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From the Lincoln Gazette Extraordinary Whitehall, Jun. 15, 1780 This morning the Earl of Lincoln, aid-de-camp to his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, arrive at this office witrh the following dispatch for the Right Honourable Lord George Germain: Charles town, May 13, 1780 My Lord, I WILL not trouble your lordship with a repetition of the delays and difficulties which protracted serious operation until the 29th day of March, on which day the landing on Charles-town neck was effected. By this time a depot was formed; the admiral had passed the bar, and I had the essential assistance of officers and seamen of the royal navy for my operations. I was also strengthened with the corps from Georgia, under Brigadier-general Paterson, which, through a country intersected with rivers, and rendered more difficult by heavy rains, had advanced, not unopposed, in the space of twelve days from Savannah to (a.) Ashley river. The passage of Ashley, under the conduct of Captain Elphinstone, and by the good service of the officers and sailors of the fleet, was accomplished with order and expedition, and without resistance on the part of the enemy. The day succeeding it the army moved towards Charles town, and on the night of the 1st of (c.) April broke ground within eight hundred yards of the rebel works. By the (d.) 8th our guns were mounted in battery; and I had the satisfaction to see the admiral pass into Charles-town harbour with the success his conduct deserved, though under a very heavy fire from Sullivan's island. At this period we judge it advisable to send the inclosed summons to the place, which returned the answer I have the honour to transmit with it. The batteries (g.) were opened the next day. From their effect we soon observed the fire of the enemy'' advanced works to abate considerably; the attention of the engineers, and the diligence of the troops, but increasing as they proceeded. A second parallel was completed on the 19th of April, and secure approaches opened to it. We were not within four hundred and fifty yards of the place. My communications had hitherto required the greatest attention: They had been chosen from Perrenau's landing in Stono river across the Wappoo, and by small inlets, leaving only a mile of land carriage into the part of the Ashley river opposite our camp. Works for the protection of the stores and shipping in Stono, others on the communication, and several redoubts and batteries on Ashley, were the labours necessary to give security in so important a point. The presence of the fleet in the harbour relieving me from apprehension on that part, and the admiral taking to himself the defence of fort (h.) Johnson, I was able to detach one thousand four hundred men, under Lieutenant-colonel Webster, of the 33d regiment, to break in upon the enemy's remaining communication with the country. Our success but for this measure would have been incomplete, as I had reason to fear a naval force cou'd not be gout into Cooper river, nor consequently the place to be totally invested. Your lordship will observe, that Colonel Webster had, in the execution of his orders, rivers to cross, and other difficult operations to effect, in presence of a very superior cavalry, which might harass him much. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance to strike at this corps, and, as suddenly as possible, to seize the principal passes of the country. The surprise (i.) and defeat of the collected cavalry and militia of the rebels, and to possessing Biggin's bridge over Cooper, by Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton with the horse, the legion, and Major Ferguson's detachment, gave the command of the country (k.) to Colonel Webster, threw into hands great supplies of provision, and enabled him to take a post near the head of Wandoo river, forbidding by land all farther access to the town from Cooper to the inland navigation. An armed naval force which the admiral sent into Servee bay, and another stationed in Spencer's inlet, completed the investiture to the sea. A considerable reinforcement joining me from (l.) New York the 18th of April, I immediately strengthened the corps beyond Cooper river, which, thus augmented, I requested Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis to take under his command. On the 6th of May, the third parallel (n.) was complete close to the edge of the rebel canal, and a sap carried to the dam, which contained its water on the right, by which means a great part was drained to the bottom. We could now form juster opinions of the defences of the town towards the land, which extended in a chain (e.) of redoubts, lines, and batteries, from Ashley to Cooper. In front of either flank of the works, swamps, which the canal connects, ooze to each river; betwixt these impediments and the place are two rows of abbatis, various other obstructions, and a double picketted ditch; a horn-work of masonry, which, during the siege, the enemy closed as a kind of citadel, strengthened the center of the line and the gate, where the fame natural defences were not found as near the water: Eighty pieces of cannon or mortars were mounted in the extent of these lines. On the 6th of May our batteries were ready in the third parallel. New and very forcible motives now prevailed to induce the place to capitulate. Admiral Arbuthnot had landed a force of seamen and marines on Sullivan's island, under Captain Hudson, to whom on the threat that ships should batter the fort, the garrison delivered themselves upon terms. Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis had been no less successful in the country. The cavalry under Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton had again the good fortune which conduct and gallantry deserve, and overtook at the Santee a body of horse the enemy had, with infinite difficulty, collected together. They (m.) were most spiritedly charged and defeated. Most of the riders fled to the morasses, or threw themselves into the river, from whence few have extricated themselves. Fifty of sixty men were killed or taken, and every horse of the corps, with the arms and appointments, fell into our hands. Although, in a second correspondence which the enemy solicited, they had shewn in their proposals for a surrender far too extensive pretensions, the admiral and myself could not refrain from attempting once more to avert the cruel extremity of a storm. In this renewal of treaty, however, we did not find their indiscretion much abated. The batteries of the third parallel (o.) were therefore opened, and a manifest superiority of fire soon obtained; the corps of yagers acting as marksmen, were on this occasion extremely useful. Under this fire we gained the counterscarp of the outwork which flanked the canal, the canal itself was passed, and work carried on towards the ditch of the place. The 11th, General Lincoln sent to us his acquiescence in the terms he had two days before objected to. Whatever severe justice might dictate on such an occasion, we resolved not to press to unconditional submission a reduced army, whom we hoped clemency might yet reconcile to us. The articles of capitulation were therefore signed, such as I have the honour to inclose them. On the 12th, Major-general Leslie took (q.) possession of the town. There are taken, seven general officers, a commodore, (f.) ten continental regiments, and three battalions of artillery, together with town and country militia, French, and seamen, make about six thousand men in arms. The titular deputy governor, council, and civil officers, are also prisoners. Four frigates and several armed vessels, with a great number of boats, have likewise fallen into our possession, and about four hundred pieces of cannon. Of the garrison, artillery, and stores, your lordship will have as perfect returns as I shall be able to collect. I have yet, my lord, to add to this letter, the expressions of gratitude I owe to the army, (r.) whose courage and toil have given me success. I have most warmly to thank Lieutenant-general Earl Cornwallis, Major-general Leslie, Huyne, and Kosborth, and Brigadier-general Patterson, for their animated assistance. I trust I do not flatter myself vainly, that the good services during the siege, of the officers and soldiers of the royal artillery, of Captain Elphinstone, and the officers and seamen of the royal navy serving with us on shore, of the corps of engineers, of the officers and soldiers of every corps, British and Hessian, and particularly the yage detachment, will receive His Majesty's gracious approbation. I have especially to express my obligation to Lieutenant-colonel Webster, and the corps which acted under him. And I have to give the greatest praise to Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton and the cavalry, for their conduct, bravery, and eminent services. But to Major Moncriess, the commanding engineer, who planned, and, with the assistance of such capable officers under him, conducted the siege with so much judgement, intrepidity, and laborious attention, I wish to render a tribute of the very highest applause, and most permanent gratitude; persuaded that far more flattering commendations than I can bestow will not fail to crown such rare merit. Your lordship has seen how great a share Admiral Arbuthnot and the fleet have had in every measure. I can add, that had we been necessitated to make an assault, I am persuaded a very conspicuous part would have been taken by the ships, to favour us at that important crisis. I have the honour to send your lordship returns of our loss. I have the honour to be, &c. H. CLINTON (From A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Province of North America?, by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, pp38-46.) Tarleton, Ch 1., [E], p. 38a 5/13/1780 |
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