Laurens, John

5 pages (12 3/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 322 x 200 mm) on a bifolium and single leaf, [near Charleston], 20 March 1782, to General Nathanael Greene, verso of separate leaf with autograph address and reception docket ("From Colonel Laurens 20th March 1782 Plan of Operation between the Ashley & Goose Creek. Capture of the Galley by Rudolph and Lt. Smith with 14 Men of the Legion Infantry"); bifolium and leaf inlaid into a larger sheets, some browning, marginal and fold separations and repair, portions of docket retraced.

5 pages (12 3/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 322 x 200 mm) on a bifolium and single leaf, [near Charleston], 20 March 1782, to General Nathanael Greene; bifolium and leaf inlaid into a larger sheets, some browning, marginal and fold separations and repair.
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John Laurens was born into a wealthy family of South Carolina planters, but joined George Washington's staff, against his father's wishes, in 1777. Laurens was an opponent of slavery and an early and eloquent advocate of allowing slaves to earn their freedom by fighting as soldiers in the Revolution, an idea that he broaches in this important letter to Nathanael Greene, with whom he was harassing encamped British troops:

"I have received your letter of the 19th. The principal motives that induced me to wish a movement of the Army on this side of the river were that as in present circumstances the Lt. Troops must always encamp within reach of Bacon's bridge— the distance from the enemy is so great as to give them a facility of making excursions for forage &ca & returning with impunity— that we cannot form any enterprise upon any of their advanced posts— and consequently that the campaign is insipid and without object.

"Whereas if the position between Ashley River and Goose Creek were taken & Genl Marion drawn down towards your left the Enemy circumscribed in his posts wd. be precluded from the only movements which he is from his circumstances at liberty to make. I mean convoys of forage and subsistence. We should be enabled to look into their advanced posts and camp and probably find an opening for enterprise. Our vicinity would undoubtedly require vigilance and alertness of the guards but should be under no apprehension of a surprise.

"This partial investment of the enemy wd. at the present stage of the war have in my opinion very powerful and opposite effects upon the minds of the two parties— if it did not promote desertion of the regular corps, I am persuaded it wd. detach many of the militia officers and men from the british interests— it would appear to them the preliminary of a siege and they would be in daily apprehension of the arrival of troops and ships— on our part it would give new animation to the Country and give us the resources of one part which I am far from believing exhausted. The enemy wd. certainly lose ground politically— and in order to prevent our losing it militarily a few works might be made to strengthen our front— this could be performed altogether by blacks."

After decrying the lack of arms and clothing among the American troops, Laurens reports on the successful capture of a British schooner by Captain Rudolph of the Legion Infantry, but explains that "her vicinity to the lines rendered it impracticable to bring her off & he was reduced to the necessity of blowing her up. After bringing off the Captain with the greatest part of the crew the rest made their escape. This service was effected without the loss or hurt of a man on our part & Captain Rudolph deserves great praise for his bravery and good conduct." 

This letter clearly demonstrates that the hostilities of the Revolution continued long after Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781 (where Laurens was present). Laurens was killed at  the Battle of the Combahee River, five months after this letter was written and four month before the British finally evacuated Charleston.