USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 54
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Colo. Jethro Sumner of the 3 N. Carolina Battalion, a worthy good officer, waits on you with this, who commands a Detachment of all those soldiers from the several Batallions who have had the smallpox agreeable to a late Resolve of Congress, who, on every Occasion, will gladly receive your Commands.
In the meantime I shall take every Step to hasten the Recovery of our Troops, and march to you with the utmost Expedition, or wherever you will please to order us.
I am with the utmost Respect, your
Excellency's most obedient humble Servant, ALEX. MARTIN, Colo. 2 Bat. N. C. Troops.
His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General and Com- mander in Chief, &c.
STATE RECORDS.
A MORNING REPORT OF COL. SUMNER'S DETACHMENT, JUNE 11th, 1777.
T. Officers.
C. Officers.
Staff Officers
N. Com. Officers.
Rank & File.
Companies.
Colonel
Lieut. Col.
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Ensigns.
('haplains.
Adjutants.
Surgeon.
Qr. Master
Sergt Majr.
Qr. Mr. Serg.
Drum Major.
Sergeants.
Drummers.
Fifers.
Fit for duty
Prisoners.
Offirs Servts
C.C. Prisnrs.
& Total.
Captains.
Harriss's.
1
I
1
36
6
1
1
.
Doherty's.
1
1
1
1
9
1
1
27
2
7
1
37
Ramsey's
1
3
-
6
4
26
20
. .. *
2 1
31
Fifer's
1
9
9
Total
1
1 5
1
8 3
1
1
1
1|211
29|
129 13 |3|12| 3 |160
Nich. Minora Deserted yesterday Morning from Guard of Capt. Harris's Compg.
Jas. Watson & Capt. Harris's Companies at Burden Town Sick.
Bernd. Fowler, 1st Sergt., in Philadelphia Sick.
Wm. MeIntyre, of Capt. Doherty's Company at Burden Town Sick.
20
1
31
3
O
3
.. !
Armstrong's ..
..
:
. . +
Sick.
703
704
STATE RECORDS.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
To Waightstill Avery, William Sharpe, Robert Lanier and Joseph Winston, Esquires, Greeting :
Out of the Assurance We have of your Integrity, Abilities and Fidelity to the State, We do hereby appoint you the said Waight- still Avery, William Sharpe, Robert Lanier, and Joseph Winston, Commissioners on the part and behalf of thir State ; to act in con- junction with the Commissioners appointed by the States of Vir- ginia and South Carolina, or either of them, in establishing a Peace, and fixing a Boundary Line between the Cherokee Indians and the White People.
You, or any two, or more of you, are therefore, to proceed to Long Island, on Holston, on the 26th day of this Instant, or at such Time, and place as may be agreed upon by the Commissioners of the aforesaid States, for the purpose aforesaid; And you, or any two, or more of you, are hereby invested with Competent power, to Negociate the aforesaid Treaty, and any Acts by you, or two, or more of you as in Conjunction with Commissioners of the other States, or the Commissioners of either of them, done, shall be Obli- gatory on this State.
Witness, Richard Caswell, Esquire, Governor, Captain General and Commander in Chief of the said State under his hand & Seal at Arms at Newbern, the 12th day of June, Anno Dom., 1777. And in the first year of our Independence.
R. CASWELL.
By His Excellency's Command.
J. GLASGOW, Sec.
WILLIAM SHARPE TO WAIGHTSTILL AVERY, ESQ.
CHARLOTTE, 3d. Novr., 1777.
DEAR SIR :
When I left home I forgot the articles of the Treaty that should have been sent you (in case they are called for at the Assembly.)
I doubt not but you will endeavour to have a Law for preventing
705
STATE RECORDS.
the many Trespasses and grievous outrages of the frontier Inhabi- tants on the Indian's Land and also regulate the commercial Inter- est of the White people with the Cherokees in such a Manner as may tend to the Interest and Happiness of this State.
