.png){kind=logo}
Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
MS883AA |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
April 28, 1812 |
Scope & Content |
"Letter from Lt. Champlin[sic]/ 28 April" "Fort Johnson So.Carolina/ April 28th 1812/ Sir,/ Your letter of the 14th inst. I had the/ the[sic] pleasure to receive yesterday. The Gun carriages/ and ordnance stores that were shipped to my address/ wer sent to Savannah the day after they arrived/ in Charleston. I am just of a jaunt, with/ Major Swift, as far south as Savannah./ I accompanied him, by his particular request/ to inspect the public works on the sea- board,/ being Agent for Fortifications in this state./ Capt. McRea, the Engineer at Savannah, is going/ on rapidly with a battery of masonry, that will mount/ from 10 to 12 18 + 24 prs. The work will be compleated[sic]/ in all June next. The Fort is at five fathom/ 3 miles below the city. There is a work com=/ menced of Topia, at Beaufort in this state/ intended to 8 or 9 18 + 24 prs. I fear, if we should/ have any fighting to do soon, this work could/ not be got ready for action. I believe there/ is nothing wanting to render Fort Moultrie complete/ but the finishing of the platform, + in that they/ are proceeding fast. We are making a/ platform at the north west end of the Fort/ at this post, on which it is intended to mount from/ 12 to 13 18 + 24 prs. The pltform of the upper/ battery, is so much decaid[sic] and with all so[?] narrow/ that we shall to construct it anew. The parapet is/ also to be lowered to suit the kind of Carriages/ sent into this Harbour by Capt. Walback. All of/ this work can be done in a short time./ Castle Pinckney requires every thing in the/ ordnance line, except guns, to render it fit for/ action. The carraiges sent on for that port, are/ not high enough for the Barbette Battery - but/ will answer for the lower[?] tier[?], by taking away/ a few iunches of the platform, which is formed/ of Topia. I have given you Sir, this rough/ sketch of the work, believing it would acceptable[sic]./ I had the mistfortune to maim myself very/ much by a fall, which will prevent for a few/ days my visiting the posts in the Harbour, to/ give you a correct ordnance return./ Capt. William Wilson is in command of this fort/ & the late Malfords[sic] company./ I have the honor to be/ Sir,/ very respectfully/ Your mo. ob.t Serv.t/ S. Champlain/ Lieut of Artillerists/ Colonel Henry Burbeck/ City of Washington" |
Title |
Letters Received in April and May 1812 |
Collection |
Burbeck Collection |