January 1-December 31, 1781 395

on a peace, an equal number of those English ones they have taken or
might take. The Subject however, may be again considered at the
general congress for a peace, which may meet about February next
* Copy of Gen^l GreeneS^t Letter, which Gov^r Lee requests the
Honble Special Council will not allow any Copies to be made

August 6
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[James McHenry to His Excy Gov^r Lee]

Our advices from the Southward come only down to the 17 July.
The enemy had evacuated Ninety six. A Party of Col Lee's Legion
had taken fifty of the enemy's Cavalry.
Gen^l Greene was on the High Hills of Santee, and had detached
Gen^l Sumpter to attack the enemy's outposts near Charles town,
with a view of forcing the whole body down into the lower County.
If this failed, as soon as the Season, and his fforce would admit, he
intends new operations to compel the enemy to leave the upper County

August 6
Afternoon
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[Nath. Greene, High Hills of Santee, to President of Congress.]

I wrote you from Back River on the 23^d of June since which we
have been Constantly on the move. In the Afternoon of the same
day I wrote you, I got intelligence that Lord Rawdon had Crossed
the Saluda River and was advancing to attack us. I immediately
put the Army in Motion having few or no Militia with me, and
retired towards Charlotte, on which route I had previously ordered
Provisions & forage to be provided. The Enemy pursued us two
days; but as our sick Wounded & Stores had all been sent off before,
they cou'd effect nothing: However it had a terrible effect upon the
Country; the People were flying with their families in all directions.
The Enemy advanced no further than the Enoree, and on the morn-
ing of the 26^th begun to retire towards 96. We halted at the Cross
roads at a point proper to file off to the Congarey or to return to the
Seige of 96 — I kept the Legion Cavalry close at their Heels — Lord
Rawdon lay at 96 two days — and then with little more than half his
force begun his March towards the Congaree leaving Col^l Cruger at
96 with the Rest — from these appearances it was evident the Enemy
meant to hold the Post of 96 and re-establish themselves on the Con-
garee at Friday's ferry —: to prevent which we left our baggage and
invalids at Winnsborough, with orders to proceed to Camden and
marched with all Possible expedition for the Congaree — But his
Lordship arrived there two days before who on our appearance
retired to Orangeburg with evident marks of precepitation, which
discovered our movements were unexpected. Cap^t Eggleston made
a Stroke at his Horse which served to encrease his Confusion.
From the Perswassion that the Enemy wou'd attempt to establish
themselves at the Congaree I had directed Gen. Sumpter & Marian
to collect all the force they could & meet me at that place; but the

July 17
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