The 2nd South Carolina Continental Regiment Order Book, 1777, is a bound volume written for the 2nd South Carolina Continental Regiment (commanded by Colonel Motte). The volume includes an alphabetical list of soldiers serving in the Regiment compiled from the order book by John Bennett (1915), military orders from numerous generals, information on soldiers accused and punished for crimes (such as lashes) for theft, drunkenness, violence, mutiny, and desertion. Also included are references to “divine services” or public worship for the soldiers, and requests for military clothing and other items. Locations mentioned include Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, Sullivan's Island, the Charleston Battery, and Haddrell's Point. Persons referenced include General Francis Marion, Henry Laurens, Lt. Col. Isaac Huger, Captain Richard Shubrick and General William Moultrie.
Latin Inscription and Translation of Charles Louis (Lewis) D'Arsac de Ternay's Memorial in Newport, Rhode Island. The inscription identifies him as a "knight of the holy order of Jerusalem," a descendant of the Americans, an admiral of the kings fleet and his experiences during the Seven Year's War and the American Revolution.
The Account of Enslaved Persons and Various Stories, 1831-1844, is kept by or for a member of the Ball family. The first half of the account book contains various lists of enslaved men, women and children owned by John Ball at Comingtee/Stoke, Kensington and Midway Plantations in Berkeley County, South Carolina. These lists include enslaved persons given first or second quality blankets, cloth, clothes and osnaburg fabric as well as lists of pregnant enslaved women or enslaved infants given clothes.
The second half of the book contains stories retold by various persons on topics such as an eyewitness account of the Steamship Pulaski Disaster in 1838, stories of enslaved persons including the execution of an enslaved man, stories about the family of George Chicken, eyewitness accounts of the British occupation in Charleston during the Revolutionary War, numerous ghost stories and an account of the first settlers of Charlestown.
A personal account of visiting Old Dorchester describing the land, roads, a Presbyterian Church, an old fort built by the English for protection from the "Spaniards and Indians," and a tombstone used during the American Revolution to butcher meat.
Letter from Abner Nash to Nathanael Greene reporting on the state of affairs in South Carolina and North Carolina; requesting aid in opposing Lord Cornwallis in North Carolina.
Letter from Abraham Lott to Nathanael Greene regarding his poor health, family, and the current state of military affairs, including the enemy retreat from Charlestown, where their current strong holds are, and movements of companies of men.
Letter from Abraham Lott to Nathanael Greene regarding the failure of the ‘Rhode Island Expedition,’ led by Comte d’Estaing, and general social writing.
Letter from Major General Nathanael Greene addressed to Arthur Campbell regarding the ongoing hostilities in the states of North Carolina and Virginia. Greene is advising Campbell on how to best achieve peace with the Cherokee and Chiccasaw Native American tribes.
“Stories Collected from Slaves” by Leonarda J. Aimar is a bound volume of formerly enslaved people's stories. In her transcription, she attempted to capture the storytellers’ colloquial speech, now recognized as the Gullah language. The volume includes a list of addresses, occupations, and diseases of African Americans during their enslavement; an eye-witness account of the Battle of Secessionville on James Island during the Civil War in 1862; how enslaved people were returned to their slaveholders following the Revolutionary War; and an account of Sherman's march from Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. A formerly enslaved man, Sam, provides a detailed account of being a butler, coachman, and horse jockey. He also recounts how Union Army Major Robert Anderson took control of Fort Sumter and the events that transpired there on April 12, 1861. Other accounts include an enslaved man’s recollections of his time as a servant to a plantation overseer who sympathized with the Union during the Civil War and formerly enslaved man Jim Alston’s detailed eye-witness account of the 1876 Cainhoy Riot.
Letter from Francis Barber to William Alexander [Lord Stirling] regarding his reluctance to be kept from the fray by an injury and to express upon Lord Stirling the necessity of additional troops to safeguard the stores near Elizabethtown.
Letter from William Heath to The Staff of the Army [and] Hospital, Eastern Department thanking them for the opportunity to serve and command in the army.
Letter from John Ashe to Benjamin Lincoln regarding the impending invasion of troops from the other side of the Savannah river and an insistence that there needed to be a strong opposition to meet them in Augusta. Ashe also states that he has enclosed a letter from General Williamson.
Letter from Stephen Drayton to Benjamin Lincoln mentioning the misconduct of the North Carolina’s commissary and continue to discuss ideas on better transportation of troops and supplies. Drayton goes on to detail some of the supplies which he has sent to various units and camps; tents, knapsacks, kettles, canteens, hoes, axes, and carpenters tools. He laments the lack of spades or shovels and states that he has enclosed a list of items.
