A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
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William Dobein James. >> A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
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~Charleston, November 17th, 1821.~
Dear Sir,
The anecdote of Gen. Marion you requested me to relate to you, I now take
the first opportunity to mention. It occurred late in the year 1782,
when the British troops were preparing to evacuate Charleston:
they had a covering party on James' island to protect their wood-cutters,
and another on Lamprere's point to protect their getting water
for their shipping. Col. Kosciusko, a Polander, solicited Gen. Greene
to afford him an opportunity of distinguishing himself;
and as the covering party to the wood-cutters was the only one
which now presented itself, the general gave him a command to attack them,
which he did, and was defeated with the loss of a great many men,
and among the slain was the gallant Capt. Wilmot.
About the same time that Gen. Greene gave Kosciusko this command,
he wrote to Gen. Marion, "that he understood the watering party
at Lamprere's point was so situated as to afford him
an opportunity of attacking it with success. Gen. Marion replied,
"that he had not overlooked the situation of the British at that spot,
but he viewed the war in Carolina as over, and as the enemy
were preparing to go away, he had sent a party to protect them
from being annoyed by his own men; that he commanded his fellow citizens
who had already shed blood enough in the cause of freedom,
and that he would not spill another drop of it, now when it was unnecessary;
no, not for the highest honours that could be conferred upon him."
If you think this anecdote worth mentioning in the biography
of that great man, it is quite at your service.
With much respect and esteem,
I am, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
Keating Simons.
Correspondence.
Gen. Lincoln to Lieut. Col. Marion, at Sheldon.
~Head Quarters, Charleston, Jan. 31, 1780.~
Sir,
The state of affairs is such as to make it necessary that we draw our force
to a point as much and as soon as possible. No troops will be kept
in the field except two hundred light infantry and the horse.*
You will, therefore, please to select from the three regiments with you,
two hundred of your best men, and those who are best clothed,
and organize them into corps with proper officers. All the remainder
with the baggage of the whole (saving such as is absolutely necessary
for light troops) will march immediately to this town. You will please
take the command of the light infantry, until Lieut. Col. Henderson arrives,
which I expect will be in a few days. After that I wish to see you
as soon as possible in Charleston. -- Cross will deliver you this
with a letter to Col. Parker, and another to Major Jamieson.
You will send them towards Augusta in the common route by four horsemen.
Two will guide Col. Parker to this town by the shortest way,
the other two will guide Major Jamieson to your camp.
--
* Washington's.
--
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
B. Lincoln.
____________
Col. Marion to Col. P. Horry.
~Lynch's Creek, Aug. 17, 1780.*~
--
* Written about a week after Gen. Marion took command of the militia.
--
Sir,
You will take the command of such men as will be collected
from Capts. Bounneau's, Mitchell's and Benson's companies,
and immediately proceed to Santee, from the lower ferry to Lenud's,
and destroy all the boats and canoes on the river, and post guards at
each crossing place, to prevent persons from crossing to or from Charleston,
on either side of the river. -- You will give all necessary intelligence,
and the number of men you may have collected as early as possible.
You will procure about twenty-five weight of gunpowder,
and a proportionable quantity of ball or swanshot, also flints,
and send them up to me immediately, to the Kingstree, by an express.
I am with esteem,
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
N. B. -- You will also take the command of Capt. Lenud's company,
and furnish your men with arms, wherever you can find them, giving receipts.
____________
Extract of a Letter from Col. Marion to Col. P. Horry.
~Lynch's Creek, Aug. 27, 1780.~
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to acquaint you that Gen. Gates is defeated with great loss;
he was obliged to retreat to Charlotte, which obliges me also to retreat.
You will without delay retreat with what men you can get, to Briton's neck,
where I have encamped. It is necessary to obtain ammunition,
arms and accoutrements, and as many horses as you can get;
also stores from Georgetown, which you will send if possible up the river
to Briton's neck.
