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eight days。 The 15th we marched to this place and invested it。 Our hope
was to cut off their water。 Some riflemen and continentals immediately
took post between the fort and the lake。 The fort is situated on a small hill；
forty feet high； stockaded； and with three rows of abbatis around it。 No
trees near enough to cover our men from their fire。 The third day after we
had invested it； we found the enemy had sunk a well near the stockade；
which we could not prevent them from； as we had no entrenching tools to
make our approach； we immediately determined to erect a work equal in
height to the fort。 This arduous work was completed this morning by
Major Maham； who undertook it。 We then made a lodgment on the side of
the mount near the stockade。 This was performed with great spirit and
address by Ensign Johnson and Mr。 Lee； a volunteer in Col。 Lee's legion；
who with difficulty ascended the hill and pulled away the abbatis； which
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Life of Marion。
induced the commandant to hoist a flag； and Col。 Lee and myself agreed
to the enclosed capitulation； which I hope may be approved of by you。 Our
loss on this occasion is two killed； and three continentals and three militia
wounded。 I am particularly indebted to Col。 Lee for his advice and
indefatigable diligence in every part of these tedious operations； against as
strong a little post as could be well made； and on the most advantageous
spot that could be wished for。 The officers and men of the legion and
militia； performed every thing that could be expected； and Major Maham；
of my brigade； had； in a particular manner； a great share of this success； by
his unwearied diligence； in erecting a tower which principally occasioned
the reduction of the fort。 In short； Sir； I have had the greatest assistance
from every one under my command。 Enclosed is a list of the prisoners and
stores taken； and I shall； without loss of time； proceed to demolish the fort；
after which I shall march to the High Hills of Santee； encamp at Capt。
Richardson's； and await your orders。
（Signed） Francis Marion。
____________
Extract of a Letter from Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
~Camp； before Camden； April 24； 1781。~
Dear Sir；
I thank you for the measures you have taken to furnish us with
provisions； and for the intelligence you communicate。 A field piece is
coming to your assistance； which I hope will enable you and Col。 Lee to
get possession of the fort。 With the artillery you will receive one hundred
pounds of powder and four hundred pounds of lead； I wish my present
stock would enable me to forward you a larger supply； but it will not；
having sent you nearly half we have。
（Signed） N。 Greene。
____________
Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
~Head Quarters； before Camden； April 26； 1781。~
Dear Sir；
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters； dated 23d and
25th inst。 I congratulate you on your success against Fort Watson。 The
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Life of Marion。
articles of capitulation I highly approve of； and feel myself particularly
indebted to you； and all the officers and men under you； for their spirit；
perseverance and good conduct upon the occasion。 The enemy advanced
upon us yesterday and gave us battle。 The conflict was short； and seemed
at one time to promise us advantage； but we were obliged to retire and
give up the field； though without material loss。 We are now within five
miles of Camden； and shall closely invest it in a day or two again。 That we
may be enabled to operate with more certainty against this post； I should
be glad you would move up immediately to our assistance； and take post
on the north side of the town。 I have detached a field piece to your
assistance； with an escort of a few continental troops under the command
of Major Eaton。 I should be glad you would send them a guide and
conduct them to your camp。
I am； Sir； With great esteem and respect； Yours； &c。 （Signed） N。
Greene。
P。S。 I should be glad you would move up within seven miles of
Camden。
____________
Gen。 Greene to Gen。 Marion。
~Camp； at Cornal's Creek； May 9； 1781。~
Dear Sir；
I am favoured with yours of the 6th instant。 I am sorry the militia are
deserting；* because there is no greater support。 If they were influenced by
proper principles； and were impressed with a love of liberty and a dread of
slavery； they would not shrink at difficulties。 If we had a force sufficient to
recover the country； their aid would not be wanted； and they cannot be
well acquainted with their true interest to desert us； because they conceive
our force unequal to the reduction of the country without their consent。 I
shall be always happy to see you at head quarters； but cannot think you
seriously mean to solicit leave to go to Philadelphia。 It is true your task
has been disagreeable； but not more so than others。 It is now going on
seven years since the commencement of this war。 I have never had leave
of absence an hour； nor paid the least attention to my own private affairs。
Your state is invaded； your all is at stake； what has been done will signify
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Life of Marion。
nothing unless we persevere to the end。 I left a wife in distress and every
thing dear and valuable； to come and afford you all the assistance in my
power； and if you leave us in the midst of our difficulties； while you have
it so much in your power to promote the service； it must throw a damp
upon the spirits of the army； to find that the first men in the state are
retiring from the busy service； to indulge themselves in more agreeable
amusements。 However； your reasons for wishing to decline the command
of the militia； may be more pressing than I imagine。 I will therefore； add
nothing more upon this subject till I see you。 My reasons for writing so
pressingly respecting the dragoons； was from the distress we were in。 It is
not my wish to take the horses from the militia if it will injure the public
serv