USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 39
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vates, 6 sentries by day and 6 ditto by night.
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STATE RECORDS.
COL. THOS. EATON TO GENERAL SUMNER.
June 20th, 1781.
DEAR GENERAL :
I am informed that several of my neighbours are taken up and now under guard at Harrisburgh, notwithstanding I pre- sume they have deserted, yet Sir, as the case of numbers who have been turned over is truly distressing and in particular those two or three in whose favour, I could wish to appear, William Riggan, Samuel Thompson, and William Durham, have to my own knowl- edge ever turned out upon every alarm with the greatest alacrity, altho' these men were turned over for twelve months by me yet I must confess I felt for many of them and at this time it is reason- able to conclude that they are very much distressed for cloase ; if you will permit them to come home for a few days to supply them- selves with a few necessaries I will be answerable for their forth- coming. No late news from Virginia. I am, Dear General, With the greatest respect yrs. Sincerely,
THOS. EATON.
CAPT. GEORGE DOHERTY TO GENERAL SUMNER.
DUPLIN, June 22d, 1781.
SIR : I embrace the opportunity of Col. Kenan's going to the Assem- bly to inform you, that the tumults in this part of the Country has been the cause of the drafts & every thing relative thereto being (I suppose) later, & more out of order here than in any other part of the State. We have at present some little respite from the cursed Tories, but cannot say they are entirely subdued ; the draft was made in Duplin, but the more than the half of them have been among the Tories or so disaffected that they will not appear : the number that we ought to have here is about 70 men, & there is not above 24 yet appeared, & about 20 from Onslow. The men have been so harrassed by being kept in arms, that hitherto they could not attend to providing the clothing required by Law, & without
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cloathing the troops cannot march as not one among them has got a second change, & some have hardly dudds to cover them. The Col. has used all possible means to urge the classes to cloath their Soldiers, & whenever each of them gets even part I shall march with the few we have.
If any opportunity offers from your Camp towards Wake I should be glad to hear from you; if it is directed to the care of Col. Kenau he will forward it to yr. Hum. Servt.,
GEO. DOHERTY.
HON. SAMUEL JOHNSTON TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
PHILADELPHIA, June 23rd, 1781.
DEAR SIR :
I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 4th of last month and is the latest intelligence I have received from that Coun- try. Your representation differed very little from what I expected from that quarter so I was not much surprised, you were very much out, contrary to your usual Sagacity, with regard to the movements of Lord Cornwallis, indeed both Green and his Lordship have taken their Measures in a manner so diametrically opposite to what was generally expected that you were not the only person who was dis- appointed. The Assembly is now sitting at this place and it is said to discover a disposition to do great matters, but you know these people better than I do and can better Judge what is to be expected from them. You will before this reaches you have heard that a Negociation for peace is on foot in Europe under the Mediation of the Emperor and Empress-Queen of Russia ; the Events of this Campaign will determine whether America is to reap any advan- tage from this measure. We have the most friendly and unequivo- cal Assurances from our ally that our Interests will be attended to and that he will make good on his part every thing that he has un- dertaken.
We have just heard of a reinforcement having arrived at Charles Town on the 10th of this month, said to consist of about two thous- and men, three thousand were said to have embarked in that fleet,
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STATE RECORDS.
the remainder are supposed to have gone to the West Indies or come to Virginia. The Alliance is arrived at Boston, having taken sev- eral prizes. The Ship Marquis De la Fayette is likewise said to have arrived in one of the Eastern Ports with Arms and Cloathing but this last wants confirmation. We have Letters from Paris as late as the fourth of April, but they contain nothing of an interest- ing nature. Some intercepted letters make it evident that the Brit- ish have suffered very considerably in the East Indies from an Army of the Asiaticks under the command of a very enterprizing prince, whose Name I do not recollect, in the French Interest.
I have heard that our Assembly was to meet the 15th Iustant and not doubting, but the Delegates are by this time ready to set off for this place, I shall turn my face homeward as soon as com - pleated a little business of considerable importance to our State. My compliments to all our friends. I wish I had some good news to write. I hope to be able to tell them some when I return. In the mean time believe me with the most Sincere regard & Es- teem,
Dear Sir, Yours, SAML. JOHNSTON.
P S. The Assembly adjourned yesterday after passing a Law for compleating their Quota of Troops which it is thought will be effectually executed. They have very judiciously put their funds under the direction of your friend R. Morris which will have a very happy effect on their Credit. I consider myself as particularly un- fortunate in not having been able to cultivate an acquaintenance with that Gentleman, owing partly to my indisposition and in some measure to my ignorance of the Etiquette of this place. There is no confirmation of the Report respecting the arrival of the Ship Fayette has not yet taken place and I fear she is lost. June 27th.
