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As Cornwallis withdrew into South Carolina, the patriot forces followed in the same direction.
About the middle of November Gen. Smallwood was about 15 miles below Charlotte awaiting the arrival of Gen. Gates with 1,000 Regulars composed of the Maryland and Delaware regiments and of Buford's Virginia corps.
Gen. Stevens was still at Hillsboro with 500 Virginia troops, al- most naked and unarmed. Gen. Gates had then set out for the front to take command in person ; but the arrival of Gen. Greene, who had been appointed to succeed him, was daily expected.
The practice in calling out the militia had been to designate the number to be called out from the several counties embraced in the order, and these men were to serve sixty or ninety days as the cir- cumstances seemed to require. The result was that the militia force was constantly being changed, the time for which the men were to serve was continually expiring, and the efficiency of the army was disastrously effected. No reliance could be placed on the number of men who would be available at any particular time in the future, and the organization of a regular force was indispensable in view
XIV
PREFATORY NOTES.
of the probable movements of Cornwallis who appeared to be pre- paring for a return into North Carolina.
In this situation it was hoped that an exchange of prisoners might be affected that would liberate hundreds of our veterans that had been taken at Charleston and Camden and set free from their parole the militia who had been allowed to return to their homes under a pledge to remain inactive until exchanged.
But notwithstanding the orders of Gen. Gates that the prisoners taken at King's Mountain should be carried to Fincastle, Va., it appears that Col. Martin Armstrong frustrated that design and set at liberty some 500 of these prisoners, much to the disappointment of Gen. Greene and the Board of War. Indeed, the pressure on the British to feed the prisoners in their hands was so annoying that they would probably have been glad to make some exchange. Lord Germain, writing to Cornwallis on the subject of relieving the public of the enormous expense of sustaining these prisoners, said : " What appears to me the most practicable measures for these pur- poses are the inducing the prisoners to enter on board the ships of war or Privateers, or to go as recruits to the regiments in the West Indies, or as volunteers to serve upon the expedition against the Spanish settlements from Jamaica ; and your Lordship will, there- fore, take the proper steps for dispersing as many of them as pos- sible in these several ways, or in such other ways as may occur to you as more practicable and effectual."
Conformably to these directions a considerable number of the prisoners at Charleston were sent to the West Indies and were in a measure forced by the British into their service. How many North Carolinians shared that unhappy fate we have no means of deter- mining.
Representations having been made to Congress that it was desir- able to substitute another General Officer for Gates as Commander of the Southern Department, Gen. Washington appointed Gen. Greene to that command, and on December 2nd Gen. Greene ar- rived in camp at Charlotte and assumed command.
Matter Clark
THE STATE RECORDS
OF
NORTH CAROLINA.
1780.
GOV. ABNER NASH TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[ North Carolina State Papers, No. 72. p., 89. ]
NEWBERN, July 18th, 1780.
SIR :
I made not the least doubt that our delegates had acquainted Congress of the steps taken by our Assembly for furnishing their quota of the Continental Tax ; every transaction relative to this business is anteriour to my appointment to the government of this State, and I did not conceive it necessary to trouble you, Sir, with accounts which I supposed you had received before, either from our late Governor or the Delegates of the State. Every Congress draft that has yet come to hand has been duly paid, and, indeed, I have advanced 'in eash 1,250,000 dollars to your Commis- sary on the Cr. of the United States, he engaging to obtain and furnish Bills for the amount. I am obliged yet to advance him farther sums or let the Army suffer.
I am to acqt. you that your resolves, tho' dated in February, never came to my hands till the 15th May, which unfortunately happened a few days after the rising of the Genl. Assembly. Of course nothing effectual could be done on that head, and I beg leave to observe that it is much to be lamented that this measure, if deemed necessary for the subsistence of the Army, had not been adopted last winter, and the respective States immediately made acquainted therewith. The provision ealled for might then_have been collected against the opening of the campaign and on reason_ able terms. However, Sir, I have called a meeting of the Gen- eral Assembly for the express purpose of taking under considera- 15-1
2
STATE RECORDS.
