Provost Dungeon: "We suffered every degree of insult"
Patriot Colonel Robert Stark penned this letter to Major General Nathanael Greene describing his treatment as British prisoner of war. Stark (also Starke) served as a South Carolina militia colonel. Following the Siege of Charleston, he was taken prisoner and detained for over a year.
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.
I am Sir
With great respect
Your obedt. Servt.
Robert Stark
June 9th 1781
Source:
Stark, R. (1781, June 9). Letter to Nathanael Greene. In Papers of the Continental Congress (M247-175, Vol. 2, p. 298). National Archives and Records Administration. Transcribed by Billy Markland. https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~familyinformation/history/transcripts/stark.html (Accessed 10 April 2025).
