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Details
GREENE, Nathanael, Continental General. Autograph letter singed ("Nath Greene") TO GENERAL THOMAS SUMTER, 6 May 1781. 2 pages, folio, second leaf neatly inlaid, integral autograph address panel. Fine condition.
GREENE TO SUMTER: "VIGOROUS MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO SHAKE TERROR INTO OUR ENEMIES"
A fine military letter in which Greene correctly predicts Cornwallis' movements north into Virginia, and approves Sumter's plan to harrass and delay the enemy: "My intelligence respecting Lord Cornwallis being in motion you may depend upon. But whether he is moving Northward or coming Southward is not yet fully assertained...I am rather inclined to think that he will leave everything here and move Northward. I am led to entertain this opinion from its being their original plan and from the Earl being too proud to relinquish his object. The Meal arrivd...and by the return of their Waggons I sent you some Ammunition. Guns Swords and Pistols we have none, and are in great wont ourselves. I fully agree with you that vigorous measures are necessary to shake terror into our Enemies and give spirits to our own people. Where ever you employ the field piece take care and have it so supported and coverd that the enemy cannot pass up it by a Sally which you may expect if you invest the forts. Keep us well supplied with Meal."
Sumter, the great partisan leader, (see lot 281), while he was willing to cooperate with Greene from a distance, was reluctant to surrender control of his Carolina militia and operated with considerable independence. Here, Greene ackowledges Sumter's plan to attack some of the more remote British garrisons in the Carolinas. Using the single artillery piece which Greene here cautions him to safeguard, Sumter's command attacked a strongpoint at Orangeburgh, on the Edisto. On May 11, the British surrendered, and Sumter captured some 100 regulars and their supplies.
GREENE TO SUMTER: "VIGOROUS MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO SHAKE TERROR INTO OUR ENEMIES"
A fine military letter in which Greene correctly predicts Cornwallis' movements north into Virginia, and approves Sumter's plan to harrass and delay the enemy: "My intelligence respecting Lord Cornwallis being in motion you may depend upon. But whether he is moving Northward or coming Southward is not yet fully assertained...I am rather inclined to think that he will leave everything here and move Northward. I am led to entertain this opinion from its being their original plan and from the Earl being too proud to relinquish his object. The Meal arrivd...and by the return of their Waggons I sent you some Ammunition. Guns Swords and Pistols we have none, and are in great wont ourselves. I fully agree with you that vigorous measures are necessary to shake terror into our Enemies and give spirits to our own people. Where ever you employ the field piece take care and have it so supported and coverd that the enemy cannot pass up it by a Sally which you may expect if you invest the forts. Keep us well supplied with Meal."
Sumter, the great partisan leader, (see lot 281), while he was willing to cooperate with Greene from a distance, was reluctant to surrender control of his Carolina militia and operated with considerable independence. Here, Greene ackowledges Sumter's plan to attack some of the more remote British garrisons in the Carolinas. Using the single artillery piece which Greene here cautions him to safeguard, Sumter's command attacked a strongpoint at Orangeburgh, on the Edisto. On May 11, the British surrendered, and Sumter captured some 100 regulars and their supplies.