tion your letters and the resolves of Congress which accompany them. In answer to that part of your letter in which you desire to be acquainted with the powers lodged with the Executive of this State, I am to inform you that the Governor & Council are impowered to draw out 8,000 men of the militia of this State to relieve that number now employed in the field ; and they are also impowered to strike money, if absolutely necessary, on the Cr. of this State, for defraying the Militia expenses. By this you per- ceive, Sir, we have had more of our militia out on duty than was required by the Acts of Congress. Very little progress has been made for recruiting in the regular service, tho' the reward offered by the State was very great. Of this, however, I presume your Genl. will be able to give you a better account than I can, as they · are supposed by ye orders of Congress to be sent to him as fast as they are recruited ; & your Genl., I presume, can also give you more satisfactory accot. of the operations of the arnries than I can. I shall, nevertheless, from time to time acquaint Congress with every material occurrence that happens in this State or So. Caro- lina, & shall be happy to do this in the way most agreeable to you, either by holding a reciprocal correspondence with you or with our delegates in Congress. And, Sir, I shall hope for the honor of being made acquainted with such matters of Genl. importance as concerns the United States. In your last favour you allude, as I conceive, to an expectation of aid from France ; but as I never had any previous intelligence on this head, could not determine how much confidence to place in it. A report also prevails that Genl. Gates is appointed to command in the Southern department, but you make no mention of any such measure in any of your letters ; of course I should not suppose the report well founded. By the last returns I had from the Baron De Kalb, his army amounted to upwards of 11,300 men, besides 4,000 militia that are now marching to reinforce him ; and as the immediate burthen of sub- sisting this army falls upon N. Carolina, I hope Congress will think we are doing our utmost, both as to men and money, for the common Interest of the Union.
I have had late intelligence from Pee Dee. Majr. McArthur is posted there near Cheraw Hill, with about 500 Regulars & about 1,600 Militia. Their outposts in that neighborhood have lately been called in, & Lord Cornwallis has returned from Charles
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STATE RECORDS.
Town to Cambden. The erops in that Country are immense, & the Mills are constantly at work for the use of the Enemy. The Baron writes me that he understands Genl. Gates is coming to take his command, & that he shall be happy to be relieved. I expect his Army will remain at their present post (Conrad Dowd's) ou Deep River until the General arrives. General Caswell, with a pretty large detachment of the Militia, is, I expect, by this time at Cole's Bridge, on Drowning Creek, about 25 Miles from Pee Dee. He writes that if he can accomplish a junction with General Ruther- ford and the Western Militia under him, he will march on and take post on the hither side of Pee Dee; this would be of the utmost consequence, as we should then be in the way of consum- ing what may at present be called the Enemy's stores. But, important as the object is, I have advised him not to get beyond supporting distance from the Regular Army, unless from intelli- genee he has a very great certainty of succeeding in his enterprise. I hope, Sir, Our Assembly, at their next Session, will answer the fullest expectations of Congress. I shall not fail to nrge them to the execution of every measure recommended by your Honourable body, and will advise you minutely of their actn.
With the highest respect,
I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obdt. Servant, A. NASH.
Excuse the direction ; 'twas copied by My Secretary from the direction of Yours to me, where 'tis to the office & not to the man.
Addressed, His Excellency, The Pres't of Congress, Philadelphia.
GENL. HORATIO GATES TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
[Letters Genl. Gates, 154, Vol. 2, p. 218.]
HILLSBORO, 19th July, 1780.
The Deplorable State of the Commissary and Quarter Master's Departments, and the intire Deficiency of Magazines to Supply the Southern Army, Oblige me to Request General Huger to be the Bearer of this Letter; His zeal for the publie Service antici-
4
STATE RECORDS.
pates my wish that he would be my Advocate with your Excel- lency, & the Executive Power of this State to Supply our Wants by immediately establishing Magazines of Provisions and Forage, and properly Organizing, the Q. M. General's Department ; unless these things are done, an Army is like a Dead Whale upon the Sea Shore, a Monstrous Carcase without life or Motion; to be particular in representing the Exact State of the Two Depart- ments, & how much each wants of its dne Supplies, would Fill a Volume. General Huger has seen and known them all ; To Him I beg leave to refer your Excellency & The Council for more Minute information ; Can I hope that Our Distress would move you to come for some short Time to Hillsborough, your appearance may Operate advantageously upon the Spirits of the Militia, as well as be immediately necessary in establishing a System of Supplies. With proper Exertions I have no doubt The Enemy might be confined to Charles Town, & Finally Expelled from thence ; but on the Contrary, should inactivity or Neglect Con- tinue, Their hateful Influence must be Fatal to the Army & Ruin_ ons to the Southern States. Before I Finish my Letter I must request your Excellency will use your Utmost Endeavours to Sup- ply 700 Tents for the Militia of your State ; Virginia has promised instantly to forward a proper Number for her Troops ; the indis- pensable necessity for this Article is too Striking to need any reasoning to enforce it. I have received no Answer to the Letter I had The Honour to write your Excellency from Richmond. Genl. Huger takes with Him the Demand I have upon your Excel'cy from Congress, as well as that upon Virginia. I wish the circum- stances of your Treasury may be such as to Enable you to Answer Both. The General will acquaint your Excellency with the Rea- sons I was not paid the Draught upon the Treasury of Virginia. With Sentiments of the Highest Esteem & Regard,
I am, Sir,
Yr. Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant,
HORATIO GATES.
