Observations on Some Parts of the Answer of Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative. By ... Sir H. Clinton, K.B. To which is added an appendix; containing extracts of letters and other papers, to which reference is necessary

Front matter

OBSERVATIONS ON Earl CORNWALLIS' ANSWER. BY Sir HENRY CLINTON. s~^ Nf-Cplivi^ i:j'^t~ PHILADELPHIA: JOHN CAMPBELL, MDCCCLXVI. Edition of 250 Copies, Of which 75 copies are in quarto, and 25 copies in folio. PRINTED BY HENRY B. ASHMEAD, No. 1 102 Sansom Street. Sir HENRY CLINTON's OBSERVATIONS ON Earl CORNWALLIS' s ANSWER. Price Two Shillings and Six-pence. OBSERVATIONS O N SOME PARTS OF THE ANSWER O F Earl CORNWALLIS T O Sir HENRY CLINTON's NARRATIVE. BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir HENRY CLINTON, K. B TO WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX; CONTAINING EXTRACTS OF LETTERS AND OTHER PAPERS TO WHICH REFERENCE IS NECESSARY. LONDON: Printed for J. D E B R E T T, (Successor to Mr. Almon,) opposite Burlington-House, Piccadilly. M.DCC.LXXXIII. O B S E R V AT IONS O N Some Parts of Earl Cornwallis's Answer T O Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative.

B Y LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir HENRY CLINTON, K.B. WHEN I published a Narrative of my conduct during the period of my command in North America, which comprehends the cam paign of 178L, I was in hopes I had said every thing that was requisite to explain the motives of my own actions, and to convince every unprejudiced OBSERVATIONS prejudiced person, that certain positions respect ing them, advanced in Lord Cornwallis's letter to me of the 20th of October, had no foundation. But it gives me extreme concern to observe, that his Lordship's seeming to avow nearly the same sentiments in his Introduction to a late publication, styled, an Answer to that Narra tive, lays me under the necessity of troubling the public again upon a subject, which they are probably tired of; and I sincerely wished to have done with.

I hope, therefore, it may not be judged improper to request their atten tion to the following Observations on some of the opinions and assertions therein stated. Which (to be as concise as possible) I shall take according to the order in which they occur; — adding only, in an Appendix, the copies of such extracts from my correspondence, and other papers, as appear necessary. I find upon enquiry that the four letters were omitted to be sent to the Secretary of State, which Lord Cornwallis mentions to have been wanting when the papers relating to this business were laid before the House of Lords. But the reasons for his Lordship's march from Cross-creek to Wilmington, and from thence into OBSERVATIONS 3 into Virginia (stated in the first of them) had been before given in his letters of the 23d and 24th of April, to the Secretary of State, General Phillips, and myself; and these stand the first of those letters from his Lordship's correspondence, read before the House of Lords; the other three letters had been inserted in a pamphlet containing extracts from our correspondence, handed about at the time of the enquiry; and one of those pamphlets had been presented, by my order, to Lord Townshend, as a man of honour, and a friend to both parties, previous (I believe) to his noticing this omission to the House; and all the four missing letters were soon after published in the Parliamentary Regis ter, along with those which had been read to the Lords.

Part I

, CONTAINING EXTRACTS FROM THE Correspondence with Earl Cornwallis, respecting the Force left with his Lordship, and the Instructions given him upon his taking the Command of the Southern District. Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Charles-town, May 17, 1780. 1 OUR Lordship has already with you, (in the field) two thousand five hundred and forty two rank and file; but, if you have the least reason to suppose the enemy likely to be in great number, you shall be reinforced with the forty-second, the light infantry, and any other corps you choose. As your move is important, it must not be stinted. — I will give you all you wish of every fort. — Let me but know what it it is as soon as possible. In the mean time, I shall order the light infantry and forty-second regiment to prepare; depending upon it, that as soon as you can spare them, you will return them to me; for all operations to the Northward must be cramped without them.

