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Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. dated Petersburg, in Virginia, 20th May, 1781. SIR, YOU will easily conceive how sensible an affliction it was to me, on entering this province, to receive an account of the death of my friend, Genereal Phillips, whose loss I cannot sufficiently lament, from personal or public considerations. The corps which I brought from North Carolina arrived here this morning. The information conveyed by your excellency to General Arnold, relative to the probable movements of the French armament, restrains me at present from any material offensive operations; but as soon as I can hear any satisfactory accounts of the two fleets, I will endeavour to make the best use in my power of the troops under my command. General Arnold being of opinion that Portsmouth, with its present garrison, is secure against a coup de main, I would wish to avoid making a precipitate movement towards that place, without absolute necessity, because it would lessen our reputation in this province: But I have sent to assure the commanding officer, that I will do every thing I can to relieve him, in case the French should attach the post. La Fayette is at Wiltown; on the other side of James river, not far from Richmond: I have not heard that Wayne has yet joined him. It is with infinite satisfaction that I enclose to your excellency copies of two letters from Lord Rawdon, which has relieve me from the most cruel anxieties. His lordship's great abilities, courage, and firmness of mind, cannot be sufficiently admired and applauded. There is not great reason to hope that we shall meet with no serious misfortune in that province; if, however, General Greene should persevere in carrying on offensive operations against it, we must, I think, abandon Camden, and probably Ninety Six, and limit our defence to the Congarce and the Santee: This will be only giving up two bad posts, which it is difficult to supply with provisions, and quitting a part of the country, which, for some months past, we have not really possessed. I have taken every means to inform Major Craig of my having passed the Roanoke; on which event, it as previously concerted between us, that he should fall down to Bald head, and from thence proceed to Charles town as soon as transports arrive to carry him. The legion being in the utmost distress for want of arms, cloathing, boots, and, indeed, appointments of all kinds, I must beg that your excellency will be please to direct the inspector general to forward a supply of every article with the greatest dispatch. I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS (From A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Province of North America?, by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, pp340-342.) Tarleton, Ch 5., [Q], p. 340 5/20/1781 |
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