafioned this march was exceedingly imperfed : (E.) Note E. The i-iiburgb ; irk, with I their le- riorinvallis md eighty I thciice to clcftroy on nd, intend- ;xcept fuch ffors, were )y receiving JUS, he was light troops to a dctach- SOUTIIEnN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, The florcs, whlcli were tiic principal oLjc£l oF the expedition, had Cm been conveyed from Piincc-Edward court houfe, and all that quarter of the country, to IliUlborough and General Greene's army, upwards of a month before the Biitirti light troops commenced tlieir move. A halt of two days in Bedford county difcovered that General Gtccne had made no di.tachmcnt to the northward, but that he was engaged in the liege of Ninety Six. This information induced Tarlcton to rcfume hi3 march, by a different route, towards the royal army ; and the dragoons and mounted infantry having completed an expedition of four hundred miles, attended with many untavourablc circumftances to the corps, who were almofl deftitute of nccefl'aries and accoutrements, joined tlie King's troops at Suffolk fifteen days after their departure from Cobham. A detachment from the Marquis de la Fayette's army might have been traufported over James river near City point, and, by pofting them- felves at the head of Black water, would have endangered the retreat of the Brltifli, by blocking up the pafs at that place, and over which they muil unavoidably return ; becaufe the banks of Black water are in other parts fo marfhy, that there is no approaching them, either to makeufe of rafts, or to crofs the river by fwimmlng. General Wayne was indeed detached to Goode's (a,) bridge ahove Peterfburg ; but in that pofition he could give noobflrudion or embarrafllnentto the move- ments of the light troops. J59 VI. u 1^ ( t • If I I 'if I ; 1 > - : t . m Upon the jun. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 56! line, failed up York river. In the beginning of Auguft, lub lordflilp Chap. vi. landed detachment3 at Glouccftcr and York town, and afterwards dif- cmbarked the whole force that accompanied Ijim. Ininiedlucly after Earl Cornwallis had occupied thcfe ports, he difpatchcd an exprefs to Brigadier-general O'Hara, requlrlijg a reinforcement of infantry from Portfmouth by the row bo its of the army and fleet, and at the fame time he fent dircdlions (I.) for Lieutenant colonel Tarlcton to move to Sowell's point, in order to place his regiment and the mounted infan- try on board fmall veflels, prepared to tranfport them to Hampton road. The legion dragoons commenced their paflage on the 6th, and the horfes were unfhipped the fame evening, by throwing them into deep water near the ftiore. No accident whatever happened in confe- quence of this mode of debarkation, and the cavalry joined Earl Corn- wallis the next morning. In the mean time, the tranfports which had proceeded up York river were ordered back to Portfmouth to receive Brigadier-general O'Hara's divifion of troops as foon as the works at that place were deftroyed. This bufinefs beuig completed, whilfl: the heavy (lores and cannon were conveyed into the quarter-mafter gene- ral's and the ordnamce veflels, the rear guard embarked without molef tation, and the whole Virginia army was (a.) aflembled on the 22d at York town and Gloucefteri Portdnoutfc evacuated. Upon the arrival of the flrfl divifion of the King's troops. Earl Cornwallis gave direiElions to Lieutenant Sutherland, of the engineers, to trace out a chain of redoubts to cover Gloucefter. This village is fituated on a point of land on the north fide of York river, and con- fided at that time of about a dozen houfes. A marfliy creek extends along part of the right flank : The ground is clear and level for a mite i <. 1 i1 1 .1 '.■-ii (I.) Note I. (a.) In note K. 3A ih 36a CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IN T H P. Chap. VI. ill front : At tliat dillance ftaiuls a wood : The fpacc which it occupies is narrowed by the river on the left, and a creek on the right : Beyoiul the gorge the country is open and cultivated. The 80th regiment, who were afterwards joined by the Ilcfnan battalion of Prince Heredi- taire, foon made confidcrable progrcfs in the works that were to fortify this poft. York river is one of the principal branches of the Chefa- pcak : From its mouth to Glouceftcr the cliannel is deep and broad : York town and Gloucefter confine it in a narrower bed, their diftance not exceeding an Englifti mile ; when the water again extends itfclf, and for fome leagues affords convenient ancliorage to (hips of any bur- den. York town, before the war, was a place of confiderable trade : Great part of the houfes form one ftrcet, on the edge of a cliff, which overlooks the river : The buildings (land within a fmall compafs, and the environs of the town are interfered by creeks and ravines. Diffe- rent roads from Williamfburgh enter York in feveral direftions ; and the main route to Hampton pafles in front of it. The ground was furveyed (b.) as foon as the redoubts on the other fide of the river were found to be in a tenable condition, and works were propofed by the en- gineers : After ibme confideration, the plan was approved (c.) of, and the troops, after levelling fome houfes, proceeded to conftrutH: the fortifications. Working parties were ordered from all the corps, ex- cept the legion, who remained at the advanced poft with fome mounted infantry, ^' After the aftion near James ifland, the Marquis de la Fayette had retired into the forks of the Pamunkey and Matapony, whence he fent General Wayne with a.corps acrofs Jumes river. On the return of the King's troops to Williamiburgh neck, he called in his detachment, ad- (b.) In note K. (c.) In note. K. vanced it occupies it : Beyot\d 1 regiment, lice Hcredi- re to fortify the Chefa- I and broad : heir diftauce itends itfclf, of any bur- srable trade ; . clift", which :ompafs, and ines. DifFe- reftions; and ground was he river were ed by the en- 1 (c.) of, and conftrut^ the he corps, e»- fome mounted L Fayette had whence he fent ; return of the tachment, ad- SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMUniCA. 3^-3 v.inced into New-Kent county with the main body, aiul dllpatchc 1 i C:tAr.vi, party of militia to the neiglibouihood of Glouc(.ftci to annoy the liii- tifh foragers in that quarter. While the infantry of tlic line were cinploycJ In conrtriifling tli* defences of York town and Glouccftcr, the Qwecn's rangci .; and tlic legion were equally adive in coUcvSling forage and cattle tVoin the coun- try for the ufe of the army. Lieutenant-colonel Sinicoc manngcd his detachments in front of Glouceflier with great dexterity, and met, in confequence, with trifling interruption. Lieutenant-colonel Tarlctoji made feveral expeditions to Williamlburgh, and by luch moves covered all the country for the foraging parties between that place and Hamp- ton. One excurfion was puflied farther with fuccei's : Lieutenant- co- lonel Abercrombie with the light infantry proceeded to Williamfburgh, whilfl the legion cavalry advanced and defeated, with very little lofs, about three hundred militia, at Chifwell's ordinary, on the Newcaftle road. The unexpefted appearance of the Britifh dragoons ftruck the Americans with fuch aftoniihment, that they in general abandoned their arms without firing, and retreated with great precipitation. Near the end of Auguft, the Guadaloupe of twenty-eight guns, left York town, to proceed to New York with difpatches from Earl Cornvvallis, and from Captain Symonds of the Charon, who com- manded His Majefty's (hips in the Chefapeak. At this period, tlic fea oificers imagined that the Brltifti fleet from the Weft Indies would be dlfcovered off the capes by the frigate, and tlie land officers expeiflcd that a confiderable body of troops would foon arrive from New York, to ftrengthen the King's forces for i'oUd operations in Virginia, and llkewife to garrifon the works which were conftruifllng for the advan- t.ige and prote£\ion of both army and navy. Tlitfc fuppofitlons, 2 A 2 which v-» r I 'f M' I i I 12 364 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IM THR Chat. VI. wliicli wcrc Well gioundcil, ditfufcd among tlic royalifts general fatif- f.\inion ; but their profpci^s of glory were fuddcnly obfciired. On the The Frenih 2olh, tlie French fleet, of twcnty-eitrht fail of the line, from the Chdapeik. Weft Indies, inidcr the orders of the Count de (jialVe, ttitcrcd the C'hefapeak. Tlic advanced guard of his fqiiadron, conllfting of the Glorieux, a coppered fevcnty-four, and tiie Uiligcnte and Aigrette fri- gates, met the Guadaloupe near the capes, who, not iindcrftanding tlieir fignald, kept aloof, and afterwards, hy fwiftnefs, made goixl iier retreat to York town ; whilll: the LoyaliO, a bad twenty-gun fhip, w!io was ftatloncd in the bay, after a gallant ftrugglo in the mouth of the channel, fell into the pofleffion of the French. The Count de Graffe, without lofs of time, blocked up York river Avith three large fhips and fome frigates, and moored the principal part of the fleet in Lyniuivcn bay. Upon his arrival within the capes, he difpatchcd Information of that event to General Wafhington in the Jerfics, and to the Marquis de la Fayette, who was encamped near the Chickahomany. The difembarkation of the troops brought in the linc-of-battlc (hips from the Weft Indies immediately took place, and the continental army in Virginia advanced to the Green fprings on the 3d of September, to form a junction with the Count de St. Simon. Ha Fayetff The Marquis de la Fayette foon after moved the French and Americans wiiiuiuf. to VVUliamfburgh. In the mean time Earl Cornwallis praftifed (L.) varlons means to fend intelligence to New York of the fituation and force of the French fleet. Patroles of the legion cavalry were continually detached to the fliorcs of James and York rivers, and daily reported to his lordfliip (L.) Note L- tvery 80UTHEt?N FnOiVlNCES OF NORTH AKfl'.HICA. ^6 g every occurrcntc wortiiy of .ittciillon : Thoy infornicil hlrn of I'lt Cif.M.vr. movement ' f the boats with troops towards the Chickahomaiiy, and of the ditfcrent m ui(L"uvrc« of the Count dc Graflc. On the 5tli, the Frcncli (hips were obfervcd to make repeated I'lguals, and it was foon difcovcrcd that an Englifl\ fijuadroii was approaciiing. Notwithftand- ing the abfcncc of a number of olHcers and Teamen, '•mphiytd in the didmbarkation of St. Simon's brigade, and of another detachment en- gaged in procuring water, the French fiect got under way, and (\ooJ out of the capes. ♦ i ' I This Aate of hope was Interrupted by the arrival of Count dc Barraa's divifion in the Cliefapeak from Rhode ifland. Intelhgcncc loon after roachcd York town, that Count de Graflc had repulfed the Bri- tifli fleet, and was returning to the bay. Before this period accounts were brought to Earl Cornwalils tliat General VVafhington, with a large body of continentals, and Counc Rochambeau, with the French army, were preparing to form a junction with La Fayette, by defcend- ing in tranfports from the head of Elk river in Maryland, under the convoy of the French (hips. In this fituation, blocked up by fca, and expofed to a powerful combination on fliore, Earl Cornwallis turned his attention towards the corps already arrived at Williamfburgh. Lieutenant-colonel, Tarleton was dcfired to reconnoitre the po- fition of La Fayette and St. Simon, and to ufe every expedient to ob« tain exadl intelligence of their numbers. After feveral fpies were fcnC out, the Britifh dragoons and two companies of mounted infantry ad- vanced towards the enemy. A picket of militia, at the mill dam on. the Hampton road, was diflodped, and the cavalry were led to the left olF the main route, in order to force another detachment, who com-- miindcd the (here of James river, by being ported on the cllfls which i 3" overlooked. ->« •• ' 366 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 ;8o AND ^ySl TN TTfE " CiiAr. XL overlooked it. This being accompliflicd, and a difpolition being made to fccurc a retreat, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton felefted three officers •and fix men, well mounted, to proceed with him, at half fpeed, to the right of the encampment at Williamlburgh ; whence, after difco- vering the fituation of the enemy, who had taken ground near the col- lege, he repaired unmolefted to York town. Lieutenant-colonel Tarle- ton's report, and a return of the French and Americans, brought in by a woman, fuggefted to Earl Cornwallis the feafibility of tm attack. It was defigned tliat the army fliould contrive their march, fo as to be able to commence the action before daybreak : That time was deemed eligible, becaufe the ground near and in Williamlburgh is cut by feve- ral ravines, and beCaufe the Britiih column, in advancing on the long and ftraight road through the town, would not be fo much expofed to the enemy's cannon, under cover of the night, as during the day. This plan was reafonable and judicious, and would probably have been executed with fuccefs. Another difpofitlon might alfo have been adopted. A body of two thoufand infantry, with fix or eight pieces of artillery, might have been embarked in the boats of the navy and army, and have been conveyed into Queen's, or Capahofack creek, where they could eafily have been landed, under the protedion of the gallies and armed veflels, on the flank, or in the rear of Williamlburgh ; whilft Earl Cornwallis, with the principal part of his infantry and cannon, and the whole of his cavalry, approached the enemy in front. -No apprelienfion for fo powerful a detachment as two thoufand men could be entertained, if the main army moved at a concerted period to the objedt of attack. This defign was eftcemed of too complex a nature. Earl Cornwallis fixed his approbation on the former plan ; and was deliberating on tiie time he fliouId carry it into execution, when expreffes from Sir Henry Clinton, ling made ee officers fpeed, to Fter difco- ir the col- )nelTarle- brought in tin attack, fo as to be ras deemed ut by feve- )ii the long expofed to ig the day. ^ have been A body of |lery, might Id have been could ealily mcd veflels, Cornwallis, ;hc whole of lenfioii for fo tertained, if of attack. I Cornwallis ating on the |m Sir Henry Clinton, SOUTHEKN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMliRTCA. 2)^-^ Clinton, dated in the beginning of September, (M.) fayins^-, that he Qw?. vi. would do his utmofl: to reinforce the army in the Chefapcak, or make every diverfion in his power, and that Admiral Digby was expected on the coaft ; retarded the projcAtilCCikULA'k'. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ^f.^ try were all good, moft of them chofen troops; the iletachment ot' Chap. vi. field artillery unequalled ; and the cavalry, to the amount of four hun- dred, in excellent order. Befides this regular force, there were fuffi- cient numbers of marines, fjamen, convalefcents, and refugees, to have manned the batteries, and maintained the works at York town and Gloucefter, againft any attempt of the French fleet during the abfcnce of the Britifli army. The force of the Marquis de la Fayette did not exceed four thoufand fighting men. The full complement of the bat- talions of Agenois, Gatinois, and Touraine, under the orders of Count de St. Simon, was eight hundred each regiment : Not more than two thoufand men, the volunteers of St. Simon inclufive, were landed, who were in a very fickly ftate, being much debilitated by fcurvy, and other complaints contrafted in the Weft Indies. The return of La Fayette's and Wayne's brigades, and of Steuben's eighteen-months men, did not reach feventeen hundred fit for duty. The militia could not be nume- rous on the arrival of the French, becaufe they were difmifled for the fummer on the movement of the King's troops for Portfmouth, and the time did not yet allow a large body to be afl'embled. W \ f ;: t ■•<■ I The vulnerable fituation of Williamfburgh, the comparative ftate of the two armies, the flender hope of relief for one party, and the cer- tain relnforements which were approaching the other, undoubtedly fuggefted vigorous and decifive meafures to the Britifh at this jundure : An attack, therefore, upon La Fayette, as it was reafonablc and judi- cious, might have been cffedual and conclufive. Or, the knowledge Earl Cornwallis had of public affairs at this period, would have jufti- fied him to his cofilitry, in taking a more momentous flep than at- tempting his enemies in detail. The well-grounded probability of an irrefiftible co-operation in the Chefapeak would have fully vindicated his abandoning York town, in order to proceed to South Carolina ; and 3 B the I 3/0 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THj:; ciiiAi'. VI. tlie energy of fuch a refolutlon would have defeated the mahi defign of the French and Americans, and have immortalized his lordfliip'a military reputation. The firft of thefe enterprizes might have been ventured upon anytime between the 6th and i8th of September ; and the latter, during the interval of De Grafle's return to the Chefapeak, and tlie arrival of the Baron de Viomenll with Count de Rochambeau's army : Bat, unfortunately, neither of them were tried ; and England muft lament the inactivity of the King's troops, whether it proceeded from the noble Earl's mifconccption, or from the fuggeftions of con- fidential attendants, who conftrucd the commander in chief's letters into a definitive promife of relief In the mean time, the detachment of the royal navy, and the maf- ters of tranfports and private veflels, blocked up in York river, con- tributed their affiftance to the garrifons of York town, and Gloucefter i Befides fupplying the troops with cannon^ ammunition, provifions, cor- dage, and other ftores necellary for a fiege, they fitted out feveral fire veflels, with an it>tention either to burn or diflbdge the French fhips in the mouth of the river. Captain Palmer took the command of this little fquadron, and proceeded at the head of it in his> own firefhip, the Vulcan, A dark night concealed the purpofe ; and the weather^ the »ide, and the current, favoured the defcent to the enemy : But the impatience, or the want of rcfohvtion of the officers and failors of the tranfports, foon rendered all advantages ufelefs. Thefe, by placing tl>e match to the combuftlbles without orders, and at a great diftance, awakened the attention of the French, expofed the whole defign to their view, and brought a heavy cannp'^ade upon Captain i*almer, who would otherwife have been able to grapple a line-of- battle fhip. When his crew manned the boats, and threatened to for- lake him, he relu^Hiantly quitted the Vulcan, who, though kindled too 1 foon. OUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 37-^ foon, much difconccrted the whole, and hi feme degree ciidungercd Ci!\i-,\i. one of the French men of war. Every day advanced the ftate of the Britifli works, and forwarded the combhiation of the Americans and French. Kefori General W'afli- higton and Count Rochambeau, with a fmall train, arrived a Wll- utH ^q''.. liamfburgh, (a.) the defences of Gloucefter were nearly completed. At York, the labour of the infantry made a confiderable progrcf;;, both in the fortifications of the town, and in forming field works for an outward pofition. The parts of the country l)'ing between York and the American outpoft, and thence to Pomt Comfort, were foraged by the cavalry of the legion. The pickets of militia at the mill dam, on the Hampton road to Williamfburgh, were often infulted and drove lu hy the Britifh dragoons, that Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton might con- fer with a fpy, who refided beyond- them. By this means, and by fending boats in the night up York river, conftant intelligence was ob- tained. On the 26th, Earl Cornwallis was informed that a large body of troops had arrived in James river from the head of Elk and Balti- more, and that the forces of France and America were aflembling at Williamiburgh. (b.) General Wafliint;- ton's fori:e conoentnitcd at Williamf- burgh. I"' (»-v . >-;; i ':.>.!■: ) I At this period, the labour which had been beflowed on the outward pofition at York town, had improved its natural advantages, and ren- dered it in every refped convenient for the King's troops. The right refted on the fwamp which covered the right of the town : A large re doubt was conflruiSted beyond it, clofe to the river road from Williamf* burgh, and completed with fraizing and abbatis. The Charon, Gua- diiloupe, and other armed veffels, were moored oppofite to the fwamp ; (a.) In u*t9 Z. (b.) In flote Z. B 2 nU'vl 3r- Ciia:>. VI CAMPAIGNS OF i;8o AND 1 78 1 IN TUB . aul the town batteries comnpanded all t!ie roads and caufcways wlilch r.pproachcd it. On the right, at the head of the morals, two redouh* 3 vverc placed, one on each Iklc of the main Williamlhurgh road. The ctnter was protecled by a thin wood, whole front was cut down, w'ith the branches facing outwards. A field work, mounted with cannon, was creeled on the left of the center, to command the Hampton road. A deep ravine, and a creek, which increafed till it reached York river, covered the left. Trees were felled, fleches were thrown up, and bat- teries were conflrucled, at the points which were deemed mofl: vul- nerable. The diftance between the heads of the fwamp and creek, which embraced the flanks of the town, did not exceed half a mile. The flice of the country, in front of this line, was cut near the center by a morafs, and, excepting this break, the ground was plain and open for near two thoufand yards. An excellent field artillery was placed to the greateft advantage by Captain Rochefort, who commanded in that department. In this pofition Earl Cornwallis' infantry were encamped, with the legion in front of the left, when the combined army prepared to ad- vance. A picket in front of a working party on the right, gave notice on the 28th, that the enemy were approaching. The French chaffeurs and grenadiers made their appearance (c.) before noon. Lieutenant- colonel Abercrombie drew the light-infantry picket nearer to his corps. The French formed acrofs the main Williamlburgh road with great 'circumfpe£lion. At four o'clock the fame day, the videttes of the le- gion informed Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, that a body of French and Americans had paffed the fwamp which divideJ *\vi ground in frpnt of (c.) In note Z, the CUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. the royal army, and that they were extending towards the left flank CuAr.vi. of the legion. The civalry were Immcdi.itcly mounted, and formed into thiee fqundrons in front of the Brltifli center. In this fituatioti they watched for an opportunity of flriking at any detachment who might pafs the Hampton road : But the enemy were cautious, and can- nonaded the legion dragoons acrofs the morafs, who retired at funfet to Moore's hou fc, within the outward pofition. The next morning the continental infantry marched in columns to the right of the combined forces, caufeways being conftruded in the night over tlie morafs, A few cannon fliot wCrc fired from the Britilh work on the Hampton road, and fome riflemen ikirmiflied with the pickets of the Anfpacli battalions on the left. The two armies obfervcd each other with cautious attention, and nothing material occurred within or without the liner, till evening, when an exprcfs boat reached York town, with a letter (O.) from Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Corn- wallis. The commander in chief advifcd his lord(hip of the arrival of Admiral Digby with three fliips from Europe, and communicated the determination of the general and flag officers at New York, to embark a confiderable corps in tne Britifli fleet, which would probably fail from that place on the 5th of dober towards the Chefapeak. To this letter is attributed the . ' - '"--rlie- Britifli troops to quit (P.) the outward, and retire to the , ■ jh . 'ion, which was accompllilied before daybreak. The works ereded for the j rote(?^ion of York town, confifted, on the right, of redoubts and baf^-.ries. / Mi a lino of flockade in the rear, which fupported a high j^Kirapc^ jf earth. The redoubts were m ;■ ;)■: I i/;;ffln .3 (O.) Note O. (P.) Note P. fur- ■i'l 374 CAMPAIOINg OF 1780 AND I78[ IM TUB C.iAP. VI. furnlflicd with fralzlng and abbatis. A marfliy ravine (2.) lay In front of the riglit, over which was placed a large redoubt, with a good ditch, fralzlng, and abbatis : The morafs extended along the center, which was defended by a line of ftockadc, and by batteries that looked upon all the avenues to the fwamp : On the left of the center, was a horn work, witii a ditch, a row of fraize, and an abbatis : Some em- brazures for cannon were at prefent open in this work. The left was fortified by redoubts, communications of earth, and batteries, which were all furnifhed with fraizing, but without ftockade or abbatis. Two redoubts were advanced before the left, which were fmall, and not fo well finiflied as that In front of the right. The ground in front of the left was in fome parts on a level with the works, in others cut by ravines, and altogether very convenient for the befiegers. The fpace within the works was exceedingly narrow, not large enough for retrenchments, and, except under the cliff, expofed to enfilade. A VIEW of the plan, as well as this defcriptlon, muft fuggeft, that the retreat to the fortifications of the town was a meafure (Q;) prema- turely adopted : That the ground and compafs of the outward pofitlon •rendered it flrong, and well adapted to the nature and number of the ■King's troops : That an attack in it was a circumftance earneftly to be defired by the Brltlfli ; but would certainly not have been attempted by the allies before they received their heavy cannon, and advanced by regular approaches : That this latter aflertlon is verified by the cau- tious conduft of the French, whofe defign of favlng men, brouglit with extreme difficulty from Europe, was manlfefted during the whole fiege : That great time would have been gained by holding and dif- (2.) Which is defcribcd in the outward pofition, with the Charon and Guadaloupe ly- ing oppofite to it. (CU Note Q. putlog [2.) lay ill with a good the center, that looked liter, was a : Some cm- rhe left was ;ries, which ! or abbatis. E fmall, and lund in front in others cut iegers. The ;e enough for filade. fuggeft, that (Q;} prema- vvard pofition mber of the rneftly to be attempted by advanced by by the cau- en, brought ng the whole ing and dif- Guadaloupe ly- putiDg . SOTTTHERN PROVINCES OF KG TH AMERICA. 3;^ puting the ground inch by inch, both to finifh the works of York Chaf. VJ. town, and to retard the operations of the combined army : That no fudden danger could be apprehended by vigilant troops, with proper precautions, and the advantageous defences conf^ru£led on the outward pofition ; and that the celinquifhing it, to coop the troops up in the contracted and unfinished works of York town, unexpectedly hafteued the furrender of the Rritifli army. At dawn, Lieutenant Cameron of the legion was directed to maka as many prlfoners as he could with a fmall detachment of picked dragoons. He fell in with a reconnoitering party at daybreak : He charged them though fuperior in nunibers without hefitation, and brought ofF Colonel Scammell, who was wounded in attempting to re- treat. Immediately after funrife, the American and French generals had notice that the Britifli army had retired into York town. The combined forces appeared moving in feveral columns ; and an aflault was more to be apprehended before ten o'clock that morning than at any precedent or fubfequent period,, till the completion of the fecond parallel. The unfiniftied ftate of the works, the want of abbatis, the badnefs of the pofition, and the difficulty of arranging both the troops and the artillery, would have rendered the attempt not very Iiaxardous^ jj if General Wafhlngton had either been acquainted with thefe circum-^ ftances, or had reafon to doubt the fuperiorlty of the French navy in the American feas. In the courfe of the forenoon the allies took pof- feffion of the ground abandoned by the Biltifli, and felt the. redoubt in front of the right, whence they were repulfed by the 23d regiment ftationed in that quarter. The works (a.) which had been conftru(Eted York towa oa the gorge, between the heads of the creeks, proved of confideiable ^1' i 1 . i: (cv.) In note R. t'.h utility j;-6 CAMPAICNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Ci'\?. VI. Utility to the coinbined (d.) forces: The adilitioti of one rcdoiibt, ninl the doling the fleclie on the Hampton road, fervcd equally to invtll the town, and to protcd their own cucanipmcnt. On the id: and idofOccober, advanced detachments of th; ;'.ljie3, with general officers and engineers, rcconnoitered the Britifli linc&. it was foon evident, the principal attack would be direded agiiu^ the klV. A few cannon fliot were hred from the cmbrazurcs which lot-1. a upon the works the enemy were finishing on the gorge : Large par" ; of infantry were employed on the maga/Zmcs in tiu town, and at 1 ; ril Oc'iobcr. outward redoubts upon the left. In the evening, the legion cava 7 and mounted infantry were pafled over the river to Gluuci (l.