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Otho Holland Williams Papers, 1744-1839(Part 1/8)
Maryland Historical Society

Calendar of the General Otho Holland Williams Papers at the Maryland Historical Society, 1744-1839

MS.908 (Part 1/8)

Maryland Historical Society

Baltimore MD 21201-467

The Maryland Historical Records Survey Project

November 1940

*Note: This Collection has eight parts*

WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION

Howard O. Hunter, Acting Commissioner

Francis H. Dryden, State Administrator

Harry D. Williar, Jr., Deputy State Administrator

Division of Profossional and Service Projects

Florence Kerr, Assistant Commissioner

Emma F. Ward, State Director

The Historical Records Survey Program

Sargent B. Child, Director

Walter F. [UNK], State Supervisor

Sponsor

Hall of Records Commission

Dr. Morris L. Radoff, Archivist

The Historical Records Survey was established in Maryland in 1936 as a part of the Federal Historical Records Survey, under the national direction of Dr. Luther H. Evans. Pursuant to an Act of Congress, the Federal Historical Records Survey, with other Work Projects Administration federal projects, was terminated August 31, 1939; its work in Maryland since that date has been continued by the Maryland Historical Records Survey, sponsored by the Hall of Records Commission. Mr. Sargent B. Child succeeded Dr. Evans as Director of Historical Records Survey Projects March 1, 1940. The project in Maryland has operated since July 6, 1936 under the general administrative supervision of Dr. Emma F. Ward.

In December 1936 the Committee on Historical Source Materials of the American Historical Society discussed with the National Director the question of bringing the manuscript resources of this country under control. On the basis of this discussion, the manuscripts survey was begun. The survey of manuscripts was not undertaken in Maryland until January 1939, and this is the first calendar to be issued by the Maryland Survey. It has been compiled from the original letters and papers of Otho Holland Williams and his sons, which are preserved in the vault of the Maryland Historical Society.

The greater portion of this calendar embraces the papers and correspondence of Otho Holland Williams himself, while the latter part, after 1794, the year of Williams' death, includes the correspondence of his family, particularly of his eldest surviving son, William Elie Williams. The Williams papers [UNK] the Historical Society represent only a portion of Otho Holland Williams' original collection. While still in the army, he anticipated writing a history of the campaign in the South, and to that end he collected numerous letters, papers and documents. Some of these were lost before he returned to Baltimore; others which he lent to William Gordon, the Boston historian, were not returned. Even some that survived Otho Holland Williams are not now in the Williams' collection. A dozon or so pieces that desconded to his son, Edward Greene Williams, were given by that son's wife, Mrs. Ann (Gilmor) Williams, to her uncle, Robert Gilmor; these can be found in the Gilmor Papers at the Maryland Historical Society (Vol. III, sec. 3, nos. 17-27). Some of the letters which Osmond Tiffany must have had in 1851 when he wrote the sketch of Williams for the Society are not there now.

There are described in this calendar some twelve hundred pieces of manuscript. They came to the Maryland Historical Society as a gift from the estate of Miss Susan Williams, daughter of William Smith Williams, granddaughter of William Elie Williams, and great granddaughter of Otho Holland Williams. They were repaired, mounted, bound and cased by the National Society, Daughter of Founders and Patriots. Now they stand on the steel shelves of the fireproof part of the Maryland Historical Society building. Because the chronological order is maintained throughout, the volume and sheet numbers of the pieces to which the entries relate have not been given.

The calendar has been prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Morritt, in accordance with the instructions of the Washington office of the Historical Records Survey. Detailed editorial comment and criticism of the book have been made by Margaret Sherburne Eliot, Assistant Archivist in charge of the Manuscript Inventories, in Washington.

A word about the spelling of proper names is in order. In the period covered by the calendar, such spelling was governed by fancy and not by rule, and then as now fancy was often wayward. Nathaniel Ramsey spelled his surname R-a-m-s-e-y, but his brother, Dr. David Ramsay, the South Carolina historian, wrote R-a-m-s-a-y. That much can be determined from the signatures of the brothers. But not even a signature of Col. Josias Carvol Hall is positive proof whether he wrote C-a-r-v-e-l or C-a-r-v-i-l. Williams himself would in the course of a long letter write the same man's name in two or three different ways. Names have been indexed under what seems the best spelling according to the weight of evidence, but they should be looked for under every conceivable version.

Where the state in which a place was located could be determined with certainty, it has been inserted; where it could not be determined, a question mark in brackets[?] has been supplied. This has, however, not been done in two instances: in cases of cities of the first rank, such as New York and Philadelphia, it was not thought necessary to supply the state, and since so large a part of the places mentioned are in Maryland, the state has not been inserted. Orange, Eutaw, Ceresville, Frederick, and Washington County are all in Maryland.

In accordance with the latest Government Printing Office manual, periods and commas at the end of a quotation are always placed within the quotation marks, even when they are not found in the matter [UNK].

Appreciation for cooperation in this work is due particularly to Raphael Semmes and other officers and staff members of the Historical Society.

Publication of this calendar has been made possible by the generous cooperation of Dr. Louis H. Dielman whose interest in the work has ever been an encouragement. To him we are exceedingly grateful.

Information as to the whereabouts of other Williams papers would be very welcome to the Maryland Historical Society.

A list of completed publications of the Maryland Historical Records [UNK] may be found on the last page of this volume. Requests for information concerning these publications should be addressed to the Survey at 34th and Frisby Streets, Baltimore.

November 1940

Walter F. Meyer, State Supervisor

Maryland Historical Records Survey Project

Otho Holland Williams was born March 1, 1749 in Prince George's County, Meryland, possibly at Upper Marlboro, the county seat. He was the eldest son of Joseph and Priscilla (Holland) Williams. In 1750, Joseph moved his family up from Southern Maryland to the mouth of the Conococheague Creek in Washington, then Frederick, County. Here, before Otho was thirteen, Joseph and Priscilla both died, leaving seven young children and only a small estate to support them. Young Otho got a job in the office of the county clerk at Frederick and later took charge of the office. About 1767, when he was eighteen or nineteen, he moved to Baltimore and got a position. He was tall and strong and good-looking, with a winning manner. In 1774 he returned to Frederick and went into business there.

With the outbreak of the Revolution, he joined Thomas Price of Frederick in raising a company of riflemen which, with Price as captain and Williams as lieutenant, marched to Boston and took part in the siege. Price was soon wounded or promoted, and Williams became captain. Just before the Declaration of Independence, he was commissioned as a major in Stephenson's Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, and in that capacity led his men against Fort Washington on the Hudson in November 1776. There he was wounded by the Hessians and made prisoner. At first he was on parole on Long Island, and then he was confined to the Provost's jail in New York City on the charge that, in violation of his parole, he had communicated information to General Washington. He and the well-known Ethan Allen of Vermont shared the same cell, a room sixteen feet square with little air and no sanitation. From the indignities, cruelties and deprivations of this time, he never recovered. While he was still imprisoned, he was made colonel of the Sixth Maryland Regiment, and he took command of it in January 1778 when he was freed by an exchange of prisoners. He took part in the Battle of Monmouth, and in one of his letters to Dr. Philip Thomas, he has left a full eye-witness account of that battle.

Sometime after Monmouth, he was transferred to the Southern Department, where General Heratio Gates, commander-in-chief, made him deputy adjutant general. When General Nathanael Greene succeeded Gates, he trusted Williams as Gates had done and made him adjutant general. Williams served efficiently and brilliantly at Guilford Court House, Hobkirk Hill and Eutaw. On May 9, 1782, he was made brigadier general.

After the fighting was over, Williams returned to Baltimore and was appointed by the Governor and Council as naval officer for the Port of Baltimore, a position that was worth at least a thousand guineas to him. At this time he resigned from the army, for he could not be a collector of revenue unless he did so. When the federal government was set up in 1789, the position of naval officer under the state government was abolished, and President Washington appointed Williams as collector of the Port of Baltimore. The office was essentially the same as the

naval office, though it carried with it, Williams thought, more work and less money. The collectorship he retained until he died.

On October 18, 1785, Williams married Mary, daughter of William Smith, a wealthy and patriotic merchant of Baltimore who later served one term in the House of Representatives. Although Williams had been a sad fellow with the ladies before his marriage, he loved his Polly devotedly. His wife adored him, so much that, when in 1792 Williams left on a trip to the Barbados in the hope of improving his health, Polly seriously considered making the voyage, even though it terrified her, in order to be with him; but to the day of his death she addressed him as her dear General Williams, and when she had been married to him for less than three months, she could write to him that he was the first gentleman she had ever honored with a letter.

By 1789 Williams' health was becoming his chief concern, for he had never recovered from the hardships of his imprisonment. When in October he was confined to his house, he wrote to his friend and physician, Dr. Philip Thomas, that he had the influenza as he did every year; but it was probably more than the flu. Two days before Christmas, a slight fit of coughing brought on a serious hemorrhage, which Dr. Brown and Dr. Falls sought to cure by more bleeding. More and more the work of Williams' office fell on his deputies. In the winter of 1792-93, he went to the Barbados for his health. The trip did him no permanent good, and while he was there, his eldest son, Robert, a boy of five and a half, died in Baltimore. From the time of his return to Baltimore in May 1793, it was only a question of how long he could live; he was not going to get well and he knew it. In the early summer of 1794, he started for the Sweet Springs at Bath in Virginia to escape the heat of summer as he had so often done. This time when he got as far as Millar's Town, Virginia, he could not go on, and there on the morning of July 15, 1794, he died. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery at Williamsport, the place he founded, the place he once briefly hoped might be the seat of the government of the United States.

The Otho Holland Williams Papers have a sweep of interest even for one not interested at all in the man whose name they bear. A great many of the letters, especially those from William Smith, member of Congress and Williams' father-in-law, and from Elie Williams, his brother, show the struggles which attended the setting up of the federal government, sometimes in most homely detail. Many of them tell about the controversy over the location of the seat of government and the entirely practical politics played in connection with the assumption of state debts. There are long eye-witness accounts of the battles of Monmouth and Eutaw Springs and Hobkirk Hill. There are a dozen or so letters from the Polish patriot, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who, besides being a good military engineer, had an eye for the pretty girls and a way of dealing with them. Scattered through the letters are incidents that show, most often unconsciously, how life was lived in Baltimore and in Western Maryland when the largest city in the state had a population of loss than eight thousand and the houses had no numbers on them. They reveal a great deal about the treatment of

disease as it was practiced by the best physicians in the country at the end of the eighteenth century. One of Williams' physicians, Dr. Thomas of Frederick, was also his familiar friend, and the letters between them are full of detail.

Important for their descriptions of events and characters well known in American history, the Williams papers are even more valuable in showing the career of a man who was a gentleman, business man and soldier. Even in an era that saw George Washington, Otho Holland Williams was a notable man.

Elizabeth Merritt, Editor

Maryland Historical Records Survey Project

Prepared by

The Maryland Historical Records Survey Project

Division of Professional and Service Projects

Work Projects Administration

Andrews, Matthew Page, History of Maryland: Province and State, New York, 1929.

Archives of Maryland, XLVIII, Baltimore, 1931.

The Chevalier D'Annemours, Maryland Historical Magazine (March 1910), V, 38-45.

Gilmor, Robert, Recollections of Baltimore, Maryland Historical Magazine (September 1912), VII, 233-242.

Greene, George Washington, Life of Nathanael Greene, III, New York, 1871.

Griffith, Thomas W., Annals of Baltimore, Baltimore, 1824.

Johnson, William, Sketches of the Life and Correspondence of Nathanael Greene, Charleston, 1822.

Johnston, Christopher, The Tilghman Family, Maryland Historical Magazine (December 1906), I, 373.

McSherry, James, History of Maryland, Baltimore, 1849.

Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertizer (Baltimore), July 25, 1794.

A Militant Surgeon of the Revolution, Maryland Historical Magazine (December 1923), XVIII, 309-323.

A Muster Roll of Captain Thomas Price's Company of Rifle-Men in the Service of the United Colonies, Maryland Historical Magazine (September 1927), XXII, 275-283.

Naff, John H., Recollections of Baltimore, Maryland Historical Magazine (June 1910), V, 104-123.

Purviance, Robert, Narrative of Events... in Baltimore... during the Revolutionary War, Baltimore, 1849.

A Revolutionary Purveyor, Maryland Historical Magazine (September 1912), VII, 304-306.

Scharf, J. Thomas, Chronicles of Baltimore, Baltimore, 1874.

-----, History of Maryland, Baltimore, 1879.

-----, History of Western Maryland, Philadelphia, 1882.

Tiffany, Osmond C., Sketch of the Life and Services of General Otho Holland Williams, Maryland Historical Society Pre-Fund Publication, vol. I, no. 12, Baltimore, 1851.

Thompson, Henry F., The Chevalier D'Annemours, Maryland Historical Magazine (September 1906), I, 241-246.

Williams, T. J. C., History of Frederick County, Hagerstown, 1910.

-----, A History of Washington County, Maryland, Hagerstown, 1906.

1744 Nov. 28

Peter DENT [deputy surveyor]. To [William BERGH?] Upper Marlboro.

[1]

Plat of Berghs Delight made for William Bergh of Prince George's County.

Signed. 15.5 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed: The Platt and Certificate of Berghs Delight. In different hand: Novem[b]er 28, 1744. Exam[ine]d and past. B. Young Exam[ine]r.

