RARE NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA REVOLUTIONARY WAR CAMPAIGN MANUSCRIPT.


[LEE, CHARLES. 1731-1782.] Manuscript Fair Copy of Charles Lee's letter to Edmund Pendleton from Charlestown, SC dated June 29, 1776, this copy 3 pp, 4to (conjoining leaves), copied upon receipt at Whitfield Ferry on Neuse River, North Carolina, July 7, 1776 by John Johnston, pages creased and toned, some offset from ink, some restoration at spine.A PERIOD OFFICIAL COPY OF LEE'S LETTER DESCRIBING THE FIRST BRITISH ATTACK ON CHARLESTON, SC. Lee writes Pendelton, the President of the Virginia Convention, to describe the recent attack by the British. In part: "Yesterday about eleven oClock the Enemy's Squadron consisting of one fifty, one forty, and six frigates came to anchor before fort Sullivan, and began one of the most furious canonades I ever heard or saw, their project was apparently at the same time to land their Troops on the East end of the Island, twice they attempted it, and twice were gallantly repulsed. The ships continued there fire over the fort til eleven at night. The behavior of the Garrison both men and officers with Colonel Moutrie at their head, I confess astonished me, it was brave to the last degree. I had no idea that so much coolness and intrepidity could be displayed by a collection of raw recruits as I was witness of in this Garrison." After more descriptions of the brave actions of the colonials, he asks for supplies for the soldiers: "I must now, sir, intreat that you will forward to Wilmington as much powder as can possibly be spared from your province, to supply the place of that which I shall draw from North Carolina. Shoes, shirts, and blankits are likewise absolutely necessary for the NOrth Carolinas who are quite naked."At the end of the transcription is the note: "The foregoing contains a True Copy of the original Letter of General Lee's dated Charles Town 29th June 1776 / By order of Council of Safety / Jas. Green Secy / Copyed from the Copy in MR. Hooper's hands & by John Johnston."