USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
It is from an apprehension of meeting an Enemy in every direc- tion and from great Bodies being suddenly collected that they be- come formidable to a regular force. Two reasons concur to induce me to wish to see the Militia of America well armed ; one is that the Enemy can never conquer the Country whilst we can keep the shadow of a regular force in the field, provided the Militia are well armed, and no general Action can prove totally ruinous, tho' it may bring upon us many misfortunes ; the other is that should any Officer prompted by ambition ignorantly attempt any thing against the liberties of the Country, the People may be prepared to
606
STATE RECORDS.
crush him immediately ; and the best security against such a mis- fortune is to be armed against it ; for tho' I am confident no Man will ever be mad enough to attempt anything of the kind yet it would be best to remove the temptation. I have ever considered distinctions between Citizens and Soldiers in free Governments very impolitiek and invidious as they lay the latter under a sort of neces- sity of setting up a separate interest, which may possibly in time lead to some thing disagreeable, whereas by leaving the door open to all in common for honor and emoluments the Soldier is lost in the Citizen, and the Citizen ever ready to become the Soldier when the interest or safety of his Country requires it. This policy pro- duces the two great objects of Government, peace at home, and security from abroad.
Colo. Read has my ready consent to afford your Excellency every assistance in his power; and I will send to your assistance Colo. Koscusiesko, our principal Engineer who is Master of his profession, and will afford you every aid you can wish. But was I to advise in this matter I would recommend very small fortifications, just sufficient to secure the Stores against Parties of Horse who can per- form rapid marches. Large Works will be expensive in erecting, expensive to Garrison and if large quantities of Stores are collected in them, they become objects to the Enemy ; and if the Country is not able to succour them in time, the Garrison and Stores are lost, and it throws a damp upon the spirits of all the surrounding Coun- try, and affords a great triumph to the Enemy here, and affects our interest in Europe. A number of small Posts judiciously dispersed in different parts of the State will accommodate the service more effectually than one or two larger Posts. This has been thought by the Commander in chief to be the most eligible mode for securing the Stores of the Country ; and experience and observation in the progress of the War convinces me his observations were well ground- ed. I am not for laying in large Magazines, but drawing from the People according as the service may require, the resources of the Country are safest in their hands. It is true this may prove a little oppressive to Individuals at times, but it puts it out of the power of the Enemy to destroy our Resources at one blow, which we have often felt the disagreeable effects of. At Posts, and upon lines of communication there must be small Magazines. And where an Army is of sufficient force to cover a Country considerable Magazines
607
STATE RECORDS.
may be formed in its rear. But while the Enemy have a superior force great Magazines only put it in the power of the Enemy to subsist their Troops at our expence. The scarcity of Salt will put it out of our power to form large Magazines of Meat if there was no other objection. But the difficulty and expense of transportation render it necessary to subsist the Troops principally upon fresh Pro- visions ; and this mode is not only far less expensive, but it enables an Army to move with more facility ; and removes the great incon- venience of a multitude of Carriages, which are necessary for trans- portation when an Army is subsisted upon salted Provisions. For this purpose it will be necessary to have a great number of Beeves put up to be stall fed after the grass season is over, which may be forwarded to Camp Weekly in droves, according to the consumption of the Troops. This will be found to be by far the cheapest and least oppressive mode of subsisting an Army, and at the same time much better aecomodated to the nature of the service of this Coun- try than any other that can be adopted.
I remark with freedom, and submit my observations to your Excellency's consideration with pleasure, being perfectly desirous that you should adopt only such as you may find useful.
Nothing material has happened in this Army since my last. The Enemy are still at McCord's ferry. Lieut. Col. Lee crossed the Santee a few days ago and took 15 Dragoons, and would have brought off near 20 more, which one of his Parties had taken had it not been for a Party of Tories who fired upon them before they had time to secure their Prisoners, and while they were charging the Tories the Prisoners all made their escape except three. There were only 15 of the Dragoons, and upwards of 60 of the Tories.
I have the honor to be with great respect, Your Excellency's most obt. hble. Servt., NATH. GREENE.
COMMISSION OF DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA TO WILLIAM SHARPE, SAMUEL JOHNSTON, EPHRAIM BREVARD AND BENJAMIN HAWKINS, Es- QUIRES :-
Whereas it appears on Record, that you the said William Sharpe,
608
STATE RECORDS.