The Indians who were at my House seemed somewhat dissatis- fied when they went away because I did not furnish them with a good gun each. If any of the Chiefs go to Assembly, I hope you will satisfy them that, that was not my Province, and that I did everything in my power to recover the boy from James Miller that they might see him before their departure agreeable to promise.
Some time after the Indians came to my House I sent the Inter- preter with one of them to General Rutherford in order to see and bring up the Squoy; who was dead before their arrival. The Fellow who went with the Interpreter, being uneasy about the death of his Sister and the usuage the Genl. gave himself (by keeping him at a great Distance). and the Genl., finding him Home Sick, without further Ceremony or a single line of advice to me, directed the In- terpreter to remove them Immediately to Colo. MeDowel's, to whom he wrote a letter, the Contents of which I understood by the In- terpreter was to go to Bd. River for the prisoners who had been brot. in by our orders and convey them to his house, &c., as the Colo. can more fully tell you. I was not a little Chagrined at his assum- ing such an Air, and thereby frustrating the end for which they were brought in; and therefore very easily persuaded them to stay some time longer, and in the meantime sent the Interpreter with an Active young man to Bd. River to bring in the Boy & Squoy the prospect of which pleased the Indians very well. Winters readily gave them the Squoy, but Miller detained the boy and wrote me an evasive and equivocal Letter. At the same time I wrote a Letter and sent it to Colo. McDowell with the General's Letter, in which I was under a kind of Necessity of signifying a Hint that it was a matter the Genl. had not a right to direct and apologized for not sending the Indians.
After the Interpreter & young man returned with Miller's inso- lent answer, I thought the Genl., being a man of War was a proper person to Apply to and after mentioning in a Letter at Large the circumstances of Miller's aggravated case I concluded with men- tioning the necessity of being cautious with respect to being too
15-45
706
STATE RECORDS.
credulous of the Expresses & reports he had of danger on the fron- tiers. By the time the Letter had reached him he had heard I suppose in an aggravated point of light the small hint in Colonel McDowel's Letter complaining as he calls it of his conduct, in con- sequence of which he would do nothing with Miller and wrote me a pitiful, ill-natured and aggravating Letter by which I found he was in what you may call a great rage. I have thought it too mean to be the subject of an answer in writing & therefore intend taking it in fair scold when I see him which I don't expect now till after Assembly. This perhaps had better not transpire at least till after I have seen him. I am in great haste and with much es- teem,
Sir, your Obt. Humble Servt., WM. SHARPE.
GOV. R. CASWELL TO CAPT. WILLIAM CASWELL.
New Bern, 11th November, 1777. MY DEAR SON :
I have wrote you many letters since I had the pleasure of re- ceiving any from you and fear they have not fallen into the proper hand and flatter myself that yours have been miscarried as I have not received a line from you since one dated the 5th September at Newport. I have been ever since the Battle at Brandywine in daily expectation of receiving intelligence from your own hand which I have hitherto failed in, indeed, I have lately been informed by Let- ter from Capt. Medici that you, at Brandywine, received a wound in the hand, and for a few days was led to believe you was not able to write me, but that Suggestion has been removed by Mr. William Blount who says he dined with you about the 18th September, and heard not a syllable of your having received a Wound. Of Course I am thereby induced to believe that Capt. has been misin- formed, tho' his good nature has induced him to Say, you desired him to inform me your Situation and that you had not time to write, you well know that a Single line from yourself would be of more Satisfaction than a sheet from another hand, relating to you, especially in the Critical situation you have lately been; pray, if
707
STATE RECORDS.
ever this reaches your hand, relieve my anxiety and that of your relatives here, by giving me an account of your Situation & if pos- sible the various difficulties thro' which you have struggled since the Letter I mentioned recd. from you last. 'Tis true I have from Messrs. Burke, Harnett, and Penn recd. Letters in which you are sayed to be Well. We have recd. Accots. of the Unfortunate loss of poor Genl. Nash. I consider that loss, as most people here do, as irreparable to this State. However you or rather the officers with you I suppose may think otherwise, indeed I value and esteem many of them as good and Brave Men, but really, I think, the late General, in every respect cannot be equalled by the ablest and best amongst you. If ever you get time to write me, do tell me a Little of the Conduct and Behaviour of the North Carolina men, how some of them have fallen, whether Bravely or otherwise tho' the latter I flatter myself you will have no accot. to give me of, yet if you have I wish to know it.
