Charles Cornwallis letters for the years 1776 thru 1783

On Board The Bristol - 7 March 1776

I take the opportunity of informing your lordship by a homeward-bound ship, that we have stopped for a few minutes, that our voyage hitherto has been very unsuccessful ; the wind has been almost always contrary

On Board The Bristol - 18 April 1776

I have nothing to inform your lordship of but that our passage has been very tedious, and that we are still about 370 leagues from our rendezvous at Cape Fear.

Camp At Cape Fear, SC - 16 May 1776

I arrived here on the 3rd of this month, and had the pleasure of finding that many of the transports had got here before us.

Philadelphia, PA - 17 June 1778

I must beg that your lordship will be so kind as to lay my most humble request before his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to permit me to return to England.

New Bridge, NJ - 28 September 1778

a considerable body of militia and a raiment of light dragoons were assembled in the neighbourhood of Taapan, in order to interrupt our foraging, a plan was formed on the evening of the 27th for surprising them.

Camp At Manigolls - 7 May 1780

If you find that the enemy are obstinately bent on trying the fate of a storm, I shall take it as a favour if you will let me be of the party.

Camden, SC - 2 June 1780

I can only add the highest encomiums on the conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Tarleton.

Camden, SC - 2 June 1780

I have sent emissaries to our friends in North Carolina, to state my situation to them, and to submit to them whether it would not be prudent for them to remain quiet

Camden, SC - 10 June 1780

I find the Commander-in-Chief adopted the idea of granting indiscriminate protections, by which means some of the most violent rebels and persecutors of the whole province are declared faithful subjects

Camden, SC - 11 June 1780

I yesterday met, by accident, with a Proclamation issued June 1st, by Sir H. Clinton and the other Commissioners.

Camden, SC - 16 June 1780

Mills has been premature in his rising ; but as he lives in a remote comer of the country, quite out of our way

Charlestown, SC - 29 June 1780

Nothing can in my opinion be so prejudicial to the affairs of Great Britain as a want of discrimination.

Charlestown, SC - 29 June 1780

The affair of Tryon County has given me great concern. Although I had my apprehensions that the flame would break out somewhere, the folly and imprudence of our friends are unpardonable.

Charlestown, SC - 14 July 1780

I received despatches from Pensacola, which I transmit to your Excellency. I was extremely sorry to learn that the state of the place, and that of their enemies in the neighbourhood of it

Charlestown, SC - 6 August 1780

My letter of the 14th by the Halifax, will have convinced you of the impossibility of weakening the force in this province, and everything which has happened since that time tends more strongly to confirm it

Charlestown, SC - 10 August 1780

I yesterday received an express from Camden, informing me that Gates, with Caswall and Rutherford, was advancing and making every appearance of attacking Lord Rawdon

Camden, SC - 18 August 1780

I have the pleasure to inform you, that on the morning of the 16th, I attacked and totally defeated General Gates's army

Camden, SC - 23 August 1780

I have not yet heard any accounts from North Carolina ; but I hope that our friends will immediately take arms, as I have directed them to do.

Camden, SC - 29 August 1780

We receive the strongest professions of friendship from North Carolina. Our friends however, do not seem inclined to rise until they see our army in motion.

Wynnesborough, SC - 8 November 1780

I am not sanguine as to your operations in that country. The enemy is, I believe, in no great force, and Marion is cautious and vigilant.

Wynnesborough, SC - 9 November 1780

Major Wemyss attacked Sumpter at Fish Dam at one o'clock this morning, contrary to his plan, which was to wait till daylight.

Wynnesborough, SC - 10 November 1780

I must now observe that the cruelty exercised on the prisoners taken under Major Ferguson is shocking to humanity ; and the hanging poor old Colonel Mills, who was always a fair and open enemy to your cause, was an act of most savage barbarity.

Wynnesborough, SC - 11 November 1780

The serjeant-major of the 63rd, who was left with a flag of truce, is returned, and assures me that when day broke there was not a rebel to be seen

Wynnesborough, SC - 12 November 1780

The state of affairs at Ninety-Six absolutely requires immediate offensive measures in that quarter, or everything will be lost and not easily recovered.

Wynnesborough, SC - 12 November 1780

Had I attempted to penetrate into the further parts of North Carolina, my small army would have been exposed to the utmost hazard

Wynnesborough, SC - 13 November 1780

I have taken every possible measure for the security of Ninety-Six

Wynnesborough, SC - 25 November 1780

Gates is certainly come up towards Charlottetown with all the Continentals he could muster - they say from 700 to 1000 infantry

Wynnesborough, SC - 1 December 1780

I think it proper to represent to you that the officers and men taken at Sing's Mountain were treated with an inhumanity scarcely credible.

Wynnesborough, SC - 3 December 1780

The militia of Ninety-Six, on which alone we could place the smallest dependence, are so totally disheartened by the defeat of Ferguson that of the whole district we could with difficulty assemble 100

Wynnesborough, SC - 3 December 1780

Your account of Rugeley vexed me, although it did not surprise me.

