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Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry January 18, 1782. Dear Sir: I send you the proceedings of the general Court Martial. You will dissolve the Court and put the sentence in execution. I send you Gen. Greene's letter in answer to mine sent him as soon as I arrived here, and it is determined as I expected. You will keep the letter, and if the enemy should approach your quarters and you find it necessary, you must call on Col. Maham's Troops and Horse as a reinforcement, and wish he may not be called on for no other purpose. If you find the men desert you, a small party of six men, or two such parties, sent to bring them back and put them in confinement will have the best effect. I fear your patience must be something longer tried with the militia, as I cannot be spared without stopping the whole proceedings of the House. We have but 13 Senators, which is the least number that can do business. The other House has 7469 can do business; but it requires 202 members of both houses to chose a Governor. As soon as they can spare me I will return. You did very right to send Mrs. J H back, and hope you will send every one who has their husbands with the enemy. I am informed that a pass is given to Capt. Williams, of the schooner which came up to carry produce down, and she is to be up again in a few days, to carry Mrs. P; if she comes up without your pass or mine, she must be taken and sunk, and if Mrs. P goes down she must not be suffered to return. The pass I allude to above is said to be given by Col. Maham, which I cannot believe. Gen. Wayne is gone to Georgia with White's Cavalry. The enemy has evacuated Johns Island and Wadmalaw; they took a subaltern and six privates of Col. Washington's Horse at Dorchester; through carelessness and bad conduct, they have also taken John Glaze and young Parker. If you can spare Capt. Gough I wish he may come to the House, or Major Benson; I think one may be spared. The account of the enemy's going to George Town I believe is not true, though it is probable they may try to have a blow at you, or your parties of observation down the neck. We have in the Philadelphia papers an account of the combined fleet taking a 90 gun ship and three frigates, and 83 sail of the Jamaica fleet. Anything material I wish you would let me know per express. Col. Serwen had leave of absence for a few days, to move his family, but if he is wanted, I wish he may be called on to take the command Nelson has. I am so perfectly satisfied that you can command these, as well as myself, that I shall be very easy in every respect; and I know you only want patience with militia, which you will gain by experience. I am, with esteem, dear sir, Your most obedient servant, F. MARION (No. 240 From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 3, pp. 231-232) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 3, p. 231a Date: 1/18/1782 |
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