We have had Glorious Accounts here within a few days, of the Surrender of Burgoine & his whole Army to General Gates, of Genl. Putman getting between Genl. Clinton & New York & the expecta- tion of his being able to cut off his retreat, of Genl. Washington's being again in possession of Phila., and Howe's retreating to his Shipping & of the Success of the Forts and Batteries on the Dela- ware against the British Ships & Land Forces, which have occas- ioned great rejoicing, Bonfires & Illuminations here. The Assembly it is supposed will have members sufficient to-day to Constitute the upper & lower houses and proceed to business; nothing material has lately happened. Your Friends all I think are well. Your mother, all your sisters & Bro. Dickey & Winstone are here and desire to be remembered to you. I have got a horse for you at £150. price but do not send him 'till you tell me you wish I should do so. The Glorious Accounts we have recd. induce me to think matters will turn out so as that you may probably obtain leave of Absence in the dead of Winter, for two or three Months, in which case I hope you will be able to get home without my sending the Horse and on your coming I promise to have him in fine order for you to return with. If we are not to have the happiness of seeing you this win- ter and you think it will be prudent to send the Horse, let me know and I shall do it by the first safe opportunity.
You know my sentiments of the Honor of a Soldier & a Gentn.
708
STATE RECORDS.
as well as the Glorious cause you are engaged in, and if at any Time, you can, consistently with those sentiments & agreeable to your own Wishes leave the Service, you are at liberty to do so, but previous thereto I shall be glad to know it that I may at least endeavor to make provision for you here.
I wish you health of Body and Strength of Mind to Bear all your difficulties in a becoming manner and leave you to the protec- tion of that being who will never leave you if you do your duty, which that He may enable you to do is the constant prayer of
Your ever affectionate,
R. CASWELL.
(Book of "Army Returns," No. 27, p. 8 )
CAMP NEAR BRANDYWINE, Sept. 2nd., 1777 ..
As there is a vacancy in the Third Regiment of North Carolina in the service of the United States, occasioned by the Promotion of Major Lockhart, we think it cannot be better filled than by promot- ing Henry Dixon, who has served as a Captn. in the Continental Army two years, and has always been indefatigable in his Duty, who we believe is endowed with Courage and Conduct.
We are, Sir, your Obedt. Huml. Servts., Thos. Polk, Col. 4th Rt. Gideon Lamb. Col. 6th R. James Armstrong, Col. 8th R. T. Clark, Col. 1st Battn. John Patten, L. C., 2nd R. Ja. Thackston, Lt. Col. 4th B. Arch'd Lytle, Lt. Col. 6th B. Lott Brewster, Major 7th B. Will. Polk, Maj. 9th B. Jno. Walker, Major.
If the above is not entirely inconsistent with the established reg- ulation of the 'Army, I think the Majority cannot be better filled . than by the appointment of Captain Dixon.
F. NASH,
Br. Genl.
709
STATE RECORDS.
(Book of Army Returns, No, 27. p. 10.)
SEAL (In Wax.)
There being a vacant Majority in the 3rd North Carolina Regi- ment by the promotion of Major Lockhart to a Lieutenant Col- onelcy in the Eighth, Captain Henry Dixon of the 1st Regiment from the said State, the eldest Captain in the Line of the said State, is hereby promoted to the said Majority, having been recommended by the late Brigadier Genl. Nash, and Sundry Field Officers of the said Troops, as a deserving good officer.
