McIntosh, Lachlan (1725-1806) to Charles Lee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03255 Author/Creator: McIntosh, Lachlan (1725-1806) Place Written: Savannah, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 31.3 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Also addressed to Lieutenant Seixas (possibly Abraham Mendez Seixas). Colonel McIntosh, commander of American forces in Georgia, replies to a letter from General Lee, Southern Department Commander. Mentions Colonel Samuel Elbert, also active in Georgia. States that an informant "saw a Fifty Gun Ship yesterday afternoon sailing on our Barr into the River, where four other Ships lay at anchor ... I imagine those Gentry will not be guilty a second time of the same delay as in Carolina ... " Relates that in his opinion, this is the fleet from Charleston, South Carolina. In a post script, states that a fresh report indicates news of a recent engagement in which soldiers were killed, but no particulars are known. Several tears and holes result in minimal text loss.
In June 1776, a British force commanded by British General Henry Clinton and Commodore Peter Parker attempted to capture Charleston, South Carolina. Under the leadership of Lee and Colonel William Moultrie, Patriot forces successfully resisted the attack.
Sir,
I was honor'd with your Excellency's Letter of the 18th. Insto. by Col. Albert, & well pleased that you had the Safety of this Colony so much at Heart.
I send Lieut. Seixas of our Battalion Express to inform you Excell.y that I am just told by a Gentleman come up the River that he saw a Fifty Gun Ship yesterday afternoon Sailing over our Barr into the River, where four other Ships Lay at Anchor and five other Ships under Sail outside, which fired Several Guns. - & are probably in by this Time. This I thought proper to give your Excelly. The earliest intelligence of as I immagine those Gentry will not be guilty a second time of the same Delay as in Carolina, or allow us to prepare for them or your Excelly. to meet them here again. I have not any doubt myself but this is the fleet from Charlestown, I ever was of the opinion they could not in Honor go away without attempting some thing & no place so probable as Georgia. I will continualy inform you of the movements of the Enemy & if we should not see your Excelly. here soon, which I hope will not be the Case. I shall be glad of your orders. -- I have the Honor to be your Excelly's
Most obt. Hble Servt.
Lachn. Mc.Intosh.
Savannah in Georgia 25th July
1776
I inclose yesterday's Report.
His Excelly. General Lee
A Report is Just come to Town of an Engagement at the Country with the [text loss] in which some were killed on both Side[s] but particularly unknown.
[address leaf]
On Continental Service
To
His Excellency General Lee,
Charlestown
& Lieut. Seixas
Express
15
25
75
30
33
25
165
86
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