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Show/hide 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.
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