From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 May 1780
To Samuel Huntington
Head Quarters Morris Town 31st May 1780
Sir
I am sorry that I am under the necessity of transmitting the inclosed Gazette extraordinary to your Excellency, by which it appears that Charles town surrendered to the Enemy on the 12th Instant1—You probably will, by the time this reaches you, have received a confirmation of this unfortunate event, directly from Carolina.2 I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and humble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 5 June (
, 17:486).1. GW enclosed a copy of the extraordinary issue of The Royal Gazette (New York) published on 29 May (see Elias Dayton to GW, 30 May, and n.1). For the surrender at Charleston, S.C., see Duportail to GW, 17 May, and n.1.
2. Official dispatches on the surrender arrived in Philadelphia on 14 June (see Huntington to GW, 15 June).