USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 8
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
Deserters.
Totally.
Fit for duty.
Dead.
Sick.
Absent with Leave.
Waggoners.
On Command.
Fifers.
Drummers.
Serjeants.
Surgeons.
Sergeant Majors.
Quarter Masters.
Adjutants.
Ensigns.
Lieutenants.
Captains.
Capt. Mulford, Bladen.
52
28
5
3
3
8
1
2
1
1
Capt. Grant, Onslow.
2
57
30
1
6 4
5
2
1
1
2
1 1
1 1 ...
1
Capt. Deveaun, Duplin
44
23
5 10
1
1
1
1 1
1
Capt. Page, Duplin
59
25
9 19 3
2
1
Capt. King, Cumberland.
19
7
1
5 1
2
1
1
1
Capt. White, Beaufort (?).
3
50
30
11
1
4
20
1
1
Capt. Forbes, Camden
27
11
1
9 2
1
2
1
Capt. Hill, Hertford.
60
40
10
3
1 1 9
1 1 1
Capt. Stephens, Hertford ..
49
35
6
2
1 2
1 1 1
Ensign Barber, Hertford ..
6
3
1
1
1
Total
5 423 232 138 68 20 14 4 313 11 111 65 9
GENERAL JETHRO SUMNER TO GOVERNOR NASH.
CAMP CHATHAM COURT HOUSE, Sept. 5th, 1780,
SIR :
I make use of the opportunity of this express to inform your Excellency of our coming thus far. I have given orders for marching off early in the morning, and will proceed with all speed to Salisbury.
Sir, I am, with the highest esteem,
Your Excellency's most Obedient Servant, JETHRO SUMNER.
W. Masters.
EXTRACT FROM-A Return of the Brigade at Ramsey's Mill on Deep River, Commanded by General Sumner, September 3, 1780.
GENERAL OFFICERS.
FIELD OFFICERS
COMMIS- SIONED OFFICERS
STAFF OFFICERS.
NON-COMMIS- SIONED OFFICERS.
ARTI- FICERS AND ARMOR- ERS.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRI- VATES.
LIGHT HORSE-
General Sumner. General Caswell.
COMMANDING OFFICERS OF REGIMENTS.
Colonels.
Majors.
Inspectors.
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Ensigns.
Chaplains.
B. Majors.
Adjutants.
Doctors.
Doctors' Mates.
Waggon Masters.
Forage Masters,
Commissary.
Assistant Commissary.
Quartermaster Berg'ts.
Forage Master Sergeant.
Artificers.
Armorers.
Sergeant Majors.
Drumu Majors.
Fife Majors.
Sergeants.
Corporals.
Drummers.
Fifes.
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Cornets.
Dragoons.
Continentals-
Capt. Yarborough
1
2
2
14
Col. Jarvis
1
1
4
4
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
11
16
4
2 216
Col. Seawell
1
1
10
9
8
1 1
1 1
1
1
1
15
1
1
25
7
449
1 1 1 15
Col. Exum
2
3
1
1
1
ti
4
2
..
84
Volunteers-Major Gorham.
1
1
1
3
1
1 53
1
18
Capt. Rutledge
Total.
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
19
3 2
47 17 14 | 3 816
3 1 1 40
JAMES ARMSTRONG, B. MAJOR.
74
STATE RECORDS.
1
7
18 |16
18
B. Quartermasters.
Quartermasters.
1
Lieutenant Colonels.
Privates Fit for Duty
....
75
STATE RECORDS.
COL. MOUNTFLORENCE TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
CAMP RAMSAY'S MILL, Sept. 5th, 1780.
