"The strength and resources of these [Southern] States to support the war have been greatly magnified and overrated; and those whose business and true interest it was to give a just state of the situation of things have joined in the deception, and, from a false principle of pride of having the country thought powerful, have led people to believe it was so. It is true, there were many inhabitants, but they were spread over a great extent of country, and near equally divided between the King's interest and ours. The majority is greatly in favor of the enemy's interest now, as great numbers of the Whigs have left the country.... The love of pleasure and the want of principle among many of those who are our friends render the exertions very languid in support of our cause; _and unless the Northern States can give more effectual support, these States must fall_."[111] [111] Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, Vol. II. p. 351. Johnson's Life and Correspondence of Nathaniel Greene, Vol. II. p. 87. Writing to Colonel Davie, under date of 23d May, 1781, General Greene again exposes the actual condition of the country. "The animosity between the Whigs and Tories of this State renders their situation truly deplorable. There is not a day passes but there are more or less who fall a sacrifice to this savage disposition. The Whigs seem determined to extirpate the Tories, and the Tories the Whigs. Some thousands have fallen in this way in this quarter, and the evil rages with more violence than ever. If a stop cannot be soon put to these massacres, the country will be depopulated in a few months more, as neither Whig nor Tory can live."[112] [112] Gordon, History of the Rise, etc., of the Independence of the United States, Vol. IV. p. 99. To Lafayette, General Greene, under date of 29th December, 1780, describes the weakness of his troops. "It is now within a few days of the time you mentioned of being with me. Were you to arrive, you would find a few ragged, half-starved troops in the wilderness, destitute of everything necessary for either the comfort or convenience of soldiers.... The country is almost laid waste, and the inhabitants plunder one another with little less than savage fury. We live from hand to mouth, and have nothing to subsist on but what we collect with armed parties. In this situation, I believe you will agree with me, there is nothing inviting this way, especially when I assure you our whole force fit for duty, that are properly clothed and properly equipped, does not amount to eight hundred men."[113] [113] Johnson's Life and Correspondence of Greene, Vol. I. p. 340. Writing to Mr. Varnum, a member of Congress, the General says:--