General Nathanael Greene's military directive to Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee while commanding the Southern Campaign in Georgia

(South Carolina): Camp at Timms tavern, June 25, 1781. One sheet folded to make four pages, 14 5/8 x 9 3/4 in. (371 x 248 mm). Autograph letter, signed by Nathanael Greene to Col. Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, concerning his campaign to retake Georgia from the British; addressed on integral leaf by Greene, "Lt Colonel Lee"; repaired along center fold; creasing from original folds; dampstaining and soiling to each page. Lot includes an engraved image of Greene.

Only a few days following Greene's battle at the Siege of Ninety-Six in western South Carolina, he orders 25-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee and his men to march south to help retake Georgia from the British.

"Camp at Timms tavern
June 25th 1781

Dear Sir

Mr Lee informs me that the Enemy are retreating. This is nothing more than I expected as you may see by my letter of this morning. If you can annoy them on their return you will act as the circumstances may render necessary.

General Sumter will move down into the lower Country and you will move down also. I shall march out no particular line of conduct for you, but leave you at full liberty to govern your self as your own judgment may direct. General Marian is at the Congaree and I expect will join Gen. Sumter in his plan of operations.

We shall move towards the Wateree and prepare to take post upon the high hills of Santee.

Capt Kirkwoods light Infantry you will direct to join Col Washington. Your own Infantry and the 100 Virginia Militia you will either send to join us or take with you as you may find necessary. Dont neglect to take all the good horses you may come across; give receipts for all you take to both Whigs and Tories.

A detachment of the North Carolina regulars is within ten miles of us and will join us tomorrow.

Governor Nash says he has seen and talked with the man that saw the engagement between Admiral Rodney and Count du Grass. The particulars he is not fully acquainted with but the defeat was general and the French left masters of the sea.

We shall hold here to morrow and then move off towards Santee.

Your obt. N Greene"

By the summer of 1780, the theater of war had shifted to the South as the British regained control of important cities in the Carolinas and Georgia. Following Greene and his army's unsuccessful siege on Ninety-Six, South Carolina, that ended only days before this letter, on June 18, 1781, he ordered Lee and his legion deep into the south to help retake Georgia from British control. Lee and his men's war of attrition was largely successful--and brutal--in retaking Georgia, as his troops raided British outposts, cut supply lines, and gathered crucial information on the enemy that ultimately contributed to the success of the Americans.

In the fall of 1780, Greene was appointed by Congress, at George Washington's urging, to lead the Southern Army. Greene's 18-month campaign through the Carolina's and Georgia helped ensure victory for the United States over the British, and is remembered as one of the greatest American military campaigns ever.