Letter from John Rutledge, December 30, 1780.

Letter from John Rutledge, December 30, 1780.

1780-12-30

Letters from John Rutledge, President of South Carolina, to the state delegates in the Congress of Philadelphia. Topics include the fall of Charleston, Thomas Sumter's victory at Hanging Rock, patriot and British troop strengths in South Carolina, battle of Eutaw Springs, execution of Isacc Hayne, John Laurens diplomatic activities in France, and election of J. Matthews to succeed Rutledge.

2023-05-11

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Ms. 140, John Rutledge letters, 1780-1788.

English

Ms140_Let9

Thomas's Plantation, on Pedee, exactly opposite to Cheraw Hill - Dec. 30. 1780

Dear Gent -

On the 15th Instant, I rec. your Letter, of the 27th. ult. - I am sorry to find, by the Gazette it inclosed, that the King of G.'Britain has set a new Parliament, altogether to his Mind

However, I hope that Circumstance will cause our Allies, as well as the United States, to make the most speedy & vigorous Exertions, for an early Campaign, so as to render it decisive - abt. 4 Weeks ago, Col:Few took Genl. Williiamson, at his own House, with a large Quantity of Provisions, wch, were laid up, there, to the use of the Enemy, but, he suffered him to remain at Home, for Several days, on Parol, within wch. time, he was to determine, whether he wd. take part with us, or not

However, before the Expirtn. of that time, Col: Cruger marched from his fort at Ninety-Six with most of the garrison, & was joined by Robt. Cunningham, who is a Brig'. of Militia ag
st Few - He, misinformed of the Enemy's N°. (470) detached 100 Men, under Clarke, to attack ‘em – Clark was wounded, obliged to retreat with the loss of 10 or 11 Men, to Tyger-River, having killed more of the Enemy - Marion lately fell on McLeroth's Rear, & witht. any loss, killed & took some of his men - Gen'. Green marched from Charlotte, for this place, with part of the Army, where he arrived yesterday - Morgan is join with the Remainder, towards Ninety-Six - I have appointed Co'. Marion, a Brigadier
& thrown all the Regiments, Ew. of Santee, Wateree & Catawba Rivers, with his Brigade, those to the Westward compose Sumpters, whose wound, (the doctors say,) will disable him from taking the field, for several Months - This is a very unfortunate Circumstance, & we shall feel the Loss of his Services, very much. Tho', During his illness, Morgan will command his Troops - Gen'. Leslie arrived at C:Town with the Forces which were in Virginia, abt. the 14 Inst. - The Enemy held the same Parts in the Country, as I mentd. in my last. It is said, that appearances, at Camden, & Winnsboro, indicate an Intention to move from those Parts, lower down the Country, & Some People flatter themselves, with the Idea of their going to C:Town, but, I cannot believe that they will evacuate Camden - &, if Cornwallis sho. leave Winnsboro., he will not go lower, (I think,) than the Congaree - why they sha. go to C:Town I can'. conceive - I rather apprehend, the Enemy will attempt to drive us from this place, & prevent our collecting Supplies on this River - The Cherokees or Tories painted like Indians, (but I think the former,) have lately killed some people on the frontiers of No. & So. Carolina, which has prevented, & will prevent, them from turning out, in the remote Country, as they ought.
We have no certain Accts. of the Virginia Troops or Lee's Horse - The Report is, that they are coming on, but where they really are, no one here knows - I fear it will be long before they arrive, &, when they do, that their Numbers will prove, (as usual,) very short- Indeed we hear that the 18 Months Men do not exceed 800 - The Time of the Virginia Militia, who are here, & who were draughted only for 3 Months, will expire in 3 Weeks - our prospect is gloomy, for our Numbers are very Small, & our Men mostly in Rags, almost naked, scarce a Blanket to cover them, shivering with Cold, & drinking water – I shall be glad to hear, that the Pennsylvania Line, who I am told are enlisted for the War, & are well cloathed, are to join us (for I have no Expectation of obtaining fresh Troops, from No. Carolina, or Virginia -) We may then, perhaps, be able to hold some part of the Country - but when shall we retake the Town? - not untill our Allies exert themselves, very powerfully, for that purpose - Untill that Event takes place, & we can open the Trade of the Country, I shall think every thing else poor trifling Business - I hope you will not fail to use every Effort, in your Power, to effect that desireable End - We are told that Mr. Gadsden died, in the Castle at Augustine - (but I can't say how far that Intelligence may be depended on,) & that the will of the Gent., who were first sent Hither, are on
Decr. 30th 1780. Pedee.

Parole, in the town - inclosed is a List of peoples lately went Hither – others are sent, & more are to follow, whose Names I have not. - I am impatient to hear, that an Exchange of the Garrison of C:Town has taken place, so that our unhappy friends may be relieved, from the oppressive personal Treatment which they suffer.

I am with great Regard,
Gent.
Y'. most obedt. Servt.
J: Rutledge

P.S. Be pleased to direct, & forward, the inclosed to Gillons Corresponde.

at St. Eusta. by the first Conveyce. to that place - direct the Capt"., to whom they are delivered, to throw 'em overboard, in case of danger of being taken - & give, Gillon your Sentiments, on the probability of this, or Joiner's Services, being wanted by the Fleet of our Ally, on our Coast-

Dec. 30th. Genl. Marion, by Letter of the 27th. Inst., informs, that he left Santee River, the day before - that Major McLeroth had taken part at the great Savannah, (forces) with abt. 300 Men - That Leslies Troops were, last Sunday, at Moncks-Corner, on their way to Nelsons ferry, the Country to which was repairing - & that 500 Men, (as he heard,) had crossed Lewis's ferry, on their way to Geo: Town - but the last of this Intelligence wanted Confirmation - I think it, however, very probable - Marion apprehended the Enemy nearest to cut off his Retreat to Pedee, & has therefore, proceeded to Indian -Town -

The Honble. Delegates of So. Carolina in Congress