Samuel Johnston, Ephraim Brevard and Benjamin Hawkins at a Session of the General Assembly held at Wake Court House in the said State in the Month of June and July in this present year ; were each of you duly elected Delegates for one Year to represent the said State in the Congress of the United States of America; that is to say, you the said William Sharpe, Samuel Johnson and Eph- riam Brevard on the 12th day of July and you the said Benjamin Hawkins on the Fourteenth day of the same month.
These are therefore to make known, that you, the said William Sharpe, Samuel Johnson, Ephraim Brevard and Benjamin Haw- kins or any two or more of you are fully and duly authorised as Delegates to represent the said State for one Year from the date of your Election when and wheresoever the said United States shall assemble or be assembled in Congress, and to advise, confer, de- bate, resolve and determine for and in behalf of the said State, upon all matters and things which shall come before the said United States in Congress assembled agreeably to the Articles of Confedera- tion and perpetual Union made and ratified between the said United States ; and not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of the said State of North Carolina.
Witness Thomas Burke, esquire, Governor, Captain General and Commander in chief of the state under his hand and the Great Seal of the said State at Williamsborough in the County of Gran- ville the thirteenth day of August, Anno Dom. 1781, and in the Sixth year of our Independence.
By His Excellency's Command, M. HUSKE, Secretary.
COL. NICHOLAS LONG TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
HALIFAX, August 14th, 1781.
SIR :
Inclosed is a Letter from Col. Carrington (by order General Greene). I beg you will send me your instructions concerning it. I have waited in patience to see you, as Mr. Jones inform'd me you were to have been at Halifax long before this time which prevented my waiting on you.
I am Sir, with esteem, Your obt. Servt., NICHOLAS LONG, D. Q. M. G.
RETURN OF PRISONERS IN CUSTODY OF CAPT. REDD, AUG. 15, 1781. LIST OF PRISONERS TOGETHER WITH THEIR CRIMES
15-39
Names.
Crimes.
By Whom Confined.
Dates of Confinement.
Place where Confined.
Huglı Tinnen, Robt. Tinnen. John James. Joseph James. )
For joining the Enemy.
Honble. Genl. Jones.
July 21, 1781.
Halifax.
John Waldron
Horse Stealing.
1
Moses McCown.
Murder, &c.
Charles Bruce
July 17. 1781.
Hillsborough.
William & Fredk. Rackley.
Horse Stealing.
John Williams
Aug. 17, 1781.
Halifax.
John Artis & John Godwin,
Robbery
Jolın Williams.
Aug 17, 1781.
Halifax.
Cornelius Farrel & 1 Jonathan Godwin. S
Horse Stealing.
John Williams.
Aug. 17, 1781.
Halifax.
Richd. Johnson Willm. Johnson & Henry Lee
Witnesses against
Cornelius Farrel, Jonath Godwin, John Godwin ( & John Artis.
John Williams.
Aug. 17, 1781.
Halifax
Ephraim Knight.
Supposed to be a spy.
His Excellency the Governor.
Aug. 22, 1781.
Halifax Military
An English Deserter.
do.
do
do.
do
do
A Runaway Negro.
Theft.
M. Elbeck. Esqr.
Aug. 15, 1781.
Halifax.
Wm Linton.
Murder.
Chas Pasteur.
Aug. 1, 1781.
Halifax.
609
STATE RECORDS.
Messrs. Rogers and Joel Lane, of Wake county.
May 21, 1781.
Hillsborough.
1
610
STATE RECORDS.
LT. COL. HARDY SANDERS TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
WAKE COURT HOUSE, 16th August, 1781.
SIR :
I receiv'd information on yesterday from Mr. John Ramsey & others of Chatham County that the Tory Army commanded by one Wray, consisting of about 300 horse & 100 foot, was then on their march toward the ford of Deep river near his Brother's mill and that Fanning's party of about 300 was also near there & wou'd in a little time form a junction & this moment I am informed by per- sons of veracity flying from Cape Fear that Hector McNeil with about four or five hundred took possession of Cross Creek on yester- day morning, that the highlanders in general are joining them from which it is conjectured their force altogether will be little short of 2000 men. These circumstances are truly alarming & in particular to this and the neighbouring Countys as being exposed to their ravages. We have a general muster this day to draft every 30 men & I have tried to raise volunteers to assist the Chatham People but to little purpose. The want of Arms and the Approach of the enemy without any apparent relief at hand I believe are circumstances very encouraging to them. We are told that 2000 men are detached from Virginia to the relief of this State; if they arrive in time & possess themselves of the banks of Cape Fear (on which I think the salvation of many depend) I flatter myself we shall be able to give them limits & bounds & by so suddenly checking their career, spirit up our own people who are now desponding. Your Excel- lency will pardon these few hints. They flow from a heart zealously concerned for the public good & whatever your operations may be we shall have the fullest confidence in them & none will be more ready to carry them into execution than Sir,
Yr. Obed. Servt., HARDY SANDERS, Lt. Col.