-r. ; c daybreak in the morning. Lieutenant-colonel Dundas, wjio commanded that port, led out detachments from all the corps in his garrifon to forage the country in front. About three miles from Gloucefter the waggons and the bat horfes were loac.:d with Indian corn, and at ten o'clock the infiuitry of the covering party began to return. The rear guard, compofed of dragoons, formed an ambufcade for fome militia horfemen who made their appearance, and who came near enough to give effect to the flratagem. The waggons and infantry had nearly j.ieached York river before the cavalry began to retreat. When they had proceeded to the wood in front of Gioucefter, Lieutenant Came- ron, who had been fent with a patrole to .the rear, reported, that the enemy were advancing in force. A column of duft, and afterwards fome French hufl'ars, became vifible. Part of the legion, of the 17th, and of Simcoe's dragoons, were ordered to face about in the wood, whilft Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, (d.) In note Z. witn SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMEHIi U 377 with Lieutenant Cameron's party, rcconnoltcrcd the enemy. Tlic fu- Ci-Ar. vr. periority of their horfes enabled this detachment to fkiinnlh fucccfs- fully with tlie huflars of Lauzun, At tins point of time, TJrij;adior- gcncral de Choify was moving down the road with a corps of cavalry and infantry, to fuftain his people In front, niul the EngllHi rcnr guard was forming at the edge of a woml upwards of a miL- ilKlaiit, in ii^'J^t of the fkirmidr upon the intermediate plain ; when a dr.igoon's hoii '. of the Britifli legion, plunged, on being flruck wltli a fjitr.r hy one of the hulans, (3.) and overthrew Lieutenant-colonel Tarktun and his horfe. This circumflance happening fo much nearer to the body of the French than the Britilh cavalry, excited an apprehenlion In the latter for the fafety of their commanding officer. Impelled by this idea, the whole of the Englifli rear guard fct out full Ipeed from its diftant fituation, and arrived in fuch diforder, that its charge was una- ble to make imprefhon upon the Duke of Lauzun's huiVars, who at this period were formed upon the plain. Meanwhile Tarleton efcaped the enemy, and obtained another horfe, when perceiving the broken flate of his cavalry, occafioned by their anxiety for his (lifety, and which now precluded all vigorous efforts, he ordered a retreat, to af- ford them opportunity of recovering from their confufion. At three, hundred yards from the P'rench fquadrons he difmountcd forty infan- try, juft come up under Captain Champagne, and placed tliem in a thicket on his right : The fire of this party retrained the enemy's huf- fars, and the Britifh were foou rallied. A difpolition was indantly made to charge the front of the huflars with one hundred and fifty ilragoons, whilft a detachment wheeled upon their flank : No fhock, however, took place between the two bodies of cavalry ; the French ("3.) A part of Duke de Lauzun's regiment, who were armed with fpears. — Tin- author hegs leave to apologi/.e to the reader for detailing, at this critical period of tHir (>cge, a (kinnifli unimportant in itftif, had it not heen varioufly related. J C hudar': I ^'fi i ■i. « 1 'r S- 4 •' 1 I u 1 ' 11 I .l»l l: j-8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE i'H\r. VI. huflars retired bt-hlnd their infantry and a numerous militia who had arrived at the edge of the plain. Licutenant-coloncl Tarleton, upon rt cclving part of their fire from behind a rail, again ordered the retreat to be foiiiukil. Many attempts >Ncro made afterwards to detach the l-'icnch huflius from their infantry, bvit they were all iticlFctflual. The tioops between whom this Iklrmilh happened conllftcJ of the rear guard or an Engli(h (e.) foraging party, oppofed to Brigadier de Choify, at tht: head of great part of the corps fent to blockade (iluuceAer. The liiitKli troops had one oHiccr and eleven men killed and wounded. 'J'hc l'>cnch (4.) had two otHcers and fourteen huflars killed and wumukd. The next day, CJcueral dc Choify, being reinforced by a detachment of marines, proceeded to cut ofi' all land communications between the country and Glouceller. At York town the King's troops worked with great induftry, and they were not interrupted before the enemy opened their batteries ; the Biltlfli artillery, however, was conftantly employed in impeding the labour of the combined army. On the night of the 6th, a large de- tachment of American and French troops made confiderabic progrefs in the flrft (a.) parallel, which extended from the high ground above the river, along the left of the Britifh lines, ns far as the ravine that approached the hornwork, occupied by the light infantry. The length of the parallel was about one thoufand yards, and its diftance from the place, in general, fix hundred. The Americans guarded the trenches, and condufced the attack upon the right of the combined forces ; the French upon the left : The emulation of the officers communicated zeal to the foldiery. Works were alfo commenced by the French on (e.) In MOte Z. (4.) Sec journal of Count tic Rochambeau's operations. (a.) In note W. 4 the &UL'THERS IMlOVINl.l.S 01 N O k T II AM URIC A. the light of tlic BrltiOi, Imniciliatcly oppolitc to llic iviloiil)t ^ uiifonocl ( by tlic 23d ri'giinciit. The batteries of the allies Dpencd o:i the after- noon of the 9th. Two days cannonade clearly denionftratcd the bad* nefs of the pofitlon of the King's troops, and the wcakncfs of the de- fences. The circle within the lines prefeiited no place of ftcniity i.\- cept under the clitF, and the fortifications wtre fuon coiifulerably da- maged by the fliot and il-^iU of the enemy. AnoL'T this period. Major (S.) Cochrane arrived with a dilpntch from the commander In chief; whereby Earl Cornwallis was accjiiaint- ed with the ftatc of the Drltllh navy at New York, and the uncertainty of any move from that quarter towards the C'hefaptak. Every line of Sir Henry Clinton's letter dcfcribcd the clrcumllances which might delay his progrefs, and expreflcd anxiety for the fituation of Kail Cornwallis ; and it concluded by requiring bib lordlhip's opinion re- fpe^tlng any di.verfion that he could make to cover the retreat of the Britifli forces from York town and CJlouccfter. The fituation of the Virginia army becoming every d.iy more critical, and all hopes of re- lief, which could at no time have been fanguine, ha\ ing now totally vaniflied, there appeared n' likely meafure to rcfcue the flower of the King's troops from captivity except their own perfonal exertion. Soon after the arrival of Major Cochrane, it was offered as advice to Earl Cornwallis, to evacuate the mlferable works of York town; uliLre every hour both of day and night, was an hour of wateliing and dan- ger to the officer and foldier ; where every gun was difniounted as loon as flicwn ; and where a long defence, again l\ fuperior number-, and fupc- rior artillery, was (T.) utterly hopelcfs. To abandon fortifications that were not tenable, aru adopt a defign, which, at this junclure, had every (S.) Note S. (T.) Nore T V), I', Lii ii.M' - c ^ proba- j83 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE c.i\i, ^■I. pinlinhiHry of fuccefs, was equally honourable and judicious. The difbuvrlioii of the royal army, if it remained in York town, was ine- vitable : The fiite of the befl: part of it, in attempting to pafs through r!ie country, was doubtful. The plan propofed pointed out the faci- lity of tranfporting a large body of infantry in the night to Gloucefter, tIic vulnerable fituation of Brigadier-general de Choify's corps, and the praiflicability of attaining one hundred miles diftance by rapid marches; \\ hen a determination might be formed, from the circumftances which then prefented themfelves, whether a fouthward or a northward route would be moft advantageous for the Britifli forces. The obftaclcs to this enterprise will be difplayed, and in a great mcafure removed, by defcribing the relative fituations of York town and Gloucefter, the means of evacuating them, the nature of the country through which the King's forces were to pafs, and the quality and number of the troops to be employed on the occafion. The bank of the river and the ihape of the cliff, at York town, are concave : The points being poflelVed by the Britilh, all operations on the fliore were concealed from the enemy. The army had, exclufive of the navy, many boats and much fmall craft, which, properly manned, could tranfport twelve hundred infantry at a trip, and with the affif- tance of the navy, above two thoufand. No difficulties occur, there- fore, to impede great part of the troops withdrawing in the night, embarking, croffing the river, and deflroying the boats after the paf^ fage. Gloucefter was not btfieged : Brigadier de Choify only block- aded that pofl with the Duke de Lauzun's legion, (three hundred and fifty men) feven hundred marines, and twelve hundred militia ; which corps he employed in the following manner : The main body were encamped upon the plain, three miles from Gloucefter, behind a flight abbatis, and a large detachment was advanced to a narrow wood, about a mile ous. The 1, was iue- ifs through at the facl- Gloucefter, ps, and the Id marches ; ances which hward route SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 381 a mile and a half in their front ; where, about this time, a work was Chap. vi. commenced, which was not half finished when the capitulation was figned at York. The nature of Brigadiec Choify's pofition, and the mixed quality of his troops, could not threaten a very formidable re- fiftance. The difficulty of his knowing a falfe from a real attack in the dark, would, in all probability, fo divide his refolution and his corps, that he would be beat in detail. A fuppofition that the Britifli forces feledled for the movement through the country would be driven back into Gloucefter, could not for a moment be entertained. ■\ ■'. ( I if' d in a great * York town lature of the id the quality 1. The bank are concave: 5 on the fhore clufive of the erly manned, with the affif- occur, there- in the night, after the paf- y only block- e hundred and nilitia ; which ain body were )ehind a flight w wood, about a mile The country between the Rappahanock and York river, was as rich and plentiful as any part of America, and had not during the whole war been invaded or deftroyed : It abounded with grain, cattle, and horfes : The feafon of the year, too, was particularly favourable, on account of provifions and forage : The Indian corn, which fupplies. both bread and foddy, was juft collc(5led and ftored. The diftance of one hundred miles being obtained, it would then be optionuble for the Britifli general, either to point his courfe towards Philadelphia, (a.), upon which, previous to his departure from York town, he might requefl: the commander in chief to make an attempt, in order to form a junifbion, and favour his retreat : Or, to direiCl his march to the fouthward, having reached a fituation high epough in the country, to pafs all the rivers at their fords, and by this means acquire once more a marked, fuperiority in South Carolina. Upwards of three thoufand picked infantry, and four hundred ca- valry and mounted infantry, could ealily be withdrawn, and miglit with propriety be employed in forming the retreat. Part of the foot i i i i. (a.) In note S. •sr i,- ■ '■• yii->. had. 38 i CAMPAIGNS 01 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE CiiAr. VI. had been accuftomcd to long marchcb, bad provirious, and extreme hardfliips : Tbey had traverfcd the foutherii provinces, and had fur- mouated ahnoft incredible difficulties without murmuring or deftrtion : The other corps were equally capable and zealous, and only required a trial to gain equal glory : The light baggage of the officers might be placed upon horfcs, but no waggons allowed for it ; all the officers would have patiently and chearfully acquiefced in this neceffary com- mand : The troops, both infiuitry and cavalry, (hould be fupplied with three days provifions at Gloucefter, to carry on their backs : Twenty waggons with good horfes might be provided ; in three of wliich, boats with cordar^e and pioneers implements fhould be con- veyed ; a number of artificers and failors would readily attend thefe ufeful appendages : The other waggons could be loaded with flour, I'alt, and ammunition. All the field artillery in Gloucefter might be employed againft the neighbouring poft of the enemy ; but after that event, the number (hould be limitted to four or fix light pieces. The cavalry had already quitted York town, and were in good order : A body of infantry could be mounted on the fpare horfes of the quarter-mafter general and artillery departments, then in Gloucefter. Detachments of dragoons and mounted infantry might ad: advanta- geoufly together, either to guard the front or the rear of the army, to feize proviiions, to fecure defiles, or to move rapidly and vigoroufly upoii any emergency. Many horfes would undoubtedly fall into the pofleflion of the Brltifli in the affair with the Brigadier de Choify, and many hundreds might be cjiie<5led from the populous counties in the vicinity of the Rappahanoek. The Britifli dragoons, who were fupe- rior in number, and much better mounted, would prefs the huflars of l^auzuu to extremity, being fully fenfiblc of the neceflity and utility of fuch an event ; and would afterwards employ themfelves afliduoufly to procure all the horfes withir. their reach : It is, therefore, not in- credible id extreme id had fur- r defertion : f required a rs might be the officers ;effary com- be fupplied their backs : ; ill three of lould be con- attend thefe 1 with flour, :ier might be but after that pieces. The good order : borfes of the a Gloucefter. zdi advanta- the army, to |nd vigoroufly fall into the Choify, and unties in the ho were lupe- the huflars of ,ty and utility Ives aiViduoufly Ircfore, not in- credible SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AWEAICA. 383 credible biAt that horfes would be taken and found, to mount near half Chap. vi. the Brltilh Infantry, before tbey had proceeded fifty miles from Glou- cefter. It is not unfeafonable to form fome reflecllons upon the mer.fures the combined army would adopt, in confequence of this movement of the Britifli. After taking poffeflion of York town, the generals would naturally fend to the French fleet for boats : This circumftance, toge- ther with councils of war, and correfpondence with the admiral, would certainly confume a period of three days before any important deligii could be determined on for execution. Adivifionof troops would then probably be fent to the head of the Chefapeak ; another up James river, and a third would perhaps be ordered to follow the route of the Britilh army. But notwithftanding all thefe preventive meafures, the efforts of the enemy to harafs, to ftop, or to encompafs the King's troops, without a fuperior cavalry, muft prove fruitlefs. Many inci- dents, which, viewed feparately, might appear trifling, would, when united, produce efiential cotifequences, and confiderably favour the re- treat of the Britifli, The likelihood of deftroying the Frencli huflars at the commencement of the expedition ; the hardfliips to be endured upon the march, which the followers would find proportionably aug- mented ; the want of ovens for baking bread might impede the advance of the French, though it could not affeft the progrefs of the Britifli : By long and repeated ufe, the latter had acquired the habit of dlfpen- fing with all conveniencies ; the want of which the former were as unacquainted with as with the language of the country. And to theie circumftances might be added, the probable divilion of force which would arife from a certain oppofition in the plans of the two Frencli commanders. The Count de Rochambeau would indubitablv wifli to follow the fuccefe of York town, whilfl the Count de Grafle would be equally 1" '•: ! , . IT «; i ' »•> %^t m^ 384 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE Ci!Ar. vi. equally folicltous to return to the Weft Indies, the great theatre of naval operations. This contention of opinion, if it did not weaken the French arnw by the removal of St, Simon's brigade, would, at leaft, produce perplexity, debate, and delay. 1'he line of conducSt moft likely and advifable for General Washing- ton to adopt, on this emergency, would be to tranfport the greatcll: part of his continentals, by Baltimore, to Pennfylvania, in order to cover Philadelphia, which might not be an eafy or fafe bufmefs, if the French fquadron quitted the Chefapeak, and to detach the Marquis de la Fayette up James river, to oppofe the return of Earl Cornwallis to the fouthward. But allowing the heft plans to be adopted, and the exe- cutio'i to be equally finiflied, there is the ftrongeft reafon to believe that the Britilh general would efcape with the flower of his army, by aban- doning, in good time, a few frigates, a train of artillery, and a num- ber of fick: Sacrifices highly Jliftifiable in his defperate fituation : The evil and good that would have refulted from the experiment may be contrafted in a few words : If the march failed, it would certainly confonnd and delay the defigns of the French ; and if the Britilh did fall into the hands of their enemies, they would fall later, and with increafed reputation, by having ufed the moft judicious and vigorous efforts to avert the calamity ; but the tried powers and fuperior qua- lities of the King's troops, with the calculation of the favourable cir- cumftances of time and place, demonftrated the feafiblilty of accom- plifliing a retreat, which would have enhanced the military glory, and promoted the general welfare of their country. Two ftrong reafons urged an evacuation Immediately after Major •Cochrane's arrival : The uncertainty of the climate during the autumn, recommended the prelent fine weather ; and the diftance of the Ame- I ricaus SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 3S5 licans and French allowed a more convenient opportunity than when Notes to the they had completed their fecoiul parallel : The retreat was, however. Chapter. poftponed, and other events prelent themfelves to immediate attention. On the night of (b.) the i ith the enemy commenced their fecond pa- rallel : The Britifli howitzers and fraall mortars were employed to in- terrupt their progrefs ; but the French and Americans were greatly co- vered and protected, whilfl at work, by thtir batteries, which obliged the befieged to (hut up the embrafures on the left of their lines. The fecond parallel was confiderably advanced before the firft : It approached the redoubts, which were placed on the left flank of York town : The places of arms and the communications were judicioufly conftruded. I'he Kii:g*5 troops now began to lofe men very fiift, both by licknefs and by the enemy's fire : To reinforce the line, Lieutenant-colonel Dundas was ordered with great part of the 80th regiment from GIou- cefter, and the future command of that poft was intrufted to Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton. , , • ; 11 On the evening of the 14th, General Wafl^ington directed a detach- ment from each army to attack, after daik, the two outward redoubts upon the left of the Britifh lines at York. The Marquis de la Fayette Two re- * ^ _ doubts at commanded the aflault made from the American works, and the Baron York town rarrieJ by de Viomenil that which proceeded from the French trenches. Tb , t^e French Americans, headed by a number of officers and volunteers, performed'-'^'- their duty with vigour and courage : The Britifli redoubt, which had been much damaged by the fire of the batteries, was foon carried, and the commaiiding officer, with many of his detachment, was made prilbner. Colonels Hamilton, Lawrance, and De Gimat, difiinguifli- cd themfchcs on this occafion. The Baron de Viomenil was not lef- (b.) In note W, «^ in "I . It k |8:, Ml m-A 3D hiccefb fill 386 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 XN THE Chap. VI, fiiccefsful in liis attempt. The French chaffeurs and grenadiers met with more difficulties and greater lofs; but they entered with fixed bayonets, and made themfelves mafters of the redoubt. The Count de Deux Fonts, the Count Charles de Damas, and feveral other French officers of diilin^^lion, were amongft the foremoft of the af- failants. No trial was made by the King's troops to re-poflefs the re- doubts ; and the working party of the combined army included them within their parallel before morning. The lofs of men fullaincd by the Britifli was not great, or nearly fo important as the lofs of the ground covered by the redoubts. The enemy's works were puflied forwards with Ikill as well as afliduity, and, by their nearer approach to the body of the place, the fituatlon of the befieged became evevy hour more dlfadvantageous. The battejies of the firfl parallel had filenced the cannon of the town, and made corifiderable impreffion on the fortifications : Thofe of the feeoud parallel were nearly finifhcd on the 15th, and foon expected to open with redoubled devaftatiou^ In this critical fituatlon, Earl Cornwallis wrote (V.) to the com- mander in chief, and advifed him not to run great rilk with the Britifh navy and army, in attempting to relieve him^ as his condition was nearly defperate, and liis defence of York town could not much longer be protrafled. In order to delay the opening of the batteries upon the Sortie from fccond parallel, his lordflilp planned a fortie, to be p|Ut in execution before daybreak on the 16th. The dlreftion (c.) of the fally was given to Lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie, who divided a corps of three hundred and fifty men into two parties : He appointed Lieutenant-co- lonel Lake to the divifion, which confifled of grenadiers fele£ted from the guards and the 8oth regiment, and he placed Major Armftrong to ^V.) Note V. (c.) In uot« T^. th« SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 387 ihe Other, which was compofed of light infantry. Before dawn, two Chap. vi. batteries and the covering redoubts in the fecond parallel were gallantly attacked, and carried, without any confiderable lofs. A large body of French troops, under the Vifcount de Noailles, foon moved forwards to retake the works in front, when the Britilh retreated to their own lines, having killed and taken fome officers and foldiers, and fpiked eleven pieces of heavy cannon. Though this atlion was fuccefsful, and enhanced the reputation of the officers and troops that were en- gaged, the public fervice was not much benefited by it. The cannon, owing to the hurry of the Britifh, or to the ingenuity of the French, were foon unfpiked, and the batteries were nearly finiflied before evening. ' ' A FEW hours cannonade from the new batter) 's upon York town, where the fraizings were already deftroyed, the guns difmounted, many breaches effe(3:ed, and the IhcUs nearly expended, would be pro- ductive either of a capitulation, or an aflault. A retreat by Gloucefter was the only expedient that now prefented itfelf to avert the mortifica- tion of a furrender, or the deftrudion of a ftorm. Though this plan appeared lefs practicable than when firft propofed, and was adopted at this crifis, as the laft refource, it yet afforded fome hopes of luccefs. In the evening. Earl Cornwallis fent Lord Chewton to Gloucefter, i6th oa. with explicit direil articles of (Y.) tlie cai-ltulation were to tlie following ctFc(f>. The troops to be prifoners of war to America and the naval force to France. The oHiccrs to retain their liJe arms and private pro- perty of eery kind : Any property obvioufly belonging to the inhabi- tants of the Unittd States, in tlie portefllon of the garrilbn, to be liable to claim. The foldicrs to be kept in Virginia, Maryland, or Pcnnfyl- vania, and as nmclv by regiments as poflible, and to be fupplied with the fame rations of provifions as are allowed to foldiers in the fervice of America. A proportion of the officers to march into the country with the priloners ; the reft to be allowed to proceed, on parole, to any American maritime port in pofleflion of the BritiHi, or to Europe. Tlie Bonctta floop of war to be permitted to fail to New York without examination, on condition that (ha was returned to the Count de Grafle, and the foldiers and Tailors pafl'engers accounted for on her delivery. The regular troops of France and America who oljtained this im- portant conqueft, conlifted of about feven thoufand of the former, and five thoufand five hundred of the latter, and they were aflifted by about four thoufand militia. The Ikill of the engineers correfponded well with the force of the artillery, amounting to upwards of one hundred pieces of ordnance. On the part of the combined army, from the firfl to the laft period of the liege, fomewhat above three hundred were killed and wounded, exclufive of officers. The only Britifli officer of liote that fell, was the honourable Major Charles Cochrane, (BB.) of the legion. The killed and wounded, officers inclufive, amounted to four hundred and feventy-feven, and feventy were taken in the re- doubts on the 14th. By (CC.) the return tranfmitted to Congrefs, one lieutenant general, one brigadier general, two colonels, fourteen (Y.) Note Y. (BB.) Note BB. 3 (CC.) Note CC. lieu- fc' 5 following the naval private pro- the inhabi* to be liable or Pcnnfyl* jpplied with I the fervicc , the country larole, to any f to Europe. ^ork without ant de Graffe, ;r delivery. lined this im- e former, and lifted by about •efponded well |f one hundred from the firft hundred were Iritifli officer of •ane. (BB.) of I, amounted to en in the re- ;d to Congreis, mels, fourteen Note CC. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. lieutenant colonels, fixteen majors, nliiety-fcvcn captains, one hutidici Cha: and eighty lieutenants, fifty-five enfigns, four diaplains, fix aJjutanti:, eighteen quarter maftcrs, eighteen furgeons, fifteen mates, three hui'.- dred and eighty-five fcrjeauts, one hundred and feventy-nine drume and trumpets, fix thoufand and thirty-nine rank and file, fcvcial men belonging to departments, eighty followers of the army, many fta officers, eight hundred and forty failors, other tranfport fi:amen, with the Guadaloupc and Fowey frigates, the Bonetta fluop, ftveral gallics and armed veflels, feventy-fivc pieces of brafs ordnance, fi\ty-niue iron ditto, the military cheft, containing two thoufand one hundred and fixteen pounds fterling, twenty-four regimental colours, a number of horfes and waggons, and a quantity of fmall arms, ftores, &c. &c. were furrendered by the capitulation, figned on the one part by Earl Cornwallis and Commodore Symmonds, and on the other, by General Waihington, Count de Rochambeau, and Count de Barras, in his own and the name of the Count de Gradcv It may not be improper to recapitulate the caufes which were pro« dudlive of this important event; and as the arms of America and France were crowned with fuccefs, they demand a primary attention. General Wafliington and Count de Rochambeau, early in the riamiiK r, intreated the French admiral (AA.) to embrace the firft convenient opportunity . of quuting the Weft Indies^wllh the fleet and fomc land forces, to participate in their defigos againft. the common enemy m America. The fending the Marquis de la Fayette to command in Vir- ginia, was certainly a ftep well c.ilculated to communicate to that :\nd the neighbouring provinces a ftrong perfuafion of French co-opera" tion ; and the movement of the combined aru^y in June towards New , VI. . 4. : i ' "I, i: I ^■'•■i) Mi »;!■ i (AA.) Noft AA. York, 39- CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE CH.\r. VI. York, contributed greatly to conceal tiic point of attack. The early arriv.il of the French fleet in the Chcfapeak, the fpccdy ilifcmbarka- tion of St. Simon's brigade, the rapid movcmcrt of the French and American troops from the northward, to form the invcftmcnt of York town, exhibit ftrong and admirable proofs of political forcfiglit and military arrangement. The conduct of the French and American en- gineers and artillery, In planning the approaches, and pointing the ord- nance, during tlie fiege, demands the hightfl applaufe : And the bcha^ viour of tlie Count de Grafle, in leaving the buy, during the abfence of fome fliips and of a number of feamen, to engage Admiral Graves, and by that means proted the Count de Barras's fquadron, is no lefs wor- thy of admiration. In (hort, great glory neceflarily proceeded from pro- jects that were conceived with profound wifdom, combined together with fingular propriety, and crowned with unvaried fuccefs. A RETROSPECTIVE view of Brltifh operations plainly difcovers, that that the march from Wilmington to Peterlburgh was formed and exe- cuted by Earl Cornwallis without the knowledge or confent of Sir Henry Clinton : That York town and Gloucefter were voluntarily oc- cupied by his lordfliip, in preference to Old-point Comfort, when a poft for the protection of the navy was required: Tliat as foon as Sir Henry Clinton was apprized of the minifter's wifh to make a ferlous attempt upon Virginia, he committed as large a corps to Earl Corn- wallis in that province as was compatible with the fafety of New York and its dependencies, during the vicinity of the French and American iirmy : That every intelligence which could be obtained of the ene- my's movements was tranfmitted by the commander in chief, who made all the efforts in his power to aflift and relieve his lordfhip, from the pv^riod that the French fleet entered the Chefipeak to the hour of the capitulation at York town : And that Earl Cornwallis may be faid Xo SOUTHERN PROVINCF.S OP N O R T If AMERICA. J'JJ to Incur the imputation ot mifcoiici-iviiig hlj own danger, in not ilc- C'iim-.ni. ftroying La Fayette's ilctaclinacnt after t!ic atVair near James illand ; in not ftrikiiig at the corps at WiHiamlljurgh previous to tlic jumflion of Waftiiiigton and Rochambcau ; in quitting fo early the outward for the inner pofition, wliere he was obHg-d to make propolal? to liir- rcnder ciglit days afti.r the enemy opened their batteries ; and in not adopting looner and more decidedly tiie mcafure of palling tiirough the country. Some inftanccs of overfight may, thcr<;fore, be attributed to his lordfliip, wliich prccij.itated, perhaps, the fate of his own army ; but the genuine caufe of the great national calamity, wiiich put a pe- riod to the continental war, muft by all ranks and dellriptions of men he principally afcribcd to the minifter in England, or the admiral in the Weft Indies. Th.e arrival of De Gralle in the Chelapcak equally ani- mated the confidence of the allies, and oeflroyed all the Britilh hopes of conqueft or of reconciliation in that quarter. The lafety of Eatl Cornwallis' army, in all human probability, woull only have pro- craftinated the evil day ; for tlie paft fuccefs of the campaign, and the future prolpecls of the King's troops, were countera^fled by the for- midable appearance of the French fleet. The fuperiority at fea proved the ftrcngtli of the enemies of Great Britain, deranged the plans of her generals, diflieaitened the courage of her friends, and finally con- firmed the independency of America. ^ t , M I ) ■ W-^' SE N O T E S ■^«i?