If you choose to keep the seventeenth dragoons, you are heartily welcome to them during this move. Copy. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camp at Manigolds, May 18, 1780. S I R, LIEUTENANT Colonel Webster arrived this morning, and informed me of the message which you sent by him, relative to reinforcing the corps under my command. The service on which I am going, is undoubtedly of the most important nature, and in my opinion, without some success in the back country, our success at Charles-town would but little promote the real interests of Great-Britain. But at the fame time it is as necessary that your situation to the Northward should be respectable. It would be with great regret that I should see you leave behind any part of that corps destined for your first em barkation.

The garrison, then, of Charles-town and Sullivan's-isiand, will consist of three British regiments, — two of them very weak, — and two Hessian, Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 3 Hessian, and one weak Provincial, the latter of which, perhaps, will be sent to Fort Moultrie. This garrison will have the charge of two thousand five hundred prisoners. The corps at present under my command is, in my opinion, fully equal to the purpose intended by it, unless some considerable reinforcement of Continentals ssiould come from the Northward. I have not yet heard that fact ascertained, by any intelligence which has come to my knowledge. If troops are on their march, and not very near, your embarkation given out publicly for the Chesapeak will probably stop them. I think, therefore, Sir, if you please, with proper deference and submission to your opinion, that the business may be settled in the following manner: If no certain intelligence arrives before you are ready to fail, of a considerable corps of the Continental troops being far advanced, that the disposition ssiould then remain the same which you mentioned when I had the honour of seeing you.

If such intelligence ssiould arrive before that time, I ssiould then wissi to be joined by five or six hundred men, either British or Hessian, and submit it to your judgment on the spot, from whence they could be best supplied. I think, at all events, Lieutenant-colonel Balfour's expedition ssiould go on immediately, as the season of the year makes it necessary that he ssiould lose no time. The more f pains pains that can be taken to establissi the belief of your going to Virginia, the greater will be the probability of stopping their reinforcement. I am, &c. (Signed) CORNWALLIS. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camp at Manigolds, May 19, 1780. S I R, I RECEIVED, very early this morning, the favour of your letter by Lieutenant-colonel Innes, to which the letter I had the honour of sending to you yesterday, by Major Dansey, will serve as an answer.

I can only add, that I have received no intelligence whatever of reinforcements coming to the enemy from the Northward, or of their being in force in this province. Extract. Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 5 Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Charles-town, May 20, 1780. THE light infantry and forty-second regiment march this evening to Goose-creek, and thence to Monk's corner, where they will remain at your Lordssiip's call, in readiness either to join you, or to return and embark, as shall have become expedient. Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Charles-town, May 20, 1780. EVERY jealousy has been and will be given on my part, as a blind to our real intentions. And now, my Lord, having entered into every thing that occurs to me as necessary to be thought on at present, I heartily wissi success to your im portant move.

I cannot doubt your having it, for as much as I agree with you, that success at Charles town, unless followed in the back country, will be of little avail; so much, I am persuaded, that the taking that place in the advantageous manner we have done it, insures the reduction of this and the next province, if the temper of our friends in those districts is such as it has always been represented to us. Extract. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camp at Lenews, East Side of Sant'ee, May 21, 1780. THE march of the light infantry and forty-second to Monk's-corner will be of use to those corps, and will help to spread alarm through the country; but from what I hear, I do not believe that there can be any necessity for detaining any part of the first em barkation a moment after the ships are ready for them.

Extract. — Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Charles-Town, June i, 1780. WE shall probably leave this in a day or two. — I dare not be so sanguine as to suppose that your business will be compleated in time for us to meet before I fail; and as our communication will become precarious, I think it necessary to give your Lordssiip outlines of my intentions, where your Lordssiip is likely to bear a part. Your Lordssiip knows it was part of my plan to have gone into Chesapeak-bay; but I am apprehensive the information which the Admiral and I received, may make it necessary for him to assemble his fleet at New-York, — in which cafe Force left with Lord Cornwallis. 7 case I shall go there likewise. When your Lordssiip has finissied your campaign, you will be better able to judge what is necessary to be done to secure South and recover North Carolina.