1764 Apr. 10

Memorandum: June 28, 1731 Reserve by his Lordship of all vacant land within 3 miles of any of his manors; April 10, 1764 Reserve by his Excellency [Governor Sharpe] of 10,000 acres for a manor beyond Fort Cumberland; Conegocheigo Manor, dated October 25, 1736, recorded in Liber E.J. 5, folio 580. Certificate to T[homas] Cresap assigned and recorded in Mr. [John] Callahan's office.

[2]

1 p. 8 cm. × 21 cm.

On verso: Mem. of Conegoch Manor, etc.

1775 June-Sep.

A muster roll of Captain Thomas Price's Company of Rifle-Men with Service of the United Colonies. July, August, September, 1775; dates of appointment or enlistment; discharges; desertions; deaths.

[3]

3 pp. 32.5 cm. × 20 cm.

Published in Maryland Historical Magazine, XXII: 275-278, September 1927.

1775 Oct. 12

John CAR[EY, Frederick Loyalist], Frederick. To Otho Hol[lan]d WILLIAMS [Roxbury, Mass.?].

[4]

Thanks Williams for a letter of September 21 [1775]; Williams, now an officer, should not risk his life unnecessarily; he [Carey] is and old R - - - 1, and Williams a young one; the unnatural dispute will lead to a great rise in Williams' station in life; has decided not to write to General [Horatio] Gates, but asks that Williams or Captain [Thomas] Price tell him [Gates] that his Lady and Son are well; he [Carey] will write to Mrs. Gates that her husband is well; Williams' brother [Elie] has been ill; his [Elie Williams'] wife has got a very fine son [Otho Holland Williams]; all Williams' letters are in Common to all your friends; we [in Frederick] had one little Brush but without Blows, in which Jack Key behaved himself manfully; just saw Williams' letter of September 18 to Mr. Young.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 30.5 cm. × 19.5 cm. Signature partly torn.

Endorsed by Williams: From my respected Friend Mr. John Carey. Mr. Carey did not approve of the Declaration of Independence and after that time was unfriendly to the cause of America.

1775 Oct. 14

Oth[o] H[ollan]d WILLIAMS, Camp at Roxbury [Mass.]. To Dr. Philip THOMAS, Fred[eric]k Town, Maryland.

[5]

Letter from Dr. Philip Thomas by Dr. Wilkinson was put into my fist yesterday; concerned at convulsed condition of Frederick; sorry for difference between Thomas and `Peter' ; ready to meet `a young fellow... with a pert facetious Grin and Branded' if he comes his way; this is his fifth or sixth letter to Thomas; Hanson and Mungan are gone for the gown, regimentals would be as good; thought from what Dawson had said that the Devil had not had time to raise a lie on him [Williams]; nothing happened since Mr. Boyd had given him [Thomas] the news; man-of-war under [Capt. Sir James] Wallace fired on Bristor and took 20 sheep, d-d Tories there; place not worth defending; doubts report that the Lively and some other vessels were taken; [Maj.] Gen. [Joseph] Spencer told him the enemy had burned Fallmouth [Maine] and a small town on the Kennebec; no enemy fire on camp since October 6, though one of our floating batteries fired on them in Cambri[d]ge recently, the night the play house in Boston opened; cannon burst, wounding 8 or 10 and killing one; nothing more worth writing about.

A.L.S. 4 pp. 32 cm. × 19.5 cm.

Superscription: Doctr. Philip Thomas. Fredk. Town, Maryland, favor of Captn. Brown.

October 1775. Endorsed [by Dr. Thomas] from Lieut. O. H. Williams, Oct. 1775.

[1775] Sep.-Oct.

Pay Roll of a Company of Rifle Men in the service of the United Colonies commanded by Captain Thomas Price for September and October 1775. Total -328.10.8.

[6]

4 pp. 32.5 cm. × 20 cm.

[1775] Oct.-Dec.

A Muster Roll of Captain Thomas Price's Company of Rifle Men in the Service of the United Colonies, October-December 1775; dates of appointment or enlistment; discharges; desertions; deaths; etc.

[7]

4 pp. 32 cm. × 20 cm.

Published in Maryland Historical Magazine, XXII: 275-278, September 1927.

1776 Apr. 11

Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Statin [Staten] Island [N.Y.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Frederick County, Maryland.

[8]

Wrote to Elie, Williams' brother, from New York by Mr. Hall and Mr. Tolley of Maryland; has since been transferred, along with Captain [David] Stephenson, to this beautiful island; many of its hills are natural fortifications; heard that Parliament is sending 25,000 mercenaries to New York this spring; the city is well-fortified; redoubts already marked out on the island will be thrown up as soon as men are available to do the work; last Sunday (Easter) the British vessels sent 25 men ashore to get water, with the Savage a ship of war and the James (a Pilate Boat to the Phoenix) for protection; Captain Stephenson's and Williams'

companies beat them off and captured ten men, a barge, 29 barrels, a standard, a musket, and more small articles; Stephenson is leaving today for Virginia, and [Lt. Col. Moses] Rawlings is stationed on Jersy shore, so Williams is in command.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 32 cm. × 19 cm.

On same sheet as entry 9.

1776 Apr. 11

Otho H[ollan]d WILLIAMS, Statin [Staten] Island [N.Y.]. To Sister [Mrs. Mercy STULL, Frederick County].

[9]

Captain [David] Stephenson, who is to deliver this letter, refuses to burden himself with more than one sheet from me, so she must be content with a short note annexed to his letter to their brother Elie; last Sunday they had a short little skirmish with the enemy; hopes to be home for a visit before the end of next harvest.

A.L.S. 1 p. 32 cm. × 19 cm.

On same sheet as entry 8.

1776 June 27

The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES, Philadelphia. To Otho Holland WILLIAMS.

[10]

Commission to be Major of the Regiment of Rifle Men whereof Hugh Stevenson Esq[ui]re is Colonel.

Signed by John Hancock, President, and Charles Thomson, Secretary. 1 p. 22.5 cm. × 35 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: Major Williams Commission 27th June 1776. This Commission was stain'd... by the blood... from a wound... received in an action on York Island 16th November 1776 when He was made prisoner.

1777 Jan. 16

J[ohn] H[ANSON, President of the Congress of the United States], Frederick Town. To the Board [of War].

[11]

Col. [Charles Carbery] Griffith has resigned his commission, and Hanson begs leave to recommend Major Otho Holland Williams as a gentleman well quallifyed to Succeed Colo[nel] Griffith; when the flying Camp was organized, Williams was appointed Colonol of this Battalion, but doclined the appointment; Hanson believes he would accept it now; Lieut. Col. [Moses] Rawlings will probably succeed Col. [Hugh] Stephenson, who is dead; officers of the battalion wish Williams appointed to command them; appointment would give impetus to the recruiting service which has been lagging; Hanson has a personal regard for Williams.

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 34.5 cm. × 21.5 cm.

Endorsed [by Dr. Philip Thomas, Hanson's son-in-law]: Copy of Mr. Hanson's recommendation in favor of Major Williams... found in one of Mr. H's books 3d. Apl. 1788.

Despite the endorsement of this as Copy, it is in Hanson's hand; it is scratched and corrected as a draft would be, and as, presumably, a copy would not be - Editor's note.

1777 June 17

Extracts from the Minutes of Congress.

[12]

Repeals certain designated sections of the Articles of War; allows officers and men to bring eatables into the forts, etc.; permits officers to appeal for redress of [UNK] makes certain provisions for the execution of sentences of courts martial.

Printed. 1 p. 39 cm. × 25 cm.

Endorsed: Resolves of Congress including an Addition to Articles of War.

In broadside case.

Missing

1777 Dec. 29

Elie WILLIAMS. To the [American] Board of War.

[13]

Deeply concerned by the distress of his brother [Otho Holland Williams], captured at Fort Washington [N.Y.], paroled on Long Island till September when [Joshua] Loring, commissary of prisoners, confined him in New York in the Provost Guard; man charged he had seen a letter which Otho Holland Williams wrote directing the rescue of prisoners on Long Island; Otho Holland Williams has not been tried or heard; inconsistent with his character that he should break parole; Elie Williams begs that the Board of War will give him a letter to Col. Burdinott [Elias Boudinot] authorizing him to send a British officer of equal rank who will return if the British do not free Otho Holland Williams; Elie Williams is on his way to camp to send his brother some money, and therefore would be glad to have the Board's answer as soon as your Honours can make it Conven[ien]t.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 34 cm. × 20.5 cm.

Endorsed: Petition Elie Williams.

1778 Mar. 16

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIA]MS, Frederick Town. To Governor Thomas JOHNSON [Annapolis].

[14]

Thanks the Assembly of the State of Maryland for the very Honorable appointment it had made him; has not yet been able to get an official report on the regiment he is to command, but hears that there are not more than a hundred men in camp, and that they are badly clothed; laws on recruiting and equipping men are deficient and not even well executed; asks the Governor where he can get cash and how he is to care for his men until they are fit for duty; better to have a Reg[imen]t without a Col[onel] than... a Col. without a Regt.

Copy in hand of Otho Holland Williams. 1 p. 32.5 cm. × 20.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To His Exc[ellenc]y Thos. Johnson Governor of Maryland. Copy ltre [letter] 16 Mar 1778.

1778 June 29

Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Monmouth Meeting House [N.J.]. To Dr. Phil[ip] THOMAS, Fred[eric]k Town, Md.

[15]

Detachments from our main Body have hung close upon the rear of the Enemy several days... yisterday about nine in the forenoon... a severe cannonade was commenced and continued till about 11 o'clk then the Marquis LaFiate [LaFayette] attacked the rear... [and] was repulsed but other detachments

under [Maj. Gen. Charles] Lee, [Brig. Gen. Charles] Scott and [Brig. Gen. Anthony] Wayne taking the Field and being covor'd by the whole Army the fight was continued `till ab[ou]t 5 in the evening leav[in]g us masters of the field; it was nothing like a general action, for the main enemy army had retired with the baggage, leaving only about 3000 of their best troops; against them [the Americans] had some 1500 picked troops with reinforcements from the main army; losses are as yet not known, but it is remarkable that more officers in proportion to privates fell on both sides, than at any time since the commencement of the present dispute; Col. [Henry] Moncton [Monckton] of a Grenadier regiment, and Col. Hide [?] of the Guards were killed, and Major [William Schaw] Cathcart was mortally wounded; other British officers of unknown names and ranks were left on the field; on our side, [Lt.] Col. [Rudolph] Bonner of New England [Pennsylvania], Maj. [Edmund B.] Dickinson and Capt. [Henry] Fontleroy [Fauntleroy] of the 1st. Virginia regiment were killed; Col. [James] Weston [Wesson, of Massachusetts] was dangerously wounded; Lt. Col. [Nathaniel] Ramsey of Maryland covered the retreat of his party and stood the attack of a body of horse; he [Ramsey] kill'd the first man with his sword but finding himself hew'd at all quarters [UNK] their Broad Swords and receiving the full charge powder andc. of a pistol aslant his right cheek surrender'd prisoner of war; Ramsey was paroled and just now came in, The General [George Washington] sent me with his Comp[liments] to Col. Ramsey; Lt. [Owen] Haymond, of Williams' own regiment [6th Maryland] died of a ball through his head near the enemy line; our Great good General [Washington] in person led the fight and was the whole time exposed to the fire of the Artillery; Some neglect render'd the Victory incomplete -- I'm told Courts of enquiry will be among the Conseq[uen]ces; many of our men fainted from the intense heat but Vinegar and water kept me from a similar fate; the troops are now resting and the generals are reconnoitering; prisoners and the whole Companies of Deserters say Sir Harry [Sir Henry Clinton] has a very earnest desire... to git snugly off; bids Thomas tell his [Williams'] particular friends any news in his letters; Col. [John] Stull could be told that Capt. [Daniel] Stull fought bravely yesterday and is well; his brother [Elie Williams] came to see him in camp the other day on his way to East New Jersey; wishes joy to Thomas' judicial Brother in Law [Alexander Contee Hanson] on his marriage [June 8, 1778, to Miss Rebeca Howard]; Dr. [Alexander] Skinner is fat and healthy; Lord Holland's son, Capt. Fox [?], was killed.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 32 cm. × 20 cm.

Endorsed: From Colo. O. H. Williams June 29, 1778 Battle of Monmouth.

1778 July 6

Oth[o] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp New Brunswick [N.J.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[16]

Surprised that Elie, his brother, went directly on to Philadelphia without stopping at Camp to see him, but knows that Elie could not neglect him in the slightest instance imaginable; refers Elie to his [Otho's] letter to Col. [John] Stull for his account of the recent action [Battle of Monmouth] and to the newspapers for a better account of it; the army had a celebration of the anniversary of American independence; that evening [July 4] the generals and the officers commanding brigades dined with his Exc[ellenc]y [George Washington]; July 5, a number of field officers did the same, and Williams was glad to see the old Warrior in very fine spirits; two-thirds of the army have gone away toward the North River, and tomorrow morning the remainder follows them; Williams must stay behind, because he is a member of a general court martial for the tryal of Major Genl [Charles] Lee... [who] is charged with disobedience of orders in retreating unnecessarily, and in showing disrespect to the Commander-in-Chief; trial is the most important that has occurred so far, but Elie is warned not to draw conclusions from newspaper accounts; Adam Ott told Capt. [Daniel] Stull in Philadelphia that Col. [John] Stull intends to keep tavern in Hagars Town -- Forbid it prudence.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 33.5 cm. × 21.5 cm.

Endorsed: Northern Army July 1778.

