LETTER OF COLONEL BARNARD BEEKMAN, S. C. ARTILLERY (STATE TROOPS.)
[He was taken prisoner at the capture of Charleston in 1780. Zubley’s Ferry was across the Savannah River to the Georgia shore. As General Moultrie was then the senior officer in South Carolina this letter was probably meant for him.]
Camp at Sheldon (S. C.)
23d October, 1779.
Dr. General
I arrived at this Post on the ev’ning of yesterday; with the Army & Stores.—I left Capt. Hale of the 2d with a command of Fifty men at Zubly’s, to cover the removal of the Corn Meal, &c., under the Direction of Col Wylley D. Q. M. General. I am sorry to observe that that Gentleman overtook the Army at Alleston’s on the march, where he inform’d me that he could not obtain the Ox teams & carts, and doubted of means to bring the Corn Meal on.—I have sent off Capt. Spencer (of the Q’r master’s Department) with orders to collect what carriages [carts] he can on his way to Zubly’s ferry and Directed him to bring off the Corn Meal if possible so far as Mr. Heyward’s plantation, from whence it may after be brought to camp. I have posted a strong Picquet at Port Royal ferry & such other Guards as our safety required & number would afford. The large Boats at Zubly’s ferry are sunk in a deep lagoon on the So Car’o. side a little higher up the River—have decided that the Boat which brought the Corn meal be sunk in like manner.
The prisoners are this hour brought by an officer of Col. Garden’s, taken at Hilton head & General Bull’s Island; the officer reports that the Enemy have removed the Sick from a board the Vessells to the last mentioned place, that they[[49]] * * * * * * (Pendarvisses)—that on the night of the 21st five white men and four negros landed upon the main, about 3 miles above Colo Garden’s command of Militia (and) took off 5 Hogs & some cows.
I have now to renew my request for your leave of absence from Camp, I could add many reasons to those before offer’d; as the necessity for the good of the Service, I hope it will suffice when I assure you it is not to withdraw myself from Duty. Your compliance will oblige
Sir, Your most obedient
B. Beekman.