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[v. 3, No. 142.] Gen. Greene to Gen. Marion MR. RICHARDSON'S PLANTATION, August 10, 1781. Dear Sir: Inclosed I send you a letter from Col. Hardenthe express that brought it could not find you and therefore brought it on to camp. If it is practicable I wish you to give support to Col. Harden. You know the Colonel's force, your own and the enemy's, and will do as you may think proper. Your force added to Harden's appear to me competent to the business, and if you undertake it you must move with the utmost secresy and expedition. However, you are best acquainted with the nature and difficulties attending the attempt, and must govern yourself accordingly. But it will be of the greatest importance to check the enemy in the progress of this business, for if they are permitted to pursue it with impunity, they will possess themselves of all the rice of the country, and totally dispirit the militia. Your letter of the 8th I have received, and sent more than one half o the lead I have. I am in hopes this will answer your present demand; in a few days we expect a fresh supply; the lead would have come with the powder but for a mistake of one of my aids who gave the order. You will see by Col. Harden's letter that the enemy have hanged Col. Hayne; don't take any measure in the matter towards retaliation, for I don't intend to retaliate on the Tory officers, but the British. It is my intention to demand the reasons of the Colonel's being put to death, and if they are unsatisfactory, as I am sure they will be, and if they refuse to make satisfaction as I suppose they will, to publish my intention of giving no quarters to British officers of any rank that fall into our hands. Should we attempt to retaliate upon their militia officers, I am sure they would persevere in the measures in order to increase the animosity between the whigs and tories, that they might stand idle spectators and see them butcher each other. As I don't wish my intention to be known to the enemy, but through an official channel, and as this will be delayed for some few days to give our friends in St. Augustine time to get off, I wish you not to mention the matter to any mortal out of your family. Neither Col. Shelby nor Col. Lock have arrived, nor can I tell when they will. Lieut. Col. Lee crossed the Santee a few days ago, and took 15 or 20 prisoners of the enemy's Horse. Please to let me know whether you go to the relief of Col. Harden or not, that I may take some other measures, should it be out of your power to succour him. I have the honor to be, dear sir, Yours most respectfully, NATH. GREENE (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 3, p. 125) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 3, p. 125 Date: 8/10/1781 |
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