Appendix. 673 



Copy of a Letter from The Honorable Lieutenant-General Leslie, 

 commanding His Majesty's Troops in the Southern District of 

 North America, to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, K. B., 

 Commander-in-Chief,&c.,&c.,&c., dated Charlestown, March 12, 

 1782. 



" SIR, I had the honor to inform your Excellency that 

 Lieu^ Col. Thompson having offered his service during his stay 

 here, I had appointed him to the command of the cavalry. 

 He has put them in exceeding good order, and gained their 

 confidence and affection. 



" I am very happy to acquaint you of his Success on a late 

 Excursion upon the Santee, which he made with the Cavalry, 

 supported by a detachment of one hundred men of the 3<D t . h 

 Reg', the Vol r ? of Ireland, and 60 Yagers. He had the good 

 fortune to fall in with a body of the enemy's cavalry under the 

 command of Horiy, which he nearly destroyed ; and afterwards 

 defeated and dispersed with considerable loss the Force which 

 Marion had assembled to oppose him, all that he had been able 

 to collect on this side the Santee. I inclose to your Excellency 

 Col. Thompson's report to. me of this very handsome piece of 

 service, and I assure your Excellency that I have much regret 

 to part with this enterprising Young Officer, who appears to 

 have an uncommon share of merit and zeal for the service ; and 

 could he and his Corps be spared to act in this Part where 

 Cavalry are so much wanted, I am confident it would tend 

 much to the benefit of His Majesty's Service. 

 u I have the honor to be, &ca. 



[Signed] ALEX r . LESLIE." 



(In Colonel Thompson's handwriting.) 



" To his Excellency Sir Guy Car It on, K. B., General and Com- 

 mander-in- Chief of all his Majesty's forces within the Colonies ly- 

 ing on the Atlantic ocean from Nova Scotia to West Florida, &c" 



" Lieu' Col. Thompson begs leave to return your excellency 

 his unfeigned thanks for all the distinguished marks of your 

 goodness to him, particularly for the last most flattering proof 

 43 