1778 Aug. 7

Oth[o] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp White Plains [N.Y.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[17]

Elie's letter of July 18 was handed to Otho a day or two ago by Capt. [John] Ghiselin, and he is glad Elie got safely back home; thanks Elie for his offer of his own fine horse, but cannot accept it; asks Elie to send him his two hair trunks and the case of boots that are still at Frederick; Governor [Thomas] Johnson unnecessarily detained the cloth that Capt. Ghiselin got for Williams' regiment, so he does not know when Elie will be able to send it; nothing much going on now, but the British garrison at Newport [R.I.] is expected to surrender soon for [Brig.] Gen. [John] Sullivan and Count [Charles-Hector] d'Estaing have effectively blockaded it; is going to write to Sister [Mrs. John] Stull; the court martial of Gen. [Charles] Lee is not yet dissolved.

A.L.S. 1 p. 35 cm. × 22 cm.

On same sheet as entry 19.

1778 Aug. 10

Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, North Castle [N.Y.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[18]

July 29, the sloop King Fisher and two gallies of the English fleet were set on fire to keep them from falling into American hands; a few days ago, a 36-gun frigate, the Venus, two 28-gun frigates, the Appollo and the Larke, and a large transport were driven into the straits between Connecticut

and Rhode Island and were burned to keep them from falling into the hands of Count [Charles-Hector] d'Estaing; apparently the tents and the spare baggage and some heavy guns were loaded onto those burned vessels, since the enemy garrison has been withdrawn into a very small space in the middle of the island [on which Newport is], leaving all their outworks an easy acquisition to our people; today General [John] Sullivan with a force of 12,000 will descend on them with the help of the French fleet and a body of 3,000 French soldiers; of the 4500 enemy troops, nine regiments are Hessians; a drummer, caught in his attempt to swim from Newport Island [R.I.], says that the garrison there is greatly discouraged, that the foreign troops are dissatisfied and uneasy, and that the officers keep up the courage of the men by saying that Admiral [John] Byron [grandfather of the poet] would soon arrive with a fleet superior to the French fleet; deserters and prisoners from the British lines say that the Hessians in Newport are given up as lost; [Admiral] Lord [Richard] Howe sailed from New York very slily on the 6th or 7th of August; he is said to have on board a large force of light troops with which he may intend to aid the garrison in Rhode Island; this seems a little improbable, since he must fight the French fleet before he can make a landing; The whole of this intelligence however is derived from the best authority.

A.L.S. 1 p. 35 cm. × 22 cm.

On same sheet as entry 19.

1778 Aug. 14

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS], Camp White Plains [N.Y.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[19]

Has resumed command of his regiment, since the court martial [of Gen. Charles Lee] is over; Col. [Thomas] Price sets off today for Philadelphia to collect evidence for his [Price's] trial on charges preferred by [Col. John] Gunby and [Col. William] Richardson; word received from Rhode Island last night is that Gen. [John] Sullivan succeeded in getting a foothold on Newport Island [R.I.] on August 9; a British fleet appeared off the island and Count [Charles-Hector] d'Estaing, leaving three frigates to keep up the blockade, stood out after them; both fleets seem now to be a good distance from the continent.

A.L.S. 1 p. 35 cm. × 22 cm.

On same sheet as entries 17 and 18.

1778 Oct. 8

Oth[o] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Fish Kill [N.Y.]. To Doctor Philip THOMAS, Frederick Town, Maryland.

[20]

Thanks Thomas for a flattering letter of September 11; enemy about to leave New York; Gen. [Charles] Lee is suspended; Williams in a predicament; Col. [Thomas] Price in uneasy situation, acted without advice; army to move tomorrow to a more commodious situation with good forage and and provisions; regards to his friends.

A.L.S. 4 pp. 35 cm. × 13 cm. and 27 cm. × 13 cm. Left third of both sheets torn away.

Endorsed [by Thomas]: Col. O.H.W. Octo. 8, 1778.

1778 Nov. 29

Sam[uel] SMITH, Philadelphia. To Otho Holland WILLIAMS, Camp, 6th Md. Reg.

[21]

Miss De Visme is a sweet girl; they were received with great politeness by the most excellent family [the Provosts]; Mrs. Provost's good disposition and elegant manners make up for her want of beauty; if Hall [?] knew that family, he would be convinced that there can be mirth and pleasure without the conversation of his Marquis [de LaFayette]; they tore themselves away from Elizabeth [N.J.] after three days there; Smith admires but could not love the elegant Lady Kitty; Dr. [Samuel K.] Griffith enquired particularly about Williams and Smith asked him his reasons; Miss [Maria?] Ogden had come from [New?] York especially to see Williams and they were to be married; Smith told Griffith as much as Williams would have wanted him to tell; the girl has no fortune, so that will prevent anything from happening; Edward forwarded the Letter to Maria, who had flown to Morris, with a feigned intention of going at once to New York; Mrs. Houston, who was Miss Bradford, received Williams' letter through her father; marriage now would ruin Williams; his year's pay would not pay for clothing for himself and a wife; Smith himself, engaged to a girl he loves, cannot get married for want of money; his father [John Smith] who was once wealthy, has now very little; Smith has made friends for Williams in addition to those his acquaintance and his character had already given him; would be of infinite service, but very expensive for Williams to be on the spot; [William] Carmichael, to whom Smith encloses a letter of introduction, is in favor of him, and [John] Henry already knows him; mentioned Williams for the post of secretary to France; half pay for life will not be granted; officers are much Caress'd here; [Benedict] Arnold has been much injur'd... he likes the Tory ladies and so would Williams; not a thought of [William] Smallwood's promotion, for Smith spoke his mind about him, and was thanked for it; Smith has mentioned Williams for a vacant place on the Board of War, and hopes he gets it; Carmichael also favors him for it; he [Williams] may keep his rank and pay, and will get the pay of the position also.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 37 cm. × 23.5 cm.

Enclosure missing.

[1778?]

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS.

[22]

Operations for the Fleet; the Fleet being arrived at Sandy Hook [N.Y.], the first object of Count De Estaing sho[ul]d be to make himself master of Staten Island; the army should take possession of the heights of Brooklyn, and then the fleet can enter the harbor, burn the shipping and

if necessary, bombard the city; the principal object of the army should be to make themselves masters of Long Island [N.Y.]; as soon as the French Ships appear in the [Long Island] Sound, all the vessels from Massachusetts and Connecticut should take their appointed places; if the city [of New York], being summoned to surrender, refuses to do so, my advice is to burn the City without any Hesitation; [Frederick William Augustus, Baron von] Steuben thought so, too; Steuben was his intimate acquaintance and taught him how to exercise and discipline an army; the plan of operations he has here laid down is as correct as his ignorance of the country in which it is to be applied permits.

A.D.S. 4 pp. 36 cm. × 21.5 cm.

1778 [1779] Jan. 16

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e Town. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp [?].

[23]

Glad to hear, by a recent undated letter, that Williams is well; thinks [William] Grayson [of Virginia] made a mistake in rejecting an appointment to the Board of War; Col. [Benjamin] Ford has not gone back to camp, so that Williams cannot be in the City [New York?] as soon as he expected; had fully determin'd to postpone my Happiness... but... the thoughts of giving my dear Girl a Moments uneasiness determin'd my fate... and I am supremely happy; by a recent state law, corn and flour in the hands of engrossers are to be seized for the army, and the engrossers are to be paid the market price and punished for engrossing; another law is very severe against gambling which had been going to excess; an Assembly decision about the rank of officers is very cruel; Major [Daniel Jenifer] Adams and some others will keep their rank, no matter how unjust it may be to some; unless times mend soon, money will buy nothing; cloth is [UNK]30 a yard, and linen [UNK]5; was married the last day of the old year, to evade the proverb that you cannot marry and do well in the same year; [Gen. Mordecai] Gist had a son [Independence] born a few days ago, but his wife [Mary Sterett] is unlikely to recover; asks for [Gen. William] Smallwood, for [Josias] Carvel [Hall] and for [Capt. Thomas] Price; sent [Capt. Edward] Norwood's publication to Carvel [Hall] by [Col. Nathaniel] Ramsay [Ramsay], but has no Hand in it [the publication].

A.L.S. 3 pp. 33 cm. × 21.5 cm.

Endorsed: from Smith Jany. 78.

Despite the clearly written 1778, the date is 1779. The date in the marriage records of the marriage of Samuel Smith and Margaret Spear, and the date of the birth of Independence Gist establish it beyond doubt - Editor's note.

1779 Jan. 26

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS. To [Samuel] SMITH.

[24]

Answered Smith's letter which spoke of a letter of introduction enclosed, and of the postponement of Smith's marriage; received no answer to this from Smith, and was

on the point of writing again when Col. [Nathaniel] Ramsey and his wife came to camp and said Smith was already married; sends congratulations and compliments; congratulates [Mordecai] Gist on his promotion [to Brig. Gen., Jan. 9, 1779]; Col. [Thomas] Price will come home soon; [Josias Carvel] Hall is uncertain; Smallwood is to be made Major General, and Smith knows what Hall has resolved to do in that case; another promotion to Brigadier [General] is rumored, and Hall, who should have it, is not certain to get it; [Col. William] Richardson may get it, though Williams doubts that he will; he [Williams] would be satisfied with his present position if the pay were better; as soon as Col. [Benjamin] Ford comes back to camp, he [Williams] will come down to Maryland, to see his friends and to get some clothes which are in his trunks down there.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 33.5 cm. × 21 cm.

1779 Feb. 16

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e Town. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp, 6th Md. Regiment.

[25]

If you love me, never direct [any letter] to the married Man; [John Eager] Howard carried to Williams a letter which Smith thinks he will like; keeping company with members of Congress will not cause Williams to be called a courtier, unless he stoops, and that he need not do; his [Williams'] regiment put him far above the average; only [Josias Carvel] Hall now stands between Williams and a brigadiership, for [William] Richardson must surely resign, and [John Hoskins] Stone will not serve if [John] Gunby outranks him, as he will do; wishes [Col. Thomas] Price would resign and would be glad to have his place; asks Williams to do what he can for him there; March 3, when the Assembly is to meet, would be a good time for Williams to come to Maryland; Baltimore merchants have given [UNK]30,000 to fit out vessels against the privateers infesting the capes [Cape Charles and Cape Henry]; the governor [Thomas Sim Lee] is co-operating with the merchants; perhaps Philadelphia and Virginia will follow the example of Baltimore; twenty gentlemen of Baltimore have subscribed [UNK]1,000 each; one of them was [Capt. Thomas] Yates, formerly of Smith's own [4th Md.] regiment; most of the subscribing merchants have been heavy losers; John and Robert Purviance have lost [UNK]35,000 since November 1; Small piccaroons have had the audacity to take prizes as high up as Potomack; some good news... not yet made public... has effected the prices of principal commodities. Rum fell in Philad[elphi]a from Twenty to Twelve D[ollar?]s, from which I conclude the News to be very good and to have been transfer'd to a few; Williams' brother [Elie] is in town, and [his sister] Mrs. [John] Stull is well; Col. [Robert Hanson] Harrison has been in town, paying unsuccessful, but exceedingly assiduous attention to Miss N.B.; begs Williams to push the matter of military rank; tired of serving as lieutenant colonel, though his colonel was agreeable enough; if Smallwood is made major [general], Hall should be made brigadier [general] at once.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 33.5 cm. × 22 cm.

Endorsed: Smith 1779 Feby.

1779 Feb. 24

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[26]

Has a chance to send a letter by his faithful Patrick Lemon, who, after having been an honest faithful servant, is now going to try being his own master; wishes Lemon well, but is afraid that his love of society and of liquor will keep him from thriving; has but little hope of seeing Elie before the beginning of the next campaign; Gen. [Mordecai] Gist's appointment [as Brig. Gen., Jan. 9, 1779] has led Col. [Thomas] Price to quit our line; Col. [Josias Carvel] Hall will not serve while Gen. [William] Smallwood commands the division of Maryland troops; [Col. William] Richardson is absent now, so that the command of the Second Brigade devolves upon him [Otho Holland Williams]; Lt. Col. [Benjamin] Ford could have prevented him from being in this disagreeable situation if he [Ford] had come to camp last December, as he should have done; the little Fellow has behav'd unworthily; is uneasy because Elie has not written; asks Sister [Mrs. John] Stull to send him three handsome Ruffled Shirts and a Couple prs Worsted Stockings; would like all his baggage but scarcely sees how Elie can send it; would like all the cash Elie can get for him, since he must settle his public accounts with the auditor.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 35 cm. × 21.5 cm.

On same sheet as entry 27.

1779 Feb. 26

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[27]

About three o'clock yesterday morning, the Enemy landed a Body of Light Infantry on the Salt marsh of New Ark Bay about two miles above Elizabeth Town [N.J.] and another Body at Eliz[abe]th Town point... to surprise Brigad[ie]r Genl. [William] Maxwell... but the Old Batchelor was alarmed... and retired a little way out of Town.... The Enemy Surrounded Governor [William] Livingston's House... but His Excellency had fortunately gone to Morris Town [N.J.] the Day before. They Burnt One or two Guard Houses, a small Stock of Barracks, and a Public School House (or Wooden College) and set fires to many more Houses which were Extinguished...; not yet known how many of the enemy there were; Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania troops marched toward the town, but a little way from it, they learned the enemy had re-embarked by twelve o'clock; troops marched back to camp that same day, making a Total of ab[ou]t 20 miles in one afternoon; the enemy drove a great many cattle down to the beach, but could not get them on board because Maxwell and the Jersey militia were hard after them; five or six of the enemy were killed in this trifling expedition.

