USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 15
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It appears from their own provision returns for. that day, found in their camp, that their whole force consisted of eleven hundred and twenty-five men, out of which they sustained the following loss : Of the regulars, one Major, one Captain, two Ser- geants and fifteen privates killed, thirty-five privates wounded, left on theground, not able to march, two Captains, four Lieuten- ants, three Ensigns, one Surgeon, five Sergeants, three Corporals and one Drummer, and forty-nine privates taken prisoners. Loss of the Tories, two Colonels, three Captains, and two hundred and one privates killed ; one Major, and one hundred and twenty
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seven privates wounded and left on the ground, not able to march, one Colonel, twelve Captains, eleven Lieutenants, two Ensigns, one Quarter master, one Adjutant, two Commissaries, eighteen Sergeants, and six hundred privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, eleven hundred and five men at King's Mountain.
Given under our hand at camp,
WILLIAM CAMPBELL. ISAAC SHELBY. BENJ. CLEVELAND.
The losses on our side were, one Colonel, one Major, one Cap- tain, two Lieutenants, Four Ensigns, nineteen privates killed ; total, twenty-eight killed ; one Major, three Captains, three Lientenants and fifty-five privates wounded ; total, sixty-two wounded.
Published by order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
P. BUTLER TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
WILMINGTON, Nov. 30th, 1780.
To His Excellency Gov. Nash, Newbern.
DEAR SIR :
I did myself the honour to write to you some time ago from Cross Creek ; since then I have not been favoured with a letter from you.
The Bearer of this, Capt. De Treville, who is in the South Caro- lina Division of the Continental Army, has pressed ine for a Letter to you. I have a Slender acquaintance with this Gentleman, but have always heard Ilim Called a Zealous, diligent and good Officer. He is very Intelligent, & can give you a good deal of information respecting the situation of So. Carolina. He has a Number of their Publiek Papers. I beg to present my best respects to Mrs. Nash.
I have the honour to be, with great respect,
P. BUTLER.
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STATE RECORDS.
DR. HUGH WILLIAMSON TO HON. THOMAS BENBURY.
EDENTON, Dec. 1st, 1780.
The Hon'ble Thomas Benbury, Esq., speaker of the House of Commons of the Assembly of North Carolina.
SIR :
After the Battle of the 16th of Angust, as soon as I overtook Genl. Caswell, he gave me a Flag to return to the Enemies' Lines for the relief of our wounded ; I was also instructed to ask for a return of the Prisoners.
This return I have made to the present Commanding Officer, but, as the Publick may be desirous to know the Fate of those Brave Men who bled on that Memorable Day, I shall take the liberty to men- tion such facts as seem most interesting. I wish I could say that our loss after the Battle, either by wounds or sickness, was incon- siderable ; but we labored under many difficulties. It was onr misfortune that the Countenance we showed immediately after the Battle was not calculated to Command that respect which is due to an army of the United States. The Enemy was disposed to neglect us, and a victory which they greatly overrated did not seem to increase their Humanity. For eight or ten days after the Battle our people suffered under great neglect. After the Bit- terest Complaints and most urgentimportunity our supplies became more liberal. We were also weak in Medical Help. Our Militia Surgeon disappeared after the Battle, and the Commander-in- Chief had not yet turned his attention to the Wounded Prison- ers. It happened that one of the Continental Surgeons fell into the hands of the Enemy. It may be supposed that with his assist- ance, tho' he was indefatigable, I found it impossible to give the desired help to 240 Men, who Laboured under at Least 700 Wounds. After three weeks we were happily reinforced by Dr. Johnson, a Senior Surgeon of great skill & Humanity in the Con- tinental Service.
Inclosed is a List of the wounded Militia, also the only return I could get of the Prisoners in general. It is not satisfactory, for the Commissary of Prisoners, one Booth Boote, whose Char- acter did not appear to be diversified by a single Virtue, would never do any thing that would prove acceptable to us.
