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I'
H I ST O R Y
OF THE
CAMPAIGNS
O F
1780 AN D I781,
I N T H E
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
Q F
NORTH AMERICA.
BY
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TARLETON^SVr b^A'at>'
COMMANDANT OF THE LATE BRITISH LEGION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T, CAD F. I. I., I N T H F. S l" R A N D.
M.DCC.LXXXVII.
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O N T E N
CHAPTER I.
Page.
XliFFECT of D'Eftaign's attack upon Savannah — z
Rhode Ifland evacuated — — ; ■ • j
Embarkation of a body of troops — f^'';''! 'JJ. i^.
Sir Henry Clinton fails from New York, and arrives at Savannah 4
Difficulties to encounter before the fiege of Charles town — il'.
The army crofs Alhley river — - - . ._^ ^
The admiral paffes the bar and fort Moultrie "^M.-^ '-'"^ 10
Charles town fummoned — — 12
Americans furprifed at Monk's corner — — 13
Charles town completely invefted — — 17
Earl Cornwallis takes the command in the country — 1 8
Americans furprifed at Lenew's — — 20
Fort Moultrie furrenders — — i^,
Charles town capitulates — — 22
Proclamations — — — 24
EfFedt of proclamations — — 25
Part of the army embark — — 26
Earl Cornwallis paffes the Santec river — 27
Action at Wacfaw — — 30
A 2 Sir
CONTENTS.
Page
Sir Henry Clinton fails from Charles town — 32
Notes to the Firft Chapter — — 33 to 84
CHAPTER 11.
Earl Cornwallis takes the command of the King's troops in Georgia and
South Carolinia — — — 85
His difpofition of the King's troops — — 86
Earl Cornwallis goes to Charles town — — 89
Eight hundred loyalifts from North Carolina join the Britifh — 91
Intelligence of a continental army — — 92
The effedl it produces in South Carolina — — ib.
Colonel Sumpter attacks Rocky mount and Hanging rock — 94
Baron tie Kalb approaches with the American army — 97
General Gates Aiperfedes De Kalbe — — « ib.
Lord Rawdon aflemlbles the King's troops — lov
Earl Cornwallis arrives at Camden «— — 102.
Battle near Camden — — loc
Adlion near the Catawba fords — — 114^
Notes to the Second Chapter — • 117 to 153.
CHAPTER irr.
State of the royal army — _— i^^
State of South Carolina — — j r5
The King's troops move forward — — ic8
And halt at Charlotte town — — 1^9
Lieutenant-colonel Brown attacked by Colonel Clarke — i6t
And relieved by Lieutenant-colonel Cruger — 162
Fergufon defeated ' — — 164
The Britiih army falls back — — 167
Pafles
CONTENTS.
Page
Pafles the Catawba river — — 167
And takes poft at Wynnefborough — — 169
Marion overruns the lower diftridts — 171
Ineffe(9:ual attempt upon Sumpter — — 173
Sumpter nioves towards Ninety Six — 174
Adion at Blackftock^s — — 178
State of the American army — 1 81
Major-general Greene takes the command — 182
Preparations for a fecond invafion of North Carolina — ib>
Major-general Leflie arrives with a reinforcement — 184.
Notes to the Third Chapter — — 185 to 207
CHAPTER IV.
Movepients of the Americans — - — 207
The Britifh light troops pafs Broad river — 2.10
Earl Cornwallis moves from Wynnefborough -*- 21 a
Aftion at the Cowpcns — — 215
General Leflie joins Earl Cornwallis — 222
Purfuit of General Morgan — • f^-
Morgan pafles the Catawba river — 223
The King's troops pafs the Catawba — 224
Affair at Tarrant's — — 226
Earl Cornwallis marches to Salifbury — 227
Skirmilh at the Trading ford — »^«
Earl Cornwallis moves to the upper fords — 228
General Greene pafles the Dan — 229 Earl Cornwallis marches to Hillfborough, and ereds the King's ftandard i^.
General Greene re-crofles the Dan — 233
Earl Cornwallis pafles Haw river — - — 234
Skirmifli near AUamance — « — -• 235-
Affair
CONTENTS.
Page
Affair at Wetzell's mill — — 237
Earl Cornwallis paffes a branch of Deep river — 239
J^Totes to the Fourth Chapter — 241 to 269
CHAPTER V.
"Battle of Guildford — — 27.1
Earl Cornwallis crofTes Deep river, and retires towards Crofs creek 279
General Greene follows the Bricifh — ■ ib.
Earl Cornwallis arrives at Crofs creek — 280
And moves to Wilmington • — — 281
General Greene advances towards South Carolina — 282
Earl Cornwallis marches towards the Roanoke — 285
Skirmifh at Halifax — — 287
Earl Cornwallis unites the royal armies at Peterfburgh — 29.1
The Britifh pafs James river at Weftover — 293
The Marquis de la Fayette crofles the South and North Anna .. — 294
Earl Cornwallis fends detachments to deftroy ftores — • 295
The Britifli move towards Richmond — 299
The Marquis de la Fayette follows the King's troops -r- ib.
Earl Cornwallis moves towards Williamfburgh — goo
Affair near the Chickahomany — — 501 Notes to the Fifth Chapter — — 303 to 351
CHAPTER VL
Earl Cornwallis moves to James river , »x,z
Affair near James iiland — ^r.
Earl Cornwallis marches to Portfmouth — , co Hampton road not approved of as a llation for the navy — • .. "60
Earl Cornwallis takes poffcffion of York town o6r
■ Portfmouth
CONTENTS.
Page
Portfmouth evacuated — — 261
The French fleet enter the Chefapeak -_ _ o$j_
La Fayette takes poll at Williamfburgh /^,
General Wafliington's force concentrated at Williamfburgh — 071
York town invefted — — 27?.
Two redoubts carried at York town by the French and Americans 385
Sortie from York town — — 386
Surrender of York town and Gloucefter — - 388
Notes to the Sixth Qiapter — — ^95 to 459.
APPENDIX.
Aflion near Camden — »_ 462:
Surrender of fort Watfon — — 4y r,
Camden evacuated — ' — — 477
Ninety Six invefted — — 485,.
Surrender of Augufta — ■ — 487;
General Greene repulfed with lofs at Ninety Six — 497
Lord Rawdon forces Greene to retreat — — 498
Ninety Six evacuated — — 502
Aftion at Eutaws ~ — 509,
DIRECTIONS T o a H E BINDER-
MAP of the country to face page i. Plan of the fiege of Charles town, page 32. Plan of the battle near Camden, page 108. Plan of the battle of Guildford, page 276. Plan of the fiege of York tewn, page 394,
ERRATA,,
t
Page -2-7, line 23, (or cii/c-yelioiinl read Jifir^tionary.
164, lO, — to xvhichhe oppofed, read to which he w«i oppofed.
1 6 5, I, — Charles town read Charlotte town.
I S3, iS, — with on intention read with o« intention.
**3» 'Si — S'"'^ral rc^d goierals'
A
HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGNS
OF 1780 AND 1781,
I M T H E
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
O F
NORTH AMERICA.
CHAPTER I.
F^j^eSi of TyEJiain^ s attack upon Savannah. — Rhode ijland evacuated. — = Embarkation of a body of troops. — Sir Henry Clinton fails from New Tork, and arrives at Savannah. — Difficulties to encounter before the Jiege of Charles town. — 'The army crofs Afley river, — The Admiral pajfes the Bar, — and fort Moultrie. — Charles town fummmoned. — Americanos furprifed at Monlzs Corner.— Charles town completely in- vefed. — TLarl Cornwallis takes the command in the country. — Ame^ ricans furprifed at 'Lenew's. — Fort Moultrie furrenders. — Charles town capitulates. — Proclamations. — EffeSi of proclamations. — Part of the army embark. — ILarl Cornwallis pajfes the Santee ?-iver. — Atdiion at JVacfaw. — Sir Henry Clinton fails from Charles town.
A H I S fliort hiftory commences at a time, when the whole afpedt Chap. I. of the American war experienced a change the moft critical and
B interefting ;
A
HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGNS
OF 1780 AND 1781,
I M T H E
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
O F
NORTH AMERICA.
CHAPTER I.
EffeSi of lyEJiam^s attack upon Savannah. — Rhode ijland evacuated. — ■ Embarkation of a body of troops. — Sir Henry Clinton fails from New Tork^ and arrives at Savannah. — Difficulties to encounter before the fege of Charles town. — 'The army crofs uflfiley river. — Tthe Admiral pajfes the Bar, — and fort Moultrie. — Charles town fummmoned. — American's furprifed at MonliS Corner.— Charles town completely /»- vefied. — Earl CornwalUs takes the command in the country.-— Ame- ricans furprifed at Eenew's. — Fort Moultrie furrenders. — Charles town capitulates. — Proclamations. — EffeSi of proclamations. — Part of the army embark. — Earl CornwalUs pajfes the Santee river. — Adiion at Wacfaw. — Sir Henry Clinton fails from Charles town.
JL H I S fhort hiftory commences at a time, when the whole afped Chap. I. of the American war experienced a change the moft critical and
B interefting ;
3 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781, IN THE
Chap. I. intereftlng ;. when profpe£ls, big with the utmoft importance, fpruiig up in a variety of fhapes, and gave birth to thofe decifive events which fo fpeedily followed. Whilft feveral European powers pri« vately affifted the colonies, in oppofition to the mother country, they undoubtedly injured the interefts of Great Britain, without allowing her the advantage of reprifal ; but when France and Spain thew off the malk, and openly embraced the caufe of American in- dependence, the nature of the war underwent a manifeft alteration. From that epoch, different political, as well as naval and military meafures, might have been adopted. The magnitude of the con- federacy was evident ; and fortunate would it have been for Eng- land, had (lie attacked the vulnerable fituation of her avowed ene- mies at that momentous- and critical period. An immediate atten- tion to the Weft Indies, and an early evacuation of New York, might have produced fuch Important confequences, as would in all human probability, have given a different termination to tlie war ; Her blood and treafures might then have been faved;.her natural enemies might then have been humbled ; and America would have reforted again to the prote6lion of her parent ftate, after Great Bri- tain had vindicated her own dignity, and eflablifhed that pre-emi- nence, which file had acquired in her late contell: with the houfe of Bourbon. But as it is intended only to enter into a detail of occurrences which took place in the fouthern provinces, during the campaigns of 1780 and 1781, and not to deviate into political dif- quiiitions, it will be fufficient to point out the primary caufe upon which the principal events were hinged, and then proceed to the narrative of military operations.
Effea of In the autumn of the year 1779, Congrefs was confiderably ad-
D'Eftaing's ... ..'._,.
attack upon vaflced in credit and power by the military combination in Georgia.
Savannah. ^_,,
The
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. ^
The appearance of the French, although the attack upon Savannah Cha?. I.
was ■ not crowned with fuccefs, re-animated the expiring vigour
of the defponding Americans, and confirmed the attachment of
the unfteady. The lofs of the naval fuperlority prefented an un-
expeded fcene to the Britlfli commander in chief, counteraded the
promife of the minifler, (i) and equally deranged the intentions
of both. After that event, Adminiflration could never hope for a
fortunate period to the American war, except in full confidence
that the fleets of England could prevent the fhips of France, from
giving interruption to the military operations in that quarter of
the globe : And undoubtedly, the fuccefs of the commander in \
chief on the weftern continent, and the future expedatlons of the
loyalifts, could only be founded on the permanent fuperiority of
the British navy.
During the fiege of Savannah, Sir Henry Clinton withdrew the Rhode Ifland
evacuated.
garrifon from Rhode Ifland, and by concentrating his force, he prepared for a vigorous defence, if attacked at New York, or for ofFenfive operations, after the departure of the French from the American coaft. The failure of D'Eftaing in Georgia, and the approach of December, caufed the numerous levies of militia to difperfe, and the continental army to retire to winter quarters in the Jerfies and upon Hudfon's river.
Upon receiving intelligence of thefe events. Sir Henry Clinton Embarkation
of a body of
ordered a number of tranfports to be fitted up for the reception troops, of a corps of about eight thoufand five hundred men ; likewife, horfe, ordnance, and victualling veflels, requifite for fucli an ari-ny. South
(i) Lord George Germain.
B 2 Carolina
4 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. I. Carolina fuggefted itfelf as the grand objeft of enterprize ; the mild- nefs of the climate, the rlchnels of the country, its vicinity to Geor- gia, and its diftance from General Washington, 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, Britifh, Heflian, and Provincial, a powerful de- tachment of artillery, two hundred and fifty cavalry, and ample fup— plies of military flores- and provifions..
SlrHenry VicE-ADMfRAL Arbuthnot, wfth a naval force competent to the- from New purpofe, aud which was fuperlor to any thing in the American feas,..
York, and . -.,-... _^
arrives at prepared to convoy this expedition to the place of its deuination. On
Savannah*
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 ia Ihore ; but this gleam of good fortune was not fuflSieiently permanent to give a fortunate termination to the voyage; a fuccefllon (b.) of florms 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, moll of the artillery, and all the cavalry Difficulties to horfesperiflied. Thefe accidents greatly deranged and impeded the
encounter be- _
fore the fiege intended attack upon- Charles town. The lofs of ftores, cavalry,
of Charles
town. and military equipage, would have been fenfibly felt in any fituation ;>
but in the prefent, nearly proved deftruftive to the expedition. The commander in chief, with the afllflance of the admiral, the generals^
(a.) In note B. (b.) In note B..
and;
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 5
and other officers, fought with indefatigable ardour to remedy thefe 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 to participate in future glory. Accord- ing to American accounts, (a.) the delay occafioned by the damage fuf- tained on the voyage, yielded the continentals, the ftate troops, and the militia, a favourable opportunity to augment the fortifications 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 affemble their forces, and colledt provifions and other ffores neceflary 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 fiegc..
Sra Henry Clinton loft no time in forwarding the original inten- tion of the expedition. On the loth 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.) pafiage ; and though it required time to- have the bar explored, and the channel marked, by the adivity of the navy, thefe difficulties were furmounted, the tranfports all entered the harbour the next day, and the army immediately took poiTeffion ©f John's ifland and Stono ferry: James' ifland, Perreneau's land-
(a.) In note A.. (b.) In note A. (c.) In note JB.. (a.) In note P..
C CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 17^81 IN THE
Chap. I, Ing, Wappo Cut, and other adjacent places, were foon afterwards obtained; and by a bridge thrown over the canal, the neceffary com- munications were fecured', and the advanced part of the King's army occupied the bank of Afliley river, oppofite to Charles town : This pofition, for the prefent, was the mofh eligible that could be efta- bliihed ; 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 Afliley river, and protedled the corps which was to march under the command of Bri- gadier-general Patterfon from Savannah.
When the commander in chief 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 flores, made it ne- ceffary 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 faft, and that the troops who were to maintain them, received hourly additions from Virginia and the two Carolinas. In confequence of this information, the gene- ral did not hefitate to make preparations, to affemble in greater force than appeared reqiiifite at the firft view of the expedition ; in addition, therefore, to the order conveyed to the northward, commands were forwarded to Major-general Prevoft, to fend a detachment of twelve .hundred (d.) men, the cavalry inclufive, from the garrifon of Savan- nah. This order reached its deftination, before Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton with the principal part of the dragoons, arrived in Tybee harbour. He found the condition of his corps mortifying and diftref- £ng; the horfes of both officers and men, which had been embarked
(d.) In note B. ,
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
in excellent order were deftroyed, owing to the badnefs of the veflels ^"ap. I. employed to tranfport them, or to the feverity of the weather on the paflage ; and unfortunately there was no fubftitute to be found in Georgia to remedy fuch a cataftrophe. In this forlorn condition, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton requefled the ufe of fome of the quarter-- mafter-general's boats* to tranfport his men and furniture to Port- Royal ifland, in order to colleft at that place, from friends and ene- mies, by money or by force, all the horfes belonging to the iflands in the neighbourhood. This demand was complied with, as there was no 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 croffed the Savan- nah river, and on .his march towards the Cambayee, through fwamps and difficult paffes, had frequent fkirmifhes with the militia of the country : A cafual engagement likewife took place between Majors Fergufon and Cochrane, the former with 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 adlive 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 pofition, 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 ftill in poffeffion, he led his men to the attack with fixed bayonets, when the two commanders, J in
J CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Chap. I. Ju front of their refpeftlve corps, recognized each other's voice, and fuppreffed a confliit which might have been both mortifying and de- ^rudive. Officers of this enterprifing defcrlption, removed the diffi- culties which occurred to "General Patterfon, on his march through a country Interfefted with creeks and morafles, and facilitated his ap- proach to the neighbourhood of Port-Royal ifland ; fronci whence, he ■ xJifpatched an order to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, to join him with the cavalry, then lying at Beaufort, if he had affembled a fufficlent 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 legion. The corps felt not difcouraged by this circumftance, but inflantly 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 poffible to the line of march, and to prevent their colleftlng 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, unexpedled 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 huffars, 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 Britifli dragoons, fent in purfuit, was on the point of gaining advantage over that corps. The error was reftified, and the
3 affair
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 9
affair ended with equal lofs to both parties. Nothing material oc- Chap. I. curred from this period, and General Patterfon foon after joined Sir Henry Clinton, who was occupied in eftablilhing magazines, and erefting works to defend the communications, near the banks of (a.) Aftiley river.
Captain Elphinflone of the navy, having Rationed the gallies to The army:
ciols Afliley
protect the boats on their paffage with the troops to the neck, twelve river. miles above Charles town, the main body of the forces moved from their ground, embarked, and crofled the river on the 29th 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 road, and move on towards the lines of the enemy. A few fcattered parties of the Americans ikirmifhed with the head of the column, and after wound- ing -the Earl of Caithnefs, ading aid-d€-camp to the commander in chief, and a few private men, fell back to their fortifications. The royal army, without farther moleftation, took a pofition acrofs the neck, about a mile and half from Charles town, and effeduaiUy in- vefled it, between the rivers Aihley and Cooper.
Great part of Brigadier-general Patterfon's command was left near Wappo cut, in order to guard the magazines, till the main body fliould gain the neck ; when a paffage acrofs Afhley river was to be fought for, nearer the town, for the conveniency of tranfporting ali the requifites for a liege. Captain Elphinftone foon difcovered a land- ing place, which fhortened the trouble and delay attendant upon land carriage, and by which the King's troops received fupplies of cannon, itores, provifions, and baggage, with facility and expedition.
(a.) In note E. (b.) In note E.
C The
XO CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chaf. I, The general and his engineers having fixed upon tiie point and mode of attack, a large 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 American lines, and were not difcovered before day-break, when the fire from the town had very inconfiderable efFe£t. The next evening, another redoubt was added, and for five fucceflive days and nights, the labour of the artificers and foldiers was dire<5ted to the conflruc- tion of batteries, which on the (d.) eighth were completed with ar- tillery.
The admiral In the mean time. Admiral Arbuthnot had been fully occupied in
pafl'es the bar,
andfort accomplifhing the general's wifhes ; heavy cannon (b.) were colledled
Moultrie.
from the line-of-battle fhips, and conveyed to the magazines ; detach- ments of feamen were furnifhed to a£l on fhore, under the command of Captains Elphinftone and Evans ; and preparations were made for pafling Charles-town bar, to fecond more efFedlually the operations of the army : For this latter purpofe, he Ihifted 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- fions, and water ; the fmaller frigates being capable of pafTing the bar, without that previous exoneration. The bar was pafTed on the 20th of March without any accident, notwithftanding the enemy's galleys attempted to prevent the boats from founding the channel. The Americans had a confiderable marine force in Charles-town har- bour, from which, powerful 'afliflance to their defences, and great obflru£lion to the approach of the Britifh fleet, might be equally ap- prehended : It confifted of an , American fhip, built fince the com-
(c.) In note E. (d.) In note E, (b.) In note F. (c.) In note F.
mencement
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH " A MER IC A. II
mencement of the war, and pierced for fixty guns, but mounting only Chap. I. forty-four ; of feven frigates, of the fame country, from thirty-two to fixteen guns ; with a French frigate of twenty-fix guns, and a polacre of eighteen : Thefe at firft adopted the plan of difputing the paffage up the channel, by mooring with their gallies at a narrow pafs be- tween Sullivan's ifland and the middle ground, in which ftation they could have raked the Britifh 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 affiftance to the fortifications on Sullivan's ifland, where being furniflied with chevaux (d.) de frife, the fhips were funk to block up the pafl^ige of Cooper river, between the town and Shute's folly.
