Wynnesborough, Nov. 8, 1780.

DEAR TARLETON,
I am not sanguine as to your operations in that country.¹ The enemy is, I believe, in no great force, and Marion² is cautious and vigilant. If a blow could be struck at any body of the rebels it might be attended with good consequences; but I do not see any advantage we can derive from a partial destruction of the country. As to your movements, I am not sufficiently acquainted with the country, or the state of provisions or forage, to direct yow If you cannot move up between Lynches Creek and Pedee to make the enemy jealous, you must use.your own discretion, keeping within reach of Camden, and within a few days' call of us, in case we should want you, always endeavouring to strike some blow if an opening should offer, and taking up all that have been violent against us, to change for our friends who have been everywhere seized and most cruelly treated.

Lord Rawdon is going to command at Camden, and takes his corps with him.

I am, &c.,
CORNWALLIS.

[Source: Charles, Marquis Cornwallis, The Correspondence of Charles, First Marquis Cornwallis, 2d ed. Ed. Charles Derek Ross. 3 vols. (London: J. Murray, 1859), 1:65.]

Notes:

¹ [1] In the back settlements. [ back ]

² [2] Francis Marion, b. 1783, d. Feb. 27, 1735; m. 1754, Mary, dau. of ____ Videau, Esq., a lady of considerable wealth. [ back ]