[Extract]
Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Brown of the Rangers to His Excellency Governor Tonyn dated at Fort Tonyn on St: Marys River the 6th: April 1778
Sir/
...The present force of South Carolina is supposed to consist 2000, and of Georgia five hundred and Sixty.
The Charlestown fleet was in a great degree manned by draughts from the different regiments to act as marines.
The Forts at Sullivans Island and on the River are kept in good repair.1
At the Fort at Beaufort they have mounted Twenty one pieces of Cannon. Vizt: Three of Twenty four, and the rest nine and twelve pounds, with four field pieces, and two Six Inch Cohorns—the fort is Garrisoned by fifty of the Artillery Company.
At Cat Island Winyaw,2 the Rebels have Six nine and twelve pounders for the defence of the passage.
From Savannah the Rangers have brought me intelligence, that whites turbulent Gentry3 have a second time broke open the stores, compeled their Officers to give them rum—huzza'd for His Majesty and drank success to his Troops.
Twenty were sent to Tybee to Garrison the Island, who boarded a French Snow laden with Rice and Indigo, and have convoyed her 'tis Supposed to New York or Augustine.4
A Fire broke out in Savannah a short time after our Affair at Fort Barrington5 destroyed a public store with Cloathing, ammunition &c &c, and ten houses—The Court house narrowly escaped as it was fired in three places.
The Rebel General (Howe)6 told one of his Colonels (Scriven)7 that they were so perpetually hairyed in Georgia, he apprehended before Summer it would be a King's Province.
One of the Rangers administered the oath of allegiance to a Serjeant and twelve posted on Ogechee, who I expect will return with some of our Rangers now in South Carolina.
The Gallies8 are laying manned intirely with Governor Wright's Negroes9 at the following places, one at Sapelo high point—one at Sunbury—one at Ossabaw oppo site to Shannons point, and the other at Savannah.10
Two Vessels a Ship, and a Brig with rice and Indigo are laying in the mouth of Ogechee river without a Gun.
There at Beaufort with the same Cargoes—a Ship and two Brigs, one the property of John Hancock,11 the other a Frenchman.
I have sent to acquaint Captain Jordan of the Galatea with every material occurrence.
One hundred and twenty plantations with the Negroes, and Stock will be peremptorily sold.12
I have the honour to remain [&c.]