The number of wounded bronght into Cambden from the actions of the 16th and 18th of August was 240. Of this number 162
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STATE RECORDS.
were Continental Troops, 12 were South Carolina Militia, 3 were of Virginia Militia, and 63 were of the Militia of this State, of whom the List is enclosed.
On the 7th of September 18 of our Militia, having recovered from their wounds, were sent to Charlestown ; 9 of the Militia, hav- ing recovered, escaped at different times, and 10 of them remained in Cambden on the 13th of October chiefly well. We had the misfor- tune to lose 5 Privates, who died by their Wounds, 9 by the Small Pox, 1 by a Putrid fever, and 4 by the Flux ; 2 Officers died by their Wounds and 2 by the Small Pox.
It will be observed that we paid a heavy tribute to the Small Pox. However, we have the comfort to recolleet that, having formed the most alarming apprehensions from that disease, no means in our power were omitted by which we might avoid or pal- liate its dangerous effects. The British Camp generally contains the Seeds of Small Pox. It had been in Cambden for some time. We were not suffered even to inoculate those Men whose wounds would admit of that operation with safety. Lord Cornwallis shewed much displeasure at the Inoculation of an Officer who had a slight wound, and was quartered apart in a private House. Desirous that some of our Surgeons might be permitted to inocu- late the prisoners who were sent to Charles Town, I made an application to his Lordship on that Subject, and received the inclosed Answer, from which nothing could be expected. Imme- diately after I was called to see two of the Inhabitants of South Carolina who were sick in Prison. They had the small Pox in a small Room with 17 others, State Prisoners, who were yet to take it. I wrote Lord Cornwallis on so pressing a Tryal of Humanity, Stated the Cases fully, and assured his Lordship that Confinement in such a Room, putrescent as the Atmosphere there was, must be followed by death, equally certain as immediate execution. The two sick Men were enlarged, but the others were detained ; they were not inoculated ; most of them died. About the 22nd of Sep- tember we obtained Permission to inoculate such of our Men as had hitherto escaped. At that time the State Prisoners in Jail, many of them very sick, were committed to my Care. Such as were then in health, and were inoculated, suffered very little by the Small Pox. During the whole of our attendance on the wounded
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STATE RECORDS.
and Sick, we had occasion to remark That the most of our Pris- oners were visited by the Flux, which prevailed in Cambden ; we did not lose a single Man by that disease, unless of those who had broken thighs or Legs.
That small Boys suffered most by the Flux ; That the suffer- ings of our men were greatly inereased by the want of Sugar, Tea, Coffee, Vinegar, and such other palatable antiseptic Nourish- ment as is best suited the Sick. The cry for these Articles was constant, while our supplies were so seanty as hardly to deserve the name, nor was any thing of the kind to be purchased for Money, unless in very trifling Quantities. From a transient view of our misfortunes it is elear that we should save many Lives by any kind of Military establishment which would admit of the Troops being inoculated before they took the Field.
It is also clear that a moderate supply of Sugar, Rice, Tea, Coffee or such other wholesome Nourishment for the sick and invalids of our Militia would tend greatly to reconeile them to the hardships of a Campaign & would save the lives of many.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and very humble Servt., WILLIAMSON.
To the Honble Thos. Benbury, Esqr., Speaker of the Commons House of Assembly.
RETURN OF WOUNDED N. C. MILITIA PRISONERS OF WAR.
Return of the North Carolina Militia Prisoners of war who were wounded on the 16th & 18th of August, 1780.
OFFICERS.
General Rutherford.
Majors-Parker died of his wounds-Harris-J. Bird.
Captains-Edwards and Triee died of the small pox.
Macon-Joust Boyce-John Allen.
Lieutenants-Smith died of his wounds-Fra Brackey-Swain Davis.
DIXON'S REGIMENT-PRIVATES.