^5'''irssi. i wmmm -A ^' .4* ^. ** (ituuiili'upr I'fiari'n / ^iff, ■■^- ■■» Britf.t/i I — n AfiicrtcffN Sc Af.A ffff'.K r. ^>I--*^ sv**\^*****" ■4 Fcrt . ^\ :'•... m ^)irt3iiim. ^ V\">>'^v>^'' .Imaiam.irtitttrv K. Keiitm/'f takai fiy afsnu/t en f/if 14'^CcfSat N^ht ty tfie jimerieanj . l^./iei/mlf taA-fH dv iiMmt/f r/i thf it'^fct^ at Ni^ht by the Fre/ieA . London, ViibliOi'd March 1') 1167. -w (' ^- pMI^" CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781, &<:. N O 39S TO THE S I X T il CHAPTER. (NOTE A. ) '4 .': vis Extra£l,'^From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, datud-New Tork^ Notes to tke , June II, 1 78 1, Chapter. JVESPECTING my opinions of flations in James and York rivers, I fhall beg leave only to refer your lordihip to my inftrudlions to, and correspondence with, Generals Phillips and Arnold ; together uitli the fubftance of converfations with the former, which your lordfliip will have found amougd General Phillips' papers, and to which I referred you in my lafl: difpatch. I (hall, therefore, of courfe, approve of any alteration your lordfhip may think proper to make in thofe flations. ^•: I ^■\. vm. The detachments I have made from this army into Chefapeak, fmcc General Leilie*s expedition in Odober laA, inclufive, have amounted to feven thoufand feven hundred and twenty-four efFedives ; and at the time your lordfliip made the jundion with the corps there, there were. Under Major-general Phillips* orders, five thoufand three hundred and 3 E 2 four-: !;;* ;iii^ ^qa CA^!PAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Notu to iiu tour : A force, I (hould have hoped, would be fufficient of Itfelf to- sixth ( uapter. have Carried on operations in any of the fouthern provinces of Ame- rica ; where, as appears by the intercepted letters of Walhington and La Fayette, they are ia no lltuatlon to ftand againfl: even a divifion of ■that army. ' I ft* I HAVE no reafon to fiippofe the continentals under La Fayette can exceed one thoufand ; and 1 am told by Lieutepant-colouel Hill, of the 9th regiment, that about a fortnight ago he met at Frederick town the Pennfylvania line, under Wayne, of about the fame number, who were fo difcontented, that their officers were afraid to truft them with ammunition. This, however, may have fmce altered ; and your lord- fhip may pofTibly have oppofed to you from fifteen hundred to two thoufand continentals, and (as La Fayette obferves) a fmall body of ill- armed peafantry, full as fpiritlefs as the militia of the fouthern pro- vinces, and without any fervice. Comparing, therefore, the force now under your lordfhip in the Chefapcak, and that of the enemy oppofed to you, (and I think it clearly appears they have, for the piefent, no intention of fending thi- ther reinforcements) I fhould have hoped you would have quite fuffi- cient to carry on any operation in Virginia, fhould that have been ad- vifable at this advanced feafon, • ■ • By the intercepted (a.) letters, enclofed to your lordfhip in my lafl dlfpatch, you will obferve, that I am threatened with a flege in this pofl. My prefent efFedlive force is only ten thoufand nine hundred and thirty-one. With refpedt to that, the enemy may coUedl for fuch an objed, it is probable they may amount to at leafh twenty thoufand, befides reinforcfment to the French, (which, from pretty good autho- rity, i.:* SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. Z91 rity, I have reafon to expeft) and the numerous militia of the fiveNof«tothe neighbouring provinces. Thus clrcumftanced, I am perfuadcd your Chapter. lordlhip will be of opinion, that the fooner I concentrate my force the better. Therefore (unlefs your lordfhip, after the receipt of my letter of the 29th of May, and 8th inftant, (hould incline to agree with me in opinion, and iudge it right to adopt my ideas refpe^ting the move to Baltimc o* Delaware neck, ^", .^ ' Leg leave to recommend it to you, as foon as you have finished the adivc operations you may now be (b.) engaged in, to take a defeniive ftation, in any healthy fituation you chufe, (be it at Williamlburgh or York town) ; and I would wifli, in that cafe, that, after referving to yourfelf fuch troops as you may judge neceflary for an ample defenfive, and defultory movements by water, for the purpofe of annoying the enemy's communications, de- Aroying magazines, &c., the following corps may be fent to me in fucceilion as you can fpare them : Two battalions of light infantry ;. 43d regiment ; 76th or 8oth regiment ; two battalions of Anfpach ; Queen^s rangers, cavalry and infantry ; remains of the detachment of 1 7th light dragoons j and fuch proportion of artillery as can be fparedj. particularly .en.. i t: ,i'\ j'- 1^1 (NOTE B. ) Exlrii6l. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated JVilliamJ' ' . ; burgh, June ^o, i7&r. LA FAYETTE's continentals, I believe, confift of about feventccn or eighteen hundred men, cxclufive of fome twelvemonths-mon col- Ififled by Steuben- He has received conliderable reinforcements of mi- lirla.. w^^ - 1 398 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND ^781 IN TIPB Note* to tho Iltia, nnd about eight hundred .- ountain riflemen under Campbell. Chnpter. He kccps with his main body about eighteen or twenty miles from us ; his advanced corps about ten or twelve, probably with an intention of infulring our rear guard when we pafs J^nies ri* jr. I hope, however, to put that out of his power, by croning at James-city ifland ; if I can get a favourable opportunity of ftriking a blow at him without lofs of time, I will certainly try it. I will llkewife attempt water expedi- tions, if proper ohjtOis prefent thcmfelvcs after my arrival at (a.) Pbrtlhiouth. ti \ '5 (NOTE C. ) t T.xlra6l, — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornxvallls, dated New Tori, June 28, 1 78 1. [In cypher. Rewived July 8, 1781.] HAVING, for very eflential reafons, come to a refolutlon of en- deavouring, by a rapid move, to feize the ftores, &c., colle(Sted at Philadelphia, and afterwards to bring the troops employed on that fer- vice to reinforce this poft, X am to requeft, that, if your lordflilp has not already embarked the reinforcement I called for in my letters of the 8th, nth, 15th, and 19th inftant, and fliould not be engaged in fome very important move, eitlier of your own,' or in confequence of my ideas refpe<5ting operation In the Upper Chefapeak, you will be pleafed* as foon as polfible, to order an embarkation ef the troops fpecified below, (i.) and of ftores, &c. &c. flatcd In the enclofed paper, or la (i.) Second battaliort of light infantry; 43d regiment; 76th 6r 80th; f wo battalioiu of Anfpach; Queen's rangers, cavalry and infantry ; and fuch a proportion of artillery as can be fpared, particularly men. as tipbcU. om us; ition of Dwever, if I can t lofs of expedi- at (a.) kw Torkf on of en- lleaed at that fer- dfhip has ters of the ;d in fomc ice of my e plcafed* s fpecified per, or in two battalions 3f artillery as SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 399 ^8 full a manner as your lordlhlp can with propriety comply ; recol- Notes to the letting, that whatever may have been taken too great a proportion of, Chapter. will be immediately returned to you the moment the expedition is over. (NOTE D. ) €of>y. — Eiirl CornwaUis to Sir Uenry CUnlon, K. B. dated Cohham, July 8, 1781. SIR, 1 WA S this morning honoured with your difpateh of the 28th lilt. The troops are perfectly ready, and will proceed to Portfmouih to wait the arrival (f.) of the tranfports. I will give immediate orders about the artillery, ftores, &c. The tranfports now at Portfmouth are fufficient to carry the light infantry ; I had prepared them to receive that corps, and ^(hould have fent them to you in a few days, if your lafl order had not arrived. In your cyphered difpateh, the 2d battalion of liglit infantry only Is men- tioned ; but I conclude that to be a miftake, and fliall keep both ready to embark. I take for granted that General Robertfon will come with the tranfports to take the command of the expedition. General Lcflie. is ftlU here ; but as it was not my intention to have fent him with the troops to New York, and as he will be the propereft perfon to command here, in cafe you (hould approve of my returning to Charles town, I ihall not fend him on the expedition, unlefs it fhall then appear to be your excellency's defire that he fhould accompany General Robertfon. I MUST It u ^ '.X !li '•' 'A ■ i % l;;';l 4 TV K'lt'M > ) tllC SiMh t'h.fjiirr. CAMP A IONS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THK I MVST a^aiii take thi. libr rty of calHiig your excellency's ferious nttciitioii *o the qucilioii of the utility of ;\ dcfcntive poft in this coun- rrv, which cannot have the fmalleft influence on the war in Carolina, aii'.l which only gives us lonie acres of an unhealthy hvanip, and is for evi r ll.ihle to l)ecoine a prey to a for'-'gn enemy, with a temporary fu- p riority at lea. Dcfultory expeditions in the Chcfapcak may be un- dertaken from New York with as much eafe and more f^ifcty, wiien- ever there is reafon to fuppofe that uur naval force is likely to be fupe- rior for two or three months. The boats and naval adinance haviii'^ been fcnt to me by Captain Iludfon, I maiched on the (a ) 4th tiom Wiliianiiburgh to a camp which cuvered a ford into the ifland of James town. The Queen's rangers paflcd the river that evening. On the 5th, I ftnt over all the wheel carriages, and on the 6th, the bat horfes, and baggage of every liiiul, intending to palj (b.) witii the army on the 7th. About noon, on the 6tii, information was brought me of the ajipioach of the enemy, and about four in the afternoon a large body attacked our out ports. Concluding that the enemy would not bring a confiderable force within our reach, unlefs they fuppofed that notiiing was left but a rear guard, I took every means to convince them of my weaknels, and fufFered my pickets to be infulted and driven back ; nothing, however, ap- peared near us but riflemen and militia till near (c.) funfet, when a body of continentals, with artillery, began to form in the front of our camp. I then put the troops under arms, and ordered the army to advance in two lines. The attack was began by the firft line with great fpirit. There being nothing but militia oppofed to the light in- fantry, the a6lion was foon over on the right : But Lieutenant-colo- nel Dundas' (d.) brigade, confiding of the 43d, 7^th, and 80th regi- ments, which formed the left wing, meeting the Pennfylvania line, 2 and coun* rolina, I is for n-y lu- be uii- when- )c lup^- a camp Queen's ;i- all tUc of every out noun, le enemy, out polls, rcc witliln ear guard, lid lulFered tvever, ap- ;t, when a ront of our [le army to line with |he light in- tcnant-colo- |d 8oth regi- Ivania Ihie, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTir AMERICA. and a detachment of the Marquis de h Fayette's continentals, wltlj two iix-pounders, a Imart a«5liou enfucd for I'oinc minutes, when the enemy gave way and abandoned their cannon. The cavalry were pcr- fe(5lly ready to purfue ; hut the darknefs of the evening prevented my being able to make ufe of them. I cannot fufficiently commend the fpirit and good behaviour of the officers and loldiors of the whole army ; but the 76th and 80th regiments, on whom the brunt of the adlion fell, had an opportunity of diftinguilhing thcmfelvcs particu- larly, and Lieutenant colonel Dundas' condudl and gallantry dcferve the higheft praife. The force of the enemy in the field was about two thoufand, and their lofs, I believe, between two and three hunJnance The level of the ground there is about two feet higher than the high-water mark, which, from its very (hort diftancc to the deep water,, mufl foon be deflroyed by a naval attack. The. great width and depth of the channel give fliips the advantage of pafling the fort with very little rilk. I apprehend fifteen hundred yards is too great a diftance for batteries to flop fhips, which is the diftance here. Ships that wifh to pafs the fire of the fort, have no occafion to approach nearer. Nor do I imagine a fort built there could afford any great prote£i;ion to an infepor and weak fleet, anchored near the fort, again ft a fupe- rior fleet of the enemy, which nauft have it in their power to make their own difpofition, and place our fleet between them and the fort, the channel afFoSding no bay for the fecurity of fliips under cover of a fort. i- m \% p )und on and for ground, Inel. The time and expence to build a fort there muft be very confldeni- ble, from the low fituation of the ground, which mufl neceflarily caufe the foil to be moved from a great diiliance to form the ramparts^ and parapets ; and** every other material mufl be carried there, as the. timber on the peninfula is unfit for any ufeful purpofe. TuESS- I ^ 408 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND '1781 IN THE Notes to the These are the remarks wlilch have occurred to me on examining Ciuijucr. the ground and fituatlon of a work on Old-pouit Comfort, for the protcdion of the harbour and fleet, which I humbly fubmit to your lordfliip. 1 have the honour to be, ^ c. ALEX. SUIHERLAND, Lieutenant i f engineers. Copy of the opinions of the commanders of His Majejlysfhlps in the Chefa- peakf relative to Old-point Comfort^ dated Rjchmond, Hamptofi road, July 26, 1 78 1. My Lord, 1 N confequetice of a requifition that your lordfliip received from tlie commanders in chief of His Majefty's troops and (hips, relative to a poft being eftabliflied at Old-point Comfort, for the prote(Slion and fecurity of the King's fhips that may occafionally be fent to the Che^ fapeak, we, whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed, have taken as accu- rate a furvey of that place as poflible, and are unanimoufly of opinion, from the width of the channel and depth of water clofe to it, that any fuperior enemy's force coming in may pafs any work that can be cftabliflied there, with little damage, or deftroy it with the fliips that may be there under its protedion. J- We Jiave the honour to be, &c. CHARLES HUDSON, THOMAS SYMONDS, CHARLES EVERITT, RALPH DUNDASS. (NOTE i ^•lilp nining •or the o your ^ND, ^e Chefa- oA road. ved from elative to £tion and the Che- \ as accu- f opinion, 3 it, that at can he (hips that ON, DS, ITT. S. . NOTE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. (NOTE H. ) y^dmiral Graves to Earl Cornwallisf dated London ^ off Sandy Hooky xithjuly^ 1 781. My Lord, I HAVE the honour to acquaint your lordfhlp, that the Solebny, Captain Everltt, carries Captain Stapleton, charged with his Exccl- kncy Sir Henry Clinton's difpatches to your lorulhip, and with my orders to the captains of the King's (hips, to return with the troops under their convoy to the Clicfapeak ; and if not failed, for them to remain, and to conform to your lordfhip's requlfitlons In the difpofal of them. I NEED only fay to your lordfhip, that there is no place for the great (hips during the freezing months, on this fide the Chefapeak, where the great (hips will be In fecurity, and at the fame time capable of a»5ling ; and In my opiplon, they had better go to the Weft Indies than be laid up In Halifax during the winter. If the fquadron is ncceflary to the operations of the army, Hampton road appears to be the place where they can be anchored w^lth the greateft fecurity, and at the fame time be capable of atfllno- vvlth moft efiecl agalnft any attempts of the enemy. To this end, OUl-polnt Comfort feenis ncceflary to be occupied by us, as commanding the entrance to the road ; and If York c'^w be fecurcd, It will give the command of the lower, or Elizabeth country, and deprive the rebels of the ufe of the two bcft fettled rivers of the Chefapeak, and deter an enemy from entering the Chefipeak whilft we command the accefs to It, for wc fliould have all his coa- V(ws and detachments expofed to our attempts. 409 Notes to tlie Sixth Chapter, I have the honour to be, &c. T II O. O R A V E S. f ^^(. .J ,.1 .^G llo.ri 410 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IN THE Notes to the Earl Cornwallts to Admiral Graves, dated Port/mouthy July 26, 1781, Sixth Chapter. S 1 R, I WAS honoured wkh your letter of the 12th of July, by the Solebay, in which you mention a deflre of having a harbour fecured in the Chefapeak for line-of-battle (hips. I immediately ordered the en- gineers to examine Old-point Comfort, and went thither myfelf with the captains of the navy on this flation. You will receive a copy of the engineers' report, with a Iketch of the peninfula, and the opinion of the officers of the navy relative to the occupying and fortifying of that pofl.. i t Th-e commander in chief having fignified to me, in his letter of the nth inftant, that he thojght a fecure harbour for line-of'-battle fhips of (b much importance in the Chefapeak, that he wilhed me to poflefs one, even if it Ihould occupy aU the force at prefent in Virginia ; and as it n our unanimous opinion that Point Comfort (a.) will not an- fwcr the purpofe, I fliall immediately feize and fortify the pofts of York and Gloucefler, and Chall be happy at all times to concur in any meafures which may promote the convenience and advantage of His:- Majefty's navy. L have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS* (NOTE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. (NOTE I. ) Copy,'-^Ft'Qm Earl Cornwallis to Lieutenanf-colonel 7ar'etcn, doieii Tork'^cA^ towNf ^uguji ^y 1 781. 93r Dear Tarleton, W E had a paffage of four days, but made good our landing with- out oppofition oil either fide. I have no pofitive accounts of the ene- my. Fayette is faid to be marching towards the Pdmunkey, and I am not quite eafy about our poft at Gloucefter. Wayne had certainly ad- vanced to Goode's (a.) bridge ; but I fuppofe he will now be recalled. Simcoe himfelf is ill, and his horfea, by being fo long on board, arc ia a wretched condition. According to the prefent appearance of things, it will certainly be much the befl way for you to land at Old-point Comfort, and march by Hampton to this place, which will nearly in- fure your not being 'above one day on board* You muft in that cafe make your horfes leap out in deep water, and fwim on Ihore ; wc prafCtifed that method here without any accident. I do not at preftnt fee any thing that can endanger your march from Hampton hither ; nor do I think It probable, that B^ayette can come near us with a fu- perior force before your arrival : You muft, however, fee» that I can- not well march out from hence, as I muft leave at Gloucefter and this place fuch a force as would render me too weak to wifh to fight. They aflure me that there is no carriage road from Williamft)urgh to Hampton that does not pafs within five mile's of us : Should circum- ftances alter, I think I could inform you in time by an exprefs boat. After having faid this, I leave it to your dlfcretlon ; and if you fee difficulty and danger in joining me by the (hort way of Point Com- fort, I would have you go ''oimd ; but if you prefer the fliort paffage, c? G 2 it 411 Sixth Chap'--,:* .J; 41 i CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Nofc! to the it flioulcl be kept very fccrct. Your baggage fliould come round ; and Sixth ciu](er. what you are mofl in want of, you may by my authority put inta any of tlie quarter-mafter-general's armed veflels, and fend round im- mediately. You will communicate the contents of this to General O'Hara, to whom I write by this opportunity.. I am, with great regard^ Dear Tarleton, Mofl faithfully yours, i. CORNVVALLIS* (NOTE K. ) Exita^. — From Earl CornwalHs to Sir Henry Clinton ^ dated Tbrkt in Firgmla, jfug. 12, 1781. I EMBARKED the 8ath regiment in boats, and went myfelf on board the Richmond very early in the morning of the 29th ; but wc were fo unfortunate in winds as to be four days- on our palikge. The 80th landed on the night of the ift at Gioucefler ; and the troops- which were in tranfports, on the morning of the 2d, at this place. I have fmcc brought the 71ft and the legion hither, and fent the regi- ment du Prince Hereditaire to Gloucefter. The works on the Glou- cefter fide are in fome forwardnefs, and I hope in a fituation to refift a fudden attack. Brigadier- general O'Hara is haftcning as much as pof- iible the evacuation of Portfmouth : As foon as he arrives here, I will fend to New York every man that I can fpare, confident with the fafety and fubfiftence of the force in this country. I Extras, ■M'^i'" and inta 1 im- nieral IS* fork, felf on but wc The |e troopS' )lace. I [he regi- le Glou- refift a as pof- ;, 1 will '1th the Extraff' • OVTRERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 41^ Extradl, — From Earl CornwaUis to Sir Henry Clinton^ dated Tork town, Notes to the _ , . , Sixth nrgmia, izd mgujtf 1781* Chapter.. (a.) PORTSMOUTH having been completely evacuated without any interruption from the enemy, General O'Hara arrived here this day with the {lores and troops ; and a great number of refugees have accompanied him from the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Princefs Anne.. The engineer has finlfhed his furvey (b.) and examination of this place, and has propofed his plan for fortifying it ; which appearing (c.) judicious, I have approved of, and dire->- "^m n •TTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTii AMERICA. 4'i Earl CornwalHs to Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B, dated Tork^ In Vlrghiiu^ Not- f.M*i" id Sept. I 78 1. Cbipur. [ III cvplier. ] SIR. COMPTE de Graffe's fleet Is wltliui the capes of tlic Clicfapeak. Forty boats with troops went up James river ycftcrday, and four ftilps lie at the entrance of this river. I have the honour to be, &c, CORNWALLIS. Earl CornwalHs to Sir Henry Clinton, k B, dated Tork town, Virginia^ /^th Sept. i; ji. [In cypher. 3 S I R, COMPTE de Graffe's fleet is withm the capes of the Cliefapeak. Forty boats with troops went up James river on the lil inftant, which arc landed, as I am informed, at J;imes-city iiland ; and four fhips lie at. the entrance of. this river. I. have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS.. I'I'I ■ m ('■ ■'. IS. ty (hips IS. Earl Earl CornwalHs to Sir Henry Clinton, K, B. dated Tork town, in Virginia^ . • Zth Sept. 1781.. [ In cypher. ] SIR, I HAVE made feveral attempts to Inform your excellency, that the French Weft-India fleet, under Monfieur de GrafTe, enttred the capes the 29th ult. I could not exactly learn the number ; they re- port twenty-five or twenty-fix fail of the line. One of feventy-four 2^ and-. ^^i^\ 4l6 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 V; TlfF. Kot.-» »o the and two of fixty-four, and one frigate, He at the mouth of tliii river. Cliapur. On tlie 6tli, tlic fcventy-four and frigate turned down with a contrary \\ind, and ycllcrday the two others followed. My report, dated laft evening, from a point helow, which commands a view of the capes and bay, lAya, that there were within the capes only feven fhips, two of which were certainly (hips of the line, and two frigates. Firing was faid to be heard off the capes the night of the 4th, morning and night of the 5th, and morning of the 6th. The French troops landed at James town are faid to be three tliou- fand eight hundred men. Wafhington is faid to be ftiortly cxpetfted ; and his troops are intended to be brought by water from the head of Elk, under prote£lion of the French fhips. The Marquis de la Fa- yette is at or near Williamfljurgh : The French troops are cxpedled there, but were not arrived laft night. As my works were not in a Aate of defence, I have taken a ftrong pofition out of the town. I am now working hard at the redoubts of the place. Provifions for fix tveeks ; I will be very careful of it. I have the honour to be, &c. C O R N W A L 1. 1 S. (NOTE :m. ) Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Earl Corttwallhf dated Ne-w Torh^ Sept, 2, 1 78 1. [In cypher. — Triplicate. — Received 15th September.] My Loro, B Y intelligence which I have this day received, it would feem that Mr. Wafhington is moving aa army to the fouthward, with an ap- pearance SOUTTT^RN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 4'7 pcarance of hciflc, ami gives out that he cxpcds tlic co-opcratiou of a Notes -oti.c coiiliJcrablc French armament : Vour lonKhip, however, may be af- Qt.n)ui. furcd, that If this flioulJ be tlic cafe, I (hall cither endeavour to rein- force tlic army under your comma id by all the means within the com- pafs of my power, or make every poUible divcrfion in your tavour. Captain Stanhope, of His Majcfty's fhip tlic Pcgafus, who has jull arrived from the Weft Indies, fays, that on Friday laft, in hit. 38 deg. abou' Hxty leagues from the coaft, he was chafed by ciglit ftiips of the line, which he took to be French, and that one of the viclual- Icrs he had under his convoy had counted upwards of forty fail more : However, as Rear-admiral Graves, after being joined by Sir Samuel Hood with fourteen coppered (hips of the line, failed from hence on the 31ft ult. with a fleet of nineteen fail, befules fome fifty-gun fliips, I flatter myfelf you will have little to apprehend from that of the French, » I have the honour to be, &c. H. C L 1 N T O N. P. S. Washington', It is fald, was to be at Trenton this day, and means to go in veflels to Chrlfllan creek ; from thence, by head of Elk, down Chefapeak, in veflels alfo. If that navigation is not inter- rupted, he Ihould go by land from Baltimore. Your lordfliip can befl: judge what time It will require. I fl^iould fuppofc, at leaft, three weeks from Trenton. Waihington has about four thoufaud French and two thoufand rebel troops with him. II. C. Iklx WW, ,''i.-' ■'*■ ; .i September 4. — To this triplicate, and by this very uncertain con- veyance, I fliall only add to your lordflilp, that 1 have iiad the honour 3 H to 4i8 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND- 1781 IN THE NotMtotiic to receive this morning n duplicate, and this evening a triplicate, of Sixtli Ckapwr. your letter of the 3 lit ult. m I i S' I Sir Henry Cllnfon, K. B. to Earl CornwaU'iSt dated New Torkf Sept. 6, at noofty 1781. [In cypher. — Received x6th September.] My Lord, AS I find by your letters that De Grafle has got into the Chefapcak, and I can have no doubt that Wafhington is moving with at leaft fix thoufand French and rebel troops againft you, I think the bell: way to relieve you is to join you, as foon as poffible, with all the force that can lie fpared from hence, which is about four thoufand men. They nre already embarked, and will proceed the inftant I receive informa- tion from the ndmirnl that we may venture, or that from otl\cr intelli- gence the commodoic and 1 fliall judge fufEcient to move upon. By accounts from Europe, we have every reafon to expeifl Admiral Dig by hourly on the coafl:.. Commodore Jchnftone lias beat a fuperior French fleet at St. Jago, and proceeded the day after for the place of his deftinatioii, 1 Biu? your lordfiiip will let mo know, as fooa as poflible, your Klens how the troops embarked for the Chefapeak may be beft emr ployed for your relief, according to the fiiate of circumflanccs when ycHi rec'.nve this letter, J ihall not. however, wait to receive your an- Iwer, fijould I. hear in the mean time that the paflage is open. Lhave tlie honour to be, &c., H. CLINTON. (NOTE **?''''