USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 36
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I am Sir With great respect yr. Most Obedient Humble Servt.
ALEX. LILLINGTON.
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STATE RECORDS.
MAJOR HENRY DIXON TO GENERAL SUMNER, TO WARREN COUNTY.
HILLSBOROUGH, April 27th, 1781. DEAR GENERAL,
I received your letters of the eighth and seventeenth instant yes- terday at Col. Moore's as I was on my way to this place, and imme- diately sent orders to Lieutenants Sanders and Moore to repair to Head Quarters and join Maj. Eaton. Have just arrived at this place and find that there is no provision to be got either for man or horse.
Have sent the officers in the district to the different Counties to collect deserters and assist the militia officers in marching the volunteers and draughts to this place but cannot learn that any of them will be here before the 20th of May.
Therefore I think to return to Caswell and wait there until the troops from the different Counties are in motion.
I am Dear Sir, Your Most Obedient Humble Servant, HENRY DIXON, Major.
MAJOR HENRY DIXON TO GENERAL SUMNER.
HILLSBOROUGH, 28th April, 1781. DEAR GENERAL,
I wrote you yesterday of my intent to return to Caswell, but I shall first go to General Butler's Camp and expect to be here on Tuesday and Wednesday next as I return, Shall use my utmost en- deavour to get everything in order for the reception of the Troops by the time they will rendezvous at this place. Should Gen. Butler not alter the place of the district rendezvous which I think will not be until about the 20th of next month, should you have any partic- ular orders for me should be glad to receive them here next Wed- nesday.
Am Dear Sir with every esteem and respect your most obedient humble servant, HENRY DIXON, Major.
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STATE RECORDS.
GENERAL SUMNER TO COL. ASHE.
W. CoTY, April 29th. 1781, half after III ock, Evening.
DR. SIR :
I this moment received Express from Genl. Greene, who dates before Camden 21st Inst.
I am again to signifye to you that great activity and industry is necessary In collecting ye. Officers and Drafts to Genl. Rendezvous as soon as possible I am Dr Sir yr. &e &c.
JETHRO SUMNER.
N. B. Be pleased to have sent me Six Quire of paper and a box of wafers.
GENERAL SUMNER (?) TO MAJ. ARMSTRONG.
WARREN COUNTY, April 39th, 1781.
SIR :
1 wrote you a few days ago respecting the drafts of the district of Salisbury, remaning in Salisbury until further orders, since when I have received several expresses from General Greene. You are to march the drafts of Salisbury district to Harrisburg in Granville County by companies officered, but should all of the Counties of the district rendezvous in a day or two, of the time appointed by the Brig. Genl'. of the district. then it would be necessary that you march them immediately (and with waggons in proportion to the number of men, as ordered by congress if possible) to Harrisburgh. (Not signed.)
GENERAL SUMNER TO COL. SEAWELL.
DEAR SIR :
MAY 1st, 1781.
The great importance of the times for expresses, obliged me to call on one of your drafts Hardy Brogden for express to Richmond
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STATE RECORDS.
in Virginia. Your Commendation of his attachment to the Ameri- ican cause, his honesty and perseverance makes me now trust him with very important matters to Baron Steuben, Maj. Genl. of the Confederate Army.
And this shall be a sufficient certificate for his being recd. your taking a description, &c. &c. of him, to be delivered the Continental Officer will be sufficient. If he can undertake this express he must attend tomorrow by ten o'clock in the morning I shall supply him with horse and money &c.
I am yr. Servt. JETHRO SUMNER.
COL. NICHOLAS LONG TO GENERAL SUMNER, TO WARREN.
HALIFAX, May 1st, 1781.
D'R SIR :
We have intelligence here that the enemy is moving from Wil- mington towards this place, Gen. Lillington has retreated to Kins- ton and the people in the neighbourhood are moving off, also Gen Caswell is on his way up.
You will receive by the bearer Samuel Thomas a horse which I have taken out of another team for you, At the time I sent you that team it was the best I had, I wish you to purchase another horse or impress one to go with this, if you can't I will endeavour to get you a better team if possible.
I am this day moving off some of the public stores up the country.
I am Sir, your humble servant,
NICHOLAS LONG, D. Q. M. G'L.
GENERAL SUMNER TO GENERAL GREENE.
MAY 1ST, 1781.