I am told your Excelly. is Fanning's object.
COL. ROBERT BURTON TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
August 20th, 1781.
SIR :
The Bearer hereof Major Hunt who has been Collecting Horses
611
STATE RECORDS.
for Genl. Greene informs me that he Impressed a horse from a Cer- tain Jeremiah Perry, of Warren County. Perry, nnwilling to part with his Horse, struck him with a whip, at the time Mr. Hunt was putting on the Bridle, & made the Horse break from him and then drove him Quite off that he could not Again be Caught. Mr. Hunt will give you Farther Particulars of the Behaviour of Mr. Perry and I hope your Excellency will take such Measures with him as will prevent him behaving in the Like Manner in Fuiter and deter Others from Following his Example.
I am yo. Excellency's most obt. Servt, RO. BURTON, Q. M. G., N. C.
WILLIAM HUNT TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
August 20th, 1781.
On the Eighteenth Instant I went to Fussel's Race Paths where there was a Large Number of People Gathered together. I took a Sorril Horse, as I afterwards understood belonged to Joshua Perree. I kept the horse for the Space of two hours, I believe in possession and no person Claimed him. I then had him Cry'd through the company. A young man by the name of Jerre Perree came up and said that the horse was rode there by his brother, but his brother was gone to Anderson's Swamp & had Rode his the Sd. Jerry's horse, and he was to ride that horse home that we had in possession. I askt him if he would sell the horse & take a Certificate on the Publick. He said he could not. I then shew him my Authority & Impresst the horse & had him valued Agreeable to Law. I took of the bridle and gave to the Sd. Jerre Perree & took a Pr. Bridle Ranes & tide Round his neck, about the time I was giving the Strop the last Hich, the Sd. J. Perree Struck the horse Over the head with a Switch, the horse Rard up, he then struck him behind. He puld loose from me and away he went.
WILLIAM HUNT, August 20th, 1871.
N. B. by two Holders. W. H.
This day Came Wm. Hunt before me and made oath to the Just- ness of the Above.
CHARLES PASTEUR.
612
STATE RECORDS.
COL. ROBERT MEBANE TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
GRANVEL COUNTY, Augt. 21st, 1781.
SIR :
I have the Honour of Se'ding you this by Colo. John . Williams whose house I am just arrived at Where I expected to have had the pleasure of Seeing You. Should have waited on you at Hali- fax but the want of Horses prevents it. There is about fifty Conti- nental Soldiers properly officered on their march from James Town to Hillsborough. They are greatly distress'd for Cloathing, as I can- not as yet be informed where they can be Supplied I must beg you to inform me. I intend Remaining at Hillsborough for Your par- ticular Instruction. If Troops can be got I wish to take the Field as Soon as possible.
I have the Honr. to be your Excellency's obt. Huml. Servt.,
ROBT. MEBANE.
His Excellency the Governor T. Burke.
-
LT. COL. HARDY SANDERS TO GENERAL SUMNER.
CAMP MIDDLE CREEK, NEAR WOODWARD'S MILL, WAKE COUNTY, August 21st, 1781.
SIR :
The Tories have taken Possession of Cross Creek & are Ravaging the Inhabitants of Capefare on Both sides, for a Considerable Dis- tance up it. We are Now informed that they are within Twenty Miles of us. The Number Uncertain.
I Received Orders from His Excellency, the Gov'nor, to Raise as many of the Militia as I Could Arm. No Mode Addopted. I thought It Advisable to Raise Mounted Infantry Two Months for a Tower to find their Own Horses & Guns, as I had no Other way to Collect Arms. We have upwards of Sixty Men Out on Them Ternis & have Ordered a General Muster on Thursday when I Expect to Collect a few more Arms as the men is Reddy to use them.
Colo. Smith from Johnston is Indeavoring to Collect and Wishes
613
STATE RECORDS.
to act in Conjunction with us. We shall have a few of the Cumber- land men with us Likewise. We Shall endeavour to keep the Ene- my from Ravaging any further, Till we Receive Your Orders. I am, with Respect, Sir, your most Obt. Servt.,
HARDY SANDERS, Lt. Col.