^ll ite, of SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA- 419 ^orkf efapcak, leaft fix t way to )rce that . They hiforma- ;r inteUi" (NOTE N. ) Earl ConiwaUli to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. dated Turk iozv/i, in Virginia, i6th September^ 1781. [In cypher.] SIR, I HAVE received your letters of the 2d and 6th. The enemy's fleet has (a.) returned. Two line-of-battle fhips and one frigate lie at the mouth of this river, and three or four line-of-battle Ihips, leveral frigates and tranfports, went up the bay the 12th and i4tli. I hear Wafliington arrived at Williamlburgh on the 14th. Some of his troops embarked at head of Elk, and the others arrived at Baltimore on the 1 2th. Note? to the Sixth Chapter. Admiral St. Jago, I'lble, youf beft em- Lccs when L your au- Ito n. NOTE If I had no hopes o'f relief, I would ratlicr rilk an atflion than de- fend my half-finifhed works; but as you fay Dlgby is hourly cx- pefted, and promife every exertion to aflifl me, I do not think myfclf juftified in putting the fate of the war on fo defpcrate an attempt. \ly examining the tranfports with care, and turning out ufclefs mouths, my provifions will laft at leaft fix weeks from this day, if we can pre- ferve them from accidents. The cavalry muft, I fear, be all loll. I am of opinion that you can do me no effcdlual fervice but by coming dirciflly to this place. Lieutenant Conway, of the Cormorant, is juft exchanged. Ho aflurcs me, that, fince the Rhodc-illand fquadron has joined, they have thirty-fix (b.) fail of the line. This place is in no ft;.te of dc- 3 H 2 fence. )\ ?::;i i 420 CANrPAICNS OF 1 ;8o AND I781 IN THE N'f.testothf fence, h you cannot relieve mc very foon, you mufl: be prepared to Siicriv c hMpta-. Jiear the worfl. I have the honour to be, &c. CORN WALL IS. II i (NOTE O. ) S;r Ilemy Cl'mion, K. B. lo Earl Corn-walUs^ dated New Torky Sept. 24, 1 78 1. [In cypher. — Received September 29, 178 1.] My Lord, I WA S honoured yeflerday with your lordfliip's letter of the i6tli and 1 7th inftant, and, at a meeting of the general and flag officers held this day, it is determined that above five thoufand men, rank and file, (hall be embarked on board the King's (hips, and the joint exer- tions of the navy and army made in a few days to relieve you, and af- terwards co-operate with you. 'The fleet confifts of twenty-three fail of the Hne, three of which are three deckers. There is every reafon to hope we ftart from hence the 5th Odtober, I have received your lordfliip's letter of the 8th lnfl:ant. I have the honour to be, &c, H. CLINTON. P. S. Admiral DIgby is this moment arrived at the Hook with three fail of the hne. z At reel to IS. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 421 At a venture, without knowing whether they can he feen hy us, I Notes to the rcqueft, that, if all is well, upon hearing a confiderahle firing towards Chapta-. the entrance of the Chefapeak, three large feparate fmokes may be made parallel to it; and if you poflefs the poft of Gloucefter, four. I SHALL fend another runner foon. H. CLINTON. •n ■ 1;; ror% li. I the 1 6th tr officers rank and int exer- , and af- of which l-om hence If the 8th (NOTE P. ) £l^rl Cornwallh to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Tork town, in Firginlaj September 22, lySi, ten P. M. * [ In cypher. J SIR, I HAVE ventured thefe lafl: tv/o days to look General Wafhington's whole force in the face in the pof::- v, on the outfide of my works, and I have the plcafure to affiu. vour v.:ce)lcncy, that there was but one wilh throughout the whole arm v, which was, that the enemy would advance. . I HAVE tliis evening received your letter oi the 24th, which has- given me tlie greateft fatibfadion. I (hall ret if* this night within the works, and have no doubt, if relief arrives in any realbnahle time, York and Gloucefter will be both in the poflfeffion of His Majefty's troops. 1 BELIEVS i '\ H M]. •■ 422 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes to the I BELIEVE yoi . exccUency mufl: depend more on the found of cur Sixth Chapter, cannou than the fignal of fmokes for information ; however, I will at- tempt it on the Glouceiler fide. — Medicines are wanted. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS. ' (NOTE Q:^) Srr Hewy Clinton to Ear! Cornwallis, dated New Tork, September 25, 1781. [ Duplicate. — In cypher. —Received Otftober 2. ] Mi' Lord, MY letter of yefterday will have informed your lordfliip of the number of Ihlps and troops we can bring with us. It is fuppofed the necefl'ary repairs of ti:e fleet will detain us here to the 5th of O£tober; and your lordfliip muft be fenfible that unforefeen accidents may lengthen it out a day or two longer ; I therefore entreat you to lofe no time in letting me know by the bearer your real fituation, and your opinion how, upon our arrival, we can beft a6t to form a junction with you, together with the exaift flrength of the enemy's fleet, and what part of the Chefapeak they appear to be mofl: jealous of. I have the honour to be, "&c. H. CLINTON. P. S. As your lordfliip mufl have better intelligence than we can poflibly have, I requcfl: you will fend a trufly perfon to each of the 3 capes, ^Mmfn •'I our at- S. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. he 7th of next month, with every information refpe£ting Notes to the Sixtli d fituation of the enemy you may judge neceflary, and di- Chaptfr. capes, the fc re6lions to continue there until our arrival, when fmall veflels will be fent to bring off any perfon they may find there. • k|| I i r 25, of the jfed the laober ; |ts may lofe no lad your Ion with ^d what loN. we can of the capes, (NOTE R. ) Earl CornwalUs to Sir Henry Clinton^ dated Tork town, Virginia^ OSiober 3, 1781. [ In cypher. ] SIR, I RECEIVED your letter of the 25th of September lail night, • The enemy are encamped about two miles from us. On the night of the 30th of September they broke groui 1, and made two redoubts about eleven hundred yards from our works, which, with fome (a.) works that had been conilru£led to fecure our exterior pofition, occupy a gorge between two creeks which nearly embrace this port. They have finiflied thefe redoubts, and I expeft they will ga on with their works this night. From the time that the enemy have given us, and the uncommon exertions of tlie troops, our works are in a better flate of defence than we had reafon to hope. I CAN fee no means of forming ajun£lion with me but by York river ; and I do not think that any diverHon would be of ufe to us. Our accounts of the ftrength of the French fleet h^ve in general been, that they were thirty-five or thirty-fix fail of the line ; they have fre- quently changed their pofition ; two fhips of the line and one frigate lie 4-4 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND "1781 IN THE Notrjtnthc lie at the mouth ot" this river; and our laft accounts were, that the Sixth Chiiii::r. body of t!ie fleet lay between the tail of the Horfeflioe and York fpit : And it is likewife faid, that four linc-of-battle (hips lay a few days ago in Hampton road. 1 fee little chance of my being able to fend pcrfons to wait for you at the capes ; but I will, ■ poHible. I have the honour . >> be, &c. C O R N W A L L I S. H 1 1 5 (NOTE S. ) S/'r Henry Clinton to Earl Corntuall/'s, dated New Tork, September 30, 1781. [ Duplicate. — In cypher. — Received^ 0(5lober 10, from Major Cockran. ] My Lord, •* YOUR lordfhip may be aiVurcd that I am doing every thing hi my power to relieve you by a dire£l move, and I have reafon to hope, from the aflurances given mc this day by Admiral Graves, that we may pafs the bar by the 12th of O6lober, if the winds permit, and no unforc- feca accident happens ; this, however, is fubjecl to dlfippointment ; wherefore, if I hear from you, your wiflies will of courfc direiSl me, and I fhall pe; fift in my idea of a diredl move even to the middle of November, (houid it be your lordflilp's opinion that you can hold out fo long ; but if, when I hear from you, you tell me that you cannot, and 1 am without hopes of arriving in time to fuccour you by a direct move, I will immediately make an attempt upon Philadelphia (a.) by land, giving you notice, if poffible, of my intention. If this (houUl draw any part of Wafhington's force from you, It may poflibly give vou :^i>. wm ^1 |i : the fpit -. s ago irfons SOUTHERN PROVINCRS OF NORTH AMERICA. , ' you an opportunity of clojiig fomclhlug to favc your army; of whiclijNotes to the however, you can Left judge, from bchig upon the fpot. Cluipicr. 1 liave the honour to be, &c. H. CLINTON. IS. her 30 » an. 3 ng in my •pe, from may pais to unforc- lintment ; lircft me, midtWe of hold out (VI cannot, )y a dh'cxl ii\a (a.) hy :his (houU .Ihbly give ( N O T E r. ) Eiirl Cormvallis to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. dated York ioivfi, Firginij^ October w, 1781, tivdvc M. [Ill cypher. ] S I R, COCHRANE arrived yeflcrday. I have only to repeat what 1 faid in my letter of the 3d, that nothing but a dh'ect move to York river, whicli includes a fuccefsful naval aclion, can lave me. Tiie enemy made their firfl parallel on the night of the 6tli, at the dlflance of lix hundred yards, and have perfe(5ttd it, and ccnlb-u*5ted phiccs of arms and batteries with great regularity and caution. On the evening of the 9th their batteries opened, and have fnice continued firing witl> out Intermiflion, with about forty pieces of cainion, moUly heavy, and fixteen mortars, from eight to fixteen inchei. Wc have loft abci.t le- vcnty men, aiul many of our works arc confidcrably damaged : With fuch works on difadvantageous ground, againll i"o pov/erful an attack, we cannot hi>po to make a very long rehllance. 1 have the honour to be, &c. CORN WALL IS. f I II P m 426 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 178 1 IN THK Notes to the P. S. OcT. II, five P. M. — Sliice my laft letter was written we Chapter, uavc lolt thirty men. I !■ Oct. 12, fcvcu P. M. — LnH: nii^ht the enemy made their fecond pnralkl at the dillanco of tlircc hundred yards. We continue to lofo men vorv fall. • (NOTE V. ) Eiirl Cornivalus to Sir Henry Cl'inton^ K. B. (/tiled rork iozvn, Qdlober 15, 1781. [In cypher.] S I R, LAST evening the enemy carried two 'advanced redoubts on the left by ftorm, and during the night have included them in their fecond parallel, which they are at prefent bufy in perfeding. My fituation now becomes very critical ; we dare not (hew a gun to their old batteries, and I cxpeiSt that their new ones will open to-morrow morning : Experience has (hewn, that cur frefh earthen works do not refiH; their powerful artillery ; fo that we fhall foon be expofed to an aflault in ruined works, in a bad pofition, and with weakened num- bers. The fafety of the place is, therefore, fo precarious, that I can- not recommend that the fleet and army fhould run great riik in en- deavouring to fave us. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS. (NOTE kl S O U T II F. R K PROVINCES OF NORTH A M F. R I C A. 427 1 Nve icond 3 lofo :i'w, lubts on in their iig. My 1 to theii- i-morrovv ks do not fed to an led num- lat 1 can- ik in en- .LIS. NOTE ( N O T E W. ) Eitrl Coi-fiwj/I.'j to Sir Heiirv Clifiton, K.B. ddicd Tork tcivn^ .''^/r;'7/;,v;, No'c-it,, th: Sixth SIR, 1 HAVE the mortMcation to inform your excellency, that I liavc been forced to give up the ports of York and Gloucefter, and to fur- render the troops under my command, by capitulation on the lytli in- flant, as prifoners of war to the combined forces of America and France. I NEVER fluv this poft in a very fiivourable light ; But when I found I was to be attacked in it in fo unprepared a flate, by fo power- ful an army and artillery, nothing but the hopes of relief would have induced me to attempt its defence ; for I would either have endea- voured to efcape to New York by rapid marches from the Gloucefler iiJc, immediately on the arrival of General Wafhington's troops at Williamiburgh, or I would, notwithftanding the difparity of num- bers, have attacked them in the open fisild, where it might have been iuft poflihlc that fortune would have favoured the gallantry of the handful of troops under my command : But being aflured by your excellency's letter?, tliat every poflible means would be tried by the navy and army to relieve us, I could not think myfelf at liberty to venture upon either of thofe defperatc attempts ; therefore, after re- maining io\- two days in a flrong pofition, in front of this place, in iiopes of being attacked, upon obferving that the enemy were taking meafurc which could not fail of turning my left flank in a fliort time, and receiving on tlie fecond evening your letter of the 24th of Scptcm- 3 I 2 ber. ;1 1 ■ ! .-i 4^8 CAMPAIGNS or 1780 AND I7S1 IN THE ' ( Ncif'S to t SiNlll rlllptl' f !h r, iiiioiiuiiig nic iN.'it tlic relict wcnilil l,iil abuiil tlie 5thofO»n:o- , l)ci, I uirluirc'W within iIil- uorki on tlic nit;!;' of the 2(;th of Scp- Iciiihcr, ht>])ing hy the l.ibi)Ui' .iiul fiiMnnefs ol" ih. ibKliers to prorr;i£l the defence until yvw couUl anivi.'. Every thi.ig was to ,>c expcdeJ iVoni the fjjirit ot tht' troops ; but every (.hracivantage attended thch" Kihour, as the work was to l)e continued under the cnfiny's lire, aiul (Hu- Itock of intrcnchlh" tools, which did not much exceed four hun- drcd wfien we began to work in the latter end of AuguA, was no\y juucli I'iminidicJ. i; Li i' 'ifA i« 1 i Tff.c enemy broke ground on the niglit of the 30th, and conflrutfl'ed on t!;:i- niglit, and the two following days a'ld nights, two redoubts, wiiich, with fonie works that liad belonged to our outward pofitioii, fccupled a gorge between two cr( cks or ravines, which came from the river on each fule of the town. On the night of the 6th (a.) of Ck^o- ber tliey made their firfl parallel, extending from its right on the river lo " deep iTivine on the left, nearly oppofite to the center of this place, and embracing our whole left, at the dlrtancc of fix hundred yards. Having pcrfe(5led this parallel, their batteries opened on the evening of the 9th, againft our left ; and other batteries fired at the fame time agalnfl a redoubt over a creek upon our right, and defended by about one hundred and twenty men of the 23d regiment and marines, who maintained that poft with uncommon gallantry. The fire continued incefTant from heavy cannon, and from mortars and howitzers, throw- ing fhells from eight to fixteen inches, until all our guns on the left were filenced, our work much damaged, and our lofs of men confi- derable. On the night of the i ith (b.) they began their fecond paral- lel, about three hundred yards nearer to us. The troops being mucli weakened by ficknefs, as well as by the fire of the befiegers, and ob- ferving that the enemy had not only fecured their flanks, but pro- , ceeued SOUTHERN r R O V 1 N C !• S OF N O R T FI A M K R I C A. Scp- their , aiul hun- s now doubt?, lofition, rom the DfOao- thc river lis place, d yards. ceedod In every rcfpcdt with thii iitiuDll rc<^^iil,irity and t union, I could N not venture Co large forties, as to hope fioin them any confidi taht'' if. fed ; hut otherwilc, I did ivery thing in my power to intcrrujit tliiir work, by opening new cnihra/AUts tor guns, nnd keeping up a con- Ihuit fire with ;\ll the howitzers and fmall mortars that we cjuld man. On t!ic c\cni!ig oF tlie I4r!i, they all.iultcd and can it J two redouhc.-. that had been advanced about three limuhcil yards for the purp^*! ■ of delaying their approachc . and covering our Lit flank, nnd during tlie night included them in tl ''cond parallel, on which they continued to work with theutmofl: ex\ .n. Being pcrfcdly fcnfible that oui" works could not rtand many hours after the opening of the battcics of that parallel, we not only continued a conAant fire with all our mortars, and every gun that could be broui'^ht to liiar upon it, but a little before daybreak, on the morning ot the loth, I ordered a fortie of about three hundred and fifty men, u ider tlic dircdion (c.) of Lieutenant- colonel Al)ercrombie, to attack two batteries which appeared to be in the greatefl forwardncfs, and to fpike the guns. A detachment of guards, with the Soth company of grenadiers, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Lake, attacked the one; and one of light infantry, under the command of Major Armllronp;, attacked tlie otlier ; and both fucceeded, by forcing the redoubts that covered them, fpiking eleven guns, and killing or wounding about one hundred of the French troops who had the guard of that part of the trenches, and with httle lofs on our fide. The action, though extremely honourable to the officers and foldiers who executed it, proved of little public ad- vantage ; for the cannon having been fpiked In a hurry, were foon ren- dered fit for fervlce again ; and before dark the whole parallel and bat- teries appeared to be nearly complete. At this time we knew that there was no part of the whole front attacked on which we could (how a fingle gun, and our fhells were nearly expended : I therefore 2L had: " 1 It ,.^.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^o 1.0 I.I ■ 50 ■^~ UH Ui Ui2 |2.2 1^ 140 IL25 i 1.4 1.6 Va 0% A / Photographic Sciences Corporation A A :n>^ .\ V \\ V ». C^ 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) S72-4503 11 ' t i I 43^ CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE Notes to the had only to chufe between preparing to furrcnder next day, or endea- ciii^Htr. vouriiig to get oir with the greateft part of the troops ; and I deter- mined to attempt the latter, reflecting, that though it fliould prove unfuccelsful in its immediate objetfil, it mlglit, at leaft, delay the ene- my in the profccution of farther enterprizes. Sixteen large boats were prepared, and upon other pretexts were ordered to be in readinefs to receive troops precifely at ten o'clock : With thefe I hoped to pafs the infantry during the night ; abandoning our baggage, and leaving a de- tachment to capitulate for the town's people, and the fick and wound- ed ; on which fubject a letter was ready to be delivered to General VVafhington. After making my arrangements with the utmoft fccre- cy, the light infantry, greateft part of the guards, and part of the 23d regiment, landed at Gloucefter ; hut at this critical moment, the v/eather, from being moderate and calm, changed to a violent ftorm of wind and rain, and drove all the boats, fome of which had troops on board, down the river. It was foon evident, that the intended paflagj was impraiSlicable ; and the abfence of the boats rendered it equally impoflible to bring back the troops that had paffed, which I h.vl or- dered about two in the morning. In this fituation, with my little force divided, the enemy's batteries opened at daybreak : The paflage between this place and Gloucefter was much expofed, but tiie boats having now returned, they were ordered to bring back the troops that had pafl'cd during the night, and they joined in the forenoon without much lofs. Our works in the mean time were going to ruin ; and not having been able to ftrcngthen them by abbatls, nor in any other man- ner than by a flight fraizing, which the enemy's aiiillery were demo- iiftiing wherever they fired, my opinion entirely coincided with that of the engineer and principal officers of the army, that they were in many places afl'ailable in the forenoon, and that by the continuance of the fame fire for a few hours longer, they would be in fuch a ftate as I to SOUTIIi:nN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 43» to render it defpcrate, witli our numbers, to attempt to maintain them. N"tcs t. ti:s \Vc at that time could not lire a fingle gun ; only cne tight-inch and Chij^ci. little more than a hundred cohorn ihells remained ; a diverfion hy the French fliips of war that lay at the mouth of York river was to be ex- pelled. Our numbers had been diminiHied by the enemy's fire, but particularly by fickncfs ; and the ftrcngth and fpirits oi' thofe in the works were much cxhaufted by the fatigue of conftant watching and unremitting duty. Under all thefe circumftances, I thouglit it would have been wanton and inhuman to the laft degree to facrifice the lives of this fmall body of gallant ibldicrs, who had over behaved with Co much fidelity and courage, by cxpofnig them to an aflault, which, from the numbers and precaution of the enemy, could not fail to llic* coed. I therefore propofed to (d.) capitulate, and I have tiie honour to inclofc to your excellency the copy of the correfpondence between General V\\nfliington and me on that lubjedl:, and the terms of the capitulation agreed upon. I fuiccrely lament that better could not be obtained ; but I have'neglctled nothing in my power to alleviate the misfortune and dlftrcfs of bot!i olficcrs and foldiers. Tiic men arc well clothed and provided with nccell'aries, and I truft will be regu- larly fupplied by the means of the officers that are permitted to re- main with itherti. Tlie treatment, in general, that we have received from the enemy fince our funcuder, has 1 ui perfectly good and pro- per -. But th^ kindnefs and attention t!...t ius been fliewed to us by the French officers in particular, thtvu d !;i- to fenfibillty of our fituation, their generous and prcffinr ( fiVr of money, both public and private, to any amount, has really go!;L ic\u!ui what I can poiilMy defcilbc, and will, I hope, make an imprt.!.!. n. ■mi the breaft of every officer, when!» 1 ill* !' m ever the fortime of war (hou u. any of them into our power. Although lii I 'i-^ C A M P A I (1 N S OF 1780 A N D • 1 78 f IN THE Although the event Ims been fo unfortunate, the patience of tlic Ibldicrs hi bearing the p;icatcll fatigues, and their flrinncfs and intre- pidity under a perllvcring fire of Hmt and (h(.lls, that I believe has not often been cxctedcd, dcferved the highcft admiration and praife : A fuccefsful defence, however, in our fituation was, perhaps, impoHi- l;le ; tor the place could only be reckoned an intrenciied camp, lul^jedt in moll places to entll.itle, and the ground, in general, fo difadvan- tai^eous, that nothing but the neceliity of foitifying it as a pod to P'otecl the navy, could Iiave induced any pt.rl"on to erect works upon it. Our t'ovcc dlminilhed daily by fickncfs and orlier li.fies, and was reduced when we offered to capitulate, on this fide, to little more than three thoul'and two hundred rank and file fit for du'y, including offi- cers' lervants and artificers ; and at Glouceller, about fix hundred, in- cluding cavalry. The enemy's army confifled of upwards of eight thoufand Frcncli, nearly as many continentals, and five thoufand mi- litia. Thev brought an immenfe train of heavy artillery, mort amply furnilhcd with ammunition, and perfeilly well manned. II The conrtant and univerfal chearfulnefs aiul fpirit of the ofHccrs in all hardlhips and dangers dcferve my warmeft acknowledgements ; and I have been particularly indebted to Brigadier-general O'llara and Lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie, the former commanding on the right, and the latter on the left, for their attention and exertion on every oc- cafion. The detachment of the 23d regiment and of the marines, in the redoubt on the right, commanded by Captain Apthorpe, and the fubfequent detaclimctits, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Johnlbn, deferve paiticular commendation. Captain Rochfort, who commanded the artillery, and, indied, every ofiiter and luldicr of tliat didinguilhed corps, and Lieutenant Sutherland, tiie commanding engineer, have merited in every refpecl niy higl.cft approbation : And I cannot fuffi- tientlv SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 433 ficletitly acknowledge my obligations to Captain Symonds, who com- Notfs to the mandcd His Majefty's fhips, and to the other officers and feamcn of Chapter. the navy, for tlieir adlive and zealous co-operation. I TRANSMIT returns of our killed and wounded; the lofs of feamen and town's people was likewife coafiderable. i' I TRUST your excellency will pleafe to haften the return of the Bo- netta, after landing her pafTengers, in compliance with the article of capitulation. ■ ); Lieutenant-colonel Abcrcrombie will have the honour to deli- ver this difpatch, and is well qualified to explain to your excellency every particular relating to our paft and prefent fuuation. 1 have the honour to be, &c. CORN WALL IS. cry oc- Imes, in land the tohnioii, an;inded l^guifhed h:ne [ot futfi- ticntly (NOTE X. ) Copy of Earl CornwaUh* letter to General H'aJJ^ingtont dated Tork^ in Virginiay 03lober lytby 1781, S I R, i PROPOSE a ceflation of hoftilities for twenty-four hours, and that two officers may be appointed by each fide, to meet at Mr. Moore's houfe, to fettle terms for the furrender of the pofts of York and Gloucefter. I have the honour to be, &c, CQRNWALLIS. 3K Copy 434 CAMPAIGNS OP i;8o AND I781 IN THR '^"six'ih'''* Copy of OeneranfaJfjingtorCs letter to Earl CornwaHiSf dated cmp before ^''"P«'- York, i-jthOSiober, i;8i. My Lord, I II AVE liad the honour of receiving your lordfhip*s letter of this date. h An ardent defirc to fave the effufion of human blood will readily incline me to liften to fuch terms, for the furrender of your pofts and garrifons at York and Glouccfler, as arc admiffible. I WISH, previous to the meeting of the commilfioncrs, that your lordlhip's propofals, in writing, may be fent to the American lines ; for which purpofe, a fufpenfion of ho{lilities during two hours from the delivery of this letter will be granted. I have the honour to be, &c, G. WASHINGTON. Copy of Earl Cornwallis" s letter to General W^aflmigton, dated Torkj in Virginia f \']thQ>£lober^ i^^if half paflfour^ P. M, SIR, • I HAVE this moment been honoured with your excellency's let- ter, dated this day. , The time limited for fending my anfwer will not admit of enter- ing into the detail of articles ; but the bafis of my propofals will be, that the garrifons of York and Gloucefter fhall be prifoners of war, with •fmm SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 435 with the cuftomary honours ; and, for the conveniency of the hidlvi- NotM to the duals which I have the Ijonour to command, tliat the Britifh (hall be Chapn:r. lent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under engagement not to ferve againft France, America, or their allies, until rclcafcd, or regu- larly exchanged : That all arms and public ftores fliall be delivered up to you ; but that the ufual indulgence of liJc arms to officers, and of retaining private property, (hall be granted to officers and foldiers : And that the intereft of feveral individuals, iu civil capacities and cou- ncded with us, Ihall be attended to. .» |-.?i\ r. If your excellency thinks that a continuance of the fufpenfion of hoftilities will be neceflary to tranfmit your anfwer, I (hall have no objection to the hour that you may propofe. I have the honour to be, &c. CORN\VALLIS. '^■. N. kj in :y's let- ^f enter- will be, of war, with Copy of Genera/ Jl'ajl.'hi^ttjus letter to "Earl CornzvaUlSf dated camp before Tork, iSibOt^okr, lySi. My Lord, TO avoid unncce(rary difcuffions and delays, I (hall at once, In anfwer to your lordlhip's letter of yeflcrday, declare the general bafis upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation may tiike place. The garrifons of York and Glouccfter, including the. feamen, as you propofe, (liall be received prifoners of war. Tiie condition an- nexed, of fending the Britifli and German troops to the parts of Eu- rope to which they refpeftively belong, is inadmi(lible : Infteaiof this, rhey will be marched to fuch parts of the country as can moft con- ^ K. z vcniently 43^ CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE 'i Votes fotl.e vcmciitly piovulu tor their fubdftotice ; and tlie benevolent treatment Sixfli , ■' _ , ..... ChiiiKi. of the i^riloncrs, which is invariably obfcrved by the Americans, will be extended to them. The fame honours will be granted to the iur- rendering army as were granted to the garrifon of Charles town. The Shipping and boats in tlie two harbours, with all their guns, {lores, tackling, furniture, and apparel, (hall be delivered in their pre- fent ftate to an officer of the navy appointed to take poUeOlon of them. The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military cheft, and public ftores of every denomination, (hall be delivered, unimpaired, to the heads of the departmciits to which they rcrpe£tlvcly belong. The officers fliall be indulged in retaining their fide arms ; and the officers and foldiers may preferve their baggage and efFefts, with this refervc, that property taken in the country will be reclaimed. With regard to the individuals in civil capacities, whofe intereft your lordfhip wilhes may be attended to, until they are more particu- larly defcribcd, nothing definitive can be fettled. .1 HAVK to ;vdd, that I ejcpe*^ the fick and wounded will be fupplicd with their own liofpital ftores, and be attended by Britifli furgeons, particularly charged with tlie care of them. Your lordihip will be pleafed to fignify your determination, eltlicr to accept or rcjc«Sl the propofals now offered, in the courfe of two hours from the delivery of this letter,- that commiffioners may be ap- pointed to digefl the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hoftilities niay take place. Ihave the honour to be, &c. G. WASHINGTON. CoJ>y SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. /ill ur- Lins, pi'C- lem. ublic 3 the id the b this ntereft artica- [upplied rgeons, '•ft. I, eltlier of two be ap- loftilitiea ON. Copy ^37 Cvpy af Earl Cormvallis' letter to General JVaJhiu^tor,, dated 2 ork^ in Notf to the fijxth rir^inut, iSt/j Oifokr, 17S1. SIR, I AGREE to open a treaty of capItul;ition upon tlie bafis of the garrifons of York and Glouceftcr, including fcamen, being prlfoners of war, without annexing the condition of their being icnt to Europe ; but I expsifl: to receive a conipcnnuion in the articles of capitulation for the furrendsr of Glouccfter In its prefcnt flatc of defence. I SHALL in particuhir dellre, that the Bonctta Hoop of war may be left entirely at my dlfpofal, from the hour that the capitulation is figned, to receive an aid de camp to carry my difpatciics to Sir Henry Clinton. Such foldiers as I may think proper to fend as paflcngcrs in her, to be manned with fifty men of her own crew, and to be per- mitted to fail, without examination, when my dlfpatclies are ready ; engaging, on my part, that the fliip (hall be brought back and deli- vered to you, if (he cfcapes the dangers of the fea ; that the crew and Ibldiers fhall be accounted for in future exchanges ; that flie (hall carry ofF no officer without your confcnt, nor public property ' ■ ;ny kind ; and I (hall likewife defire, that the traders and Inhabitants may pre- ferve their property, and that no perfon may be punifligd or moleftcd fof having joined the Britlfh troops. If you chufe to proceed to negoclation on thefe grounds, I (hall appoint two field officers of my.army to meet two officers from you, at any time and place that you think proper, to digefl the articles of . capitulation^ I have the honour to be, &c. CORN WALL IS. (NOTE. Cli.i,.trr. I r ■ 1:1 ' i 4j8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THK (NOTE Y. ) --Kotei to the Co/iy of the arltcles of cap'itulat'ion, fettled between His Excellency General t tinner. JVaJlnngton^ commander in chief of the combined forca of America and France ; Hh Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, lieutenant general of the armies of the King of France^ great crofs of the royal and military order of St. Louis^ commanding the auxiliary troops of Ilis hLjl Chrif tian Majejly in America ; and His Excellency the Count de G'^ajj'e, lieutC' nant general of the naval armies of His Mofl Chrijlian Majcjly^ com' mander of the order of St. Louis ^ commander in chief of the naval army of France in the Cljefapeak, on the one part : And the Right Honourable Earl CormjualliSf lieutenant general of His Britan?iic Majejlys forces^ commanding the garrifons of York and Gloucejler ; and Thomas Symonds, EfquirCf commanding His Britannic Majeflfs naval forces in York river , in Virginia f on the other part. ' Art. I. THE garrifons of York and Glouccftcr, including the officers and feameii of His Britannic Majefty's fliips, as well as otiier mariners, to furrender themfelves prifoners of war to the combined forces of America and France. The land troops to remain prisoners to the United States ; the navy to the naval army of His Moll Chrif- tian Majelly. Granted. Art. II. The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military cheft, and public llores of every denomination, (hall be delivered, unimpaired, to the heads of departments appointed to receive them. Granted, t I Art, General mcral of m'ditary n Chrif- ;', HeuW' ffy, com' !Xhil army lomurable *s forccit Symonds, 'ork river, Lidlng the 1 as other combhied priC'mers [oil Chrif- Icheft, and Art, • OUTIIERN PROVINCES OF NOnTH AMEniCA. 