SIR :
I received your letter dated 21st of April on the 29th and the 19th on the thirtieth, and shall pay due respect to the contents. I had then before me an express informing of the small pox raging
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STATE RECORDS.
very much in Hillsborough, and that a large store of provisions was then at Harrisburgh on the way to Hillsborough. I gave order to the commissioners of the district of Hillsborough & Halifax to store the provisions, and informed them that my general rendezvous, for the drafts of Wilmington, Newbern, Salisbury and Hillsborough districts would be at Harrisburgh, immediately : The districts of Halifax and Edenton drafts would rendezvous at Halifax Town but Sir, I am since informed that the small pox is spreading itself in that neighbourhood; should this be true, I shall remove those troops to Harrisburgh when collected; should the General of the district not alter it from that station before General Jones has returned from Virginia where he went to procure arms, and I am told by Judge Ashe without getting any, but that eight hundred stand had been sent on to you; if so probable that they are on their way in this State ere now. I wish to receive your orders respecting them, for I am very apprehensive of consequences if we are to depend on supplys of arms of this State.
I received yesterday 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a letter from Genl. Lillington at his camp at Lime Stone Bridge, Duplin County, dated 22d April. He writes we have nothing of note just now, you may depend in case Cornwallis should make a movement that you shall hear of it by express without delay. There is a report in camp that part of his troops is moved down to Brunswick, if that should be the case, you may conclude that he intends for the Southward as soon as he can get shipping to take him off.
I wrote yesterday to Baron Steuben and I am very sorry that I am doubtful of a ready supply of arms from that quarter, there being a report which seems to gain credit, that the enemy had landed between two and three hundred men at Cedar Point on Ja. River and penetrated to Petersburgh, where the Baron Steuben and General Mulenburgh with about seven hundred men retired over the bridge to the North side of Appomattox. A cannonade from each army continued for some time, when a retreat was ordered to Chesterfield Court House, that the Militia were collecting from all quarters and were in want of arms. I have a few minutes since re- ceived express from Col. Long informing of the Enemy's march to- wards Halifax, that General Lillington has retreated to Kingston, the neighbourhood of that place were moving, also General Caswell,
15-29
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STATE RECORDS.
I don't know what confidence to give these reports. However I thought necessary to mention them. Lt. Col. Ashe who receives the drafts of Halifax district informs me that he had received a few of the drafts there.
(Not signed.)
JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER.
SIR :
HARRISBURGH, May 1st, 1781.
Mr. Vass this moment shewed me yours to Colo. Burton, & him- self; in which I find you have changed the rendezvous of troops, & of consequence the destination of stores.
In compliance with your directions, while I was at Col. Hawkins, have sent to Hillsborough upwards of three thousand Wt. of Bacon, from Edgecombe. Have at this place at present twelve thousand Weight from Warren County, three Thousand of which will be deposited in Hillsborough, & the other nine thousand continued on to Salisbury, by order of Col. Carrington, in behalf of Col. Davie at which place the Waggons will receive farther directions to Head- quarters. I should have left the three thousand lbs. Bacon at this place, but as I made a contract with the owners of two waggons to convey their loads only to Hillsborough, I still think proper to transport it there, especially as there are already stores of provision already at this place, & near it which may quickly be brought here. I shall have more here by the time you rendezvous the troops.
I see you require of Mr. Vass a list of Staff Officers, &c. I here- by communicate the same in Halifax district,
Col. Nicholas Long, D. Q. M. G'l. at Halifax.
Capt. John Medearis. A. D. Q. M. G'l. in Wake County.
Joshua Potts, Superintent. Commis., of Halifax District; & A. D. Q. M. at Halifax ..
Edward Hill, Commis. of Edgecombe, & A. D. Q. M. G'l. at Tarborough.
Thomas Hunter, ditto Martin County at the Courthouse.
Josiah Crump, ditto Northampton 6 miles above Halifax Town. Matthew Rabun ditto Halifax County.
Arthur Arrington ditto Nash County.
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STATE RECORDS.
William Christmas ditto Warren County.
William Hill ditto Franklin County. I am Sir,
your most Obedient & humble servant
JOSHUA POTTS S. C. Halifax Dist.
FROM MILITARY PAPERS OF GEN. JETHRO SUMNER.
Articles of a cartel for the exchange and relief of prisoners of war taken in the Southern department, agreed to at the house of Mr. Claudius Pegus on Pedee the 3rd of May 1781 between Lt. Col. Carrington on the part of Major General Greene, & Capt. Cornwallis on the part of Lieut. General Earl Cornwallis.
1st. That regular troops be exchanged for regular troops and militia for militia.
2d. That men enlisted for six months and upwards in continen- tal or State service be looked upon as regulars.