On the (e.) 9th of April, the admiral, by fignal, difcovered his in- tention to the navy and army, of paffing Sulhvan's ifland, on which was conftrufted a formidable fort, with batteries of heavy cannon. The Roebuck, Richmond, Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigh, Sand- wich, and Renown, weighed about one o'clock, and exhibited a mag- nificent and fatisfaftory fpe£tacle to the royalifts, by fl:eadily efFefting their paflage, under the fire of the American batteries, with the tri- fling lofs of twenty>feven men, killed and wounded : The Acetus, a florefliip, in following the fquadron, grounded, and was burnt ; other- wife the navy fufFered lefs than could have been expedled 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 country, in every point of its circum- ference, except in that quarter which faced the river Cooper.
(i) In note F. . (e.) In note F.
C 2 Pre-
IJ CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chaf.I. Previous to the admiral's paffing fort Moultrie, the commander in chief had ordered Major Andre, afting adjutant general, to dire£l Bri- gadier Patterfon 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 Afhley river : This movement was accomplifhed without aiiy oppofition from the American corps of cavalry and infantry which lay at Mlddleton's plantation, near Goofe creek, no great diftance from the route of the Britifh troops. A large quantity of forage, and fome horfes, were collefted on the march, by the detachment of the i 7th light dragoons, and by the Britifli 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 the light infantry for- wards to the army.
Charles town At thls period of the liege, and before the batteries opened. Sir
fummoned . , . , . - r ^
ioth April. Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot thought it advilable to fend a fummons (a.) to Major-general Lincoln, who commanded in Charles town, reprefenting the dangerous confequences of a cannonade and ftorm, flating the prefent as the only favourable opportunity for pre- ferving the lives and properties of the inhabitants, and warning the commander, that he fliould be refponfible for all the calamities which 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 hoftiie 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, confifted of a chain of redoubts, lines, and batteries, extending from one river to
(a.) In note C. (a) In note G. (b.) In note G. (e.) In note E.
the
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF N^OHTH AMERICA. I3
the other, and furnifhed with eighty cannon and mortars ; the front Chap. I. works of each flank were ftrengthened by fwamps, originatuig 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 flanting in tlie earth, wirh their branches- facing outwards, formed a fraize work againft the afl'ailants ; 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 defecS:, and to cover the principal gate, a horn work of mafonry. had been conftrufted, which being clofed during the fiegc, formed a kind of citadel. The fortifications facing the two rivers and the harbour had been erefted wdth uncommon labour and expence : Ships with chevaux de frife, conne<Sted 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, judicioully placed, and mounted with heavy cannon.
The garrifon, under the orders of Major-general Lincoln, was com- pofed of ten (f) w-eak 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 fix thoufand men, exclufive of the failors. The body of regular troops deftined for this fervice, though afl^ifted by the militia and by the inhabitants, was fcarcely
(f.) In note E.
(2.) State regiments, troops engaged by the different flates, for a ilipulated period of twelve or eighteen months.
adequate
14 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chaf, L adequate to the defence of fuch extenfive fortifications, and could have 'been more ufefuUy employed in the field ; where, judicious operations, affifled by the refources to be found in the country, and by the ap- proaching heat of the feafon, would have protedled the greateft part of the fertile province of South Carolina, would have foon over- balanced the prefent fuperiority of the Britifh forces, and would ef- fedually have prevented the co-operation of the royal navy and army. General Wafliington adopted this line of aftlon, wheji he abandoned New- York ifland for the Jerfies, when he yielded Philadelphia to the Englifh arms, and in many other inflances, where a contrary con- duct, to all human appearance, would have unavoidably eflablifhed the fovereignty of Great Britain.
On the rejedlion 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 infpedtion 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 pufhed forward with Induflry. 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 conftrudled, 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 intruiled to Brigadier-general Huger : This corps held pofleflion of the forks and paffes on Cooper river, and maintained a conamuni- cation with Charles town ; by which, fupplies of men, arms, am-
(g.) In note E.
munition.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I5
munition, and provifion, might be conveyed to the garrifon during the Chap. I. fiege, and by which, the continental troops might efcape after the de- fences were deftroyed. Sir Henry CUnton was thoroughly fenfible of the inconveniencies that might arife from this fituation of the enemy's light troops ; and being lately relieved by a detachment of failors and marines, from the charge of fort (h.) Johnfon, he dire£ted his atten- tion to diflodge them from their polition. 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 fele£led a detach- ment of one thoufand four hundred men, whom he committed to Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, with orders to counteract 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
1 Lrin/T-r-i /-■» r y r t i furprifed at
at the quarter houie by Major Fergulon s corps of markfmen, advanced Monk's cor- 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 Eergufon's corps, towards Monk's Corner, (i.) as had been previoufly concerted with- the commander in chief, in order, if poflible, to furprife the Ameri- cans encamped at that place : An attack in the night was judged moft advifable, as it would render the fuperiorlty of the enemy's cavalry ufelefs, and would, perhaps, prefent a favourable opportunity of getting- pofleffion of Biggin bridge, on Cooper river, without much lofs to the aflailants. Profound filence was obferved on the march. At fome dif- t-ance from Goofe creek, a negro was fecured by the advanced guard,, wJio difcovered him attempting to leave the road. A letter was takenj
(h.) In note E. (i.) In note. E».
~ ' . Tl fromi
1 6 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Chap. I. from his 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 neighbourhood of Charles town : The contents of the fetter, which was opened at a honfe not far diflant, and the negro's intelligence, purchafed for a few dollars, proved lucky incidents at this period: Lieutenant -.colonel Tarleton's information relative to the fituatlon of the enemy was now complete. It was evident, that the Americaa .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 diftributed 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 poll: : A watch word was immediately com- municated to the officers and foldlers, 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 fwamps upon the flanks, and to purfue them into their camp. The order was executed with ■the greatefl promptitude and fuccefs. The Americans were com- pletely lurprlfed : Major Vernier, of Pulafki's legion, and fome other officers and men who attempted to defend themlelves, were killed or wounded.; General Huger, Colonels Wafliington and Jamlefon, with many officers and men, fled on foot to the fwamps, clofe to their en- campment, 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 acquUition for the Britifla, cavalry in their prefent ftate) fell into the hands of the viftors ; about one hundred officers, dragoons, and huffars, together with fifty wag- gons, loaded with arms, clothing, and ammunition, ffiared the fame fate. Without lofs of time, Major Cochrane was ordered to force the bridge and the meeting houfe with the infantry of the Britifh
I legion :
SOUTHERN pnOVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 17
legion: He charged the militia with fixed bajouets, got poflefiion of Chap.i. the pafs, and difperfed every thing tha-t oppofed him. In the attack •at Monk's corner, and at Biggin bridge, the Britifli had one officer and two men wounded, with live horfes killed and wounded. This fignal inftance of nnlitary advantage, may be partly attributed to the judge- ment and addrefs with which this expedition was planned and exe- cuted, and paitly to the injudicious condufl: of the American com- mander ; who, befides making a falfe difpofition of his corps, by placing his cavalry in front of the bridge during the night, and his infantry in the rear, negledled fending patroles in front of his videttes; which omlHicn, equally enabled the Britifh to make a furprife, and prevented the Americans recovering from the .confufion attending an unexpected attack.
When the news of this fuccefs reached Colonel Webfler, he com- Charles town
T-.--1-1 -11 r^ • -n • completely
menced his march for Biggui bridge, with the two hritilh regiments inveiicd. under his command, as there were other difficulties to be furmounted before the general's plan was fully accompliffied. On his arrival at IMonk's corner, he detached Lieutenant-colonel Tarletx)n to felze the boats, and take polTeffion of Bonneau's ferry ; a neceflliry, but eafy operation, whilft the country felt the influence of the late unexpected •defeat. This paflage over another branch of Cooper river was fecured, and by the lubfequent movement of the King's troops into the dlftrift of St. Thomas, (k.) Charles town became completely invefted. The corps under Lieutenant-colonel Webfler had a large fpace to guard, and a number of points to watch, in the prefent fituation of the town and the country. The garrifon poffefled a fufficient quantity of boats to tWow over the river, in a very fliort period, a body of troops infi>
(k.) In note E.
D nitely
J 8 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN TITB
CHAr. I. nltely fuperior to Webfter's command ; Vigilance to guard againft furprife, and judgement to occupy advantageous ground, were equally requifite. The cavalry were conflantly kept in motion, to gain intel- ligence of the enemy's defigns,, and to learn the fituation of the coun- try. Not long after the arrival of the Britifh troops at the Wando, a detachment of continentals from Charles town took pofieflion of Lam- prey's point, a peninfula on the eafl fide of Cooper river : Colonel Webfler, with the principal paft of his command, marched towards the neck, which the Americans had fortified with indefatigable ardour fmce their arrival, and in all probability would have ventured an at- tempt to diflodge them, if a mafked battery of eighteen pounders had. not, fortunately for the Englifh, opened upon a reconnoitering party ;. which circumfi:ance, together with the flank fire of a galley and an , armed yeffel, demonflrated the impradlicability of the defign. Colonel Webfter judicioufly reaffumed his former pofition in the country, un- til the jun6lion of a powerful reinforcement from the army.
Earl Corn- A CONSIDERABLE corps of troops, recently arrived from New York,, thecommand (1.) enabled Sir Henry Clinton to ftrengthen the detachment under
in the coun- r\ i • 1 i • •
try. Webfter : The importance of the command, and the critical fituation.
of the enemy, induced him to lequeft Lieutenant-general Earl Corii- wallis to direft the future operations of the army on the eaft fide of Cooper river. The intention of General Lincoln in fortifying Lam- prey's point, feems to have been counteraded by the arrival of Lord. Cornwallis with additional troops, as it was evacuated foon after that event ; and from this period, no enterprife was undertaken in that quarter by the garrifon of Charles town. The army (a.) in St. Thomas's made various movements to occupy different pofitions, for
(1.) Ill note E. (a.) In note D.
the
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA: I9
the convenlency of forage and provlfions, and to fruftrate the deiigns Chap. I. of the enemy, both in the town and in the country.
The American cavalry began to aflemble" on the north of the Santec river, towards the latter end of April, under the prote<5lion of two Virginia regiments of infantry and the militia of Carolina : Colonel White had brought fome dragoons from the northward, and had col- le6ted thofe who efcaped from Monk's corner ; he was foon after joined by a detachment from George town, and by Colonel Horry's regiment of light horfe. On the 5th of May, he crofled the Santec at Dupui's ferry. Fortune favoured his firll attempt. He fuddenly forrounded a detachment of an officer and feventeen dragoons, who were foraging the next morning at Ball's plantation, and made them prifoners without refinance : From thence he dire«5i:ed his march towards Lenew's ferry, with an intention to recrofs the river, under the protedion of two hundred continental infantry, ordered by Colo- " '
nel Buford to meet the cavalry at that place. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, without any knowledge of the misfortune which had hap- pened to the detachment of light -infantry cavalry, was proceeding on the fame day with a patrole of one hundred and fifty dragoons, to gain intelligence at Lenew's ferry, of the force and motions of the enemy : On the road, the Britifh were overtaken by a loyal Ameri- can, who had been a witnefs to the fuccefs which had attended Colo- nel White in the morning, but had luckily efcaped his power. The defcription of the troops, the affurance of their intention to pafs the river at Lenew's, and the hope of retaking the prifoners, Simulated Tarleton to pulh forward his patrole with the greateii expedition : At the fame time, the diftance of Lord Cornwallis's camp, (3.) the fa-
(3.) Then at Huger's bridge, twehty-fix miles from Lenew's ferry.
D z tiffue
iO CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I7S1 IN THE
Chap. I. tigue of the march, the heat of the weather, and the fight of their
infmtry on the oppofite bank, threw the Americans quite off thei?
Americans guard. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the advanced dragoons of
furpnled at ' o
Lenew's the Englifli arrived in prefence of their videttes : fm.) Tarleton in-
leriy. " ^ ^ ^
ftantly forming his troops, ordered them to charge the enemy's grand- guard, and to purfue them into the main body. The corps being to- tally furprifed, refifranoe and flaughter foon ceafed. Five officers and'' thirty-fix men were killed and wounded; feverr officers and fixty dra- goons were taken prifoners ; and the whole party of the light infantry were refcued, as the boatwas pufhing off to convey th-em to the oppo- fite fhorc. All the horfes, arms, and accoutrements of the Americans. were captured. Colonels White, Waftiington, and Jamiefon, with fome other officers and men, availed themfelves of their fvvimming, to make their efcape, while many who wifhed to follow their example; periflied, in the river. The Britifh dragoons loft two men and four horfes in the aftion ; but returning to Lord Cornwallis's camp the fame evening, upwards of twenty horfes expired with fatigue.
FortMoui- This fuccefs was clofely followed by the reduAion of fort Moul- trie lurren- dws, trie. The admiral having taken the fort at Mount Pleafant, acquired
from it, and the information of deferters, a full knowledge of the
ftate of the garrifon and defences of fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's
ifland. In purfuance (f.) of this intelligence, and wiffiing not to
weaken the operations of the army, which became every day more
critical, he landed a body of feamen and marines, under the command
of Captain Hudfon, to attempt the fort by florm, on the weft and
north-weft faces, whilft the Ihips of the fquadron battered it in front.
The garrifon, confifting of continentals and militia, to the amount of
(m.) In note E. (f.) In note F.
two
SOITTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 21
tvvo hundred men, feeing the imminent danger to which they were Chap. I. expofed, and feufible of the impoffibility of rehef, accepted of the terms offered by a fummons on the 7th of May; and by capitula- tion, (g.) furrendered themfelves prifoners of war.
During thefe, operations, the befleging' army- fiiiiflied their third parallel, (n.) which they had carried clofe to the canal, and by a fa^r puflied to the dam which fupplied it with water on the right, drained it in feveral parts to the bottom. Oh the 6th and 7th of May, the artillery was mounted in the batteries of this parallel, and the tra- verfes and communications were perfeftly completed. Thus enclofeJ (4.) on every fide, and driven to its lail defences. Sir Henry Clintou' wiftiing to preferve Charles town from deftruQion, and to prevent- that efFirfion of blood which muft be the inevitable confequence of a ffeorm, opened acorrefpondence on the Sth with General Lincoln, for the purpofe of a furrender: But the conditions demanded by the- American commander being deemed higher than he had a right to ex- peft from his prefcnt fituation, they were (c.) reje(5led, and hoftitities renewed. The batteries on the third parallel were then opened, and' by the fuperiority of fire, both of artillery and fmall arms, the Britifii- troops were enabled to gain the counterfcarp of the outwork which flanked the canal ; which they llkewife palled, and then pufhed ou' their approaches <liredly towards the ditch of the place. The prefent flate of danger now urged the citizens and militia, who had formed the objeftions to the late conditions, to acquiefce (d.) in their being rellnqulfhed : General Lincoln accordingly propofed to furrender on the terms lately offered. The commander in chief and the admiral,; ,
(g.) In note F. (n.) In note E. .
(4.) Annual Regiiler 1780, page 221.
(c.) In note G. (o.) In note E. (d.) In note G.
befides
2Z CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Chap. 1. befidcs their diflike to the cruel extremity of a ftorm, were not difpofed
to prefs to unconditional fubmiffion an enemy whom they wiihed to
conciliate by clemency. They now granted the fame conditions which
Charles town they had before prefcribed as the foundation for treaty. The (p.) capi-
•capitulates.
tulation was figned the nth of May, and on the 12th, Major-general Leflie, by the order of Sir Henry Clinton, took poffeffion (q.) of Charles town.
As the fiege was not productive of Tallies, or defperate aflaults, which were in a confiderable degree prevented by fituation and the na- ture of the works, the carnage was not great on either fide, and was not unequally fhared. The lofs (r.) of the King's troops 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 garrifon were allowed fome of the honours 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 Britifli march, or the colours to be uncafed : The continental (f ) troops and feamen were to keep their baggage, and to remain prifoners of war until they were exchanged : The mi- litia fg.) were to be permitted to return to their refpeclive homes, as prifoners on parole ; and while they adhered to their parole, were not to be molefted by the Biitifli troops in perfon or property : The citi-
(p.) In note E. (q.) In note E. (r.) In note E.
,(e.) In note G. (f.) In note G. (g.) in note G.
SOtJTHEnN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA,
23
zens (Ii.) of all defcriptions, to be confidered as prifoners ort parole, Chaf».i. and to hold their property on the fame terms with the militia : The officers (i.) of the army and navy to retain their fervants, fvvords, piftols, and their baggage unfearched : They were permitted to fell their horfes, but not to remove them out of Charles town. A veffel (k.) was allowed to proceed to Philadelphia with General Lincoln's difpatches, which were not to be opened.
Seven general officers, (a.) ten continental regiments, and three battalions of artillery, became prifoners upon this occafion. The whole number of men in arms who furrendered, including town and: country militia, and French, amounted to five thoufand fix hundred and eighteen, exclufive of near a thoufand feamen. A confiderable quantity of artillery (b.) was taken ; the total exceeded four hundred pieces. (5.) Three ftout American (h.) frigates, one French, and a polacre of fixteen guns, of the fame nation, which efcaped the opera- tion of being funk to block up the channel, fell likewife into the hands of the vigors.
After the furrender of the town, the commander in chief, with- out lofs of time, adopted meafures which appeared both judicious and neceffary. He returned thanks to the army (r.) in general, and ex- preffed himfelf in the language of gratitude when he particularized: thofe officers and men, whofe attention, toils, and courage, had contri?
(h.) In note G. (i.) In note G. (k.) In note Gi
(3.) In note H. (b.) In note H.
(5.) A number of fmall arms were likewife colledled in the town, for the ufe of the friends to the Britifli government in the province of South Carolina; but they were un- fortunately deflroyed by the magazine taking fire a few days after the capitulation, toge- ther with Captain Collins, a valuable officer, and feveral men of tlie royal artillery.
(h.) In note E. (r.) In note E.
I butedi
Proclama > .tions.
^4 CAMPAIGNS O-F I7S0 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Ghap. I. buted to his fuccefs. He difpatched the Earl of Liiicohi to Europe, with intelligence of the important advantage which had attended His Majefty's arms.; and he circulated proclamations amongft the inhabi- tants of South Carolina, well calculated to Induce them to return to their allegiance, and to manifeft their loyalty by joining the King's troops. ;(6,) It was ftated, that (a.) the helping hand of every man \vas wanted to re-eftablifli peace and good government : And that as the commander in chief vvilhed not to draw the King's friends into danger, while any doubt could remain of their fuccefs ; fo now that this was certain, he trufted that one and all would heartily join, and, by a general concurrence, give efFecb to fuch neceffary meafures for that purpofe as from time to time might be pointed out. Thofe who had families were to form a militia to remain at home, and occafionally to affemble in their own dlftrids, when required, under officers of their own chufing, for tlie maintenance of peace and good order. Thofe who had no families, and who could conveniently be fpared for a time, it was prefumed, would chearfully aflift His Majefty's troops in driving their oppreffors, ading under the authority of Congrefs and all the mi- feries of war, far from that colony. For this purpofe it was find to be neceffary, that the young men fhould be ready to affemble 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. They 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 furnifhed with a certificate, declaring that he was not only engnged to ferve as militiaman for the time fpe-
(a.) In note I.
(6.) Annual RegiHer, year 1780, page 74.
-dified ■;
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 25
clfied ; that he was not to be marched beyond North CaroHna and Chap. J. Georgia ; and that when the time was out, he was freed from all claims whatever of military fervice, excepting the common and ufual 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, un<liil:urbed, that peace, liberty, and property, at home, which he had contributed • to eftablifli.