On the 20th inst. I attacked a guard of the 63d and Prince of Wales' regiment,
with a number of tories, at the Great Savannah, near Nelson's ferry.
Killed and took twenty-two regulars, and two tories prisoners,
and retook one hundred and fifty continentals of the Maryland line;
one waggon and a drum; one captain and a subaltern were also captured.
Our loss is one killed, and Capt. Benson is slightly wounded on the head.
____________
Brig. Gen. Marion to Adjt. Postell.*
--
* Major John Postell.
--
~Snow's Island, Dec. 30, 1780.~
Sir,
You will proceed with a party down Black river, from Black Mingo
to the mouth of Pedee, and come up to this place; you will take
all the boats and canoes from Euhaney up, and impress negroes to bring them
to camp; put some men to see them safe; you will take every horse,
to whomsoever he may belong, whether friend or foe. You will take
all arms and ammunition for the use of our service. You will forbid
all persons from carrying any grains, stock or any sort of provisions
to Georgetown, or where the enemy may get them, on pain of being held
as traitors and enemies to the Americans. All persons who will not join you
you will take prisoners and bring to me. You will return as soon as possible.
Let me know any intelligence you may gain of the enemy's
strength or movements.
I am, your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
~Adjt. Postell.~
N. B. -- You will bring up as much rice and salt in the boats as possible.
____________
Gen. Marion to Capt. John Postell.
~Goddard's Plantation,* Pedee, Jan. 19, 1781.~
--
* Snow's Island.
--
Dear Sir,
I send Lieut. King with fifteen men, to reinforce you. I would have
all the flats and boats you can collect, loaded with rice,
and sent to Mr. Joseph Allston's plantation, on Bull's creek,
to the north of Pedee, where there is a ferry to Euhaney;
and the rice is to be there stored, and the boats kept going
until all that is beat out in your district is carried.
From there I will send for it up higher. You must take such negroes
for the boats as belong to those persons who may be with the enemy,
or from those estates which the enemy think forfeited.
Gen. Greene is in want of a number of negroes -- say fifty --
for the use of the army. You will collect them in your district,
and send them to me; taking care not to distress any family,
but taking them where they can be best spared. I shall detain those negroes
that came up with the boats you have sent. One boat has arrived,
and I have sent to assist in getting up the others. I beg you would give me
intelligence of the movements of the enemy in Georgetown,
and, if possible, their particular strength: what corps of horse and foot,
and how many militia, and if there are any cannon mounted on their redoubt,
and whether they are making any new works. You will send Capt. W----,
and Mr. S----, and all such men (who have taken, or are suspected
of having taken part with the enemy) to me. You must not suffer any person
to carry property where the enemy has possession, or have any intercourse
with them.
I am, with regard, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
____________
Extract of a Letter from Gen. Marion to Capt. Postell.
~January 19, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
Your father may keep the canoe you mention. I have received the prisoners,
by Mr. M`Pherson,* and shall give them the pleasure of seeing head quarters.
--
* Depeyster's company of grenadiers.
--
I am, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
____________
Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, on Pedee, Jan. 19, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
The enclosed letter, from Capt. Odingsells, came to hand last evening,
I have directed him to apply to you for orders on the subject.
I have detached Major Anderson, with one thousand regulars,
and one hundred Virginia militia, to attack and disperse the tories
at Mr. Amy's mill, on Drowning creek. The party marched yesterday,
with orders to endeavour to surprise them; perhaps you might be able
to make some detachment that would contribute to their success.
By the last accounts, Lieut. Col. Tarleton was in motion, with about
one thousand troops, towards Gen. Morgan, who is in the fork of Broad river.
Lord Cornwallis is moving in force to cover him. I wish your answer
respecting the practicability of surprising the party near Nelson's;
the route, and force you will be able to detach. This inquiry is a matter
that requires the greatest secrecy.
