Lot 76
Captured Letter From the Siege of Fort Motte, South Carolina, 1781. Autograph Letter Signed twice,"C. McPherson"on recto and "Cha: McPherson" on verso, as British commander at Fort Motte, South Carolina, 1½ pp, 9½ x 7½ in., Motte, May 5, 1781. To Major Andrew Maxwell, British commander at Fort Granby. In part: "I was informed last night that {Thomas] Sumpter had moved from your neighborhood and was to join [Nathanael] Greene immediately. thus, it is necessary for me…to know in particular as it makes every alternative with respect to the commication to Camden. Watson crossed this morning at Buckingham and will march up on the other side of Wateree [River]. I wrote Major [?] some days ago for a cannon & it is just now arrived…I request you will inform me concerning Sumpter's movements…a party I sent for [Lord Francis] Rawdon two nights ago…turned back…." In a postscript, he writes: "Yesterday I had the honour of writing to you and forwarding letters from the Commdr. Last night I had an express from Camden. He brings no news but that Greene expects a reinforcement from Virginia & proposes making an attack on Camden…"
This letter was never delivered. A note on the verso indicates it was captured and forwarded the next day to General Sumpter. General Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion and Lt. Col. "Light Horse" Harry Lee arrived at Fort Motte two days later, on May 8. The British refused to surrender and by May 12th the Americans forces were entrenched close to the mansion in which the British troops were garrisoned. With the permission of the American widow who owned the mansion, the Swamp Fox and Light Horse Harry and their men set on fire the roof of the mansion and the British were forced to surrender. In addition to the fall of Fort Motte on May 12, Rawdon had evacuated Camden on May 10 and British posts at Orangeburg and Granby fell to the Americans on May 11 and 15. By summer, most British forces would be concentrated in safe havens along the coast with Cornwallis' main army marching north to threaten Virginia. A few edge chips do not affect text; some weakness at folds and overall toning, else very good.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized $1,888 |