The proclamations liTued by the general produced great effe£l iii Eflta of the
p roc lama- South Carolina: In moft of the diflriifts adjoining to Charles town, tions.
great numbers offered to ftand forth in defence of the Brltifh govern- ment, and many did voluntarily take up arms, and place tiiemfelves under the direftion of Major Fergufon, who was appointed to receive and command them. A general revolution of fentlment feemed 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 inhabitants of the town, figned an addrefs to the commander in chief and the ad- miral, fohciting to be re-admitted to the charadler and condition of Britifh fubjeds, the citizens having been hitherto confidered as pii- foners on parole, declaring their difapprobation of the dodrine of American independency, and exprefling their regret, that, after the repeal of thofe flatutes which gave rife to the troubles, the overtures nude by His Majelly's commiflioners had not been regarded by the ge- neral affembly of the- United States of America. Sir Henry Clinton, in one of the manifefloes iffued at this period, declared, (b.) that if any perfons fhould thenceforward appear in arms, in order to prevent the eftablifliment of His Majefly's government in that country, or
(7.) Annual Regifter, 1780, page 75. (b.) In note I.
iliould.
26 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND, lySl IN THE
Chap, I. ftiould, under any pretence or authority whatever, attempt to con:ipel any other perfon or perfons fo to do, or who (hould hinder the King's faithful and loyal fubjefts from joining his forces, or otherwife per- forming thofe duties their allegiance required, fuch perfons (hould be treated with the utmoft feverity, and their eflates be immediately •feized for confifcation.
The commander in chief having eftablifhed 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, begaiv to make arrangements for his return with part of the army to New York ; which had been particularly expofed to the attempts of Gene- Part of the ral Wafhington, owing to an uncommonly fevere winter. Previous to
army em- bark, 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 Cornwallis, to crofs the Santee river,
and by marching up the north-eaft bank, to endeavour to flrike at
Colonel Buford's corps, which was retreating to North Carolina, with
artillery, and a number of waggons, containing arms, ammunition,
and clothing.
Earl Cornwallis left his ground near Huger's bridge on the i8th of May, and directed his march to Lenew's ferry, with five pieces of cannon, and upwards of two thoufand five hundred men : Boats were collefted with fome difficulty to pafs the troops ; the Americans having concealed or deftroyed all within their reach, to retard the progrefs of tlie royal army : By the information of negroes, who dif-
(a.) In note M. (a.) In note K.
I covered
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 2]
povered where feme were fecreted, and by the afliftance of carpenters, Chap. I. who repaired others that were damaged, the light troops were not Earl Corn-
wallis palles
lon;r prevented fiom crofriiig the river. As loon as thejegion and thetheSantee
, river.
detachment of 17th dragoons had paffed, Lieutenant-colonel Tarletou received infl:ru6tir,ns to march to George town, in order to chafe away, or take prifoners, all the violent enemies to the Britifh govern- ment, and to receive the allegiance of the well affected. This fervice ■was performed without any oppofition, during the paflage of the other troops. On (b.) the 22d, 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 ij^th dragoons, and one hundred and thirty of the legion, with one hundred mounted in- fantry of the fiime 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 impracticable. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, on 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 efFe6l ; but the practicability of the defign appeared fo doubtful, and the dlftance of the enemy fo 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 thing material happening on the route, except the lofs of a number of horfes, in confequence of the rapidity of the march, and the heat of the climate : By preffing horfes on the road, the light troops arrived the next day
(b.) In note K.
E 2 at
28 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. I. at Camden, when Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton gained intelligence, that Colonel Buford had quitted Rugeley's mills on the 26th, and that he was marching with great diligence to join a corps then upon the road from Sallibury to Charlotte town in North Carolina.
This information ftrongly manlfefted that no time was to be lof}', 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 refrefhed continued their purfuit: They reached Rugeley's by day light, where they learned that the conti- nentals were retreating above twenty miles in their front, towards the- Catawba fcttlement, to meet their reinforcement. At this period, Tarleton might have contented himfclf 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 purfning 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 harddiips, he put his detachment in motion, after- adopting a flratagem 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 fubmiffion, or at leafl delay him whilft lie deliberated on an anfwer. Colonel Buford, after detaining the flag fur iome 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 fucceflively 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 diftant from the
(a.) In note L. (b.) In note L.
enemy.
SOUTHERN PROVI"NCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 29
eiiemy, and, though not in a fuitable condition for a£lion, he deter- Chap. L 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 Britifh light troops at this hour, 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.
At three o'clock (a.) in the afternoon, on the confines of Soutlr Carolina, the advanced guard of the Britifti 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 commanders, they refpedively prepared their troops for a(flion. Colonel Buford's force confifled of three hundred and eighty continen- tal infan-try of the Virginia line, a detachment of Wafhington's- cavalry, and two fix pounders : He chofe his pofl 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, bagg.ige, and waggons, to continue their march.
Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton made his arrangement for the> attack- with all .pofiible expedition : He confided his right wing, which- was compofed of fixty dragoons, and nearly as many mounted infan- try, to Major Cochrane, defining him to difmount the latter, to gall tlie enemy's flank', before he moved againfl their front with his- cavalry: Captains Corbet and Kinlock were directed, with the 17th. dragoons and part of the legion, to charge the center of the Ameri- cans ; whilfl Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with thirty chofen hor&
(3.) In note M.
30 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 "80 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. I. and fome infantry, affaulted their right flank and referve : This parti- cular fituation the commanding officer felefted for himfelf, that he .might difcover the cfftd: 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, oppofite to the enemy's center, upon a fmall eminence that commanded the road ; which difpofition afforded the Britilli light troops an objeifl to rally to, in cafe of a repulfe, and made no incou- pfiderable irapreflion 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 Aftion at 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 Britifh cavalry were nearer. This forbearance in not firing before the dragoons were within ten yards of the obje£t of their attack, prevented their falling into confu- fion on the charge, and likewife deprived the Americans of the farther ^afe of their ammunition : Some officers, men, and horfes, fuffered by this fire ; but the battalion was totally broken, and (laughter 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 affair which might have had a very different termination. The Britifh troops had (b.) two officers killed, one wounded ; three privates killed, thirteen wounde^ ; 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 effetSlually breaking the infantry, and to a report amongft the ca-
(b,) In note M.
valry.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 3I
valry, that they had loft their commanding officer, which ftimulated Chap. I. the foldiers to a vindi£tive afperity not cafily reftrained. Upwards (c.) of one hundred officers and men were killed on the fpot ; three (d.) co- lours, two fix-pounders, 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 poffeffiou of the viftors.
The complete fuccefs of this attack may, in great meafure, be af- crlbed to the miftakes committed by the American commander : If he had halted the waggons as foon as he found the Britifh troops pref- fing his rear, and formed them into a kind of redoubt, for the pro- tection of his cannon and infantry againft the affault 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 Britifh- troops, in both cafes, would have been obliged to abandon the pur- fuit, as the country in the neighbourhood could not immediately have fupplied them with forage or provifions; 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 affailants, in comparifon with the execution that might' be expeded from a fucceffive fire of platoons or divifions, commenced. at the diftance of three or four hundred paces.
The wounded of both parties were colIe<fted with all pnlfible dif- patch, and treated with eqvial humanity. The American officers and foldiers who were unable to travel, were paroled the next morning,.
(c.) In note M. (d.) In note M.
and
32 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I7S1 IN THE
Chap. I. and placed at the neighbouring plantations and in a meeting houfe, not far dillant from the field cf battle: Surgeons were fent for from Camden and Charlotte town to afTift them, and every poffible conve- nience was provided by the Britifh. This bufinefs being accompliflied,' 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 with 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 and quarter-matler-general's departments.
Sir Henry -Ou the ^th of Juuc, Sir Henry Clinton left Charles-town harbour, iailsfrom on board the Romulus. Before he failed, he had the agreeable intel-
Chailes r ^ • r ■ r\
town. ligence of the defeat of the Americans at Wacfavv ; a circumitance
that evinced the total extirpation of the continental troops within the provinces of Georgia and South Carolina. This event tended to in- crcafe the fatisfa£lion he had before experienced, on account of the favourable reports (f.) from Augufta and Ninety Six ; where the inha- bitants had manifell:ed their peaceable Intentions, and fome thouiands cf militia men had flocked to the royal ftandard.
(e.) In note M. (f.) In note M.
NOTES
Londxm PutWi'd Marclii'^ijS;.
2.2 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I7S1 IN THE
PiiAP. I- and placed at the neighbouring plantations and in a meeting houfe, not far diftant from the field cf battle: Surgeons were fent for from Camden and Charlotte town to affift them, and every poffible conve- nience was provided by the Britifli. This bufmefs being accompliflied, 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 with 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 crtillery and quarter-matler-general's departments.
Sir Henry On the fth of Juue, Sir Henry Clinton deft Charles-town harbour, fails from ou board the Romulus. Before he failed, he had the agreeable intel- lioence 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 fatlsfa£lion he had before experienced, on account of the favourable reports (f.) from Augufta and Ninety Six ; where the inha- bitants had manifefted their peaceable intentions, and fome thoulands of militia men had flocked to the royal ftandard.
(e.) In note M. (f.) In note M.
Charles . town
NOTES
%j:m
OWN HARBOUR
^i-v^-^T'''
Plajv
r/ t/,r SIEGE- c/
C HA«LE S T O WIS"
( ryaPH/M f(//r'/r
7//// .
London Fubliflld March il^ija;.
pay
nmvFfrtAtndtrie
^ 44 CHARLE,is;rt)wisr harbour
SirH Clint fails t Char . town
J
A
>i
Flajv
of f/u SIEGE of
C H AMLE S T O W]^
^>/^ fa/v///f/^/
of Miles.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
NOTES
TO THE
FIRST CHAPTER,
'The author thinks it necejfary to obferve, that the originals of all letters marked thus ^j^ ^are in his pojfejjion ', the rejl are copied from authentic publications.
(NOTE A. )
"Extradis from a letter, ivritten by Colonel John Lawrence,
Charles town, Feb. 25, 1780.
J. HE Britilh army, faid to be -under the command of Sir Henry Notes to the Clinton, are diftributed on Port-Royal ifland, John's ifland, Stono Chapter, ferry, and a detachment laft night upon James ifland — Head quarters are at Fenwick's houfe, 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 nluch diminifhed fince the embarkation at New York — There is, undoubtedly, fome grand impediment to the enemy's progrefs. All their horfes perifhed at fea, and much of their
F - furniture
34- - CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the furniture was captured. — The enemy's (a.) delay has afforded an op- ChaiJter. portuuity for ftrengthenlng the lines of Charles town, which will be in pretty good order to-morrow — Reinforcements are expedled — Ge- neral Hagan is within a few miles — The Virginia troops are fome- ■ where ! j^JJiJlance from that fijier Jlate has been expeSled thefe eighteen . months — General Moultrie is forming a- camp at Bacon bridge, where he has about five hundred horfe, being horfe of this flate, Baylor's atvd BMnd's of Virginia. General Williamfon is encamped at.Augufta. A thoufand men are expedled from his brigade — General Richardlbn 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 Cliijton will then have caufe to repent his enter- - prize.
(NOTE B.)
From the London Gazette.
Whitehall, April 26, 17 So,,. 'E.xtraM of a letter from. Sir Henry Clinton., Knight of the Bath^ to Lord ' George Germain^ dated Head garters, fames' ijland. South Carolina^ March gih^ 1780. Received by the Swift packet y. Capt. Nichols, from . New York,
MY laft difpatch, No. 8^, will have informed your lordfiilp, that- the admiral and I only waited pofitive information concerning Count . D'Eftaing's fleet to put to fea,
Intel-
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF KORTH AMERICA. ^^
Intelligence (a.) of their having quitted the coaft arrived late Notes to the •111 December, and the troops having been fome time embarked, the Chapter, admiral was enabled to fail the 26th.
I WILL trouble your lordfhip with no other particulars of a very- tedious voyage in (b.) uncommon bad weather, than to mention, that in our lofles of tranfports the lives of the crews have been faved ; that only one (hip is mifling, having on board a detachment of Heflians, and fuppofed to have bore away for the Weft Indies ; But we have to regret the total lofs of an ordnance fhip, which foundered at fea, and of much the greater part of the horfes brought for cavalry, or other public ufes. It was judged beft to proceed by a fecond navigation from Tybee to North (c.) Edifto, and from thence to pafs to John's and next to James ifland. By a bridge over Wappoo cut, we have from this laft gained the banks of Afliley river. My intention is to pafs to the neck of Charles town as foon as poflible. The enemy have, I find, colletled their whole force to that place. This is faid not to exceed five thoufand men at prefent ; but reinforcements are daily expelled. In the mean time, as the rebels have made the de- fence of Charles town their principal obje£t, 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 me by land.
The force afloat at Charles town is four rebel and one French fri- gate, with an old fixty-gun fhip, and fome brigs and gallles.
Although our long voyage, and unavoidable delays firrce, have given the rebels time to fortify Charles town towards the land, a labour their number in negroes has greatly fiicUitated ; yet, confidlpg
F 2 in
36 .CAMPAIGNS OF 178a AND 1781 IN TlfE
Notes tothe 111 the merit of the troops I have the honour to command^ In the
Firft
Chapter, great afliftance I have from Earl CornwaUls, and the farther co-ope- ration of the navy, I entertain great hopes of fuccefs..
I CANNOT clofe my letter without expreffing how much I am obliged hitherto to Admiral Arbuthnot for the affiftance given me through Captain Elphinflone, who as yet has been chiefly employed in the naval tranfadions immediately relative to the army. This gen- tleman^s unremitted attention to us, from his fo ably and fuccefsfully conducing the tranfports into North Edifto to this hour, with the- great benefit I have derived from his knowledge of the inland navi- gation of this part of the coaft, merit m.y warmeft thanks.
P. S. Since the above a reinforcement is arrived in Charles town,, faid to confift of two thoufand men, from the northern army.
(NOTE C. )
Kx-tradt of a letter from Major Andre, Deputy Adjutant General^ ta JJeutenant- colonel 'Tar let on,
^ Head Quarters, William's Houfe,
the I ft April, 1780. I HAVE, by the general's orders, juft 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 feek a paflage acrofs Afhley river, at or above Dorchefter and Baycon bridge, and by this means to join the army before Charles town. The general wou'd not have you undertake any excurfion out of your route to us, or make I any
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, 37
any other delays, after paffing the river, than for the purpofe of ta- Notes to the king forage : Between your prefent encampment and the paflage you Chapter, will of courfe make none, as it wou'd invite oppofition.
(NOTE D. >
Cofyy of a letter from Lieutenant-general Earl CornwalUs to Lieutenant- colonel 'Tarleton.
{C^ Camp, near St. Thomas's Church,
April 25th, 1780.
S T R,
THE commander in chief having diredted me to ufe every effort to prevent fupplies and reinforcements being thrown into Charles town, but particularly to guard againft the garrifon's efcapiiig out of // and its dependent fortreffes ; (a.) I find it neceffary at prefent to place the corps under my command on the eaft fide of Miller's bridge, keeping a redoubt on the weft fide to fecure a eotnmunication ; I muft therefore commit the care of the country between the Cooper and Wando to your charge, with the cavalry and infantry of the legion. The prin- cipal objefts of your care will be the landing places on the well fide of the Wando and in Daniel's ifland ; and I fruft in your vigilance that I fhall receive the earliefl: information of any material movement of the enemy in that quarter ; I muft likewife recommend it to you to take every opportunity of procuring iutelligenee, either from the town, or the Santee river and the back country. I leave it to your difcretion to take fuch pofitions as you fhall find mofi: convenient : You will pleafe to report to me whenever you move, that I may know where to find you. As you will be fo conflantly moving, you will not of courfe be
able
'3i8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes to the at)le to embarrafs yourfelf with the care of fuch ftores as may fall tnto Chaptcf. your hands : If you apprehend that any fuch may be in danger of being retaken by the enemy, and that they will be ufeful to them, you will pleafe to deftroy them. I mufl recommend it to you in the ftrongeit manner to uie your utnioft endeavours to prevent the troops under your command from committing irregularities, and I am con- vinced that my recommendation will have weight, when I affure you that fuch conduft will be highly agreeable to the commander in chief. 1 am, SIR,
Your moll obedient, humble fervant,
CORNWALLIS.
Lieut. Col. Taileton.
( N O T E E. )
From the London Gazette Extraordinary.
Whitehall, June 15, 1780. 'This morning the Earl of Lificoln, aid-de-camp to his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, arrived at this office with the following difpatchfor the Right Honourable Lord George Germain :
Charles town. May 13, 1780. My Lord,
I WILL not trouble your lordfliip with a repetition of the delays
and difficulties which protraded ferious operation until the 29th of
March, on which day the landing on Charles-town neck was efFe(5led.
By this time a depot was formed ; the admiral had paffed the bar,
4ind I had the effential affiflance of officers and feamen of the royal
3. navy
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA ^
navy for my operations. I was alfo ftrengthened with the corps from Notes to the Georgia, under Brigadier-general Patterfon, which, through a country Chapter. interfeited with rivers, and rendered more difficult by heavy rains, had advanced, not unoppofed, in the fpace of twelve days from Savannah to (a.) Alhley river.
The paffage of Afliley, under the conduct of Captain Elphinftone,,. and by the good fervice of the officers and failors of the fleet, was ac- compliihed with order and expedition, and without refinance on the part of the enemy.
The day fucceeding it the army moved towards Charles town, and on the night of the ift of (c.) April broke ground within eight hun.- dred yards of the rebel works. -
By the (d.) 8th our guns were mounted in battery ; and I had the fatisfa£tion to fee the admiral pafs into Charles-town harbour with, the fuccefs his condu£l deferved, though under a very heavy fire from ; Sullivan's ifland.
At this period we judged it advifable to fend the inclofed fum- mons to the place, which returned the anfwer I have the. honour to tranfmit with it.
The batteries (g.) were opened the next day. From their effed: we foonobferved the fire of the. enemy's advanced works to abate confide- rably ; the attention of the engineers, and the diligence of the troops, but increafing as they proceeded. A fecond parallel was completed on ■ the I pth of April, and fecure approaches opened to it. We were now within four hundred and fifty yards of the place.
My.-
4© CAMI*AIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes tothe My Communications had hitherto required the gjreateft attention:
Firft ...
Chapter They had been chofen from Perrenau's landing in Stone river acrofs the Wappoo, and by fmall inlets, leaving only a mile of land carriage into the part of Afhley river oppofite our camp.
Works for t!ie protection of the ftores and {hipping in Stono, others on the communication, and feveral redoubts and batteries ou Afhley, were the labours neceffary to give fecurity in fo importaat a
point.
The prefence of the fleet in the harbour relieving me from appre- henfion on that part, and the admiral taking to himfelf the defence of fort (h.) Johnfon, I was able to detach one thoufand four hundred men, under Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, of the 33d regiment, t& break In upon the enemy's remaining communication with the country.
Our fuccefs but for this meafure would have been incomplete, as 1 had reafou to fear a naval force cou'd not be got into Cooper river, nor confequently the place to be totally invefted.
Your lordfhlp will obferve, that Colonel Webfter had, in the exe- cution of his orders, rivers to crofs, and other difficult operations to efFeit, in prefence of a very fuperior cavalry, which might harafs him much. It was, therefore, of the utmoft importance to flrike at this corps, and, as fuddenly as poffible, to feize the principal pafles of the . country.
The furprlfe (1.) and defeat of the colIe£Ved cavalry and militia of the rebels, and the pofl'effing Biggin's bridge over Cooper, by Lieute- nant-colonel Tarletou with the horfe, the legion, and Major Fergufon's
detachment.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 41
detachment, gave the command of the country (k.) to Colonel Web- Notes to the-
Firft
fter, threw into his hands great fupplies of provifion, and enabled him Chapter. to take a pofl near the head of Wandoo river, forbidding by land all farther accefs to the town from Cooper to the inland navigation. An armed naval force which the admiral fent into Servee bay, and another Rationed in Spencer's inlet, completed the inveftiture to the fea.
A CONSIDERABLE reinforcement joining me from (1.) New York the 18th of April, I immediately flrengthened the corps beyond Cooper •river, which, thus augmented, I requefted Lieutenant-gener^il Earl Cornwallis to lake under his command.
