![SUMTER, Thomas, South Carolina partisan leader. Autograph letter signed ("Thos Sumter") TO GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE, "Col Watsons 15 Mile from [Cross] Roads," 2 July 1781. 2 pages, folio, integral autograph address panel, second leaf neatly inlaid. Fine condition. VERY RARE.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1999/NYR/1999_NYR_09178_0281_000(115059).jpg?w=1)
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SUMTER, Thomas, South Carolina partisan leader. Autograph letter signed ("Thos Sumter") TO GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE, "Col Watsons 15 Mile from [Cross] Roads," 2 July 1781. 2 pages, folio, integral autograph address panel, second leaf neatly inlaid. Fine condition. VERY RARE.
THE "CAROLINA GAMECOCK" REPORTS ON BRITISH MOVEMENTS
A vivid military letter from one of the most successful guerilla leaders, who played a key role in American resistance to the British army during this crucial period. Sumter raised his militia by "Sumter's law"--promising Tory plunder in lieu of payment, and showed a troublesome unwillingness to subordinate his command to other authority. Here, he reports to Greene in detail on the strength and movements of various British units in the Carolinas. Greene, having failed in his seige of the British garrison at Ninety-Six, was in the Santee Hills, while a large British force lay at Orangeburg: "I Recieved yours Rispicting the movements of the Detachment of the enemy towards Orangeburg, Which will I hope [is] alowable to your intention be interupted before they Can form a junction with Lord [Francis] Rowden [Rawden]." He reports on the departure of the regiments of Colonels Bratton, Lang, Weiss and Taylor then adds: "The want of arms is attended With Great Disadvantages. I have been ingaging & Seting to Work Several artiffishers. Material for Making of Swords are extremely scarce...I Shall Go by the way of the Waxsaws [Waxhaws] to Camden, & Meet with the Troops...on friday, when I shall be ready to Execute the Plan Purposed if thought Necessary." On British movements he writes: "Col. Mayhew informed me that a detachment of about two hundred & fifty Marchd from Monks Corner With Col. Stewart. who Commands the Detachment going for 96 - he was Reinforced at Dorchester...Mayhew confirms the Report of the enemies Troops being very sickly.....I shoud have been happy in Waiting upon you before my Return to the Congree...Cols. Hill & Polk will be on with, or immediately after the Militia of this Place. I am Glad to hear Genl. Putnam is near...to form a junction with you today..."
Two weeks later Sumter, now in command of the cavalry of Henry Lee and infantry of Francis Marion, moved against the British post at Monck's Corner. The enemy withdrew in order to defend Quinby Bridge where the Americans, at Sumter's orders, mounted a futile, poorly conceived and costly attack. It was Sumter's last significant action against British regulars; his recruitment practices were soon after prohibited by the State legislature. Letters of Sumter are very rare.
THE "CAROLINA GAMECOCK" REPORTS ON BRITISH MOVEMENTS
A vivid military letter from one of the most successful guerilla leaders, who played a key role in American resistance to the British army during this crucial period. Sumter raised his militia by "Sumter's law"--promising Tory plunder in lieu of payment, and showed a troublesome unwillingness to subordinate his command to other authority. Here, he reports to Greene in detail on the strength and movements of various British units in the Carolinas. Greene, having failed in his seige of the British garrison at Ninety-Six, was in the Santee Hills, while a large British force lay at Orangeburg: "I Recieved yours Rispicting the movements of the Detachment of the enemy towards Orangeburg, Which will I hope [is] alowable to your intention be interupted before they Can form a junction with Lord [Francis] Rowden [Rawden]." He reports on the departure of the regiments of Colonels Bratton, Lang, Weiss and Taylor then adds: "The want of arms is attended With Great Disadvantages. I have been ingaging & Seting to Work Several artiffishers. Material for Making of Swords are extremely scarce...I Shall Go by the way of the Waxsaws [Waxhaws] to Camden, & Meet with the Troops...on friday, when I shall be ready to Execute the Plan Purposed if thought Necessary." On British movements he writes: "Col. Mayhew informed me that a detachment of about two hundred & fifty Marchd from Monks Corner With Col. Stewart. who Commands the Detachment going for 96 - he was Reinforced at Dorchester...Mayhew confirms the Report of the enemies Troops being very sickly.....I shoud have been happy in Waiting upon you before my Return to the Congree...Cols. Hill & Polk will be on with, or immediately after the Militia of this Place. I am Glad to hear Genl. Putnam is near...to form a junction with you today..."
Two weeks later Sumter, now in command of the cavalry of Henry Lee and infantry of Francis Marion, moved against the British post at Monck's Corner. The enemy withdrew in order to defend Quinby Bridge where the Americans, at Sumter's orders, mounted a futile, poorly conceived and costly attack. It was Sumter's last significant action against British regulars; his recruitment practices were soon after prohibited by the State legislature. Letters of Sumter are very rare.