Lamb Benton letter to Francis Marion, 29 August 1782

ST. DAVID'S, August 29, 1782..

SIR:

Yours from Watbo of the 18th inst., I received, and in answer I assure you, that I have constantly been, since my arrival at home, and still am, using my utmost endeavors to send you the full one-third of my regiment. The twenty men with which I had your permission to guard the jail, have been constantly on hard duty, catching and bringing in the disobedient; so that, inclusive of what have been lately ordered, and the guard will bring you, in addition to Major Thomas's class, at least fifty men; and hope to have it in my power, about the 3d of next month, to send you some more, as I expect by that time to have another squad gathered. But, without this armed party to be constantly on duty, and monthly relieved, I cannot do anything, for the district is so extensive, the duty so hard, and the distance to your camp so far, that it can't be expected that the men who have just been discharged from your camp can perform that duty. This mode would have been better executed if the Commanding Officer of my regiment at home, when I was in the camp, had not have hindered every part of my orders (that was in his power) for that purpose. There are but fourteen of the twenty men mentioned that are at this time fit for duty, six of whom I send with the party, and the others will come with the next I have mentioned; though, 1 hope, you will send them back, as the law cannot be enforced without them. The people are, at this time, very sickly about home, as has appeared by the trials of a number of men by a regimental court 1 lately ordered, and held four days, when I used every lawful and reasonable method in my power to turn out the men. There are several men. whom the guard will bring down, sentenced to some extraordinary duty, a list of whose names, and their term of service, I will send to Major Thomas.

I am, sir, with all due respect, your obdt. humble servant,

LAMB BENTON, Colonel

N. B. If you permit me to continue the guard at the jail> please f,o ffive some instruction? about salt, &c.. for them, as it is scarce here.