To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 February 1780
From Major General Benjamin Lincoln
Charles town [S.C.] Feby 14 1780
My dear General
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the enemies fleet had arrived in North Eddesto1—since that they have landed their troops on Simmons’s Island & marched part of them to the North East end of Johns Island.2 I have not been able yet to learn, with any degree of certainty, their numbers for although we have frequent information from Savannah yet as the troops were keept at Cotspur3 on board their Ships little was known of them in town.
What will be the mode of attack on this town is yet uncertain different plans have been hinted by the friends of Government—but they are too wild to be credited. I have the honor to be my dear General with the highest respect your most Obedeint servant
B: Lincoln
ALS, DLC:GW.
2. Gen. Henry Clinton actually landed his army on Wadmalaw Island, which is northwest of Seabrook (Simmons) Island (see Lincoln to GW, 11–12 Feb., n.4; see also Map 7).
3. Cockspur Island, Ga., is located at the mouth of the Savannah River northwest of Tybee Island.