His Excellency Governor Nash.
( Endorsed : )
Copy of a Letter from Genl. Gates to His Excellency, Gover- nor Nash, Dated Hillsborough, 19th July, 1780.
5
STATE RECORDS.
ESTIMATE BY COMM'Y JOSEPH GREEN OF REQUIREMENTS OF THE COM'Y DEPARTMENT, VIZ :
10,000 Rations Beef is 15,000 1bs . @ 20 pen 15,000
10,000 ____ Do. flour is ________ 10,000
30 sh 15,000
10,000 ..... Do. Rum 10,000 gills, 40 " 20,000
Sngar, Tea, Coffee, wine, &c., for Hospi- tals
1,000
10 PCt. loss in Issuing on the above 5,000
56,100
Money to lay in 90 days, rations at above rates, 5,049,000
That I be at liberty to raise four Companies Light horse, to con- sist of twenty-five men Each, Officered with one Capt. & one Lientenant. To be entitled to the same pay & Rations, and To Serve the same term of time & be under the same rules & Regu- lations as the Militia Light Horse in this State.
That Col. Long be directed to furnish me with swords for the above men as soon as possible.
That I be at Liberty to Purchase forty waggons and Teams for the use of my Department, or Col. Long be directed to furnish me with the number.
July 19th, 1780.
JOSEPH GREEN.
GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
By his Excellency Abner Nash, Esquire, Governor, Captain Gen- eral and Commander in Chief in and over the said State, A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, the Exportation of Provisions from this State will be attended with manifest injury to the United States, by rendering it difficult for the Publie Agents and Contractors to procure sup. plies for the Army, I have therefore thought fit, by & with the advice of the Council of State, to issue this my Proclamation for laying an embargo on provisions and Spirituous Liquors, & I do accordingly hereby prohibit the Exportation of Beef, Pork,
6
STATE RECORDS.
Bacon, Wheat, Flour, Corn, Indian-meal & Rice, for the space of 30 days from the date hereof, except such provisions as may, by the commercial Agent or the Commissioners of Trade, be given in exchange for Salt. And I do hereby strictly prohibit all Mari- ners, Masters & Commanders of Vessels, & all other persons what- soever within this State, from loading on board any vessel for exportation, & from exporting, all or any of the above enumerated articles of provisions, by land or water, from the date hereof, during the term aforesaid, except as is above excepted, as all such Mariners, Masters & Commanders of Vessels, & all such other persons whatsoever, will answer for the Contrary.
And I do hereby strictly Charge and Command all Naval Officers & others in their respective departments to exert their best endeavours to the end that this Embargo be strictly observed.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at New- Bern, this twentieth Day of July, A. D. 1780, in the 5th Year of our Independence.
ABNER NASH.
MAJ. THOMAS BLOUNT TO GOV. NASH.
(Extract of part of a Letter from Thomas Blount.)
July 23rd, 1780.
Three successful attacks have been made on the Enemy. The particulars of the first I gave you in a former Letter. The second was on a Party of abont one hundred and thirty tories, Commanded by Colo. Ferguson, a noted tory from the Northward, and seventy Light Horse of Cathcart's Legion, Commanded by a Capt. Hook on the 12th Inst. by a party of 80 or 90 Militia, under the com- mand of Colo. Neale. The surprise was compleat. Ferguson, Hook, a Lient. and 11 others were killed on the ground, and a major, 2 Lieuts. & 27 taken, many of whom are since dead of their wounds ; the remainder are dispersed. Some accoutrements for Light Horse & a number of Horses were also taken; of the exact number we have not yet a certain account, but it is snp- posed the whole. Onr loss was only one man wounded.
Lient. Col. Williams, Lient. Davidson, of the Continental Line, with a Detachment of One Hundred & sixty Light Horse from Brig. Genl. Rutherford's Brigade, on the 21st Inst. made the third
7
STATE RECORDS.
attack on abont 500 or 600 tories, Commanded by the infamons Sam Bryan, near Colston on P. D., killed three or four, took Forty, & put the remainder to flight with more precipitation than we fled from Bryar Creek ; none halted until they reached the Enemy's next Post at the Waxhaws, where they threw the whole into the utmost confusion & Consternation. Their whole time since has been employed in constructing Fortifications for their safety. Colo. Davidson was wounded in the Body, 'tis feared mortally ; two Privates were also slightly wounded, but not a man killed. To Davidson's misfortune may probably be attrib- uted their escape.