3rd. That the mode of exchange shall be rank for rank as far as similar rank shall apply.
4th. That Officers be exchanged by rotation according to dates of capture but reciprocal option to be exercised, as to subjects in non-commissioned officers & privates, by naming particular corps, or particular persons.
5th. That no non-commissioned officers or private soldiers ad- mitted to parole shall be considered as a prisoner of war, but finally liberated; unless paroled on the faith of a commissioned Officer.
6th. That Officers who cannot be exchanged for want of similar rank to apply to be paroled to their respective homes until exchang- ed subject to be recalled for a breach thereof, or for a violation of the cartel by the party to whom they belong.
7th. That passports be allowed for such supplies as may be sent from either side to prisoners in captivity.
8th. That commissaries of prisoners be permitted to pass from each side into the opposite lines. & reside there for the purpose of receiving and representing the situation of the prisoners, but remov- able by the commanding officers.
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STATE RECORDS.
9th. That prisoners shall not be sent from the continent, whilst the articles of this cartel continue to be observed.
10th. That commissaries of prisoners shall immediately put in practice exchange of prisoners on the above principles, as far as the subjects on each side will go, & continue them in future as charac- ters may apply.
11th. That the first delivery of American prisoners shall embark at Charlestown on or before the 15th of June & sail immediately for Jamestown on James River, where the first delivery of British prisoners shall embark on or before the first week of July & sail immediately for the nearest British port.
12th. That the flag of truce shall be raised going with the American prisoners & with the British to the port where they are to be delivered.
(Copy).
EDWARD CARRINGTON. FREDERICK CORNWALLIS.
Whereas in pursuance of adequate powers respectively delegated to us to carry into execution articles of a cartel made on the 3rd day of May in this present year, by Capt. Cornwallis on the, part of Lieut. General Cornwallis, & Lieut. Col. Carrington on the part of Major General Greene, for the exchange and relief of prisoners of war taken in the Southern department; we the underwritten have mutually agreed that all the militia prisoners citizens of America taken by the British arms in the Southern Department from the first commencement of this present war to the 15th day of this present month June, shall be immediately exchanged for all the militia prisoners of war subjects of Great Britain, taken by the American arms in the said department within the above mentioned term.
Now public notice is hereby given that all the above mentioned British and American prisoners wherever they may at present be are hereby declared to be fully, absolutely, and reciprocally exchang- ed, and such of them as are on parole within the lines of the respective parties, are hereby declared to be released therefrom, & such as are within the towns, garrisons, camp or lines of the powers who captured them, shall be immediately liberated & permitted to pass without restriction to the party to whom they belong.
EDWARD MASS (Hyrne?) D. C. P. JAMES FRASER. British C. Prisoners.
453
STATE RECORDS.
GENERAL JETHRO SUMNER TO CAPT. READING BLOUNT.
HALIFAX, May the 4th, 1781.
SIR :
The drafts of Newbern district, as soon as they are Receiv'd are to be March'd to Harrisburgh in Granville County, which place is now fixed for the Genl. Rendezvous for the district of Newbern, Wilmington, Salisbury & Hillsborough. Should the drafts of your district not rendezvous about the Same time, you are to have them March'd by Companys, Officered, as soon as possible, what Musketts you meet with secure and bring with you great exertions are neces- sary, for our embodying and arranging as soon as may be.
I am Sir yr. Very hbl. Servt. JETHRO SUMNER.
You will send a Captain and two Subalterns to this post with all imaginary Dispatch. Capt. Blount or Capt. Chapman. J
HON. JOHN PENN TO COLO. JOHN WILLIAMS.
DEAR SIR :
I am sorry to remind you of your promise, this is the 4th Letter I have written tho' I have not received a single line in return how- ever I cannot help thinking but that some of your letters may have miscarried by the way as I take it for granted that you would at least write me, as often as my Children do.
The President left me ten days ago, he is a very Sensible Clever Man, so pleasing to every person that I seem reserved tho I am not. The pleasure that I received in his Company more than made amends for the expense or crowd that attended his being with me, his Lady is with him. We have much to do, business increases tho' we meet at 10 o'clock and sit till 4 frequently, every man is a Speaker and much time is spent in debates, we know the necessity and still are busily engaged in matters of great Importance. I shall stay as long as I can, possibly till those matters are ended before I move as I wish to be present upon that occasion. I suspect the enemy will indeavr. to
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keep possession of New York & Rhode Island & plague us with Detachments sent to a distance. If we do but act with any degree of spirit this Campaign I am persuaded will be the last. The French Minister is in a low state of health. I fear he will be obliged to cross the water again in order to his recovery, remember me to all that ask after. Dear Sir, your obt. Servt.,
J. PENN.
To Colo. Jno. Williams.
