USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 16
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And am, with the highest respect and esteem, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedt. and very Hble. Servant,
I beg yr. Excelleney to forward the enelosed Ltr. to Genl. Howe, A. N.
A. NASH.
[Endorsed] December 14th, 1780, from Governor Nash.
15-12
178
STATE RECORDS.
COL. THOMAS POLK OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.
[From Johnson's Traditions of the Revolution, 1776, Pages 83 & 83.] December 15.
This gentleman was originally a surveyor in the southwestern portion of North Carolina, his education not acquired within the classic walls of a college, but practically obtained at intervals, from his occupations in the hills, vallies and forests of the Province. He thus became universally known and respected. No man possessed more influence in that part of North Carolina. He was uniformly a member of their Legislature, and was elected Colonel of the militia of Mecklenburg county ; Adam Alexander was the lieutenant-colonel, John Phifer the 1st Major, and John Davidson the 2d major.
In consultation with his neighbors, the Alexanders, and Dr. Brevard, it was thought necessary to express their opinions of the political relations of America with Great Britain, particularly of the Boston port bill, and the late arrival of numerous British troops in Boston. It was agreed that he, as the military head, should issue a notice to officers of each company in his regi- ment, convening them, on the 19th of May, to consult on civil and military concerns. The officers met at the time appointed, not knowing of any political excitement, but it happened provi- dentially that on the same day the express arrived from Boston with printed statements of the attack on Concord by the British troeps, and the battle of Lexington, which ensued. There was no longer conjecture or apprehension of what might be done by the soldiers to the citizens. Here was an outrage, attended by hostilities ; the war had commenced, and they resolved to meet the exigency by the measures which have been detailed.
The first opportunity for proving his zeal, afforded to Col. Polk, was in South Carolina, in the winter of 1775. The tories in the northwestern part of the State had embodied themselves under Fletchal, Cunningham and others, with the inducements held ont to them by Sir William Campbell, the last of the royal Governors. They had attacked the Whigs, under General Will- iamson, besieged him in Cambridge, Ninety-Six, and forced him to capitulate. The Council of Safety ordered ont General Rich-
179
STATE RECORDS.
ard Richardson's brigade of militia, supported by Colonel Will- iam Thomson's new regiment of rangers, and called on the Whigs of North Carolina to aid in crushing the royalists. They did not hesitate or delay, but marched into the upper districts, under Colonels Polk, Rutherford, and Martin and Graham, with about nine hundred men. Col. Polk took with him his oldest son, Charles, who was wounded in a skirmish with the enemy. The royalists were completely vanquished, and did not again give any trouble until the fall of 1780, nearly five years.
When North Carolina raised four regiments of continentals, the Legislature elected Colonel Thomas Polk to the command of the 4th regiment. We have not heard of his adventures during the exciting scenes of General Gates' advance and disastrous flight through that part of North Carolina, but cannot doubt of his untiring energy and resistance to the British army under Lord Cornwallis, when we know that he called Mecklenburg " the hornet's nest." This gentleman was the uncle of the late Presi- dent James K. Polk.
When General Greene succeeded to the command of the South- ern army, we find the following letter recorded :
CAMP CHARLOTTE, December 15th, 1780. To Col. Polk.
SIR :
I find it will be impossible to leave camp as early as I intended, as Colonel Kosciusko has made no report yet respecting a posi- tion on Pedee. I must, therefore, beg you to continue the daily supplies of the army, and keep in readiness the three days' pro- visions beforehand. I have just received some intelligence from Governor Nash and from Congress which makes me wish to see you.
I am, &c., NATHANIEL GREENE.
This letter bears strong evidence of Greene's confidence in the energy, punctuality and patriotism of Colonel Polk, who at that time owned mills in the neighborhood of Charlotte and kept a store in the village.
180
STATE RECORDS.
ANDREW ARMSTRONG TO HON. THOS. BURKE.
TAYLOR'S FERRY, December 15th, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
A few days ago I met Mr. Porterfield on his way to Philadel- phia, which prevents the Necessity of my delivering your letter to Mr. Mallett. I understand (providing he receives Money equal to the purpose) he has full instructions to purchase your place. I thought best to let you know, that you might govern your- self accordingly.