, SC - 4 December 1780

I received from your Excellency the copies of two letters which were sent to you from General Washington, of the 6th and 16th October, complaining of the cruelty and injustice

Wynnesborough, SC - 18 December 1780

Our friends hereabouts are so timid and so stupid that I can get no intelligence.

Wynnesborough, SC - 22 December 1780

I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that Major-General Leslie arrived at Charlestown on the 14th.

Wynnesborough, SC - 27 December 1780

I can with truth assure yon, Sir, that no man abhors acts of cruelty more than myself, or would more reluctantly adopt measures of severity.

Wynnesborough, SC - 29 December 1780

The slow progress of Leslie is vexatious, but it cannot be helped.

Wynnesborough, SC - 29 December 1780

I directed Lieut-Colonel Brown to encourage the Indians to attack the settlements of Watoga Holstein, Caentuck, and Notachuckie

Wynnesborough, SC - 30 December 1780

From everything I hear of Greene's force, I do not think it possible for him to strike any blow that would materially affect my movements

Wynnesborough, SC - 6 January 1781

The difficulties I have had to struggle with have not been occasioned by the opposite army : they always keep at a considerable distance, and retire on our approach.

Camp On Turkey Creek, SC - 18 January 1781

I had the honour to inform your Excellency that I was ready to begin my march for North Carolina having been delayed some days by a diversion made by the enemy towards Ninety-Six.

Salisbury, NC - 4 February 1781

We passed the Catawba on the 1st at a private ford, about four miles below Beatty's.

Hillsborough, NC - 21 February 1781

I tried by a most rapid march to strike a blow either at Greene or Morgan before they got over the Dan, but could not effect it.

Camp At Guilford, NC - 17 March 1781

General Greene having been very considerably reinforced from Virginia by eighteen-months men and militia, and having collected all the militia of this province, advanced with an army

Wilmington, NC - 10 April 1781

I am very anxious to receive your Excellency's commands, being as yet totally in the dark as to the intended operations of the summer.

Wilmington, NC - 10 April 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.

Wilmington, NC - 18 April 1781

Sir, that you will be pleased to inform the House that I am truly sensible of the high honour conferred upon me

Wilmington, NC - 18 April 1781

I feel myself much indebted to your Lordship for your kind assistance in procuring the rank of major for my aide-de-camp Major Ross.

Wilmington, NC - 18 April 1781

I marched from Guilford in the morning of the 18th of March, and next day arrived at Bell's Mill, where I gave the troops two days rest, and procured a small supply of provisions.

Wilmington, NC - 21 April 1781

I have received your very kind letter, and am sensible of the obliging part you took in the debate in which I was concerned.

Wilmington, NC - 23 April 1781

It gives me great concern to undertake a task which is not only a bitter renewal of my own grief, but must be a violent shock to an affectionate parent.

Wilmington, NC - 23 April 1781

I have experienced the dangers and distresses of marching some hundreds of miles in a country chiefly hostile, without one active or useful friend, without intelligence, and without communication

Wilmington, NC - 23 April 1781

This express likewise brought me the disagreeable accounts that the upper posts of South Carolina were in the most imminent danger from an alarming spirit of revolt among many of the people

Wilmington, NC - 24 April 1781

I have reflected very seriously on the subject of my attempt to march into Virginia, and have in consequence written a letter to Major-General Phillips

Nehunty Creek, NC - 5 May 1781

I trust to your discretion my honour and future happiness.

Petersburgh, VA - 20 May 1781

I cannot describe my feelings on your most glorious victory, by far the most splendid of this war.

Petersburgh, VA - 20 May 1781

You will easily conceive how sensible an affliction it was to me on entering this province, to receive an account of the death of my friend General Phillips

Birds Plantation, VA - 26 May 1781

I shall now proceed to dislodge La Fayette from Richmond, and with my light troops to destroy any magazines or stores in the neighbourhood

Williamsburgh, VA - 27 June 1781

My orders from New York make it necessary for me to give up all thought of a post on this side of James River.

Williamsburgh, VA - 28 June 1781

I am very unwilling to give up the idea of fixing the place of arms at York, if it is possible to effect it consistent with the arrangement of the force in this country.

Williamsburgh, VA - 30 June 1781

I find that you think if an offensive army could be spared, it would not be advisable to employ it in this province.

Cobham, VA - 8 July 1781

The troops are perfectly ready, and will proceed to Portsmouth to wait the arrival of the transports.

Cobham, VA - 8 July 1781

You will please to make the necessary arrangements for the embarkation of the stores and artillery

Suffolk, VA - 20 July 1781

By a letter I have received this instant from the Commander-in-Chief it is necessary to stop the sailing of the expedition

Portsmouth, VA - 23 July 1781

I dare not be so sanguine as to hope that you can or ought to stay in Carolina.

