Wynnesborough, Nov. 12, 1780.

DEAR BALFOUR,
...I inclose you Tarleton's report of his expedition. The state of affairs at Ninety-six absolutely requires immediate offensive measures in that quarter, or everything will be lost and not easily recovered. Our victory the other night was complete, but by Wemyss's unlucky wound, and the youth and inexperience of the casual commander, we have allowed the enemy to call it a triumph.

[Lord Cornwallis here enters into minute details about the troops to be stationed in various posts, and on other points.]

I have given you the general outlines of our plan, which has cost us much pains, and perhaps is not very sufficient. I beg you will make any addition or improvements to it that you may think will make it more efficacious or secure. I will answer for Lord Rawdon as well as myself, that there will be no jealousy, as we all most heartily mean the same thing -- the good of our distressed country.

You have, done what few officers in our service are capable of doing -- voluntarily taken responsibility upon yourself to serve your country and your friend.

Most sincerely yours,
CORNWALLIS.

[Source: Charles, Marquis Cornwallis, The Correspondence of Charles, First Marquis Cornwallis, 2d ed. Ed. Charles Derek Ross. 3 vols. (London: J. Murray, 1859), 1:68-69.]