Maj. Thos. Blount also writes, dated the 23rd July, Informing that the attack on Col. Moore with a party of torys was not com- manded by Col. Francis Locke, as was reported, but by seven Cap- tains of Light Horse, the eldest of which was Capt. Gilbert Falls, who, together with five others, fell in the attack. The other Capts. and 1 Lient. wounded. The whole of our loss was seven killed & nineteen wonuded ; that Seventy of the Enemy were killed, One Hundred taken Prisoners, three Hundred Horses & considerable Baggage.
GEN. WOODFORD TO GOV. NASH.
HADDRELL'S POINT, 30th July, 1780.
Gen. Woodford presents his most respectful compliments to His Excellency Gov. Nash, & requests the favour of him to have the inclosed letters sealed and forwarded to Virginia by the post or any express that may be going that way.
He has also to request that the Gov. will be pleased to order the post office at Newbern to be examined for Letters to the Vir- ginia officers, and have them forwarded to this place. His pres- ent situation (he flatters himself) will apologize for the freedom he has taken.
8
STATE RECORDS.
COL. BENJ. SEAWELL TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
WM. BETTS', WAKE COUNTY, 26th July, 1780.
His Excell'y Abner Nash, Esqr., Newbern, from Col. Benj. Seawell, fav. by Mr. Locky.
SIR :
Your favour by Mr. Jones, the Express, came to hand accom- pany'd with fifty Thousand Dollars. You mentioned that you had already furnished Gen. Eaton with 40,000 Pounds, Colo. Hart of Edgecomb £10,000 ; that sum, added to the twenty thousand fur- nished me, amounting in the whole to £70,000, you supposed must be a sum sufficient for Halifax District but, Sir, I am convinced you never made a calculation of the matter ; as, for Instance, seven hundred Troops is rais'd in Halifax District, 400 of which is drafts. Their bounty, at 150 dollars each, is 60,000 dollars, 300 Volunteers at 300 Do. is 90,000 Dollars amounting in the whole to 60,000 Pounds, which is within ten thousand pounds of the Sum already advanced. I am made acquainted with the appropriation of the money Gen. Eaton Rec'd., & can inform you he has applied the whole to the public use ; & yet the Warren, No. Hampton & Nash men have not rec'd a shilling Bounty ; & this, Sir, is owing to the enormous sums the Commissary & forage Masters have been obliged to give for Provisions, &c .; and as the men from those Counties who have not rec'd their bounty make very heavy Complaints, alledging that they were assured when they marched from these Counties, and arrived at the place of Gen. Rendesvous, they should receive their bounty ; but being disappointed by the bad Conduct of these County officers I am Anthorized to assure you that the men are fit to mutineer & Return home, & I am convinced they never will march Out the State unless their bounty is paid. I have ns'd my Endeavours to reconcile them by Promising that I would state the matter to you &, if Possible, get their bounty, for which purpose I've sent Mr. Christopher Lockey, the Commissary to my Regt., to fully inform you of the matter, & if Possible to get the money. I am convinced, Sir, you can easily determine the fatal consequences that wou'd Ensue in case of a mutiny among the troops ; and I do defy any officer, let his address and influence be Ever so great among the men, to Prevent
9
STATE RECORDS.
it if they are forced out of the State without their bounty. The men are fine men, full of spirits, Exceedingly willing to march if they can only receive the bounty they were promised, & I flatter myself, under God, with doing much good if the troops can only be treated as the Law Points out. Therefore I hope that you, Sir, will consider the matter, & furnish me with the bounty for 282 men, one-half which is Volunteers,
And with due respect,
Your Excelleney's mo. Obedient Servt., BENJ. SEAWELL.
His Excellency the Gov.
R. D. SPEIGHT TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
CAMP ANCRUMS' PLANTATION, S. CAROLINA, 4 MILES ABOVE THE CHERAWS, July 31st, 1780. To His Excellency Governor Nash.
DEAR SIR :
I rec'd your favour of the 16th Inst .; Am very happy to hear that my Crop is in the order you mentioned as by letters rec'd some time ago from Mr. Hawks I expected it was indifferent.