On the 6th of May, the third parallel (n.) was completed clofe to the edge of the rebel canal, and a fap carried to the dam, which con- tained its water on the right, by which means a great part was drained to the bottom.
We could now form jufter opinions of the defences of the town to- •wards the land, which extended in a chain (e.) of redoubts, lines, and batteries, from Afhley to Cooper. In front of either flank of the works, fwamps, which the canal connedls, ooze to each river ; betwixt thefe impediments and the place are two rows of abbatis, various other obflruftions, and a double picketted ditch ; a horn-work of mafonry, which, during the fiege, the enemy doled as a kind of citadel, flrengthened 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 forcible motives now prevailed to induce the place to ca-
G pitulate.
4i eAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 178^1 IN THE
Notes to the pitulatc. Admiral Arbuthnot had landed a force of feamen and marines-
Firft
Chapter, on SuUivan's ifland, underi Captain Hudfon, to whom, on the threat that (hips fhould hatter the fort, th& garrifon delivered, themfelves
upon, terms..
LiEUTiiN A NT-GENERA JL' Eart'Cornwallis had been no lefs fuccefsfui- in the countrj. The cavalry under Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton had; again the good fortune which condu£t and gallantry deferve, . and over- took at the Santee a body of horfe the enemy- had, with infinite diffi-- culty. colleifled togetlier. Xhey (m.) were mofl fpiritedly charged,, and defeated, Moft of the riders fled to the moraffes, or threw thenv- felves into the river, from whence few have extricated themfelves. . Fifty or ilxty men were killed or taken, and every horfe of the corps,, with the arms and appointments, fellinto our, hands..
Although, in a fecond correfpondenee which the enemy folicited,., they had fhewn in their propofals for a furrender far too extenfive prcr tenfions, the adniiral and myfelf covdd not refrain from attempting; once more to avert the cruel extremity of a ftorm. In this renewal of. treaty, however, we did. not find their indifcretion much abated..
The batteries of the third parallel (o.). were therefore opened, and; a manifefl fiiperlority of fire foon obtained ; the corps of yagers ading, as markfmen,. were on this occafion extremely ufefuL
Under this fire we gamed the counterfcarp of the outwork which flanked the canal,, the canal itfelf was paffed, and work carried on towards the ditch of the. place.
The
SOUTHER'N PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 43
The I ith, General Lincoln fent to us his acquiefcence in the terms Notes to the he had two days before obje£led to. Whatever fevere juftice might Chapter. di£late 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.
On the 12th, Major-general Leflle took (q.) pofleffion of the 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, French, and Teamen, make about fix thou- sand men in arms. The titular deputy governor, council, and civil officers, are alfo prifoners.
'Four frigates and feveral armed veffels, with a great number of boats, have likewife fallen into our polTeffion, and about four hundred pieces of cannon.
Of the garrifon, artillery, and ftores, your lordfhip will have as perfeft returns as I (hall be able to colleft.
I HAVE yet, my lord, to add to this letter, the expreffions 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 Cornwallis, ~Major-general8 Leflie, Huyne, and Kolborth, and Brigadier-general -Patterfon, for their animated affiftance.
G <2, I TRUST
44 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN TH'K
Notes to the I TRUST I do not flatter myfelf vainly, that the good fervices during
Firft
Chapter, the fiege, of the officers and foldiers of the royal artillery, of Captain Elphinflone, and the officers and feamen of the royal navy ferving with us on ffiore, of the corps of engineers, of the officers and fol- diers of every corps, Britifli and Heflian, and particularly the yager detachment, will receive His Majefly's gracious approbation.
I HAVE efpecially to exprefs my obligation to Lieutenant-colonel Webfter, and the corps which a6led under him. And I have to give the greateft praife to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton and the cavalry, for their conduft, bravery, and eminent fervices.
But to Major MoncrlefF, the commanding engineer, who planned, and, with the affiftance of fuch capable officers under him, conduced the fiege with fo much judgement, intrepidity, and laborious atten- tion, 1 wilh to render a tribute of the very higheft applaufe, and moft , permanent gratitude ; perfuaded that far more flattering commenda- tions than I can beflow will not fail to crown fuch rare merit.
Your lordfliip has feen how great a fhare 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 fhips, to favour us at that important crifis.
1 HAVE the honour to fend your lordfliip returns of our lofs.
I have the honour to be, &c.
H. CLINTON.
Return
SOVTHERN PnOVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA* 4^;
Return (r.) of the killed and wounded of the troops under the command (5/* Notes fo the his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton, from the debarkation in South Chapter., Carolina the nth of February, to the fur render of Charles town the 12th of May.
BRIT IS H.
Royal artillery. 5 rank and file killed ; 7 ditto wounded.
xft battalion of light infantry. 8 rank and file killed; i ferjeant, 17 rank and file wounded.
2d battalion ditto. 11 rank and file killed; i lieutenant, 12 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, ii 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.
71ft. 2 enfigns, 6 rank and file killed ; i captain, I lieutenant, I4({- rank and file wounded.
GERMAN.
Yagers. 7 rank and file killed ; 14 ditto wounded. Linfing. 2 rank and file killed ; 7 ditto wounded. Lengerck. i rank and file killed ; 1 5 ditto wounded-
1 . Schuler, •
46 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes to the Schuler. 3 rank and file killed ; 1 8 ditto wounded. Chapter. Graft, 2 rank and file killed j 2 lieutenants, 8 rank and file woundedr Hoyne. 5 rank and file wounded.
PROVINCIAL.
New-Yotk volunteers. 2 rank and file killed ; i ditto wounded. Britifh legion. 5 rank and file killed; 9 ditto wounded. Fergufon's corps* 5 rank and file wounded.
Total BRITISH, GERMAN, and PROVINCIAL.
2 enligns, i ferjeant, -j^ rank and file, killed ; i captain, 7 lieutenants, 2 ferjeants, 1 79 rank and file, wounded.
OFJ^ICERS KILLED. 71ft regiment. Enfign M'Gregor, Enfign Cameron.
OFFICERS WOUNDED.
22d regiment grenadier company. Lieutenant White. 33d ditto. Lieutenant Bevor. 42d ditto. Lieutenant Grant. r64th ditto. Light infantry. Lieutenant Freeman, 7 1 fl regiment. Captain M'Leod, Lieutenant Wilfon. Graff's .grenadiers. Lieutenant Frietfon, Lieutenant Oethanfs.
H. CLINTON.
(NOTE
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
47
(NOTE F. )
Admiralty Office, June 15, 1780. His Majejlys Jhlp the Perfeus, commanded by the Hon. Keith Elphinjione^ Notes to the arrived late lajl night at Spithead, from Charles town^ in South Carolina^ chapter. from whence fhe failed the i ']th of lafl month, having on board Sir Andrew Hammond, ivho came to this Office this forenoon with a letter from Fice-admiral Arbuthnot, to Mr. Stevens, of which the following is a copy :.
Roebuck, ofF Charles town. May 14, 1780.
SIR, 1 HAVE the fatisfadlon to acquaint you, for the information of my lords eommiffioners of the admiralty, that Charles town, with all its dependencies, the fhipping in the harbour, and the army under , General Lincoln, has furrendered to His Majefty's arms.
My laft' letters, by a Dutch (hip bound to Amfterdam, which failed' the 16th of February, will have informed you of my departure from New York, and my arrival off Savannah, with a fquadron of His Majefty's (hips, efcortiug a confiderable body of troops under the com- mand of Sir Henry Clinton-
Most of the miffing fiiips having arrived, no time was -loft in pro- fecuting the intended expedition. I fhifted my flag from the Europe to this fhip ; and the tranfports having repaired their damages fuf-~ tained on the paffage, I proceeded with the fleet, on the loth of February, to North Edifto, the place of debarkation previoufly agreed ' upon. Our paffage (a.) thither was favourable and fpeedy ; and al- though it required time to have the bar explored, and the channel; 3 marked,.
48 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Notes to the marked, the iranfports all entered the harbour the next day ; and the Chapter, army took poffefTioa of John's ifland without oppofition.
TiTE general havhig made a requifition for heavy (b.) cannon, and a detachment of Teamen from the fleet, the latter were put under the command of Captain Elphinftone and Captain Evans, and the guns forwarded to the army as foon as they could be colleded from the line-of-battle fliips, which the bad weather had forced from their anchors.
Preparations were next made for paffing the fquadron over Charles-town bar, where the high water fpring tides there, 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 wa5 efFeifhed without any accident, on the 20th of March, notwithftanding the enemy's galleys continually -attempted to prevent our boats from founding the channel.
1 ENCLOSE a lift of the rebel naval force, which, at this time, made an appearance of difputing the paffage up the river, at the narrow pafs, between Sullivan's ifland and the middle ground, having moored their fhips and 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 Bricole, 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
in
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 45
ill the channel between the town and Shute's Folly; a boom was ex- Notes to the
Firft
tended acrofs, compofed of cables, chains, and ipars, fecured by the Chapter. fhips' mafts, and defended fro'-n the town by ftrong batteries of pimento logs, in which were mounted upwards of forty pieces of heavy cannon.
Every thing being in readinefs for croffing the army over the Afliley river, the boats of the fleet, with the flat boats, under the command of Capt. Elphiiiilone and Capt. Evans of the Raifonable, the v/hole army, with the artillery and (lores necefl'ary for the flege, were landed under the cover of the galleys, on the town fide, with aftonifliing expedition.
As foon as the army began to ered their batteries agalnft the town, 1 took t!ie 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.) 9th ult., with the Roebuck, Richmond, Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigii, nnd Sandwich armed fhlp. The Renown bringing up the rear, and pafling 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 mafl: was fhot away, and the fhips in general fufl:ained damage in their marts and rigging ; however, not materially in their hulls : But the Acetus tranfport, having on board a few naval ftores, grounded within guniliot of Sullivan's ifland, and re- ceived fo much damage, that Ihe was obliged to be abandoned and burnt.
Having Rationed fhips and armed veflels off the different inlets, upon the coaft, and the town being now nearly invefled, attempts were made to pafs a naval force into Cooper river, by Hog's Ifland,
H (the
50 CAiMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes to the (the main channel being rendered imprafticable) and fmall veffels to
Firlt
Chapter. Carry heavy guns were fitted for that fervice : But on being found the enemy had alio funk vefiels in that channel, and its entrance was de- fended by the works on Sullivan's ifland, and mount Pleafant, it was refolved to difpoffefs them of the latter, by the feamen of the fleet ; and in the mean time, to arm the fmall veflels that had been tak""en by Earl Cornwallis in the Wandoo river.
For this purpofe a brigade of five hundred feamen and marines was formed from the fquadron, and under the command of the Captains Hudfon, Orde, and Gambier, landed at day break, on the 29th, at mount Pleafant ; where receiving information that the rebels were abandoning their redoubt at Lamprie's point, (an advantageous poll on Cooper river) they marched with a view of cutting off their rear, but, on a near approach, found the garriibn had efcaped in velTels to Charles town ; but their fudden appearance prevented the rebels from carry- ing off their cannon and ftores, or from deftroying their works. About the fame time, a major, a captain, and fome other commif- fioned and non-commifiioned officers, with eighty privates, were made prifoners by the guard boats of the fleet, in retiring to the town.
Captain Hudfon being relieved in his pofl by Colonel Fergufon, returned to the fort at mount Pleafant, which being in the neighbour- hood of fort Sullivan, brought us in deferters daily, from whom I learnt very favourable accounts of its garrifon ; I therefore (f.) formed a plan to attack it, which fhould not interfere with the important operations the army were carrying on, and which now became every day more and more critical.
The
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 5t
The attention of the rebels, I found, had been chiefly directed to Notes to the
Fii-il:
the fouth and eaft fides of the fort, which were moll open to attack ; Chapter, but the weft face and north-wefl baftion, I difcovered, had been neg- lected ; 1 therefore determined to attempt to carry the fort by ftorm, luider cover of the fire from the (hips of the fquadron. The Captains Hudfon and Gambier, and Captain Knowles, agent for tranfports, with two hundred feamen and marines, embarked in the boats of the fquadron, in the night of the 4th inftant, and paffing by the fort un- obferved, landed before day light, and took poffeffion of a redoubt on the eafl end of the ifland ; whilll other boats were preparing to carry over the fame number of feamen and marines from mount Pleafant, luider the command of Captain Orde. On the whole being ready, and tlie (hips only waiting for the tide, to begin the attack, the fort was fummoned by Captain Hudfon, when, after a little confideration, the garrifon furrendered themfelves prifoners of war. A copy of the capi- tulation, and the return of prifoners and (lores, accompany this letter.
The redu£lion of the city followed four day^ after ; for the prepara- tions to dorm it in every part being in great forwardnefs, and the (hips 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 propofed, and the enclofed capitulation, figned by the^general and myfelf, the loth inftant.
I HAVE commi(rioned the rebel and French frigates, In the King's fervice, and have given the command of them to officers of lolig fer- vlce, and acknowledged merit.
The conduft of Sir Andrew Hammond, of the Roebuck, who bears this difpatch to you, deferves particular mention ; whether in the
H 2 great
52 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the great line of fervice, or in the detail of duty, he has been ever readv.
Chapter, forward, and animated. The Captains Hudfon, Orde, Gambier, Ei'-
phinftone, and Evans, have diftinguifhed themfelves particularly oh
fliore ; and the officers and feamen, who have ferved with them. on this
occafion, have obferved the moft perfefl difcipline.
Our whole lofs in the fliips and galleys, and the batteries on Ihore,. is tv^/enty-three Teamen killed, and twenty-eight wounded ; among the latter is Lieutenant Bowers, of the Europe, but in fair way of re- covery.
The fleet has endeavoured moft heartily and efFe£lually to co-operate with the army in every poffible inflance ; and the moft perfe<fl harmony has fubfifted between us..
Ij'ufl: add, that rebel privateering has recently received, a fevej^e check ; the Iris and Galatea having lately, in the fpace of ten days,., taken nine privateers, (two of which were fliips of twenty guns,, and. none lefs than fixteen) and eight hundred feamen,
I have the honour to be,. SI R, Your moft obedient fervant,
M. ARBUTHNOT,
A I'lji of rebel pips (h.) of war taken or dejiroyed 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-
foners.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AxMERICA. 53
fonei'S. — The Truite, 2,6 twelve pounders, funk, her captain, &c. pri- Notes to the foners. — Queen of France, 28 nnie 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, prifoners. — Boflon, of the fiime force, taken, ditto. — Ranger, 20 fix pounders, taken, ditto.
FRENCH SHIP S.
L'AvANTURE, 26 nine and fix pounders, commanded by the Sieur de Brulot, Lieutenant de Vaifleau, taken, ditto. — Polacre, 16- fix. pounders, taken. — Some empty brigs lying at the wharfs, with other fmall.veflels,. were alfo taken, with four armed galleys.
M. ARBUTHNOT.
jiH'rcks (g.) of Capitulation^ agreed oti betwee% Captain Charles Hitdfon, . commander of His Majejlys pip the Richmond, and Lieutenant-colonel
Scott y commandant effort Moultrie, on the fur render of that fort and its
dependencies^ May 7, 1780,.
Art. I. THAT the troops in garrlfon ffiall be allowed to march out with the ufual honours of war, and to pile their arms outfide of the g;ate..
Art. II. That all the officers in garrifon, as well continental as militia, and the non-commiffioned officers and privates of the militia, fhall be. confidered. as. prifoners of war at large on their parole, until exchanged ; and be allowed, in the mean time, to refide with their fa- milies and friends, Charles town excepted, as It is at prefent under fiege.
2i' Art,
54 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the Art. III. That the continental and militia officers be permitted to Chapter, wcar theu" fide arms.
Art. IV. That the Haves and other property of every individual in garrifon be fecured to their refpedive owners : That all fuch flaves in .garrifon, belonging to perfons out of it, be fecured to their refpedive owners in fuch manner as may be agreed upon between Captain Hud- fon and the commandins: officer of the fort.
Art. V. All property, (laves, &c. to be fecured to each individual of the garrifon ; fuch as is lodged in the fort for fecurity or otherwife, belonging to individuals, not of the garrifon, to be delivered up.
Art. VI. That the fick have every neceffary accommodation, and all the continental private foldiers be treated in a humane manner, and not rlgoroufly confined ; every humanity to be fhewn to both fick and ■well.
Art. VIL The fort, artillery, arms, ammunition, and flores, of all kinds, to be delivered up to fuch officers and guard as Captain Hud- fon (hall think proper to fend for that purpofe.
Art. VIII. The garrifon to march out of the fort, and pile their arms early in the morning, in front of the Britifh forces, who will be -drawn up before the entrance of the fort on the occafion.
CHARLES HUDSON.
WILLIAM SCOTT,
Lieut. Col. I ft reg. and commandant A Copy. of fort Moultrie.
M. Arbuthnot* I
Fort
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 55
Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's ifland, May 7, 1780.
A return of the gar r if on of fort Moultrie, made pr if oners of war by a hri- Notes to the gade of fe amen and marines ^ commanded by Captains Hudfon^ Gambiery Chapter. and Knowles, of the royal navy.
Continental commlffioiied officers. — Lieutenant colonel, i j Captains, 3; Lieutenants, 4; Non-commiflioned and privates, 110.
IVIiLiTiA. — Captains, 2; Lieutenants, 7; Non-commiffioned and privates, 91.
(Signed) CHA. HUDSON.
A return of ordnance and other fi ores talien on fort Moultrie, on Sullivan s ijland, by the naval brigade. May yth, 1780.
IRON ORDNANCE.
Twenty-four pounders, 9 ; eighteen pounders, 7 ; twelve pounders, 10; nine pounders, 9; fix pounders, 2; four pounders, 4; mortar of ten inches, i. Total of iron ordnance, 41.
ROUND SHOT,
Twenty-four pounders, 539 ; eighteen pounders, 613 ; twelve poun- ders, 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 fhot, 148.
GRAPE
56 CAMPAIGNS OF I7S0 AND I781 IN THE
GRAPE SHOT.
Notes to the Twenty-four pounders, 82; eighteen pounders, 50; twelve pouft^
Fiill
Chaptei-. ders, 42 ; nine pounders, 50. Total of grape (hot, 224,
CANNISTER SHOT.
Twelve pounders, 13; nine pounders, 56; fix pounders, 30 ; four pounders, 34. Total of cannifter fliot, 133.
Ten-inch (hells, 120; fix-inch (hells, 32; lint flocks, 54; barrels of powder, 46; worms, ladles, and fponges, 193; lanthorns, 10; handfpikes, 256 ; flannel cartridges for field pieces, 98 ; mufquet car- tridges, 6032 ; beds fpare, 35 ; coins fpare, 39 ; ftand of arms, 520 ; cartridges filled, 2706; blank cartridges, 1994; portfires, 250; (pare fufes, 300; hand granadoes, 120; bits and prickers, 80 ; reams of paper, 2; tubes fpare, .100; fpare gun carriages, 9; barrels of tur- pentine, 40 ; 3 waggons ; i fling cart for great guns ; i gin ; i ditto fall and -flings.; i water engine ; 3 coils of rope, (four inches.)
(Signed) CHA. HUDSON.
A Copy.
M. Arbuthnot.
(N O T E G. )
'Supplement to the Londoji Gazette Extraordinary.
'Copy of the fumnwns fent to Major-general Lincoln, the loth of j^pril^
1780.
Camp before Charles town, April to, 1780-. "SI-R (a.) Henry Clinton, K. B. general and commander in chief of His Majefty's forces in the colonies Ij'ing o?i the Atlantic, from Nova
Scotiai
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA.
57
Scotia, &c. &c. and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot, commander in chief of Notes to the His Majefty's fhips, &c. in North America, &c. &c. regretting the Chapter. efFufion of blood, and the diflreffes which muft now commence, deem it confonant to humanity to warn the town and garrifon of Charles town of the havock and defolation with which they are threatened from the formidable force furrounding them 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 cannonade and ftorm.
Should the place in a fallacious fecurity, or its commander in a wanton indifference to the fate of its inhabitants, delay the furrender, or fliould public ftores or (hipping be deflroyed, the refentment of an exafperated foldiery may intervene ; but the fame mild and compaf- fionate offer can never be renewed.
