Otho H. Williams autograph letter signed ("O. H. Williams"). Two pages on one leaf, 7.25" x 9", "Camp High Hills of Santee", [South Carolina]; October 10, 1781. Addressed to "Genl. [Francis] Marion." Docketed. Just days before British General Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, Colonel Williams cautions Brigadier General Marion against an expedition across the Santee River until they receive word from Virginia. "We have news every Day from Virginia but all wants confirmation. I consider every report as a prognostic of the best that can happen." Otho Holland Williams (1749-1794) joined Captain Thomas Price's Frederick City Rifle Corps on June 14, 1775 and took part in the siege of Boston. He was appointed a major when the company was restructured into the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment. At the Battle of Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, Williams was captured, and he remained a prisoner of war until his exchange on January 16, 1778. His health, permanently damaged by his time in captivity, never fully recovered. After the Battle of Monmouth, he was sent to the southern theater to aid Major General Nathanael Greene. In this letter, Williams responds to Brigadier General Marion's request for additional ammunition on behalf of Greene, who was absent from camp touring hospitals. It reads, in full: "As General Greene is out of Camp I took the liberty of opening your letter of the 9th Instant, our stock of Ammunition is [crossed out: small at present] entirely exhausted. We have not a Cartridge nor an Ounce of Powder in Store [crossed out: I have sent you a supply which I hope will answer your immediate purpose] (all in the hands of the men). The arrival of some Military Stores which we expect every hour, will put it in the General's power to supply you amply. His Excellency Governor Rutlidge [sic] has intimated that you meditate an expedition over the Santee. In making your determination, if it is not settled by this disappointment permit me to recommend to your consideration that the General depends entirely upon you for intelligence of the Enemy's motions; and that a junction of all our forces will be absolutely necessary if they cross Santee. We have news every Day from Virginia but all wants confirmation. I consider every report as a prognostic of the best that can happen." Signed, "O. H. Williams" With a postscript that reads, "I will not fail to send you some ammunition as soon as it arrives." The letter was penned a month after both men participated in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, one of the last major engagements of the war, and just days before General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown. While Williams intimates good news is expected daily from Virginia, the overall tone of the letter is slightly desperate. It illustrates that the Continental Army was still experiencing a despairing lack of supplies, further evidenced by Williams urging Marion to reconsider crossing the Santee until they could gather their forces and cross en masse. As Williams expected, Marion's expedition proved unnecessary as Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. Williams was promoted to brigadier general in May 1782. A fascinating letter from the field sent as the Continental Army was on the precipice of victory. The letter is accompanied by a typed transcription, an engraved portrait of Williams in uniform by J. B. Longacre, and an engraved portrait of Marion on horseback. Condition: Five areas of dried adhesive residue, some with paper attachment, along the left edge on the verso that does not touch any text and presumably indicates prior mounting. Uneven left edge that affects one letter on verso. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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