al, Williams now applied himself to the adoption of measures
for the safety of Arthur Butler. Amongst the spoils that had fallen into
his hands, after the victory over Innis, was the document containing the
proceedings of the court-martial. The perusal of this paper, together
with the comments afforded by Robinson, convinced him of the malignity
of the persecution which had aimed at the life of the prisoner. It
occurred to him, therefore, to submit the whole proceeding to Lord
Cornwallis, to whom, he was persuaded, it either had been
misrepresented, or, most probably, was entirely unknown. He did not
doubt that an appeal to the honorable feelings of that officer, with a
full disclosure of the facts, would instantly be followed by an order
that should put Butler under the protection of the rules of war, and
insure him all the rights that belong to a mere prisoner taken in arms
in a lawful quarrel. A spirited remonstrance was accordingly prepared to
this effect. It detailed the circumstances of Butler's case, which was
accompanied with a copy of the proceedings of the court, and it
concluded with a demand that such measures should be adopted by the head
of the army, as comported with the rights of humanity and the laws of
war; "a course," the writer suggested, "that he did not hesitate to
believe his lordship would feel belonged both to the honor and duty of
his station." This paper was consigned to the care of an officer, who
was directed to proceed with it, under a flag of truce, to the
head-quarters of the British commander.

Soon after this, Robinson apprised Williams that Ramsay and himself had
determined to venture back towards the Ennoree, to learn something of
the state of affairs in that quarter, and to apply themselves more
immediately to the service of Butler. In aid of this design, the
sergeant obtained a letter from Williams, the purport of which was to
inform the commandant of any post of the loyalists whom it might
concern, that an application had been made on Butler's behalf to
Cornwallis, and that the severest retaliation would be exercised upon
the prisoners in Williams's custody, for any violence that might be
offered the American officer. Putting this letter in his pocket, our man
of "mickle might," attended by his good and faithful ally, John Ramsay,
took his leave of "The Fair Forest" towards noon of the fourth day after
the battle near Musgrove's mill.

The second morning after their departure, the