WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Gen. James Clinton, Smith's in the Clove, 13 June 1779. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, small closed tear at edge of horizontal crease . [ With ]: WASHINGTON. Signed free frank ("G: o Washington") on address panel marked "on public service." Intact red wax seal.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Gen. James Clinton, Smith's in the Clove, 13 June 1779. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, small closed tear at edge of horizontal crease . [ With ]: WASHINGTON. Signed free frank ("G: o Washington") on address panel marked "on public service." Intact red wax seal. FALSE HOPES AND SPIES IN THE SOUTHERN THEATRE "We have had for some days past very flattering reports thro various channels," Washington writes, "of the success of our Arms at the Southward and are anxiously waiting for their confirmation. Mr. Jay ...transmitted me the following which he said was all the intelligence Congress had received, except what had been published before in the newspapers." Washington then quotes Jay's letter, which contains intelligence from a spy "that the enemy in South Carolina, leaving Gen l Lincoln in their Rear, pushed on for Charles Town, whither General Moultrie had retired with about 1500 men. The enemy reached the Town Two days after our general, and immediately summoned him to surrender, threatening in case of refusal to lay the Town in Ashes. The general refused with considerable loss. In 3 or 4 Hours they renewed the Assault and were a second time routed and put to flight. General Lincoln has possession of several Advantageous positions in their rear, which will render a Retreat almost impracticable. Between 14 & 1500 of the Enemy were killed & taken..." Washington passes along news that Congress had settled "the affair of rank between Col s Van Cortlandt, Gansevoort & Dubois." The clash between Moultrie and British General Augustine Prevost at Charleston took place on 11-12 May 1779. The action, however, was not as great an American success as Jay's letter would suggest. Moultrie was under pressure to capitulate from the Charleston merchants, who wanted to protect the city from destruction. The businessmen promised to keep the city neutral if the British abandoned their siege. Prevost, however, demanded the surrender of Moultrie's garrison and negotiations broke down. When a "friendly fire" incident led to the death of a dozen American troops, panicky town fathers again pressed Moultrie to treat with Prevost. But the British again insisted on an unconditional surrender. Only when Benjamin Lincoln arrived did the British at last withdraw. But Lincoln's attempt to press the attack ended up with in his own forces being repulsed at Stono River on 20 June. A combined Franco-American assault on Savannah later in the fall proved another failure. These blows were mere preludes to the stupendous disaster the British inflicted when they sent Sir Henry Clinton to lay siege once again to Charleston in the spring of 1780. This time he took the city, and all of Benjamin Lincoln's army along with it. Published in Fitzpatrick, 15:272-273. Provenance: See note preceding 316.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Gen. James Clinton, Smith's in the Clove, 13 June 1779. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, small closed tear at edge of horizontal crease . [ With ]: WASHINGTON. Signed free frank ("G: o Washington") on address panel marked "on public service." Intact red wax seal.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Gen. James Clinton, Smith's in the Clove, 13 June 1779. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, small closed tear at edge of horizontal crease . [ With ]: WASHINGTON. Signed free frank ("G: o Washington") on address panel marked "on public service." Intact red wax seal. FALSE HOPES AND SPIES IN THE SOUTHERN THEATRE "We have had for some days past very flattering reports thro various channels," Washington writes, "of the success of our Arms at the Southward and are anxiously waiting for their confirmation. Mr. Jay ...transmitted me the following which he said was all the intelligence Congress had received, except what had been published before in the newspapers." Washington then quotes Jay's letter, which contains intelligence from a spy "that the enemy in South Carolina, leaving Gen l Lincoln in their Rear, pushed on for Charles Town, whither General Moultrie had retired with about 1500 men. The enemy reached the Town Two days after our general, and immediately summoned him to surrender, threatening in case of refusal to lay the Town in Ashes. The general refused with considerable loss. In 3 or 4 Hours they renewed the Assault and were a second time routed and put to flight. General Lincoln has possession of several Advantageous positions in their rear, which will render a Retreat almost impracticable. Between 14 & 1500 of the Enemy were killed & taken..." Washington passes along news that Congress had settled "the affair of rank between Col s Van Cortlandt, Gansevoort & Dubois." The clash between Moultrie and British General Augustine Prevost at Charleston took place on 11-12 May 1779. The action, however, was not as great an American success as Jay's letter would suggest. Moultrie was under pressure to capitulate from the Charleston merchants, who wanted to protect the city from destruction. The businessmen promised to keep the city neutral if the British abandoned their siege. Prevost, however, demanded the surrender of Moultrie's garrison and negotiations broke down. When a "friendly fire" incident led to the death of a dozen American troops, panicky town fathers again pressed Moultrie to treat with Prevost. But the British again insisted on an unconditional surrender. Only when Benjamin Lincoln arrived did the British at last withdraw. But Lincoln's attempt to press the attack ended up with in his own forces being repulsed at Stono River on 20 June. A combined Franco-American assault on Savannah later in the fall proved another failure. These blows were mere preludes to the stupendous disaster the British inflicted when they sent Sir Henry Clinton to lay siege once again to Charleston in the spring of 1780. This time he took the city, and all of Benjamin Lincoln's army along with it. Published in Fitzpatrick, 15:272-273. Provenance: See note preceding 316.
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