We arrived here last Night after many disagreeable and fatigu- ing marches, having gone so far up the Country as to cross the Yadkin at Moore's Ferry. The Enemy, Immediately upon hear- ing of the surprise at Colston's, left Anson Court House, & the main Body Decamped from the Cheraws on 23 Inst. Their coming into this part of the Country has been of great service, for tho' numbers went off with them, yet those that remained, having Experienced the Cruelties of the British, are now willing to fight. A Capt. Thomas, with 25 Militia ( all of them having taken the oath of Allegience ) under his Command, marched down to a nar- row part of the River and took a boat going to Georgetown with most of the plunder & 102 of the 71st Regiment, part of them sick. It is reported here that the Enemy have left Camden, but no Certainty of it. Their nearest party to us are about 500 on Linche's Creek ; what their intentions may be I can't say, but Imagine when we form a Junction with the Maryland Line &
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STATE RECORDS.
proceed to the Southward they will retire to Charles Town. My Compliments to Mrs. Nash and Mr. & Mrs. Ellis. I am, Dear Sir, with Respect, Your obedt. humble Servt.,
R. D. SPAIGHT.
GEN. R. CASWELL TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
CAMP, ANCRUM'S PLANTATION, 31st July, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
I had the Honour of writing you a Long Epistle the 16th from Deep River. I was then very much indisposed and a good deal Distressed, which might occasion some expressions which I ought to apologize for, but as they were plain facts, I flatter myself yonr Excellency will excuse the manner.
We marched the next day, 17th, & arrived the 18th at the Cross roads on Deep River, where we lay the 24. In this Time we were able to procure four Days' provisions before hand by sending out parties to collect and thresh Wheat, & leave some wheat in the Mills for the use of those Militia who were to follow us. I had also procured & sent upwards of one hundred head of Beef Cattle to the Baron de Kalb, and advised him of my intention to March the 24 for the Yadkin, & to proceed down on the West side, at the same time recommending to him to Move down on the East side of P. D. I accordingly Marched cross the Yadkin at Moore's Ferry, twenty two miles below Salisbury, & proceeded to Colston's at the fork where Rocky River falls into P. D. ; there I expected to have met with Genl. Rutherford, but he had crossed P. D., & was proceeding down on the East side of the River. I immediately pushed over Rocky River for Anson Court house, & from thence to this place, which is five miles within the line of So. Carolina, and about the same distance above the Cheraws. Genl. Rutherford is nearly opposite me; And Genl. Gates, who Commands now in the Southern Department, & is at the head of the Maryland line, is about twenty five miles above on the same side with Rutherford, & in his rear are the Virginia Militia. I have ordered Genl. Rutherford to join me to day, & in two or three more I expect we shall have a very formidable army in the
11
STATE RECORDS.
Neighbourhood of this place. The British and Tories have evacuated all their ont posts on this River, & have retired towards Georgetown & Camden ; our State is free of them, except to the westward of the Catawba ; there may yet remain a few there who will soon be extirpated. On the arrival of Genl. Gates I presume a Council of war will be held, when it will be determined what steps may yet be pursued, and I flatter myself they will have such a Tendency as to drive the British beyond Santee, & even into Charlestown.
I have some hopes that our Distresses in some measure will be relieved here, especially if I can remain so long as to recruit our Men and Horses, who are much worn down with fatigue, many of the Men very Ill ; but Doctor Williamson is arrived, and I flatter myself he will soon put them on their Legs again. We may get some Materials from Cross Creek, if the Agent has been so oblig- ing as to forward them. We have about one hundred prisoners, British & Tories, many of them with Genl. Rutherford. I have not yet been able to determine where to send them. There are very few of the Inhabitants of Anson County who have not taken the Oath of Allegianee to the King of Great Britain ; most of. them are willing to break it & take up Arms against him, saying they were Compelled by the British, but come in voluntarily to 11s. Such as were desirous of supporting the British Government are either fled with the British or lye ont. I beg leave to recom- mend to your Excellency to issue a proclamation promising pardon to those who return to their Allegiance to the State, (the Principal ones excepted,) but as those necessary to be excepted can- not at present be discriminated, it will, I presume, be necessary to send the proclamation with a Blank for their names, or if your Excelleney, by the advice of the Council, thinks it will be proper for me to issue such proclamation, as Commander in Chief of the Militia in the Service, you will be pleased to direet me, and I shall do it with Cheerfulness. I have made most of the Members of the General Assembly belonging to the Army acquainted with your Excellency's proclamation for Calling the Assembly at Hillsborough the 20th of August, and so many as can be spared from the Army, will attend. Your Excellency did not, in your let- ter, require my attendance, so I conclude you wish me to remain with the Army which I shall do unless you direct otherwise, or it
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