I think it may be depended upon that Tarleton's light Horse attempted to surprise Sumpter, and was repulsed with consider- able loss. When you leave Congress, (if you are in Cash,) I would be much obliged to you if you buy me as much Cloth and trimmings as will make me a Coat and Jacket, and let your Serv- ant bring it home, or send it by some Waggon, as the places where I have been affords nothing but the worst of substitutes. I pay no regard to the Colour; only let the Cloth be good. I am now getting some Sugar and Coffee taken to Hillsborough, where Mrs. Burke shall have what she may have occasion for, and if there is any apparent Necessity yon may rest assured that I will pay all the attention to your conserns that is in my power, but I now begin to think that everything in our State will be undisturbed untill your return. If you see Colo. Hart you may inform him that I am convineed I could not serve him so much any other way as by doing nothing for him. I will be more explieit to him by Colo. Rochester, to whom I will deliver his Gold.
I am, Sir, with respeet, your Servt., ANDW. ARMSTRONG.
The Honourable Thomas Burke, in Congress, from Andw. Arm strong. Favd. by Col. Carrington.
181
STATE RECORDS.
GENL. NATH'L GREENE TO COL. MARBERRY.
[From Johnson's Traditions of the Revolution, 1776, Pages 388-389.]
The following may afford some idea, however imperfect, of the destitute situation of the Southern army :
CAMP CHARLOTTE, December 16, 1780.
SIR :
The oznaburgs and sheeting now at this post will be sent you immediately, to be made up into shirts and overalls for the sol- diers. You will engage the women of the country to make them, and, if you cannot do better, they must be paid in salt. You know the distresses of the soldiery, and I flatter myself that you will make every exertion to have them made up imme- diately. The hospital is ordered from this place to Salisbury, the preparations for which will call for your attention.
I am Sir, &c.,
NATHL. GREENE.
HON. JAMES PORTERFIELD TO HON. THOS. BURKE.
PREDERICKSBURG, 19th December, 1780. The Honourable Thomas Burke, Esqr., by Post, in Congress ; from James Porterfield.
SIR :
You have, without doubt, expected to see me or some other messenger from Mr. Mallett before this time. I have been detained here by some Publiek accts., but shall without fail leave this place in three days for Philadelphia, where I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you. I can inform you that Mrs. Burke was well when I left Hillsborough, the 3rd Inst. We had just received accts. from Salisbury by a Letter from a Gen- tleman there to Doctr. Reed at Hillsborough, informing you that on the 20th of last month Colo. Tarleton attempted to surprise Genl. Sumpter, in which he was repulsed in three successive Charges, with a Loss of Eighty men killed and seventy-five taken. Tarleton was Mortally wounded, and Sumpter slightly, with a
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STATE RECORDS.
ball in his Shoulder, which was immediately extracted. Doctr. Reed (whom perhaps you may be acquainted with) assures us that his information is so good he cannot doubt it.
I am, very Respectfully, Yonr Obedt. Servt.,
JAMES PORTERFIELD.
GENERAL NATHL. GREENE TO ROBERT ROWAN.
CAMP CHERAWS, December 26, 1780.
SIR :
I am told that you are appointed clothier-general for the State of North Carolina. The state of the army is such, with respect to clothing and shoes, that I wish to see and consult with you upon some plan for securing a supply, partienlarly of the latter articles. For this purpose I beg that you will come to camp as soon as you can with any degree of convenience.
The beeves that are killed for the use of the army afford a great number of hides, which I wish to have exchanged either for tanned leather or good shoes. Please to make enquiry concerning the conditions on which exchanges could be made.
I am, etc., NATHL. GREENE.
[EXTRACTS FROM JOHNSON'S LIFE OF GREENE, VOL. 2, PAGE 316.]
"Our troops were never without provisions so much during all last campaign as they have been since Mr. Hart has undertaken the business, and the provisions not more than twenty or thirty miles off. The army went on suffering and complaining, at intervals fed, and at times almost in a state of mutiny, and kept to duty only by alternate soothing and severity. Rnm and tobacco, two articles of indispensable necessity to American soldiery, could seldom be commanded, and a very large proportion of the army were in a state of disgusting nakedness. A tattered remnant of some garment, clumsily stuck together with the thorns of the locust tree, formed the sole covering of hundreds. Great
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STATE RECORDS.
part of my troops are in a deplorable situation for want of clothing. Not a rag of clothing has come from the North, except a small quantity of linen for the officers. We have three hundred men without arms, and more than 1,000 men are so naked for want of clothing that they can only be put on duty in case of desperate necessity."
KING'S MOUNTAIN BATTLE-BRITISH ACCOUNTS.
[From Scots Magazine, January, 1781.]
CHARLESTON, December 27, 1780.