A.L.S. 1 p. 35 cm. × 21.5 cm.

Endorsed: Northern Army Feby 1779.

On same sheet as entry 26.

1779 Mar. 16

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp 6th Md. Reg.

[28]

Just received Williams' letters of January 20 and February 13; [Mordecai] Gist says he will join you the first [of] April; [Josias Carvel] Hall should not be in Doubt; [Col. William] Richardson cannot succeed, even though [William] Smallwood has used all his influence for him; as soon as Smallwood is made Major [General], another Brigadier [General] will be appointed; Smith doubts that this will happen during this campaign, and [if it does not happen] on what pretext can Richardson remain in the service now that Gist is promoted; urges Williams to push the matter of the adjustment of rank, as he [Smith] wants a regiment which cannot be without a Settlement of Rank; your expenses to Maryland will cost you at least 1000 Doll[ar]s, be you ever so sparing; Williams' [lottery?] tickets were renewed with No. 118 and 119, and Smith hopes his fortune keeps pace with his merits; Col. [Robert Hanson] Harrison is waiting to carry this letter.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 34 cm. × 22.5 cm.

Endorsed: From Smith March 16, 1779.

1779 Apr. 4

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e Town. To Otho Holland WILLIAMS.

[29]

Writes sometimes to Williams, sometimes to [Josias] Carvel [Hall], and it serves for both; the Maryland Assembly in a Drunken frolic passed a law like a Pennsylvania one [on the pay and rewards for officers] adding to it 4 Shirts for each officer; John Hall, who was absent that day, met them next day when Sober and persuaded them to rescind all the law save the part giving half pay for lifo; another law obligos all holders of provisions, whether farmer or not, to deliver up all not needed for their families; the price to be paid and the use to be made of them to be fixed by a board of three neighbors; prices of all sorts of provisions are rising, and the distilling of whiskey has been stopped until July; the British fleet is stronger than the Count's [Charles-Hector d'Estaing]; nevertheless a peace is talked of, and Mr. [William] Paca told the Governor [Thomas Sim-Lee] confidently that peace was at hand; 6,000 men are to be sent against Detroit; Smith wishes Maryland troops may be sent, among them, for then they could claim fortunes from that part of the country; Dr. Craig [Dr. James Craik?] is in Haiti.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 33 cm. × 21 cm.

1779 Apr. 15

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e Town. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp, 6th Md. Regt.

[30]

Thanks Williams for considering him a man of gallantry, but now finds more pleasure in the love of one woman than he used to find in gaining the hearts of a dozen transient Misses; Williams must not attach himself too much to any one woman, a mistake he [Smith] made with Jane [?]; may have said too much in Williams' favor when he [Smith] was at Elizabeth [N.J.]; hears with regret that his brother James [Smith] has left his rank, and is afraid he will lose him; Col. [Josias

Carvel] Hall's cough continues, he will not be able to take any part in this campaign; expects letters by Cromwell [?] who has just passed by on his way to his mother's; Williams is so polite that he will not date his letters at the top, and forgets to do it at the bottom; wishes he could hear from his friend Stewart, who has forgot his friend in the married man; thanks Williams for what he tried to do for him, and must soon make up his mind whether or not he is going to camp; has a very pretty post in view for himself, if peace comes this summer, as he expects; urges Williams to push the settlement of the matter of rank between [Col. John Hoskins] Stone and [Col. John] Gunby; the decision will go against Stone, and Williams will then have no one to dispute the regiment with him after the war is over; if only one regiment is kept for Maryland, Stone has many friends and might give Williams powerful opposition; fears affairs in Georgia are in a bad way; [Gen. Benjamin] Lincoln's aide, who passed through town last Sunday, says the British may go to Charles Town [Charleston, S.C.] and Lincoln has no army; Laurens went on, to raise two or three regiments of Negroes, who are to receive no pay and no bounty, but are to be emancipated at the end of the war.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 34.5 cm. × 22.5 cm.

Endorsed: From Coll. Sam Smith Apl 15, 1779.

1779 May 16

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[31]

Last letter he had from Maryland was from Sister [Mrs. John] Stull; was about those mortifying circumstances that will prevent him [Otho] from getting home for a visit at this time; I want my blue Cloth and trim[m]ing for a Regimental Coat very much. Those with two or three Shirts and three pr. homespun thread Stockings are all he wants now in the way of clothing; asks Elie to send them, and his [Elie's] Geographical Grammar; affairs in Georgia and South Carolina are in so bad a way that all the men draughted from Virginia and some of the Virginia officers have been sent down there to help; in a day or two, Gen. [John] Sullivan will march toward Fort Pitt [N.Y.] with about 3,000 Continentals and 2,000 Pennsylvania state troops; the purpose of this expedition is supposed to be the reduction of Fort Stanwix [N.Y.] and some Indian towns; no Maryland troops are ordered on either of these expeditions, and he [Otho] is content to have it so.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 31.5 cm. × 20 cm.

Endorsed: Northern Army 79.

1779 June 2

The United States of America In Congress Assembled, Philadelphia. To Otho Holland WILLIAMS.

[32]

Commission as Colonel of the 6th Maryland Regiment; to take rank as such from January 1, 1777.

Signed by John Jay, President of the Congress, and by R[ichard] Peters, Secretary of the Board of War. Seal of the United States impressed.

Endorsement, almost illegible, relates to Williams' commissions and appointments.

1779 June 9

G[eorge] WASHINGTON, Head Quarters in the Clove. To Col. Otho WILLIAMS, Camp [unidentified].

[33]

Williams' detachment to relieve Col. Stewart and to be relieved 3 days later; to go thence to furnace of Dean and to picket the roads to Fort Montgomery, Kings ferry, etc.; Williams to consult Col. Stewart and especially Col. [William] Malco[l]m; warns Williams not to let enemy get road to Kings ferry and turn his right flank; Virginia division is to send party to road from Junes to Kings ferry; may be useful for Williams to communicate with it; to give officer who relieves him certified copy of these orders, plus any information gained.

D.S. In hand of Richard Kidder Meade [?]. 4 pp. 32 cm. × 19.5 cm.

June 9, 1776 [i.e. 1779]. Endorsed [by Williams?]: Instructions from Head Quarters, June 9, 1776.

Published in The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., 1931.

1779 July 2

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e Town. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp, 6th Md. Regt.

[34]

Has not heard from him since May 27, and reproaches him for that; the enemy is in motion now and an attack is expected any day; his [Williams'] situation is big with importance; he [Smith] and his uncle [William Buchanan?] have taken the consignment of a large French ship, by which Smith will make [UNK]5,000; this will help him set up housekeeping; moves next week into another house; it is Mr. William Buchanan's house, and is on a road that branches left [east] from the road coming from Philadelphia; Williams is to consider it as his own, and Edward [Smith's manservant] will take care of Patrick [Lemon, Williams' manservant]; encloses an order on John Hamilton or the paymaster of the 4th Maryland Regiment for the pay due him [Smith] at the time he resigned; Williams is to use the sum, if he needs it, and, since he was out all winter, he has more use for it than Smith himself has; Williams will please keep his [Smith's] mahogany table, and will give the rest of his furniture to the Misses; no news; only dire necessity forced him to give up the army, for he had lost his own [UNK]6,000, and his father's [John Smith] [UNK]30,000 is so reduced in value that he cannot maintain a family on it.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 26 cm. × 20.5 cm.

Endorsed: From my very particular Friend S. Smith July 2d. 79.

Enclosure missing.

1779 Aug. 20

Nat[haniel] RAMSEY, Flat-Bush [N.Y.]. To Otho [Holland] WILLIAMS, Camp, 6th Mary[lan]d Regt.

[35]

Would be a neglect of his friends, were he to fail to write when he has so good an opportunity to send a letter;

will address letter to Williams, but means it equally for all his friends in the camp; will frame his letter on the plan, of one wrote by some of the Apostles, (I think to the Ephisians) when he was in prison; is well and wants for nothing but a sight of his friends and releasement from Captivity; Mrs. Ramsey is sometimes a little non compos, she says all their friends must be dead, or they would have written; then she takes to drinking, and Joshua is called upon, immediately to parade the Tea-Table; defies Mr. [Joshua, 1744-1789] Loring himself to point out any politicks in the letter; adds a note to Mr. John Hamilton, 4th Md. Reg't., saying that he [Ramsey] has not the most distant idea of parting with her [a negro wench] I bought her not to sell, but for my own use... for a kitchen wench.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 23.5 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed: Exam[ine]d and allowed J. Keens A.D. Commis[ar]y Prisoners. Endorsed by Williams: frm. Coll. Ramsey 20th April [sic] 1779.

1779 Sep. 21

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS]. To [Doctor Philip] THOMAS.

[36]

Depravity of public Virtue keeps pace with or rather precedes that [of the] paper currency; ill with rheumatism and fever; stayed at tavern of the commonest sort; worried about future of his fellow officers; postscript of September 29 acknowledges receipt of letter of September 7 from Thomas.

A.L.S. 4 pp. 33.5 cm. × 21 cm.

1779 Oct. 23

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, 6th Md. Regt. Camp.

[37]

Has many unanswered letters from Williams, but that is no reason for him [Williams] to stop writing; returned three weeks ago from Virginia; since his return has been struggling to replace the fortune his country, by the tender law, robbed him of while he was serving it; has also been giving as much cheer as he could to his friends returning from the fatigues of the campaign; expects daily to hear that Count [Charles-Hector] D'Estaing is on the coast; Robert and James Smith are down to the Capes [Cape Charles and Cape Henry] now, with provisions for him; rumor is that the Milice [militia] of every quarter are Call'd out, that ship Carpenters are gone up, in fine that New York will undoubtedly be taken --Mum -- --; Williams' letters may help him [Smith] in his business as well as in his happiness; in Damn'd Haste.

A.L.S. 1 p. 32.5 cm. × 21 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From my Friend S. Smith 23 Oct. 1778 [sic].

1779 Oct.

Opinion of the Baron [Frederick William Augustus] STEUBEN on the Plan of operation for the... [illegible].

[38]

The arrival of the French Fleet with 5 or 6,000

Land Forces is the most promising aid the allies could send in the circumstances; the present campaign has been Glorious for the American Arms, for an army inferior in numbers and in discipline has prevented the enemy from making themselves masters of the North River; the only enemy gain has been Stony Point, and they will have a hard time to keep that when the river closes; in fact, the enemy must prepare for their own defense instead of going on the offensive; our fleet was entirely unprepared for the arrival of the French Fleet and therefore has not at hand the material needed for an expedition against New York; the lateness of the season will not allow time to get ready for it; the enemy have 13,000 men in New York, and will surely draw in the 4,200 men they have in Rhode Island; with the troops of the French Fleet, the Americans have about as many men; in Europe it would be held presumptuous to try to capture an army of 18,000 men in such a situation as New York with 60,000 men; siege or blockade is impracticable, considering how long the enemy could hold out, and how short a time is available; most probable advantage to be derived from the French aid is the destruction of the enemy shipping.

Memorandum in hand of Otho Holland Williams. 2 pp. 35.5 cm. × 22 cm.

Endorsed: Opinion October 79 the Baron Steubens.

1779 Nov. 22

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, 6th Md. Regt., Camp.

[39]

Letters from Williams, like those from a favorite son, collect the group of relations and friends to hear them read; is trying to induce his family to name his eldest son Otho, but fears he will not succeed; intends the boy to be a soldier; [Uriah] Forrest wrote to him [Smith] for a copy of a letter from Williams in which was mentioned the action of Pennsylvania in restoring their officers to all the privileges of citizens; an effort is to be made, this session, to have the Maryland Assembly do the same thing, and Col. [John Hoskins] Stone, now President of the Council, will help the effort; a motion of thanks for the conduct of the late governor [Thomas Johnson, Jr.] was opposed by Samuel Chase, and the motion fell through; the House [of Delegates] is now considering ways and means for raising the 15,000,000 monthly ordered by Congress; Virginia has already voted it; Maryland will surely do the same, and this action may cause our money to appreciate; the means taken to throw away the public funds would astonish you.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 33 cm. × 21 cm.

Endorsed: Smith 1779 Nov. 22d 1779.

On same sheet as entry 40.

[1779 after Nov. 22]

------------. To [Otho Holland WILLIAMS, 6th Md. Regt., Camp].

[40]

Captain [John Paul] Jones with his little squadron went into Hull [England] burnt 16 Sail and returning fell in with the Baltic Fleet and took the Convoy with a number of merchantmen.

N. 1 p. 33 cm. × 21 cm.

On verso of entry 39.

1778-1779 Winter

Winter Q[uarter]s

[41]

[Samuel H.] Parsons, [Ebenezer] Huntingtons and [Thomas] Poors [Regiments] ----- Danbury [Conn.]; [John] Pattersons [Paterson] ----- West Point [N.Y.]; [John] Nixons ----- Peeks Kill [N.Y.]; [Nathaniel] Leonards ----- Fish Kill; [Thomas] Clarks N[orth] Carolina. Clove and West side Kings Ferry; Artillery Park ----- Pluckemin; [William] Woodfords, [Peter] Muhlenburghs [Muhlenberg], [Charles] Scotts, [William] Smallwoods 2d Maryland; [Anthony] Waynes, [James] Erwins [Irvine] 2d Penn[sylvani]a, MiddleBrook New Jersey; [Lewis] Duboise [Du Bois], [Goose] Van Schaicks and [Henry Beekman] Livingstons Regt. ----- Albany [N.Y.]; [Philip Van] Courtlands Regt. ----- Rochester between Minisink and Eusopus; 1st [Theodorick] Blands Dragoons ----- Winchester; 2nd [Elisha] Sheldons ----- do ----- Durham in Connecticut; 3 [George] Baylors ----- do ----- Hagars Town Maryland; 4 [Stephen] Moylands ----- do ----- Lancaster [Pa.?].