SIR : I joined Genl. Sumner Sunday evening, & remitted both to him and Col. Seawell your Excellency's Letters. We are to march off to day, & would have done it yesterday if it had not been for waiting for the parties we had out for Provisions. Brig. Genl. Caswell came up to us to day ; he is in a very poor condition of health, & does not know when the Major Genl. is to join the Army. I am, Sir, according to your kind recommendation, to act as Aid de Camp to Genl. Sumner on our March till we C.me to the Enemies' Line, when I expect to take the Command of a small Scouring party, wherein I am determined to deserve your Excel- lency's notice or to fail entirely in the attempt. I met here, Sir, Capt. David Meres, who holds a Commission in Colonel Seawell's Regiment ; this Officer is a French Gentleman, & bore a Commis- sion in Genl. Pulaski's Legion ; has his wife (an American Lady) & three Children in Charlestown, Sailed from that place abont nine months ago in a Brig belonging to him, was taken on the coast and brought into Jamaica, where he remained a prisoner of war for three months, at the expiration of which time he was sent ont in a Flag of Truce with several others to the Cape Francois, where he was exchanged. From there he embarked on board one of the King's Vessels as a Capt. of Marines for Philadelphia. On his arrival at Philadelphia he heard of the surrender of Charles- town, which was the more afflicting to him as he had never met with any opportunity either of writing to his family nor of hear- ing from it. He is really, Sir, in the greatest distress for his family, & entreated me to write to your Excellency to petition he should be permitted to Repair with a Flag to Charlestown, to Get permission from the Commanding Officer to settle his affairs in that Town, & for removing his family to this State. His case, Sir, I think very hard; a foreigner in this Country, without friends & without relations, he is, & must be so, in the greatest uneasiness about his family ; his losses here have been very great, but would willingly make the sacrifice of his fortune, provided he could get his family ont of the Enemies' hands. The Bearer is the Gentleman I mention, & would find myself happy should you
76
STATE RECORDS.
think proper to Grant him the request. We are told Genl. Har- rington is at Cross Creek, pursuant to your Excellency's orders, with a Strong body of men. I will make use of every opportu- nity that should offer to inform your Excellency of every material Concurrence, & am,
With the utmost respect & Gratitude, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedt. & most Humble Servt., COL. MOUNTFLORENCE.
GOV. ABNER NASH TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
HILLSBOROUGH, 6th Sept., 1780. To The Honourable the General Assembly. GENTLEMEN :
The distress of the country, and the dangers to which it is exposed, call aloud for the most speedy and decisive measures. The enemy, elated with their late successes, are now hanging on your borders, and are threatening an invasion of this country. Your men are numerous and high-spirited ; a considerable body of regular troops are now on their march to your aid ; and the country abounds in provisions of all kinds ; but yet if wise and vigorous measures are not immediately taken to draw forth the strength and resources of the country, we may nevertheless be over run and become an easy prey to the enemy. The Congress have advised a specific tax, and no other measure will, in my Opinion, be adequate to the consumption of the Army ; nor will this be sufficient for the present demand, for at this time our treasury is exhausted, and we have no magazine of provisions laid up. I don't know that there is three days' bread that can be depended on for the troops here. It is evident, therefore, that some further immediate supply should be sought for, whereby the army may be supplied, whilst the provision tax is collecting. A fund, Gentlemen, is in your hands, and necessity, in my opinion, calls loudly for the immediate appropriation of it for the defence of our lives, liberties and fortunes. As I have only one of the
77
STATE RECORDS.
council to aid and advise me, permit me earnestly to recommend to the General Assembly the expediency of appointing a board of war in aid of the executive, and that the vacancy in the council may be filled up.
A. NASH.
JUDGE JOHN WILLIAMS TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
GRANVILLE, September 7th, 1780. DR. SIR :
Received yours of the 5th Instant, by which I conceive you are under some apprehension from the Indisposition of your family. I think you need be under none on that account. From the children's present appearance, they seem much better than when Mrs. Nash wrote you last, and I hope will continue to improve. Master Frank can already swear a pretty round hand. Any thing that Mrs. Williams or myself can do to oblige both Mrs. Nash & your self will be done with the greatest cheerfullness, and consider it a pleasure that we have it in our power to oblige you and your family rather than any sort of ineumberance upon us.
As in your letter you make no mention further of a Court of Oyer, I presume it is thought the Hillsborough term so near at hand as to make it useless ; yet in that ease surely the Assembly means to pass some aet Impowering the court to try offenders for offences committed without the District. Should a Court of Oyer be thought of, I shall be ready at all times to attend wherever your Excellence or the Assembly may think proper to Direct, and shall Depend upon you for immediate instructions.