A gentleman lately come to town has favoured us with an account of the base treatment the unfortunate officers and men met with who surrendered prisoners of war last October to the Rebel, Col. Campbell, in the action of King's Mountain. A small party of the (British) militia returning from foraging, unac- quainted with the surrender, happening to fire on the Rebels, the prisoners were immediately threatened with death if the firing should be repeated.
The morning after the action the prisoners were marched sixteen miles. Previous to their march, orders were given by Campbell, should they be attacked, to fire on and destroy every prisoner. The party kept marching for two days without any kind of provisions. On the third day's march all the baggage of the officers was seized and shared among the Rebel Officers.
A few days after a mock conrt-martial sat for the trial of the militia prisoners, when, after a short hearing, thirty gentlemen, some of the most respectable characters in that country, had sentence of death passed on them, and at six O'clock the same day they began to execute. Col. Mills and Capt. Chitwood, of North Carolina, Capt. Wilson, of Ninety-Six, and six privates were first executed. The British Officers were compelled to attend at the" execution of their brave but unfortunate men, who, with manly firmness, avowed their loyalty in their last moments, and with their latest breath expressed their unutterable detestation for the Rebels and their base and infamous proceedings. The remaining twenty-one were reprieved for a time.
184
STATE RECORDS.
GEN. NATH. GREENETO GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[From the Washington Paper. No. 44, P. 311.]
CAMP AT THE CHERAWS, ON THE WEST 1 SIDE OF THE PEDEE, December 28th, 1780. 5
SIR :
In my last dispatches of the 7th Instant I informed your Excel- lency of my arrival at Camp, and of the condition and situation of the Army. I was apprehensive, on my first arrival, that the Country around Charlotte was too much exhausted to afford sub- sistence for the Army at that place for any considerable time.
Upon a little further enquiry I was fully convinced, and imme- diately dispatched Col. Kosciuzko to look out a position on the Pedee that would afford a healthy camp and provisions in plenty. His report was favourable, and I immediately put the army under marching orders ; but the excessive rains, which continued eleven days, prevented our marching till the 20th Inst. We arrived here the 26th, having performed the march with incredible diffi- culty through a barren Country, with waggons and horses alto- gether unfit for service.
The probability that my taking this position would discourage the enemy from attempting to possess themselves of Cross Creek, which would have given them the command of the greatest part of the provisions in the lower country, was another inducement to come to this place. It is also a camp of repose, and no army ever wanted one more, the troops having utterly lost their discipline.
Before I left Charlotte I detached 300 of our best troops and Lt. Colonel Washington's Regiment of Light Dragoons, under the command of Genl. Morgan, with orders to take a position on the South side of the Catawba, near the fork of Broad river, where he was to be joined by 300 volunteers under Gen. Davidson and 4 or 500 S. Carolina and Georgia Militia under the command of Colo- nel Clark and Colonel Few.
With this party he is either to act upon the offensive or defen- sive, as occasion may warrant. This will streigthen the enemy in their limits and prevent their drawing their supplies from the upper country. It will also give spirits to the Inhabitants of that quarter, and enable them to form a number of small magazines in
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STATE RECORDS.
the rear of the troops, (which Genl. Morgan has particularly in charge,) that we may have something to subsist on should we be able to advance hereafter in force.
Lord Cornwallis continues in the same position that he was when I wrote before, and Genl. Leslie arrived off Charlestown bar the 14th ; But whether he has landed any of his troops I am not informed. The troops mentioned to have arrived in my former letter were only some recruits that came in with provision vessels, not exceeding 4 or 500 men.
Genl. Gates left the army the 10th and Genl. Smallwood the 19th Inst. The latter is gone to Maryland, with a view of forwarding the troops & supplies from that State, and to settle the matter with Congress respecting his right of promotion, being determined not to submit to the command of the Baron de Steuben, who is still in Virginia, very usefully employed in forming and forward- ing the Troops from that State.
I have been obliged to send Major Neilson's corps of horse and Col. Armand's Legion to Virginia, both being unfit for duty for want of clothing and other equipments, and the difficulty of sub- sisting of them is much greater here than there. Before my arri- val Genl. Gates made an attempt to employ part of Col. Armand's Legion, and fifteen of them deserted on the march from Hillsbor- ough to Charlotte, which obliged him to recall them. I wish your Excellency's directions respecting this Corps, as they are totally deranged, and cannot be fit for service for some time.
Two slight skirmishes have been fought with the enemy since my last, one by a party under Col Marion, npon the Santee, and the other by Col. Few, near Ninety six ; about 20 or thirty were killed and wounded on each side.
