Benjamin Lincoln Papers, 1635-1964 » Nov. 1779–1780 [read more]
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.
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.
DIGITIZED COLLECTIONS
Crowdsourced Transcription Project
Reel 5, Box 6, Folder 6, May 1780
Reel 5, Box 6, Folder 4, 1-17 April 1780
Reel 5, Box 6, Folder 5, 18-30 April 1780