Memorandum in hand of Otho Holland Williams. 1 p. 23 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed: Cantonment Winter 1778-9.

[1779]

Officers of the Maryland... To Governor Thomas JOHNSTON [JOHNSON].

[42]

Officers of the Maryland Line respectfully represent to Governor [Thomas] Johnson [Jr.] that the provisions made for them by the Legislature have by no means been adequate to their needs; many have used their private means and they are now under the painfull and Humiliating necessity of begging for support; confident that... a generous and gra[teful] state intends to care for them.

Copy. 1 p. 12 cm. × 17 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: ... of the Officers... Senate and Assembly... t... Maryland... [co]py.

Torn fragment.

1780 Jan. 27

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS. To Baron [Johann] DE KALB.

[43]

Is obliged to notice a thing that was said to him this morning; when Capt. [Samuel] King gave him [Williams] the proceedings of the court martial held, by his [De Kalb's] orders, in the Maryland Line, he [King] inquired what had been the practice in the army in cases similar; he [Williams] knew that where commissioned officers were concerned, the proceedings were usually referred to Head Quarters, and he told King so, offering, at the same time, either to publish the sentence as approved by De Kalb, in Division orders, or to send it to the Commander-in-Chief; upon King's request he presented them [the proceedings] to the Commander-in-Chief and they are published in today's orders; observed [to Capt. King] that if the Baron would be pleased to have division

orders communicated through him [Williams] as Division Inspector, they would be attended to more certainly, since the brigade majors knew only about their own brigades and might therefore be at a loss how to comply [with Division Orders]; had no intention of limiting the Baron's authority or of magnifying his own.

A. Df. S. 2 pp. 25.5 cm. × 18.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: Private Letter to The Baron De Kalb January 27, 1780.

1780 Feb. 5

A[ncient] F[ree] and A[ccepted] Masons serving in the Military lines of the States of Maryland and Delaware.

[44]

Appointment of Mordecai Gist to represent Maryland in Masonic Convention at Morristown [N.J.] February 7, 1780, and O. H. Williams to represent Delaware; convention to ask Grand Masters in respective states to bring about appointment of a Right Worshipful Grand Master to preside over all the lodges in the U. S. A.

Signed by: John Willson, Lodge 18, Del.; Arch[ibald] Anderson, Lodge 5, Del.; Wal [illegible], Lodge 16, Md.; J[ame]s Bruff, Lodge 7, Md.; F. B. Nugon, Lodge 11, Pa.; Elijah Skillington, Lodge 18, Dd.; Edw. Dyer, State Md.; John Lynch, Lodge 6, Md.; John Hamilton, Md., d[itt]o.

2 pp. 34.5 cm. × 21 cm.

1780 Feb. 7

Convention of A[ncient] F[ree] and A[ccepted] M[asons], Morris Town [N.J.]. To the Right Worshipful The Grand Masters of the Several Lodges in the respective United States.

[45]

Draft of request for setting up one grand lodge in America; grand masters to nominate a Grand Master for said lodge and to send his name and name of lodge to Grand Mother lodge in Europe.

Signed by: M[ordecai] Gist, P. M. and President; Otho Holl[an]d Williams, M. M., Secy.; John Laurance, P. M.; Jona[than] Heart, M. M.; Jno. Santford, M. M.; George Tudor, M. M.; John Pierce Jun M. M.; Thos. Machin [?] M. M.; Prentice Bowen M. M.; Charles Graham F. C. List of names in Schultz, Freemasonry in Maryland, p. 167.

2 pp. 44.5 cm. × 28.5 cm., 22.5 cm. × 28.5 cm.

Later draft of entry 46.

1780 Feb.

Convention of A[ncient] F[ree] and A[ccepted] M[asons], Morris Town [N.J.]. To The Most Worshipful The Grand Masters of the Several Lodges in the respective United States.

[46]

Draft of request for setting up one grand lodge in America; grand masters to nominate a Grand Master of said lodge and to send his name and name of lodge to Grand Mother lodge in Europe.

4 pp. 29 cm. × 19.5 cm.

Earlier draft of entry 45.

1780 Mar. 10

Dan[ie]l MORGAN, Saratoga [Va.]. To Otho [Holland] WILLIAMS.

[47]

Received Williams' letter of December 10, and wishes he had the skill of pope or Voltiere or Shakespear to answer so friendly and generous a letter adequately; he was never aware of the neglect of which Williams speaks; upon his word, he wrote Williams a long letter; thinks there are people on the road to camp who intercept letters and break them open to hear the news in them; thanks Mrs. [John] Stull for the favorable account she gave Williams of him [Morgan]; has no news to give, save a rumor that 7,000 of the enemy have landed in Georgia; if so stand clare Charles Town [Charleston, S.C.]; the Virginia troops which are marching to stop them are so few that the enemy will not pay any attention to them; the Virginia assembly has no scheme to raise either men or provisions; the members are doing nothing but striving to get money and land over the Alagana [Alleghany] mountain; has been well since he saw Williams.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 30.5 cm. × 19.5 cm. Half of seal in red wax impressed.

Endorsed by Williams: From my liberal friend Coll. Danl. Morgan 1780.

Endorsed: Rec'd and forwarded by your fr[ein]d and Mo[s]t Ob[edien]t Sorv[an]t Dan Brodhead jr.

1780 June 20

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Fredericksburgh [Va.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Eliz[abeth] Town [Hagerstown, Md.].

[48]

Wrote to Elie on the 18th, telling him about the unlucky state of Col. Beaufort's [Abraham Buford] party in [North and South] Carolina; no official account has come yet, but it is certain the [American] troops were routed; intended to leave here yesterday, but waited a day, in order to dine with Gen. [George] Weedon and his friends; the enemy are out in force at Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, and they have been up as far as Springfield [Mass.]; they burned houses in Connecticut, and committed cruel and wanton acts; Gen. [William] Kniphausen [Knyphausen] commands, in person, a force of 5,000 men, and is trying to force Gen. [George] Washington into a general action before the arrival of the French fleet; his [Otho's] baggage, with a barrell of good flour, wont forward yesterday and he will go today as far as Bowling Green [Ky.], 22 miles south; has no present information where the [American] headquarters are; the cavalry with 2500 Virginia militia and the Maryland Division will make up the Southern Army, till the 5,000 men now being raised by this State [Virginia] join them in a few months.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 25 cm. × 20 cm.

Superscribed: favor Mr. Bannister.

1780 July 5

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imore]. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, North Carolina.

[49]

[William Leigh] Pierce delivered Williams' letter from Fredericksburg [Va.] and Mrs. Shaw told them how he was passing his time there; the lack of money is a severe damper on spirits like Williams'; the boat Lively about four weeks ago carried out more than [UNK]1,500, and should be back in three weeks; the Felicity and the Grampus have aboard some [UNK]3,500, and are good risks; if they get back, Williams' money will about double, if not, he will lose no more than if he had not put his money on them; Maryland offered his Excell[enc]y [Washington?] a regiment, and now they do not know how they are going to raise it; the legislature has enacted that state funds in England be sold, and if the bills are not paid, the purchasers are to be reimbursed from the sale of British property in the state; Col. [John Hoskins] Stone and Col. [Uriah] Forrest have both asked for the command of the 2500 militia requested by Washington; thinks from a letter of Dr. [James] McHenry that [Col. Josias] Carvell [Hall] will be ordered to this new regiment; yesterday Lt. Col. [Benjamin] Nicholson asked him [Smith] to take command of the Baltimore militia, and he could not refuse so polite an application; presumes Gov. [Thomas Sim] Lee will give him the appointment; the Jersey militia, with the help of the regulars, drove the enemy out of the Jersey; Philadelphia ladies have raised 300,000 Dolls for the soldiers, and the ladies of Baltimore are doing the same thing.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 23 cm. × 18.5 cm.

Endorsed: My Friend Smith's Letter 12 Aug[us]t 1780.

1780 Aug. 6, 8

Will HETH, Hadrils [Haddrell's] Point [S.C.]. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, South Carolina.

[50]

This will be forwarded by Capt. John Blackwell from Newburn [Newbern, N.C.]; Blackwell is going under a flag [of truce] to Virginia to get supplies and to get hard money for those officers whose friends can and will arrange to have it for them; he [Heth] has not a relative this side of the Alleghany mountains, so he will remain independent and not have to thank anyone later for their remembrance of him while he was in captivity; It is monstrous clever to feel one's self free and independant; is at this moment very deeply in love with a married lady; bids Williams ask [Col. Christian] Febiger how his [Heth's] Philadelphia angel is; did Williams ever meet, in the neighborhood of Petersburg [Va.] a most accomplished little Sirene, Miss [Eliza] Briggs of Wales; thanks Col. [Robert Hanson?] Harrison for remembering him, and sends regards to Porterfield and to Febiger; Howde? is now the most polite greeting in the most polite of all the states; is going to seal this with his cypher and if any of our Bretheren open it, they will not get much for their pains; sent his man, John Salter, in to Charleston [S.C.] the other day and Salter escaped, taking with him all the hard money Heth had left; asks Williams to capture Salter and send him back if he can.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 23.5 cm. × 19.5 cm.

Endorsed: From Coll. Heth 6th August 1780.

1780 Aug. 12

Notes of the different Subjects andc. andc. contained in two Memorials to Congress in behalf of the American Army.

[51]

Extracts from the minutes (signed) Chas. Thomson Secy.

Contemporary copy. 4 pp. 39 cm. × 24.5 cm.

Endorsed: Augt 12 th 1780.

1780 Sep. 12-15

Proceedings of a Brigade Genl. Court Martial held... by order of Gen[era]l [Mordecai] Gist.

[52]

Major [John] Dean, President, Captains [Henry] Dobson, [William Dent] Beall, [Lilburn] Williams, [?] Price and [Nathaniel] Wilson, Lieuts. [John A.] Hamilton, [James] Ewing, [John Jeremiah] Jacob, [?] Hofman, Ensigns [Absolom] Anderson, [Thomas] Boyd, and [Jacob] Crawford, members; William Howe, charged with twice deserting, pleads guilty and is sentenced to 100 lashes on his bare back; Benjamin Dominique, charged with lying about Gen. Gist and saying that the General had taken a horse that he [Dominique] had captured in battle, was declared not guilty; John Hackney, charged with disposing of a horse that belonged to Lieut. [Nicholas] Mangers, pled not guilty and was acquitted.

Signed: John Dean, Pres[ident]. 10 pp. 32 cm. × 20 cm.

1780 Sep. 23

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS], near Hillsborough [N.C.]. To Col. John STULL, Millsborough [Washington County].

[53]

When he writes to one, intends the letter for the whole family; encloses a letter for his sister Babby [Mrs. Elie Williams] which his sister [Mrs. John] Stull will read also; [Gen. Horatio] Gates is using him [Otho] in almost every department of the army; would like to decline his extra duties, but Gates will not permit him to do so; is more interested in his own regiment [6th Maryland] than in anything else, for its discipline and its military achievements are the soundest basis for his own reputation; has not yet been able to get tents, blankets or shoes for his men, but they are pretty well armed and they are increasing in numbers, because many escaping captives are coming in; the militia are harrassing the enemy so much that, though superior in numbers, they have not dared penetrate far into the interior; writes to all his brothers and sisters when he writes to one, but does not intend his letters for any one else, even the closest acquaintance; tells Sister Stull he will want three pair of thread stockings by next spring; asks Sister Stull and Sister Babby to teach their young sons to know his name.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 39 cm. × 35 cm.

Enclosure missing.

1780 Oct. 4

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Southern Army.