439 Art. III. At twelve o'clock this day the two redoubts on the left Notes to the flank of York to be delivered ; tiie one to a detachment of American Chaptci. infantry ; the other to a detachment of French grenadiers. Granted. The garrifon of York will march out to a place to be appointed in front of the poAs, at two o'clock precifcly, with fliould«/red arms, co- lours cafed, and drums beating a Britilh or German march. I'hey arc then to ground their arms, and return to their encampments, where they will remain until they are difpatched to the places of their defti- nation. Two works on the Gloucefter fide will be delivered at one o'clock to a detachment of French and American troops appointed to pofl'efs them. The garrifon will march out at three o'clock in the af- ternoon ; the cavalry, with their fwords drawn, trumpets founding ; and the infantry in the manner prefcribed for the garrifon of York. They are likewife to return to their encampments until they can be finally marched off. Art. IV. Officers are to retain their fide arms. Both officers and foldiers to keep their private property of every kind, and no part of their baggage or, papers to be at any time fubjedt to fearch or infpcc- tion. The baggage and papers of officers and foldiers taken during the ficge to be likewife preferved for them. Granted. It is underftood, that any property, obvioufly belonging to the in- habitants of thefe ftates, in the pofl'eifion of the garrifon, Ihall be fub- jc£l to be reclaimed. Art. V. The foldiers to be kept in Virginia, Maryland, or Penn- fylvauia, aiid as much by regiments as poffible, and fupplied with the iame I m If Jll 1' NiiX ''.! ;. ^4o CAMPAU;N» of 1780 AND 1781 IN T II tt NofMfotlic fiiTic rations of provlfions as arc allowed to loKlitrs in the ftrvicc of Ciuptor. AiiK'rica. A licld officer from each nation, to wit, Britifli, Anfpach, and Ilcliian, and other oiiiccrs on parole, in the jiroportiou of one to fifty men, to be allowed to rtiido mar their rcfpcdive regiments, to vifit tlicm frequently, and be witneflesof their treatment; and that their officers may receive and deliver cloathing and other neccfliirics for them ; for which paflports are to be granted when applied for. Gr.nnted, 1;; Art. VI. Tiie general, ftafF, and other officers, not employed ab mentioned in the above articles, and who ciiufc it, to be permitted to go on parole to Europe, to New York, or any other American mari- time ports at prefent in the poflreflion of the Britifli forces, at their own option, and proper vcflels to be granted by the Count de Grafle to carry them under Hags of truce to New York within ten days from this date, if poflible, and they to rcfide in a diftrid, to be agreed upon hereafter, until they embark. The officers of the civil department of the army and navy to be in- cluded in this article. Pafl'ports to go by land to be granted to thofe to whom vcflcio cannot be furnilhcd. Granted, Art. VII. Officers to be allowed to keep foldiers as fervanls, Ac- cording to the common pradice of the fcrvice. Servants, not foldiers, are not to be confidercd as prifoners, and ard to be allowed to attend their mafteri. Granted. Akt, VIII. The Bonctta (loop of war to be equipped, and navi- gated by its prefent Captain and crew, and left entirely at the difpofai S of SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 4M icc of one to lUs, to id that r'lcs for (loyctl ab fitted to an n^ar'i- :heir own Graffe to lays from reed upon to be in- to thole of Lord Cornwallis from tlic liour that the capitulation is (igncd, to re- Note* t.i t'.ie cclvc an aid-de-camp to carry difpatches to Sir Henry Clinton ; and fuch ChiVt-r, foldicrs as he may think proper to lend to New York, to be permitted to fail without examination, wlicn his difpatches arc ready. His lord- fhlp engages, on his part, that the ftiip fhall be delivered to the order of the Count dc GralVe, if (he cfcapes tlic dangers of the fca ; that fho (hall not carry otT any public ftores. Any part of the crew tliat may be deficient on her return, and the foldiers paflcngers, to be accounted for on her delivery. Art. IX. The traders are to prcfervc their property, and to be al- lowed three months to difpofe of or remove them ; and thole traders are not to be confidered as prifoners of war. The traders will be allowed to difpofe of their effedls, the allied army having the right of pre-emption. The traders to be confulcrcd as prifoners of war upon parole. Art. X. Natives or inhabitants of different parts of this country, at prefent in York or Gloucefter, are not to be puniflicd on account ot" having joined thd Britifli army. This article cannot be aflcnted to, being altogether of civil rcfort. k \i rvants, ic- lot foldiers, d to attend 1, and navi- the difpofal of Art. XI. Proper hofpitals to be furniihcd for the Tick and wounded. They are to be attended by their own Uirgeons on parole ; and they are to be furniflied with medicines ?nd ftores from the American hofpitals. . Tiij; holpital ftores now in York and Gloucefter Ihall be delivered for the ufo of the Britilh fick and wounded. PalVports will be granted for pioturlng them farther flipplies from New York, as occafion may rc- t]viire ; and proper hofpitals will be furniihcd for the reception of the 'H k and wounded of the two garrifons. ^ I, Art, 44- CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IK THB Nofejfotlic Art. XII. Waggons to be furai(hed to carry the baggage of the Sixth Chapter, officcrs attending the foldiers, and to furgeons when truvjUing on ac- count of the fick, attending the hofpitals at public expence. They are to be furniflied if polfible. Art. XIII. The flilppuig and boats in the two harbours, with all their itores, guns, tackling, and apparel, fliall be delivered up in their prefjnt ftate to an officer of the nzvy appointed to take poffeffion of them, previoufly unloading the private property, part of which had been on board for fecurlty during the fiege. Granted, Art. XIV. No article of capitulation to be Infringed on pretence of reprifals ; and if there be any doubtful exprcffions in it, they are to be interpreted according to the common meaning and acceptation of the words. • Granted, Done at York town, in Virginia, Oflober 19, 1781. CORNWALLIS. THOMAS SYMONDS. Done in tlie trenches before York town, in Virginia, Odober 19, 1781. G. WASHINGTON. Le Comte de ROCHAMBEAU. Le Comte de B A R R A S, en mon uom & celui du Comte de Grafle. (NOTE '''VT|||fj of the ou ac- ,vith all in their ifliott of ich ha ;« . . - '; ■ Riitik and names of ojjicers in the above return. .; t • - Hi HON. Major Cochrane, adlng ald-de-camp to Earl Cornwallis, killed. t Light SOUTHERW PROVINCES OP NCRTH AMERICA. 447 I le, , » file, icrs, lunt, ed; 4 d flic, 2 Ccr- IkWlcd ; 1 fec- |rs, 133 drum- IbaUern, rnwalliSf Light infantry. Lieutenant Campbell, 74th company, killed ; Notes to tho Lieutenant Lyfter, 63d ditto, wounded, lince dead ; Lieutenant Dunn, Chajncr. 63d ditto, wounded, fince dead ; Lieutenant Lightburne, 37th ditto> wounded. 23d regiment. Lieutenants Mair and Guyon killed. 33d regiment. Captain Kcir killed. Lieutenant Carfon wounded. 71ft regiment. Lieutenant Frafer killed. 76th regiment. Lieutenant Robertfou wounded. Captain Rail killed, Eniign Sprangenberg wounded.. Commiflary Perkins killed. J. D E S H A R D, Dcp. Adj. Gen. .(NOTE CC. ) Kxtradl of a letter from General Wafnngton^ dated head quarters^ near Torky October z-/, 1781. SIR,. I DO myfelf the honour to enclofe to your excellency, copies of returns of prifoners, artillery, arms, ordnance, and other ftores, fur- rendered by the enemy in their pofts of York and Gloucefter, on the 19th inftant,. which were not completed at the time of my laft dif- patches, and but this moment handed to me : A draft of thefe pofts, with the plan of attack and defence, is aUb tranfmitted ; and twenty-- four ftandards, taken at the fame time, ar€ ready to be laid before Congrefs. My k8 i 1 1 r; Notes to the Sixth C'h.'iptcr. CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN THE My prefent dilpatches being Important, I have committed th«m to ihe care of Colonel Humphry, one of my aid-dc-camps, whom, for his attention, fidelity, and good fervigcs, 1 beg leave to recommend to Coiigrcls, nnd to yovir excellency. . ... I, • ■ . •■ •!• y ,' tr?- ,- ,1i I .; -. . . '.' ; Gcn:ral return ^ njictrj ami privates furrenJereJ pnforiers of ivar^ the \^th ofOcfobcKf 17S1, to the allied army ^ tinder the command of Gene- ral Ifajbifigicn, taken from ihe original mnjler rolls. GENERAL and fta(T. i lieutenant general, i brigadier general, I Ucutenant colonel, and a majors, 5 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 chap- lains, I town major, i commiflary of prifoners, i affiftant quarter mailer, i furgeon and field in("pc£lor, 3 furgeons, 10 mates, z pur- veyors, 4 Itewards, 2 ward mailers, it) affiftants, 2 carpenters, 5 de- puty conimiflaries, i deputy commiflary of forage, 5 afliflant commif- farics, 3 ifl'uers, 2 coopers, i labourer. Total, 79. Artillery. 2 captains, 9 lieutenants, i furgeon, i mate, i fcrjeant, 4 drums, 193 rank and file, i commiflary of military ftorcs, 9 coil- du(fl:ors, 5 condutlors of horfe, 16 artificers. Total, 232. Guards. 3 lieutenant colonels, 12 captains, i enfign, 2 adjutants, I quarter mafter, i furgeon, 3 mates, 25 ferjeants, 12 drums, 467 rank and file. Total, 527. Light infiintry. i lieutenant colonel, i major, 10 captains, 16 lieutenants, i enfign, 2 furgeons, ^3 Serjeants, 13 drums, 594 rank and,file. Total, 671. 17th regiment, i lieutenant colonel, 3 captains, 8 lieutenants, 4 enfigns, i furgeon, 9 ferjeants, 13 drums, 205 rank and file. Total, 245. • '. 23d rep;iment. 3 captains, 6 lieutenants, i adjutant, i furgeon, i .T»ate, 16 ferjeants, 205 rank a»d file. Total, 233. J ' 2.3d regi- to for Ito , iJje Gene- •neratt i chap- quarter 1 pur- 5, 5 ^«- commif- fcrjeant, 5, 9 co^^* idjutants, urns, 4^7 ptains, i6 594 rank itcnants, 4 le. Total, iurgeon, i 2.31! vegV-^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 33d regiment, i lieutenant colonel, 3 cuptains, 5 lieutenants, 1 cnfign, I furgcon, 25 fcrjeants, 9 drums, 225 ran'; and file. Total, 260. 43d regiment. 1 major, 3 captains, 5 lieutenants, 3 enllgns, i quarter maftcr, i furgeon, 22 I'erjeants, 16 drums, 307 rank and iilc. Total, 359. 7 1 ft regiment, t lieutenant colonel, i major, i captain, 11 lieute- nants, 4 enfigns, i adjutant, i quarter mafler, i furgeon, i mate, 28 fcijeants, 2 drums, 242 rank and file. Total, 300. 76th regiment. 1 major, 6 captains, 16 lieutenants, 4 cnligns, i adjutant, i quarter mafter, i Iurgeon, i mate, 38 ferjeants, 18 druni.>, 628 rank and file. Total, 715. 80th regiment, i lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 5 captains, 17 lieu- tenants, 3 enfigns, i adjutant, i quarter maftcr, i furgeon, \ mate, 49 ferjeants, 20 drums, 588 rank and file. Total, 689. Two battalions of Anfpach, 2 colonels, i lieutenant colonel, i major, 8 captains, 32 lieutenants, i chaplain, 2 quarter maflers, 2 fu/geons, 20 mates, 32 fcrjeants, 25 drums, 948 rank and file, 1 waggon mafter, 8 waggoners, 2 provofts marflial, i afiiftant. Total, 1077. Prince Hereditary, i lieutenant colonel, i major, 5 captains, 5 lieutenants, 4 enfigns, i chaplain, 1 quarter mafter, 4 furgeon's mates, 19 ferjeants, 1 1 drums, 425 rank and file, 6 waggoners, i provoft marfhal. Total, 484. . Regiment de Bofe. 2 majors, 5 lieutenants, 2 enfigns, i adjutant, I quarter mafter, i furgeon, 3 mates, 46 ferjeants, 16 drums, 271 rank and file, i provoft marflial. Total, 349. Yagers, i captain, 3 lieutenants, i furgeon, i trumpet, 68 rank and file. Total, 74. 3M Britifli 44'; Vinre to thf Sixrlt Chapt r. .n^i f^ 1 '' ,.., \t ! 1,1 • i i. P \ \k 'I -1 f 4JO CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE Notes tothc BrltKh legioti. I lieutenant colonel, 6 captains, 8 lieutenants, 3 Sixth n r Chapter, cornets, 6 quarter matters, i furgeon, 17 ferjeants, 7 trumpeters, 191 rank and file. Total, 241. Qiiecn's rangers. 1 lieutenant colonel, i major, 10 captains, 15 lieutenants, 1 1 cornets, 3 quarter maftcrs, 2 furgeons, 24 ferjeants, 5 trumpeters, 248 rank and file. Total, 320. North-Carolina volunteers, i lieutenant colonel, 5 captains, 7 lieu- tenants, Senfigns, 7 ferjeants, 1 1 4 rank and file. Total 142. Pioneers. 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 4 ferjeants, 23 f^nk and file. Total, 44. Engineers. 2 lieutenants. — Loyal forefters. 2 captains, i lieu« tenant, 2 rank and file. — Third New- Jerfey volunteers, i captain, i lieutenant, 3 rank and file. — New-York volunteers, i captain, i en- fign,* I rank and file. — Virginia volunteers, i captain, i rank and file. — King's American regiment, i lieutenant, i rank and file. — General Delancey*s battalion. 3 enfigns, 2 rank and file. — North- Carolina independent company, i enfign, i rank and file. Total, 23. Taken on the 14th and 16th of O£lober. i lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 2 captains, i enfign, 2 ferjeants, 70 rank and file. Total, 84. Total. I lieutenant general, i brigadier general, 2 colonels, 14 lieutenant colonels, 16 majors, 97 captains, 180 lieutenants, 55 en- figns, 4 chaplains, 6 adjutaifts, 18 quarter mafters, 18 furgeons, 15 mates, 385 ferjeants, 179 drums and trumpets, 6039 rank and file, i town major, i commiflary of prifoners, i afliftant quarter mafler.— Hofpital department, i furgeon and field infpedor, 3 furgeons, 10 mates, 2 purveyors, 4 ftewards, 2 ward mafters, 19 affiftants, 2 car- penters. — Commiflary deparrtuctit. 5 deputy commlflaries, i deputy commiflary of forage, 5 affiftant commlflaries, 2 clerks, 3 ifluers, 2 coopers, i labourer, i commiflary of military (lores, 9 condudlors, 5 condutSlors of horfe, 16 artificers, i waggon mafler, 15 waggoners, 5 ■"* •^sfe proved: ts, eu- file. Ueu- I en- t and lie. — ^ or th- ai, «3- >nel, » tal, 84. els» U 55 «"- ons, 15 file, I after* — ons, 10 , 2 car- 1 deputy iffuers, ^ |u£tor3) 5 roners, 5 provoft SOUTHERN PROVINCES 07 NORTH AMERICA. 45 « provoft mafters and aftiftants, 80 followers of tlie army. Amounting Notei to tht , , , Sixth m the whole to 7247 men. Chapter. N. B. By an eftimate colledled by the adjutant general, tlie killed during the fiege, including officers, amount, at leaft, to 309, and the deferters to 44. (Signed) THOMAS DURICK, Dep. Com. Prif. Military cheft, ^'^l^'i^ 6^. fterling, dollars at 4;. 8^. Return of ordnance and military Jlores taken at Tork and Ghuce/ler, in rirginia, by the Jurrender of the BritiJJj army, on the i^*h of October , 1781. Brafs ordnance. Cannon on travelling carriages; 2 amufettes, 12 three-pounders, i of four, 12 of fix, i of nine. —Garrifon carriages, 4 twelve-pounders, 3 of four, 3 of nine. Howitzers on travelling carriages. 6 of five one-fiftli inches, 3 of eight ditto ; not mounted, 6 of eight Inches. Mortars. Mounted, 1 1 of four two-fifth inches, 7 of five one-halt*, I of fixteen ; not mounted, i of four two-fifths, 3 of thirteen. Total, 75- Iron ordnance. Cannon on garrifon or fhip carriages ; i one-poun- der, 3 of three, 8 of four, 30 of fix, 42 of nine, 18 of twelve, 27 of eighteen ; on travelling carriages, t of twenty-four. — Carronades on (hip carriages ; 4offeven, 27 of eighteen. — Swivels, 6. Total, 69. Cartridges. Flannel filled, for cannon ; lo for four-pounders, 278 for fix, 18 for nine, 40 for twelve, 226 for twenty-four-pounders. — 3 M a '■ Mortars ; li.' V Iff. ■ f i! 1 :i; ) ■' J.'' »" 452 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 781 IK THE i! ■i if ' Noks to tlie Mortars ; 341 for four two-fifths inch, 386 for five one-half ditto, 33 Cji.iiif.i-. for eight ditto. — Howitzers ; 87 for five one-half incli. P;iper filled, for cannon; 417 for thrcc-pounders, 236 for four, 836 for fix, 696 for nine, 870 for twelve, 900 for eighteen, 28 for twcnty-four-poundcrs. — Swivels, (howitzers) 185. Flannel empty, for cannon ; 193 for fix-pounders, 260 for nine, 10 for twelve, 502 for eij'Jiteen, 7 for twenty-four-pounders. — Howit- zers ; 93 for five one-half Inch, 1 75 for eight ditto. Paper cn)pty, for cannon ; 425 for four-pounders, 702 for fix, 136 for nine, 502 ^or twelve, ^^ for eighteen, 250 for twcnty-four-poun- dcrs. — Swivel|j|.28io. Cylinders, nine-pounders, 380. Shot. Round. Loofe ; 50 for threc-pounders, 251 for four, ^^6^ for fix, 1671 for nine, 1635 for twelve, 2927 for eighteen, 750 for twenty-four-pounders ; fixed with flannel for cartridges, 676 for three, 530 for fix-pounders ; (trapped without cartridges, 676 for three- pounders, 520 for fix, 782 for twelve; 226 for twenty-four-pounders. Cafe. Fixed with flannel cartridges, 278 for three-pounders, 83 for fix ditto; without cartridges, 177 for three-pounders, 255 for five, 599 for nine, 817 for twelve, 48 for eighteen, 106 for twenty- four ; howitzers, 315 for four two-fifths inch, 90 for five one-half ditto, 97 for eight ditto. Bar; ly for three-pounders, 33 for four, 24 for fix, 1 00 for nine, 82 for eighteen, 86 for twenty-four. Grape. Round. 51 for three-pounders, 52 for four, 220 for fix^ 212 for nine, 80 for eighteen, 86 for twenty-four; boxes of loofe grape, 26 ; barrels of ditto, i ; rounds of langrel, 24. Wads for cannon; 230 for four-pounders, 670 for fix,. 734 for nine, 635 for eighteen-pounders. 2 • Shells. , 33 four, S for iowlt- r-pouu- 1965 ir. 3 750 f°^ For three, or three- pounders, rs, 83 for for five, nty-four ; ditto, 97 for nlne» izo for fix, tes of loofe k. 734 for Shells. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NOUTII A M R R I C A. 453 Sliclls. Fixed; J13 for four two-fifth Inch; unfixed, 77 for five Nott.n.tUc one-half inch, 150 for eight ditto, 25 for thirteen ditto. — Carcafcs, Cliuiitd. eight-inch, 6, fixed ; hand grenades fixed, 602. Fuzes, fixed ; 514 for five one-half inch, 20 for eight ditto. Spunges, ladles, and wad hooks ; 8 for one-pounder, j c for three, 8 for four, 69 for fix, 25 for nine, ^^ for twelve, 23 for eighteen, 2 for twenty-four. Different fizcs, without ftavcs, 58. Fire arms, &c. Mulkets, with bayonets, 5743 ; without bayonets, 915; 1136 damaged; carbines, 31 : fuzccs, 32; piftols, 137; brafs blundcrbufles, 11; iron ditto, 9; bayonets, 688; bayonet fcabbards, 1 140; bayonet belts, 1777; cartridge boxes, 6444; tin cannifters, 800 ; pouches for yagers, 350 ; gref. match pipes, 86 ; mulket car- tridges, fixed with ball, 266,274 ; 83 barrels, and 89 half-barrels of powder ; fabres, 1925 ; ditto damaged, 100 ; horfeman's fwords, 273 ; iialbcrts, 32; ditto damaged, 14; pikes, 210. Regiments flandards. German, iS; BritiHi, 6; Briti(h union flags, 4.. Camp colours. German, 32; BritiHi, 41. Drums, good, 32; damaged, 19; drum flings, 18; fife cafes, 10; fife flings, 7;' trumpet, 1; bugle horns, 18; French horns, 5. Muflcet balls, 29 boxes, loolb. each ; lead in pieces, 1301b. ; muf^ ket flints, 34,200. Slow match, 42451b.; fire balls, 28; fire lings, 12; fulphur, 5olb. ; faltpetre, 5olb. ; flax, 71b. ; fpelter, 2lb. ; emery, 41b ; kitt, 321b. ; meal powder, 31b ; junk, 6oolb. ; of one-inch rope, i coil ; two-inch, ditto 2 : two-and-half, ditto 3 ; three-inch, 2; four and eightrincli, i coil each. 8 Lanterns, viz. 3 tin, i horn, and 4 dark. Signal rockets, 36 ; tubes of fizes, 6705 ; tube boxes, 62 ; port- fires, 787 ; port-fire ftocks, 28 ; lint flocks, 16; lead aprons, 90; fteel . I ;p i m . }■ i hif' ■ '■I 454 Notii to ihe Sixih C!i;iincr, CAMPAioss OF i;8o an'd i}8i in the ftccl rplkes, 80 ; powilcr horns, 260 ; (hell icrapcrs, 8 ; kitt brufhcs, 5; iiaiul belloi\s, 2; fcts for i"u/.c3, 7; kitt ladles, 6; fuze engines, z ; cannon haverficks, jo ; powder bngs, 23 ; oil cloths, 7 ; hair cloth, i; badge barrels, punches for camion, 12; large brafi cali- pers, 2 ', ihot gauges, 2 fcts ; elevating fcrevvs, 2 ; priming wires, 26. Apparatus for hot Ihot, i ; fets of brafs fcalcs and weights, 3 ; cop- per funnels, 4 ; powder flalks, 4 ; copper powder mcafures, 29 fets ; ii reams of mufktt cartridge paper, 11 hanks of marline, catgut, and twine, z\ hammers, i pair of pincers, 33 tenant, hand, whip, and crofs-cut faws, 4 mallets, 5 rafps, 3 paring and drawing knives, i cooper's ad/,c, 2 drifts, 15 axes, 4 pickaxes, 29 hatchets, 26 toma- hawks, 12 fpados, 63 crow bars, 143 hand fj)ik<;s, 2 (hears for iron, 2 gins, with falls and blccks complete ; 6 brafs (hears for tackle blocks, 44 tackle falls and blocks, 2 caiks of nails, 36 bars of fteel, 7 (hccts of iron, 9:1 brafs hoops, 22 fets of drag ropes, 50 fets of men's harnefs, 60 drefl'ed calf's (kins, 22 hides of tanned leather, 2 boxes of combuflibles for fire fliips, 2 kegs of tallow, 9 ammunition waggons, 4 powder carts, 39 cart (iiddles, 200 collars, 234 hems, 215 bridle.^, 123 pair of trace chains, ^^ brich bands, 73 cruppers, 10 laboratory chells. 4 Chefts with tools for faddlers, carpenters, coopers, and black- fmiths. (Signed) H. K N O X, Commanding the artillery of the United States. Return M lOUTIIKRM PROVINClia OF NORTH AMERICA. 455 hcs, ncs, hair caIi- , 26. cop- fets ; :, and >, and ves, I toma- • iron, tackle :ieel, 7 c nnen's loxes of aggons, bridles, )oratory black- lllery of ks. Return \ Return o/wag^onst horfes, (inJJores^ dcuvereJ by the quarter nurjcr^ Not« to tht Sixth andjound in Vork andGlouctJler. ciupter. FORTY-THREE waggons, with horfes and harncfs, 40 ditto, without harnefs, broken, 260 horfes, 339 fadJlcs, 88 blind bridles, 15 collars, 30 breech bands, 18 back bands, 18 belly bands, 18 fides har- ncfs, 4 calf Ikins, 2 dozen of bridle bits, 3 pair of fmith's bellows, 3 fets of collar and harnefs-maker's tools. 4 Anvils, and tools for 3 blackfmiths. 4 Sets of carpenter's tools, old and rufty, 57 French faddles, 40 French bridles, 1501b. tent cord, 14 balls fpua yarn, 3 pieces girt web, 1 hemp hackel, i calk tent pins and hatchets, 60 crofs-cut faws,, and fome carpenters' and coopers* adzes, 20 files, 20 chiflcls, 20 fmall hammers, fib. lamp black, 100 waggon boxes, loolb, twine, a ton of oakum, 3 ton hemp, 9 bolts fail duck, 29 calks nails alTorted, 3 tons iron, a quantity of fails and rigging, i barrel turpentine, 2 and half barrels tar, 4 grinding ftones, 9 kegs paint, 3 jars oil, 2 boxes win- dow glafs, about 1000 fand bags, 4 tons coals, and a few planksj 500 bufliels corn, ' 62 ditto meal, 23 boxes candles, 400 fheets, 68 pillow cafes, 300 bed cafes, 70 old blankets, 2 old rugs, 3 ftoves, 182 nar- row axes, 4 iron pots, 100 knapfacks and haverfacks, 150 foldicrs coats, 100 pair of breeches, 70 pair trowfers, 70 failors jackets, 613 groce buttons, 51b. thread, 15 pair fhoes,.i marquee, 450 loldieis tents, 2QD fhovelsi fpades, and picks. (Signed) T. PICKERIN^Gj (^M. G. A return i 'I n i k ^- '■X '%. If u I 45^» CAM I' A ION'S or r;8o and 1781 in tue N'lit.i to iiif ^] return f^«-. a confiscable number of rmSr' r"'^^^' '^^^^^^ 457 NiXos ro the Clnptcr. ! : A! #•■ 458 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND X781 IK THB Notes to the Private veffels. — ^The Cochran, North Briton, Sufanna, Arno ; Ene- Sixth Chapter, dcrt and Mathews, two Dutch prizes. A privateer of 20 guns, quite new. Befides many other veflels funk, and a great number of fliallops and fchooners. The naval prifoners, exclufive of thofe belonging to the private tranfports and other veffels, are 840. Publifhed by order of Congrefs, CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec; APPENDIX. ,^' •" ^- lOVfHEKN PROVINCBS OP NORTH AMERICAt 459 APPENDIX. Ml hi m 1 . W ;.1 ASl'ton near Camden. — Surrender effort JVatfon. — Camden evacuawd. — Ninety-Jix invejled. — Surrender of Augujla. — General Greene repuffcd ivitb lofs at Ninety-Jix. — Lord Rawdcn forces Greene to retreat, — Ninety-Jix evacuated, — A^ion at Eutaivs, > li ,ND1X. xTlLTHOUGH the events that occurred in Carolina are higlily ^p interefting, thej' could not be productive of fuch important confe- quences to Great Britain as the operations in Virginia ; for which reafon the narrative was not interrupted to relate them : But in or- der to render this work complete, to the fall of York town, the difFc- rent affairs', fieges, and adlions, between the King's troops and the Americans to the fouthward, are here given from the beft authorities, and as frequently s poflible in the language of the refpedlive com- manders. The (i.) departure of Earl Cornwallis to Wilmington having left South Carolina open, General Greene did not neglect the opportunity of diredling his views to that province. An experiment upon an un- tried enemy was fatisfaftory in the ucfign, and afforded room for hope P E N U 1 X , m m I? (i.) Sec Annual RegiAer, pageSo, year 1782. . q N 2 111 460 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE APi-tNDix. in the execution ; at the vvorfl, he could not reafonably apprehend fal- hng Into rougher hands than thole he had (o recently encountered : But it was alio, in reality, that \ ulnerable part, to which a judicious commander nuift necellarlly have dlicded his operations. He had, however, dill a vigorous enemy to encounter, from whom no advan- tage could be cheaply purchased. The communications were fo entirely cut off, that Lord Rawdon had uo manner of knowledge of the movements of the Britilh army after the battle of Guildford ; much Icfs could he have the moft dif- tant idea of the hard neceffity which compelled Earl Cornwallis to fly from the arms of vidory, abandon the line of operation, and, by a difficult march of two hundred miles, retire out of the way to Wil- mington : He could not, therefore, but be alloniflied at receiving the intelligence, that Greene, whom he looked upon as ruuied, or, at Icaft, as having fled to Virginia, was in full march to South Carolina, with a view of attacking hiin at Camden. He was likewife informed, about the fame time, that Colonel Lee had pafled the Pedee and joined Marion on the Black creek, or river, with an apparent view of enter- ing the province on the eaftern border. Lord Rawdon judicioufly conceived, that this movement was only feint, fubfervient to the prin. cipal defign ; intending thereby, to Induce him to divide his fmall force, and to draw him away from Camden, whilft Greene (hould, in the mean time, by forced marches through a defcrted country, from whence uo intelligence of his approach could be received, fur- prife that weakened port in his abfence. From this right concep- tion of the dcfign, the meafure produced a dire£t contrary cffed to thnt which was intended ; for inftead of Lord Rawdon's going him- felf, or detaching, to refift the diverfion on that fide, it occafioned his immediately recalling Lieutenant-colonel Watfon, who had been long a employed, k fai- red : ;ious had* Ivau- wdon army ft dif- tofly , by a Wil- li g the or, at arolina, "ormed, joined enter- icloufly le prill- fmall {hould, ouutry, d, fur- concep- ;ftea to g hitn- ned his |en long ployed, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF *'ORTH AMERICA. 