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C. Pinckney' Jun., to Mrs. C. Pinckney [Original MS.] CHARLESTON, February 24, 1779. HONORED MADAM: I embrace with pleasure an opportunity of complying with the request, you made me when I left Santee, of transmitting such intelligence as I thought worthy your notice, though the presence of our active officers (General Moultrie and Col. Pinckney) renders the subject somewhat barren. My cousin and the General returned to town on Tuesday by desire of Gen. Lincoln, who was of opinion that unless the assembly took some effectual measures to oblige the militia to do their duty, and placed them under the same articles as those from North Carolina, our situation would soon be discouraging, even to those who had voluntarily resigned their lives and fortunes, in our defence, though at a great distance from danger and who were merely actuated upon this occasion by a love of their country. They opened the matter very fully; related several facts of which we were ignorant; were exceedingly warm; and roused the spirit as well as the indignation of the House so much at the conduct of their fellow-citizens, that notwithstanding they had, some little time before, reprobated the idea of subjecting the militia to marital law, yet an Ordinance being prepared and brought in for that purpose passed both Houses without opposition. The reluctance of our militia to continue at Purysburgh longer than the 1st of March, frustrated one of the best laid schemes, that our affairs have yet given Gen. Lincoln an opportunity of concerting. A detachment of the enemy having taken possession of Augusta, Gen. Ash was immediately detached to reinforce Gen. Williamson; these corps when joined consisted of between two and three thousand men. Gen. Moultrie was ordered to march with his division, consisting of 1,600 Continentals and some regiments of militia; and had he occupied the post to which he was ordered and was then proceeding to, the enemy would have been completely surrounded and either obliged to hazard a battle on the disadvantageous terms of three to one or have surrendered themselves prisoners of war-but after marching six or eight miles up the river for this purpose, he received an order from Gen. Lincoln to return to his former post; but I am happy in acquainting you that our officers pledge themselves, that they will, with the assistance of only a small part of our militia, free Georgia from the present invasion; indeed, the enemy themselves confess that they have erred in not marching immediately to Charlestown, after the rout at Savannah; and the late precipitate retreat from Augusta, where they left their Hospital, with a letter recommending their sick and wounded to the care and humanity of Gen. Williamson, convinces me that they either mean to evacuate Georgia very soon, or to confine themselves to Savannah and its environs-but it is a matter of doubt with me, whether they will be even able to maintain their post there, as I am informed that the reinforcement which G. M. carries with him, will enable our forces to act offensively. Lincoln is anxious and uneasy at being obliged from the enemy's superiority, or at least equality of numbers, to remain so long inactive, and will assuredly take the first opportunity of paying them a visit. The long expected express from the northward arrived on Monday. Messrs. Laurens and Drayton acquaint us that it is impossible to spare any Continental troops, as a secret expedition now on the carpet, will demand their whole force. They say that Congress in consequence of our application, have granted us every assistance in their power, and refer the Governor to the President's letter on that subject, which has not yet come to hand. As to a further aid from North Carolina, they have agreed to send us 2,000 more men immediately. We have now upwards of 3,000 of their men with us; and I esteem this last augmentation, as the highest possible mark of their affection for us and as the most convincing proof of their zeal for the glorious cause in which they are engaged; they have been so willing and ready upon all occasions to afford us all the assistance in their power, that I shall ever love a North Carolinian, and join with Gen. Moultrie in confessing that they have been the salvation of this country. I expect Col. Horry will be in town in a few days, as he was on Friday last elected Colonel of a Regiment of light dragoons, which are to be immediately raised for the public service. Maham is Major-there was an opposition in favor of Major Huger, but by no means a serious one, as the Colonel carried it by a majority of 44; Huger will soon be promoted in the Continental service as a Commission arrived yesterday appointing Col. Huger, a Brigadier General. There is almost a total stagnation of every kind of business; and we daily expect a Proclamation from the Governor and Council for stopping the Courts of Justice and prohibiting all commercial proceedings whatsoever until the removal of the enemy from Georgia. The people of this country were scarcely roused to a sense of their danger, till within this fortnight, but I believe I may now venture to assert that Carolina, will in a short time (comparatively speaking) be as tenacious of her freedom and as forward in defending her liberties as any State on the continent, though, from her internal disputes and natural weakness, she may not be able to bring as many men into the field. Our town, once the seat of pleasure and amusement, is now dull and insipid; a sameness prevails through every thing, and the duty of the remaining militia is full as fatiguing as that of the regulars. We have very few men left here, notwithstanding which they are daily reducing us, and should a fleet and army appear at our bar, God knows what we should do. If the enemy should prove unable to penetrate into this State, and I can get leave (for no one is suffered to leave the town without it under a heavy fine) I purpose paying you a visit at Santee for a few days. I am fond of variety, and changing the scene now and then is I think very agreeable. I hope the little bantling and my friend Daniel are well. Should the weather continue good, my uncle and family will be at Santee on Thursday. I shall expect an answer from you by your next express, and you may depend upon my writing you as often as I can find a conveyance for a letter. My compliments to Miss Howarth and our Santee friends (in which my mother joins me). Conclude me Your affectionate nephew, CHARLES PINCKNEY, Jr. P.S.-Mr. Bee being elected Lieutenant-General, and E. Rutledge refusing to go to Congress, Mr. Lowndes and William Henry Drayton (who carried it against Daniel Huger by one vote) were elected in their room. (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 106) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 106a Date: 2/24/1779 |
Last modified: 7/10/03/CLN.
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