Beschreibung:

MARION, FRANCIS ("The Swamp Fox"), General, Continental Army . Autograph letter signed ("Fran. Marion Brigade Gen. Militia in Amer[ican] Service"), WITH A SECOND SIGNATURE ON ADDRESS PANEL, to Captain John Saunders of the British Army "Commanding in George-Town," [South Carolina], n.p., 7 March 1781. 1 1/2 page, 4to, on British-made watermarked paper, address panel in Marion's hand on page 4, red wax seal, tiny holes at fold intersections, not affecting text. THE SWAMP FOX THREATENS A BRITISH OFFICER WHO VIOLATED A FLAG OF TRUCE An exceptionally interesting, very rare war-time letter of General Marion to a British Army counterpart. Marion rails against the wrongful capture of an American officer sent to arrange the exchange of prisoners, complains bitterly of the mistreatment of another captive of the British and threatens drastic retaliation. With Marion's letter is preserved an earlier letter from Lt. Col. Irvin, second in command of Marion's brigade, proposing the exchange; this is almost certainly the very letter carried by the American messenger, Captain John Postell (one of Marion's four regimental commanders), who was seized by the British, contrary to the conventions of war. "By my Orders, Lt. Col. Ervin sent Captn. John Postell with a flagg [of truce] to Exchange the men you agreed to, and [I] am greatly surprised, to find you not only refused to make the Exchange but have Violated my flagg by taking Captn. Postell Prisoner contrary to the Laws of Nations. I shall immediately acquaint the commandant of Ch[arles] Town & if Satisfaction is not given I will take it in every Instants [instance] that will fall in my power. "I have ever used all the officers and men taken [prisoner] by me with humanity but your conduct in closely confining Captn. Clark in a place where he cannot stand up nor have his length [stretch out], & not giving him half rations, will Oblige me to retailiate on the Officers & Men which will or may fall into my hands which nothing will prevent but your releasing Captn. Postell immediately, and using my Officers as Gentlemen & your prisoners as Customary in all Civilized nations..." [ with ] ERVIN, JOHN, Lt. Col. . Autograph letter signed to "The Commanding Officer in George-Town," by Capt. Postell with a flag," "PeeDee" (South Carolina), 3 March 1781. One page, oblong 4to. A remarkable survival: the letter proposes an exchange of prisoners: "By Capt. John Postell (Accompanied by Lt. Futhey) I send a flag [of truce] desiring to Exchange for John Tomplat, Wilson Godfrey and Henry Griggs of Genl Marions Brigade who I am informed are Prisoners in Geo. Town, for which I will give in Exchange Archibald Watt of the 63rd, George Reid and John Dummin of the 71st British Regts...." This is apparently the letter carried by the unfortunate Postell when illegally detained by the British. Francis Marion's autograph letters have always been relatively rare, although letters of postwar date are sometimes obtainable (one was sold here, 18 May 1991, lot 292), but his letters of war date have become extremely rare. It is also worth noting that letters between combatants during the American Revolution are very seldom seen.