Perhaps it may be necessary to fend the gallies and some troops into Cape Fear, to awe the lower counties, by far the most hostile of that province, and to prevent the conveyance of succours by inland navigation, the only communication that will probably remain with the northern parts of North Carolina and Virginia. Should your Lordssiip so far succeed in both provinces, as to be satisfied they are safe from any attack during the approaching season, after leaving a sufficient force in garrison, and such other posts as you think neces sary, and such troops by way of moving corps as you shall think sufficient, added to such provincial and militia corps as you shall judge proper to raise; I ssiould wissi you to assist in operations which will cer tainly be carried on in the Chesapeak, as soon as we are relieved from our apprehension of a superior fleet, and the season will admit of it in that climate.

This may happen, perhaps, about September, or, if not, early in October. I am clear this ssiould not be at tempted without a great naval force; — I am not so clear there ssiould be a great land force. I therefore propose that your Lordssiip, with what you can spare at the time from your important post, (which is always to be considered as the principal object) may meet the Admiral, who will bring with him such additional force force as I can spare into the Chesapeak. I ssiould recommend in the first place, that one or two armed ships, vigilants, ssiould be prepared, and that as many gallies as can go to sea may likewise accompany you from hence. Our first object will probably be the taking post at Norfolk or Suffolk, or near the Hamp ton Road, and then proceeding up the Chesapeak to Baltimore.

I shall not presume to say any thing by way of instruction to your Lordssiip, except in articles where you wissi it; and if you will do me the honour to inform me of your wissies by the first safe opportunity, I shall pay every attention to them upon that subject, or any other. The Admiral assures me that there will be ships enough left for convoy, ready bv the 24th of June. Your Lordssiip will be the best judge what use can be made of them. Correspondence may, and I hope will, be kept up by the cruizers, which the Admiral and officer stationed here will have, but if you find it necessary, you will be so good to press or hire armed vessels. Extract. — From Instructions to Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis, dated Head-Quarters, Charles-town, June 1, 1780. UPON my departure from hence, you will be pleased to take command of the troops mentioned in the Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 9 the inclosed return, and of all other troops now here, or that may arrive in my absence.

Your Lordssiip will make such change in the position of them, as you may judge most conducive to his Majesty's service, for the defence of this important post, and its depen dencies. At the fame time, it is by no means my intention to prevent your acting offensively, in cafe an opportunity ssiould offer, consistent with the fecu rity of this place, which is always to be regarded as a primary object. All provision and military stores of any denomi nation now here, or which may hereafter arrive, are submitted to your Lordssiip's orders, together with every power you may find necessary to enforce in my absence, for the promotion of the King's service. Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, dated Romulus, June 8, 1780. MY LORD, I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lord ssiip the names of several inhabitants of the town, who signed an address, the copy of which Brigadier general Paterson will fend you.

Inclosed is a copy of the answer the Admiral proposed sending until I represented to him that the subscribers were unknown to Correspondence, &rV. 10 to us as to their several characters; that the superin tendant was not with us to be consulted; that the permitting exportation amounted to opening the port, which we were not empowered to do; and that I would, reluctantly, at the hour of my departure, change, within your Lordssiip's command, the con ditions of so many persons, without knowing their merits. I also considered that property, in the late troubles, might have been very unwarrantably ac quired, and that exportation realized it to the present possessors. In consequence, the inclosed answer was substituted, bettering their present condition, and opening the prospect of trade, and the restoration of civil govern ment.