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STATE RECORDS.
JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER IN HARRISBURGH.
HALIFAX, June 23rd, 1781.
SIR :
Yours of the 20th Instant received. We have not the Oznabrig Thread or Twine you require, but have sent off a person in quest of the same.
Two Waggons arrived here yesterday with stores from Major Murfree's, which I am about to send on to your Quarters, with a few articles from this place, an invoice of the whole inclosed, except eighty weight of sugar and fifty weight of Coffee, which Col. Ashe this moment ordered out for his use.
I hope Sir, you will permit the three Waggons now out to return immediately as I shortly expect to furnish Major Murfree with Waggons, when he may arrive with the Edenton drafts &c.
Mr. John Wood the Bearer hereof, hath acted with us, some time, as waggon Master, and is recommended as such by Col. Long, who would be glad you might continue the said appointment if there be a vacancy of that kind.
Mr. William Rose hath also acted in like capacity, should you have occasion for another Rose will go on with the Edenton Drafts.
About two hundred hogs in good order, were sent on the other Day from Northampton under management of Mr. Wm. Love, and perhaps may arrive at Harrisburgh ere this comes to hand.
Enclosed is a Letter perhaps from Major Murfree I sent yours directed to him yesterday by Express.
I am Sir, Your most humble sevt. JOSHUA POTTS, A. D. Q. M.
P. S. I have directed the Commissioner of Nash County to for- ward Bacon to your Camp, & shall give the like orders to the Com- missioner of Franklin. J. P.
Col. Long is gone to the Assembly.
INVOICE.
HALIFAX, June 23rd, 1781.
Of stores sent off this day in three Waggons under charge of John
.
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STATE RECORDS.
Wood W. M. and ordered to Genl. Sumner's H. Quarters, for the use of his Brigade by
JOSHUA POTTS, A. D. Q. M.
Vizt.
No. 1. . . . 43 Inches.
3 Hogsheads Rum contain'g 337 Gal. (Ullage)- No. 2 .... 3} No. 3 .... 3
-
1 Bag Coffee 90 lbs. 50 lbs taken out for Col. Ashe.
1 Barrel Sugar. 80 lbs ditto.
6 Bolts Canvas 15 yds. of one made a waggon cloth .*
1 Ream Cartridge Paper. John Tillery.
*The above Waggon Cloth may be left in your Camp as it covers a Waggon now going out.
The above stores were sent by Major Murfree. The following are forwarded from this place by order of Col. Long.
Vizt.
1 Barrel Wine for the use of General Sumner & Officers, 5} inches ullage, 19} lbs steel.
400 cartouch boxes fixed out for use.
40 canteens ditto.
2 Reams coarse writing paper. John Tillery.
5 Dozen sail needles.
2 shirts and two pairs overalls for Lem Thomas.
2 ditto & 2 ditto for Reuben Smith. J. P.
GENERAL SUMNER TO GENERAL GREENE.
CAMP HARRISBURGH, June 25th, 1781.
Dr. SIR :
I enclose a return of the drafts collected at this place. Col. Arm- strong I expect in 2 or 3 days with those of the district of Newberne, on his arrival I shall immediately form the second Regiment. As I have some time since wrote Major Eaton for a return of those men under his command with you, and to have them arranged as the first Regiment with those of the district of Salisbury and report to me the number and companies, the part wanting to complete the
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STATE RECORDS.
Regiment can be made up here. Capt. Doherty who attends at Wil- mington district rendezvous has orders to repair to general rendezvous with what drafts has been received from that district and a general order to the several districts that a diligent officer remain at each district rendezvous to receive of such Counties as have not yet de- livered its drafts to the continental Officer. I shall as soon as pos- sible march to join the Baron Steuben in Virginia, having no pros- pect of being supplied with arms &e in this State. I reed. yours of the 23rd May the 20th Instant and shall pay due respect to the contents. The Marquis by our last accounts were within 20 miles of Lord Cornwallis who was in the vicinity of Petersburg, and a very respectable reinforcement of riflemen had joined the- Marquis last Wednesday. I shall in a few days be able to give you a more particular account of their maneuvers &e.