46J employed, with a confiderable detachment, for the oroteCllon of the AfpEVDxx. eaftcrn frontier. In the mean time, the doubtful reports which had before reached him were now confirmed, and he received clear information of Greene's approach ; and, though he was totally ignorant of his force, yet, being equally in the dark with refpeft to Earl Cornwallis' fituation, and having no particular inftrudlions for his guidance, he thought it his duty, at all events, to maintain his port. In thefe circumflances it was highly vexatious, that although fome of the militia (hewed great zeal and fidelity, in coming from confiderable diftances to otter their fervices, yet the fcanty Hate of provilions prevented him from being able to benefit by their aififtance, excepting only thofc whofe parti- cular fituation expofed them to fufFer from the enemy, and who were on that account received within the poft. At length. General Greene appeared in full view. The paucity of troops, and the extenfivenefs of the ports which they had to defend, were fufficient motives with the Briti(h commander for not riiklng the lofs of men, by any attempt to harafs the enemy in their approach. The fame caufes had obliged him to abandon the ferry on the Wateree, although the South-Carolina regiment was on its way to join him from Ninety-fix, and that was its dired courfe : He had, however, taken his meafures lb well, as to fecure the pafiage of that regiment upon its arrival three days after. In thefe circumftances he received a letter from Colonel Balfour, at Charles town, acquainting him of Eari Cornwallis' fituation ; and likewife fignifying to him, that the commander in chief, being fully fenfible of the danger to which he would be expofed in his prefent pofition, wiflicd that he might abandon Ctmden, and retire for fecu- rity within the cover of the great river Santee. The uecellity of the meafure ? i*' kj ( ! ( „"; m tf 462 c.\MPArr. S5 OK i;!^'j a s j;8i in tiik AviaxDix.iTicarurf; \Vc\t', upon this information, tufrk'icntly obvious, but tho ;\c- coninllihrncnt of it was not now within hi:i power. TiFR efforts maJe by the enemy to examine the Britifh works, and particuh\rly an attempt to dertroy their mill, neceflarily brought on Ibme ikirmiihes. By the prifoners taken in thele excurfions, Lord Rawdon had the fiitisfa>Slion to learn, that General Greene's army was not by any means fo nunierous as he had apprehended, but that con- liderable reinforcements were daily expected. To balance this, he re- ceived the unfavourable intelligence, that Marion had taken fuch a pofition, as rendered it impradicable for Colonel Watfoii to join him, whofe arrival he had till that time impatiently expedted. Tjj this i^ate of things, it feenfed that feme immediate and decifive effort was become little lefs than abfolutely neceflary, in order to evade much greater, and not far diftant, evil and danger. Greene himfelf had the fortune to make an opening for the operation of this neceflity, in a manner which was, in appearance, far from being confiftent with his condu£l. With a view of a general aflault upon the Britifh ports, he had fcnt off his artillery and baggage, a day's march in the rear of the army; but foon after he abandoned tliat refolution, and detached all his militia to bring back the artillery. Such irrefolution, or inde- cifion of mind, can never be dilplayed under the eye of a vigilant enemy, without great, if not certain danger. Ai'^ion near Lord Rawdon's intelligence was tardy ; but he inftantly perceived the importance of the occafion, and determined as inftantly, if poflil^'.t, to feize it. By arming the muficlans, drummers, and every being in the army that was able to cj\rry a firelock, he muftered above nine hundred for the field, inciuuing fixty dragoons. April 25th. With this ..-.*ti :iC- ,, anil ht oji Lord ly was at con- he re- fuch a I decifive to evade . hltnfelf neceffity, tent with ifh pofts, he rear of detached or inde- vigUant perceived |if pofli'^''^* being i" jbove nine kh. With this Jv>UTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 463 this force, and two fix-pounders, he boldly marched to attack the af- avpendix. failing army in their camp, in open daylight, at ten o'clock in the morning ; committing the redoubts, and every thing at Camden, to the cuftody of the militia, and a few fick foldicrs. The enemy were pofted about two miies in front of the Britifli lines, upon a very ftrohg and difficult ridge, called Hobkirk's hill. By filing clofe to the fwamps on their right, the Britifti columns got into the woods unperceived, and by taking an extenfive circuit, came down on the enemy's left flank, thus depriving them of the principal advantage of their fituation. They were fo fortunate, and the enemy fo (hamefully remlfs and in- attentive, that they were not in all this courfe difcovered, until the flank companies of the volunteers of Ireland, which led the column, fuddenly poured in upon their pickets : Thefe, though fiipported, were almoft fuddenly driven in, and pu(hed to their camp. Although the -enemy were in much vlfible confufion, yet tiicy formed with expedition, and received the Britifh column bravely. As if it had been in fome meafure to countervail the difadvantages inci- dent to their furprife, they were cheered, early in the aftion, by tli? arrival of three fix-pounders ; a circumftance, vvliich (howers of grape Ihot foon announced to tlie Britifh troops. The attack on that fide was led with great Ipirit by Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, at tlie head of the 63d, and of the King's American regiment ; but the extent of the enemy's line foon obliged the commander in chief to pu(h forward the volunteers of Ireland from the referve. Thefe three corps pulhed the enemy with fuch refolution, that they drove them to the fummit of the hill ; and having made room for the reft of the troops to come into a<5lion, their rout was then quickly decided. They purfued theni about three miles ; but the enemy's cavalry being fuperior to the Bri- tifh, their dragoons could not rifk much ; and Lord Rawdon, duly ..w. f^" con- I '■\\ if' 'li 4<^4 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE AppEMDix. confiJerlng lils infcrii)rity in number, would not fufFer the infantry to break tbeir order, tor any benefit that might be expeded from the purluit of the fugitives. 1")URING the purfuit, a part of the enemy's cavalry, under Colonel Wafliington, cither by dcfign, or through ignorance of the flate of the a£lion, came round to the rear, and exacted paroles from feveral of tile Hritilh officers who lay wounded in the field ; they llkewife car- ried off feveral wounded men. The enemy's killed and wounded were fcattcred over fuch an extent of ground, that their lofs could not be afcertained ; Lord Rawdon thinks the cftimate would be low if it were rated at five hundred ; Greene's account makes it too low to be credited. About an hundred prifoners were taken ; befides that, a number of their men, finding their retreat cut ofi^ went into Camden, and claimed protedtion, under pretence of being deferters. The ene- my's cannon cfcaped by great fortune : Being run down a fteep hill, among fome thick brufti wood, they were eafily pafl'ed without notice, In the warmth of the purfuit, by the Britifli troops, and before their return they were carried clean off by Wafliington's cavalry. The (2.) lofs on the Britifli fide, however moderate in other re- fpe£ls, was much greater than they could afford, and exceeded one fourth of their whole number : It amounted, in killed, wounded, and mifling, to two hundred and fifty-eight : Of thefe, only thirty-eight were flain ; but the wounded were equally a detradion from immediate flrength, and, in the prefent circumftances, a very heavy incumbrance. Only one officer fell ; but twelve were wounded, and moft of them (a.) ViJe Annual Regifter, page 83, yearJ78o, were try 10 u the Lite of /eral of fe car- ed were I not be )vv if it 3\v to be that, a Camilen, The ene- fteep hill, ut notice, fore their SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 465 were difcharged upon parole. The fpirit and judgement (hewn by the appendix. young commander of the Britifti forces, deferves great commendation. He was moft gallantly Icconded by his officers and troops. Another (3.) account of the a£lion is contained in a let«:er from Lieutenant-colonel Balfour to Lord George Germain, dated Cliarles town, May i, 1781. • My Lord, BY Lord Cornwallis's difpatches, which are herewith tranfmitted, your lordfliip will be informed, that after the adion at Guildford, General Greene, being obliged to retire from before the King's army, turned his views towards this province, as the more vulnerable point, in the abfence of Lord Cornwallis. With this idea, op the 9th ultimo, he came before Camden, having with him near fifteen hundred continentals, and feveral corps of mili- tia ; Lord Rawdon having charge of that pod, and about eight hun- dred Britiih and provincial troops to fu{lain it. U 1 other re- ;eded one ^ided, and firty-eight immediate imbrance. of them For fome days General Greene kept varying his pofition, waiting, as is fuppofed, to be reinforced by the corps under Brigadier Marion and Colonel Lee, which were on their way, being ordered to join him. Judging it neceflary to ftrike a blow before this jun£l^on could take place, and learning that General Greene had detached to bring up his baggage and provifions, Lord Rawdon, with the mofl marked dccilion. (3.) Vide Remembrancer, page 27, 2d part, year 1781. 3O (:■ on - f 4^6 CAMP.\IGKS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE AJPENuixon the morning of the 25th, marched with the greater part of hi« I'oice to m«et liim, and about ten o'clock attacked the rebels in their c;ui)p at Hobkiik's vsith that Ipiiir, which, prevailing over fuperior numbers and an obftinate rcliihinco, compelled tlicm to give way, and the purluit \va:. continued for three miles. To accident only they were indebted for favlug their gun;?, which being drawn into d hollow, out of the road, were overlooked by our troops in the flu(h of victory and purUiit, fo that their cavalry, in which they greatly exceeded us, iiad an opportunity of taking them oil'. U sf ■ t ' K pi i My Lord Rawdon flatos the lofs of the enemy on this occafion r.:: upwards of one hundred made prifoners, and four hundred killed and wounded ; his own not exceeding one hundred, in which is included one officer killed and eleven wounded. After this defeat. General Greene retired to Rugeley't mills, twelve miles from Camden, in order to call in his troops, and receive the reinforcements ; but as Lieutenant-coloi>el Watfon, of the guards, who had been for fome time detached by Lord Rawdon, with a corps of five hundred men, to cover the eaflern frontiers of the province, is di- re^fted by me to join his lordfhip, I am in hopes he will be able fpee- dily to accomplifli this. n\ It is to feveral letteis, which Lord Rawdon has been {o good to tranfmit me, that I am indebted for the detail I have now the honour to prefent your lordfliip, and which, I truft, his lordfliip will hereafter conclude in the mofl fatisfadory manner. ^he 'ftj )f u»« their jpevior y, and y they viaory eJed us, cafion "f. iilled and ; included Als, twelve •eceive the ^latds, who a corps of [ince, is dl- able fpee- ifo good to the honour llU hereafter ne lOtTTITEllIT PMOVINCRS OF NORTH AMERICA. 4*7 The f'jJlowing is the account ^ puhUjhcd by orJcr rf Cotv:;Tepi, of the acf/'on K?vrvDix^ between General Greene and Lord RaxvJoHy on the i^th rj A^nl^ 1781. To Samukl Huntingdon, Kfrjtijre, SIR, (4.) I HAD the honour to write to your excellency tln^ 21I inflant, April, to uiform you that we were encamped before Canulcn, liavuig fouTid it impofliblc to attempt to ftorm the town with any hopes of fuccefs ; and having no other alternative, but to take fiich a polition as ihould induce the enemy to fally from their works. To this end, we ported ourfelves on an eminence about a mile from the town, near the high road leading to Wacfaws : It u as covered witii woods, and flanked on the left by an impafl'able fwamp. The ground between this place und the town is covered by a thick wood and ihrubbery. In this htua- tion we remained conftantly on the watch, and ready for aclion at a moment's warning. On the morning of the 25th, about eleven o'clock, our advanced pickets received the firfl fire from the enemy, and returned it w^irmly. The line was formed in an inllant. (jcncral Iliigee's brigade to the right ; Colonel Williams's Maryland brigade to the left ; the artillery in the center ; Colonel Read, wit!i fome niilltia, formed a kind of fc- cond line; Captain Kirkwood, witli tlic li?,!.t Infantry, was polled in our front, and when tiie enemy advanced, he was foon engat^ed with them, and both he and his men behaved with a great d^al of bravery ; nor did the pickets under Captains Moigan and Bcnfua aifl with lefs courage or regularity. Obferving that the enemy advanced with but (4.) Vide RememHraiKer, page 126, ad juir, 17^1. 3 O a ,1^ ' i :. m 1 I 5 ij. ;J i m If • '*! ttW I h ■ . \ ii 46il CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THS Ar-KNi'iv rVw men aSrcafl, I ordered Liciiteimnt-coloncl Ford, with the 3d M.iryl.itii' r. giaunt, to flank them on the left, while Liciitcn;uU-coIo- jid Laiiij-Ull \v:i3 to do the f.ime on the rij^ht. Colonel Cnmhy, with ihc I ft Maryland ngimcnV, and Lieiitinant-colonel Havvcs, with the 3d Viiginia rcgiiiitnt, received orders at the lame time to defccnd from the eminence, and attack in front ; and I lent J./ieutenant-coloiKl Wafliitn'ron a* the fame time to dovible the riglit flank, and attack the rear of the enemy. Tlie whole line was foon in aftion in the midft of a very Imnrt fire, as well from our fmall arms as from our artillerv, wliich, under the command of Culoncl Ilarrifon, kept playing upon the front of the enemy, who began to give way on all fides, and their kft abfoluttly to retreat ; when, unfortunately, two companies on the riglit of the ill Maryland regiment were entirely thrown into difordcr; and, by another ftroke of fortune, Colonel Gunby ordered the reft of the regiment, wlich was advancing, to take a new pofition towards the rear, where the two companies were rallying. This movement gave the whole regiment an idea of a retreat, which foon fpread through the 2d regiment, wliieh retreated accordingly ; they both rallied after- wards ; but it was too late ; the enemy had gained the eminence, filenced tlie artillery, and obliged U5 to draw it off". The ad Virginia regiment having defcended the eminence a little, and having its flank \Qi\. naked by the retreat of the Marylanders, the enemy immediately doubled upon them, and attacked them both on the flank and in front. Colonel Campbell's regiment was thrown into confufion, and had re- treated a little ; I therefore thought it neceflary for Colonel Hawes to retreat alfo. The troops rallied more than once ; but the diforder was too general, and had ftruck too deep for one to think of recovering the fortune of the day, which promifed us at the onfet the moft complete victory ; for Colonel Walhington, on his way to double and attack in :h.ercar, found the enemy, both -horfe and foot, jctreathig with preci- pitation '^^ Colo- with h the fccnd oIoikI ck tlje i\iM 7% SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. r' M S, Brigadier-general Marioti's letter to General Greene. AppEtjmx. . Fort Watfon, April 23, 1781. SIR, (5.) LIEUTENANT-COLONEL Lee joined me on the Santec the 14th inftant, after a rapid march from Ramfey's mills on Deep river, which he fiiiilhed in eight days. The 15th we marched to this place, and inverted it : Our chief hope was to cut ofF the water: Some riflemen and continentals were, for this purpofe, ported hetween the fort aiul the lake. The fort lie^ on a riling ground, about forty feet high, furrounded by three rows of abbatis. There were no trees near enough to cover us from the enemy's fire. The third day after we had. begun the fiege, we perceived that the enemy had dug a well near the abbatis without meeting with any oppofition from us, which was for want of feveral very neceflary implements, without which we could l»ot make trenches in order to make our approach to the fort ; we therefore refolved immediately to erefil a work as high as the fort, and: it was finiftied this morning by Major Maham ; we then made a lodge- ment on the fide of the eminence near the abbatis ; this was accom- pliihed with great fpirit and addrefs by Enfiga Robinfon and Mr. R* Lee, a volunteer in Colonel Lee's regiment, who, furmounting every difficulty, got up to the abbatis, and pulled it away ; By this the com* Surrenderor mander of the fort found himfelf obliged to, hoift a white flag. . I en- clofe the capitulation, which I Kbpe will meet with your approbation. . Our lofs was only two militiamen killed, and thr,ee continentals wounded. I (hall demollrti the fort wlcliout lofs of time, and then pro>- tadlcr- (5.^ Vide Remembrancer, page 137, ad part, 1781. Z:.. ceedu i i : i \- If,' 47J CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE APPENDIX, ceed to the heights of Santee, and (hall halt at Captain Richardfon's plantation to wait for farther orders. 1 am. Sir, &c. (Signed) FRANCIS MARION, B. G. Articles of capitulation propofed by Lieutenant M^Kay, commandant at Fort IVatfon. ■ . Art. I. THE officers to be allowed their parole; to wear their fwords, and (hall have their private baggage fecured to them. Granted. Art. II. The Briti(h officers (hall be permitted to march to Charles town, where they (hall remain, without entering into any a£live fer- vice, till they (hall have been exchanged ; till which time they (hall be bound to furrender themfelves, whenever called upon by the com- mander in chief of the American fouthern. army. Granted. Art. III. The irregulars fliall be treated as prifoners of war. Granted. Art. IV. All public (lores (hall be furrendered to the quarter- xnafler general of the legion, and the fort to Captain Oldham, who fliall take poflTeffion this evening with a detachment of the Maryland divlHou. ■■ *H I ys~ I AGREE SOUrr,E»N PBOVIKCKS OP „o«T„ A ^„ I ^GREE to this cnpltulntion fuch n, '. • ^^^^ PATRICK CARNS, Cif tan, of foot, ^ beIo„gi„g ,„ tho Region. "■-fiit, i-ieutenant. .;;. (Signed) -Vi]23, 178;. » ■ * ■ ' ' ^^ '^fP'V'^^crs taken in Fort JVatfon. " TWO lieutenants, 2 enfljms r r ^nd 36 tories. Total, 5office; ,T^'T ^^ ""^ '"^ ''^^' CBntlfla) J oracers, lop rank and file. ^ Some of the evenf? fi.Kr SIR, C-^O Can,p, . McCora. fe.„ on ehe Congaree ^% 14, 178X. ^ ' I HAD thehonom-tofl^ndd,Tn-,t 1 evacuated by ,l,e enemy „;,,, „„ „";"• °" ''^^ 8"' the place ,vas ^-- .he gteate. pattlf bis I arlerT"'' = ^°'" '^^-''- l°"S".gto the inhabitants; he ffffire Tr T '"'" ""= ^*^' I'^- veral other buildings, and 1 ft .b ," " ''""°"' ™'"' -"> '- -'- ■■ He left behi'd hi. ' J , T ""'^ '''"" "^^ '^ '-ap of -» Of the ,th of .p.::/;£ : : ir;:ir~?' '^= ;H^r>^f ^v, V, T ^^" prifbners ; they are -^ - --- X6.) Vide Remembrancers page ,n, ^ ' ' ' t'^Se I97> 2d part, 1781. ■!•.* fhiity- ■h-n m .1^.4' i ^- 1 I ^V,i«,^ Hit ^1 .'•ll f! ^ w i I: 1 : 474' CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE APPENDIX, tlurty-ona in number. His lordfliip left alfo fifty-eight of his own people, with three officers, who were fo badly wounded, that they could not bear a carriage. Several of the inhabitants aflert it as a fad, that, in the laft adlion, the lofs of the enemy, in killed and wounded, was not lefs ihan three hundred men. As foon as the enemy left Camden we took pofleffion of it, and are now employed in razing all the works ; a plan of which I enclofe for your excellency. Had the Virginia militia joined us in time, the gar- rifon muft have fallen into our hands, as we (hould then have been able to invert the town on all fides ; and the garrifon was in too great want of provifions and military {lores to be able to {land out a fiege. The detachments under General Marion and Lieutenant-colonel Lee, in the lower diftrlds of the country, had cut off the enemy's provifions, and particularly fait, with which they were totally unprovided. On the 9th our army began their march towards this place. On the nth the poll of Orangeburgh, defended by eighty men, under the command of a colonel and other officers, furrendered to General Sumpter, who, by his {kill in the difpofirion of his artillery and troops, fo intimidated the garrifon, that the pl.ice foon fubmitted. We thus got po{reffion of a very flrong poll, wltliout lofs either of men or time : A great quan- tity of provifions and other {lores were found in it. The 12th, Mott*s fort fubmitted to General Marion ; the garrifon confi{led of upwards of one hundred and forty men ; one hundred and twenty were Briti{h or Heflians, with feven or eight officers. The place had been inve{led the 8th ; nor did it furrender till our troops had made their approaches regularly up to the abbatis ; the redoubt was very {Irong, and com- manded by Lieutenant M'Pherfon, a very brave officer. Great praife is due to General Marion, and the handful of militia that remained with him till the redudion of the fort. Lieutenant-colonel Lee's legion, 3 ''*"*^ X SOUTHERN rnOVINCBS OF NOflTH AMERICA. 475 owa they faa, nded, nd are ofe for he gar- ;en able at want ;. The ;, ui the ons, and On the nth the command ter, who, itimidated )ffeffion of reat quan- th, Mott's ipwards of Britiih or jn inveftcd approaches and coro- ireat praife lained with ;e's legion» and and the detachments under Major Eaton, tlie artillery under Captain AvpvKmx. Finlay, asd the corps of infantry under Captains Oldhani and Smith, were indefatigable in carrying on the liege. There were found in the fort one carronade, one hundred and forty mulkets, a quantity of fait provifions, and other flores. When we marched from Deep river towards Camden, I wrote to General Pickens to aflemble all the militia he could mufter, to lay iiege to Augufta and Ninety Six : Thefe two places are adlually inveftcd, and the fort at Friday's ferry will be invefted to-morrow morning, as Lieutenant-colonel Lee fet out for that purpofe laft night, with his le- gion, and the feveral detachments which ferve under him : The whole army began their march this morning for the fame place. The laft in- telligence I received informed me, that Lord Rawdon was near Nel- fon's ferry, where the enemy have a poft ; but they were fending away their ftores.from it, which fufficicntly indicates that they intend Ihortly to evacuate it. Generals Sumpter and Marion narrowly watch all his lord(hip*3 motions* I am, &c. NATH. GREENE. Extra^ of a letter from Lord iRawdon to Earl Cornwa/Iis, dated camp at Monk*s corner. May 24, 1781. (7.) THE fituation of affairs in this province has made me judge it ne- ceflary, for a time, to withdraw my force from the back country^ and to aflemble what troops I can colled at this point. I hope a recital of (7.) VideRemenibrahciirf page 151^ adpbrt, 1781. I, I 'ji i the 476 CAMPAIONS OF I780 AND 1781 Xi: THE, Ai'PENDix'. the clrcumftanccs which have led to this determination will fatlsfj your lorddiip as to the expediency of the meafure. After the aftion of the 25th of April, (an account (8.) of which I had the honour of tranfmitting to your lordfliip) Major-general Greene remained for fome days behind the fartheft branch of Granny's- quarter creek. A fecond attempt upon his army could not, in that fituation, be undertaken upon the principles which advifed the formey. In tlie firft inftance, I made {o fhort an excuiTion from my works, that I could venture, without hazard, to leave them very flightly guarded ; and I had the confidence, that, had fortune proved unfavourable, we lliould eafily have made good our retreat, and our lofs, in all probabi- lity, would not have difabled us from the farther defence of the place.. To get at General Greene in his retired fituation, I muft have made a very extenfive circuit, in order to head the creek, which would have prefented to him the faireft opportunity of flipping- by me to Camden^ and he was iVill fo fuperior to me in numbers, that, had I left fuch a garrifon at my poft as miglit enable it to ftand an aflault, my force in the field would have been totally unequal to cope with the enemy's army. I had much to hope from the arrival of reinforcements to me, and little to fear from any probable addition to my antagonift's force. Whilst, upon that principle, I waited for my expelled fuceoitrs, General Greene retired from our front, and, crofling the Wateree, took a pofition behind Twenty-five-mile creek. On the 7th of May Lieu- tenant-colonel Watfon joined me with his detachment, much reduced in number through cafualties, ficknefs, and a reinforcement which he had left to flrengthen the garrifon at George town. He had crofled (8.) Tlic author regrets that he cannot infert thrs account, as it if not to be found in - ff - the any of ihc public prints IsfjT 80WTHE3,N PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 477 the Santee near its mouth, and had re-croflld it a little below the en- appendix. trance of the Congarec. A hich neial ny's- that •rmeJ. , that arded; Ic, we robabV- e place, made a lid have lamden*, t fuch a force in enemy's to me, torce» fuceo^jrs, ^ Iree, took ^ay Lievj- reduced ht which lad croffed I be found in the On the night of the 7th I croffed the Wateree at Camden ferry, propofing to turn the flank and attack the rear of Greene's army, where the ground was not ftrong, though it was very mu-.h fo in front. The troops had fcarcely croffed the river, when I received notice that Greene had moved early in the evening, upon getting informatioii of my being reinforced ; I followed him by the dire*5l road, and found, him ported behind Sawney's creek.. Having driven in his pickets, I examined every point of his fitua- tion ; I found it every where fo flrong, that 1 could not hope to force it without fuffering fuch lofs as muft have crippled my force for any fu- ture enterprize ; nnd the retreat lay I'o open for. him, 1 could not hope that vidlory would give us any advantage fufficiently decifive to counterc balance thelols.. The creek (though (lightly marked in the maps) runs very high i«to the country. Had I attempted tc get round lilm, he would have evaded me with eafe ; for, as his numbers ftill exceeded mine, I could not leparate ray force to fix him in any point, and time (at this junc^ ture mod important to me) would have been thus unprofitably wafted. 1 therefore returned to Camden the fame afternoon, after having in vain attempted to decoy the enemy into a«5tion,.:^by affeding to conceal- our retreat. ■ • : i ^ s '& V -'• - '■' • On the 9th I publifhed to the troops, and to tlie militia, my defiga of evacuating Camden,, offering to fuch of the latter as chofe to ac- Camdcn eva- cuated. j^.'i company m '■'■; . i m' '.m >t' ^ ]i I .ill . ■< i\ 47B CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Avrr.N'Dix. company me every afflftance that we could afford them. During the enfuing night I lent otT all our baggage, &Cr, under a ftrong cfcort, nnd deftroyed the works remaining at Camden, with the reft of the troops, till ten o'clock the next day, in order to cover the ittarch. On the night of the 13th 1 began to pafs the river at Nclfon'a ferry, and by the evening of the 14th every thing was fafely acrofs. Some mounted militia had attempted to harafs our rear guard on the march ; but a party of them having fallen into an ambufcade, the reft of them gave us no farther trouble. We brought off all the fick and wounded, excepting about thirty, who were too ill to be moved, and for them I left an equal number of continental prifoners in exchange. We brought ofF all the ftores of any kind of value, deftroying the reft; and we brought off not only the militia who had been with us at Camden, but alfo all the well-affe<5led neighbours on our route, toge- ther with the wives, children, negroes, and baggage, of almoft all of them. My firft news, upon landing at Nelfon*s, was, that the poft at Motte's houfe had fallen. It was a fimple redoubt, and had been at- tacked formally by fap. Lieutenant M'Pherfon had maintained it gal- lantly till the houfe in the center of it was fet in flames by fire arrows, which obliged his men to throw themfelves into the ditch, and fur- render at difcretion. But as Major M'Arthur had joined me with near three huiidred foot and eighty dragoons, I conceived I might, without hazarding too far^ endeavour to check the enemy's operations on the Congaree. On the I4tli, at night, I marched from Nelfon*s, and on the evening of the 1,5th I reached the point where the roads from Congarees and M*Coard'3 ■^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 4-9 M'Coard's ferry unite. Various informatica was brought to me thi- appendix. ther, that Greene had pafled the Congarcc, at M'Coard's ferry, and had pulhed down the Orangeburgh road. The accounts, though none of them pofitive or fingly fatisfadlory, correfpondcd fo much, that 1 was led to believe them, and the matter was of fuch moment, that it would not admit of my paufing for more certain information ; there- fore, after giving the troops a little reft, I moved back to Eutaws the fame night, but hearing nothing there, I purfued my march hither. 