In this last affair with the enemy, as well as during the whole time I have had the honour to command this detachment, the troops, both officers and men, have behaved in such a manner as to merit my warmest acknowledgment. I have the honour to be, with perfect respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, R. THOMPSON. In the general orders on March 1 the General expressed to the army the opinion he entertained of the merit of Colonel Thompson’s conduct upon this occasion, and of the spirited behaviour of the troops, and to Sir H. Clinton he wrote, March 12, 1782: I had the honour to inform your Excellency that Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson having offered his service during his stay here, I had appointed him to the command of the cavalry. He has put them in exceeding good order and gained their confidence and affection. I am very happy to inform your Excellency of his success in a late excursion upon the Santee. [An account of the action is then given in the despatch.] I enclose to your Excellency Colonel Thompson’s report to me of this very handsome piece of service, and I assure your Excellency that I have much regret to part with this enterprising young officer, who appears to have an uncommon share of merit and zeal for the service; and could he and his corps be spared to act in this part, where cavalry are so much wanted, I am confident it would tend much to the benefit of his Majesty’s service. Despatches of this date show that in council also Thompson was as efficient as in the field. General Leslie wrote to Sir H. Clinton: I beg to know your Excellency’s opinion with regard to our putting arms into the hands of the negroes. I have desired Colonel Thompson to speak with your Excellency upon the subject, and to make known to you the particulars of our situation in that respect. On April 11 Colonel Thompson arrived at New York. Four days afterwards Sir H. Clinton wrote to General Leslie: ‘Those parts of your letters to which you have referred for a more full explanation to Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, I shall answer after consulting with him upon the subject;’ and he also says: ‘With respect to the disagreeable predicament which you mention Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour and other officers of rank in the Southern army stand in on account of Mr. Green’s threats for Colonel Hayne’s execution, I shall consult Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, and let you know my sentiments by the earliest opportunity.’ At this time Sir H. Clinton was about to give up the command he had so often petitioned to resign. He had ‘lamented that his happiness was sacrificed to prevent the partial inconvenience which might have arisen from a change,’ and later he wrote: ‘His Majesty’s assent to my petition will crown the many favours of which my heart will ever retain the most grateful remembrance.’