Autograph letter signed : Stono [SC], to an unidentified recipient, 1779 July 10.

Acknowledging receipt of his letter which informed him of the order by the Governor and Council for "a draught of one third of the Militia. I hope they will have something to bind them to their duty, stronger than any we have had yet, at present I have no militia with me but about 25 of Col. Hammonds, all Goodwin's went off except the Major, 3 Lieu't & five privates which I discharged and sent the Officers home to collect more men;" asking for bags to "convey cornmeal...this is like to be our principal dependence this winter, as I am informed our wheat in the back country is totally lost;" reporting that he has just been informed "that the Enemy have landed at Beaufort and mean to maintain the island, they still talk of talking Post on the main this last I give but little credit to. A party of our Troops went on the island and brought off a young man prisoner who has given these accounts. I have sent him to Town. He says they have landed their sick & wounded & placed them in the Courthouse and Gaol which they have converted into Hospitals. This looks as if they intended staying there - is it not Scandalous to America that a handfull of men with two small men of War should ride triumphant and distress their Southern States when perhaps our Continental vessels are cruizing for the Emolument of their Commanders, should not this be represented to Congress?"