Robert Stark Letter to Nathaniel Greene 6/9/1781
Papers of the Congressional Congress M247-175 v. 2 pg. 298
National Archives and Records Administration
Transcribed by Billy Markland
(Copy)
Sir
As time will not permit me to give so particular a detail of my sufferings since a prisoner as I would wish to do; the [short?], hope it will induce the
American General in some measure to retaliate if we are not exchanged.
On the 14th day of June last I was taken prisoner on the road on my return home from Genl.
Williamson, where 4 or 500 Americans had collected and by a capitulation settled with one Paris, who was delegated for that purpose by Sr. Henry
Clinton, that our persons and property should be safe. – After being some time in the Jail at Ninety Six, I was with 18 others drove to Town in
irons, guarded by a set of horse thieves, through the extreme Heat in 8 days and then lodged in the cellar under the exchange from the
11th July untill [sic] 26th Decembr.
following, during which time we suffered every degree of insult that well could be inflicted on a set of men, not only from being confined with British
soldiers that had been guilty of every species of villany [sic] and their women, the most abandoned set of wretches I believe that belong to their army,
but negroes of each sex, one of which had the small pox - frequently have I seem my fellow prisoners caned by the Marshal, officers, and Segts. of the
Guard, for no fault - Seldom allowed provisions enough for [a] child, and debared [sic] seeing any of our friends to aid our distresses – but the
greatest stroke of their cruelty was taking away James and Saml. Kennely, Andrew Wells, [Herbt.?] Vessels, Mehanny Dough, and six others, and have
sent them, where I do not know, nor does any of their friends I believe –
A further detail would be breaking through my plan one day (should I be so happy as to regain my Liberty) amusing the world with an account of British
humanity.