Given under my hand and seal at Head Qrs. this 12th day of Octo'r, 1777. GEO. WASHINGTON.
January 31st, 1778.
Agreeable to Regimental Orders a Court of Enquiry Sat to En- quire into the conduct of Captain Daniel Jones, of the 3rd North Carolina Battalion for Disobedience of Orders and Absenting him- self without leave.
CAPT. BALLARD, President.
MEMBERS. Lieut. Montford, Lieut. McGibbony, Lieut. Gillispie, Ensign Pasteur.
When having Enquired into the Conduct of Capt. Jones and, from the best information we can get it is the opinion of this Court that he is guilty of Disobedience of Orders and Absenting himself without Leave.
KEDAR BALLARD, Pres.
710
STATE RECORDS.
AN ESTIMATE OF CLOATHING FOR THE OFFICERS OF THE STATE REGIMENT, VIZT:
50 yds Coarse cloath for Cloaks & trimmings.
To 17} do. of fine do. for regt. coats, do.
To 30 do. for Jackets, britches, &c., do.
To 160 yds Linen for Shirts, do.
To 40 prs stockings.
To 10 pr. boots or leather for boots.
To 10 hatts.
The officers on account of their pressing necessities request his excellency to give an order for the above estimate that they may have it in their power to appear as becomes their rank.
NICHOLAS LONG, Majr.
20th Apl., 1778.
RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS CONSOLIDATING N. C. BATTALIONS.
IN CONGRESS, May 28th, 1778.
Resolved, That the non-Commissioned Officers and other men belonging to the Battalions of the State of North Carolina now in Camp be forthwith reduced and formed by the Commander-in-Chief into as many Battalions as they will compleat, according to the Num- ber composing the old Battalions ; and that such new formed Batta- lions be officered agreeably to the new arrangements of the Batta- lions ; and that all the supernumerary officers be immediately or- dered to return to the State of North Carolina to officer the men raised by that State to compleate their quota of the Continental Battalions there to remain for the further order of Congress.
Resolved, That the State of North Carolina be required to fill up four Battalions and no more upon the new establishment in addition to those now at Camp, and to officer the same with such of their Continental Officers as may be ordered from camp as super-
711
STATE RECORDS.
numeraries of the Battalions there, or as are within the State of North Carolina, or with such other persons as they shall think proper ; and that the said four Battalions remain within the State of North Carolina at such places as the Governor shall direct until the further order of Congress.
Resolved, That the Officers who have been appointed by the State of North Carolina to battalions raised by that State and who shall not be annexed either to their battalions in camp or to one of the said four battalions, shall not be considered as in the service of these United States, but as dismissed therefrom.
CHAS. THOMSON,
Secretary.
GOVERNOR CASWELL TO DR. BURKE ( ?)
KINGSTON, 13th June, 1778.
DEAR SIR :
Agreeable to your request & that of the Field officers in Gran- ville, I have issued a Commission to Capt. Farrar & most sincerely wish him to answer the most sanguine Expections of his Country.
The consequences of the Act for raising Troops I foretold to you, Sir, I think as well as others, but you then thought differently from me. You find the people in Granville & other Counties are very different beings from those whom you proposed making machines of to answer the public Exigencies. I thank you for your kind offers to serve me to the northward. At present I will not trouble you with anything, but as occasions may require I will take the freedom to inform you. I most sincerely wish you an agreeable Journey, & am, Dr. Sir,
Your most obedt. Servt.,
RD. CASWELL.
No address.
a
· 712
STATE RECORDS.
PROCLAMATION FOR CONVENING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, the General Assembly did not Meet pursuant to their last adjournment, and therefore no place is appointed for the meet- ing, thereof after the Next annual general Election, I do therefore by, and with the advice and Consent of the Council of State, appoint the Said meeting to be at Hillsborough on Tuesday, the Second day of April Next, when the punctual and early attend- ance of the Nembers is absolutely Necessary.
