. All the remainder with the baggage
of the whole (saving such as is absolutely necessary for light troops)
will march immediately to this town. You will please take the command of
the light infantry, until Lieut. Col. Henderson arrives, which I expect
will be in a few days. After that I wish to see you as soon as possible
in Charleston.--Cross will deliver you this with a letter to Col.
Parker, and another to Major Jamieson. You will send them towards
Augusta in the common route by four horsemen. Two will guide Col.
Parker to this town by the shortest way, the other two will guide Major
Jamieson to your camp.

* Washington's.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

B. Lincoln.

*****

Col. Marion to Col. P. Horry.

_Lynch's Creek, Aug. 17, 1780.*_

* Written about a week after Gen. Marion took command of the
militia.

Sir,

You will take the command of such men as will be collected from Capts.
Bounneau's, Mitchell's and Benson's companies, and immediately proceed
to Santee, from the lower ferry to Lenud's, and destroy all the boats
and canoes on the river, and post guards at each crossing place, to
prevent persons from crossing to or from Charleston, on either side of
the river.--You will give all necessary intelligence, and the number of
men you may have collected as early as possible. You will procure about
twenty-five weight of gunpowder, and a proportionable quantity of ball
or swanshot, also flints, and send them up to me immediately, to the
Kingstree, by an express.

I am with esteem,

Your obedient servant,

Francis Marion.

N. B.--You will also take the command of Capt. Lenud's company, and
furnish your men with arms, wherever you can find them, giving receipts.

*****

Extract of a Letter from Col. Marion to Col. P. Horry.

_Lynch's Creek, Aug. 27, 1780._

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to acquaint you that Gen. Gates is defeated with great
loss; he was obliged to retreat to Charlotte, which obliges me also to
retreat. You will without delay retreat with what men you can get,
to Briton's neck, where I have encamped. It is necessary to obtain
ammunition, arms and accoutrements, and as many horses as you can get;
also stores from Georgetown, which you will send if possible up the
river to Briton's neck.

On the 20th inst. I attacked a guard of the 63d and Prince of Wales'
regiment, with a number of tories, at the Great Savannah, near Nelson's
ferry. Killed