I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
N. Greene.
____________
Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp,* Jan. 22, 1781.~
--
* Camp Hicks.
--
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 18th, containing an account
of the several little skirmishes between your people and the enemy,
which were clever and do them much honour. I am sorry that so few horses
fit for service are to be had in your quarter, as we are in great want.
Get as many as you can, and let us have fifteen or twenty sent to camp
without loss of time, they being wanted for immediate service.
Major Hyrne who is appointed deputy commissary general of prisoners,
has settled the business with Mr. Walter. I beg you will please
to favour me with weekly returns of the militia serving under you,
and the number of horses you have in service, and the particular duties
on which they are employed, to be made every Monday morning.
I also wish separate returns of the continental troops serving with you,
the rank and names of the officers, and the corps to which they belong.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
N. Greene.
____________
Brig. Gen. Marion to Capt. John Postell.
~January 23, 1781.~
Sir,
Particular circumstances make me desire that you will immediately
march all the men under your command to join me at the Kingstree;
you must proceed by forced marches until you come up to me,
for no time is to be lost. Leave your post as secretly as possible,
without letting any one know where you are going, or of your intention
to leave it.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
[Six days after this date Gen. Marion detached Major Postell on the expedition
which we have mentioned, page 91.]
[Chapter III Paragraph 7 -- the party of supernumerary officers,
who captured and destroyed British supplies. -- A. L.]
____________
Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, on Pedee, Jan. 23, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
I have the particular pleasure to congratulate you on the entire defeat
of the enemy under Lieut. Col. Tarleton. Major Giles, this moment arrived,
brings the glorious intelligence, which I have the pleasure to transmit.
On the 17th, at day-break, the enemy consisting of eleven hundred and fifty
British troops, and fifty militia, attacked Gen. Morgan,
who was at the Cowpens, between Pacolet and Broad river, with two hundred
and ninety infantry, eighty cavalry and about six hundred militia.
The action lasted fifty minutes and was remarkably severe. Our brave troops
charged the enemy with bayonets, and entirely routed them, killing near
one hundred and fifty, wounding upwards of two hundred, and taking
more than five hundred prisoners, exclusive of the prisoners with two pieces
of artillery, thirty-five waggons, upwards of one hundred dragoon horses,
and with the loss only of ten men killed and fifty-five wounded.
Our intrepid party pursued the enemy upwards of twenty miles.
About thirty commissioned officers are among the prisoners.
Col. Tarleton had his horse killed and was wounded, but made his escape
with two hundred of his troops. This important intelligence
I wish you to communicate to Lieut. Col. Lee if possible.
I have not time to write him. If he has not attacked Georgetown,
I wish he could privately transmit it to the garrison.
I am with esteem,
Your most obedient humble servant,
N. Greene.
____________
Extract of a Letter from Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, on Pedee, Jan. 25, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 20th is before me; before this I hope you have received
the agreeable news of the defeat of Lieut. Col. Tarleton by Gen. Morgan;
after this nothing will appear difficult.
____________
Gen. Huger to Brig. Gen. Marion.
~Camp, Hick's Creek, Jan. 28, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
Gen. Greene wishes that you will attempt to cross the Santee,
and if possible reach some of the enemy's magazines and destroy them.
I am persuaded you will not leave any practicable measure unattempted
to effect this business. The execution is left entirely
to your judgment and address.
I am, dear Sir,
With much esteem,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Is. Huger.
____________
Gen. Marion to Capt. John Postell.
~Cordes' Plantation, Jan. 29, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
You will cross Santee river with twenty-five men, and make a forced march
to Watboo bridge, there burn all the British stores of every kind;
it is possible you will find a small guard there, which you may surprise,
but bring no prisoners with you. You will return the same way,
and recross the river at the same place, which must be done
before daylight next morning. After effecting my purpose at Watboo,
it will not be out of your way to come by Monk's corner,
and destroy any stores or waggons you may find there. You can learn
from the people at Watboo what guard there is at the corner;
if it should be too strong you will not attempt that place.