Letter from Henry Laurens to Benjamin Lincoln regarding his travel plans to board a ship for Cadiz. He also reports that the horses are in deplorable condition and paper is running out.
Letter from John Laurens to Benjamin Lincoln discussing battle strategy and reporting the number of enemy troops opposite them on the Wappataw River. Laurens also reports that the enemy have ransacked ‘Mrs. Pinckneys’ plantation.
Letter from Benjamin Lincoln to Nathanael Greene regarding the issues the government encountered when attempting to pay the soldiers of the Revolution and discussing possible solutions. General discussions of economics, the nature of the relationship with France, and establishing trade with several Spanish ports are also discussed.
Letter from William Moultrie to Benjamin Lincoln informing him of his moving his troops (400 Continental troops, artillery, 4 pieces of field artillery, and 350 militia) to join Lincoln.
Letter from John Habersham to Benjamin Lincoln regarding the exchange of prisoners and the receipt of American prisoners that were being held in Savannah.
Letter from William Bryan to [Governor Richard Caswell] regarding the British attacks in the north, the movement of their fleet, his suspicion that they intend to attack South Carolina, and the lack of preparation for said attack.
Letter from Charles Petit to Nathanael Greene regarding the success of General Greene’s military campaign, the raising of funds and supplies, and the state of trade.
Letter from Charles Petit to Nathanael Greene regarding the war in America and Europe’s dependence on the United States asserting their dominance over England.
Letter from Charles Scott to Nathanael Greene informing him of his orders from General Washington to aid General Muhlenberg in recruitment efforts in Virginia before reporting to General Greene.
A Latin and English translation for the inscription on Charles Louis D'Arsac de Ternay's memorial. The inscription identifies him as a "knight of the order of St. John's of Jerusalem," a descendant of the Americans, a captain in the royal fleet and his various accomplishments and experiences in the military during the Seven Year's War and the American Revolution.
Letter from Christian Febiger to Nathanael Greene regarding the transfer of equipment, such as tents, camp equipment, colors, and fifes, to Virginia. Febiger also details the activities of the Committee of Congress and transfer of additional personnel.
Letter from John Hancock to the Governor and Council of the State of Virginia regarding the movement of the British fleet from New York. Hancock reports that the fleet is suspected to be bound for South Carolina.
Letter from John Cox to Nathanael Greene reporting an encounter between 800 Continental troops, North Carolina militia, Virginia militia, and the British. Cox reports that the American troops were outnumbered and eventually defeated by Lord Cornwallis and his men.
Letter from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer to Unknown reporting the loss of a battle in Camden, South Carolina, Britain's efforts to attain allies in Europe, shortage of funds, and the arrival of an enemy fleet containing 2000 soldiers.
Letter from William Pierce to William Davies regarding the general status of the American troops; in Charleston and Virginia in particular. In the last paragraph Pierce expresses the imminence of an attack.
Letter from William Davies to Nathanael Greene discussing the shortage of various supplies and troops. Colonel Davies debates the movements of several regiments of men in regards to military strategy and what movement would provide the most strength in the desired areas. Davies also reports the instability of the government in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and [New] Hampshire.
Letter from Stephen Drayton to Nathanael Greene requesting to be employed in his army and relaying the information he had received from Philadelphia regarding the movements of the French as they hastened to aid the Revolutionary troops.
Letter from William Duer to Nathanael Greene expressing his joy over his new marriage, concern over the political climate of the states, and request to forward a few letters.
Letter from Thomas Farr to John Laurens regarding the situation of the British in Charlestowne; the shortage of supplies, the lack of reinforcements, and the fear of an imminent American attack on their forces on James Island. Farr goes on to request protection for the few stores of food he has left, as he has given everything to the Continental army and would not like those of his estate to starve.
Letter from John Laurens to Francis Kinloch regarding foreign travel in Europe and the state of American political affairs. Laurens proceeds to outline the South Carolinian officials who are to attend the General Congress gathering that will soon take place in Philadelphia or New York.
Letter from Francis Marion to Nathanael Greene regarding the movements of the enemy around South Carolina, the fitness of his men, and the renewing of clothing supplies for the corps.
Letter from Mann Page, Jr. to John Page relating recent news including the locations of Howe's fleet and a foiled assassination attempt on General Washington.
Letter from John Mathews to Nathanael Greene regarding the possible battle strategies of the English as the end of the war draws near and how the Continental army should go about trapping the British troops.
Letter from James Mitchell Varnum to Nathanael Greene regarding general politics and how he believes the country should be organized after the war. Varnum goes on to criticize Congress and discuss the lack of men and funds to continue much longer in the war.
Letter from Otho Holland Williams to Nathanael Greene detailing his trip to Bath, the purchase of a tract of land in Maryland, and his wish to receive orders from General Greene.