Thos. Weeks. David Bloodworth. Thos. Dobbin.
Jn. Atkinson. Enos Ewer. Eli Crocket.
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STATE RECORDS.
Jos. Irvin. Woodard Tucker.
Sam Borden.
Wm. Wright. Thos. Clarke.
Wm. Powel.
Zack Williamson.
Emanl. Bowser.
Cader Harrol.
Mill Gids.
Jas. Warton.
EXUM'S REGIMENT-PRIVATES.
Jacob Cole.
Waxel Perry. - - Ebenezer. J. Wallace.
Jos. Seburn. Burrel Whitington. John Mason. Geo. Hooper.
COLLIER'S REGIMENT-PRIVATES.
Thos. Belsire.
Rab Burnside.
Thos. Wellmot. Malachi Horton.
Barney Sains.
Wm. West.
ALEXANDER'S REGIMENT-PRIVATES.
John MacLaughlin.
Rich. Cain.
Andy Bowman. Dan Burnside.
John Barker Ider.
Jas. Day.
Rob. Walker.
Geo. Craycroft.
John Pollerson.
ARMSTRONG'S REGIMENT-PRIVATES.
Jno. Davis Sim. Southern. Elias Pea
Return of the North Carolina Militia who were taken Prison- ers on the 16th of August, 1780.
1 Brigadier.
1 Col. 1 Lient. Col.
1 Major.
6 Captains. 4 Lients.
1 Aid de Camp. 2 Commissaries. 2 Serg. Majors. 7 Serjeants. 3 Corporals. 136 Rank and file.
Jos. Ray. Chas. Withers. Zack Gallop. Jardin Harrel. Cam Smith. Sam Arnal.
Dan'l Spivy. Wm. Jones.
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STATE RECORDS.
Taken on the 18th of Angust :
1 Lient. Col.
3 Captains.
3 Lieuts.
2 Ensigns.
1 Commissary. 1 Sergeant. 98 Rank and file.
294
To this List the Commissary had added one Willson, a Surgeon, who had been with Genl. Rutherford's Brigade, & submitted some days after the Battle.
GENERAL ORDERS BY MAJ. GEN. GATES.
HEAD QUARTERS, CHARLOTTE, 3 December, 1780.
The Honorable Major General Greene, who arrived yesterday afternoon in Charlotte, being appointed by His Excellency Gen- eral Washington, with the approbation of the Honorable the Con- gress, to the Command of the Southern Army, all orders will, for the future, issue from, and all Reports are to be made to, him.
General Gates returns his sincere thanks to the Southern Army for their Perseverance, Fortitude and patient endurance of all the Hardships and Sufferings they have undergone while under his Command. He anxiously hopes their Misfortunes will cease Herewith, and that Victory, with the Glory and Advantages attending it, may be the future Portion of the Southern Army.
GENERAL ORDERS BY MAJ. GENL. GREENE.
CHARLOTTE, 5th December, 1780.
General Greene returns his Thanks to the Hon'ble Major Gen- eral Gates for the polite Manner in which he has introduced him to his Command, and for his good Wishes for the Success of the Southern Army.
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STATE RECORDS.
[FROM GARDNER'S DIARY OF THE REVOLUTION, VOL. 2, PAGES 351 & 352.]
December 5, 1780.
