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Winnot, W. (fl. 1782) to William Smallwood

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06508.08 Author/Creator: Winnot, W. (fl. 1782) Place Written: Charleston County, South Carolina Type: Letter signed Date: 26 September 1782 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 31 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Gives General Smallwood an "account of the present situation of the two armies in this [southern] quarter with their principal maneuvers since the capture of L'd Cornwallace." Provides a detailed description of activities by generals Nathanael Greene, Anthony Wayne, Alexander Leslie, and others. Comments on the raising of troops. Indicates he received news of a British mission against French troops in Boston. A note on the address leaf explains the "Import of sending this to Annapolis." Written from Camp Ashley Hill, in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Dear Sir Southn. Army Ashly Hill Septr 26th 1782
I do myself the pleasure to give you a short account of the present situation of the two Armies in this Quarter - with their principal manoevers since the capture of Ld.. Cornwallace - Shortly after which Genl. Green advancd [sic], crossing the Watiree and Santee, to Colol Thompsons when, the Genl. with the light Troops, made an attempt to surprise the Enemies post at Dotchester. They being oppresd [sic] of his approach, reinforced the post, and sallied [sic] out about two miles, where we fell in with, Crarg'd and drove them, to their Fort, leaving a small number of their killed and wounded in our hands.
Genl Leslie by a rapid march from Fair Lawn formd [sic] a junction at the Quarter House, that night, with those from Dotchester - Genl. Green took post about 30 miles west of them on a small, but pleasant Eminence where he Quartered the Winter - Early in the spring an unsuccessfull [sic] attempt was made to get on Johns Island to attack the Enemies Camp - which they discovered,; and left the Island in the greatest precipitation, leaving horses, cattle, provisions, &tc. all which, fell into our hands -
Genl. Wayne, with Colol. Bailors Regt. of Cavalry marchd [sic] in January last, to Savannah, where he was shortly after joind [sic] by Colol. Posey's Regt. of Infantry from Virginia., which inabled [sic] him to confine the Enemy to [struck: Gar] their Garrison, till July, at which time they Evacuated that post = disposing of the Troops in the following manner, sending 400 to N. York, three hundred to C. Town and 50 to Augustine, - Early in the spring Genl. Oharro with a sufficient number of [inserted: empty] Transports from N. York came to this place, and took [inserted: illegible] with [2] him - 1110 British Troops for Jamaica - upon which the Enemy Demolished their Exterior works, and contracted their lines - Previous to which Genl. Green took post 18 miles fro[m] Town on the Sth.. side of Ashly River, where he still remains.
Genl. Marion with a considerable body of state Cavalry and some Infantry are 30
miles N. East from G: town - -
Genl. Gist commanding the Lt. Infantry, covers the right flank of the Army: - - - The disorders [Incideous] to this Country rage with more Violence this Summer than usual, and the two Armies are hourly diminished by them.
The Assembly of this state has raisd [sic] near two hundred men for during the War, and their recruiting Officers sti[text loss] meet with success - North Carolina has raisd [sic] 1200 eighteen months men, who remains still in that state as Congress will not give Credit for any Troops raisd [sic] for less than three years or\during the War -
Genl. Leslie has Ordered all Officers and other person concernd [sic], to be in perfect readiness to Embark by the Ninth of October - but I hear from good authority he does not expect to Evacuate this post, till sometime in the winter, having only 17 transports here & 57 at N. York which are not yet orderd to the Southward.
A gentleman arrived in Town yesterday from N York who says that an expedition are going on against the French Troops at Boston; under the Command of Genl Carlton with 20 sail of the line & 4000 troops from New York - Colol Lawrence with 49 men [struck: attackd [sic]] in charging 250 of the Enemy was shot dead with 4 of his Men: thirteen wounded including two Officers which are all saved - Genl Gist has since taken one of their Gallies mounting two mine sounders - [3] I am Honourd [sic] with the command of a party of observation, and have several capital spies in Town who furnishes me from time to time with every interresting [sic] intelligence. Accurate returns of their Army, [inserted: &] such in Hospital &tc - The spirit of Mutiny has at two different times; made alarming appearances among our troops; but at present seems to have subsided-
Every possible preparation for an Embarkation has already taken place - all their Fort artillery, stores, &tc. are on board the 17 Transports that are here - We hear there is a new arrangement of the Army; which it is said, will shortly take place here - -
Please make my Compliments to Majr Brooks, Clagett, Truman, Williams and Selman, Bruce, [struck: and] Denny and all the other old officers in that Quarter-
I am Dr Sir with the hight
sentimt of Friendshp & esteem
Yrs Sincerely
W. Winnot
P.S. Captn Bird of our Line is Dead}
September 30th-- A fleet of transports arrived yesterday from N. Yourk [sic] to take oft the garrison. Frazers--Browns and some other new cores are going to Augustine-Genl. Gist has been very ill but is recovering

Genl. Smallwood.

[address leaf]: The Honourable/Major General Smalwood [sic]/Maryland
[note on address leaf]: The Import of sending this to Annapolis is to shew [sic]/that Capt. Bird is dead [inserted: on] wch. might not be known/ in [illegible]ling the Arrangmt.

Winnot ,W., fl. 1782
Smallwood, William, 1732-1792

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