To this, my Lord, I have to add, in the Admiral's and my own name, that you are empowered still far ther to indulge men who exhibit proofs of a sincere return to their duty, by admitting them to any greater degree of liberty, to the fullest enjoyment of their property, and to the permission, in particular cafes, of ssiipping it, when the officer commanding the King's ships shall furnissi convoy; all which advantages I will ratify either as Commissioner or Com mander in-chief. PART

Part II. Containing

Copies and Extracts from Letters, relative to the entire Submission of South Carolina, and the progressive Operations proposed in Consequence, for the Reduction of North Carolina. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles-town, June 30, 1780. I HE submission of General Williamson at Ninety-Six, whose capitulation I inclose with Captain Paris's letter; and the dispersion of a party of rebels, who had assembled at an Iron-work, on the north west border of the province, by a detachment of dragoons and militia, from Lieutenant-colonel Turnbull, put an end to all resistance in South Carolina. FROM G Copies and Extracts relative to the 12 FROM THE SAME. THE force of the enemy in North Carolina con sists of about one hundred militia at Cross-Creek, under General Caswell; four or five hundred militia, at or near Salissiury, under General Rutherford; and three hundred Virginians in that neighbourhood, under one Porterfield. returned with information that he saw two thousand Maryland and Delaware troops at Hills borough under Major-general De Calbe.

Other accounts corresponded with his. But I have since heard that the greatest part of the last have returned to Virginia. After having thus fully stated the present situation of the two Carolinas, I shall now take the liberty of giving my opinion, with respect to the practicability and the probable effect of farther operations in this quarter, and my own intentions, if not otherwise directed by your Excellency. I think, that with the force at present under my command (except there ssiould be a considerable foreign interference) I can leave South Carolina in security, and march about the beginning of September, with a body of troops, into the back part of North Carolina, with the greatest probability of reducing that province to its duty. And if this be accomplissied, I am of opinion, that (besides the advantage of possessing so valuable a province) Entire Submission of Carolina. 13 vince) it would prove an effectual barrier for South Carolina and Georgia; and could be kept, with the assistance of our friends there, by as few troops as would be wanted on the borders of this province, if North Carolina ssiould remain in the hands of our enemies.

Consequently, if your Excellency ssiould continue to think it expedient to employ part of the troops at present in this province, in operations in the Chesapeak, there will be as many to spare, as if we did not possess North Carolina. If I am not honoured with different directions from your Excellency before that time, I shall take my measures for beginning the execution of the above plan about the latter end of August, or beginning of September, and shall applv to the officer commanding his Majesty's ships for some co-operation, by Cape Fear, which at present would be burthensome to the navy, and not of much importance to the service. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles-town, July 14, 1780. I HAVE the satisfaction to assure your Excel lency, that the numbers and dispositions of our militia, equal my most sanguine expectations.

But still I must confess, that their want of subordination and confidence Copies and Extracts relative to the 14 dence in themselves, will make a considerable regular force always necessary for the defence of the province, until North Carolina is perfectly reduced. It will be needless to attempt to take any considerable number of the South Carolina militia with us, when we ad vance. They can only be looked upon as light troops, and we shall find friends enough in the next province of the fame quality; and we must not undertake to supply too many useless mouths. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles-town, Aug. 6, 1780. S I R, I RECEIVED by Major England, your letters of the 14th and 15th of July; and am very glad to find by the latter, that you do not place much de pendance on receiving troops from hence.

My letter of the 14th, by the Halifax, will have convinced you of the impossibility of weakening the force in this province; and every thing which has happened since that time, tends more strongly to confirm it. The general state of things in the two provinces of North and South Carolina, is not very materially altered since my letters of the 14th and 1 5th of last month were written. Frequent fkirmissies, with various Entire Submission of Carolina. 15 various success, have happened in the country between the Catawba-river and Broad-river. The militia of the district about Tiger and Ennoree rivers, was formed by us, under a Colonel Floyd ; Colonel Neale, the rebel colonel, had fled; but Lieutenant-colonel Lifle, who had been paroled to the istands, exchanged, on his arrival in Charles-town, his parole for a cer tificate of his being a good subject, returned to the country, and carried off the whole battalion to join General Sumpter, at Catawba.

