Benjamin Lincoln Papers, 1635-1964 » Nov. 1779–1780  

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This reel consists of letters and other documents detailing the final months of Lincoln's command of the Southern Army; his surrender to the British on May 12, 1780; the period of his parole and return to Massachusetts; his work for a general exchange of prisoners during the fall of 1780; and finally his commission from Washington to supervise Massachusetts enlistments and military training during the winter months. The papers on this reel primarily deal with the military affairs of the Southern Army and include significant correspondence from Lincoln to Samuel Huntington, President of the Continental Congress; to the Governor of Havana; and to the French Consul at Charleston. The papers document Lincoln's defense of Charleston during the spring of 1780 against the advance of General Clinton, as well as the mounting pressure placed on Lincoln by citizens, government officials, and militia units of South Carolina to surrender. The reel closes with a few documents from the post-surrender period, including a photostatic copy of the 35-page report from Lincoln to Washington reviewing the reasons for the fall of Charleston.