Maj. Craig at Wilmington continues his ravages for thirty and forty miles up Cape Fear, with little or no opposition. His Excel- lency the Governor a few days since sent me orders to march all the drafts collected to Duplin County but Sir, it was so incompati- cable with my orders and at that time I was not joined by Maj. Dixon with the Hillsborough drafts neither were those of Edenton come up. I have heard nothing of this matter since. This party of the enemy not exceeding one hundred and twenty, I had been in- formed of five or six days ere the Governor wrote me and 200 and odd Malitia were near Peacock's Bridge. I could not think them . an object at that time to alter the route before ordered me and by no means of equal consequence were I equipped.
Permit me to congratulate you on the very consequencial success the army immediately under your command have had in South Carolina and Georgia.
I am Sir with regard and esteem Yr very Obedt. Servt. JETHRO SUMNER.
GENERAL SUMNER TO BARON STEUBEN.
CAMP NEAR HARRISBURG, June 28th, 1781.
SIR :
The drafts from the district of Newberne joined yesterday, I shall
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STATE RECORDS.
begin my march to join you the 31st Instant with about six hun- dred privates, very few arms fit for the field, cartridge boxes we shall want but a small number and about 40000 cartridges we have with us. I am desirous to hear from you that I may take my route accordingly. I have no late intelligence from the southward from Gen. Greene since the 23rd of May before ninety Six, which place we hear is since taken, also Augusta in Georgia.
I am Sir with respect your very humble servant JETHRO SUMNER.
GEN .. ALEX. LILLINGTON TO MAJOR MOLTON OF DUPLIN.
RICH LANDS, 28th June, 81, 10 o'Clock A. M.
SIR :
The Enemy are advancing this Morning from Rutherford's Mill, with about 800 Tories & Regulars you will please to March forward immediately with all the Horse and Foot you can Muster not a Moment is to be lost we shall rendezvous at Hines's where I hope to have a large Force this Evening; every Thing will depend on your quick Dispatch.
I am Sir yr. hble Servt. ALEX. LILLINGTON, B. G.
GEN. STEPHEN DRAYTON TO GENERAL SUMNER. -
HILLSBOROUGH, 29th June, 1781.
SIR :
I was in hopes of having the pleasure of delivering the inclosed to you in person; but from your being at Harrisburg and the Gover- nor at the Assembly, I have sent this Express to you, that I might proceed with all expedition to the Governor.
The danger of the Roads from the Camp to this State, for a single person travelling, obliged the General to trust more to me, than to letter, the chief however of what I should have had to say to you, would be to relate General Greene's critical situation, and the abso-
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STATE RECORDS.
lute necessity of being instantly and strongly supported. This pro- ceeds from the Enemy having marched up in very strong force from Charles Town from Ninety Six, & as they were within forty miles of that place on Monday, it became necessary to raise the seige, & prepare for defence. This was not done on Monday the 18th when I left Camp; but every necessary preparation previous thereto was making; On this day we made an attack on the Starr redoubt & attempted to pull their Rampart down, after two attacks the troops were called off. A third attack on the Evening of that dayI believe was determined on, whether it took place or how it ended I know not as I have not heard from Camp since my departure from thence.
Our troops from fatigue,sickness & frequent skirmishes are great- ly reduced, indeed comparatively speaking to the Enemy's power they were at first but a handful of men. In short Sir I leave you to judge the situation of our General after considering what his numbers were what they must be now, and that the enemy have had a reinforcement (who were nearly strong enough without) of upwards of two hundred men under the command of the Earl of Lincoln & Major General Gould. I shall remain at Wake Court House two days, I shall not be there before tomorrow, tuesday I may leave it, if you come there I should be happy to see you; if you do not, pray let me hear from you by this Express, who can take Wake in his return. I am Sir
your most Obt. Hble. Servt STEPHEN DRAYTON.
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR BURKE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
June 29th, 1781.
The numberless hands at present employed in the Collecting of the public revenue exhaust much of the product and create per- plexities and difficulties without end in the public accounts. The Collectors have neglected to settle with the County Courts and thus the first neglect entirely prevents every Measure for clearing the public Accounts and compelling the due Collection of the Revenue.
Commerce on which so much of the prosperity of Agriculture and of all sorts of Industries in every modern Nation and lands depends 15-32
:
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STATE RECORDS.
would soon regain a flourishing State if the merchants of all denom- inations were protected in their property and assured of punctual payments, as no Country can be supplied with foreign Commodities, or find markets for the abundance arising from Industry, but by the Intervention of Commerce, so it is evidently necessary for excit- ing Industry and furnishing the Necessaries and Conveniences of life that Enterprise which is inseparable from it will always most flourish if it finds Protection, this is all it requires. Regular Taxes and Imports are not even unfavorable to its growth if they be not laid very injudiciously or levied oppressively. I cannot help declaring my wishes that this delicate Subject were put on a footlng that might secure it from Violence and leave it in every thing else to the Energy of private Enterprise, and the natural operations of its own Principles. The mistakes which I have ob- served in our own and other Governments and their bad effects have induced me to touch on this Subject.