Col. Buford's Troops, abt. 300, as the officers say, very well armned, passed this yesterday, and I presume will be at Hills- borough this week.
I am, with all Esteem, Dr. Sir,
Your Ob. & very Hble. Servt., JOHN WILLIAMS.
Col. Henderson last evening I think seemed a little better. His Excellency Gov. Nash.
78
STATE RECORDS.
WILL. PASTEUR TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
NEWBERN, September 8th, 1780.
SIR :
Yesterday I came to this place, and in a few days there will be ten waggons that are now on their way here. As they are much out of order and want fresh horses I shall get them off as soon as possi- ble, with what public stores there is here & all the Tent Cloath, &c., that I can procure here, tho' I am sorry to tell you that there is not much here. Without your orders how to act I am Rather at a loss, as I understand there is a considerable Quantity more of Tent Cloath oznaburg at Edenton than there is here, and there is a Brig arrived at Wilmington that is ordered to this place with a considerable Quantity of Oznaburg Light Canvass & several other articles that is much wanting for the use of our Army. This Brig is a prize to Mr. Stanly's ship. She was from Scotland, and the ship has brought her and another brig from the West Indies into Wilmington ; both very valuable Prizes, & in a few days they are expected here, as they are ordered round, as it appears absolutely necessary for those articles to be procured for the Pub- lic. Shall be glad of Orders by the Return of the Bearer from you, if I am to procure them and how. If I do not receive orders to stay and procure these articles, I shall Return with the wag- gons, which will be ready to set off about the Return of the Bearer, in which case, if they are thought to be wanting, it would be neces- sary some other Person should be wrote to to procure them.
I am, Sir, with Respect, Your most Humble Servt.,
WILL. PASTEUR.
-
GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
CAMP AT DOWNINGS, Sept. the 10th, 1780.
SIR :
Here inclosed I have the honour to forward to your Excellency General return of the Troops under my Command fit for duty, & refer you to Gen. Caswell for a state of the arms and further par-
79
STATE RECORDS.
ticularities. I expect to be in Salisbury by Wednesday ; from thence will send to your Excellency a fresh return of the Troops & of the arms, which will be more regularly than the shortness of time permitted me to get this done.
I am, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedt. Servt., JETHRO SUMNER.
GEN. HORATIO GATES TO GOV. NASH.
11th Sept., 1780.
SIR :
Major Mazaret tells me there are about Seven Hundred Spare Arms in Store (some of them out of Repair). Ont of these the Dis- armed Soldiers of General Smallwood's Brigade must be First Armed ; the rest are at your request, ready to be delivered to the Militia. I have no means of repairing Arms ; if you have, those that want it shall be delivered to the Armourer so they can repair them.
I am Yr. Excellency's Humble Servt., HORATIO GATES.
To Governor Nash.
ROB. COCHRAN AND EWD. WINSLOW TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
UPPER CAMPBELTON, 19th Sept., 1780. To His Excellency Abner Nash, Governor, &c.
SIR :
At the request of a number of our Constituents, we beg leave to represent to your Excellency That, by the removal of Colonel Philip Alston to a considerable distance from Cumberland, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Matthews, The Offices of Colonel and Lieut. Colonel of the Militia are at present vacant in this County ; and as we have reason to apprehend that any doubt or dispute abont Rank or Precedency, at this critical period, might be attended with confusion, and even Danger, to the peaceful Inhabitants of Cumberland, we have to request That you would be pleased to nominate two Gentlemen to fill these Offices during
80
STATE RECORDS.
the Recess of the Assembly. At the earnest desire of many, and indeed of all our Constituents whom we have Conversed with on the Subject, we take the liberty of recommending Major James Emmitt as the properest Person in this County for Colonel. His general good Character, his experience of Military Affairs, and his steady, spirited and uniform Conduct during the whole of the present Contest, all conspire to entitle him to such a Command.
