![BATTLE OF STONO FERRY – PRINGLE, Robert (1755 - 1811). Autograph letter signed ("R. Pringle") to, Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Page (1743-1803), Charlestown [S.C.], 6 August 1779.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0133_001(battle_of_stono_ferry_pringle_robert_autograph_letter_signed_to_virgin012718).jpg?w=1)
![BATTLE OF STONO FERRY – PRINGLE, Robert (1755 - 1811). Autograph letter signed ("R. Pringle") to, Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Page (1743-1803), Charlestown [S.C.], 6 August 1779.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0133_000(battle_of_stono_ferry_pringle_robert_autograph_letter_signed_to_virgin095019).jpg?w=1)
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BATTLE OF STONO FERRY – PRINGLE, Robert (1755 - 1811). Autograph letter signed ("R. Pringle") to, Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Page (1743-1803), Charlestown [S.C.], 6 August 1779.
Eight pages on two bifolia, 238 x 179 (some ink erosion, seal tear on integral address leaf not affecting text).
A detailed, contemporary account of the Battle of Stono Ferry. A rare letter from the southern theater, written at a particularly low point for American arms during the War of Independence, describing the repulse of the first British advance on Charleston, South Carolina: "With pleasure I can inform you that the British Hirelings have some weeks ago cowardly retreated to George and Beufort." Pringle describes the British advance toward Charleston, which they suddenly reversed upon "intercepting a letter form G[eneral] Lincoln acquainting the town that he was on his march with 5,000 men." The British retreated to "a place called Stono Ferry and strongly entrenched themselves. On the 18th of June, G Lincoln with about 1500 men made an attack upon their lines, a warm fire continued for near an hour, the enemy giving way were strongly reinforced upon which our troops retreated in good order, having 25 killed about 70 or 80 wounded most of them slightly. The enemy a day after the action retreated in an ignominious manner to an island some distance of and from thence to George. Their loss must have been considerable. Our men nearly cut to pieces, 2 companies of Scotch Highlanders who sailed out of their lines. It is said the enemy must have lost upwards 300 men killed and wounded." Due to the failure of the "Continental Frigates" not coming in closer to the action, the HMS Vigilant was able to cover the British evacuation, and Pringle concluded that "the opportunity was lost" to overturn British control of Georgia and possibly East Florida. Pringle had good reason for pessimism: nine months later a larger British force would force Benjamin Lincoln to surrender Charleston in May 1780. The city would remain in British hands until the signing of the Treaty of Paris. A superb contemporary description of a rare Continental victory in the early phase of the Southern Campaign of the War of Independence.
Eight pages on two bifolia, 238 x 179 (some ink erosion, seal tear on integral address leaf not affecting text).
A detailed, contemporary account of the Battle of Stono Ferry. A rare letter from the southern theater, written at a particularly low point for American arms during the War of Independence, describing the repulse of the first British advance on Charleston, South Carolina: "With pleasure I can inform you that the British Hirelings have some weeks ago cowardly retreated to George and Beufort." Pringle describes the British advance toward Charleston, which they suddenly reversed upon "intercepting a letter form G[eneral] Lincoln acquainting the town that he was on his march with 5,000 men." The British retreated to "a place called Stono Ferry and strongly entrenched themselves. On the 18th of June, G Lincoln with about 1500 men made an attack upon their lines, a warm fire continued for near an hour, the enemy giving way were strongly reinforced upon which our troops retreated in good order, having 25 killed about 70 or 80 wounded most of them slightly. The enemy a day after the action retreated in an ignominious manner to an island some distance of and from thence to George. Their loss must have been considerable. Our men nearly cut to pieces, 2 companies of Scotch Highlanders who sailed out of their lines. It is said the enemy must have lost upwards 300 men killed and wounded." Due to the failure of the "Continental Frigates" not coming in closer to the action, the HMS Vigilant was able to cover the British evacuation, and Pringle concluded that "the opportunity was lost" to overturn British control of Georgia and possibly East Florida. Pringle had good reason for pessimism: nine months later a larger British force would force Benjamin Lincoln to surrender Charleston in May 1780. The city would remain in British hands until the signing of the Treaty of Paris. A superb contemporary description of a rare Continental victory in the early phase of the Southern Campaign of the War of Independence.