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COL. BULL TO MR. lAURENS. (Original MS.) HEAD QUARTERS, SAVANNAH, March 12, 1776. To Col. Henry Laurens, Esq., President of the Council of Safety in Charlestown: Sir: I wrote you a letter on Saturday just from Purrysburgh, wherein I informed you I should embark for this place next morning at eight o'clock, which I did with the whole of my command, the two last detachments of Light Infantry and Fusileers did not arrive till two o'clock, Saturday afternoon, and then so fatigued that I judged it best to halt till next morning. I landed at Mr. Kincaid's plantation on Savannah river, about nine miles from hence, and marched in in the evening, where I found all quiet. Their fleet was lessoned by four rich vessels belonging to the tory party, being burnt by the other inhabitnants; they were opposed by the King's troops, who as soon as fired on quitted their ground and scampered across Hutchinson's Island in so great disorder as to leave two field pieces which was not know till after they were carried off by Mr. John Graham's negroes, employed for that purpose, the King's troops not caring to venture back for them, since which the Cherokee and a transport have worked up the Back river, and several loaded vessels, whose Captains inclined to sail, obtained assistance, and "by throwing over board about two thousand pounds of Rice," did get down, and are, if they have not sailed, at Cockspur; this circumstance happened the day the Volunteers left Charlestown. Yesterday I had a conference with the Council of Safety, but came to no determination but that I should mount guard in the town and hamlets adjacent, and began the duty yesterday with the Beaufort Light Infantry and the Huspa Volunteers, who were relieved this morning by the Charleston Volunteers. I have just been waited on by one of the Council of Safety, acquainting me they were to set this forenoon; they yesterday told me they had sent an express for Col. McIntosh, who will probably be here to-morrow, and on conferring with him, if any thing material occurs shall immediately send an Express to you. The following is a list of the vessels which are at present in the Harbor: Tow shipsUnity, Wardell, about 700 lbs. Rice. Rebecca Rutherford, with Lumber. Yorick, Steel, Ballast. Beaufort, Wood, Ballast. Fair Lady, Robertson, 30 hhds. Tobacco. SchoonerRace Horse, Buret, Ballast, and two Sloops; one very stout, and has already twelve port holes. When I meet the Council of Safety I shall press the matter of striping the vessels in port; in the meantime my quards have an eye on them. I am so quartered with a parade before the doors that I can in a few minutes turn out the troops and form them between the front of the bay and the shipping, either to attack or defend, as the service may require. Nine of Mr. Arthur Middleton's negroes, and some others, the whole in number about twenty-five, have gone on board the man-of-war. There are in this town at present one hundred Creek and Euchee Indians, about seventy men, who are now employed in the service of the Province, the rest women and children. America has here many hearty, spirited friends, but there are a great many tories, which in my opinion renders it necessary that at least two hundred militia should continue quartered here, which may be collected from the Southern Regiments, in our Province, until the Continental Regiment have enlisted that number; at present they have but fifty. Our troops are all in good health, and fare very well. I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble servt., STEPH'N. BULL. (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 1, p. 2264-266 ) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 1, p. 264 Date: 5/12/1776 |
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