The refpedlive commanders, who hereby fummon the town, do not apprehend fo rafh a part as farther refinance will be taken ; but rather that the gates will he opened, and themfelves received with a degree of confidence which will forbode farther reconciliation.
(Signed) H. CLINTON.
M. ARBUTHNOT.
Copy of a letter from Major-general Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot^ dated Charles town^ April lo, 1780.
Gentlemen, (b.) I HAVE received your fummons of this date. Sixty days have paffed fince it has been known that your intentions againfl this
I town
*8 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
.Notes to the town Were hoftlle, ia which tune 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 Lincoln, dated camp before Charles town, May 8, 1780.
SIR, CIRCUMSTANCED as I now am with refpeO: to the place In- vefted, humanity only can induce me to lay within your reach the terms I had determined fliould not again be pix)ffered.
The fall effort Sullivan, the deftrudion on the 6th inftant of what remained of your cavalry, the critical period to which our approaches againll 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 refiftance is temerity.
By this laft fummons, therefore, I throw to your charge whatever vindi£live feverity. exafperated foldiers may inflid on the unhappy peo- ple whom you devote, by perfevering in a fruitlefs defence.
I SHALL expeft your anfwer until eight o'clock, when hoftilitles will commence again, unlefs the town be furrendered.
I- have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) H. CLINTON.
In
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. §^
(c.) In confequence of this letter, articles of capitulation were pro- Notes to the pofed by Major-general Lincoln, and anfwered by their Excellencies Chapter. General Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot ; which anfwers being deemed by General Lincoln to be in- dmiffible, he propofed that other articles, which he then fent, might be acceded to. Thofe articles were rejefted by Sir Henry Clinton and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot ; and on the nth of May Major-general Lin- coln wrote the following letter :
Copy of a letter from Major-general Lincoln, to General Sir Henry Clint on ^ dated Charles towny May ii, 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 inflant. They then appeared to me fuch as I might profter, 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 wifh on my part to lefTen as much as may be the diftreffes of war to individuals, lead me now to offer you iny acceptance of them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) B. LINCOLN.
His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton.
I 2 Copy
6o CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the Copy of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Major-general Lincoln, dated Chapter. camp before Charles town, May 11, 1780.
SIR,
WHEN you rejedled the favourable terms which were di(5tated by an earnefl deiire to prevent the efFufion of blood, and interpofed articles that were wholly inadmiflible, both the admiral and myfelf were of opuiion that the furrender of the town at difcretion was the only con- dition that fhould afterwards be attended to ; but as the motives which then induced them are ftill prevalent, 1 now mform you that the terms then offered will flill be granted.
A COPY of the articles fhali be fent for your ratification as fooii as they can be prepared ; and immediately after they are exchanged, a detachment of grenadiers will be fent to take pofleffion of the horn, work oppofite your main gate. Every arrangement which may con- duce to good order in occupying the town, fliall be fettled before noon to-morrow, and at that time your garrifon will march out..
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) H. CLINTON.
Major-general Lincoln-.
SOUTH
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. • 6l
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Articles of capitulation between their Excellencies Sir Henry Qinton, Knight Notes to the of the Bath, general and commander in chief of His Majefys forces in Chapter. the fever al provinces and colonies on the Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to Weji Florida inclufwe, Mariot Arbuthnot, Efq. Vice-admiral of the Blue, and commander in chief of all His Majefys flips Mid vejj'els in North America, and Major-general Benjamin Lincoln, commanding in chief in the town and harbour of Charles town.
Art. r. THAT all a6ls of hoflility and work fliall ceafe between the befiegers and the befieged, until the articles of capitulation fhall be agreed on, ligned, and executed, or colledtively reje6led.
Answer. All a6ls of hoflility and work fhall ceafe, until the ar- ticles of capitulation are finally agreed to or rejeiTled..
Art. II. The town and fortifications fliatl be furrendered to the commander in chief of theBritifh forces, fueh as they now fland.
Answer. The town and fortifications, with the fliipping at the wharfs, artillery, and all other public flores whatfoever, fhall be fur- rendered in their prefent flate to the commanders of the invefling forces ; proper officers fhall attend from the refpetSlive departments to receive, them. .
Art. III. The (f.) contlnentar troops and failors, with their bag- gage, fhall be conduced to a place to be agreed on, where they fliall re- main prifoners of war until exchanged. While prifoners, they fhall be fupplied with good and whoiefome provifions in fuch quantity as is ferved out to the troops of His Britannic Majefly.
Answer. Granted.
2 Aa-T»-
6i ■ CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes to tiie Art. IV. The militia now in garrifoa fhall be permitted to return
Firrt . .
Chapter, to their refpeftlve homes, and be fecured in their perfons and property. Answer. The militia (g.) now In garrifon fhall be permitted to re- turn to their refpedive homes as prlfoners ou parole ; which parole, as long as they obferve, fliall fecure them from being mplefted in their property by the Britifli troops.
Art. V. The fick and wounded fhall be continued under the care • of their own furgeons, and be fupplied with medicines and fuch necef- lliries as are allowed to the Britifh hofpitals. Answer. Granted.
Art. VL The officers of the army and navy fliall keep their horfcs, fwords, piftols, and baggage, which fhall not be fearched, and retain their feivants.
Answer. Granted, (1.) except with refpe6t 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 fhall, 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 fhall, 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 depofit their arms. The drums are not to beat a Britifh march, or colours to be uncafed.
Art. VIII. That the French conful, his houfe, papers, and other moveable property, fhall be protefled and vmtouched, and a proper' time granted to him for retiring to any place that may afterwards be
agreed
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 65
agreed upon between him and the commander in chief of the British Notes to the
_ Fii-ft
forces. Chapter.
Answer. Agreed, with this reflridion, that he is to confider him- felf as a prifoner on parole.
Art. IX. That the citizens fhall be protefted in their perfons and properties.
Answer. All civil officers, (h.) and the citizens who have borne arms during the fiege, muft be prifoners on parole ; and with I'efpedt 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 notwithftanding underftood to be prifoners on parole.
Art. X. That a twelvemonth's time be allowed all fuch as do not chufe to continue under the Britifh government to difpofe of their effects, real and perfonal, in the ftate, without any moleftation what- ever ; or to remove fuch part thereof as they chufe, as well as them- 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 difcuffion of this article of courfe cannot poffibly be entered into at prefent. t
Art. XI. That the fame protedlion to their perfons and proper- ties, and the fame time for the removal of their effects, be given to the fubjefts of France and Spain, as are required for the citizens in the preceding article.
Answer. The fubjefts of France and Spain fhall have the fame terms as are granted to the French conful.
2S Art,
64 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the Art. XII. That a veffel be permitted to go to Philadelphia with Chapter, the general's difpatches, which are not to be opened.
Answer. Granted, (k.) and a proper veffel with a flag will be provided for that purpofe.
All public papers and records rnuft be carefully preferved, and faithfully delivered to fuch perfons as fhall be appointed to receive .them.
Done in Charles town, May 12, 1780.
B. L I N C O L N.
Done in camp before Charles town. May 12, 1780.
(Signed) H. CLINTON.
M. ARBUTHNOT.
Sotal cf the rebel forces commanded by Major-general Uncoln. at the fur' render of Charles town. May 12, 1780, now pr If oners of war.
TWO major generals, 5 brigadier generals, 3 majors of brigade, ,16 colonels, 9 lieutenant colonels, 41 cornets or enfigns, i paymafter, 7 adjutants, 6 quarter inafters, 18 furgeons^ 6 mates, 322 ferjeants, 137 drummers, 4710 rank and file.
The above is a copy of a return figned by the Britifii commiflary of jirifoners.
JOHN ANDRK,
Deputy adjutant general
Ueiurn
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 6^
Return of ordnance, (b.) arms, and ammunition in Charles town, when Notes to the
Firft
Jiirrendered to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, Chaptej-. commander in chief of His Majejly's forces, Cs'c. May 14, 1780.
Ordnance mounted on carriages and beds, withjide arms, &c.
BRASS GUNS. One fix pounder, 1 7 four ditto, 3 three ditto.
BRASSMORTARS.
One ten inch, i nine inch three quarters, 1 feven inch one quarter, 3 five inch and half, 3 four inch and half, i eight-inch brafs howitzer.
IRON GUNS.
Twelve twenty-fix pounders, iz twenty-four ditto, 29 eighteen ditto, 79 twelve ditto, 70 nine ditto, 27 fix ditto, 44 four ditto, 6 three-half-pound fwivels, 2 carronades, 3 four pounders.
SHOT, ROUND LOOSE.
Forty twenty-fix pounders, 626 twenty-four ditto, 121 9 eighteen ditto, 3120 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.
!K SHELLS,
66
CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
SHELLS, EMPTY.
Notes to die Ninety ten inch, 96 nine ditto three quarters, 150 eight ditto, 30 Chapter, fevcu ditto three quarters, 40 fix 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 ; mufquet (hot, 2 cwt.
DOUBLE HEADED.
Eighty-fix eighteen pounders, 209 twelve ditto, 40 four ditto; 55. fponges, with flaves and ramnaer heads, of forts ; 209 ladles, with, flaves, &c., of forts ; 2 1 wadhooks, with flaves,
HANDSPIKES.
One hundred and twenty-nine common, 41 iron-crow leavers, 80 fpikes, with flaves.
CARTRIDGES, FLANNEL, FILLED.- Two hundred 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 v^^ith ball, 7796 carabine ditto, 2 car- riages, fpare four pounders, 71 cutlaffes ; 3 gun triangles,, with blocks
complete ;
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 67
complete; 14 lanterns, common; match flow, 2 cwt. ; 2>1^ barrels Notes to the of powder, corned ; 37 powder horns. Chapter.
PAPER CARTRIDGES, EMPTY.
Two hundred and twenty twenty-four pounders, 941 eighteen ditto, 800 twelve ditto, 990 nine ditto, 400 iix ditto, 6 dozen port fires, 270 tin tubes filled, 6000 ditto empty.
FRENCH MUSQ.UETS.
Eight hundred and forty-feven in ftore, 4569 delivered at the abbatis, 15 ftands of regimental colours.
OS" Large quantities of mufquet cartridges, arms, and other fmall articles, not included in the above return : The fcattered fituation of the different flores not admitting of collefting them in fo ftiort a time. A more exaft account will be given as foon as poflible.
ABSTRACT OF ORDNANCE.
Brafs guns, 21 ; mortars, 9 ; howitzers, i ; iron guns, 280. To- tal, 311. Befides the ordnance taken in fort Moultrie, Lampries, mount Pleafant, and on board the veflels, amounting in the whole to eighty or ninety pieces ; and one ten-inch mortar.
(Signed) PETER TRAILLE,
Major, commanding in the royal artillery.
Kz (NOTE
6i8 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
(NOTE I. )
London Ga%eUe,
Notes to the Copy of a letter from General Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. to Lord George Chapter. Germain, dated Head garters, Charles town^ South Carolina, June 5, 1780.
My Lord, THAVE the honour to enclofe, for your lordfhip's information, the copies of two proclamations I have found it neceffary to iflue as commander In chief, and the copy of a handbill which has been circu- lated amongfl the inhabitaats, and appears to have had a very good efFeft..
I tave the honour to be, &e,
H, CLINTON.
Handbill ijfued after the furrender of Charles towun.
WHEN the royal army arrived in South Carolina, the commander in chief avoided, as much as poffible, every meafure 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 reduction of Charles town, could not. alfift or fecond their ftruggtes;.
The blood of the loyalifts that Had been unhappily fhed, and the
fcverities which had been inflided on them by the rebels, in confe-^
quence of the former fpirited but ill-timed infurredlions of the King's^
mimerous friends on the back of both Carolinas, had already occafioned.
J. too,
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, 69
too much grief and regret to His Majefty, and the fellow fubjefts in Notes tothe Europe, for him wantonly to bring again into hazard the lives and hap- Chapter, pinefs of men who deferve 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 thoufand men, with all their arms, ftores, artillery, and fliips of war, being in poffeffiou of His Majefty's forces, the time is come when it is equally the intereft and duty of every good man to be in readinefs to join the King's troops, and affift them in eftablifhing juftice and liberty, and in rellorin"- and fecuring their own property, whenever they fhall march to fupport them againft the fmall rebel parties that ftill linger at a diftance in the province.
After fo much diforder, violence, and oppreffion, the helping hand of every man (a.) is wanted to re-eftablifli peace and good government! and as the commander in chief wifhed not to draw the King's friends into danger, when any doubt could remain of their fuccefs ; fo now that that is certain, he trufts that one and all will heartily join, and, by a general concurrence, give efFe6l to fuch neceffary meafures for that purpofe, as, from time to time, may be pointed out to them. And they may reft aflured that every means will be ufed to avoid giving them any trouble but what is neceffary to fecure to them peace, liberty, and profperity.
In ordbv to attain thefe happy ends, it is the duty of all men, who' wifh 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 incieafed and prof^- jgered.
THOSEk-
•JO CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Notes to the Those vvho have families will form a militia to remain at home. Chapter, and occafionally to aflemble in their own diftrifts, when required, un- der officers of their own chufing, for the maintenance of peace and . good order. Thofe who have no families, and can conveniently be fpared for a time, it is hoped will chearfully aflift His Majefty's troops in driving their rebel oppreflbrs, and all the mlferles of war, far from the province.
For this purpofe it is necelTary that the young men be ready to aflemble when required, and ferve with the King's troops for any lix months of the enfuing twelve that may be found requifite, under pro- per regulations. They may chufe officers to each company to com- mand them, and will be allowed, when on fervlce, pay, ammunition, and provifions, in the fame manner as the King's troops. When they join the army, each man will be furniffied 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; 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
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 71
SOUTH CAROLINA.
By His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the mojl honour able order Notes to the of the Bath, general and commander in chief of all His Majejlys forces Chapter.. within the colonies lying on the Atlantic ocean, from Nova Seotia to IVeJl Florida inclufve.
F R O C L A M A T I O N.
WHEREAS, notwithftanding the gracious offers which have been made to receive to His Majefty's peace and protedJion, with pardon, and oblivion for their pafl: offences, all thofe his deluded and infatuated fubjefts, who ihould. return to their duty, and a due obedience to the laws, yet there are fome wicked and defperate men, who, regardlefs of the ruin and miiery in which the country will be involved, are ftill 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 fangui- iiary punishments, to compel His Majefty's faithful and unwilling fubjefls to take up arms againft his authority and government ; and it is therefore become neceffary, as well for the protedlion of the loyal. fubje£ts, as to procure the eftablifhment of peace and good govern- ment in the country, to prevent, by the terror of example, fuch enormous offences being committed in future : I have therefore thought fit to iffue this my proclamation, to declare, (b.) that if any perfon (hall hereafter appear in arms, in order to prevent the eflablifh^ ment of His Majefly's government in this country, or fhall, 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 fubjedls 3 - . from
72 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Notes to the .from joining his forces, or otherwife performing thofe duties their Chapter, allegiance requires, fuch perfon-or perfons fo offending fhall be treated with that feverity fo criminal and hardened an obfliiiacy will deferve, and his or their eftates will be immediately feized, in order to be con- ififcated. And for the encouragement of the King's faithful and peaceable fubje£ls, I do again aflure them, that they fliall meet with effedual countenance, proteftlon, and fupport ; and whenever the fituation of the country will permit of the refloration of civil govern- ment and peace, they will, by the commiffioners appointed by His Majefty for that purpofe, be reftored to the full poffeffion of that liberty in their perfons and property which they had before expe- rienced under the British government. And that fo defirable an event may be the more fpeedily accomplifhed, I do hereby, in His Majefty's name, require and command all perfons whatfoever to be aiding and aflifting to his forces, whenever they fhall be required, in order to ex- tirpate the rebellion, and thereby reftore peace and profperity to this, at prefent, defolated and diftradled country.
Given under my hand, at head quarters in Charles town, the 22d day of May, 1780.
(Signed) H. CLINTON..
By his excellency's command,
(Signed) Nathaniel Philips,
; Affifting fecretary.
(COPY.)
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. j^
I
(COPY.)
SOUTHCAROLINA.
By His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the mojl honourable order Notes to the of the Bath, general and commander in chief of all His Majefy^s forces Chapter. •within the colonies lying on the Atlantic ocean, from Nova Scotia to Wejl Florida inclufve, (ic, &c. &c.
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS after the arrival of His Majefty's forces under my command in this province, in February laft, numbers of perfons were made prifoners by the army, or voluntarily furrendered themfelves as fuch, and fuch perfons were afterwards difmifled on their refpedtive paroles ; and whereas fince the furrender of Charles town, and the de- feats and difperfion of the rebel forces, it is become unnecellary that fuch paroles fhould be any longer obferved ; and proper that all per- fons (hould take an a£live part in fettling and fecuring His Majefty's government, and delivering the country from that anarchy which for lome time pail hath prevailed ; I do hereby iflue this my proclama- tion, to declare, that all the Inhabitants of this province, who are now prifoners 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 aftual confinement excepted) that from and after the twentieth day of June inftant, they are freed and exempted from all fuch paroles, and may hold themfelves as reftored to all the rights and duties belonging to citizens and inhabitants.
And all perfons under the defcriptlon before mentioned, who (hall afterwards negled to return to their allegiance, and to His Majefty's
L government,
^4 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the ffovemmetit, will be conlidered as enemies and rebels to the fame, and- Chapter, treated accordingly.
Given under my hadd, at head quarters in Charles town, the ^d day of June, 1 780, and in the twentieth year of His Majefty's reign,
(Signed) H. CLINTON.
By his excellency's command,
(Signed) Peter Russel,
Affifting fecretary.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
By Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath., general of His Majejly' s forces^ and Mariot Arbiithnot, Efquire, vice admiral of the blue. His Majejlfs commijjioners to refiore peace and good government in the fever al colonies in rebellion in North America.
PROCLAMATION.
HIS Majefty having been pleafed by his letters patent,, under the great feal of Great Britain, to appoint us to be his commiffioners, to reftore the bleffings of peace and liberty to the feveral colonies in re- bellion in America, we do hereby make public his inoft gracious in- tentions, and in obedience to his commands, do declare to fuch of his deluded fubje£ls as have been perverted from their duty by the factious arts of felf-interefted and ambitious men, that they will be received with mercy and forgivenefs, if they immediately return to their alle- giance, and a due obedience to thofe laws and that government which they formerly boafted was their befl birthright and nobleft inheri- 3 tanee ;
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OT NORTH AMERICA. y^
lance ; and upon a due experience of the fincerity of their profeffions, Notes to the
Fiift
a full and free pardon will be granted for the treafonable offences Chapter. which they have heretofore committed, in fuch manner and form as His Majefty's commilfion doth diredt.
Nevertheless it is only to thofe, who, convinced of their errors, are firmly refolved to return to and fupport that government under which they were formerly fo happy and free, that thefe gracious offers are once more renewed ; and therefore thofe perfons are excepted, who, notwithftanding their prefent hopelefs fituation, and regardlefs of the accumulating prefliire of the miferies of the people, which their infatuated condudl mufl contribute to increafe, are neverthelefs ftill fo hardened in their guilt, as to endeavour to keep alive the flame of re- bellion in this province, which will otherwife foon be reinflated in its former profperity, 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 citizens, mofl: wantonly and inhumanly fhed under the mock forms of juftice, b6- caufe they refufed fubmiflion to an ufurpation which they abhorred, and would not oppofe that government with which they deemed themfelves infeparably connected: And in order to give quiet and content to the minds of His Majefly's faithful and well-affe£ted fub- je6ts, we do again afTure them, that they Ihall have effecStual counte- nance, protedtion, and fupport, and, as foon as the fituation of the province will admit, the inhabitants will be re-inflated in the pofTef- fion of all thofe rights and immunities which they heretofore enjoyed under a free Britifh government, exempt from taxation, except by their own legiflature : And we do hereby call upon all His Majefly's faithful lubjeds, to be aiding with their endeavours, in order that a
L 2 meafure
y6 CAMPAIGNS OP 1780 AND 1781 IN THB
Notes tothe meafure fo conducive to their own happinefs, and the welfare and Firft , , rr » ^
Chapter, profperlty of the province, may be the more fpeedlly and eafily at- tained.