P. S. Please inform me the News.
ANDR. ARMSTRONG TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
TAYLOR'S FERRY, 22d Aug., 1781 .* DEAR SIR :
I wrote to you a few days ago in which I informed you of the approaches of the Enemy and of my intentions of moving your property which I put in Execution and got partly effected; You will excuse me if in relating to yon my proceeding in this affair, if I should often relate circumstances trifling in their Nature, but trifling as they are they were such as altered my first determination and governed all my future movements, my Seeing a Wagon at Work on your Plantation made me have no scruple but I could have it at command but when I came to examine found there was no Horses but what was for Mrs. Burke's Carrage and very insuffi- cient for that; & then was obliged to content myself with the two which I had hired upon which we put the most valuable things; Mr. Combs was present all the time and insisted that some good Chairs and other valuable things that was left behind should be carried to his House. I made him no answer untill the Wagons was started and then I gave positive orders that they should be carried into Collins for that night; and that the hired Negroes (which we did not bring along) should carry them to Mr. Hoggs next Morning having pre- viously obtained his consent for their reception. I believe this order was complied with, while we were preparing for our March. Enoch Collins was drafted in the Service, I thought him so essen- tial in executing part of my intended plan, that I thought his absence would almost defeat my purpose. 1 then asked him if I would get him off from the Service if he would direct himself to my instructions in the moving your property, this he cheerfully con- sented to upon which I went to General Butler & got the indulgence
* The date is doubtless 1780. ED.
614
STATE RECORDS.
which I requested. I will next inform you the order of marching that I proposed. I ordered Collins to meet me next morning with the Negroes and Horses and the Waggons where he should have Money and instructions where to go.
I purposed sending him with the Horses and Negroes to Mr. Ronaldson immediately as I considered that detaining them with the Waggons was a very great additional expense, nor did I think it impossible from the situation of the Enemy (who was then at Boyd's Ferry) that the Waggons Should be intercepted on their way to this place (as we traveled publick road). I had spoke to a Cer- tain Major Windor who was cumming here to wait upon Mrs. Burke as I thought that detaining her with the Waggon would be disagreeable, these matters being all agreed upon I intended staying with the Waggons myself untill we came to some place Neigh this where I purposed unloading them and to prevail with the Major to proceed with Mrs. Burke to Mr. Ronaldson's as I knew it was impos- sible for me to Spare the time, the night before we Started Mrs. Burke went into the Town to Stay with her Sister, after waiting upon her there, I went up to Mr. Hoggs where they sent for me in the evening. I waited upon them and to my surprise found they had properly agreed that Mrs. McCarrel and the Children should go along in the Carrage. 1 knew that this contrivance would yll answer the condition of the Horses which we had for the carrage, but my remonstrance to this was only silance. When I went back to Mr. Hoggs I told him of this new proposal which I doubted would prevent our getting along. In order to help me out with this diffi- culty he offered to lend me a Horse to carry the children and a Boy to bring him Back providing I would not take him too far and bring him back under my own care, under these circumstances we got under way, when I met Enoch Collins in the Town who told me he had carried the Negroes and Horses to the Waggons but could not go himself, I reasoned a little with him upon this matter but could not prevail. I knew. that force was to no purpose, and therefor turned to flattery, told him the great dependance that you had upon him and hoped he would be exceeding carefull of any- thing that was left on the Plantation. I also told him to drive your Cows over to Mr. Monroes as I had sold them to him and to suffer him or his order at any time to carry away the corn as he had bought it also, this sale is in the following manner. I was in
615
STATE RECORDS.