Portsmouth, VA - 24 July 1781

The move from Cross Creek to Wilmington was absolutely necessary ; such was the situation and distress of the troops

Portsmouth, VA - 27 July 1781

As a subordinate officer I think it my duty to obey positive orders, or in exercising discretionary powers to act as much as possible conformable to the apparent wishes of my superior officer

Yorktown, VA - 2 August 1781

After a passage of four days we landed here and at Gloucester without opposition.

Yorktown, VA - 4 August 1781

I am not easy about my post at Gloucester, and am in great want of negroes to work

York, VA - 12 August 1781

I embarked the 80th regiment in boats and went myself on board the Richmond very early in the morning of the 29th

Yorktown, VA - 16 August 1781

The evacuation of Portsmouth has employed one engineer and a number of labourers and artificers

Yorktown, VA - 20 August 1781

Before I resolved to pass James River, to enable me to comply with your requisition of troops, I had very maturely considered the general tenour of your despatches to General Phillips

Yorktown, VA - 22 August 1781

Portsmouth having been completely evacuated without any interruption from the enemy, General O'Hara arrived here this day with- the stores and troops

York, VA - 27 August 1781

Sir Henry has written to me lately to say that if any part of the troops lately arrived from Europe could be spared from South Carolina, he wished you to send them to New York.

Yorktown, VA - 8 September 1781

I have made several attempts to inform your Excellency that the French West India Fleet, under M. de Grasse, entered the Capes the 29th ult.

Yorktown, VA - 16 September 1781

The enemy's fleet has returned. Two line-of-battle ships and one frigate lie at the mouth of this river

Yorktown, VA - 29 September 1781

I have ventured these two last days to look General Washingtons whole force in the face, in the position on the outside of my works

Yorktown, VA - 3 October 1781

The enemy are encamped about two miles from us. On the night of the 30th September they broke ground, and made two redoubts about 1100 yards from our works

Yorktown, VA - 11 October 1781

I have only to repeat what I said in my letter of the 3rd, that nothing but a direct move to York River, which includes a successful naval action, can save me.

Yorktown, VA - 15 October 1781

Last evening the enemy carried my two advanced redoubts on the left by storm, and during the night have included them in the second parallel

York, VA - 27 October 1781

Many of our officers having repeated their representation to me that they apprehend that they lose the benefit of tbe capitulation on that head by signing their paroles in the form proposed by your commissary

New York, NY - 25 November 1781

I am very sorry that I had left York before General Washington and yourself did me the honour to call at my quarters.

London, ENG - 19 March 1782

As I have the presumption to believe that your Majesty has confidence in my professions of aversion to faction, and of unalterable attachment to your person, and zeal for your service

Homing, ENG - 31 May 1782

Ross is just going, I am not sure whether any passport is necessary.

Culford, ENG - 0 July 1782

I have had a most affecting letter from Lady Asgill I wish you would be kind enough to go to her.

Lambeth, ENG - 1 August 1782

I shall be much obliged to you if you will be kind enough to forward the enclosed letter to the Baron de Viomenil at Paris.

Culford, ENG - 4 August 1782

Mr. Laurens, on obtaining his liberty, engaged to procure me a release from my parole

Brome, ENG - 25 September 1782

The paragraph in the Commissioners letter alarmed me very much

Culford, ENG - 0 December 1782

I never could suffer myself to be publicly named for the command in India without a security from Franklin that I shall not be countermanded.

Culford, ENG - 23 December 1782

I enclose to you under a flying seal letters to Lafayette and Laurens, which I wish you to show to Mr. Townshend if you approve of them.

Culford, ENG - 25 December 1782

At the same time I received the enclosed letter from Laurens, which is rather obscure, but still, I think, implies my being exchanged

Culford, ENG - 15 January 1783

I received Sir H.'s narrative last night, and have read it in a cursory manner. It is a bad performance, and I think-not likely to do the cause much good with people of judgment

Brome, ENG - 0 August 1783

I most heartily wish you joy. You know too well how much I was interested in the event to doubt the pleasure it gives me.

Brome, ENG - 5 September 1783

I have read the Traits de la Colonne with great attention, and have been much amused by it. The column is certainly a much better order than the phalanx

Culford, ENG - 26 October 1783

I am determined to take no steps in regard to politics till the meeting of Parliament, when I may form some judgment of what the Ministry and Opposition mean.

Culford, ENG - 13 November 1783

Pitt made a most sensible speech, and I think proves that he is not in such haste to come in as to wish to overset all government

Culford, ENG - 21 November 1783

You will have seen Fox's plan, and probably his very civil expression in regard to me

Culford, ENG - 23 November 1783

I hear that bad news is come from the East Indies. General Matthews and his army taken by Tippoo Saib.

London, ENG - 16 December 1783

Should any proposals be hereafter made to me relative to India, I do not feel at all inclined to listen to them.

London, ENG - 18 December 1783

As soon as I find that no material negotiation is on foot I will resign the Tower.