William Pierce, Jr. Headquarters, South Carolina to St. George Tucker

Containers:

Box 9, Folder 13

Scope and content:

The enemy has evacuated Charles Town. If we look back at the period when General Greene first took command in this department and compare the American Army with the powerful superiority of the British we shall be surprised at our success. In December 1780 when General Greene joined the army at Pedee, he had only 1200 men including hospital patients, convalents and detachments. The enemy had 15,000. The operations commenced in January with great success on our side. Morgan with a handful of men defeated Tarleton near Pacolet. This gave spirits to our army and a spring to the hopes of the people in North Carolina. Cornwallis pushed forward and obliged us to retire. General Greene collected a body of nilitia and gave his Lordship battle at Guilford Court House. We lost the field, but gained the advantage of a victory. The enemy retreated and we pursued them to Deep River. They filed off toward Wilmington, and we pushed into South Carolina. On April 12, we arrived at Camden. On the 15th the enemy rallied and gave us battle at Hobkirk Hill, defeated us. We recovered and pressed down and compelled them to evacuate their works.Fort Watson, Fort Motte, Fort Granby, Orangeburg and Augusta with their garrison fell. They blew up their works at Nelson's Ferrym abandoned Dorchester, left Ninety-Six and on September 8 we fought them at Eutaw Springs in a general action. Next we compelled them to quit Stone, evacuate Savannah and yesterday give up Charles Twon. The Carolinians are now likely to enjoy the blessings of peace and tranquility. The fetters of tyranny are taken off. Printed in Magazine of American History, Vol. 7, (Dec. 1881), 431-445.

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