'y (f*! By my prefent fituation, I cover thofe diftri£ls from which Charles town draws its prefent fupplies. I am in readinefs to improve any: favourable occurrence, and guard agalnft any untoward event. at at- )WS, fur- It is a fecondary, but not a trifling advantage, that I have been able to fupply the troops with neceflaries ; for the want of which, occafioned by the "long interruption of our communication, they fuf- fcred ferious diftrefs. I AM ufing every effort to augment our cavalry, in hopes that the arrival of fome force will fpeedily enable us to adopt a more adivc condud. ExtraSi (9.) of a Idler from Lord Rawdon to Lieutenant-general Ear! Cornwall/'Sf dated Charles town, June $, 1781. 4 y I:,. foot far* 11 the jg of and )ard'3 GENERAL Greene inverted Ninety Six on the 22d of May. To my great fatisfadion, however, I learned, by meflages which I have fcund means to interchange with Lieutenant-colonel Crugcr, . that the (9.) Vide Remcipbrancer, page 153, ad part, 1781* new •n '^■iJi 4^0 'CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN TIIK APTENDix. new works were completed before the enemy's approach. The garrl- ion is ample for the extent, and the fire of the enemy had no tiXcS:. Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, therefore, only apprehends, that relief may not arrive before his provifions arc expended. ^ Fortunately wc are now in a condition to undertake fuccouring him, witiiout expofing a more valuable ftake ; and from the report of his provifions which he fent to me, I trufl: we (hall be fully in time. II -'I Augusta is likewife befieged ; but I hope in little danger. S'r James Wright reprefented fo ftrongly the want of troops at Savannah, that I thought it necefl'ary to fend the King's American regiment ihi-- ther with all difpatch. On the 3d inftant the fleet from Ireland arrived, having aboard tlie 3d, 19th, and 30th regiments, a detachment from the guards, and a confiderable body of recruits ; the whole under the command of Colo- nel Gould, of the 30th. Lieutenant-colonel Balfour and I immediately made known to Colonel Gould the power which your lordfhip had given to us, for detaining fuch part of the expe«Sled reinforcement as we might conceive the fervicc required : And it has been fettled, that the three regiments (hall all remain here until your lordlhip lignlfics your pleafure refpeding them. I (hall march on the 7th towards Ninety Six, having been reinforced by the flank companies of the three new regiments. - • I AM happy in mentioning to your lord(hip a handfome teftimony of zeal for His Majefty's interefts, which has occurred herp : Confi- derable difficulty having arifen in the formation of cavalry, foiiie 0/ the principal inhabitant;, of this town made a fubfcription, amounting to SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 43j IV- Ucf ling rt ot nc. S'l nnali* t vhi- to near three thoufand guineas; which fiim they rcqu(.llcd I would atitnimx. apply to the purpofc of equipping a corps of dragoons in the manner I fliould judge nr.o(l expedient. As I had no means of forming fuch a corps but by drafts from the infantry, I thought your lordfliip would be pleafed that a compliment fhould be paid to the loyalty of the gen- tlemen above metitioned, by fixing upon men connciflcd with the pro- vince ; I have therefore ordered the South-Carolina regiment to bi,* converted into cavalry, and I have the profpe<5l of their bi.ing mounted and completely appointed in a few days. June 6. I have juft had the fatlsfa(Stion to learn, that the King's American regiment arrived fafe at Savannah. ■;(': :ird the . and a Colo- liately p had ,Tieut as d, that ignifics towards of the pftimony I: Confi- fonie or lounting to Extfi!^ ( ' O") 'if ^ ^'"'^^^ fi'offi Colonel Lord Rti'Wilon to Sir Henry Clinton t dij fed Charles town, jfune 6fb, 1781. I CANNOT in any manner give your excellency a more explicit account of what has pafled in this piovince, and of the prefcnt ftate of our affairs, than by enclofing to your excellency, copies of the letters which I have, at different periods, written to Lord Cornwallis. I'hc fituation of the n-ovince has been critical ; yet I am well convinced, that numbers have joined the enemy merely to Ihield thcmfclvcs from the atrocious barbarity of the rebel militia, which has been beyond what I have ever heard of among the mofl favage nations. Should we be fuccefsful In our pref^at enterprise, it will probably be found nc- ceflTary to make the Santee and Congaree the bouadaries of our pof^s, and to Invite the friends of government to fettle upon the eftates of revolters within the claim o^our (latlons. The back parts of the pro- (lo.) Vide Remembrancer, page 154, ad part, yew ijSu 3 0^ c 1 : "!■ I mi i'' vince A^l CAMPAICNl, or 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE /ppENDix. vlnce muft ncceflhrily depend upon tlic country cnclofcd by thofe rivers, as long as we keep poflcnion of the Clufapcak. IT is in fome meafure ncccflCuy to coiuk(SI: tlie foregoing letters by a citation from a periodical work. Rti i- if On (ii.) the night of the 13th, tlie army began to pafs the river at Nelfon's ferry, and by the 'following evening every tiling was fafcly landed on the other fide. The firft intelligence Lord Rawdon received on pafllng the Santee, was the unwelcome news, that the port at Motte's houfe, after a gallant defence, had already fallen into the hands of tiie enemy. This was a heavy flroke, as that place had been made a depofit for all the provifions that were intended for the fupply of Camden : Things were, however, worfe than he yet knew, for the Arong port at Orangeburgh was already taken, and fort Granby not long after. Thus the Britifh force in the province was exceedingly weakened, by the number of brave officers aiid foldiers who fell into the hands of the enemy, tiirough this fudden and unexpected attack upon their detached ports in every part of the country. Lord Rawdon was met at Nelfon's by Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, the commandant of Charles town ; who came thither to reprefent to him, and to confult upon, the rtate and circumrtances of that city, as well as of the province in general. He rtated, that the revolt was oniverfal ; that from the little room there had been to apprehend fo ferious and alarming a turn of affairs, the old works of Charles town had been in part le^^elled, to make way for new ones, which were not yet conrtruded ; that he had full conviClion of the difaffeCtion, in ge- (11.) Vidfe Annual Regift^r, page 85, year 1781. neral. lole sby ^er at fafely ceivcd ,oft at xo the id bceu for the iiby not eedingly fell into ;d attack Balfour, [)refent to city, as Ivolt was Lehend fo Irles town were not l>n, in ge- aeralf SOITTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 4?J neral, of the inhabitants ; and that, uiuler thcic circunill.iii.'cs, liis APri.sotx. garrifon was inadequate to its defence, againil any force of conrequtnec that might attempt that city. The conclufions drawn from a full coniiJeration of this untowail ftate of aflairs were, that if any misfortune happened to tijc corps ui> der Lord Rawdon, the probable confequcncc would be, the total \oU of the province, including the capiipl ; but that, although the highcll degree of prudence and caution were upon that account Indifpenlably iicceflary, yet, as he was juft joined by Major M'Arthur, with about three hundred foot and eigiity dragoons, he conceived he might, with- out hazarding too much, endeavour to check the operations of the enemy on the Congaree. A SIGNAL iolhnce now occurred of the general, if not nni' erl'al, difaffetflion of the country. For five days after Lord Rawdon had paflled the Santec, not a hngle perfon of any fort whatever, whether with intelligence, or upon any other account, came near the army, al- though he had advanced diredly from Nelfon's ferry, that night and the following day*s march into the country, to a certain point where the roads from Nelfon's and M' Cord's ferry meet ; nor could the emif- faries and fpies which he detached on all hands procure him any true intelligence, as to the fituation of the enemy, or the ftate of the coun- try : A number of reports, however, which were contradi£lory in other refpetEls, feemed to concur in one point, which was, that Greene had pafled the Congaree river, and was prefUng down the Orange- burgh road with a ftrons force. I'his intelligence was of too great moment to be flighted ; and not only obliged the BrltiHi commamler to rtlinquhh his dcfiga of advancing to the Congaree, but hild hinn under a neccfiity of falling back to the Eutaws, and aftcrvvanls of J Q 2 moving Mil 1 111 ^. II •i i : 484 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE APFENDix moving to Monk's corner, for the protedion of Charles town, and of the rich intervening country. As the dcrelidion of the upper country left the pnft at Ninety Six entirely expofed to the enemy. Lord Rawdon was under great anxiety for the fafety of that garrlfon. The objetfls now at ftake were, how- ever, too great to be hazarded, for the purpofe of prote(fling that place, or even of extricating the troops : But if no fuch reftraint had been laid upon his adlivity, it flill would have been a queftion of great doubt, whether, in the prefent ftate of things, the defign would have, been pra(flicable ; for, befides the growing force of the enemy, and their poU'effion of the ports on all hands, there were no magazines, no. depofits of provifions of any kind, for the fiipport of the army on the. vay ; and to trufl: to the uncertain gleanings of a wafted and hoftile country on a march, furrounded on every fide by fwarms of light troops, and of militia on horfeback, with an enemy much fuperior iii number ftill to encounter, would have been hazardous in the extreme Thus circumftanced, he difpatched feveral meffengers by different routes, and, to guard as much as poflible agalnft mifchance, applied to Colonel Balfour to fend others from Charles town, with inftruftions to Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, who commanded at Ninety Six, to abandon that place, and to remove, with all the garrifon, as fpeedily as pofli- ble, to Augufta, upon the Savannah, which was the neareft poft of Georgrs. , . .< So bad was the intelligence, anti fo difficult to be obtained, that it was not until after the arrival of the troops at Monk's coiner, that Lord Riiwdon difcovered, that it was not General Greene, but Sump- ter, who liad taken polTefllon of Orangeburgh ; the former being then occupied in taking a Britifh poft at the Congarees. While the troops I « were SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 485 nd of :ty Six nxiety how* : place, d been f great Id have, ly, and; nes, no. on the. i hoftile of light perior hi extreme^ different pplied to aions to abandon as poffi- poft of Id, that it [ner, that It Su rap- ping then Ihe troops were were employed in covering the diftrifls from which Charles town appendix. drew its fupplies of provilion, Lord Rawdon was preparing for more a£tive fervice, by unceafing efforts for the augmentation of his ca- valry. (12.) Whilst the important pofl: at Ninety Six was clofely inverted, Ninety Six invcilcd» and held to be in the utmoft danger, it feemed ominous, but fuch was the hoftile ftate of the country, that none of the meffengers which Lord Rawdon and Colonel Balfoui had difpatchcd to Colonel Cruger, with orders for abandoning that place, had been able to reach him : The fort was, however, in a better ftate of defence than had been ex- pelled ; the works were completed, and ftrong ; and the garrlfon amounted to near four hundred regular troops, belides militia. In thefe circumftances, Greene found himfelf obliged to fit down before it in form, on the 22d of May ; the garrifon made a gallant defence^. and the failure of provifions afforded the principal caufe of appre- henfion. The fortunate arrival of three regiments from Ireland, under the conduit of .Colonel Gould, afforded an opportunity for the relief of this garrifon, which would otherwife have been delperate ; for though tliey were deftined to join Earl Cornwallis, the good difpofition and promptnefs of the commander to concur in the immediate defence of the province, as a more urgent fervice than any other In view, pre- vented thofe difficulties which muft otherwife have ailfen. Thefe cir- cumftances fuddenly changed the face of affairs, and enabled Lord. Rawdon to undertake the relief of Ninety Six. I '■ (u.) Vide Annual Regifter, page 91, year 1781.. ■X * Augusta. i jfcfei 486 APPENDi: CAMPAIfJKS OF 1780 AND I7S1 IN THE AuGUSTA had alfo been for fome time befieged ; and the whole pro- vhice of Georgia was deemed to be in fuch imminent danger, that Lord Rawdon found himfelf under a neceflity, even in that ftate of weaknefs which preceded the arrival of the troops from Ireland, to part with the King's American regiment, and to commit it to the hazard of pafTing in fuch fmall craft as were at hand, and without convoy, from diaries town, in order to reinforce Sir James Wright, at the town of Savannah. in Lord Rawdon marched from Charles town with fomethlng more than one thoufaiid feven hundred foot and one hundred and fifty horfe, for the relief of Ninety Six, in four days after the arrival of the troops from Ireland. He was joined on the way by Colonel Doyle, with the troops which he had left at Monk's corner, (13.) and he preffed his march with all the rapidity which the exceflxve heat of the weather would permit. To prevent the enemy's detachments on the Congaree, and other parts on the eaftern fide, from reinforcing Greene, while he was pufliing forwards, he deviated from tlie courfe which he other- wife would have taken, and keeping confiderably more to the right, pafled the httle Saluda near its junction with the greater river of that name. Tliis route, however, enabled a Colonel Middleton, who was on his way from the Congarees with about three hundred cavalry and (13.) There appears to be an error in this ftatement of the force marched from Charles town. Lord Rawdon, in his letter of the 5th to Earl Cornwallis, fays, he flioulJ move on the 7th of June towards Ninety Six, with the troops at Monk's corner, and the Ha.ik companies of the three regiments lately arrived : Therefore it feems more probable that Lord Rawdon's whole force did not exceed tw0 thoufand men ; viz. the garrifon with- drawn from Camden, Lieutenant-colonel Watfon's corps, Major M'Arthur's reinforce- ment, and the flank companies of Colonel Gould's brigade : But perhaps the 3d and 19th regiments might move from Charles town, towards Dorchefter or Monk's corner, at the fame time that Lord Rawdon left it, thougli not intended for the expedition to Ninety Six» * mounted SOUTHERN PRoviNcnc n. » * i> L '• S Op NOR'Ttr . mounted militia tn ^ """^^"america. "iiiitia, to endeavour tn h.. r i • 487 *or the fupport of the army Aft. • • ^^^ '" colJeding cnttic the march. ^ ''"' "' """ =S.-.in to appear during Bkmhe he approached Gcwral O.. ' , SenceonhefallofAugufta. ""' ^"^ ^--^o" t-^d inte„i.s.„„,„, — Aujnila. i HE following is General Picken, = j , • P- "^ 'he capitulation of fort cZZ '"'"''''"^ "^'^ - s r R, ^'♦•^ No. I. THE ufage of Var renders it neceffirv ,U r ""^^ ^'^"' •''•■ oPPortun-t, of avoiding the ^.^J^Z^^^-J "f « ^ou with an W^Oave deferred our fun, ""'^ ™'»-^' ^- S-ifon. -flit, of much correfpontrr,: ""V"^ ""'• '" "-'"^^ '^e f '"e invefting forces f,,, '^^'^ <«"«»• You fee the flrength form yourfelf of the fltuation oft IC ^°!'' ' -" ^» -X L Captam Armftrong. of the legion, IhVrrr '' ""!-™s fro. -ehafethetrjtrtr'""^''^- ANDREW PICKENS. B. G. militia. HENRY LEE • Lieutenant colonel d T'"' oionei, commanding con- "nentaj troops. tieuteuant-colMBi Bro»„. No. 48S CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THB APPENDIX* No. II, Gentlemen, WHAT progrefs you have made in your works I am no Granger to. It is my duty and inclination to defend this poft to the laft ex- tremity. I have the honour to be, &c. THOMAS BROWN, Lieutenant colonel, commanding the King's troops at Augufta. firig* gen. Pickens and Lieut, col. Lee. x No. in. S I R, I T is not our difpofition to prefs the unfortunate. To prevent the efFulion of blood which muft follow perfeverance in your fruitlefs refiftance, we inform you, that we are willing, though in the grafp of vidory, to grant fuch terms as a comparative view of our refpeftive fituations can warrant. ?:' Your determin tion will be concluded as conclufive, and will regu- late our condud. We have the honour to be, &c. • ' ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. militia. HENRY LEE, junior, Lieutenant colonel, commanding con- tinental troops. '!(! Lieutenant-colonel Brown. SOUTHERN PROVIKC ^' OP ^ORTH AMEHICA. 4^9 No. JV. Gentlemen, ^'"^ Cormvaliis, ju„e ^. ■ ^ ^^"^'^ ^^^e i^onour to be', &c. THOMAS BR0Wx\ . - ^~^-^oneI,con.:.a„dingd,e Sng. gen. Picl,ens and Lieut, col. Lee. " '"^ ' '^^^P^ ^^ Augufta. No. V. ^V ii. beg leave to propofe, tint th^ ^ T =•5 'he fiege m^y ,„,„i„„e. . . ^ ^ ''' '™'^''"^<' yo"rs or ours ■ C0M,B,«^ th« y„„ „„_, , . «Uflo« of war, ,ve have o„,^ ,„ ^1! "' "' '"""'"•'y -><> fi-ilar nature will „„, ,„, 4, J' ">« ^'^ ^^^'-ft from you of , We have tbe honour to be, &c. ' ANDREW PICKENS, ■ B. G. militia. ^ HENRY LEE, J,,,,^, L.''>'h a™ie, .„ -« gallant of our profeffion has .'.duJd "'""''' '" "" ''"'""'"'«' '"^ which we herewith tranfei;"' " '" '""' ">= honourable . We have the honour to be, &c . . ANDREW PICKENS, ^' G. militia. -'#' HENRY LEE, J„„,w, Lieutenant colonel, commanding the wntmenial troops. «t fortCornwaIIis,J„„e^, ,,8,. No. IX. Gentlemen, JT OUR propofition relative tn H a: ™iiit« being admitted to their paj t^tr "', """''' '™''-'«' " » matter I cannot accede to. ' '"'"«<"• "^ 'he men. The conditions I have to nm« r "-^■-f^enwhocisirsr^"'"^'''-- - . R , ^ "^°"' ^^ P^'-n^^tted to march to rent - V • , /(>.. •■ f 4f(}Z CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AT»D 1781 IK TMB APPENDIX, to Savannah, or continue in the country, as to them may be moft eligible, until exchanged, I have the honour to be, Sec. THOMAS 3R0WN. Lieutenant colonel, commanding the King's troops at Augufta. Bi°ig« gen. Pickens and Lieut, col. Lee, No. X. SIR, Fort Augufta, June 5, lySn IN our anfwer of this morning we granted the moft generous terms m our power to give, which we beg leave to refer to as filial on our part. - We Iiave the honour to be, &c. ANDREW PICKENS, t. G. militia. HENRY LEE, junior. Lieutenant colonel, commanding coni- tinental troops , Lieuttnaut-coloiiel Brown. No. XI. Fort Cbrnwallls, June 5, 1781.. Gbntlerten, AS fome of the articles propofed by you are generally exprefled, I have taken the liberty of deputing three gentlemen to wait upon you; for a particular explanation of the refpedive articles.- ... 1 have the honour to be, &c.. THOMAS BROWN, Lieutenant colonel, commanding the King's troops at Augufta, , .,.,,„- jir tides SOUTHBRN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 493 con*' 17*1. N, ^ivg the irtkles- Articles of capitulation propofed by Lieutenant -colonel Browne and anfivcred avvzhdix. by General Pickens and Lieutenant-oolonel Lee. Art. I. THAT all zQis of hoftUitles and works fliall ceafc between the befiegers and befieged until the articles of capitulation fliall be agreed on, figned, and executed, or coUedively rejected. Answer. Hoftilitles fhall ceafe for one hour ; other operations to continue. Art. II. That the fort fliall be furrendered to the commanding^ officer of the American corps, fuch as it now flands. That the King's troops, three days after fignlng the articles of capitulation, fli.iU be conduced to Savannah, with their baggage, where they will remain prifoners of war until they are exchanged; that proper conveyances fliall be provided by the commanding officer of the American troops for that purpofe, together with a fufficient quantity of good and wholefome provifions till their arrival at Savannah. Answer* Inadmiffible. The prifoners to fiirrender field prifoners of war : The officers to be indulged with their paroles ; the foldiers to be condu£led to fuch place as the commander in chief fliall dired. Art. III. The militia now in garrlfon fliall be permitted to return to their refpedive homes, and be fecured in their perfons and pro- perties. , ,. ,^ Answer. Anfwered by the fecond article, the militia making part o£ the garrifon.. - i\ AhT„ -. M II 'I 4^4 c .\ MP AiciNfl or i;8o and 1781 in tub APpEKDis. Art. 1\'. Tl.c Ikk .iiul wounded fliiU be under the care of ihtlr own (urgcons, and be fiipplicd witli inch rnvJicines and ncceflaries as arc allowed to the Biitilh hofpitals. , , AoiltED. All r. V. The officers of the garrilbn, and citizens who have borne arms during the luge, lliall keep their fide arms, piftols, and baggage, which fliall not be fearchcd, and retain their fervants. Answer. The officers and citizens who have borne arms during the fugc fhall be permitted their Hde arms, private baggage, and fervants ; their fide arms not to be worn ; and the baggage to be fearched by a pcrfon appointed for that purpofe. Art. VI. The g-.rrifon, at an hour appointed, fliall march out, with fliouldercd arnji, and drums beating, to a place to bo agreed on, where they will pile their arms. Answer. Agreed. Tiie judicious and gallant defence made by the garrifon, entitles them to every mark of military refped. The fort to be delivered up to Captain Rudolph at twelve o'clock, who will take poffeflion with a detachment of the legion infantry. Art. VII, That the citizens fliall be protcded in their perfons and properties. Answer. Inadmiflible. Art. VIII. That twelve months fliall be allowed to all fuch as do not chufe to refide in this country, to difpofe of their efFedls, real and perfonal, in this province, without any moleftation whatever, or to remove to any part thereof as they may chufe, as well themfelves as families. Answer, Inadmiflible. ' ^ Art. SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF A«T. X. That an exprefs be oermir,.^ . "mmandiug officer's difpatcLes iuT ^° '" ^"'""^'' ''"'' "- A«^yE». Agreed. ''""'''"'= ''0"° ^o opened. A«T.Xf. Addiiional. Tl.e nar,:.,,! . is expeaed towards tl.e j„ft „e «" 7 n ""rr": °^ ^"'o"' «--» Signed at head quarters Ann-, n t 4 ^"e'-s. Augufta. June 5, ,781, by ANDREW PICKENS, ^' G. militia. HENRY LEE, j„„,v. L.=u,e„n,« colonel, commandant. THOMAS BROWN, lieutenant colonel, co«„,„d;„g..,,^ Kn.g's troops at Augufta. (•jO a S foon as Auffufta fril ,t . •™ of that place joined Genern IGr T ""''"''' '"' "" -"'- ('50 Vide Annual Reffiflpr .^, «^egitter, page 92, year 1781. '■t hazard »"-^ati 4')^ CAMPAIONS OF 1 780 AND I781 IN T IF E A?i'Bvi3i\. ln7..irJ the encounter of lb tbrmidablc a foe from withoiit, wlj'ile Ills liiinds were fully occupied by the exertions of an enemy within, who li.ui fro.n the beginning given conlh\nt proofs of their determined cou- r;igc nnd r( folution ; and ftill much lefs could liis force admit of fuch a divifion as would enable him, with any profpetfl of fuccefs, to encoun- ter Lord Rawdon on his way, and at the fame time to leave fucli a fbrength bthiiid as would be neccirary for guarding the works, and overawing the garrifon. He was likewife difappointed by Sumpter, to whom he had fent Inib'Utflions to join him with all the fcrce that could be coUeifled on the fide of the Congaree, with a view of fighting the BrltiHi army on its way ; but whether it proceeded from fomc flow- nefs in his movements, or from unavoidable delay, the jundion was not efl'eded in time ; and the route taken by Lord Rawdon for the purpofe, rendered it afterwards Impratflicable. But, exclufive of thefe caufes, he was not now to learn the great fuperiority of his enemy in all field or general engagements : Nor, in fai!il, was his force very confiderable in rcfpc^l even to number; and it was flill much lefs fo in point of cftimation. His continental or regu- lar troops formed but a diminutive part of the whole ; and the others, whatever fervice they might be of in their own way, were of very little in regular (16.) a£lion. On the other hand, he knew that the troops that were marching againft him were frcfli, excellent, and that thofe who were newly arrived were particularly full of ardour for an opportunity to fignalize themfeives. (16.) This is rather an erroneous remark, as the Briti/h generally found themfeives •confiilcrably annoyed by the militia during all adlions, when their officers diAributed them on the flanks of the aflailants, orcompofed the/ront line of thefe irregular troops. rf He, N who cou- .icU a :ouu- vich a 5, aiul mpter, ce thrit ,ghiiiig ,e flow- was not purpofc, the great Nor, ui ; and It or rcgu- c others, of very that the and that ur for an themfelve* [ibutcd them He, SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 497 He, however, faw that fomething muft neceflarily be attempted, apilndik. and that even the running of Ibme rifquc, which would not be too deci* five in its worfl: confequences, could fcarcely, in the prcfent circuni- Aances, be conftrucd into imprudence. lie had already pufhcd his lap very clofe to the principal redoubt of the fort at Ninety Six, and had nearly completed a fubterraneous paflTage into the ditch ; bu his artil- lery had failed in their effeft, and the work of tlie fort ha^i ytt fuf- fered little. The uearncfs of Lord Rawdon left no time for proceeding farther by regular approach; and as he could not venture an engage ment, he muft either abandon the place fliomefuUy without an r. ♦^'^mpt, or hazard a premature aflault. General Greene determined upon the latter. The attack was madfc on the 19th before day ; and the Americans who were appointed to ftdrm the redoubt difplayed an undaunted courage. The garrilon received them with equal gallantry. Scarcely an officer or private man * who entered the ditch but was either killed or wounded; and yet, though the impradicability of the attempt foon became as obvious to all as- its danger, no one betrayed by a (ingle movement tiie rmnllefl in- dication or quitting his ground. The commander, feeing lb many brave men fruitleflly fall, and that fortune o* chance, which fo often befriend bold enterprize, (hewed no difpofition at all of ading in their favour, put an end to the combat, before it became more ruinous, by calling off the remainder foon after daylight. . 11 Gehrral Gref iif re- piiUcJ with Kifs :it Nim ty As Greene fcarcely lefs thin expelled what now really happened, ht had accordingly provided for the event. All the baggage and incum-' brances of the camp had been previoufly difpatched acrofs the Saluda ; whither, immediately upon this repulfe, healfo retired with his whole force. Though the Americans loft Ibme valuable, officers, and not a 3S few ■ ' 49^ CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 178X IN THE APPENDIX, few private men, in this attack, yet th§ number a£lually flain (as fre- quently happens in fuch cafes) was much below what might have been cxpeded. Nothing could exceed the condu£t and firmnefs of the go- vernor and garrifon, whether in the affault, or during every previous part of the liege. i I l!-> 1 Lord Rawdon arrived at Ninety Six on the 2ift of June; and ha* ving received intelligence that Greone had halted in a ftrong pofitioa behind Bufli river, at about fixteen miles diftance, and that he was likewife ftill incumbered with fome waggons and baggage, that aiStive commander put his fatigued troops again in motion, and eroded the Saluda on the following night in his purfult, every kind of baggage, even the men'a packs, being left behind at Ninety Six. Greene was, however, fo well acquainted now with the cliara£ler of his enemy, and fo well guarded againft furprife, that the Britifli troops had fcarcely paflcd the Saluda, when he moved with the greateft expedition from Lord Raw- Bufli river. Lord Rawdon purfued him with the utmoft rapidity, and ciicenc to re- arrived J»t the fords of the Ennoree, forty miles from Ninety Six, within two hours of the time that Greene's army had pafled them* The troops were fo fpent with fatigue, and overcome by the heat, thai it was impofliblc to do more ; but Greene was fb apprehenfive of his enemies, that he continued his retreat, or rather flight, without ceafing, until he had pafled both the Tyger and the Broad rivers. I'liE x\merican account was publiflied by order of Congrefs in the following extrail of a letter from Major-general Greene, dated at Lit- tle river, near Ninety Six, June 20, 1781 : 1 N my lafl letter of the 9th, I informed your excellency* tliat the enemy had leccivcd a confidcrablc reinforcement at Charles town, and that ?