A letter of this date from Charlotte in North Carolina says : "Although some pains have been taken to asperse the militia of this, as well as our sister States, on account of what happened on the memorable 16th & 18th of Angust, yet I hope that an impar- tial world will not lose sight of those striking marks of heroism displayed at Ramsonr's on the 20th of June, where Col. Locke commanded; at Packolet, in the night of the 15th of July, where Colonel MeDowel commanded ; at Coleson's, the south of Rocky River, on the 21st of July, where Colonel, now General, Davidson commanded, and in which he was wounded ; at Rocky Mount, on the 23rd of July, where the heroic General Sumpter Commanded ; at Hanging Rock, on the 6th of August, where General Sumpter Commanded; at Enoree, the 19th of August, where the late intrepid Colonel Williams commanded ; at Angnsta in Georgia, on the 12th of September, where Col. Clarke commanded ; at King's Mountain, on the 7th of October, where Colonel Campbell com- manded ; at Broad River, on the 9th of November, where General Sumpter commanded, and where Major Wemyss was made pris- oner ; at Black Stocks, on Tygar River, on the 20th of November, where General Sumpter commanded, and was unfortunately wounded ; besides several other rencounters. Such a train of important victories, obtainel by raw militia, has no parallel in history.
"The firmness of the people in Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties when the enemy advanced to Charlotte evince that they possess the most gennine principles ; they were left to defend themselves against the whole force of the enemy. His Lordship took post at Charlotte with amazing pomp. Proclamations were issned, peace and protection was offered to all returning and penitent rebels, and death, with all its terrors, threatened to the obstinate and impenitent. Governor Martin, with great solemnity, assumed the Government, and conceived himself reinstated. The people generally abandoned their habitations; some fled with snch of their property as they could carry ; others took the field, determined to dispute every foot of the ground, and some assembled in small
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STATE RECORDS.
parties, in their respective neighborhoods, determined to harass the enemy's foraging parties. His Lordship soon discovered that he was in an enemy's country, without provisions, without forage, without frends, without intelligence, without a single humble serv- ant except Peter Johnson and McCafferty, who at last deserted him in the night, and came to make peace with us ; his communication with Camden cut off and his dispatches intercepted ; in the mean time our friends joined issue with Ferguson at King's Mountain.
" These are stubborn facts, and will do immortal honor to the militia. Lord Cornwallis' aid, in a letter to Col. Balfour, which was intercepted, says : 'Charlotte is an agreeable village, but in a d ____ d rebellious country.' Oh ! had we a well-appointed, well,- disciplined, permanent force, what a delightful back-country dance we should have led his lordship at Charlotte."
[FROM JOHNSON'S TRADITIONS OF THE REVOLUTION, PAGE 3. ]
Dr. Williamson, the historian of North Carolina, was the gentleman who obtained for Dr. Franklin the original Let- ters of Governor Hutchinson, of Massachusetts, and of Oliver, the Lieut. Governor, to the British ministry, advising hos- tilities against the people of America. He was then in Lon- don, engaged in scientific investigations, and had observed a cham- ber or office in which colonial papers were kept for future refer- ence. Concluding that the reported letters were probably there, he went, in the character of a messenger from the head of one of the departments, and called for the letters last received from Hutchin- son and Oliver. They were handed to him, without suspicion, and immediately put by him into the hands of Dr. Franklin. Early the next morning Dr. Williamson was the bearer of these dis- patches, and at sea, crossed over to Holland, on his way to America. This transaction gave rise to the violent philippie of Mr. Wedder- burn (afterwards Lord Loughborough) against Dr. Franklin, which has always been considered one of the most finished speci- mens of declamation in the English language.
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STATE RECORDS.
GEN. NATH. GREENE TO GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[From the Washington Papers, No. 44, P 120.] CAMP CHARLOTTE, December 7th, 1780.
SIR :
I arrived at this place on the 2d of this Instant, General Gates having reached this some days before me with a part of the troops under his command, the rest being on their march to Hillsborough. General Smallwood was below this, about fifteen miles towards the Waxhaws, where he had been for a considerable time before General Gates marched trom Hillsborough. On my arrival I sent for him, but he was gone towards Cambden in pursuit of a . party of tories, and did not arrive in camp till the night before last. Immediately I called a council respecting the practicabil- ity of holding a council of enquiry upon Genl. Gates' conduct during his command in this department. The questions stated to the council, and the answers of the members, are enclosed in the papers from No. 1 to 5. I wrote your Excellency at Rich- mond that I should leave the Baron de Stenben to take command in Virginia, which I accordingly did, and to endeavour, if possi- ble, to make an arrangement of that line, since which I have not heard from him nor whether the enemy have left Chesepeak bay or not. As I passed through Petersburg an Express arrived from below with intelligence that the enemy had returned but having heard nothing further of the matter con- clude the report must have been premature.