In going to Watboo, you must see if there is a guard at the church;
if there is you will shun it; you will consider provisions of all kinds
British property. The destruction of all the British stores
in the above-mentioned places is of the greatest consequence to us,
and only requires boldness and expedition. Take care that your men
do not get at liquor, or clog themselves with plunder so as to endanger
their retreat.
I am with regard, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
____________
Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, at Guilford Court House, Feb. 11, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
I received your favour of the 31st ult. and request you to give
my particular thanks to Major and Capt. Postell for the spirit and address
with which they executed your orders over the Santee.
Your crossing the Santee must depend upon your own discretion.
I think it would be attended with many advantages, if it can be
executed with safety. Gen. Sumter is desired to call out
all the militia of South Carolina and employ them in
destroying the enemy's stores and perplexing their affairs in the state.
Please to communicate and concert with him your future operations
until we have a better opportunity to have more free intercourse.
Great activity is necessary to keep the spirits of the people from sinking,
as well as to alarm the enemy respecting the safety of their posts.
We formed a junction at this place last night, but our force
is so much inferior to the enemy's that we dare not hazard a general action
if it can be avoided, but I am not certain that it can.
The enemy are within thirty miles of us, up towards the shallow ford
on the Yadkin.
I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
N. Greene.
____________
Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, at Halifax Court House, Virginia, Feb. 16, 1781.~
Dear Sir,
I have seen your letter to Gen. Huger of the 6th inst. and am surprised
that Col. Baker or Capt. Snipes should pretend that they had my directions
for crossing the Santee. I beg you will encourage the militia and engage them
to continue their exertions. -- If the supplies expected from the northward
arrive in season, we shall be able to assist you. The movements of the enemy
were so rapid, that few of the militia joined us on our march from Pedee,
which reduced us to the necessity of passing the Dan, or risking an action
on very unequal terms. The enemy are upon the banks of the river,
but the people of this country appear to be in earnest.
I hope we shall soon be able to push Lord Cornwallis in turn.
I wrote to you from Guilford, which I hope you have received.
I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
N. Greene.
____________
Gen. Marion to Lieut. Col. Balfour.
~Santee, March 7, 1781.~
Sir,
I sent Capt. John Postell with a flag to exchange some prisoners,
which Capt. Saunders, commandant of Georgetown, had agreed to, but contrary
to the law of nations, he has been seized and detained as a prisoner.
As I cannot imagine that his conduct will be approved of by you,
I hope orders will be immediately given to have my flag discharged,
or I must immediately acquaint congress of this violation.
The ill consequence of which it is now in your power to prevent.
I am sorry to complain of the ill treatment my officers and men meet with
from Capt. Saunders; the officers are closely employed in a small place,
where they can neither stand or lie at length, nor have they
more than half rations. I have treated your officers and men
who have fallen into my hands in a different manner. Should these evils
not be prevented in future, it will not be in my power to prevent retaliation.
Lord Rawdon and Col. Watson have hanged three men of my brigade
for supposed crimes, which will make as many of your men in my hands suffer.
I hope this will be prevented in future, for it is my wish
to act with humanity and tenderness to those unfortunate men,
the chances of war may throw in my power.
I have the honour to be
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
____________
Gen. Marion to Col. Watson, of the British.
~Santee, March 7, 1781.~
Sir,
Enclosed is a letter which I wish may be forwarded as soon as possible.
I make no doubt but that you will be surprised to see a flag
sent at the head of an armed party. The reason of it is,
that Capt. Saunders, commandant of Georgetown, has violated
the law of nations, by taking, detaining and imprisoning Capt. Postell,
who carried prisoners to exchange, which was agreed to by him.