[54]

Several letters received from Williams remain unanswered because he [Smith] has been ill in Philadelphia; Mr. W[illiam] Smith, who know Williams hand, opened the letters because he was anxious to know the fate of [Col. Josias Carvel] Hall; he [Sam] forgives him [William] for this; he [Sam] has gathered from Hall an unfavorable opinion of Williams' general [Horatio Gates], and thinks Gates ought to ask to be put on trial; Armand [de la Rouverie], who passed through here recently, is said to be going to Congress determined to bring him [Gates] to trial; Armand compares Gates to [Benedict] Arnold; Gates' activities have served to throw more lustre on the Baron [von Steuben] and on the bravery of the Maryland troops; he [Smith] and [Josias Carvel] Hall have had a long conversation; Williams has enemies, of course, but one has refused to answer his [Williams'] letter, the other fears danger, and the remainder are understrappers, unworthy of any consideration; his very honorable command [Adjutant General of the Southern Army] will make... very full amends for any Malice of Individuals; hopes Williams is not thinking of resigning, for the war cannot last long; Col. [John] Andre, late aide to Gen. Clinton in Disguise was receiv'd by Gen. [Benedict] Arnold into West Point, where it was agreed that Arnold should give up the fort and garrison, for which Andre on the part of Gen. Clinton agreed to pay a sum of Money... everything fix'd, but Providentially, a party of Militia at Tarry Town [N.Y.] stopp'd Andre with a Mr. Joseph Smith, a N.Y. Tory, and insisted notwithstanding Arnold's pass that they were spies, and that they would carry them to Col. [John] Jameson of the Horse [Dragoons]... Andre, dreading a strict scrutiny offer'd on the way his purse and watch.... Jameson, elated with taking a Spy,... sent off an Express to Arnold, [James] McHenry and [Alexander] Hamilton had come forw[ar]d to prepare him [Arnold] for the reception of G[eorge] Washington, the french Minister [Anne-Cesar de La Luzerne] and the Marquis [de Lafayette]... they [McHenry and Hamilton] observ'd Confusion in Arnold's Countenance, he guessed who the spy was and went on Board his Boat, the General [Washington] arrived just as the Second Express from Jameson arriv'd, with an acco[un]t of the whole conspiracy, Hamilton was ordered to seize him, too late he had just got on Board the Vulture Sloop of war,... the papers were discover'd in Andre'[s] Boot; Andre has tried to argue that he is not a common spy; Congress is thinking of exchanging him [Andre] for Arnold, and so saving his life; Smith hopes this may happen for Andre is his particular friend; From the Circumstances of the Generals [Washington's] return, it is imagin'd he also was to be betray'd; Arnold's papers, seized in Philadelphia, discover a long Train of Villains, among the Marchants there; Miss S. B. [?], who does not understand Williams, would be sorry to run the risk of any young man's hanging himself; the commercial ventures which Smith undertook for Williams seem to be coming out well; the Lively was taken on this side of Potomac and was retaken and sent in to Philadelphia;

Louis [Smith's son] is wean'd and flourishing; saw [?] Benedict and his deary a few days ago, and he [Benedict] is afraid she is dying; Ramsay [Nathaniel Ramsey] has made a purchase from a New York Tory and will make a good profit; David Har[r]is is married to a Miss [Sarah] Crockett and Major Jack Stewart was damn'd nigh it, How he escap'd I know not... her wedding Cloth[e]s are made, but... poor Kitty Crane, you must hug your sheets; fears this will not reach Williams; is sending it by Mr. Gamble at Richmond; Admiral [George Brydges] Rodney is at New York with 10 sail of the line; an expedition against Portsmouth, Virginia, is said to be pending.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 39 cm. × 26 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: S. Smiths long agreeable Ltre [letter] 4th October 1780.

1780 Oct. 5

The United States of America in Congress Assembled, Philadelphia. To Benjamin FORD.

[55]

Commission as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Maryland Regiment; to take rank as such from April 31 [sic] 1780.

Signed by Sam[uel] Huntington, President of the Congress, and Ben Stoddert, Secretary of the Board of War. 1 p. parchmont. 17 cm. × 27.5 cm. Seal of the United States impressed.

Endorsed by Williams: B. Ford Esqr. Lt. Coll. Com [mandan]t 2d. Maryd. Regt. rec'd a wound in the left elbow in the action of Camden the 25th of April 1781 of which he died at Charlotte [N.C.] the 15th June following.

1780 Oct. 12

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS. To Gov. [Thomas Sim] LEE, Maryland.

[56]

Encloses the most exact return he can get of the Maryland troops; many returned as missing are probably dead or imprisoned; some officers are back in Maryland recruiting, some are in camp waiting for the arrival of more men to be commanded; lost a great many of their arms on the retreat [from Camden, S. C.] besides those taken from 150 of Mary[lan]d and Delaware Troops who were retaken by Col. [Francis] Marion; of the 150 men, only about 60 rejoined their corps, some were sick but most of them just departed; their clothing and tents are now such as to move men to compassion for the naked soldiers; hopes that in November, when he will again report, he will have more supplies; when he [Williams] saw Lee in May, he learned that the Board of War had declined to grant any new commissions, so he did not recommend Mr. Roger Nellson [Nelson]; Nelson served as a volunteer with him [Williams] all this campaign, and was wounded and imprisoned in the late action [at Camden]; would like Nelson to fill the oldest vacancy in the 6th Maryland Regiment.

A.Df.S. 3 pp. 15 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: Wrote a Similar Letter to Caesar Rodney Esqr. Govr. of Delaw[are] and inclosed an abstract of the Troops of that State.

1780 Oct. 12

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS] Camp Hillsborough, N. C. To Col. [Alexander] SCAMMELL.

[57]

His arduous duties and the defeat in a general action will excuse his not sending in the reports he should have sent; lost all their papers except the Gen[era]ls [?]; officers are perplexed and seem unable to give him [Williams] the data he needs] cannot tell who are dead and who are captive, so he is reporting most of them as missing; had no instruction in his duties as inspector, so he had to draw up a form of his own, and likes his form very much indeed; if a form has been officially adopted, asks Scammell to send it to him, along with the resolves of Congress about his duties as Inspector General; Major [John] Armstrong, appointed Deputy Adjutant General for the Southern Army by Congress, has been ill all this campaign, so that he [Williams] has had no assistant ever since he joined, July 7; his duties as commandant of his own regiment are now so much increased that he has got the General [Gates] to relieve him somewhat; some of his friends charge him with condescension, but he is only trying to do everything that is within his powers.

A.Df. 2 pp. 37 cm. × 24 cm.

1780 Oct. 12

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS] Hillsborough [N.C.]. To Baron [Frederick William Augustus] STEUBEN.

[58]

Is at last able to make returns of the Maryland and Delaware troops; in the disaster of August 16 [at Camden, S.C.], all musters and inspections, all account books and other papers were lost, save a few regimental muster rolls; these were sent to the Board of War; has had to draw up his own forms for the returns he is now submitting; thinks his abstract of muster and inspection is the simplest, plainest, easiest and fullest he has ever seen; remembers the help he [Steuben] accepted from him [Williams] last year; has received no clothing for the present season, and what they have on their backs is too worthless to render an account of; their baggage and equipment fell into the hands of the enemy, all but some 25 tents and 20 or so camp kettles; asks Steuben particularly to send him the resolves of Congress about the Inspectors Department, and to communicate his commands frequently.

A.Df. 2 pp. 37 cm. × 23.5 cm.

Enclosures missing.

1780 Oct. 19

Alex[an]d[e]r SCAMMELL, Head Quarters Totowa [N.J.]. To Otho Holland WILLIAMS, Hillsborough [N.C.].

[59]

Happy to get Williams' letter of [September] 5th, first he has had since Williams left Morristown [N.J.]; return of Williams' division is better than he [Scammell] had hoped from [Gates'] first report, altho he [Gates] rode express himself; first fear was that a general massacre had taken place, so they were all overjoyed to hear that so many had been able to retreat; mourns the dead and captured; congratulates Williams on his glorious laurels; Gen. [Nathanael] Greene will shortly be sent to take command of the Southern

Army; Gen. [Horatio] Gates has been recalled for an inquiry into his conduct; have been trying to draw the enemy out of their lines; lack of forage has obliged Scammell to move from the neighborhood of the enemy lines to this place, and he expects soon to go into wintor quarters; eastern states are beginning to lose some of their old confidence in militia, especially since Gates now no longer trusts in them; states will soon get from Congress and the Commander in Chief the numbers of troops they are to raise, with orders to have them in the field by January 1; believes the army will shortly be rearranged; allies are still blocked up in Newport Rhode Island; combined floot is manouvring mysteriously in the West Indies; a considerable detachment has left New York, presumably for the South; Williams has undoubtedly heard of [Benedict] Arnold's treason and escape; Major [John] Andre was taken and executed as a spy; he [Andre] was one of the most accomplished men of the age; Could the Traitor have been given up, I would willingly have given my vote to pardon the Spy; the light infantry under the Marquis [de Lafayette] are disappointed that they have not got into action; Col. [Richard Kidder] Mead [Meade] has left the General [Washington] today, He is a real loss to the Army; asks Williams to send a return, indicating how many are Maryland troops and how many Delaware; believes affairs will soon be more prosperous; sends compliments to Gen. [Mordecai] Gist.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 33.5 cm. × 21 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From Coll. Scammell 19th October 1780.

1780 Oct. 21

Resolves of the Continental Congress.

[60]

In Congress, October 3d, 1780. Resolved that the regular army of the United States shall consist of certain forces of light dragoons, artillery, infantry, and artificers; resolved, October 21, that the several regiments of infantry... consist of, One colonel... 612 Rank and file; resolved That the officers who shall continue in the service to the end of the war be entitled to half-pay during life, to commence from the time of their reduction; Philadelphia: Printed by David C. Claypoole.

Broadside. 1 p. 42 cm. × 26.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: Resolves of Congress 3d and 21st Oct. 80 New Arrangements of the Continental Army.

In broadside case.

Missing from collection

1780 Oct. 26

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS] Camp Hillsborough, N. C. To Col. John STULL, Washington County, Md.

[61]

Stull hates to write letters, but Brother Elie... has always the pen in his hand; the Southern Army is making ready to move again against the enemy, waiting only for some shoes, expected this ovening; Lord Cornwallis is retreating toward Charles Town [Charleston, S.C.], for he lost [Col. Patrick] Ferguson, and his rear was prossed by Col. [Daniel] Morgan and Col. [William Richardson] Davie of North Carolina;

the people in South Carolina are determined to oppose his [Cornwallis'] passage of the Santee River; his [Williams'] command is more honorable than ever.

A.L.S. 1 p. 37 cm. × 22 cm.

Superscribed: P[er] Cunningham.

1780 Nov. 2

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Hillsborough [N.C.]. To Capt. [George] ARMSTRONG.

[62]

Armstrong is to remain in Hillsborough and take charge of such troops [UNK] are left behind, or such as arrive in a few days; the sick he is to send to the General Hospital, with proper returns of names and companies; he is to apply to the Board of War for shoes for the men who arrive without them; he will call in all who are now on detached duty; Col. [John] Gunby, in charge of the hospital, will give him [Armstrong] any instructions he needs, and will help him collect, arm and clothe any men able to march; commanding officer at Hillsborough will tell him how he is to get provisions on his way, and will give him permission to follow the regiment; on the route, he is to see to it that his men do not desert or maraud or insult the inhabitants of the country side; he will be most careful to keep exact rolls of the men he takes with him, and of those he leaves behind.

A.D.S. 2 pp. 24 cm. × 20-23 cm.

Endorsed: Instructions for Captn. Armstrong.

1780 Nov. 5

[James McHENRY] near Tatawa [Totowa] bridge, [New] Jersey. To [Otho Holland] WILLIAMS.

[63]

Northern Army has been inactive, save for one attempt toward the end of October, upon Staten Island [N.Y.]; the light camp moved down to Elizabeth [N.J.], but the boats did not cooperate; the largest part of the army will winter near West Point; the French troops will be in Rhode Island, save the Duc de Lauzun's legion, which will winter in Hartford, Connecticut; cannot help the Southern Army this year, but next year the army voted by Congress will be ready, and more troops will come from France; the enemy have sent 3,000 troops from their New York garrison to Virginia; thinks this division very favorable to the American; Gen. [Nathanael] Greone will command the Southern Army, in place of Gen. [Horatio] Gates, who has been suspended; Greene wanted him [McHenry] to follow him, but certain obstructions, of which Greene will tell him [Williams] made it impossible.

A.L. Signature cut out. 3 pp. 32 cm. × 20.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From Dr. McHenry 5th November 1780.

Authorship verified by comparison with an A.L.S. of McHenry at the Maryland Historical Society (Gilmor Papers, Vol. 3, Div. 3, no. 23).

1780 Nov. 8

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Salisbury [N.C.]. To Gen. [William] SMALLWOOD.

[64]

The brigade of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia troops with Capt. [Anthony] Singleton's artillery company marched from Hillsborough [N.C.], Nov. 2, and about 5 o'clock this evening crossed the Yadkin River at Ellis' Ferry; Williams left them on the west bank of the river, and will look tomorrow for a post near here [Salisbury], where he is to wait two or three days for the arrival of Gen. [Horatio] Gates; Smallwood will judge whether he [Williams] needs any instructions from him previous to the arrival of Gates; the Board of War in Hillsborough induced us to believe there were plenty of provisione here, but there are not; they can hardly get a pound of meal per man tomorrow, and they have had only three pounds, six ounces per man since they left Hillsborough; Col. [Benjamin] Ford will give Smallwood details; sends his thanks to [Capt. John Courts?] Jones for his letter of November first.

A.Df.S. 1 p. 31.5 cm. × 19.5 cm.

1780 Nov. 10

Sam[uel] SMITH, Balt[imor]e. To Otho H[olland] WILLIAMS, Southern Army.

[65]

Since he wrote to Williams by Gov. [Thomas] Jefferson's express, he has seen Williams' letter of October 23 to [Uriah] Forrest; the enemy have taken possession of Portsm[outh, Va.], and thus have distressed Baltimoreans and Virginians; now the rascals are up the rivers in Maryland, plundering the defenceless inhabitants of [their] Negroes and tobacco; they landed 100 Men near Col. [William] Fitzhugh's place [Rousby Hall, near Solomons] in Patuxent [River, Calvert County] fortified the House of John Par[r]an; the enemy took two vessels laden with tobacco, among which were 40 hogsheads belonging to Smith himself; he [Smith] has also lost a lot at Portsmouth and elsewhere; I Have Interested you [UNK] on Board the Fiery Dragon now very safe at Richmond [Va.]; the session of the Assembly is doing nothing; he [Smith] is pretty deeply engaged in equipping two vessels against the Piccoroons; [Col. Josias Carvel] Hall is in Harford [County], with his wife.