Given under my hand, &c.
THOS. BURKE.
DR. THOS. BURKE TO BOARD OF WAR.
TYAQUIN, NEAR HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA, July 8th, 1778.
GENTLEMEN :
I send under the conduct of Mr. John Taylor of this County Sixty-nine Horses which I have purchased pursuant to your re- quest. They were supplied by a company of Merchants here who are active and intelligent and I am very certain have been faithful in discharging their contract, they would all sell in this State for a . Sum greater considerably than I have contracted to give them. They are, most of them, now in pretty good working order, but the heat of the weather will, I fear, reduce them considerably before they reach you. If they can have a few weeks rest and good feed- ing I think you will find them very serviceable; they have been bred in the hilly Country of this State which produces hardy and useful Horses. . My principal view was to purchase Horses that are strong and active. Horses of finer figure would be extremely dear
713 ·
STATE RECORDS.
and less useful. These I hope will answer good purposes. In- closed you have a copy of Mr. Taylor's agreement for delivering them. You will perceive they are at his risque, but I must inform you that I have assured him you would not make him pay for any that may get away, provided he can satisfy you that he has taken every possible care of them. The Sum he receives is by no means a compensation for the trouble and risque on any other terms, but it seems to me necessary for several obvious reasons to contract with him in this manner.
I have furnished him with 420 Dollars to purchase provender for the Horses on the way. He will charge all he purchases and account with you. Be pleased to pay him agreeable to his con- tract, and also deliver him the money for reimbursing me, taking from him duplicate receipts, one of which be pleased to enclose me. Diligent, active people may still purchase Horses here, and the same Company will continue to purchase upon the same contract until I receive your answer. If you desire to prohibit, the sooner the better. I mentioned this in my letter of advice accompanying the Bill I drew for the price of these Horses, Dated this day. Was
I to advise relative to the purchase of Horses for a future Cam- paign, I should recommend contracting for them in the fall to be delivered in the Spring. Several could be got here on such terms, but the present is too late a season for purchasing to great advan- tage, nor is it possible to get them in prime order.
I am, Gentlemen, your obedt. servant,
THOS. BURKE.
P. S.
Upon re-examining the Horses I find one but three years old, & concluding him too young for service I have taken him out of the number in order to exchange him for one fit, and meantime, as he will run in my pasture he will be no expense to the public. One of the people to whom I had committed some of the Horses to be fed during the Interval between my receiving and sending them off let three get away while he was piously attending meeting on Sunday .. He is in search of them and is not yet returned. Soon as they are found I will have them taken care of and send them by some safe opportunity, you will deduct 4 from the number mentioned in Mr. Taylor's agreement.
Honble. Board of War.
714
STATE RECORDS.
LT. COL. JA. THACKSTON TO COL. JAMES HOGUN OF THE 7TH N. CAROLINA BATTALION OR THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT HALIFAX.
CAMP NEAR PEYTONSBURG, July 21st, 1778. DEAR COL. :
I'received your favor of the 22nd June covering the resolves of Congress. I have been waiting for some time since with great anxi- ety to receive your further orders. Never was any man I believe more put to it than I have been ever since I came to this place to get the troops supplied with provisions. I expected before I arrived that the Virginia Commissary of Purchases had certainly laid in a store sufficient to supply us during our stay, but to my great morti- fication, when I arrived I found not one ounce of provisions, nor a Commissary could I hear of any where near, of course I was obliged to appoint a Commissiary, to purchase what he could get for his re- ceipts by which means we have lived till now, when the Country round the Camp is entirely drained of what little flour and Indian corn it had to spare. Wheat, there is none but that is just reaped and the planters are so busied with their crops that they can't be prevailed on to thrash out one single bushel, for which reasons I am obliged this day to move my camp to Dick's Ferry, on Dann River, about Twenty-five miles back towards Hillsborough where I am informed there is Indian meal and beef in plenty to be had for the Troops, at which place, or near it, I shall wait your further or- ders. I have enclosed you a return of the Troops at present under my command, and am, Dear Colonel,
Yr. very obedt. humble servant, JA. THACKSTON, Lt. Col.