Given under our hands and feals, at Charles town, the ift day of June, in the twentieth year of His Majefty's reign, and in the year of our Lord 1780,
H. CLINTON,
M. ARBUTHNOT.
By their excellencies command,
James Simpson, Sec
(NOTE K. )
Extra5l of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Charles town^ May, 17, 1780.
YOUR (a.) lordfhip has already with you (in the field) two thoufand five hundred and forty-two rank and file ; but if you have the leaft reafon to fuppofe the enemy likely to be in great number, you fhall be reinforced with the 42d, the light infantry, and any other corps you chufe. As your move is important, it mufl: not be ftinted. I will give you all you wifh of every fort. Let me know what it is as foon as poffibie. In the mean time, I fhall order the light infantry and 42d regiment to prepare ; depending upon it, that as foon as you can fpare them, you will return them to me ; for all I opera-
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. '/^
operations to the northward muft be cramped without them. If you Notes to the ehufe to keep the 17th dragoons, you are heartily welcome to them Chapter. during this move.
ExtraSl of a letter from Earl CorfiwalUs to Sir tienry Clinton, dated Camp at Lenew^s, eajijide of S ante e. May 21, 17 So.
THE march of the light infantry and 42d to Monk's corner will be of ufe to thofe corps, and will help to fp read alarm through the country ; but from what 1 hear, I do not believe that there can be any neceffity for detaining any part of the firft embarkation a moment after the Ihips are ready for tliem.
(NOTE L. )
Copy of a fummons fent by Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to Colonel Buford^ dated WacfaivSf May 29, 1780.
a^ S I R,
RESISTANCE being, vain, to prevent the effufion of human .blood, I make offers which can never be repeated : — You (a.) are now almoft encompaffed by a corps of feven hundred light troops on horfe- back ; half of that number are infantry with cannon, the reft cavalry : Earl Cor wallis is likewife within, a fhort march with nine Britifli bat- talions.
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
y8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notsstothe accepted by Charles town : But if any perfons attempt to fly after this Chapter, flag IS received, reft aflured, that their rank fhall not protedt them, if taken, from rigorous treatment.
.ift Art. All officers 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 AnT. All militia foldiers to be prifoners upon parole at their ■refpeftive 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 poffible ; 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 rafli •enough to reje<St them, the blood be upon your head.
I have the honour to be,
(Signed) BAN. TARLBTON,
Lieutenant colonel, commandant
of the Britifh legion. ColoRel Bufordj, kc, &C3
Cof>y
SOUTHERM PROVINCEIt OP NORTH AMERICA. 79
Notes to the
Copy of Colonel Buford''s anfwcr to Lieutenant-colonel Tarletotis Chapter.
fummons to fur render,
Wacfaws, May 29, 1780.
SI R,
(b.) I REJECT your propofals, and Ihall defend myfelf to the
laft extremity.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) ABR. BUFORD, Colonel.
Lieut. CoL Tarleton, Comiuanding Britifli legion.
( N O T E M. )
luoifdon Gazette Extraordinary*
Whitehall, July 5, 1780. ^e following letters from Sir Henry Clinton^ Knight of the Bath, com- mander in chief of His Majejlys forces in North America, to the Right Hon. Lord George Germain, one of His Majefy s principal fecretaries of Jlatc, were this day received by Lieutenant-colonel Bruce, one of Sir Henry ClintorCs 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 difpatch. No, 88, by the Earl of Lin- coln, to communicate to your lordfhip the furrender of Charles town. I am now able to give your lordfhip a return of the prifoners * taken,
* Placed after the public letter tranfmitted by the Earl of Lincoln.
amounting^
8o CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Notes to the amounting, as you will obferve, exclufive of near a thoufand failor's in Chapter, arms, to five thoufand fix hundred and eighteen men.
I iNfoxMED (a.) your lordfhip, that Lieutenant-general Earl Corn- wallis was- to march up the north fide of the Santee, while another corps moved up the hither fliore of that river towards the diftridt of Ninety Six. Thefe corps are iti motion, as well as the one up the Savannah river in Georgia.
The troops immediately under his lordfliip's command have preffed fo efFe£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 deflrudiou 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. Thefc refufing the terms which were offered them, were charged and de- feated, with the lofs of one hundred and feventy-two killed, and fome taken, together with the remaining field artillery of the fouthern army, their colours, and baggage.
With the greateft pleafure (f.) I farther report to your lordfhip, that the inhabitants from every quarter repair 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 m:y venture to affert, that there are few men in South Carolina who are ziot either our prifoners, or in arras with us.
I HAVE
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 8l
I HAVE alfo the fatisfaftion to receive correfponding accounts, that Notes to the the loyalifts in the back parts of North Carolina are arming. I dare Chapter, entertain hopes that Earl Cornwallis's prefence on that frontier, and perhaps within the province, will call back its inhabitants from their flate of error and difobedience. If a proper naval force can be col- le<flted, I 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 Charles town, on my way to New York, hoping no foreign armament can yet have reached the coaft, or iiave been able to attempt any thing, in our abfence, againft that place. .
Lieu TEN ANT-coloncl Bruce, my aid-de-camp, will have the ho- nour of prefenting thefe difpatches to your lordlhip. He has ferved with diffindion during this whole war, and is well able to fatisfy your lordfhip in any inquiries you may be pleafed to make concerning the late operations in Carolina.
Your lordfliip will receive by Major-general Prevoft, who fails in a few days, the account from Earl Comwallis of jvhat fhall have oc- curred to that time>.
I have the honour to be, &c.
H. CLINTON.
Romulus, off Charles-town bar, June 5, 1780.
Mv Lord, I Have juft received from Earl Cornwallis a letter, enclofing a more particular report than has yet been received from Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton> of the affair at Wacfaw. I have the honour to en-
M ' clofe ■
8i CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Toteotothe clofe both, together with a return of the
Firft . ^ . -^ ■
Chapter, the artillery and other implements taken.
Notes to the clofe both, together with a return of the killed and wounded, and' of Firft ° - '
Your lordfhip will obferve, that the enemy's killed and wouiided, and taken, exceed Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton's numbers with which be attacked them.
■ I have the honour to be, &c.
H. CLINTON.
(COPY.)
Camden, June 2, 1 780;
SIR, IN my letter (e.). of the 3.0th of laft month, T enclofed a note from Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, wrote in great hafte from the field of adlion, and I explained my reafons for fending the detachment under his command in purfult of the enemy.
I HAVE now the honour of tranifmitting to you Ills account of the march and engagement, with the lofs on both fides.
I CAN only add the highefl encomiiums on the conduft of Lieute- nant-colonel Tarleton. It will give me the mofl fenfible fatisfadion to hear tliat your Excellency has been able to obtain for him fome dlf- tinguiflied mark of His Majefly's favour.
I have the honour to be, &c.
CORNWALLIS.
His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. &c.
(COPY.)
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA, 85
(CO P Y. ) Notes to the
Firft
My Lord,
I HAVE (a.) the honour to inform you, that yeflerday 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 Wacfavv, near the line which divides North from South Carolina, the rebel force, commanded by Colonel Buford, confiftin^ of the nth Virginia and detachments of , other regiments, from the fame province, with artillery, and fome ca- valryj were brought to aftion.
After the fummons, in which terms fimilar to thofe accepted by Chades town were offered, and pofitively rejedted, the adlion com- menced in a wood ; the attacks were pointed at both flanks, the front, and referve, by two hundred and feventy cavalry and infantry blended, and at the fame inftant all were equally vidlorious, few of the enemy efcaping, 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 exertion of officers and men. I leave their merit to your lordihip's conflderation.
.1 have the honour to be, &c.
BAN. TAR LET ON, Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britifh legion. Lieutenant-geneial Earl CornwaUis, 8fc. .5cc.
M 2 Return
Chaprer.
84. CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
^"^Fid/'"^ i?e/«r« (c.) of rebels killed^ wounded, and taken, in the affair at Wacfatv Chapter. tJjg 2^th of May y 1780.
1 Lieutenant colonel, 3 captains, 8 fubalterns, i adjutant, i quarter mafter, 99 ferjeants and rank and file, killed,
3 Captains, 5 fubalterns, 142 ferjeants and rank and file, wounded, unable to travel, and left on parole.
2 Captains, i fubaltern, 50 ferjeants and rank and file, prifoners.
Taken, 3 ftand (d.) of colours, 2 brafs fix pounders, 2 royals, 3 waggons with ammunition, i artillery forge cart, ^t^ barrels of pow- der, 26 waggons loaded with new cloathing, arms, mufquet cartridges, new cartridge boxes, flints, and camp equipage,
(Signed) BAN. TARLETON,
Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britifh legion.
(b.) Return ofBritiJb killed and wounded in the affair at JVacfaw, the z^th
of May, 1780.
Cavalry. 2 privates, 1 1 horfes, killed ; 1 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 M'Donald, of the legion infantry, killed ; Enfiga Campbell, of the legion infantry, ferving with cavalry, killed.
(Signed) B. TARLETON,
Lieutenant colonel, commandant of the Britifh legion.
3 CHAP-
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 85
CHAPTER IL
Earl Cornwallh takes the command of the Kings troops in Georgia and South Carolina. — His difpojition of the King^s troops. — Earl Cornwallis goes to Charles town. — Eight hundred loyalifs from North Carolina join the Britijh. — Intelligence of a continental army. — 'The effeSl 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. — Lord Rawdon ajfembles the King^s troops. — Earl Cor niv alii s arrives at Camden. — Battle near Camden. — Anion near the Catawba fords.-
Upon sir Henry Clinton's departure, the command of the King's ■ Chap. II. troops to the fouthward devolved to Lieutenant-general Earl Corn- Earl Corn- wallis. The fubmiflion of General Williamfon (a.) in Ninety Six, the command who formerly commanded the militia of that diftrift, and the difper- troops in fion of a party of Americans who had aflembled at an iron- work, on South Caro- the north-weft border of the province, put a temporary period to all refiftance in South Carolina.. The heat of the fummer, the want of {lores- and provifions^ and the unfettled flate of Charles town and the country, impeded (b.) the immediate invafion of North Carolina : Earl Cornwallis difpatched emiffaries with infl;ru£lions to the leading June 6. men in that province,, to attend to the harveft, to prepare provifions,
(tw) In note- A.- (b.) In note A.
and:
86 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 ANDI781INTHE
CHAr. II. and to remain quiet, till the King's troops were ready to advance, which operation could not take place before the latter end of Auguft or the beginning of September : That Interval of time was deemed in- difpenfably requifite for the conftruftion of magazines with properly- fecured communications, for a clear eftabliflim-ent of the militia, and for a final adjujftment of thofe civil and military regulations which in future were to govern Georgia and South Carolina.
In the beginning of June Colonel Lord Rawdon, with the volun- teers of Ireland and a detachment of legion cavalry, made a fhort ex- pedition into a fettlement of Irifti, fituated hi the Wacfaws : The fen- timents of the inhabitants did not correspond with his lordfhip's expec- tations : He there learned what experience confirmed, that the Iridi were the moft averfe of all other fettlers to the Brltifli government in America. During the {lay 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 Camden, and the move into North Carolina being poftponed. Earl CornwaHls made a difpofitlon (i,) of the King's troops upon the frontiers, and within the provinces, well calculated to procure the regiments and corps every neceffary and con- venience, to prote6l the new levies who had begun to incorporate, and to fecure the pofleflion of the lately-acquired dominion.
.HisJUpofi- The 23d and 33d regiments of infantry, the volunteers of Ireland,
tioii of the
King's the legion infantry. Brown's and Hamilton's corps, and a detachment
of artillery, were placed in and about Camden, where huts, of proper
(l.) South Carolina contained about hve thoufand four hundred efFe6lives, and Georgia about one thoufand one hundred, Britifh, Heflians, and Provincials.
materials
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 87
materials to refift the hot weather, were conftructed. Major M'Ar- Chap. Ii. thur, with the 71ft regiment, was flationed at the Cheraws, ia the vi- cinity of the Pedee river, to cover the country between Camden and George town, and to hold correfpondence with a friendly fettlement at Crofs creek, in North Carolina. A fmall detachment of provincials was deemed fufficient for the protection of George town ; the pofition of the 71ft and the neighbourhood of Charles town leaving no apprehen- fions of an attack in that quarter. The chain, to the weilward of Camden, was connefted with Ninety Six by Rocky mount, a ftrong poft on the Wateree, and occupied by Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull, •with the New- York volunteers and foine militia. Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, and afterwards Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, commanded at Ninety Six : The force there confifled of a battalion of De Lancey's, and Innes's and Allen's regiments of provincials, with the i6th and three other companies of light infantry. Major Fergufon's corps and a body of loyal militia traverfed that part of the province lituated be- tween the Wateree and Saluda, and fometimes approached the borders of North Carolina. Lieutenant-colonel Brown held pofleffion of Au- gufta, the frontier town of Georgia, with his own and detachments from other regiments in that province. Savannah, the capital, was lufficiently garrifoned by a corps of Heffians 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 Patterfon. The legion dragoons (the 17th being ordered to New York) were diredled to keep the communi- cations open between the principal pofts of this extended cantonment : This fervice injured them infinitely more than all the preceding moves and actions of the campaign, and though hitherto fuccefsful agalnft their enemies in the field, they were nearly defiroyed in detail by the I -' patroles
88 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
C'HAr. II. patroles and detachments required of them during the intenfe heat of the feafon.
Besides the defence of the frontiers, another material and national advantage refulted from this difpofition of the King's troops. The officers and men of the different regiments and corps were fupplied by the flour and cattle, whilfl: the horfes were foraged by the produce of the country. Any expenditure of the provifions brought acrofs the Atlantic was unknown except in Charles town and Savannah. The militia, the cavalry, the fecret fervice, the rum, and the pay of the troops, were almoft the only neceflary expences. The contingent charges for the civil and military eftablifhments requifite for Charles town and Savannah could not be burdenfome : And the affiftance yielded to the quarter-mafter-general's and commiflariat departments, by the country, by confifcation, and by captures from the enemy, af- forded an eligible opportunity for retrenching the difburfements of thofe chargeable branches of the army : In fliort, fo favourable a junc- ture, owing to many propitious circumftances, never before prefented 'itfelf in America, for the exercife of public oeconomy>
Rum, fait, and other flores, that were wanted by the regiments, by the artillery, by the quarter-mafter-^enerars, and by the commiflariat departments, were ordered to be conveyed from Charles town to Cam- ■den. The magazine was formed at that place on account of the con- venience of water carriage by the riv€r 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.
The
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 8^
The (a.) arrangement of the commercial and civil regulations, for Chap. IL the profperity of South Carolina, next demanded the attention of Earl Cornvvallis ; for this purpofe he committed the care of the frontier to Lord Rawdon, and repaired to Charles town about the middle of Earl Com-
Wfillis pocs to
June, where he entered upon that difficult bufinefs with great atten- Charles tion and affiduity. The inhabitants who had formerly borne arms againft the Britifli troops in the province, and had returned to their plantations fince the departure of Sir Henry Clinton, were dlfarmed, and admitted to their parole. The eftates of the violent abfentees were feized, and placed in the hands of commifiioneis, who were vefled 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 eommiffaries giving receipts to the truftees for the different articles they received. I'he friends to the British caufe, who had been driven out of the country, on proper application, had their property, or what remained of it, reftored. The havoc made by the Ameri.- cans, during their banifliment, often defeated this intention. En- couragement was given to trade, by allowing merchants to convey to Charles town a variety of manufactures which had been long wanted throughout all the fouthern provinces, and permitting them to receive payment in the produce of the country. Commiffioners were ap- pointed to arrange the differences whi.ch fubfi-fled in Carolina concern- ing the negroes. It is here neceflary to obferve, that all, the negroes, men, women, and children, upon the approach of any detachment of the King's troops, thought themfelves abfolved from all refped to their American mafters, and entirely releafed from fervitude : Influ- enced by this idea, they quitted the plantations, and followed the army ; which behaviour cau^fed negleft of cultivation, proved detri-
(;i.) In note 5»
N luentai
00 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. II. mental to the King's troops, and occafioned continual difputes about property of this deCcription : In a fhort time the attention of the com- miffioners produced arrangements equally ufeful to the military and inhabitants. Lord Cornwallis attempted to conciliate the minds of the wavering and unfteady, by promlfes and employments : He en- deavoured fo to condu6l himfelf, 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 themfelves of the proclamation of the 3d of June, and, without examination, took out certificates as good citizens ; which conduft opened a door to fome defigning and infidious Americans, who fecretly undermined, and totally deftroyed, the Brltifh intereft in South Carolina. The army was governed with particular difcipline, and notwlthftanding the exultation of vidlory, care was taken to give as little offence as poffible in Charles town and country to the jealoufy of the vanqulflied. This moderation pro- duced not the intended effedl : It did not reconcile the enemies, but it difcouraged the friends. Upon their return home, they compared their paft with their enemies prefent fituation, they refle6led on their own loffes and fufferings, and they enumerated the recent and general acts of rigour, exercifed upon them and their aflbciates by all the civil officers employed under Congrefs, for their attachment to Great Britain. The policy therefore adopted on this occafion, without gain- ing new, difcontented the old adherents ; and the future fcene will difcover, that lenity and generofity did not experience in America the merited returns of gratitude and affection.
3otk June. -^T the prefent period (d.) it was faid, that the militia made a pro- mifing appearance, and that they equalled the wiflies of their leaders,
(d.) In note B.
both
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 9I
both as to numbers and profeffions of loyalty : Cunningham and Har- Chap. II. rifon, (c.) men of fortune and influence in their refpedive diftiifts, obtained Lord Cornwallis's leave to convert their levies of friends and adherents into regiments of provincials. But notwithftandlng the fuccefs which attended the enrolment of the loyal militia, the reports which now began to circulate of the exertions of Congrefs, and of the American army, united to the efforts of Virginia and North Ca- rolina, gave a turn to the minds of the inhabitants of the foutheru provinces : Dlfcontents were diffeminated ; fecret confpiracies were entered into upon the frontier ; hoflilities were already begun in many places, and every thing feemed to menace a revolution, as rapid as that which fucceeded the furrender of Charles town.
The precautions employed to prevent the rifing of the King's friends in North Carolina had not had univerfal efteft. Several of the Inhabitants of Tryon county, excited by a Colonel (d.) Moore, mani- fefted their attachment to the Britifh caufe, by taking up arms on the 1 8th of June, without the neceiSary caution requifite for fuch an un- dertaking, and they were in. a few days afterwards defeated by Gene- ral Rutherford. This event encouraged a fpirit of perfecution, vvliich made Colonel Bryan, another Joyalift, who had promifed to wait for
orders, lofe all patience, and forced him to move with eight hundred Eight hun- dred loyalifts
men, (b.) affembled from the neighbourhood of the Yadkin, towards from North
Carolina join
the neareft Britifh poft : After many difficulties, he fortunately reached theBritiih. the 7 1 ft regiment, ftationed in the Cheraws. The news brought by thefe loyalifts created fome aftoniftiment in the military, and diffiifed univerfal confternation amongft the inhabitants of South Carolina : They reported, that Major-general de (c.) Kalbe, a French officer in
(c.) In note A. (d.) In note A. (b.) In note B. (c.) In note B.
N 2 the
■^3 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
Chap. II. the American fervice, was advaticiug from Salifbury, with a large Intelligence body of Continentals ; that Colonel Porterfield was bringing ftate nentiilarmy. troops from Virginia ; that General Cafwall had raifed a powerful force in North Carolina; and that Colonel Sumpter had already en- tered the Catawba, a fettlement contiguous to the Wacfaws. Thefe accounts being propagated, and artfully exaggerated, by the enemies within the province, caufed a wonderful fermentation in the minds of the Americans, which neither the lenity of the Britifh government?, the folemnity of their paroles, by which their perfons and properties Theeffcftit enjoyed protedion^ nor the memory of the undeferved pardon fo lately
produced in
South Caro- extended to many of them, had fufficient ilrength to retain in. a flate
lina.
of fubmiffion or neutrality..
