[6 A.L.S., Camp Waxhaw Creek [S.C.], 7-15 Nov. 1780 : to William Smallwood, [New] Providence, [N.C.]]
MSS L1999LA2
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Title
[6 A.L.S., Camp Waxhaw Creek [S.C.], 7-15 Nov. 1780 : to William Smallwood, [New] Providence, [N.C.]]
Description
6 items ; 31 cm.
Call Number
MSS L1999LA2
System Control No.
(OCoLC)41345740
Note
Historical context: After the fall of Charleston, S.C., Col. Davie and Major George Davidson commanded most of the colonial forces remaining in South Carolina. Davie had been charged by Smallwood with collection of forage and of intelligence about British and Loyalists' movements in the area. Though from Maryland, Smallwood had accepted an appointment as commander of the North Carolina militia.
Letters 1-4 contain intelligence of British activities in and around their camp at Winnsborough, most notably those of Banastre Tarleton. Colonial forces mentioned include those of Col. Nelson, W.H. Harrington, Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, and Thomas Sumter.
Letter 2 (10 Nov.) reports Sumter's being surprised at Fishdam Creek the previous day. No. 4 describes the countryside and inhabitants in the area, which is "divided between friends and enemies"; also, "we have reason to be apprehensive that our resources will fail [unless] the enemy are driven below the country lying on the Wateree, Congaree, and Broad Rivers where the disaffected are creative and industrious."
Letters 3, 5, and 6 describe the dangers of expired enlistments: "the torment of the damned are ... equal to my ... rage at the militia for returning home. Friday, [several more] deserted. There remain no cavalry now but about 19 or 20 of Taylor's Regiment, so reduced it is better to discharge them than keep them to the 20th consuming forage ..."
Watermarks: no. 1: (unidentified); no. 3: MW (possibly Mark Wilcox)--see Gravell, T. American watermarks, illustration 477.
Bookseller's partial transcriptions in case file.
Digitized image available.
Letters 1-4 contain intelligence of British activities in and around their camp at Winnsborough, most notably those of Banastre Tarleton. Colonial forces mentioned include those of Col. Nelson, W.H. Harrington, Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, and Thomas Sumter.
Letter 2 (10 Nov.) reports Sumter's being surprised at Fishdam Creek the previous day. No. 4 describes the countryside and inhabitants in the area, which is "divided between friends and enemies"; also, "we have reason to be apprehensive that our resources will fail [unless] the enemy are driven below the country lying on the Wateree, Congaree, and Broad Rivers where the disaffected are creative and industrious."
Letters 3, 5, and 6 describe the dangers of expired enlistments: "the torment of the damned are ... equal to my ... rage at the militia for returning home. Friday, [several more] deserted. There remain no cavalry now but about 19 or 20 of Taylor's Regiment, so reduced it is better to discharge them than keep them to the 20th consuming forage ..."
Watermarks: no. 1: (unidentified); no. 3: MW (possibly Mark Wilcox)--see Gravell, T. American watermarks, illustration 477.
Bookseller's partial transcriptions in case file.
Digitized image available.
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