to be an affair that will not be very shortly settled, induces me to solicit your notice and patronage in obtaining a promotion of rank in some measure adequate to my long service and rank last war. In this I flatter myself with your notice to Congress, as otherwise I may pass altogether unnoticed amongst the many promotions taking place; and my principal having left a vacancy by his promotion, hope this application will not be out of time.

I am, with the utmost respect, your obedient, humble servant,

THOMAS BULLITT.

DEAR GENERAL: You must consider this as a Postscript, and at the same time recommendatory letter of your old friend Thomas Bullitt. He is certainly a man of merit, and entitled, from his length of services, zeal, and valour, to higher rank than he enjoys.

C. LEE.

Sullivan’s Island, June 3, 1776.

SIR: We have seen this day two large ships—a large topsail schooner and a tender. The tender has been very busy in sounding from the inlet at our advance-guard, all along to Long-Island. It seems as though they intended their descent somewhere hereabout. Our fort is now enclosed. It is the opinion of every one that we should have more men at this post; but as I know they cannot be spared from the capital, I must make the best defence I can with what I have got, and doubt not but that I shall give four or five hundred men a great deal of trouble before they can dislodge me from this post.

I shall be glad you would order those boats over which I had fitted up for this post. Captain Coppithorn has them.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

WILLIAM MOULTRIE,
Colonel of the Second Regiment.

To His Excellency the President.

June 4, 1776.

SIR: Captain Beekman is sent down to take the command of the battery at Haddrell’s Point : if he should want a reinforcement from Sullivan’s Island, you will send it, if it can be spared.

Yours, &c.,

J. RUTLEDGE.

To Colonel Moultrie.

Sullivan’s Island, June 7, 1776.

SIR: A flag was just now sent from the men-of-war; but before they came to the shore, by some unlucky accident, they were fired upon by some of our sentries, contrary to orders. I am sorry it should have happened; but now, no help for it. I suppose it only a piece of ceremony they intended. I expect they will begin very shortly. Several of the fleet have gone northward, perhaps to land some troops. I doubt not your Excellency will provide accordingly.

Your most obedient,

WILLIAM MOULTRIE,
Colonel of the Second Regiment. To the President.

June 7, 1776, half past six o’clock P. M.

SIR: I am very sorry that a flag has been fired upon by one of your sentries: pray send off a flag immediately, by a discreet officer, with a proper letter to the commanding officer of the British fleet, acquainting him that this act was committed by mistake, and contrary to orders; and that a messenger shall be properly received, and that I have given this direction the moment I was apprized of the fact; but take care to prevent a repetition of such conduct in the sentries. At the same time, do not suffer any. under the appearance of a flag, to make discoveries of what the enemy ought not to know.

Yours, in haste,

J. RUTLEDGE.

Honourable Colonel Moultrie.

Sullivan’s Island, June 8, 1776.

SIR: I send this flag by Captain Huger, to assure you that the firing on a flag coming from your ship yesterday, was the effect of error in the sentinel. A guard, placed on the shore in order to receive your messenger, attempted to convice him of the mistake, by displaying a white cloth at the end of a musket. I acquainted the President and Com-mander-in-Chief of this accident, whose orders I received immediately to inform you that a messenger, if you think proper to send one, shall be properly received.

I have the honour to be your most obedient,

WILLIAM MOULTRIE,
Colonel of the Second Regiment.

To the Commanding Officer of his Britannick Majesty’s Fleet, now lying in Five-Fathom Hole, South-Carolina.

A second flag was sent, with a proclamation of pardon to all that would return to their allegiance.

Thursday Morning, six o’clock.

SIR: I am extremely obliged to you for your activity and alertness. I beg you will order Long-Island to be reconnoitred well, and perhaps you will see a probability of attacking them with advantage from the main; but this must be left to your own prudence. I have ordered the two rascally carpenters who deserted, to be searched for; if they can be found, I shall send them bound to you. I do not myself much like the scheme of retreating by boats; it cannot, I think, be done without confusion. But I think you ought to have two means of retreat; for which reason I must beg that you will be expeditious in finishing the bridge; and all the boats I can procure shall be likewise sent to you. If possible I will visit you to-day.

I am, dear sir, yours,

CHARLES LEE.

To Colonel Moultrie.

Charlestown, 8 o’clock, June 8th.

SIR: AS we have received information that a body of the enemy have landed, and are lodging themselves on Long-Island, and as the nature of the country is represented to me as favourable to Riflemen, I must request that you immediately detach Thompson’s and Sumpter’s regiments, Captains Alston’s, Mayham’s and Coutirier’s companies, to that Island, with orders to attack, and, if possible, dislodge this corps of the enemy; but you must, above all, take care that their retreat across the breach from Long-Island to Sullivan’s Island is secured to them in case of necessity. For which purpose, you are desired to move down to the point commanding the breach two field-pieces; the sooner it is done the better.’ You are, therefore, to exert yourself in such a manner that the attack may be made at break of day.

I am, sir, yours,

CHARLES LEE, Major-General. To Colonel Moultrie.

Charlestown, June 8, 1776.

SIR: I have ordered a considerable reinforcement of Riflemen to join Colonel Thompson, which, with the advantages of ground, ought to make you totally secure. I shall be with you as soon as possible in the morning. Mr. Bellamy will, I hope, be able to finish you a bridge to-morrow. I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES LEE.

To Colonel Moultrie, Sullivan’s Island.

June 9th, five o’clock.

The command of all the Regular forces and Militia of this Colony, acting in conjunction with them, being invested in Major-General Lee, orders issued by him are to be obeyed.

J. RUTLEDGE.

To Colonel Moultrie.

June 10, 1776.

SIR: You will receive a number of flats, ropes, and planks for the construction of bridges for your retreat. You are to give a receipt, and be answerable for them. I am, sir, yours,

CHARLES LEE, Major-General.

To Colonel Moultrie.

P. S. I find my last night’s letter was not sent. I beg you would send a few expert scouts to discover what the enemy have done, or are doing. If it can be done with the least probable advantage, put my last night’s orders in execution to-night.

Sullivan’s Island, June 10, 7 o’clock, 1776.

SIR: I just now received your orders for detaching Thompson and Sumpter’s regiments, Allston, Maham, and Coutirier’s companies. By the date of your letter, it seems as if