This letter is from J. Penn without date or postmark. I suppose it to have been written from Philadelphia during his term of Service in the Continental Congress.
JOS. SEAWELL. Exr.
MARQUIS LAFAYETTE TO GENERAL SUMNER.
RICHMOND, May the 7th, 1781.
SIR :
Your letter to Major General Baron de Steuben Has Been Com- municated to me. I Have Now the Command of the Troops in this State, and think it is my duty to Make an Immediate Answer.
Having for a long time Expected to Hear from General Greene, I Apprehend some Accident Happened to His dispatches. I am for the present opposed to General Phillips whose army while acting here exclusive of a Sufficient Garrison at Portsmouth is about 2300 Rank and file. He Has Made an Expedition Against Rich- mond But the timely arrival of the Continental detachment Has defeated His plans, and Since their arrival He Has Retreated By water down James River. He is much stronger than I am, Com- mands every River, and of Course will be an offensive and danger- ous Enemy.
Arms are absolutely wanting in this quarter, and the few Militia we Have with us Can Hardly secure any whatever. Should we Spare any there Can Be no opposition in this Quarter, and the Recon- noitering (?) British as well as other R in this State will Be as After a Strict Enquiry I Have However found that Some Arms Could be Repaired and Have Immediately Set at work every man I could muster for that Business. In the Course of ten days I think 400 Can Be Collected.
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STATE RECORDS.
Cartridges are very Scarce and the Commissary of Military Stores tells me He Cannot furnish more than forty thousand. Expecting to be Hard pushed by General Phillips I must procure some Ammunition for our Militia. But the Best Arrangement I can Make is to divide Equally and with 20,000 Cartridges Shall Set out to Morrow to join you.
Our Business is, I think, to divide the Enemy and prevent a junction of Phillips and Cornwallis. Should the Latter Advance this Way and Should it Be possible to Meet Him at a distance from Phillips I will be glad to Concert with you what Can Be done on this matter. It is Highly Important that We Acquaint each other of the Enemy's and our Own Motions. I Request you will write me What Number of Men Cornwallis Has with Him and what Scheme he is likely to follow.
To Morrow Morning I will send on officer to you and give him orders to procure you a Minuted State of our Circumstances as well as of the few Means we Have to afford you Some Side Assistance.
With the Most Sincere Regard I have the Honour to Be Sir Your Most obedient Humble Servant LAFAYETTE.
GEN. NATH. GREENE TO GENERAL SUMNER.
HEADQUARTERS, WEST SIDE OF WATEREE, 7 MILES FROM CAMDEN, 5th May, 1781.
DEAR SIR :
By intelligence just received, I am informed that Lord Cornwallis is in motion with the troops from Wilmington. His route or desti- nation is not yet ascertained.
If you have any recruits collected and equipped for the field, you will order them properly officered to march by the Salisbury route and form a junction with this Army should he move towards Cam- den, and to join Baron de Steuben should his Lordship move to- wards Virginia. The stores at Hillsborough, Halifax and Newbern
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should be removed into the upper Country immediately if the enemy are marching Northwardly.
I am, Dear Sir, Your Most Obedient, Humble Servant,
NATH. GREEN.
On the back of this letter was written the following :
Genl. Butler will please to forward this by Express immediately.
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GENERAL SUMNER TO GENERAL GREENE.
SUNDAY, HALIFAX, May 6th, 4 o'clock, E'g., 1781.
SIR :
The best accounts that we have had of the enemy's march to- wards this quarter, say that about 800 were at Peacock's Bridge on Cotentney? in the road leading to Tarborough that they had put to route a party of Militia of about 400, under Col. Gorum by a party of Tarleton's horse and fifty Tories. The people are moving before them ; most of the public stores here, I flatter myself, will be moved off, and out of their way. I have not, Sir, been able to arm of the drafts, more than sixty. Gen. Jones is here with about eighty Militia. His Excellency has ordered him to move towards Warren County. 200 he informs me will join him from Nash County. What the other Counties of this district may collect I am not able to inform. I shall join the few drafts with the militia and march them. Major Hogg will take charge of them. This moment express arrived, informs of the enemys being in Tarborongh, I shall move off all the men for Warren County or Greenville, and send off express should any stores from ? be near the Taylor's ferry. I have also received express from Edenton district ; very few counties will be able to make their drafts for some time.