I will not pain yonr Excellency with further accounts of the wants and sufferings of this army. But I am not without great apprehension of its entire dissolution unless the Commissary's and Quarter Masters' departments can be rendered more competent to the demands of the service.
Nor is the elothing and hospital departments upon a better foot- ing. Not a shilling in the pay chest, nor a prospeet of any for months to come. This is really making bricks without straw.
I am, with sentiments of the highest respect And esteem,
Your Exeelleney's most Obedient, Humble Servant,
NATH. GREENE.
186
STATE RECORDS.
P. S. This moment accounts have been received that Genl. Leslie landed his troops at Charlestown on the 21st Inst., and on the 24th was at Monk's corner, on his way to Nelson's ferry. The Cherokee Indians have murdered a number of the Inhabitants on the Frontiers of N. Carolina, It is said the militia have marched against their lower towns.
N. G.
COL. ANDW. ARMSTRONG TO HON. THOS. BURKE.
HILLSBOROUGH, Dec. 29th, 1780. The Honourable Thomas Burke, in Congress, from Andw. Arm- strong, favd. by Gen. Smallwood.
DEAR SIR :
Some time ago I wrote to you from Virginia, acquainting you that I had met Mr. Porterfield on his way to Philadelphia, and that he told me (if he was not disapointed in Cash) that he had particular instructions to buy your place. I delayed a night at Colonel Henderson's, on my way to Hillsborough, where Mr. Por- terfield had also been, and told Colonel Henderson of the above intention. It is the Colonel's oppinion 'that your place is truely valuable, and he thinks it will be difficult, if not impossible, to Purchase another of equal value with the money that you will get for it ; but these matters I presume is safe enough under your own consideration. Yesterday I went to see Mrs. Burke, who then was well. The inoculation at your place has gone on in an unac- countable manner. After repeated tryals to no purpose, they all took it the Natural way, some of your small Blacks very much marked, and one wench has been dangerously bad, but I believe all will recover. I mentioned in my last that if you was in Cash when you left Congress that yon would bring me good Cloth and trimming for a Coat and Jacket. Not a word of News here; it is generally believed that the Enemy will not attempt this State untill they are re-enforced.
I am, Sir, with respect, Your very Humble Servt., ANDW. ARMSTRONG.
187
STATE RECORDS.
PETITIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1780.
THE PETITION OF ANN GLOVER.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the said State now sitting.
The Humble Memorial of Ann Glover, widow of Samuel Glover, late a soldier in this State, who enlisted himself some time- in the year 1775, in the Continental Service in the Second Regi- ment raised here,
HUMBLY SHEWETH,
That your Petitioner's late Husband well and faithfully dis- charged his Duty as a Soldier and Friend to the Cause of Ameri- can freedom and Independence, & marched to the Northward under the Command of Col. Robert Howe, who, if he was here, would bear honest and honorable Testimony that your Memori- alist's deceased Husband was deemed by him and every other officer in that Battalion a good soldier, and never was accused of being intentionally Guilty of a breach of the Laws, Martial or Civil. Your Petitioner begs leave to inform your Honors that her late husband continned in the service of the United States of America upwards of three years, and then returned, by orders of his Com- manding officers, to the Southward, at which time he had above twelve months' pay due for his services as a soldier, and which he ought to have received, and, would have applyed for the sole support of himself, his wife, your Petitioner, and two helpless- orphan Children. That many of the poor soldiers then on their
March under Command of Gen. Hogun, possessed of the same attachment & affection to their Families as those in Command, but willing to endure all the dangers and Hardships of war, began their March for the Defence of the State of South Carolina, could they have obtained their promised but small allowance dearly earned for the support of their distressed families in their absence ; but as they were sure of suffering for want of that subsistance which at that time & unjustly was ernelly withheld from them, a General Clamor arose among the common soldiery, and they called for their stipend allowed by Congress, but it was not given
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STATE RECORDS.
