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ALS signed “Cornwallis,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, July 2, 1780. Handwritten letter to Lt. Col. Alured Clarke, commander of British troops in Georgia, sent from recently captured Charleston, South Carolina. In part: "I am heartily glad for the public service that you have that command, I wish for your sake the place was more agreeable. I have put the Engineers both in George & Florida under the command of Moncrief, who talks of making you a visit soon. I am told a Fort is building at Savannah, besides the work at Tybee, I own I should have thought the latter fully sufficient for the present security of the Province, however if the Fort is in great forwardness I consent to the finishing of it, if you desire it. If it is not much advanced, I must in justice to our suffering country beg that a stop may be put to it.
Whilst Carolina was in Rebellion, Georgia was an object to a foreign enemy, the case is now alter'd & you can have nothing serious to apprehend from France & Spain. I have been at infinite pains to form regulations for S. Carolina & shall have by the end of next month a Militia of at least 8,000 men, from which all Rebels are excluded, our greatest force of Militia is at Orangeburgh & about Ninety Six, which renders the upper part of Georgia perfectly secure.
The corps now gone to Augusta is a very improper one, Messrs. Brown & Wright think more of kidnapping recruits than of the Public service, & have already done as much mischief. I shall instantly order both those corps to return to Savannah…I must desire that Lt. Col. Crager's Batt: may march immediately to Augusta, as I mean that he should take the command of the troops stationed there & at Ninety Six…Lt. Col. Balfour after fully explaining the situation of that country to him will invest him with the command. I have not had the honour of being much acquainted with Lt. Col. Crager, but from the character I have universally heard of him, I am convinced it will greatly contribute to the good of His Majesty's service, that he should command in that very important district." In fine condition, with a strip of mounting tape along the left edge.
After the British captured Charleston, South Carolina, Cornwallis was left in command of British forces in the Southern theater. While much of his attention focused on the Carolinas, Georgia remained a key stronghold for the British, having been recaptured in 1778. Cornwallis aimed to solidify control there and use it as a base for further southern operations. British forces also maintained a presence in East Florida, then a loyal British colony, which served as a strategic point for launching raids and securing supply lines.
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