To give your Excellency an Idea of the state and condition of this army, if it deserves the name of one, I enclose you an extract of a letter wrote by Genl. Gates to the Board of War, No. 6. Nothing can be more wretched and distressing than the condition of the troops, starving with cold and hunger, without tents and camp equipage. Those of the Virginia line are literally naked, and a great part totally unfit for any kind of duty, and must remain so untill clothing can be had from the Northward. I have written to Governor Jefferson not to send forward any more untill they are well clothed and properly equiped.
As I expected, so I find the great bodies of Militia that have been in the field and the manner in which they came out, being
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STATE RECORDS.
all on horse back, had laid waste all the country in such a man- ner that I am really afraid it will be impossible to subsist the few troops we have, and if we can be subsisted at all, it must be by moving to the provisions, for they have no way of bringing it to the army.
I have desired the Board of War of this State not to call out any more Militia untill we can be better satisfied about the means of subsistance for the regular troops and the Militia from Virginia.
Lord Cornwallis lies with his principal force at a place called Wynnsborough, about half way between Camden and Ninety- Six, at both of which places the enemy have a post and are strongly fortifyed. At Camden they have seven redonbts, at Ninety-Six not more than three, but they are very strong. Part, . if not the whole, of the embarkation mentioned in your Excel- lency's letter of the 8th ulto. as taking place at New York have arrived at Charlestown, and it is said Lord Cornwallis is preparing for some movement.
I have parties exploring the Dan, Yadkin and Catawba rivers, and am not without hopes we shall be able to assist the army by water transportation. It is next to impossible to get a suffi- ciency of waggons to draw provisions and forage the very great distance we are obliged to fetch it to feed the army.
The inhabitants of this country live too remote from one another to be animated into great exertions ; and the people appear, not- withstanding their danger, very intent upon their private affairs.
Enclosed, No. 7 and S, are the reports of General Sumpter's last action and Lt. Col. Washington's stratagem, by which he took Col. Kingley and his party.
I find when the Baron Steuben comes forward there will be a difficulty between him and General Smallwood. The latter declares he never will submit to the command of the former, and insists upon having his commission dated back to as early a period as he had a right to promotion. When that was, I know not, as I know of no principles of promotion from Brig- adiers to Majors General except their seniority or special merit. What is best to be done in the affair? Before I order the Baron to come forward, I wish your Excellency's advice in the
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STATE RECORDS.
matter. I fear our army is always to be convulsed by extra- ordinary elaims and special appointments. They are exceedingly good men. It is a pity a dispute should arise between them, so injurious to the service as it must be.
My Ideas respecting the power given by Congress for exchang- ing prisoners of war in this department perfectly corresponds with your Exeelleney's. I had no Idea that it extended to the Con- vention troops, and by my enquiry only meant to learn your advice, so that my conduct might correspond with your views.
All the prisoners taken by Col. Campbell and others have been dismissed, paroled and enlisted in the Militia Service for three months, except abont 130. Thus we have lost by this folly (not to say anything worse) of those who had them in charge upwards of six hundred men. I am told Lord Cornwallis has lately made a proposition to General Smallwood for exchanging all the pris- oners in North and S. Carolina. If it is upon terms that are just and equal, I shall avail myself of it, For a great number of pris- oners is a heavy weight upon our hands.
I am too little informed of the resources still left in this country, and of the Enemy's designs, to tell what disposition to make or how to dispose of the little force we have in the field. I shall do the best I can and keep your Exeelleney eon- stantly advised of my situation.
