第 44 节
作者:江暖      更新:2021-02-19 20:44      字数:9321
  with the loss only of ten men killed and fifty…five wounded。 Our intrepid
  party     pursued     the   enemy     upwards      of   twenty    miles。    About     thirty
  commissioned        officers   are   among   the   prisoners。   Col。   Tarleton   had   his
  horse killed and was wounded; but made his escape with two hundred of
  his troops。 This important intelligence I wish you to communicate to Lieut。
  Col。 Lee if possible。 I have not time to write him。 If he has not attacked
  Georgetown; I wish he could privately transmit it to the garrison。
  I am with esteem; Your most obedient humble servant;                 N。 Greene。
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  Life of Marion。
  Extract of a Letter from Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
  ~Camp; on Pedee; Jan。 25; 1781。~
  Dear Sir;
  Your   letter   of   the   20th   is   before   me;   before   this   I   hope   you   have
  received the agreeable news of the defeat of Lieut。 Col。 Tarleton by Gen。
  Morgan; after this nothing will appear difficult。
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  Gen。 Huger to Brig。 Gen。 Marion。
  ~Camp; Hick's Creek; Jan。 28; 1781。~
  Dear Sir;
  Gen。 Greene wishes that you will attempt to cross the Santee; and if
  possible   reach   some   of   the   enemy's   magazines   and   destroy   them。   I   am
  persuaded      you   will  not   leave   any   practicable    measure     unattempted     to
  effect   this   business。  The   execution   is   left   entirely   to   your   judgment   and
  address。
  I  am;   dear   Sir;  With    much    esteem;    Your    most   obedient     humble
  servant;     Is。 Huger。
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  Gen。 Marion to Capt。 John Postell。
  ~Cordes' Plantation; Jan。 29; 1781。~
  Dear Sir;
  You will cross Santee river with twenty…five men; and make a forced
  march to Watboo bridge; there burn all the British stores of every kind; it
  is possible you will find a small guard there; which you may surprise; but
  bring no prisoners with you。 You will return the same way; and recross the
  river at the same place; which must be done before daylight next morning。
  After effecting my purpose at Watboo; it will not be out of your way to
  come by Monk's corner; and destroy any stores or waggons you may find
  there。 You can learn from the people at Watboo what guard there is at the
  corner; if it should be too strong you will not attempt that place。 In going
  to Watboo; you must see if there is a guard at the church; if there is you
  will shun it; you will consider provisions of all kinds British property。 The
  destruction of all the British stores in the above…mentioned places is of the
  greatest   consequence   to   us;   and   only   requires   boldness   and   expedition。
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  Take   care   that   your   men   do   not   get   at   liquor;   or   clog   themselves   with
  plunder so as to endanger their retreat。
  I am with regard; dear Sir; Your obedient servant;              Francis Marion。
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  Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
  ~Camp; at Guilford Court House; Feb。 11; 1781。~
  Dear Sir;
  I   received   your   favour   of   the   31st   ult。   and   request   you   to   give   my
  particular thanks to Major and Capt。 Postell for the spirit and address with
  which they executed your orders over the Santee。 Your crossing the Santee
  must depend upon your own discretion。 I think it would be attended with
  many advantages; if it can be executed with safety。 Gen。 Sumter is desired
  to call out all the militia of South Carolina and employ them in destroying
  the   enemy's     stores   and   perplexing     their   affairs  in  the   state。  Please   to
  communicate and concert with him your future operations until we have a
  better    opportunity      to   have    more    free   intercourse。     Great    activity    is
  necessary   to   keep   the   spirits   of   the   people   from   sinking;   as   well   as   to
  alarm the enemy respecting the safety of their posts。 We formed a junction
  at this place last night; but our force is so much inferior to the enemy's that
  we   dare   not   hazard   a   general   action   if   it   can   be   avoided;   but   I   am   not
  certain that it can。 The enemy are within thirty miles of us; up towards the
  shallow ford on the Yadkin。
  I am; dear Sir; Your most obedient humble servant;                N。 Greene。
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  Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
  ~Camp; at Halifax Court House; Virginia; Feb。 16; 1781。~
  Dear Sir;
  I have seen your letter to Gen。 Huger of the 6th inst。 and am surprised
  that Col。 Baker or Capt。 Snipes should pretend that they had my directions
  for crossing the Santee。 I beg you will encourage the militia and engage
  them   to    continue   their   exertions。      If   the   supplies   expected   from   the
  northward arrive in season; we shall be able to assist you。 The movements
  of the enemy were so rapid; that few of the militia joined us on our march
  from   Pedee;   which   reduced   us   to   the   necessity   of   passing   the   Dan;   or
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  risking an action on very unequal terms。 The enemy are upon the banks of
  the river; but the people of this country appear to be in earnest。 I hope we
  shall soon be able to push Lord Cornwallis in turn。 I wrote to you from
  Guilford; which I hope you have received。
  I am; dear Sir; Your most obedient servant;             N。 Greene。
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  Gen。 Marion to Lieut。 Col。 Balfour。
  ~Santee; March 7; 1781。~
  Sir;
  I   sent   Capt。   John   Postell   with   a   flag   to   exchange   some   prisoners;
  which   Capt。   Saunders;   commandant   of   Georgetown;   had   agreed   to;   but
  contrary   to   the   law   of   nations;   he   has   been   seized   and   detained   as   a
  prisoner。 As I cannot imagine that his conduct will be approved of by you;
  I hope orders will be immediately given to have my flag discharged; or I
  must immediately acquaint congress of this violation。 The ill consequence
  of which it is now in your power to prevent。 I am sorry to complain of the
  ill   treatment   my   officers   and   men   meet   with   from   Capt。   Saunders;   the
  officers   are   closely   employed   in   a   small   place;   where   they   can   neither
  stand or lie at length; nor have they more than half rations。 I have treated
  your officers and men who have fallen into my hands in a different manner。
  Should these evils not be prevented in future; it will not be in my power to
  prevent retaliation。 Lord Rawdon and Col。 Watson have hanged three men
  of my brigade for supposed crimes; which will make as many of your men
  in   my  hands   suffer。   I   hope   this   will   be   prevented   in   future;   for   it   is   my
  wish   to   act   with   humanity  and tenderness   to   those   unfortunate   men;   the
  chances of war may throw in my power。
  I have the honour to be Your obedient servant;              Francis Marion。
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  Gen。 Marion to Col。 Watson; of the British。
  ~Santee; March 7; 1781。~
  Sir;
  Enclosed is a letter which I wish may be forwarded as soon as possible。
  I make no doubt but that you will be surprised to see a flag sent at the head
  of an armed party。 The reason of it is; that Capt。 Saunders; commandant of
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  Life of Marion。
  Georgetown;   has   violated   the   law   of   nations;   by   taking;   detaining   and
  imprisoning Capt。 Postell; who carried prisoners to exchange; which was
  agreed to by him。 The hanging of prisoners and the violation of my flag
  will   be   retaliated   if   a   stop   is   not   put   to   such   proceedings;   which   are
  disgraceful to all civilized nations。 All of your officers and men who have
  fallen into my hands; have been treated with humanity and tenderness; and
  I   wish    sincerely    that  I  may     not  be   obliged     to  act  contrary     to  my
  inclinations;     but   such   treatment    as   my   unhappy      followers;    whom     the
  chances of war may throw in the hands of my enemies receive; such may
  those expect who fall in my hands。
  I have the honour to be Your obedient servant;              Francis Marion。
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  Extract of a Letter from Gov。 J。 Rutledge to Gen。 Marion。
  ~Camp; at Haw River; March 8; 1781。~
  I have not yet received the blank