The hanging of prisoners and the violation of my flag will be retaliated
if a stop is not put to such proceedings, which are disgraceful
to all civilized nations. All of your officers and men who have fallen
into my hands, have been treated with humanity and tenderness;
and I wish sincerely that I may not be obliged to act
contrary to my inclinations; but such treatment as my unhappy followers,
whom the chances of war may throw in the hands of my enemies receive,
such may those expect who fall in my hands.
I have the honour to be
Your obedient servant,
Francis Marion.
____________
Extract of a Letter from Gov. J. Rutledge to Gen. Marion.
~Camp, at Haw River, March 8, 1781.~
I have not yet received the blank militia commissions I expected out.
If I do not get some before I arrive at Richmond, I will there
have some printed and transmitted to you. In the mean time
you will give brevets, ~and in order that you may carry sufficient authority
over the several officers in your brigade, you may remove any of them,
and appoint others in their stead, from time to time, as you think proper.~
____________
Col. N. Balfour to Brig. Gen. Marion.
~Charleston, March 12, 1781.~
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 7th inst. respecting the detention
of Capt. John Postell, when charged with a flag of truce to Georgetown,
and complaining of the same as a breach of the law of nations.
The best answer I can return to which is the transmission of his parole,
which will clearly evince that the breach of such law,
as well as those of honour, rest solely with that gentleman,
who has acted in a military capacity when engaged by the most solemn ties
to remain in a state of neutrality.
____________
Col. Balfour to Gen. Marion.
~Charleston, March 21, 1781.~
Sir,
I am greatly astonished to find that you have detained one of our officers,*
sent out with a flag of truce to you, and acting under its sanction;
this is indeed an infraction of the laws of nations and of war,
as you complain of in the case of Capt. Postell, and such a one
as if not immediately redressed I shall be obliged to punish
in the most exemplary manner by the severest retaliation.
If in this action you could have alluded to the case of Capt. Postell,
my letter of the 12th inst. must surely have convinced you,
how truly dissimilar they are in every respect; but as from such conduct
I must conceive, Sir, this letter may not have reached you,
I now enclose a copy for your information and conviction. Let me observe,
as faith had been violated by Capt. Postell, he naturally became to us
an object for capture and punishment, under whatsoever circumstances
he might be met, and to argue from his justifiable detention, a right
to extend the like to those most unimpeachably upright in their conduct,
is a confounding of right and wrong, and a violation of all principles
under which any intercourse can subsist between powers at war with each other.
--
* Capt. Merritt.
--
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
N. Balfour.
____________
Col. Watson to Gen. Marion.
~Blakely's, March 15, 1781.~
Sir,
The very extraordinary method you took of sending the letter
I received from you, makes it rather difficult to guess
in what way you mean to carry on this war, and therefore induces me
to take the mode of addressing you through a neutral person.
The bearer is a little boy of John Witherspoon's. We have an officer
and some men wounded, whom I should be glad to send where they could be
better taken care of. I wish therefore to know if they will be
permitted to pass, without interruption from any of your parties,
to Charleston.
Yours, &c.
(Signed)
John Watson.
P.S. -- If you have no objection to their going, you will be so good
as to send a pass for them.
____________
Col. Watson to Gen. Marion.
~Blakely's, March 16, 1781.~
Sir,
I do not think it necessary to enter into a detail of your conduct,
or by words to justify our own. Your mentioning that you wished
to carry on the war as usual with civilized nations, led me to mention
the circumstance I did. Care is taken to prevent any thing being taken
from those who do not bear arms against us, or who do not directly
assist our enemies; whatever other people are deprived of
we do not call plunder, but property fairly taken from the enemy;
and what cannot be carried away conveniently we destroy, if we think proper.
~The burning of houses and the property of the inhabitants,
who are our enemies, is customary in all civilized nations.~
But further than the distress that is occasioned to their families,
the distressing women and children, is so far from being countenanced
by any officers in our service, that on the contrary every assistance possible
is afforded them.
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