them, altho' their just due. Give your poor Petitioner leave to apologize for her unhappy Husband's conduct, & in behalf of her helpless self, as well as in Favour of his poor Children on this occasion, and ask you what must the Feeling of the Man be who fought at Brandywine, at Germantown, & at Stony Point & did his duty, and when on another March in defence of his Country, with Poverty staring him full in the face, he was denied his Pay ? His Brother soldiers, incensed by the same Injuries and had gone through the same services, & would have again bled with him for his Country whenever called forth in the service, looked up to him as an older Soldier, who then was a Sergeant, raised by his merit from the common rank, and stood forth in his own and their behalf, & unhappily for him demanded their pay, and refused to obey the Command of his superior Officer, and would not march till they had justice done them. The honest Labourer is worthy of his hire. Allegiance to our Country and obedience to those in authority, but the spirit of a man will shrink from his Duty when his Services are not paid and Injustice oppresses him and his Family. For this he fell an unhappy victim to the hard but perhaps necessary Law of his Country. The Letter penned by himself the day before he was shot doth not breathe forth a word of complaint against his cruel Sentence, Altho' he had not received any pay for upwards of fifteen months. He writes to your Humble Petitioner with the spirit of a Christian. This Letter is the last adieu he bid to his now suffering widow, & she wishes it may be read in public Assembly, and then returned her by some of the Members, who will take it with them when they return to Newbern, and leave it in the care of Major Pasteur. Your humble Petitioner, distressed with the recollection of the fatal catastrophe, will not trouble your Honours any longer upon the subject, but humbly request that you will extend your usual Benevolence & Charity to her & her two children, and make her some yearly allowance for their support.
I am, &c., ANN GLOVER.
NEW BERN, 10th Jan. 1780.
We the subscribers recommend the above mentioned Petitioner to the Honorable the General Assembly as an object of Charity. JNO. COOKE, IS. GUION, R. COGDELL, CHRIS'T NEALE.
189
STATE RECORDS.
PETITION OF BERNIER STEED AND OTHERS.
To the honourable the Commons of the State of North Carolina, now met in General assembly :
The humble Petition of the freeholders and freemen inhabitants of the town of Wilmington
SHEWETH,
That on the 10th day of March, 1780, came on the election of a commoner to serve in this present assembly for the said town of Wilmington, at which William Hooper, John Walker and Will- iam Hill, Esquires, were candidates.
That several persons voted at the said election who were not qualified agreeable to the constitution of the State, not having been inhabitants of the said town one year, nor having paid pub- lie taxes, in consequence whereof the said William Hill, Esqr., had a majority, tho' very few.
That the said William Hill, Esquire, was at the time of elee- tion a county trustee for the County of New Hanover, and also a receiver of public money, having been Naval offieer for the port of Brunswick, and it is dubitable whether he aeeounted or not.
That your Petitioners humbly conceive the election of the said William Hill, Esquire, to be manifestly illegal ; for, to constitute a legal vote, two requisites are essential : 1. That there be a eapacity in the eleetor ; and 2. That there should be a capacity in the candidate receiving it.
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray this Honorable House to take their case into consideration, and to give them sueh relief as to this Honorable House shall seem meet.
And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.
BERNIER STEED. ELIJAH CRUNDEY.
JOHN HOPKINS.
JAMES McKENNA.
RT. BANNERMAN.
PETER HARRISS, SEN.
JAS. HARPER.
PETER HARRISS, JUN.
THOS. STOLKEY.
JOHN WALKER.
F. STEED.
RICHARD PLAYER. JAMES SPILLER. DANIEL BERNARD.
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STATE RECORDS.
SHERIFF'S RETURN.
A due return of an Election begun & held at Wilmington, March 10th, 1780 :
CANDIDATES FOR THE SENATE.
COMMONERS FOR THE COUNTY.
COMMONERS FOR THE TOWN.
Votes
Votes
Votes
John Ashe.
47
Tim. Bloodworth.
82
William Hill.
32
John Devane.
45
John A. Campbell
56
John Walker.
27
Frs. Clayton
23
John Lillington ....
28
William Hooper
23
James Walker
1
115
166
83
Timothy Bloodworth had every vote but one. THOS. JONES, Sheriff.
A true copy of the Poll as taken, ¿ JOHN DUBOIS,
delivered Mr. J. A. Campbell, Member. S Inspector of Poll.
RICH'D BRADLEY, Fr'd (?).
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, April Term, 1780. By order. ....... (torn out) ........ of New Hanover ........ (torn ont) that the annexed is a true copy of the List of the Taxables in the Distriet of Wilmington, as returned into this Court. THOS. MACLAINE, Clerk.
PERSONS' NAMES. B
Buford, Henry.
Benning, Arthur. Brodie, Alexander.
Bradley, James.
Brown, Thomas.
Bradley, Richard.
Bernard, Daniel.
Bland, Joseph.
Bagley, Jacob.
Brice, Fran, for Ests. of John Forster & Self.
191
STATE RECORDS.
Bannerman, Robert. B
Brown, Peter.
C
Cobham, Thos., for self & Jas Murray. Clyderland, George. Corbin & Graham. Cambon, Jacob.
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