A.L.S. 1 p. 25.5 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From my Friend S. S. Balto. 10th Novr. 1780 Reed. Jany. 1781.

Memorandum by Williams on recto: I never reed. the letter s[ai]d to be sent by Gov. Jeffersons Express. I write you once a month.

1780 Nov. 11

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS] Salisbury [N.C.]. To Gen. [Horatio] GATES.

[66]

Received this morning Gates' letter of yesterday, and will therefore expect him in town tonight; will do everything the short time permits to get provisions and forage for the horses; can get for the troops only a little corn

and that not ground; has 30 or 40 sick, with no hospital and no surgeon unless he leaves a regimental surgeon with them; has no instruments or supplies for the surgeons if they should be called into action; has lost some horses by death, sickness or straying; the horses in general are in very bad shape; wagons and harness need repairs; has been looking for the Deputy Quarter Master General, the Deputy Forage Master General, and the Deputy Waggon Master General, whose presence is most essencially necessary to the Execution of your orders rec'd this Day; has been too ill to leave his quarters since he arrived here, but will omit no practical measure to get the needed supplies.

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 21.5 cm. × 17 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To Genl. Gates 11 Novr. 1780.

1780 Nov. 12

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS] Camp Salisbury [N.C.]. To Baron [Frederick William Augustus von] STEUBEN.

[67]

Marched November 2 with his Maryland and Delaware command from Hillsborough [N.C.], crossed the Yadkin River on the 8th, and on the morning of the 9th arrived here; encloses Steuben an abstract of the troops, with clothing, arms, accoutrements, etc., and another abstract of the effectives; has made up a package of muster rolls for the month of October which he has directed to the Inspector General; has also sent copies of the muster rolls to the Board of War, and copies of each of the abstracts to the Board of War, the [UNK] General and the governors of each of the states to which the corps belong; has not received an answer to his last letter about the form of his returns, the decision of Congress about the officers of Steuben's department or any instructions from Steuben; Copy.

A.Df. 1 p. 34 cm. × 21.5 cm.

On same sheet as entry 68.

1780 Nov. 13

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS] Camp Salisbury [N.C.]. To Col. [Alexander] SCAMMELL.

[68]

[Same as entry 67 down to the point where Williams has not had from Steuben replies to his questions]; Continuation to Coll. Scammell; the Virginia troops under Col. [Abraham] Buford, and an artillery company with two field pieces brigaded with Williams' command marched with him from Hillsborough [N.C.]; Gen. [Horatio] Gates arrived here on the 11th with some 130 cavalry [composed of] detachments of [Col. Anthony Walton] White's, [Col. William Augustine] Washington's and [Tuffin Charles] Armand's corps, under command of Major [Richard] Call; Brig. Gen. [John] Butler, with two or three hundred militia of this state [N.C.] whose terms of enlistment expire in two or three weeks, has been here for some time; Maj. Gen. [William] Smallwood and Brig. Gen. [Daniel] Morgan with the light infantry of the Maryland, Delaware and Virginia troops, Col. [William Augustine] Washington with the cavalry, and a small body of militia are about 10 miles below Charlotte [N.C.];

Brig. Gen.[Thomas] Sumpter [Sumter] of this state is on the west side of the Catawba River with a small body of militia; recently he [Sumtor] had a little brush with the enemy, in which Major [James] [UNK] [[UNK]] was wounded and captured with 26 of his men by Sumter; [Francis,] Lord Rawdon is still at Camden [S.C.] which he has fortified; [Charles,] Lord Cornwallis is said to be at Winsborough [Winnsboro, S.C.], 45 miles west of Camden; he [Cornwallis] has been dead by report about a month, now he is sick only and if the reinforcements come from Charleston, he will be well, again; their supplies of every necessity for waging war are low, or altogether lacking; has no tents or means of carrying them around; will, however, do and suffer everything rather than give up.

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 34 cm. × 21.5 cm.

On same sheet as entry 67.

1780 Nov. 24

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS], Salisbury [N.C.]. To Sister [Mrs. John] STULL [Washington County].

[69]

Heard from his sister yesterday for the first time since the 12th of August; begs her to stop worrying about him; only thing he has to worry about in the news from home is that his brother's [Elie] circumstances are not good; wrote a great many letters home from Hillsborough [N.C.] in October, and remembers writing one to Babby [Mrs. Elie Williams]; Col. [?] Shelby has gone back to Holston [?], else he would be glad to receive... the promises of his God-Daughtor; Col. Isaac Shelby has been in Charlotte [N.C.] and now he has gone home to get men to replace those discharged; Col. [John] Stull has not written from Annapolis; hopes that, if the Assembly does not increase the fees of county clerks, Col. Stull will withdraw from it, so he [Otho] may curse them without makeing an Exception; has had very little time at home since the spring of 1775; had hardly time on his last visit to make an acquaintance with Sister Tere [Theresa, Mrs. Davis]... [who is] very affectionate, very good and very happy, but too grave and restrained; Mrs. [Priscilla Williams] Israel is the most fashionable sister; begs her not to worry about her bad handwriting, for he thinks her one of the best correspondents in the world, partly because her letters are so agreeable, partly because every word is perfectly intelligible to me and... no body else cd. Decypher a Line of them. If you intended to communicate Treason you co[ul]d not do it more securely in Cyphers or Hieroglyphics; [one-line rebus which translates] I would never forget the partiality which my friends Catherine Kimbol and Miss Wickham have for me; wrote to Brother Elie from here about 10 days ago; his old horse Liberty is so gallant in action that he [Otho] is safe from everything but balls; a British officer directed the fire of his platoon particularly at the horse, but he [Otho] crossed the line of fire

and neither was hurt, though he got three balls through his coat; compliments to Rezin Davis; wishes Mrs. Seaton all the happiness Hymen can add to her; compliments to Mrs. [Thomas] Prather; and to the Col.[onel?].

A.L.S. 4 pp. 37 cm. × 24 cm.

Enclosed in entry 70.

1780 Nov. 24

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Salisbury [N.C.]. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[70]

Received yesterday, from a young gentleman whose name he does not know, Elie's letter of October 24; glad to know his letters have been reaching home; wrote to Elie 10 days ago about the march from Hillsborough [N.C.]; a cold which took its old seat in my Breast got for him [Otho] the permission of Gen. [Horatio] Gates to remain in good quarters in Salisbury a few days, and now he is well; will set off in a day or two to rejoin his command, which is in camp below Charlotte [N.C.] and about 60 miles from Camden [S.C.] where the enemy are fortified; Gen. [Nathanael] Greene is to arrive soon to supersede Gen. Gates; sorry for the good Old man [Gates] who has just learned of the death of his son; Greene is his friend and he hopes to be happy under his command; many preparations must be made on both sides before they can come to blows with the enemy; [Francis,] Lord Rawdon has 600 men in Camden, and [Charles,] Lord Cornwallis has the larger remainder at Wynsborough [Winnsboro, S.C.], 45 or 50 miles west of Camden towards [the town of] Ninety-Six; the partizan corps of Militia of Virginia and the Two Carolinas had a very successful affair at Kings Mountain, where they killed Major Ferguson and a great number of others and took 500 or 600 prisoners; from Hillsborough to Salisbury, he [Otho] commanded a brigade of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware regular troops, and an artillery company with two field pieces, more than 1000 men in all; has been deer-hunting the last three or four mornings; Col. [Josias Carvel] Hall, who cannot be in want of money, will surely pay 3000 dollars, continental, to Elie for him [Otho], if Elie gives him a gentle hint; Peter Shugars, who is a corporal in Williams' regiment, is well and is doing his duty; love to Babby [Mrs. Elie] and the children; gives the interpretation of the hieroglyphics which he put into his letter to Sister [Mrs. John] Stull.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 37 cm. × 24 cm.

For enclosure see entry 69.

Endorsed: Inclosing a Letter for Mrs. Stull.

1780 Dec. 4

Resolution of Congress, changing the additional pay allowed to officers in the Inspectors Department by resolution of October 25, 1780.

[71]

Contemporary copy. 1 p. 21 cm. × 21 cm.

1780 Dec. 4

Memorandum of Pay and subsistence allowed by Congress, to Inspectors and the Deputy Adjustant General, 1776-1780.

[72]

In hand of Otho Holland Williams. 1 p. 33 cm. × 21 cm.

Endorsed: Memorandum of allowances made by Congress to Insprs andc.

1780 Dec. 18

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS] Camp Charlotte [N.C.]. To Gen[era]l [Nathanael GREENE?].

[73]

Encloses [UNK] of a muster and inspection of the Maryland and Delaware troops with a return of the terms of the enlistment of the Marylanders; the Delaware troops are all to serve for the duration of the war; hoped to be able to include the Virginia troops, but they are so deranged that nothing can be got from them; Col. [Benjamin?] Ford mustered them but cannot get their returns; he [Williams] is therefore sending a weekly return of Col. [Abraham] Buford's entire detachment, including the dates expiration of onlistment; these Troops are destitute of Cloathing and consequently dirty and exceedingly deficient in Discipline; has no books or blanks and very little paper, so that since our misfortune in August [at Camden, S.C.] the system of the establishment has not been kept up; needs company and orderly books and copies of the printed regulations and court martial treatises; has personally asked Col. [William Augustine] Washington for the cavalry returns, but has not yet received them; artillery in this department is a detachment of several corps from different states under Major [John] Mazeret of the Virginia State regiment; Mazeret is now at Hillsboro [N.C.] and he [Williams] has written to him there, asking him to send a return of the artillery to the General from there.

A.Df. 2 pp. 18 cm. × 23.5 cm.

1780 Dec. 24

Baron [Frederick William Augustus von] STEUBEN, Manchester [?]. To Maj. Gen. [Nathanael] GREENE.

[74]

Asks Gen. Greene to have his adjustant general send in, at once, a return of all the troops of this state, in very exact and specific form; wants also a return of all the Officers of the Virginia line with the Army, and a return of the horses of the two cavalry regiments, after those not fit for the next campaign have been inspected and rejected; needs also a return of the clothing and horse equipment necessary, but with the strict word that nothing is [to be] returned wanting but what is absolutely so; supplies are too hard to get to send out anything not entirely essential.

Copy of extract. 2 pp. 34 cm. × 20.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: Extracts from the Baron Steubens Letter to Majr. Genl. Greene 24th Decr. 1780.

1780 Dec. 26

Alex[an]d[e]r SCAMMELL, Windsor [?]. To O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Southern Army.

[75]

Acknowledges the receipt of Williams' returns for his brigade; glad Williams' health permits him to be so active, and wishes he [Williams] had force and supplies to match his perseverance; presumes [Gen. Alexander] Leslie has joined Cornwallis by now; another reinforcement [for Cornwallis] is sailing or has sailed from New York; men and ships from France are daily expected in Rhode Island, and some may be used to assist Williams; the states are passing spirited resolves to fill up their regiments, and Scammell hopes they will act up to their resolution quickly; the New England troops are posted in the highlands, the New York troops at Albany [N.Y.] and the northern frontier, the New Jersey troops near Pumpton [Pompton?], and the Pennsylvanians at Morristown [N.J.]; hopes for a vigorous and successful campaign in the eastern states; leaves his present office [Adjutant General of the Continental Army], January 1, 1781; his successor is not yet appointed, but he suspects it will be Gen. [Edward] Hand; wishes it could be Williams, for he [Scammell] is sure he could do the job, but the demand is for a man of higher rank than colonel; asks Williams to write to him, despite his leaving the staff of the army; [Alexander] Hamilton and [Richard Kidder] Meade are married; Meade will probably leave the army, but Hamilton, with his Lady [Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton], is expected at headquarters shortly.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 33.5 cm. × 21.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From Coll. Scammell 26 Decr. 1780.

1780 Dec. 31

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, South Carolina Camp P[ee] D[ee] River. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Maryland.

[76]

Lt. Col. [William Augustine] Washington, with a small body of light dragoons, approached Col. [Rowland] Rugely's block house some thirteen miles from Camden [S.C.] and found it impenetrable to small arms; thereupon, he had the address to plant the Trunk of a pine Tree upon three prongs so pointedly like a Field Piece that the Garrison, consisting of 400 Officers and men, surrendered on the first Summons; Gen. Lessly's [Alexander Leslie] troops from Virginia landed at Charles Town [Charleston, S.C.] and have advanced some distance; Lord Cornwallis is again in Camden; [the Southern Army] is much divided at present; Gen. [Daniel] Morgan with the Light Infantry and some Light Dragoons is detached to the west of the Catawba River to act as occasion may demand; Gen. [Nathanael] Greene, with the remainder of the army, is on the east of the Pee Dee River in a Camp of repose, a secure position to rest and rediscipline his men and to await supplies; there is a great deal to be done, for we are actually in want of almost every essential thing... But we have very good hopes of Tents and some articles of Cloathing; a doctor who

says he knows Elie and saw him recently in Hagerstown gave Otho H. some news, and on the strength of his claim to an acquaintance with Elie, Otho H. has been very civil to him; is very much hurried at this time and hopes Elie and Sister [Mrs. John] Stull will understand; is as well and as happy as... [he] can possibly be.

A.L.S. 2 pp. 38 cm. × 23.5 cm.

Endorsed by Otho Holland Williams: My Friend Col.

[?] Charlton will cover this.

1780 Dec. 31

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS], Camp Hicks Creek on P[ee] D[ee] River, S. C. To Mr. [John] DUNLAP.

