Early report on the surrender of Charleston to the British...

Item # 701188

May 16, 1780

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, May 16, 1780

* Charleston, South Carolina surrenders to UK
* American Revolutionary War from the enemy

Most of the front page is taken up with two notable letters, the first datelined New York on Dec. 22, 1779 beginning: "As President of the Board of Loyal Refugees from the several revolted colonies of America...been pleased to give to every proposition for the relief & protection of his Majesty's colonial suffering subjects..." with much more.
This is followed by a letter to the King of England from the Loyalists which begins: "Your faithful & dutiful American subjects who, to avoid the resentment & persecution of the rebels, have been compelled to take refuge under the protection of your Majesty's troops..." with much more, signed by Dan Coxe, President.
Inside has a report noting: "We have received advice of the reduction of Charlestown [Charleston], South Carolina. The account of this important conquest is brought us by Capt. Smith...in 28 days from New York. We have not been able to learn the particulars..." with a bit more.
Other items include: "...from America we learn that the Congress had resolved to make peace with the savages, notwithstanding their wicked behaviour...detachment under Lord Stirling has made an attempt against Staten Island...thought to be stopt by the ice on Hudson's river, was open, which caused the enterprize to miscarry. The Americans retired without loss...the English...surprised some little advanced post at King's Bridge, Newark & Elizabeth town where they made some prisoners...". Under "American News" is: "...we learn that a respectable body of British troops, accompanied by a number of Loyalists & Indians, have...advanced from Canada & established a post at Crown Point on Lake Champlain...expected they would do the same at Ticonderoga...detachment of the royal army fell in with an American scouting party on Lake Champlain...naval stores, provisions, etc. in Fort Defiance situated on West Point...were consumed by fire...".
The back page has a report noting: "Accounts...of General Sir Henry Clinton's having taken Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, by storm...Charlestown...is now exposed to whatever mode of attack the Commander in Chief may think proper..." and: "...accounts received from New York all of which tend to confirm the general report of Sir Henry Clinton being in possession of Charlestown."
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, some rubbing at the right edge of the front leaf fold, good condition.

AI notes: The surrender of Charleston in 1780, marked one of the most devastating defeats for the American forces during the Revolutionary War. After a prolonged siege led by British General Sir Henry Clinton, a force of over 10,000 British and Hessian troops successfully surrounded and bombarded the city, cutting off all avenues of escape or reinforcement for the American defenders. Major General Benjamin Lincoln, commanding roughly 5,000 Continental soldiers and militia, was forced to surrender after weeks of resistance, resulting in the largest single loss of American troops during the war. The British capture of Charleston not only gave them control over the most significant port in the South but also dealt a severe blow to Patriot morale and military capability in the region. The defeat enabled the British to establish a strong foothold in South Carolina, intensifying Loyalist support and allowing them to push deeper into the Southern colonies. However, British overreach and the rise of effective guerrilla resistance, along with key American victories later in the campaign, would eventually reverse the momentum.