P. S. I have received a letter from Col. Davidson soliciting me to entreat you to forward to him the paymaster. His troops he writes me, have not received their bounty and are very uneasy. If you can do any thing for him in this particular it will much oblige him and you shall have the thanks of
Yr. Ob. Servt.,
J. THACKSTON, Lt. Col.
715
STATE RECORDS.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, 14th August, 1778.
The joint Committee of both Houses appointed to examine the several papers and make an arrangement of the Officers to command the Battalions to be filled up out of the new levies in this State ; having met and chosen Genl. Person, Chairman, Beg leave to Report as follows.
It appears to your Committee that in consequence of orders from His Excellency the Governor, A Board of Continental Officers hatlı been held at Halifax and Moon's Creek and have recommended Field Officers, Captains, and Subalterns to take the command of four Battalions to be filled out of the new levies raised in Virtue of an Act of the last Assembly, which arrangement and recommenda- tion of the said Board of Officers your Committee are of Opinion should take place and to which they beg leave to refer.
Your Committee further Report as their Report that the Super- numerary Continental Officers remaining should be discharged reserv- ing to such reduced Officer the right of preferment according to Rank whenever a Vacancy may happen. And that the Militia Captains commanding the new levies shall take rank and continue with their Companys agreeable to law unless when such Captains may have a less number than a full Company in which case such Company to be joined to others in the same circumstance and one Captain to take Command, this arrangement to be made by the said Captains and the men under their Command without the interposition of the Continental Officers, and that it is the opinion of your Committee that the said Captains of the said new raised levies after such arrangement shall Command Continental Lieutenants and have a right to sit in Court Martials on the trials of the said new raised levies.
Your Committee have examined the returns of the new levies now on duty from the District of Salisbury and Hillsborough, and have received information that a number also is now collected at Halifax and in Duplin County, upon the whole your Committee are of opinion that the new raised levies together with such Conti- nental Soldiers as are now in this State on duty are fully Sufficient to compleat the four Battalions to be raised agreeable to the Resolve of the Continental Congress-which is submitted.
716
STATE RECORDS.
The House taking the. said Report into consideration Concurred therewith, except that part "reserving to such reduced officers the right of preferment according to rank whenever a vacancy may may happen."
By order
JOHN HUNT, C. H. C. IN THE SENATE, 14th August, 1778.
Concurred with as altered by the Commons.
ALLEN JONES, S. S.
Extract from the Journal.
JOHN HUNT, C. H. C.
GEN. ALLEN JONES TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
WHEELER's, Aug. 31st, 1778.
SIR :
The enclosed were just handed to me by Cap. Ruffin a Gentleman sent by Genl. Mulenburg. I intend to wait on you early tomorrow morning but thought the intelligence too important to delay a com- munication ever so short a time. In the morning I shall wait on you for orders and am with great respect,
Your Excellency's Mo. Ob. Servt., ALLEN JONES, Bg. GI.
GEN. ALLEN JONES TO RICHARD BENNEHAN, ESQ.
Novr. 24th, 1778.
DEAR SIR :
It is a long time since we heard from you and I assure you the whole family are exceedingly anxious to be informed of the welfare of you and yours. I am sorry to inform you that Mrs. Jones is in a very low State and I really almost despair of her ever getting well. I am sure she cannot till she is delivered. and that will not be till Jany. She wants much to see you and Polly, And hopes you will come as soon as convenience & the weather permits. I assure you I am in a distrest situation, but hope Mrs. Jones will yet do well. Mrs. Jones presents her love to you & Polly. Give my love to her
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