General Gates sets out to-morrow for the Northward. Many officers think very favourably of his conduct, and that when- ever an enquiry takes place he will honorably aequit himself. I am, with great esteem and regard,
Your Excellency's most Obedient Humble Servant,
NATHL. GREENE.
His Excellency General Washington.
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STATE RECORDS.
GOV. ABNER NASH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
[From the Washington Papers, No. 44, P. 189.]
NEWBERN, December 14, 1780.
SIR :
I have just had the hononr to receive your Excellency's favour of the 6th ult. Your favours by Majr. General Greene I did myself the honour to answer some time ago, & expressed how much the Southern States were indebted to you for your attention shewn to their interests in the appointmt. of that Genl. to the Command here, & have no doubt he will effect every advantage for us that we may enable him to do; at the same time must observe that the provision hitherto made by the Assembly of this State in particular for the support of an Army is so inadequate, & the steps taken with regard to the currency & other Matters of the greatest consequence so void of policy, that I fear much dis- tress must yet be indured before we shall become sufficiently wise for our own interests. The resolutions of Congress for filling np our Continental Battalions I have repeatedly & in the most press- ing manner recommended to their attention, & have had the mor- tification as yet to find nothing effectual done. I hope your Excel- lency's Letter to me on this Subject, w'ch I shall have the Honour of Laying before them in a few days, will move the Assembly to do something Suitable to their rank as a Sovereign State, & indeed absolutely necessary to their political Existence. Of all their Acts respecting the great object of defence I shall not fail to acquaint yr. Excellency as soon as I am afforded an opportunity.
Since the affair of Ferguson's defeat, w'ch did the highest honour to the Militia concerned in it, I hear the noted Col. Tarleton has been defeated by another party of Militia under the com'd of Genl. Sumpter. The Board of War writes me that in this action the British lost 90 men killed & 70 taken prisoners, & that Tarleton himself was wounded in two places, thro' the Body & his Thigh broken. I have had the same accts. from Genls. in different parts of the Country, but having it not from Camp I dare not give it as Fact, tho' I much believe it. I have not heard a word of the Enemy landed in Virga. since they left that country. Immediately
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on their departure I sent express to Genl. Smallwood to put him on his Guard. The Enemy have not been intirely free of trouble off Charlestown, & on the Coast in that quarter during this sum- mer ; they have suffered very considerably by our privateers, par- . ticularly by open Row Boats. These Boats, with forty or fifty men on Board, take almost every thing that comes in their way. Two who went in company returned here this week, after a leave of about 20 days, in w'ch time they took and sent in 12 valuable prizes, besides burning, I think, 4. They also did another impor- tant serviee ; they landed in Georgia and took off a Mr. Young, the richest man and greatest Tory in that country, except the Gov- ernor ; they also brought off a considerable number of his negroes. This Mr. Young is now a prisoner. Here the action is exclaimed against by some moderate men ; however, as it is exactly in the line of retaliation, I shall not fail to encourage it, unless I should be overruled. There has been lately a second transportation of Charles Town citizens to Augusta ; among these is Mr. Middle- ton the younger. Even the ladies do not escape their vengeance. Mrs. Kinloek and Mrs. Ben Huger have written to me of their distresses. For the offenee of permitting Mrs. Pendleton, who escaped from Charles Town, to stay a night in their house they have been taken from their plantation at Wacomieo and car- ried prisoners to Chas. Town, where they are now confined, and redueed from a state of the greatest affluence to want; and to embitter the condition of Mrs. Huger (the lady of Maj. Huger, who fell in the siege of Charles Town) she has lost two of her small children since she was separated from them, probably for want of eare ; but what I have mention'd are trifles compared to their daily enormities. I shall on all occasions think myself highly honored in hearing from your Excellency, and shall not fail from time to time giving yon such intelligenee as I shall think it neces- sary for our Commander-in-Chief to know,
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