I shall myself set off for Harrisburgh this evening to see what number of drafts are in that neighborhood, or have arrived from Salisbury ; I shall keep them together, with expectation of being supplyed with arms as soon as may be from Baron Steuben's Camp.
HARRISBURGH, May 8th, 12 o'clock, Morning. I have this moment arrived here from Halifax. Col. Malmady
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overtook me at Col. Hawkins in Granville County. Informs that he left Halifax 5 o'clock next morning upon information of the Enemy's being advancing near ; that, on my arrival at Col. Haw- kins in Warren County where his Excellency, the Governor was, express arrived informs of a party of the Enemy was seen at Dun- can Lemon's Ferry on Tar River, on each side of the river Satur- day about eleven o'clock ; there is a small party of horse gone to reconnoitre their movements. I shall do what may be in my power in getting the drafts together as the officer who was to receive them, had orders to turn to the right or the left of the enemy, and meet me to Harrisburg or Hillsborough, and I hope they will be very active in facilitating this maneuver. Col. Malmady informs that the drafts joined the militia by crossing at Halifax Monday morn- ing, I shall write you on receiving further intelligence of the enemy, immediately. Shall be very glad to hear from you.
I am Sir, yr. very hum. Servt., JETHRO SUMNER.
The stores at this station, I am doubtful cannot be moved off for want of waggons, Should the Enemy take this rout.
MAJOR A. TATUM TO GENERAL SUMNER.
HILLSBORO, May 10th, 1781.
SIR :
Received yours of the 8th instant and observe the contents ; have sent two quires paper by Mr. Potts. Your letter have sent to Major Dixon. Should be glad to be informed what shall be done with the public stores at this place, whether to be sent on to Gen- eral Greene, or not. If you think they shall go on I hope you'll order that a proper guard be sent with them as there will be the greatest danger on the road from the Tories, who are frequently do- ing mischief to the Westward. Should the Enemy move this way should be glad to have the earliest notice that the stores may be moved.
I am Sir, yr. Obt., H. Servt., A. TATUM, As. Q. M.
Should Genl. not be at Harrisburgh, the Q. Master will send this on as soon as possible.
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STATE RECORDS.
MARQUIS LAFAYETTE TO GEN. SUMNER.
MILTON, May the 11th, 1781.
SIR :
General Phillips's position at Petersburg, and the vast superior- ity of either of the two armies to our Regular force will render it impossible to prevent the enemy's junction. But it is of the high- est importance it should be retarded, and if you are able By a con- tinual tho' small opposition for some days to delay Lord Corn- wallis's arrival, I consider it as the most essential service that can be rendered to the Southern States.
Had you not received orders from General Greene to collect the drafts and have them opposed to Lord Cornwallis, I would have not presumed to divert the Reinforcement from the Army under his immediate Command. My opinion indeed, even in this criti- cal juncture, is that the Troops in South Carolina must be our first and principal object. From their Services, more than from any that could be desired in this part, depends the safety and the Re- lief of the Southern States. Bnt with his present force it cannot be expected General Greene may effect any thing material.
However, as you have been directed to assemble the Recru its and make Lord Cornwallis your first object, I think your small force may be usefully employed in hanging upon the enemy's Rear and left flank which will give you the opportunity to collect the Remainder of the drafts, and by the time they are together you will have received further instructions from General Greene for which you might apply immediately.
The Militia that is collected ought to be in the enemy's front and give them whatever opposition is in their power when Lord Corn- wallis comes this way, and I fear it will be too soon. General Jones may give proper Rendesvous to the Militia that has not yet received one so that we may have a more respectable force to oppose the two conbined Armies. But this collecting of Militia must be sub- mitted to the more important consideration to raise continental soldiers.
Dragoons, or at least Mounted Infantry and Riflemen are two essentials, of which I am entirely destitute. I earnestly request
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you will use your influence to procure us as many of them as you can.
Horses that are left in the enemy's way are taken into their Ser- vice, and their Cavalry will increase to such a point that they at last will be able to overrun the whole Country. It is therefore my positive opinion that Horses, Saddles and Bridles and Waggons which the inhabitants from disaffection or Neglect Have left within the enemy's Reach ought to be impressed into public service and sent into this Camp where those articles are absolutely wanting.
I hear two Boats have been left at Halifax which (I am afraid) will give the enemy a considerable aid. It is of a very great im- portance that the Boats at Taylor's Ferry be kept under a strong guard, and under the Care of an officer upon whom you entirely depend, so that in case of danger they may be removed up the River and rather burned than left into the Hands of the enemy.
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