I find myself obliged to trespass a little further on the patience of the Assembly to request their attention to the peculiar distress arising from that internal war which is raging with intemperate fury in some parts of the State between the well affected and the ill affected Citizens and which has produced enormities dangerous in their example to all good Government, and cruelly fatal to Indivi- duals. Perhaps the most humane as well as the most prudent Counsel would be to reclaim all that are reclaimable of our ill ad- vised and deluded Citizens and expel the incorrigible by force of arms.
CALEB GRANGER TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
SAMPSON HALL, 29th June, 1781.
SIR :
I have to acknoledge the Receipt of your polite Letter by Mr. Colston and for which I must Beg your Excellencys acceptance of my Best thankes, the purpose for which I would wish to Obtain a Flag, is to Settle some Business and to Get some Negroes, Belonging to Two Children of the late Mr. Ancrums which are now in My Care, and if possible to Regain Some papers of the Greatest Conse-
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STATE RECORDS.
.
quence to myself should your Excellency be of Opinion that you can with convenience Grant me one I shall be Exceedingly Oblgd. to you for it By the Bearer of this Mr. Ward.
I am Sir with Respect Your Excellencys
Most Obt. Servt. CALEB GRANGER.
MAJOR MOLTON TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
DUPLIN COURT HOUSE, June 29th, 1781.
SIR :
This Minute I Received the Inclosed Letters from Genl. Lilling- ton; Since the last Dispatches was sent, I have no Accts. to Com- municate, but what the Inclosed Contains.
I have Issued the Necessary Orders for Raising all the forces I Can Speedily get into the Field, & Complying with the General's Orders with as little loss of time as I can.
I have the Honour to be yr. Excellencys Most Obedt. Hum. Servt.
ABRAHM. MOLTON, Majr. Comdt.
His Excellency Governr. Burke.
GEN. SUMNER TO COL. DRAYTON. ( Bv Express 29th June 1781.)
SIR :
I have just received yours, with General Greene's letter inclosed, and in consequence of which shall march the troops under my command consisting of about 500 men with about 200 indifferent stand Arms by the shortest route to Salisbury. I expect we shall be in order to march by Sunday morning at farthest. I have wrote to the Baron Steuben of my route being altered, & have requested
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he will send me 300 stands arms to meet me at Hillsborough or Salisbury which General Greene mentions he informed him he had sent forward to me. I am Sir,
Your most Obt Hum. Servant JETHRO SUMNER.
GEN. SUMNER TO GOVERNOR BURKE. (By Express 29th June, 1781.)
SIR :
I have just received instructions from General Greene to join him as soon as possible and expect to march the troops under my com- mand (consisting of about 500 men only 200 of which are armed and them very indifferently) by the nearest route to Salisbury on Sunday next. I am informed there is about 200 public arms in Jones County. I wish we could be furnish with them on our route, or that they could be sent here for those of the 12 months drafts that have not yet joined who have orders to rendezvous at this place.
I am With respect and esteem. JETHRO SUMNER.
GENERAL SUMNER TO BARON STEUBEN. - CAMP HARRISBURGH, June 29th, 1781. VI. Ock P. M.
SIR : -
I have a few minits since recd. a letter of the 18th date from Genl. Greene before 96 ordering me with what levies were collected that may be equiped to join his Army wherever they may be by the nearest route He Signifies that you wrote him, of sending me 300 Stand of arms, I wish it had been so, but yr. expectations of my joining you probable have prevented it, but even yet, could I get that quantity from you & to meet me at Guilford Court House, I flatter myself to render much service ere he is by force Superior, made to retreat out of South Carolina. The Enemy he writes have receiv'd a reinforcement, and march'd out from Charles Town in
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force, to endeavor to relieve this post, which they may probably effect, that his prisoners was to move that day for Salisbury, where should it be more convenient to you I wish to meet the Arms Allot- ed for me. I shall move from this in two or three days towards Guilford, Salisbury &c.
I am Sir Your most Ob S. JETHRO SUMNER.
Majr. Genl. Steuben.
LETTER (NO DATE). IN GENERAL SUMNER'S HANDWRITING.
Probably in 1781, after June.