Whilst the Americans were colle£ling their forces j Lord Rawdon made occafio-nal alterations in the diftribution of the King's troops upon the frontier, in order to confirm the adherence of the loyal in- habitants, and to obviate the defigns of the enemy. Some log houfes were conftru€ted at Ninety Six, at Williams's, on the banks of the Pacolet, and at Rocky mount. The legion infantry, a detachment of Colonel Browne's regiment, and Colonel Bryan's militia, were ad>- vanced to Hanging rock : Lieutenant-colonel Webfter was recalled from that pofl:, and the 23d regiment fell back to Rugeley's millsv Major M'Arthur'a pofition in the Cheraws was deemed too forward^ and he was defired to retire fome miles into the province-
The ftate of the country, and the exaggerated reports of the Ame^ ricans, occafioned frequent patroles of cavalry and mounted infantry from the advanced Britilli polls ; one of which experienced both dif- grace and defeat. Lieutenant-colonel (a.) Turnbull, on fome intelli-
(a.) In note C^
gence
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 93
gence from Fifliing creek, fent Captaia Huck of the legion to InvefH- Chap. U. gate the truth : The detachment committed to his care confifted of thirty-five dragoons of the legion, twenty mounted infantry of the New-York volunteers, and about fixty militia. On his arrival at the crofs roads, near the fource of Fifliing creek, Captain Huck neg'ledled his duty, in placing his party careleffly at a plantation, without ad- vancing any pickets, or fending out patroles : Some Americans who were aflembled iii the neighbourhood heard of his negligent fituation, and with an inferior force furprifed and deftroyed him, and a great part of his command.
An inftance of treachery which took place about this time, ruined all confidence between the regulars and the militia : The (a.) inhabi- tants in the diftridls of the rivers Ennoree and Tyger had been en- rolled fince the fiege of Charles town, under the orders of Colonel Floyd ; Colonel Neale, the former commanding officer, having fled out of the province for his violent perfecution of the loyalifts. One Lifle, who had belonged to the fame corps, and who had been ba- niflied to the iflands, availing himfelf of the proclamation to exchange his parole for a certificate of his being a good citizen, was made fecond in command : And as foon as the battalion was completed with arms and ammunition, he carried it off to Colonel Neale, who had jolnejd Colonel Sumpter's command in the Catawba.
This reinforcement, added to his former numbers, iufpired.CoIonel - Sumpter with a defire of fignalizing himfelf, by attacking fome of the Britifli ports upon the frontier. Having gained the neceflary informa-- tion, he direded his efforts againft the corps .at Rocky mount. (b»)/
(a.) In note E. (b.) In. note E.
Near:
94 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. II. Near the end of July he pafled Broad river, at Blair's ford, with
about nine hundred men, and advanced upon Turnbull, whofe force
Col. Sump- vvas compofed of one hundred and fifty provincials, and as many
tcr attacks •*
Rocky militia. The defences of Rocky mount confifted of two log- houfes,
mount, ■' o '
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(Cled fome of his braveft followers, to remove the former, and to endeavour to fet fire to the latter, whilft his people, under cover of the trees and rocks, on the declivity of the mountain, maintained a heavy fire upon the garrifon. After thi'ee attacks, in the laft of which fome of the forlorn hope penetrated within the abbatis, the American commander retreated with lofs and precipitation. In the gallant de- fence of this poft. Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull had one officer killed, one wounded, and about ten men killed and wounded.
Colonel Sumpter croffed Broad river, and retired to his former camp in the Catawba fettlement ; where, reinforcing the numbers- he had loft at Rocky mount, he was foon in a condition to projeft other operations. This aftive partizan was thoroughly fenfible, that the minds of men are Influenced by enterprlze, and that to keep undifci- plined people together, it is neceffary to employ them. For this purpofe, he again furveyed the flate of the British pofts upon the frontier, and on minute 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, aiidHanglng that place to reinforce Rocky mount. On the 6th of Auguft, at feven o'clock in the morning, he approached the flank of the poft, which was entrufled to the North-Carolina refugees, under the orders of Colonel Bryan. This loyallft, with his undifciplined people, though
2 oppofed
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
95
oppofed by troops eqiially undifciplined, foou retreated from his ground, Chap. II.. and Colonel Sumpter direded the weight of his attack againfi: the- legion infantry, which refilled his efforts with great coolnefs and bravery. The example of courage exhibited by one hundred and fixty men of the legion, who charged the Americans twice with fixed bayonets, to fave their three pounder, made a detachment of Colonel Brown's regiment recover from the conflernation 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 flill perfevered in his attack, and very probably would have fucceeded, if a ftratagem employed by Captains Stewart and M'Do- nald, of the Britifh legion, had not difconcerted his operations. Thefe 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 pofl, they judicioufly left the Rocky mount, and made a circuit to get into the main Camden road, to reinforce tlieir companions : When they ar- arrived in light of the Americans, the bugle horn was direfted to found the charge, and the foldiers were ordered to expend their files, in order to look like a formidable detachmeiit. This unexpe£led ap- pearance deranged the American commander, and threw his corps into a ftate of confufion, which produced a general retreat. Captain M'Cullock, who commanded the legion Infantry with fo much dif- tinftion, 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's North-Carolina refugees were greatly difperfed, but did not fufi^er confiderably by the fire of the enemy. About one hundred dead and wounded Americans were left on the. field of battle. Colonel Sump--
^6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
C11AF.II. ter rallied his men not far from Hanging rock, an4 again fell back to the Catawba fettlement, to colleft more men from the Wacfaws, and to receive refugees, who flocked from all parts of South Carolina. The repulfes he had fuftained did not dllcourage him, or Injure his caufe : The lofs of men was eafily fupplied, and his reputation for a6tLvity and courage was fully eftabliflied by his late enterprizing con- dud.
As foon as the account of Colonel Sumpter's attack reached Cam- iden, Lord Rawdon ordered the 23d regiment to advance from Ruge- ley's mills to Hanging rock. This reinforcement under Major Mecan :put the poll in fecurity, and enabled Colonel Bryan to colled 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.
In this fituation of affairs upon the frontier, Lord Rawdon received frequent intelUgence 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, likewilc, authentic information, that the continentals had been reinforced on Deep river, by General Cafwall, (b.) with the North-Carolina militia. As.foon as General Wafhiiigton obtained accounts of the critical fitua- tion of Major-general Lincoln to the fouthward, owing to the great iiddition of force carried to that quarter, under the immediate direc- .tlon of the Britlfh commander in chief, he judicioufly determined to •fend a .confiderable detachment of continentals from the American
(b.) Ill note C. J army
SOITTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.. 97
army in the Jerfies, to f1:op the progrefs of the royalifts. This Chap. II.
powerful reinforcement was committed to Major-general Baron de
Kalbe, an officer of reputation, who prelTed forwards the troops with
indefatigable attention : By long and repeated marches they now ap- Bnron de
. . Kalbe ap-
proached the frontier of South Carohna. Their paiTage through Vir- proacheswlth
. . . Jill '^^^ American
ginia had given vigour to that province, and large detachments of army. militia followed the route of the main army. North Carolina likewife made exertions to raife troops, and the governor and aflembly voted three thoufand men for the fervice. Notwithftanding thefe formida- ble preparations, the Baron de Kalbe met with great difficulties after he paffed the Roanoke river : Provlfions (2.) were fo fcarce in North Carolina, that the continental troops endured extreme hardfhips, and were frequently retarded on their march for want of neceflary fupplies. Whether the complaints and remonftrances forwarded by Baron de Kalbe to the governor and the aflembly of the province, to Congrefs, and to General Wafhlngton, on this fubjeft, produced an alteration of opinion refpe6bing himfelf, is not certain, but another commander in chief was foon afterwards appointed, and fent to the fouthward.
On the 24th Of July, Major-geileral Gates arrived in the American General camp. His name and former good fortune re-animated the exertions fedes De
Kalbe.
of the country : Provifions were more amply fupplied by the inhabi- tants, and the continental troops foon reached the frontier of South Carolina. On the banks of the river Pedee, the American general ifliied a proclamation, (K.) inviting the patriotic citizens of Carolina to aflemble under his aufpices, to vindicate the rights of America ; holding out an amnefty to all who had fubfcribed paroles, impofed upon thet^
(2.) Remembrancer, part 2d, 1780, page 27^* (K.) Note K.
O by
9^ CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap. U, by the ruffian hand of conqueji ; and excepting only thofe, who in the hour of devafation had exercifed a6ls of barbarity and depredation upon the perfons and property of their fellow citizens.
The approach of General Gates with an army of fix thoufand men^ induced Lord Rawdon gradually to contradl the pofts upon the fron» tier, in order to affemble his forces : Major M'Arthur was directed to draw nearer to Camden ; the two battalions of the 71ft regiment, under his orders, were at this period confiderable fufferers by the un- healthy climate of Carolina.. To difencumber hirofelf for movement, he colle6led fome boats on the river Pedee, and committed upwards of one hundred fick men to the care of Colonel (c.) Mills, to be efcorted 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 owa officers and the fick, conducted them prifoiiers to General Gates, in North Carolina. This inftance of treachery in the eaft of the pro- vince followed the perfidious condudl of Lieutenant-colonel Lifle on the weflern border, and ftrongly proved the miftake committed by the Britifh, in placing confidence in the inhabitants of the country when ailing apart from the army. The only probable way to reap advan- tage from the levies made in Carolina, would have been to incorporate the young men as they were raifed in the eftablifhed provincial corps, where they could be properly trained, and formed under officers of experience : By fuch a line of conduit, all the BritifK 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 AMERICA. 99
When General Gates paffed the boundary line of South Carolina, Chap. Ii. the Britifli detachment was recalled from Hanging rock. Lord Raw- don afterwards took poft on the weft branch pf Lynche's creek, about fourteen miles from Camden, with the 23d, 33d, and 71ft regiments of Infantry, the volunteers of Ireland, Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton's corps, about forty dragoons of the legion, and four pieces of cannon. The infantry of the legion, and part of Colonel Browne's regiment, were placed at Rugeley's mills. The hofpital, the baggage, the pro- vilions, the ammunition, and the ftores, remained under a weak guard at Camden. General Gates advanced to the creek oppofite to the Britifli camp, and Ikirmifhes enfued between the advanced parties of the two armies. The American commander difcovered that Lord Rawdon's pofition was ftrong, and he declined an attack ; but he had not fufficient penetration to conceive, that by a forced march up the creek, he could have paffed Lord Rawdon's flank, and reached Cam- den ; which would have been an eafy conqueft, and a fatal blow to the Britifli.
While the two armies remained facing each other at Lynche's creek. Lord Rawdon fent an order to Lieutenant- colonel Cruger, to forward to Camden, without lofs of time, the four companies of light infantry, under Captain Charles Campbell : He likewife direfted the troops at Rugeley's mills to quit their pofition : Major Carden, with the detachment of Browne's, was ordered to Camden ; and the legion infantry, under Captain Stewart, were defired to find the moft dired road from their preftait fituation to the camp at Lynche's creek. A guide condudled Captain Stewart to the outpoft of General Gates's army ; a warm falutation from the picket difcovered the miftake : No farther inconvenience enfued, though Armand's cavalry, and Porter- field's light infantry, followed the legion till they reached the Britifli
O 2 encamp-
lOO CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Chap, II. encampment. Lord Rawdon withdrew the corps from Rugeley's mills, on account of its expofed fituation ; and fufpeding yet that the enemy meant to detach againft feme of his outpofls, he defired Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull to evacuate Rocky mount, and to join Major Fergufon at his pofition on Little river, where he had eredled fome field works, with his corps of provincials and loyal militia..
Lord Rawdon fent regular information of every material (a.) incii- dent, or movement, made by the Americans, and by the King's. troops, on the frontier, to Earl Cornwallis at Charles town ; where: the public bufinefs, (D.) 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 prevente d a me- thodical completion of the fyftem of government, and called the at- tention of Earl Gornwallis to objects of more immediate importance^ His lordfhip, therefore, prepared to leave Charles town, after fome of" the mofl neceffary and effential (b.) points were adjufled..
In the mean time. Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton, being recovered from a fever, was defired to colleft all the dragoons he could find iii» Charles town, and join Lord Rawdon- in the country : With the aflif- tance of Major Hanger, who was lately appointed to the cavalry^ thirty dragoons and forty mounted militia were aflembled :. With this. force Lieutenant-colonel' Tarleton croffed the Santee at Lenew's ferryr on the 6th of Auguft : He moved from thence to the Black (c.) river^ which he pafled, in order to punifh the inhabitants in that quarter for their late breach of paroles and perfidious revolt. A neceffary fervice was concealed under this difagreeable exertion of authority : The vici-
(a.) In note F. (D;) Note D. (b.) Iti note F. (c.) In note F.:
nity.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. JOT
nity of the rivers Santee and Wateree, and of all the Charles-town Chap.IL- communications with the royal army, rendered it highly proper to ftrike terror into the inhabitants of that dirtrict. This point of duty being efFefted, Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton crofled the Black river, giving out to the country that he intended to join the Britifh army by the main road over the Santee hills ; but really defigning to re-crofs the river, to gain intelligence of General Gates's operations : He ac- cordingly paffed at a private place in the night, and marched with great rapidity for twenty-four hours ; when, ordering his party to af- fume the enemy's appearance and names, the Americans were liberal of their information and every other affiftance. A member of afl'embly, of the name of Bradley, at that time on parole, was fevere in his de- nunciations againft the Britifh officers and Ibldiers, and warm in com- mendation of the heroic fpirit of his fuppofed friends and guefts. The nearnefs of General Gates's camp at laft obliged Tarleton to de- lire his new acquaintance to conduft him over a very intricate morafs, ' that he might attack the rear of Lord Rav/don's pofts : Bradley en- tered heartily into the plan, and colledled fome neighbouring American militia to join in the expedition : After paffing Megert's fwamp, the fource of Black river, T^eton undeceived his late hoft, and conduded him and his volunteers prl'ibners to Camden. On his arrival at that place, he had evident proof that the legion cavalry were nearly de- flroyed by the conftant duties of detachment and patrole : He colleiled all the dragoons at that pofl, and in the neighbourhood, and joined Lord Rawdon at Lynche's creek on the loth day of Auguft.
A PATROLE, fent by General Gates to Rugeley's mills on the i2thi occaiioned a report that the American commander was moving to his right : The lituation of the Britifli hofpital and magazine, and the pre- Lord Rnw-
. don affenibl;3-
feiiL diftance of the army, pointed out to Lord Rawdon the propriety the King's
-forces,
or
loa CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I781 IN THE
Chap. II. of falling back from Lynche's creek, and of concentrating his force near Camden. The move was accordingly made, without any molef- tation from the enemy, and an encampment was chofen at Log town, the moft eligible to be found in the neighbourhood of Camden, which, did not afford any naturally-advantageous pofition for defenfive ope- rations.
On the 13th, (a.) General Gates moved the American army to Rugeley's mills : The Maryland brigades, the Delawar regiment, the cannon, the cavalry, the baggage, and the militia, were pofted 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 Earl Corn- ulght (d.) Earl Cornwallls crofled the Wateree ferry, and joined the
wallis arrives . . ..^ .
at Camden. Britlfli army. The arrival of the noble earl 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 in chief to make an addition of one hundred continentals, three hundred militia, and two pieces of cannon, to the corps under Colonel Sumpter, who was immediately direfled to interrupt the communications between Charles town. Ninety Six, and Camden. Colonel Sumpter appeared on the morning (a.) of the 15th on the weftern bank of the Wateree, and captured fome waggons with rum and ftores below Camden, feveral waggons loaded with fick and tired ilght-lnfantry foldiers on the road from Ninety Six, and the efcorts of loyal militia and regulars attending each convoy.
(a.) In note M. (d.) In note F, (b.) In note M. (a.) In note N.
Lord
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. lOJ
Lord Cornwallis, upon his arrival with the army, adopted the moft Chap. II. likely meafures to obtain intelligence of the enemy's force and pofition ; he likewife diredled his attention to ftrengthen the Britifh regiments and provincial corps, by muftering the abieft 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 affembled : The beft were felefted 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 readinefs 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 tea miles from Camden, on the road to Rugeley's mills, the advanced guard of the legion, in the evening, fecured three American foldiers : The prifoners reported, that they came from Lynche's creek, where they had been left in a convalefcent ftate, and that they were dire£led 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 Britifh camp next morning near Camden. The information received from thefe men induced Tarle- ton to 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 Cornwallis, their flory appeared credible, and confirmed all the other intelligence of the day. Orders were immediately circulated for the regiments and corps, defigned for a forward move, to ftand to their arms. The town, the magazine, the hofpital, and the prifoners,
were
104- CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
Chap. n. Were committed to the care of Major M'Arthur with a fmall body of ;provincials and miUtia, and the vveakefl convalefcents of the army : A part of (e.) the 63d regiment, who had been fupplied with horfes at Charles town, were expedled to join this detachment in the night, by the Nelfon's-ferry road, for the fecurity 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 Webfter commanded the front divifion of the army: He compofed his advanced guard of twenty legion cavalry, and as , 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 ■confifted of the volunteers of Ireland, the legion infantry, Hamilton's <;orps, and Colonel Bryan's refugees : The two battalions of the 71 ft 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 palling Saunders' creek, five miles from Camden. A fhort halt re- medied this inconvenience, and the royal army proceeded in a compact ftate with inofl: profound filence. A little after two the advanced guard of the Britifh charged the head of the American column : The 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 Fi (Lv) Note L»
3 ketry
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. I05
ketry continued on both fides near a quarter of an hour, when the Chap. II. two armies, finding themfelves oppofed to each other, as if aduated by the fame prefent feeUngs and future intentions, ceafed firing. On examining the guides, and the people of the country, Eatl CornwalHs difcovered that the ground the Britifh army now occupied was re- markably (f.) favourable to abide the event of a general a6lion againft the fuperior numbers of the enemy : The fortunate fituation of twp fwamps, which narrowed the pofition, fo that the Englifli army could not be outflanked, inflantly determined the Britlfli general to halt the troops upon this ground, and order them to lie down to wait the ap- proach of day : Thefe commands were executed as foon as a few fmall pickets were placed in the front : A by-way, beyond the morafs upon the left, which led to Camden, gave Earl Cornwallis for a (hort time fome uneafinefs, left the enemy fhould pafs his flank ; but the vigilance of a fmall party in that qu'arter, and the recolleftion of the hazard in- curred by fuch an attempt, foon diffipated his jealoufy. Except a few occafional fhots from the advanced fentries of each army, a filent ex- pedlation ufliered in the morning.
At dawn the two commanders proceeded to make their refpeftive ar- Battle near
Camden.
rangements for adion. The light (g.) infantry, the 23d and 33d re- giments, under Lieutenant-colonel Webftcr, formed the right divifion, in the front line, of the Britifti army : The flank was covered by a fwamp ; the left extended to the road. The other divifion of the front line, confifting of the volunteers of Ireland, the legion infantry, Ha- milton's corps, and Bryaii's refugees, was commanded by Lord Raw- don : The flank was likewife prote£led by a morafs, and the right .communicated with Webfter's divifion. Two fix-pounders, and two
{f.) In note F. (g.) In note F.
P three
jo6 CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND iySl IN THE
Chap, II* thrce-pounders, were placed to the left of the road, under the orders of Lieutenant M'Leod. The 71ft regiment, with two fix-pounders, formed a fecond line ; one battalion in the rear of Webfter's, the other of Lord Rawdon's divifion. The legion cavalry remained in column, on account of the thicknefs of the woods, to the right of the main road, clofe to the firfl battalion of the 71ft, with orders to ad ofFen- lively againft the enemy, or in defence of the Britifli troops, as oppor- tunity offered, or neceffity required. The Eritifh, the provincials, and the militia of the royal army, officers and foldiers inclufive, amounted to fomething above two thoufand men. (G.)
Before daybreak General Gates had made the following difpofitioii of the American army, confifting of two thoufand continentals, and four thoufand flate troops and militia. Three regiments of (c.) the Maryland line, under Brigadier-general Gift, formed the right wing : The North-Carolina and Virginia militia, commanded by Generals Cafwall and Stevens, compofed the left wing and center. Colonel Porterfield's and Major Armftrong's light infantry were placed in the rear of the Virginia brigade of militia : Colonel Armand was ordered to fupport the left with his cavalry. The firft Maryland brigade and the Delawar regiment, under Brigadier-general Smallwood, formed the fecond line and referve. The principal part of the American artillery was ported to the left of their right wing of continentals : The re- mainder was placed ia the road, under the protedlion of their referve.