We have not, how ever, on the whole, lost ground in that part of the country. Turnbull was attacked at Rocky-mount, by Sumpter, with about twelve hundred men, militia and refugees, from this province, whom he repulsed with great loss. We had on our part, an officer killed, and one wounded, and about ten or twelve men killed and wounded. Colonel Turnbull's conduct was very meritorious. The affair of Captain Huck turned out of less consequence than it appeared at first; the Cap tain and three men of the legion were killed, and seven men of the New-York volunteers taken. On the eastern part of the province, we have been more unfortunate. By this time the reports industri ously propagated in this province, of a large army coming from the northward, had very much intimi dated our friends, encouraged our enemies, and determined the wavering against us ; to which our not advancing and acting offensively likewise contributed.

The Copies and Extracts relative to the The whole country between Pedee and Santee has ever since been in an absolute state of rebellion ; every friend of Government has been carried off, and his plantation destroyed; and detachments of the enemy have appeared on the Santee, and threatened our stores and convoys on that river. I have not heard that they have as yet made any attempt on them; and I hope, by this time, the steps I have taken will secure them. This unfortunate business, if it ssiould have no worse consequences, will ssiake the confidence of our friends in this province, and make our situation very uneasy until we can advance. The wheat har vest in North Carolina is now over, but the weather is still excessively hot, and notwithstanding our utmost exertions, a great part of the rum, salt, clothing, and necessaries for the soldiers, and the arms for the Pro vincials and ammunition for the troops, are not far advanced on their way to Camden.

However, if no material interruption happens, this business will be nearly accomplissied in a fortnight or three weeks. It may be doubted by some, whether the invasion of North Carolina may be a prudent measure; but I am convinced it is a necessary one, and that if we do not attack that province, we must give up both South Carolina and Georgia, and retire within the walls of Charles-town. Our assurances of attachment from our poor distressed friends in North Carolina are as strong as ever, and the patience and fortitude with which those unhappy people bear the most oppressive and Entire Submission of Carolina. 17 and cruel tyranny, that ever was exercised over any country, deserve our greatest admiration. The High landers have offered to form a regiment as soon as we enter the country, and have desired that Governor Martin may be their chief.

I have consented with the rank of Lieutenant-colonel commandant; the men they assure us are already engaged. An early diversion in my favour in Chesapeak Bay, will be of the greatest and most important advantage to my operations. I most earnestly hope that the admiral will be able to spare a convoy for that pur pose. I propose taking the following corps with me into North Carolina, twenty-third, thirty-third, sixty third, seventy-first, volunteers of Ireland, Hamil ton's, Harrison's, new-raised, legion cavalry, and in fantry, North Carolina refugees. I intend to leave on the frontiers, from Pedee to Waxhaw (to awe the disaffected, who, I am sorry to say, are still very nu merous in that country, and to prevent any insurrection in our rear) the New York volunteers, and Brown's corps, and some of the militia of the Cam den district, who are commanded by Colonel Rugely, a very active and spirited man.

I shall place Fergu son's corps and some militia of the Ninety-six district, which Colonel Balfour assures me are got into very tolerable order, owing to the great assiduity of Fer guson, on the borders of Tryon county, with direc tions for him to advance with a part of them into the mountains, Copies and Extracts &c. mountains, and secure the left of our march. Lieu tenant-colonel Cruger, who commands at Ninety-six, will have his own corps, Innes's and the remainder of the militia of that district, to preserve that fron tier, which requires great attention, and where there are many disaffected, and many constantly in arms. Allen's corps, and for a time, the Florida rangers, are stationed at Augusta, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Allen. I have already explained the measures I had taken for establissiing a government, and securing this country by means of a militia.

I have likewise paid as much attention as possible to the civil and commercial matters. The principal objects of my attention will appear in the five proclamations, which I have issued, and which I have the honour of in closing to your Excellency. I have the honour, &c (Signed) CORNWALLIS. PAT

Part III. Containing Extracts From The

Correspondence with Earl Cornwallis, respecting the Events which occurred between the battle of Camden and Major Ferguson's Defeat. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camden, August 23, 1780. J. HAVE not yet heard any accounts from North Carolina; but I hope that our friends will immedi ately take arms, as I have directed them to do. The diversion in the Chesapeak will be of the utmost im portance. The troops here have gained reputation, but they have lost numbers; and there can be no doubt but the enemy will use every effort to repel an attack, which, if successful, must end in their losing all the Southern Colonies. I have likewise to observe, that if a general ex change ssiould take place, the enemy's prisoners ssiould, in my opinion, be delivered at the fame place as ours are sent to. h It It is difficult to form a plan of operations, which must depend so much on circumstances.