As early as possible after I recd. Genl. Greene's instructions for mak'g the Arrangmts. of the Continental line of this State, I met those officers in the State, that could convene at Halifax 23rd Jany. 81, but the difficulty attendg. our mak'g the formation at this time, was the dates of the officers commissions who were in Captivity, could not be procured, However, we formed a Temporary arrangmt. of the officers present to receive the four Regimts. order'd to be raised by the States. Since the arrival of the officers who were in Captivity, we have been as expedissous as desirous. In making this Arrangement of the line of officers, several meet'g of the officers at Head Quarters and in this State, they have Arranged the Line fair, and I believe without doing wrong to any Officers rank. Col. James Armstrong, Col. Gideon Lamb, Lt. Col. James Thackston, Lt. Col. Wm. Lee Davidson, Capt. Micajah Lewis, and Capt. Francis Childs, resigned to be recommended by the board of Officers at Halifax to Congress to permit them to retire on half pay. Lieut. Col. Wm. Lee Davidson, Colo. Gideon Lamb, and Capt. Micajah Lewis are since dead, the sentimts. of the Honble. the General Assembly respecting Col. Armstrong, Lt. Col. Thackston, and Capt. Francis Childs is submitted.
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STATE RECORDS.
GENL. STEUBEN TO GENERAL SUMNER.
CAMP NEW KENT COUNTY, June 30, 1781.
DR. GENERAL :
The Enemy having gained Williamsburg where they have taken post I think it necessary that the Militia of your State should be called out especially when we consider how much they have been harrassed. I desire however that all the new Levies that can be collected may be brought on immediately whether armed or not, we will endeavour to find what arms may be wanting. You will take the Route to Richmond where you will receive further orders from the Marquis De la Fayette.
The position of the Enemy at Williamsburg is so advantageous that I fear our force is inadequate to the task of obliging them to quit it. I have some small hopes that the Northern Army, assisted by our allies operating against New York, may oblige them to go to its defence. For the present our Army will take a position about 15 miles above Williamsburg to keep them as close as possible with the force we have.
I am, Dr. Genl., Your very hum. servant, . STEUBEN, Maj. Genl.
GOV. THOS. BURKE TO GENERAL SUMNER.
WAKE COURT HOUSE, June 30th, 1781, 8 O'clock P. M. SIR :
I have Just received yours of last Night, and am sorry your Troops are not better equipped. I have every possible disposition to assist in fitting them for the field, but such is at present the State of our Country that to take the few arms that remain in the hands of the Militia from them would be extremely unadvisable.
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Baron Glaubeck's Horse have but 8 days to serve, and we can-
i 1
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not convey orders to them in time to render you any Service. I wish you a safe and pleasant march, and am Sir, with regard, Yr. very Obt. Servt.,
THOS. BURKE.
SAMUEL STRUDWICK TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
STAG-PARK, July, 1781.
DEAR SIR :
If to prefer the Public Welfare to Every private Consideration is a certain Mark of Real patriotism, I may justly lay Claim to a share of it when I congratulate you (as I do most sincerely) on your pro- motion to the Government, Since I am thereby deprived of the Ablest Advocate, and Compleatest Orator our Country affords. If it be true that " salus populi suprema dea est " then We are happy in having at our head the Man who best understands, and will most promote this desirable End.
1 take the Liberty of an Old Friend to write to you without cere- mony or Reserve. And I take the Liberty of a citizen to suggest to you what the Public expects at your hands, which is no less than the putting a Period to their Calamities Either by chasing their Enemies, Or if That is not in your power, by making such Terms for them as may save them from the Extremest Rigors of War, and the Fate of a vanquished people.
There is another thing of no small Importance to the Ease of the people, and the quiet of the Country with which I flatter myself from your administration, and that is the suppressing the Licenti- ousness, both of the Regular and Militia Soldiery : the Contribu- tions which the Law exacts, and the necessity of the Service re- quires would be chearfully submitted to, if Ravage and plunder were not superaded. The noble Stand you made in behalf of free- dom and the Rights of the people when Genl. Gates commanded at Hillsboro, is to me a certain presage that you will not abandon your Countrymen to the Rapacity of unfeeling Men, for tho' I am very sensible that "War cannot be kept to a Sett Diet," yet there
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is certainly no Occasion to gorge it with the Vitals of a whole people.
I anı with the most lasting Regard & Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most Obedient and most humble Servant, SAML. STRUDWICK.
P. S.
When I was last in the Back Country an officer of Low Rank in the Continental Service came to impress my Horses. I produced the Governor's protection, to which he paid no Regard, saying, "He was a Continental Officer and not under the Governor's Command." By the By I know him to be a Citizen of this Stete. I Content my- self with relating the Fact because I know everything with which it is fraught will in a moment occur to you.
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