When the day broke, General Gates, not approving of the fituatioii of Cafwall's and Stevens' brigades, was proceeding to alter their (h.) pofition : The circumftance being obferved by the British, was re*
<G,) Note G, (c.) In note M, (h.) In note F.
ported
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NOKTH AMERICA. I07
ported to Earl Cornwallls, who inftantly, in perfon, commanded Chap. II, Webfter's divlfion to advance, and difpatched the fame order, by an aid-de-camp, to Lord Rawdon on the left. The action became imme- diately general'along the front, and was conteftedon the left and in the center with great firmnefs and bravery. General Glit preferved perfecft order in his brigade, and, with his fmall arms and artillery, continued a heavy and well-dire(3:ed fire upon the 33d regiment and the whole of the left divihon. The morning (i.) being hazy, the fmoke hung over, and involved both armies in fuch a cloud, that it was difficult to fee or ellimate the defl:ru(ftion on either fide. Notwithftanding the refiftance, it was evident the Britifii moved forwards : The light infantry and the 23d regiment being oppofed only by militia, who were fomewhat de- ranged by General Gates's intended alteration, firft broke the enemy's front line, which advantage they judicioufly followed, not by purfuing the fugitives, but by wlieeling on the left flank of the continentals, who were abandoned by their militia. The contefl: was yet fupported by the Maryland brigades and the Delawar regiment, when a part of the Britifh cavalry, under Major Hanger, was ordered to charge their flank, whilft Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with the remainder of his regiment, completed their confufion. Baron de Kalbe, on the right of the Americans, being ftill ignorant of the flight of their left wing and center, owing to the thicknefs of the air, made a vigorous charge with a regiment of continental infantry through the left divifioia of the Britifh, and when wounded and taken, would fcarcely believe that General Gates was defeated.
After this laft effort of tlie continentals, rout and {laughter en- fued in every quarter. Brigadier-general Gifl moved off with about
(i.) In note F,
P 2 ontt
lo8 CAMPAIGNS OF 1 780 AND 1781 IN THE
jChap. II. one hundred continentals in a body, by wading through the fvvamp on the right of the American pofition, where the Britilh cavalry could not follow ; tliis was the only party that retreated in a compaft ftate from the field of battle. The continentals, the flate troops, and the militia, abandoned their arms, their colours, and their cannon, to feek protedion in flight, or to obtain it from the clemency of the conquerors. As foon as the rout of the Americans became general, the legion dragoons advanced with great rapidity towards Rugeley's mills : On the road. General Rutherford, with many other officers and men, were made prifoners. The charge and purfuit having greatly difperfed the Britifli, a halt was ordered • on the fouth fide of the ereek, in order to coiled: a fufficient body to diflodge Colonel Armand and his corps, who, together with feveral (e.) officers, were employed in rallying the militia at that pafs, and in fending off the American baggage. The quick junftion of the fcattered cavalry counterafled the defigns of the enemy : Colonel Armand's dragoons and the militia dif- played a good countenance, but were foon borne down by the rapid charge of the legion : The chafe again commenced, and did not ter- minate till the Americans were difperfed, and fatigue overpowered. the exertions of the Britifh. In a purfuit of twenty-two miles, (k.) many prifoners of all ranks, twenty ammunition waggons, (3.) one hundred and fifty carriages, containing the baggage, flores, and camp' equipage of the American array, fell into the hands oft he vidtors.
In the aftion near Camden, the killed, wounded, and miffing of the- King's (H.) troops, amounted to three hundred and twenty-four, offi=-
(e.) In note M. (k.) In note F.-
(3.) A brafs two pounder was taken in one of the waggons J- the carriage being da* niaged in the night, it was fent to the baggagCo (H.) Note H,
•cers-
"33
l'«
^»^"
alii
.< ' .a^
rt'- PLAisr
.> OF THE BATTLE '' * Fought near CAMDEN
1780 .
■BM Britifh ' I- Americans
V2 ' '
-■^^
?*• /^ ■-ft"
ORDER +<• OF BATTiiE
•^^-^^
•*
REFERENCES .
1 ITore (cmpamu J-iffht In/antry .
2 23"^ Raiment .
3 3i''Z>ittP.
4 Vclimaa:s cflrda/ul .
5 liuaniry c/'/Ae BntuAZ^ien .
/ Hrvans Cotju.
f fi THcBatia/wns p^'R^ntrU.
g DrcutcoTU £riojh Z^itm .
Loudon.Publifli'd Alarcli iPijflj.
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. lOp
cers included. The deftrudion fell principally upon the center, owing Chap. II. to the well-direfted fire of the continentals, and the execution done by the American artillery. The Americans loft feventy officers, two thoufand men, (killed, wounded, and prifoners) eight pieces (a.) of cannon, feveral colours, and all their carriages and waggons, contain- ing the ftores, ammunition,' and baggage, of the whole army. » On reviewing the iftriking circumftances preceding and during the battle, the conduft of Earl Cornwallis cannot be placed in a clearer light than by contrafting it with that of his opponent. The faults committed by the American commander, during his fhort campaign at the head of the fouthern army, were neither unimportant in them- felves, nor inconfiderable in number. The firft mlfconception im- putable to General Gites, was the not breaking in upon the Britifh communications as foon as he arrived near Lynche's creek. The move up the creek, and from thence to Camden, was prafbicable and eafy before the King's troops were concentered at that place ; or he might, without the fmalleft difficulty, have occupied a ftrong pofition on Saunders' creek, five miles from Camden, before Earl Cornwallis joined the royal forces. His fecond error was moving an army, con- fifting of young corps and undifciplined militia, in the night ; A ma- noeuvre always to be avoided with troops of that- defcription, in the neighbourhood of an enterprifing enemy ; and only to be ha/arded, when regiments are perfedly officered, and Well trained. His third, miftake was in the difpofition of his army before the a£lion : If the militia had been formed into one line, in front of the continentals, they would have galled the Britifh. in the wood, when approaching to attack the main body : Or, if the militia had been kept, totally fepa-
(a.) In note I.
rate
no CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND I^Sl IN THE
Chap. II. rate from the continentals, and too much confidence had not heeii placed in them, perhaps that confufion in part of the Maryland line, owing to the early flight of Cafwall's brigade, had never happened. His laft and greatefl fault, was attempting to make an alteration in the difpofition the inftant the two armies were going to engage ; which circumflance could not efeape the notice of a vigilant enemy, who by a Ikilful and fudden attack threw the American left wing into a ftate of confufion, from which it never recovered. The favourable oppor- tunities which prefented themfel^es to Earl Cornwallis during the march and the aftion, were feized with judgement, and profecuted with vigour ; a glorious vidory crowned the defigns of the general,, .and the exertions of the troops.
Immediately after the adllon every poffible affiftance was given to the wounded of both parties : The loyal militia were ordered to ex- plore the adjacent woods, and to coUeft the difabled : Waggons were afterwards affembled, in which they were placed with care, in order to follow the principal part of the Britifh army, which fell back to its po- rtion at Camden. Lord Cornwallis, with the light and legion infan- try, and the 23d regiment, moved forwards to Rugeley's mills, where he was joined in the afternoon by the legion cavalry, on their return from Hanging rock.
Though the late viftory was complete, and the principal army of the Americans was defeated, there yet remained in South Carolina fome troops under Colonel Sumpter, well furnifhed with arms, and .provided with cannon. The vicinity of their fituation to the late fcene of adlion, equally afforded them opportunity to give refuge to the fu- gitives, and to augment their own numbers. The river Wateree, which had feparated General Gates and Colonel Sumpter, abounded I with
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. lit
with public ferrys and private boats, befides being fordable in many Chap. II. places. It was not to befuppofed but that Sumpter had early hiforma- tion of the late misfortune, and that he would avail himfelf of his knowledge of the country to protect his difperfed friends, and to fe- cure his own retreat. The neceffity of beating or driving this corps out of the province was fo evident, that Earl Cornwallis difpatched an order on the evening of the i6th to Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull, to move inftantly with the New- York volunteers, Major Fergufon's de- tachment, and the loyal militia, in purfuit of Colonel Sumpter. The light Infantry, (1.) and the Britlfh legion, who were exhaufted by the fatlgvxe of the preceding night's march, and by the a£lion and purfuit of the day, alfo received orders to be in readlnefs to move early next morning. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton was defired to harafs or firike at Colonel Sumpter, as he fhould find it moft advifable when he ap- proached him : For this purpofe he directed his courfe next morning through the woods, with three hundred and fifty men and one piece of cannon, and marched up the eaft fide of the Wateree, intending to pafs it at or near Rocky mount : Upon the route he picked up about twenty fcattered continentals, and in the afternoon he gained .intelligence that Colonel Sumpter was retreating along the weflern bank of the river. Tarleton made no alteration in his plan, but continued his march to the ferry facing Rocky mount : On his arrival at dufk, he perceived the enemy's fires about a mile diftant from the oppofite fliore : Imme- diate care was taken to fecure the boats, and inftant orders were given to the light troops to pafs the night without fires. No alarm happened, and at daybreak it was apparent that the Americans had decamped :; Some of the Britlfh vedettes and fentries reported at dawn that they could difcover the rear guard of the enemy quitting Rocky mount, -
(1.) In note F.
Tarleton
112 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND I781 IN THE
Chap. II. Tarletoii inftatitly detached Captain Campbell, of the light Infantry, with a fmall party acrofs the river, with infl:ru(5tions to hold out a .white handkerchief on Rocky mount, if Colonel Sumpter continued his route up the Wateree : In the mean time, prejiarations were made for paffing the river : Captain Campbell, on his arrival at Rocky mount, took a prifoner, and displayed the appointed llgnal : The boats, with the three-pounder and the infantry. Immediately pufhed off, and the cavalry crofled the part which was not fordable by fwimming. After the paflage was efFe£led, a patrole of legion dragoons was di- redled to proceed a few miles to the weftward, to inquire after Turn- bull and Pergufon ; but no intelligence was obtained.
In the mean time, Colonel Sumpter, with his detachment, confift- ing of one hundred continentals, (d.) feven hundred militia, and two pieces of cannon, direded his march towards the fords near the Ca- tawba fettlement, 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 the American army. This officer, fuice the period that he received reinforcement from General Gates, had been fortunate in his operations : He had taken above one hundred Britifli foldiers, he had fecured one hundred and fifty loyal American militia, and he had cap- tured near fifty waggons loaded with arms, ilores, and ammunition. Information was obtained at Rocky mount., that thefe trophies of fuc- cefs were in Sumpter's poffeffion, and under the efcort of his advanced guard: The impoffibility of reaching that part of his corps, without the knowledge of the main body, determined Lieutenant -colonel Tarleton to hang upon the rear, and watch an opportunity of attempt- ing fomethlng In that quarter: He was fenfible that no alarm had been
(d.) In note M.
gWCQ,
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
'^3
given, and that no jealoufy could yet be entertained of his having Chap. II. pafled the Wateree. Thefe incidents, which at fiift fight appeared fo favourable, were nearly counterbalanced by the diligence of Sumpter's march, by the exhaufled condition of the Britifh light troops, by the intenfe heat of the day, and by the ground yet to be gained before an attack could take place. When Tarletoti arrived at Fifliing creek at twelve o'clock, he found the greateft part of his command over- powered by fatigue ; the corps co-uld no longer be moved forwards in a eompaft and ferviceable ftate : He therefore determined to feparate the cavalry and infantry moft able to bear farther hardfhip, to follow the enemy, whilft the remainder, with the three pounder, took poft Gil an advantageous piece of ground, in order to refrefh themfelves, and cover the retreat in cafe of accident.
The number fele£led to continue the purfuit did not exceed one hundred legion dragoons and fix ty foot fol-diers : The light infantry furuifhed a great proportion of the latter. This detachment moved forwards with great circumfpeftion : No intelligence, except the recent tracks upon the road, occurred for five miles. Two of the enemy's vedettes, who were concealed behind fome 43uflies, fired upon the advanced guard as it entered a valley and killed a dragoon of the legion : A circumftance which irritated the foremoft of his comrades to fuch a degree, that they difpatched the two Americans with their fabres before Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton could interpofe, or any in- formation be obtained refpeding Colonel Sumpter. A ferjeant and ^our men of the Britifh leg4on foo-n afterwards approached the fummit of the neighbouring eminence, where inftantly halting, they crouched ijpon their horfes, and made a fignal to their commanding officer. Tarleton rode forwards to the advanced guard, and plainly difcovered oyer the creft of the hill the front of the American camp, perfedly
Q_ quiet.
114. CAMPAIGNS OF 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THE
CiiAr. II, quiet, and not the leafl alarmed by the fire of the vedettes. The
decifion, and the preparation for the attack, were momentary. The
Aaion near cavalry and infantry were formed into one line, and, giving a general
the Catawba . .
tords. fliout, advanced to the charge. The arms (a.) and artillery of the
continentals were fecured (a,) before the men could be aflembled : Univerfal (m.) confternation immediately enfued throughout the ' camp ; fome oppofition was, however, made from behind the wag- gons, in front of the militia. The numbers, and extenfive encamp- ment of the enemy, occafioned feveral confli6ts before the a<Sl:ion 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 Tarleton to flop the flaughter, and place guards over the pri- foners.
The purfuit could not with propriety be puOied very far, the quan- tity of prifoners 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 Fifhing creek, thinking this additional force neceffary to repvilfe any attempt the enemy might make to refcue 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 aiflion having a juft claim to fome relaxation, in order to refrefh 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.
condu(fl;
Southern provinces of NOitrti AilERtcA. 115
toudutl and abilities afforded the moft flattering profpedb that he Chaf. ll. would be an honour to his country. The lofs, otherwife, on the fide of the Britifli was inconfiderable ; fifteen non-commiffioned officers and men, and twenty horfes, 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 fituation, amidlt 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 privates*, were made prifoners ; two three pounders, two ammunition waggons, one thoufand fland of arms, forty-four carriages, loaded with baggage, rumj and other flores, fell into the poflfeffion of the BritiOi.
The pofiiion occupied by the Americans was eligible and advanta- geous ; but the fuppofed diflance of the King's troops occafioned a neg- ligence in their look out, and lulled them into fatal feeurity. Some explanationj however, received after the adion, 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 evident like- wife that he had demanded the caufe of the two fhots, and that an officer jufl returned from the advanced fentries had reported, that the militia were firing at cattle : A common pra£tice in the American camp. In one word, the indefatigable perieverance of the Britifh light troops obtained them a mofl brilliant advantage when their hopes
(0.) In note F.
0^2 and
Il6 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND IjSl TN THE
Chap, II. and ftrength were nearly exhaufted. The wounded being drefled, and the arms and prifoners beuig coUeded, the legion and light infan- try commenced their march towards Camden. The three following days finifhed their toilfome duty, when their fervices were rewarded by the approbation of Earl Cornwallis, and the acclamations of their fel- low foldiers.
NOTES
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA. 11"]
NOTES
TO THE
SECOND CHAPTER,
( N O T E A. )
^xtraSi of a letter from Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles town. South Carolina, June ^o, 1780.
X HE fubmiflion of General Williamfon (a.) at Ninety Six, whofe Notes to Ae capitulation I enclofe with Captain Paris's letter, and the difperfion of Chapter. 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), toraife a- provincial corps of five hundred men, with the rank of major, to be compofed of the natives of the country between the- Pedee and Wateree, and in which it is at prefent extremely probable that he wiii fucceed.
I. HAVE
Il8 CAMPAIGNS 6F 1780 AND 1 78 1 IN THfi
Notes to the I HAVE cflabllflied the moft fatisfa6toiy correfpondence, and havf
Second
;^ Chapter, feen feveral people of credit and undoubted fidelity from North Caro- lina. Ti-ity all agree in the aflurances of the good difpofition of a confiderable body of the inhabitants, and of the impofTibility of fub- lifting a body of troops in that country till the harveft is over. This reafon, the heat of the fummer, and the unfettled Hate of South Caro- lina, all concurred to convince me of the neceflity of poftponing (b.) ofFenfive operations on that fide until the latter end of Augufl, or be- ginning of September ; and, in confequence, I fent emiffaries to the leading perfons amongft: our friends, recommending, in the ftrongeft terms, that they fhould attend to tlieir harveft, prepare provifions, and remain quiet till the King's troops were ready to enter the province.
Notwithstanding thefe precautions, 1 am 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 i8th infiant, without order or caution, and were in a few days defeated by Gene- ral Rutherford with fome lofs.
(NOTE B. )
Extradl of a letter from huutenmit-general "Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles toivn, July 14, 1780.
SINCE my arrival at this placej I have been employed in the internal (a.) regulations of the province, and fettling the militia of the lower diflrifts, 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. iig
nal parts of North Carolina, where the afpedt of affairs is not fo peace- Notes to the able as when I wrote laft. Major-general de Kalbe (c.) is certainly at Chapter. Hilliljorough, with two thoufand continental troops, including fome cavalry, and faid to be preparing to advance to Salifbury : Porterfield' Is in the neighbourhood of Saliibury, with three hundred Virginians ; and Rutherford, with fome militia, with him: Cafwall, with one thoufand five hundred militia, is marched from Crofs creek to Deep river, between Hillfborough and Salifbury ;, 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 affembly had voted five thoufand men to be immediately drafted to ferve as a corps of obfervation, and had vefled 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, lofl 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 thebordersof Anfon county : About two thirds only of his people were armed,, and thofe Lbelieve but indifferently. .
The effects of the exertions which the enemy are making in thofb two provinces, will, I make no doubt, be exaggerated to us. To ■ enable me to begin firfl, I am ufing every pofiible dlfpatch in tranf- 3 porting
120 CAMPAIGNS OF I780 AND 1781 IN THE
Notes to the porting to Camden, rum, fait, regimental ftores, arms, and ammu-
Sccoiid . . , . 1 n~ 1 r 1
.Chapter, nition, which, on account of the diftance and excellive heat of the feafon, is a work of infinite labour, and requires confiderable time. In the mean while, the meafures Ihave directed Lord Rawdon to take, will, I truft, put it out of the power of the enemy to ftrike a blow at sny of our detachments, or to make any confiderable inroads into tliis province. I have (d.) the fatisfaftion to aflure your excellency, that the numbers and difpofitious of our militia equal my rnoii fanguine expectations,
I HAVE agreed to the propofal of Mr. Cunninghame, in Ninety-fix <di{lri£t, to raife a corps on the footing of Major Harrifon's.
(NOTE .C.)
'JExtradl of a letter from Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles town, July 15, 1780.
I HAVE juft received intelligence from Eord Rawdon, that De 'Kalbe has certainly joined Cafwall (b.) at Coxes' plantation on Deep river ; his lordfhip in confequence has withdrawn Major M'Arthur's detachment over the Black creek, when he means to join him with two battalions, and poft Lieutenant-colonel Webfler on Hanging-rock creek. This will make his fituation pretty compad ; but I fear the enemy will make incurfions into the country. I propofe going down in a few days. Although you will eafi'.y imagine, that arrangements liere are much wanted, and that I can be but ill fpared, the other "bufinefs is, however, 'the moft prefling.
,J 'JLOJRD
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OP NORTH AMERICA. 121
Lord Rawdon like wife iiiclofed to me a letter from Lieutenant- Notos to tUe colonel Turnbull, (a.) at Rocky mount, on the weft bank of the Chapter. Wateree, thirty miles from Camden, who reports, that having heard that fome of the violent rebels, about thirty miles in his front, had returned to their plantations, and were encouraging the people to join them, he fent Captain Huck of the legion, with a detachment of about thirty or forty of that corps, twenty mounted men of the New- York volunteers, and iixty militia, to feize or drive them away. Captain Huck, encouraged by meeting with no oppolition, 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 Cortiwallls, Lieutenant-general of His Majejiy's forces y tic. &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 proprietors of the faid cattle ;