Charles Cornwallis letter to Recipient First Phillips, 10 April 1781

[Earl Cornwallis To Major-Gen. Phillips.]

Dear Phillips, Camp near Wilmington, April 10, 1781.

I have had a most difficult and dangerous campaign and was obliged to fight a battle 200 miles from any communication, against an enemy seven times my number. The fate of it was long doubtful. We had not a regiment or corps that did not at some time give way; it ended however happily, in our completely routing the enemy and taking their cannon. The idea of our friends rising in any number and to any purpose totally failed, as I expected, and here I am, getting rid of my wounded and refitting my troops at Wilmington. I last night heard of the naval action, and your arrival in the Chesapeak. Now, my dear friend, what is our plan ? Without one we cannot succeed, and I assure you that I am quite tired of marching about the country in quest of adventures. If we mean an offensive war in America, we must abandon New York, and bring our whole force into Virginia ; we then have a stake to fight for, and a successful battle may give us America. If our plan is defensive, mixed with desultory expeditions, let us quit the Carolinas (which cannot be held defensively while Virginia can be so easily armed against us) and stick to our salt pork at New York, sending now and then a detachment to steal tobacco, &c.

I daily expect three regiments from Ireland : leaving one of them at Charlestown, with the addition of the other two and the flank companies I can come by land to you ; but whether after we have joined we shall have a sufficient force for a war of conquest, I should think very doubtful By a war of conquest, I mean, to possess the country sufficiently to overturn the Rebel government, and to establish a militia and some kind of mixed authority of our own. If no reinforcement comes, and that I am obliged to march with my present force to the upper frontiers of South Carolina my situation will be truly distressing. If I was to embark from hence, the loss of the upper posts in South Carolina would be inevitable. I have as yet received no orders. If the reinforcements arrive, I must move from hence, where the men will be sickly and the horses starved. If I am sure that you are to remain in the Chesapeak, perhaps I may come directly to you.

It is very difficult to get any letters conveyed by land on account of the vigilance and severity of the Rebel government. I believe all mine to General Arnold miscarried, and I did not receive one from him. Host sincerely yours,

Cornwallis.

Morning State, April 15. Wilmington.

Officers, including Chaplains and Surgeons .. .. .. .. .. 127

Sergeants, Drummers, and Privates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2059

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .2186

Of these. Rank and File, 1829.

On command, in and out of the district .. .. .. .. .. .. .544

Prisoners of war .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..694

Sick .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..436

Wounded .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..397

Detached .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .214

Including Officers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2273