But it at present appears to me that I ssiould endeavour to get as soon as possible to Hillssiorough, and there assemble and try to arrange the friends who are inclined to arm in our favour; and endeavour to form a very large magazine for the winter, of flour and meal from the country: and of rum, salt, &c. from Cross-creek, which I understand to be about eighty miles carriage. But all this will depend on the operation which your Ex cellency may think proper to pursue in the Chesapeak, which appears to me next to the security of New-York, to be one of the most important objects of the war. I can only repeat what I have often had the honour of saying to you, that wherever you may think my presence can be most conducive to the good of his Ma jesty's service, thither I am at all times ready and willing to go.

Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lord George Germain, dated Camden, August 20, 1780. I N the district of ninety-six, by far the most popu lous and powerful of the province, Lieutenant-colonel Balfour by his great attention and diligence, and by the active assistance of Major Ferguson, who was ap pointed Inspector-general of militia of this province by Sir Henry Clinton, had formed seven battalions of militia, consisting of above four thousand men, and previous to Major Ferguson s Defeat. 21 and entirely composed of persons well-affected to the British Government; which were so regulated that they could with ease furnissi fifteen hundred men at a ssiort notice, for the defence of the frontier, or any other home service. But I must take this opportunity of observing, that this militia can be of little use for distant operations, as they will not stir without a horse, and on that account your Lordssiip will easily con ceive the impossibility of keeping a number of them together without destroying the country.

Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lord George Germain, dated Camden, August 21, 1780. ON the morning of the 17th I dispatched proper people into North-Carolina, with directions to our friends there to take arms and assemble immediately; and to seize the most violent people and all military stores and magazines belonging to the rebels, and to intercept all stragglers from the routed army. And I have promised to march without loss of time to their support. Some necessary supplies for the army are now on their way from Charles-town ; and I hope that their arrival will enable me to move in a few days. Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Camden, August 29, 1780. I H O P E to be able to move my first division in eight or nine days into North Carolina by Charlotte-town town and Salissiury ; the second will follow in about ten days after, with convalescents and stores.

I shall leave the New York volunteers and Innes's corps to take care of this place until the sick and stores can be removed. Our sickness at present is rather at a stand, the recoveries nearly keeping pace with the falling down. I dread the convalescents not being able to march ; but it is very tempting to try it, as a move of forty or fifty miles would put us into a much better climate. Ferguson is to move into Tryon County with some militia, whom he fays he is sure he can depend upon for doing their duty and fighting well; but I am sorry to fay that his own experience as well as that of every other officer is against him. I most sincerely hope that nothing can happen to prevent your Excellency's intended diversion in the Chesapeak. If unfortunately any unforeseen cause ssiould make it impossible, I ssiould hope that you will see the absolute necessity of adding some force to the Carolinas.

Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis dated New-York, September 20, 1780. > I HAVE always thought operation in the Chesa peak of the greatest importance, and have often men tioned to Admiral Arbuthnot the necessity of making a diversion in your Lordssiip's favour in that quarter; but but have not been able till now to obtain a convoy for this purpose. Your Lordssiip will receive inclosed a sketch of the instructions I intend to give to Major-general Leflie, who will command the expedition; which will give a general idea of the design of the move. But if your Lordssiip ssiould wissi any particular co-operation from that armament, General Leslie will of course consider himself under your Lordssiip's orders, and pay every obedience thereto. I have the honour to inclose the copy of a letter I wrote to Lord George Germain, and of his Lordssiip's answer, respecting the option Lord Rawdon had made in favour of his provincial rank.