Mr. Monroes a few days before we came away when I proposed to him to write to me that you owed him a sum of Money and as your property was moving away he would have to be made safe. I wrote him for answer that he might have your corn and Cattle, how far this cover will answer is determined before this time. You see from the foregoing relation that my first plan was entirely discon- certed and that the Carrage, Negroes and Waggons must all travel together, nothing remarkable happened untill we came here, only the difficultys inseperable from such Journeys, every one of which always happened to be charged to me as a fault. It was not in my power to agree with the Waggoners to go any further than here, nor did I choose it at the price which I was obliged to promise them which was three dollars a piece per day hard Money and found. But Mrs. Burke insisted on their going and found Coln. Gunby here from whom she got a New protection with a penalty annexed to it that if they did not proceed they should be impressed. This the Waggoners resented and said they would rather loose their Teams as to be so Imposed upon. I reasoned my best with Mrs. Burke upon this occasion. I told her that your Stay at Mr. Ronaldson's would be but temporary and that I would only want your Horses and Negroes there that he might adopt such Measures as to make the one Suport the other, also her own Wearing aperal which the Wenches could take along, as for the other things I requested they might be left at some safe place near this untill your Orders. When this would not do I requested that I might discharge the Waggons according to my promise as with a protection I could hire others much cheaper, things being desperate when I hired the first obliged me to come to their terms, but in both of these proposals I was overruled tho' not outreasoned. I then seed proceed they must and applied to them with New promises and got them to promise to go a Couple of days further and leave the loads in Some Safe place of Mrs. Burkes chusing. I went about twenty Miles with them and returned, being under a Necessity of being in Hills- borough if Possible before the Enemy, but I have missed that. I assure you I have not had much happiness in conductg. this affair, things that could not be done was called negleet and no encomiums as I remember for what was done. Before we left this place I gave Mrs. Burke a Small Supply of Cash, Sugar and Coffee. My inten- tion as I mentioned in returning was to be imediately in Hills-
616
STATE RECORDS.
borough, but was well informed when I came here that the Enemy was as far as Capt. Lees on their way there and its beyond a doubt there being there at this time. Men is rising here very fast and I am told they' collect with cheerfulness in our State; and I think you would be of more Service to be there Now than you possibly can be in Congress.
I cannot help thinking that those at home who give the provoca- tion to begin this war and those here who was too easily provoked deserves a damned threshing either in this World or the Next. Its impossible to give you any Idea of the distress that appears at this place. Numbers leaving there property behind them and as Surely causing a famine where they go. I forgot to inform you in my former letters that Mr. Malatt-Mrs. Burke received no Salt from the Board of Trade, I let her have what She wanted. Its evident now that the Major does not want to marry Mrs. McCarrel; I find you are wanted to resent the Matter. In Short he has not behaved like a Gentleman. He has been saying foolish Soft things to her, and she has credulously received them. For my part I should wish her in the Kingdon of heaven rather than to have another March with her .. I am happy in informing you that both before and after we Started Mrs. Burkes chief concern was respecting your Books and papers. I left two Guns for the Negroes to carry least they Should be hurt in the Waggons, these Collins has neglected Sending along. I owe a Certain Mr. Crump Near Mr. Ronaldson's £1000 Virginia Currency in ballance between my Mare and a Horse; from my knowledge of your circumstances I do not expect you can pay him when you come there, but I would be much obliged to you if you would call upon him and tell him that he will be paid when I get time.
I have been the more particular in this relation to you so as to enable you to waylay misrepresentations if any should come your way. It was ten o'clock at Night when we heard the British was in Salisbury. I then took my Horse and went to your House and told them it was time to be packing. Mrs. McCarrel laught at my fears and told me of the Strength of Genl. Greene's Army; the next day I waited upon them again and was told by the same Lady the expence of moving and indeed that there was no Necessity for it. I told her I had compaired the expence of removing with that of replacing in case the things were lost and chused to risque the
617
STATE RECORDS.
former. Many foolish altercations I was obliged to have and had no pleasure in the whole only that I think I have been the means of putting a little of your property out of the way. I could write you where our Army are but their Accounts you have officially better than I can give them.
I am, Sir, with perfect respect, your very obt. Servt. ANDR. ARMSTRONG.
WILLIAM HUNT TO GOVERNOR BURKE.
On the Eighteenth Instant by Virtue of a Warrant Issued by two Justices of Warren County Directed to me, I Imprest a bay horse, the property of Nat. Henderson ; he said he would loose his life be- fore he would loose his horse. I told him that I would not Con- tend with him as far as that, but that if he chose to take his horse by Violence he might do so. He immediately pulled the bridle away, and said that he would answer for his Conduct to any Quarter or the Governor & Council.
WILLIAM HUNT.
August 22, 1781.
This day came William Hunt before me and made Oath to the Justness of the above.
JOHN JUSTISS, J. P.
PROCEEDINGS OF A COURT OF ENQIRY HIELD AT HALIFAX, 21ST AUGUST, 1781, BY ORDER OF MAJOR HOGG.
Capt. Benjm. Coleman, Presidt.
Lieuts Hart,
Pasteur. Members.
Ensgns. Ford, Gibson.
The Court met according to order. David Cowler was brought before the Court on Suspicion of being a Spy. No Evidence appear-
618
STATE RECORDS.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.