%5 ^'1? SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 499 fre- )een rious cl ha* )fitioa >e was ed the lie was, Gnemy» fcarcely on from ity, and • ety Six, d them* at, that e of bis without ifs in the ;d at Lit- L that the lown, a»*l that that I was apprehenfive they would march and interrupt our operations, apfenoix. On the nth I got intelligence they were advancing ; 1 immediately advanced all the cavalry, with orders to General Snmptcr to coUecl all the force he could, and keep in their front, and by every means in liis power to retard their march. The enemy palled him at Congarec be- fore he got his troops in motion ; afterwards he found it imprafticable to gain their front. It was my intention to have fought them before they arrived at Ninety Six, could I have colleded a force fufficient for the purpofe. . Wb had pufhed on our approaches very near to the enemy's work ; our third parallel was formed round their abbatis ; a mine and two ap- proaches were within a few feet of the ditch. Thefe approaches were dire6:ed againft the Star fort, which ftands upon the left of the town as we approached it from the Saluda. On the right our approaches tvere very near the encmy*s redoubt : This was a ftrong ftockade fort, with two block houfes in it. Thefe two works flanked the town, which is picketed in with flrong pickets, a ditch round the whole, and a bank railed near the height of a common parapet. Befides thefe for« tifications, were feveral little fleches in different parts of the town ; and all the works communicated with each other by covered ways^ Wfi had raifed feveral batteries for cannon ; one upwards of twenty feet high, within one hundred and forty yards of the Star fort, to command the works, and a rifle battery alfo within thirty yards, to prevent the enemy from annoying our workmen^ For the laft ten days not a man could fliew his head but he was immediately fhot down ;; and the firing was ahnoft iiiceffant day and night. In this ftatc of the approaches, I found the enemy fo near us, that it would be impodible to reduce the place without hazarding a ftorm. This, from the pecu- liar ftrength of the place, could only be warranted by the fucccfs of a 3 S 2 partial! I,' I 1 f m\ at ■h. ■>*a!. I 500 " CAMPAIGNS 01- 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE ArvKMio.. partial iUtfinpt to make a lodgement on one of the curtains of the Star redoubt, and a vigorous pufli to cany the right-hand work. Thf. dltpofition was accordingly formed, and the attack made ; Lieu- tenant colonel Lee, with his Irgion infantry, and Captain Kirkwood's light infantry, made the attack on the right ; and Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, with the ill Maryland and the ifl Virginia regiments, was to have llormcd tJie Star redoubt, which is their principal work, and llaiids upon the left ; the parapet cf this work is near twelve feet high, and raifed with fand bags near thiee feet more. Lieutenant Duvall, of the Maryland line, and Lieutenant Selden, of the Virginia line, led on the forlorn hope, followed by a party with hooks to pull down the fand bags, the better to enable them to make the lodgement. A furious cannonade preluded the attack. On the right the enemy were driven out of their works, and our people took pofleffion ; On the left, never was greater bravery exhibited than by the parties led on by Duvall and Selden ; but they were not fo fuccefsful. They entered the ene- my's ditch, and made every exertion to get down the fand bags, which, from the depth of the ditch, height of the parapet, and under a gal- ling fire, was rendered difficult. Finding the enemy defended their works with great obftinacy, and feeing but little profpedl of fucceed- ing without heavy lofs, I ordered the attack to be puflied no farther. The behaviour of the troop on this occafion deferves the higheft commendations ; both the officers that entered the ditch were wound- ed, and the greater part of their men were either killed or wounded. I have only to lament that fuch brave men fell in an unfuccefsful at- tempt. .•],...,. JV' Captain :■:^ SOUfHSnN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 501 Captain Armftrong, of the ift Maryland regiment, was killed, append and Captain Benfon, who commanded the regiment, was wounded at the head of the trenches. In both attacks we had upwards of forty men killed and wounded ; the lofs was principally at the Star fort and in the enemy's ditch, the other parties being all under cover. The at- tack was continued three quarters of an hour, and as the enemy were greatly expofed to the fire of the rifle battery and artillcy ; they muO have fufFered greatly. Our artillery was well ferved, and I believe did great execution. IX- ■ The troops have undergone incredible hardfliips during the fiege ; and though the iflue was not fucccfsful, 1 hope their exertions will merit the approbation of Congrefs. ene- Aiich, gal- their ;ceed- her. bigheft /ound- lunded. sful at- lPTAIN We continued the fiege until the enemy got within a few miles of xis, having previoufly fent off all our lick, wounded, and fpare {lores. Enclosed is a lift of our killed and wounded during the fiege. Return of the killed ^ ixounded., and mijjing, during the jiege of Ninety Sixy in South Carolina. VIRGINIA brigade. Killed, 41 ; wounded, ^^ ; miffing, 16.— Maryland brigade. Killed, 12; wounded, 24; miffing, 3. — Light infantry. Killed, i; wounded, 9; miffing, i. — Legion infantry. Killed, 2 ; wounded, 2. — Virginia militia. Killed, i ; wounded, 2.— Total. Killed, ^'j ; wounded, 70 ; miffing, 20. — Captain Armftrong^ of the Maryland line, killed ; Captain Benfon and Lieutenant Duvall wounded. Captain Bcntley, of the Virginia line, prifoner ; Lleute- 2 nants ;^ S02 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IK TK« APPENDIX, nants Evans, Miller, and Selden, wounded. Colonel KofcuUzko, chief engineer, was (lightly wounded. O. H. WILLIAMS. Deputy adjutant general. Publiflied by order of Congrefs. Charles Thompson, Sec. (17.) THE Britifh commander found it neceflary to abandon the Ninety Six poft of Ninety Six ; but as he would not omit any mark of attention cvAcuAteda to the loyalifls of that country, much lefs have it imagined that they were abandoned, he ordered that the principals fhould be convened, and propofals made to them : That if they would keep together, and undertake the defence of the diflirid agaiufl their own difafFefled inha- bitants, a fmall party (hould be left to keep them in countenance, with the farther encouragement, that detachments from the Congarees ihould at all times be fent to their fupport, equivalent to any force which Greene might difpatch to invade their territory ; and that, on the other hand, care (hould be tA^en to provide for the removal of fuch families as (hould prefer to be fixed upon the abandoned plantations within the new frontier, whirfh was now intended to be eftabli(hed. I'he refult was, that the loyalifts determined, for the fecurity and pre- fervation of their families, to bring them away under the protedion of the army ; with the farther view, when they were fettled within the. alligued limits, that tlie men fhould be embodied, in order to make in- curhons into the difafte^fled fcttlements. (^7^) Vi*Ic Annual Reg ifler, page 94, year i:'8i. As il SOUTHERN IPROVINCES OP NORTir AMERICA. S<^3 As Lord Raw(lon's impatience to profecute the bufinefs of the cam- appendix. paign would not admit of his waiting for this determination, he left Colonel Cruger behind with much tne greater part of his force, for the purpofe of carrying it into execution, while he marched himfelf, with eight hundred infantry and fixty horfe, for the Congarcc&. He had previoufly written, when on his way to Ninety Six, to Co- lonel Balfour, ftating the expediency of fending a (Irong corps from Charles town to Orangeburgh, as a provifion againft any fmiftcr event that might poffibly happen. Upon Balfour's application to Colonel Gould, he immediately granted a battalion of his corps for that pur- pofe; and Lord Rawdon, before his departure from Ninety Six, had, in confequence, received advice from the commandant of Charles town, not only of Gould's compliance, but that the 3d regiment was under orders to arrive at Orangeburgh by a fpecified day, and there to wait his inftrudions ; and, as if it were to remove every poflibility of doubt, he received a fuccecdiiig letter from Colonel Stuart, who com- manded that regiment, with information that he was already conlklc- rably adi^anced on his way to Orangeburgh. This information, and a full confidence in the expeOed fupport, were the grounds upoii which Lord Rawdon founded his immediate plan of operation, and w-ere particularly the caufe of his leaving fo great a part of his force behind, and advancing with rather an unequal corps to the Coiip;arees. In the fame perfuafion he dlfpatched a number of meflengcrs by ditto- rent routes to meet Colonel Stuart at Orangeburgh, and appointing their junction at the Congarees on the 3d of July* \^- fc (18.) Through fome error or mifappfehenfion, which has not been explained, Colonel Stuart was not only flopped on his mrrch by orders (18.) Vide Annual Regifler, page 95, year 17S1. 2 from 'I 504 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THB APPENDIX, from Charles town, but was fo far recalled, that he fell back to Dor- chefter on his return to that place. It may be obferved, that the ex- pe(^atioa and apprehenfion of a French fleet and army on the coaft, in order to co-operate with Greene, and to put a final end to the war in that quarter, by the redu£lion of Charles town, had a great influence on the operations of this campaign, and on the condudt and move- ments of the commanders on both fides ; it may not, therefore, be unreafonable to fuppofe, that this apprehenfion, perhaps revived by fome new report, occafioned the recall of Colonel Stuart. But how- ever that may be, it certainly was a meafure which, under other cir- cumdances, might have proved fatal in the event to Lord Rawdon, and which was attended with no fmall danger even in the prefent inflance. Greene had early information of the ftatc of force in which the British commander marched from Ninety Six, and had the fortune likewife to intercept a letter from Colonel Stuart, fignifying the change that had been made in his infiruftions, and the confequent impoffibi- lity of meeting him at the time and place appointed. Thefe circum- flances led him to the defign of furrounding Lord Rawdon fo effec- tually, that he could not extricate himfelf, while he continued lin- gering in the vain expedlation of a reinforcement which was not to arrive. Lord Rawdon, by forced marches, in order to furprize a body of militia, of which he had received fome intelligence, arrived at the Congarees on the ift of July, two days before the appointed time ; a rapidity of movement which probably had no fmall effed upon the iflue of Greene's fcheme. He foon difcovcred that the enemy's light troops were in the neighbourhood, and took the neceflary precautions on 1 SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 505 on that account ; but his cavalry, reg.irdlefs of exprefs orders to the appendix. contrary, went out by themfelves to forage on the morning of the very day upon which Colonel Stuart was expefted : They were foon furrounded by Lee*3 legion ; and two officers, with forty dragoons, and their horfes, were all taken without a blow. This, which in other circumftances would not have been much thought of, was, in the prefent, a moft grievous ftroke ; and more particularly fo, as the means of procuring intelligence in this crifis of fo much danger was « thereby cut off almoft entirely. This iofs» with the unexpedled allem- blage of the enemy, which had already been difcovered in the neigh- bourhood, and the unexpected failure on Stuart's fide, happily laid open at once to Lord Rawdon, all the danger of his own fituationi He accordingly determined inftantly to begin his march towards Orangeburgh, and to meet, or find Stuart. wherever he was. f 5dy of I at the iime; a kon the [s light lautions on The route lay acrofs Congaree ereek, at about three males diftancc ; a broad piece of water, in moil parts deep, a>ndenclofed by difficult banks. Colonel Lee, who had been appointed to the guard of this paflagc, having deftroyed the bridge, and felled trees to render the for4 iroprafticable, had then pofledbimfclf behind the creek> with a confiderable body of cavalry, and fome infantry of his legion. The intenle heat of the fun about noon, which feemed almofl to difable every fort of motion, and in every fpecies of animal, had thrown the Americans off' their guard ; and the unexpefted arrival of the BritiHa forces in that critical period, ferved much, to facilitate, the paflage. After the exchange of only. a few ineffectual iliots^ a. body of infantry were thrown over, who having difper^ed the enemy without trouble, the troops foon cleared the fords,, and , paffed . them without inter-t ruption. ■ -»; 3T> Lord li 'f\ II N! 506 CAMPAIONS OP 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE APPENDIX. Lord Ravvdon was joined on the day after hi;:; arrival at Orange- burgh by Colonel Stuart, with his own rcij/iinent ; but was greatly difappointed at finding that he was unaccompanied by a body of cavalry which had been promifcd, and which were fo particularly wanted. At the fame time advice was received, that Greene had pu(:cd the Congarce, and was in full march to attack the Biitilh army. That commander having mifl'ed what he little lefs than confidered as a cer- tain prey, had coUetfted all the force wliich the country afforded, and feemed determined, before they were farther flrengthened, to try his fortune in the field : He accordingly, on the loth of July, led his army within four miles of the Britifh camp, and in the evening, at the ■head of his cavalry, clofely reconuoitered their pofition. As their fitu- ation had but little of ftrength in it, excepting that the winding of the river which lay in their rear would in fome meafure remedy the total want of cavalry, by ferving as a cover to their flanks, and reducing the enemy to a diredt attack. Lord Rawdon flattered himfelf, that Greene's fuperiority of Jiumbers would in the morning have tempted him to the trial. While the British forces were impatient for the wifhed event, their difpofition and countenance had produced a direft contrary efl^etfl ; for Greene had abandoned his camp, and retired with fuch precipita- tion in the night, and his movement was fo long and fcffcdually co- vered by his numerous light troops, that he fecured his paflage back acrofs the Congaree before Lord Rawdon had received notice of his re- treat. An unfuccefsful attempt made by Sumpter, Lee, and Muriou, iupon the i pth regiment, at Monk's corner, along with this retreat of Greene, clofed the campaign in South Carolina ; the intemperatenefa of the climate, for a feafon, overcoming the violence of man. Greene being joined by Marion and the refl, took poil on the high hills of Santee, f^"' SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 507 ;atly y of larly That 1 cer- , ami ry his id his at the ir fitu- of the \Q total :clucing If, that empted event, effea; eci pita- ally co- d'lltancc being fo great, a fmallcr cfcort was liable to full by the cue- Appr.NDu. niy's cavalry, which arc very numerous. I THEREFORE thought it advifcablc to retire by flow mnrchos to the Eutaws, where I might have an opportunity of receiving my fuppllcs, and difencumber myfelf from the fick, wiinout rliking my cfcorts, or fufler myfelf to be attacked at a difadvantagc, (hould the enemy have cxoflcd the Congarce. Notwithstanding every exertion being made to gain intelligence of the enemy's (ituation, they rendered it impolflblc, by way-laying the bye paths and pafles through the different fwamps ; and even de- tained different flags of truce which I had feut on public bufinefs on both fides. About fix 6'clock in the morning I received intelligence by two dcferters, who left General Greene's camp the preceding evening, about {evf-n miles from this place ; and from their report, the rebel army confifted of near four thoufand men, with a numerous body of cavalry, and four ^['ieces of cannon. jffaries, )n the ;cd me lat that :knefs) The i {lance In the mean time I received information by Major Coffin, whom I had previoufly detached with one hundred and forty infantry and fifty cavalry, in order to gain intelligence of the enemy, that tliey appeared in force in his front, then about four miles from my camp. Finding the enemy in force fo near me, I determined to fight them, A'tion t as from their numerous cavalry, feemed to me to be attended with dangerous confequences. 1 immediately formed the line of battle, 2 .with 5'^ f;.l CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN THE Aprr.NDix. with tlic right of the army to I'utaw branch, and its left crofllijg the road leading to Roachc's plantation, leaving a corps on a commanding lituation to cover the Charles-town road, and to a£l occalionally as a rcfcrvc. About nine o*clock the a«5lioii began on the right, aad fuoti after became general. Knowing tiiat the enemy were much fuperior in numbers, and at the fame time finding that tiicy attacked with their militia in front, induced me not to alter my pofition, unlefs I faw a certain advantage to be gained by it ; for by moving forwards, I expofed both dinks of the army to the enemy's cavalry, wiiich I faw ready formed to take that advantage, particularly on the left, which obliged me to move the referve to fupport it. By an unknown miftakc, the left of the line advanced, and drove their militia and North Carolinians before them; but unexpedledly finding the Virginian and Maryland lines ready formed, and at the fame time receiving a heavy fire, occafioned fome confufion : It was therefore neceflary to retire a little diftance to an open field, in order to form, which was inftantly done, under cover of a heavy well-dire£led fire from a detachment of New- York volunteers, under command of Major Sheridan, whom I had previoufly ordered to take pofl in the houfe, to check the enemy, fliould they attempt to pafs it. The aftion was renewed with great fpirit ; but I was forry to find that a three pounder, ported on tlie road leading to Roache's, had been difabled, and could not be brought off when the left of the Ime re- tired. The SOUTIIERK PI10\I?;CE3 OF NORTH AMF.UICA. 5«« The ili!,lit uiiip; f)t" tlic army bclDf;; coinpofcd of the fl.mk battalion, apvenuix, iiiulcr the coainuuul of Major Maioribaiiks, living rcpullcd and drove t'Vcry thing that attacked them, made ;i rapid move to their kft, and attacked thic tncmy in flank : Upon whicii they gave way in all ciuar- icrs, leaving behind them two brat's fix-pounders, and upwards of two hundred killed on the fu Id of adlion, and fixty taken pril'oncrs, ainongft which is Colonel Wa(hington, and from every information, about eight liundrcd wounded, although they contrived to carry them off" during the a^flion. The enemy retired with great precipitation to a llrong iltuation, about (even miles from the field of adion, leaving their ca- valry to cover their retreat. The glory of the day would have been ijiorc complete, had not the want of cavalry prevented mc from taking the advantage which the gallantry of my infantry threw in my way. I omitted to inform your lordftiip, in its proper place, of the army's having for fome time been mvich in want of bread, there being no old corn or mills ricar me : I was therefore under the neccflity of fending out rooting parties from each corps, under an officer, to colleft pota- toes, every morning at daybreak ; and unfortunately, that of the flank battalion and buffs having gone too far in front, fell into tlie enemy's hands before the a£lion began, which not only weakened my line, but increafed their number of prifoners. to find Id been be re- TlIE Since the adion, our time has been employed in taking care of the wounded ; and finding tliat the enemy have no intention to make a ^cond attack, I have determined to cover the wounded as far as Monk's corner with the army. My particular thanks are due to Lieutenaut-coioncl Cruger, who commanded the front hne, for his conduft and gallantry during the .afiLion ; and Lieutenant-colonel Allen, Majors Dawfon, Stewart, She- I ridan, "1 ■■t, Ji -.,*#«!:' 512 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE APPENDIX, ridan, and Coffin, and to Capfains Kelly and Campbell, commanding the different corps and detachments ; and every other officer and fol- dier fulfilled the fcparate duties of their flations with great gallantry : But to Major Majoribanks, and the flank battalion under his command, I think the honour of the day is greatly due. My warmeft praife is due to Captain Barry, deputy adjutant general. Major-brigade Coxon, Lieutenant Ranken, affiftant quarter-maftcr general, and to ailing Major-of-brigade Roorback, for the great afiirtance they rendered me during the day. r •1 • ') I HOPE, my lord, when it is confidered fuch a handful of men, at- tacked by the united force of Generals Greene, Sumpter, Marion, Sumner, and Pickens, and the legions of Colonels Lee and Walhing- ton, driving them from the field of battle, and taking the only two fix-pounders they had, deflrve fomc merit. Inclosed is the returns of the killed, wounded, and miffing of His Majefty*s troops. From the number of corps and detachments which appepr to have been engaged, it may be fuppofed our force is great; but your lordfhip will pleafe to obferve, that the army was much re- duced by ficknefs and othervvifc. I hope your lordfliip will excufe any inaccuracy that may be in this letter, as I have been a good deal indifpofed by a wound which I received' in my left elbow, which, though flight, from its fituation is troublefome. It will give me mofl: Angular pleafure. If my condud meets with the approbation of His Majefty, that of your lordlhip, and my country. N/ Return SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 513 ding [fol- itry : life is oxon, iding ;d me ;n, at- larion, ^(hing- ily two of His which great ; uch re- excufe 3od deal which, le moft of H?s Return of killed, wounded ^ and niijjhi^. THREE commiflioned officers, 6 ferjeants, i drummer, -jx, rank and fiic, killed; 16 commiffioned officers, 20 ferjeants, 2 drummer:-, 313 rank and file, wounded; 10 commifrioned officers, 15 ferjeants, 8 drummers, 224 rank and file, miffing. Copy of a letter from General Greene to the Prejident of Congrefs, from his head quarters^ at Martinis tavern, near Fergufoh's fwamj>, in South Carolina t Sept. 11, 1781. (21"^ IN my difpatches of the 25th of Augufl, I informed your excellency, that we were on the march to Friday's ferry, with the in- tent of forming a jundlion with the troops of the iTiate and a corps of militia that wfere there aflembled, and to attack the Englilh army, en- camped near. M'Leod's ferry. On the 27th, upon our arrival there, I received advice that the enemy had retired. We pafl'cd the river at Howell's ferry, and oui firft poft was Mothe's plantation, where I learnt that tlic enemy iiiid Hopped at Eutaw's fpring, about forty miles from us, wiiere they had received a reinforcement, and they prepared to eftablilh a pod there. To diflodge them, I determined to hazard an engagement, although we were confiderably inferior in number. ^ We began to march on the 5th of September ; and we advanced by fmall marches, as well to difguife our intention, as to give time to APPEN0IX. i a Return (21.) Vide Remembrancer, page 175, id part, 1781. 3U General w 514 CAMPAIGNS O !• r 780 . A N D I ;3 £ IN T U R AppKKDix. (jciicial Marion, who had been detached, to ivjciii us; fo that it was the 7th when we came to ik'ndell's phxntatious, within leventecu miles of the enemy. We marched to attack the enemy at four o'clock in the morning of the 8th. Our front line was conipofed of four fmall battalions of luihtia, two of North and two of South Carolina ; our fecond line confilled of three fmall brigades of continental troops, one of North Carolina, one of \'irginia, and cue of Maryland ; Lieutenant-colonel Lee, with his legion, covered our right flank ; and Lieutenant-colonel Ilcnderfoii, witli the ftate troops, our left. Licuicnant-colonel Wafli- ington, with his cavalry and the Delaware troops, formed the body of reicrve. Two three-pounders were in the front of our line, and two fix-pounders with the fecond line. The legion and the ftate troops formed our advanced guard, and were to retreat on our flanks when the enemy (hould form. We marched in this order fo the attack. The legion and ftate troops met with a part of the enemy's horfe and foot, about four miles from their camp, and put them to fliglit with fixed bayonets, having killed and wounded many. As we thought this was the van of the enemy, our firfl; line was ordered to form, and the legion and ftate troops to take poft on our flanks. From tlic place of adtion to EuPaw fprings, the whole country is covered with wood. The firing began at three miles from the Englifli camp. The militia advanced firing, and the advanced pofts of the enemy were routed. The fire redoubled ; our officers behaved with the greateft bravery, and the militia gained m.uch honour by their firmnefs : But the fire of the enemy, who continued to advance, being fuperior to our's, the militia were obliged to retreat. 2 Tim "•^ SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 5^5 The Carolina brigade, under General Sumner, were ordered to fup- appendix. port them, and, though not above three months raifed, behaved nobly. In this moment of adlion, the Virginians, under Colonel Campbell, and the Marylanders, under Colonel Williams, advanced in the face of the enemy's fire; a terrible cannonade, and a fi:!o\ver of bullet?, overturned all that prefented, and the enemy were put to the rout. Lieutenant-colonel Lee turj^d his left flank to the enemy, and charged them in the rear, while the troops of Maryland and Virginia charged them in the front. Colonel Hampton, who commanded the troops of the ftate, charged one part, of whom he made one hundred prifory*-^3. Colonel Wafhington advanced with a corps de reicrve upon the left, wh^it the enemy appeared to prepare again to make refil- tance, and charged them fo impetuoufly with his cavalry, and a body of infantry, tijat they had not time to rally. Tiirr We continued to purfue the enemy, after having broken them, until we attained their camp. A great nur 1/^ of prifoners fcl! nito our hands, and fome hundreds of fugitives . ( . iped towards Charles town: But a narty having got into a bi'ck htnsfo, three ftories high, and others took poft in a pallifadoed garden, their rear being covered by fprings and hollow ways, tlie eneir^ renewed tuj fight. IJea- tenant-colonel Washington did his utriofi: to diflodge them from a thick wood, but found it imnolfibie ; his horle war. killed tndcr him, and himfelf wounded, and taken prifoner. Four cannv>J7 v -: advanced againft the houfe, but the fire from it was fo briflc, th it it was im- poflible to force it, or even to bring on the cannon, whe" the troops were ordered to retreat, and the greateft part of the offic^^rs and meu who ferved thofe cannon were either killed or wounded. 3V 2 Wash- 51 6 CAMPAIGNS OF I7S0 AND 1 78 1 IN TIIF. Ai'i'ENDix, W'AbHiKGTON havidg fiillctl 111 hls attack on the left, the legion could not fucceed on the right ; and iccuig our foot roughly handled by the enemy's fire, and our ammunition almofl expended, I thought it my duty to flieiter them from the fire from the houfe, being per- fuatled that the enemy could not maintain their pofts but a few hours, and that we fhould have better play on their retreat, than to obfti- natcly pcifill in dlflodging them, which would expofe us to a confi- derable lofs. We colIcvStcd all our wounded, except thofe who were too forward under the lire of the houfe, and we returned to the bank, which we occupied in the morning, not finding water any where nearer, and our troops having great need of refrefliment, after a fight which had continued four hours. I left upon the field of battle a ftrong picket. I SHALL fend Colonel l^^ee and Gciieral Marion early to-morrow morning between Eutaw's and Charles town, to prevent the reinforce- ments which may come to fuccour the enemy, or to retard their march, if they attemp;- to retreat, and give room to the army to attack their rear guard, and complete our fuccefs. We loft two pieces of artillery to the enemy, and ^^ ^\ " f "W * fy ^v ** ^ VMi ^^ j i ii ' i fBg y^ji^ ii m. » ■ I .^^% SOUTHERN '^'"•INCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 517 troops enough to 1 them. At our approach they retired to appehdix. Charles town. We took five liundred prifoners, includhig the wounded they had left behind ; and I reckon they had not lefs than fix hundred killed and wounded. The fugitives fpread fuch an alarm, that tlic enemy burnt their provilions at Dorchefter, and quitted their poft at Fair lawn. A great number of neg.oes and others have been em- ployed to throw down trees acroib die rpids at fome miles from Charles town. Nothing but the brick houfe, and their ftrong poft at Eutaw's, hindered the remains of the Britifh army from falling into our hands. We have purAied them to the Eutaw's, but could not overtake them. We (hall reft here one or two days, and then retake our old pofition near tiic helt'-hts cf Santee. I THINK I owe the victory which I have gained to the brilk ufe the Virginians and* Marylanders, and one party of the inf-'itry, made of the bayonet. 1 cannot forbear praifuig tlie conduit and courage of all my troops. (Signed) MATH. GREENE. State of the continental troops. KILLED. I lieutenant colonel, 6 captains, 5 fubalterns, 4 fer- jeants, 98 rank and file. — Wounded. 2 lieutenant colonels, 7 cap- tains, j;o lieutenants, 24. fcrjeauts, 205 rank and file. — Total, 408 men. Statt .. ■ "--h.-- -'ff^i'-Tl'-r'Hfci^.Pii^r- - «^<'' •Fi^"\i:f'w> ■ ■*!»-' - *»>"« \r d >!»* , 5'8 APPENDIX. r CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781, &C. State of the continental troops of thejlaie and militia: KILLED. I major, 4 fuhalterns, 4 ferjeants, 16 foldiers.— Wounded. 3 lieutenant colonels, 6 captains, 5 fuhalterns, 8 lerjeaut3» 91 foldiers. — Miffing, 8 foldiers. — Total, 146 men. Total of the killed, wounded, and miffing, of the continental troop;, of the ilate and militia, 554 men. . Publiffied by order of Congrefs. CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec. \ THE END. » C ■•*ii mm-' )ldlers. •— ierjeauts, I tntlnentsil Sec. i ' ^Mia'^ast^