COLONEL ISRAEL MOREY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE
OF SAFETY.

Orford, September 12, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have to inform you that Colonel Bedell marched with his Companies last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excepting twenty men belonging to Captain Osgood, which came to Orford last evening, and went off this morning in high spirits; I think a number of very fine soldiers in each Company. Major Israel Curtis raised a Company of Volunteers in three days, and marched on Sunday from Hanover, and this day left Orford, in company with Captain Osgood. It is expected that a number more will soon follow the example—a most noble spirit this—a number of which from Dartmouth College. I have helped to fix them out, and hope the Committee and Congress will think I did what was right, though at my own risk at present. The Major and men are to join the Army if wanted; but if not, to be upon his hook, and to return when not wanted.

Lieutenant Allen, of the Green Mountain Boys, brought express orders for Colonel Bedell to march immediately. I think he has acted himself much to his honour in pushing the Companies forward. Mr. Allen has enlisted a Company, of about forty-five men, nigh here, most of which marched off with Colonel Bedell, which Colonel Butte supplied with meat, bread, &c.

The occasion of Major Curtis’s raising these men was by news from General Schuyler that he wanted men, and that the General had moved off with his Army, and was sick with the fever and ague when he moved forward. Mr. Allen informs us that Captain Baker, one of the Captains of the Green Mountain Boys, was killed by our enemy, who was a very brave officer.

I think, Gentlemen, it is of much importance that the commissions for the Regiment are forwarded by Mr. Porter, the post, as you must think that our Minute-Men should be in readiness, as we don’t know how the affair of our Army may turn, which have gone against St. John’s. If our Army is defeated, our Minute-Men, &c., most certainly will be wanted; and as Mr. Porter comes round by them, he can bring all the commissions for the four Regiments on Connecticut River, and for the Minute-Men, with blanks for the Captains, &c.

I am, Gentlemen, with respect, your humble servant,

ISRAEL MOREY.

Orford, New-Hampshire, September 12, 1775.

Last Thursday began their inarch from Haverhill, Coos, Colonel Timothy Bedell, with his three Companies of Rangers, in order to join General Schuyler in his expedition against St. John’s, &c. Also marched at the same time, part of a Company under the command of Captain Veal, who is one of the Green Mountain Boys, enlisted by Lieutenants Allen and Scalley; said Company consisted of men from these parts. Likewise marched this day an Independent Company of Volunteers, under the command of Major Israel Curtis, of Hanover, which he raised on hearing that troops were wanted to go to the westward; they were enlisted, equipped themselves, and marched in three days. This shows their warm zeal for their Country’s defence.

ORDERS TO COLONEL MOULTRIE.

SIR: You are to detach one hundred and fifty men, under such command as you shall judge most proper for the service, to embark this night at a proper time of the tide, to proceed with the utmost secrecy, and land at a convenient place on James’s Island. Mr. Verree and Mr. Wm. Gibbs will be at Captain Stone’s, or in the neighbourhood, attending the landing, in order to conduct the commanding officer to Fort Johnson, which he is to enter and take possession of with as much secrecy and silence as possible, taking especial care that nope belonging to the Fort escape, and that no intelligence be given but by his orders. When the officer who shall be sent upon this service is in possession of the Fort, he is immediately to give notice to this Board, and wait for orders; except only in case the man-of-war, now lying in the Rebellion Road, should make an attempt to attack the Fort, or proceed against this Town, when he is to do every thing in his power to prevent her progress. Captain Stone, of James’s Island, will order his Company of Militia to join the Troops which you send, and the whole are to be detained till relieved by our order.

By order of the Council of Safety:

HENRY LAURENS, President.

William Moultrie, Esq., Colonel of the Second Regiment.

GENERAL ORDERS BY COLONEL MOULTRIE.

September 14, 1775, 4 o’clock, P. M.

Ordered, that Captains Charles Cotesworth Pinckncy, Bernard Elliot, and Francis Marion’s Companies, be immediately completed to fifty men each, from their respective corps, and hold themselves in readiness to march in three hours. Colonel Motte is appointed for this command, and will receive his orders from the commanding officer.

September 15, 1775.

Ordered, that Captains Benjamin Cattell, Adam McDonald, and John Barnwell’s Companies, of the First Regiment, and that Captains Peter Horry and Francis Huger’s Companies, be completed to fifty men each, and to hold themselves in readiness to march. Major Owen Roberts to command this detachment.

To Major OWEN ROBERTS, of the First Regiment.

SIR: You are to proceed with your detachment to Gadsden’s wharf, where you will find two schooners ready to take on board your party; with them you will proceed to Fort Johnson, on James’s Island. On your arrival there, you are to send an officer to Colonel Motte, to acquaint him; then to march to the Fort, and put yourself under his command. You are not to suffer any boats to obstruct your passage.

To Lieutenant-Colonel MOTTE.

SIR: I have sent Major Roberts with two hundred and fifty men to re-enforce you. You are to defend the Fort from all parties that may attempt to land; but if the man-of-war should attack the Fort, and you find you cannot make a stand against her, you are to withdraw your men to some place of safety, out of the reach of her guns; but you are to take care not to suffer any parties to land with an intent to damage the Fort.

SOUTH-CAROLINA.

By the Honourable WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, Esquire.

A DECLARATION.

Whereas the liberties of America being treacherously and cruelly violated by an abandoned Administration in Great Britain, surrounding the Throne, and deceiving Majesty for their own corrupt purposes, thirteen American Colonies, including New-Hampshire to the north, and Georgia to the south, virtuously, gloriously, and, thanks to the Lord of hosts, successfully, are confederated, at the hazard of their lives and fortunes, to wrest from the hands of traitors those invaluables which they had ravished from them, and which the Americans have in vain endeavoured to recover by every peaceable mode of application:

And whereas the tools of Administration have encouraged certain inhabitants of this Colony to attempt, by every practicable measure, to oppose and to counteract the virtuous efforts of America; these inhabitants, men of low degree among us, though of eminence in this new Country; men totally illiterate, though of common natural parts; men endeavouring, in this calamitous time, to rise in the world by misleading their honest neighbours; men who are by his Excellency the Governour promised to be amply rewarded for such an infamous conduct; these men,