[77]

Protests to Mr. Dunlap in the belief that his character as a printer is the same as his character as a gentleman and a citizen, against reports recently appearing in his [Dunlap's] paper [The Pennsylvania Packet, Or The General Advertiser]; Dunlap's Packett has been saying that the Southern Army is stronger and in better circumstances than it is, and that the adverse army is weak and starving; such reports are based on ignorance or ill-will, for Our Country men are too easily composed when danger is at a distance and without the support of the people the government cannot take the measures necessary to extirpate the enemies of our independence; glad to see in the papers the official accounts of some British defeats; Dunlap has hoard about the advantage Lt. Col. [William Augustine] Washington gained over Col. [Rowland] Rugely; the trunk of a three-pronged pine tree set up by Washington looked so much like a field piece that Col. Rugely, Major Cook and more than a hundred officers and privates surrendered; has it on very good information that Genl. Lessly [Alexander Leslie] who, with his command, landed from Virginia at Charles Town [Charleston, S.C.] has got as far as Munks Corner [S.C.] and probably intends to join Cornwallis; this is a private letter, and so Williams presents his compliments to Mrs. D[unlap].

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 38 cm. × 23.5 cm.

1781 Jan. 13

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Hicks Creek, S. C. To Baron [Frederick William Augustus von] STEUBEN.

[78]

Received this morning Steuben's letter of December 30, and will attend scrupulously to the instructions in it, though he is hindered by lack of blank books and forms; all the business of the Deputy Adjutant General and all that of the Inspector General has to be done in writing; the General [Nathanael Greene] has given him leave to have some blanks printed, but he has been unable to send to New Bern [N.C.], and believes there is no press nearer than that; will enclose copies of the last muster and inspection of the Virginia infantry and a return of all the foot officers from Virginia now with the Southern Army; has found it impracticable to get the cavalry returns for which

Steuben asked Greene, for the corps are on detached commands; he has written to the commanding officers, directing them positively to put an officer at the job of getting the returns until they are finished; will send also the names and ranks of all artillery officers serving with the Southern Army; by a recent resolve of Congress, the officers of artillery are to be adopted and provided for by particular states; Williams has sent with each officer's name the state to which he belongs, not knowing which state will adopt him; thanks Steuben for his favorable opinion of Williams' zeal and ability.

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 37.5 cm. × 23.5 cm.

On same sheet as entries 79 and 80.

1781 Jan. 13

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS] [Camp Hicks Creek, S.C.]. To Baron [Frederick William Augustus von STEUBEN].

[79]

Asks Steuben to listen to something important to Williams only; when he came down from the North, he came, not by water with the troops of the Maryland Line, but by land through Virginia; by the time he arrived, about July 1st, Charleston [S.C.] had fallen; DeKalb appointed him adjutant general of the Southern Army; he acted as such and also as inspector; when Gen. [Horatio] Gates arrived, he told him [Williams] that he had recommended his friend Major [John] Armstrong to be adjutant general; Armstrong, however, was ill and unfit for duty and had not actually received his appointment, so Williams condescended to serve as acting deputy adjutant general under Gates; the arrival of Gen. [Nathanael] Greene set aside the appointments made by Gates, and so Williams had to be appointed again to the post he had held; only he has done the work since he came into this country; has had much trouble with the officers for lack of being sustained in authority; Congress have resolved that all places in the Inspector General's department shall be confirmed by them; if this were done for him [Williams] as deputy inspector general of the Southern Army, he would not need to be diffident in doing his duty, or fearful that he would be removed by a possible succesor to his friend Greene; needs copies of the Articles of War, of the printed Regulations, of the treatise on Court Martials, of orderly books, and of blank forms of all kinds.

A.Df.S. 2 pp. 37.5 cm. × 23.5 cm.

On same sheet as entries 78 and 80.

1781 Jan. 14

[Otho Holland WILLIAMS]. To [Baron Frederick William Augustus von STEUBEN].

[80]

Lt. Col. [Benjamin] Ford, who mustered the Virginia troops of Col. [Abraham] Buford, says that, though it was six days ago, he cannot get fair copies of their muster rolls made out; Williams is therefore sending Ford's report and an abstract of the effectives; sent the dates of the expiration of their enlistments in his letter from Charlotte [N.C.].

A.Df. 1 p. 37.5 cm. × 23.5 cm.

On same sheet as entries 78 and 79.

1781 Jan. 14

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Hicks Creek [S.C.]. To Capt. [Moore] FAUNTLEROY.

[81]

Gen. [Nathanael] Greene has ordered him to furnish Baron [Frederick William Augustus von] Steuben with the following returns of the cavalry regiments: A return of all the Officers their names, Rank Dates of Commissions and States... and the Duty they are on if absent; a detailed return of all non-commissioned officers and privates, another of clothing, and another of horses and horse equipage are desired; these must be sent to him [Williams] immediately, and if necessary, an officer must be specially sent to ride around from place to place to collect the information.

A.Df.S. 1 p. 38 cm. × 23.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To Cap. Fauntleroy Com[mandin]g 1st Regt. Lt. Dragoons 14 Jany. 1781.

1781 Jan. 14

Otho [Holland WILLIAMS], Camp Hicks Creek, S. C. To Elie WILLIAMS, Washington County, Md.

[82]

Dr. [Nathaniel] Brownson has promised to send his servant for any letters that Otho H. may want to send by him; Capt. [Michael] Rudolph, who saw Elie at Annapolis, says he looked well; the letter Elie made Rudolph promise to deliver, himself, to Otho H. is in his [Rudolph's] portmanteau, but Otho hopes to get it tomorrow; Gen. [Nathanael Greene] has been taking unwearied pains to refresh his men and to gather supplies and improve the general discipline; the army never was more destitute than it is now, but supplies from the north are said to be on the way; many of the men have not one article of clothing to which any sort of name can be given; Greene noticed in general orders the success of Lt. Col. [William Augustine] Washington with the 3d Cavalry and 200 militia against the Tories in the district of Ninety-Six; Washington was detached from Gen. [Daniel] Morgan's command near the Tiger River [S.C.], about a hundred miles from where Otho H. now is; has just had news that the enemy is moving toward Morgan; the arrival of [British] Gen. [William] Phillips in Virginia will have to be taken care of by the Virginians themselves, for, as soon as Cornwallis starts to advance, Greene will need all the troops he has or can get; believes firmly that at this critical juncture, the Southern army is commanded by a man [Gen. Greene] of great abilities; both Greene and the former commander [Gen. Horatio Gates] have given him [Otho H.] as much importance as his rank will permit; is much attached to Greene personally; expects Elie's letter by Capt. Rudolph encloses one from Col. [John] Stull, whose hand Otho H. wo[ul]d rather shake... than read; heard that Catey [Miss Catherine] Kimbol was in Frederick in December; his friend [Miss] Sill - - Wiskha - [name partly illegible] has not been in Hagars Town much lately, he [Otho H.] wishes her a good husband;

sends regards to their old and valued friends, Col. [Thomas] Prather and his wife, and also to Mrs. Clagett; love to [Elie's son] his namesake.

A.L.S. 3 pp. 38 cm. × 23 cm.

1781 Jan. 20

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Hicks Creek [S.C.]. To Baron [Frederick William Augustus von] STEUBEN.

[83]

Called repeatedly for the cavalry returns Steuben asked for, and waited for them, but must now send returns he is sure will not be satisfactory; sends the reasons given by the officers for not making suitable returns, that Steuben may know he has done all he could do; with the General's [Nathanael Greene] approval, he has directed the commanding officer of the 1st Regiment to employ an officer constantly in the business until a complete return is made, and will write to Col. [William Augustine] Washington to do the same.

Copy. 1 p. 38 cm. × 23 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To the Honble M[ajo]r Genl the Baron Steuben 20th January 1781 Copy.

1781 Jan. 23

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS], Hicks Creek on Pee Dee [River, S.C.].

[84]

Extracts from his notebook; Major Edward Giles, volunteer aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. [Daniel] Morgan, arrived this evening with the important news of Morgan's victory at the Cowpens [S.C.], January 17, over [Lt. Col. Banastre] Tarleton; Morgan commanded the light infantry of the Maryland and Delaware Lines, 290 Continentals under Lt. Col. [John Eager] Howard, the South Carolina and Georgia volunteers, about 350 men under Col. [Andrew] Pickens, 170 Virginia militia under Major [George] Triplett and the 3rd regiment of Light Dragoons under Lt. Col. [William Augustine] Washington; the victory was complete; Tarleton commanded the Legion, the light infantry and grenadiers of the 7th and 71st regiments, the Royal Fusiliers, the 3rd battalion of light infantry and some new levies, 1150 Regulars and 50 Tories; enemy lost 100 killed, between 200 and 300 wounded, and about 17 officers and 500 non-coms and privates made prisoner; two brass field pieces taken by Morgan at Saratoga [N.Y., Oct. 7, 1777] and retaken by Tarleton from Brig. Gen. [Thomas] Sumter on August 18, 1780, were once more taken by Morgan, along with two stand of colors, a band of music and 800 stand of arms, 35 wagons and much baggage; American loss was only ten killed and 55 wounded.

Copy in hand of Williams. 2 pp. 31.5 cm. × 19 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: For Doctr. Ramsey.

1781 Jan. 23

O[tho] H[olland] W[ILLIAMS], Hicks Creek, S. C. To [Dr. James] Mc[HENRY].

[85]

Glad to get McHenry's letter of November 5 from Totowa [N.J.] with its account of the campaign in the north; agrees with McHenry that since the enemy operates in detachments,

they can be easily defeated if the Americans use only common virtue and prudence; doubts that either virtue or prudence will be used; after [Gen. Alexander] Leslie retired from Virginia, the state disbanded her militia and let them take their arms with them; after that, a perfidious Villain [Benedict Arnold], with a very inconsiderable force, landed..., marched 25 miles to the capital... laid her rich inhabitants under contribution, and her Honors in the dust; much personal pride in Virginia, but little national pride; the governor [Thomas Jefferson] is said to boast that he is no military man; if those in high places were not so fond of popularity, Maryland might have a very respectable little military corps; not a single regular regiment among the Maryland, Delaware and Virginia troops, yet those are the only infantry among the Southern Army; the only continental general from those states in the Southern Army is Gen. [Daniel] Morgan; he [Williams] can get no discipline in the Army until the new arrangements are completed; has great need of both food and clothing for his men; everybody was glad to have Gen. [Nathanael] Greene arrive; Gen. [Horatio] Gates was disgraced and unfortunate; Gen. S. [?], the only officer who could hope to succeed Greene, found a way to retire from a difficult field; Gen. M[organ] get a respectable detachment of light troops; Major [Edward] Giles just arrived with the big news that Gen. Morgan defeated and routed Lt. Col. [Banastre] Tarleton, on January 17 near the Cowpens, S. C.; 290 Light Infantry Com[mande]d by Lt. Col. [John Eager] Howard, the 3d Regt. of Lt. Drag[oons] Com[mande]d by Lt. Col. [William Augustine] Washington ab[ou]t 350 from Georgia and So. Carolina Vol[unteers] comd. by Coll. [Andrew] Pickings [Pickens] and 170 Va. Militia comd. [by] Major [Capt. George] Triplet[t] against 1150 British and 50 Tories. The Victory was compleat, Major [Alexander] McArthur and 28 other Com[missione]d officers and 502 Non Comd. and R[ank] and File were made Prisoners between 2 and 300 were left wounded and upwds of 160 kill'd on the Field; Two elegant Standards were taken the 7th [or 71st?] Regt. and the Legion must wear their Coats without facings... the Band of Music of the Legion is ours and the 71st lost their Bagpipes.

A.Df.S. 3 pp. 2 pp., 38 cm. × 23 cm.; 1 p., 29 cm. × 23.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To Doctr. McHenry 23d Jany. 1781.

1781 Jan. 24

[Daniel MORGAN] Sherals [Sherrill's] Ford, N. C. To Otho [Holland] WILLIAMS.

[86]

Thanks Williams for the generous sentiments in his letter of January 13; has had a return of the ceatick [sciatic] pain that laid him up for four months last spring; knows his retiring now will have a bad effect, but

to save the continent, he could not stand a winter campaign; asks Williams to speak to [Gen. Nathanael] Greene to give him leave of absence until he is able to take the field again; nothing but the cold bath gives him relief, and he is going to try to get a chair to get home to take the baths.

A.L. Signature cut out. 2 pp. 23 cm. × 18.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: From Genl Morgan 24th Jany 1781.

1781 Feb. 2

O[tho] H[olland] WILLIAMS, Camp Mask's Ferry [N.C.]. To Major [John] MAZARETT.

[87]

The General [Nathanael Greene] desires Mazarett to halt the artillery at the forks of the road about two miles below Mountain Creek Bridge; Captain Davis will come to Head quarters for some extra duty; all the men of Captain Finlay's company will be relieved from duty, and their places will be filled by men from the other corps to the number of forty; Capt. Finlay will have two six-pounders, with the best horses procurable, and will be sent to this camp with fifty thousand good musket cartridges; Mazarett will then go to G[u]ilford Court House and receive further orders; he [Mazarett] is authorized to press the horses he needs and to take any corn he finds; the General wishes to see him today if possible; he [Mazarett] will send forward all the good muskets.

A.D.S. 2 pp. 23 cm. × 18.5 cm.

Endorsed by Williams: To Major Mazerett [sic] 2nd Febry. 1781.

On same sheet as entry 94.