Under his direction we have reason to believe that the Militia of Cumberland might be induced to render more essential Services to This and the United States than if headed by any other Per- son. Fond of the Man, and confident of his Abilities, They would gladly undertake & cheerfully execute every order he issned. Major Emmitt, who is ignorant of this application, (should he meet with your Excellency's approbation,) We are certain will be deficient in no part of his Duty ; but as he has been unaccustomed to a regular Army, and of course to Officers well acquainted with their Trade, We presume he would be the properest Person to recommend a Lient. Colonel for your Excellency's approbation. At no period of the war did this County so much require Men of Abilities, Experience and Perseverance as at the present ; but even these virtues, unless they are assisted by Unanimity among the superior Officers, will not avail.
The appointment of Major Emmett to the Command of the Reg- iment, with a Lient. Colonel he should approve, we really believe would be attended with numberless good Consequences ; and therefore we sincerely join with our Constituents in praying that your Excelleney may be pleased to grant the Requisitions con- tained in this Letter.
We have the Honour to be,
Your Excellency's Most obedt. & very humble Servts., ROB. COCHRAN. EWD. WINSLOW.
COL. MOUNTFLORENCE TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
CAMP NEAR CHARLOTTE, Sept. 21st, 1780. To His Excellency Abner Nash.
SIR :
Being Aid de Camp to Genl. Sumner, and having acted as such
81
STATE RECORDS.
since the 4th Inst., I apply to your Excellency for a Commission of Field Officer. You know, Sir, it is customary that the General Aids should be of a rank Superior to the Captains which they are every day in the care of Commanding ; & as Genl. Sumner Com- mands for the moment the Southern Army, I believe you won't find my application improper, as I am also his only Aid. I expected the rank as Field Officer in the Month of May last, when I was to act as Aid to Genl. Caswell. Circumstances were not thien favourable to me, but hope to be more happy now, & would deem it a particular favour from your Excellency, should you condescend to date me a Commission, if Granted, from the 4th Instant, agreeable to my appointment.
We are to join Genl. Davidson to day, Seven miles from this place, & tho' Aid to the Genl. have his permission of being sent on the Enemy's Line with one of the first parties; the Enemy's number are inconsiderable, & Doubt whether they will afford us any opportunity of engageing them, for fear of weaken- ing themselves. Should they receive the least Check, they will not be able to to keep the Field, but will be obliged to ret eat.
I have the honour to remain, with the Utmost respect & Gratitude, Sir, Your Excellency's most humble And most obedt. Servt., COL. MOUNTFLORENCE.
GOV. JOSIAH MARTIN TO LORD GEORGE GERMAIN.
[B. P. R. O., America & West Ind. B. T., Vol. 314, P. 1.] HEAD QUARTERS, WAXHAW, 21st September, 1780. MY LORD :
I had the honor to congratulate your Lordship on the signal, glorious and complete victory obtained on the 16th over the Rebel Army, commanded by Maj. Genl. Gates, by His Majesty's forces under the command of Lieut. Genl. Earl Cornwallis.
I have now only to observe to your Lordship that the just, pru- dent, vigorous and decided measures pursued by the noble Lord since his Victory are as likely as any I am able to conceive, and 15-6
82
STATE RECORDS.
bid fairer than any I have hitherto known employed, to quell and extinguish the Spirit of Rebellion, so far as they go; but from the infinite extent of the field of His Lordship's operations, and variety of objects to which he is necessarily obliged to give his constant attention, his difficulties are multiplied beyond imagina- tion, and are, I think, in the utmost measure that it is given to human wisdom, patience and fortitude to support and provide for. His expedients, however, grow with the occasions, and I am war- ranted, as far as we discern without information for these two months past from New York, to promise your Lordship as favor- able an issne of the Campaign under his guidance as can in reason and the nature of things be expected under such compli- cated embarrassment. From the exertions of a General com- manding so small an Army his success and the extent of it must assuredly depend very much on the measures taken by Sir Henry Clinton in the Chesapeake, where I have always considered a diversion, at least, to be indispensably necessary, if possible.
With regard to North Carolina, it appears that our Friends in that country have been intimidated beyond belief by the cruel apprehensions of their persecutors, which they have borne with astonishing patience and fidelity. They continue to give great assurances of aid and strength to Lord Cornwallis and myself when the army shall advance into their Country, and it will be now probably soon known what may be the fruit and efficacy of their good will to us, which certainly cannot be donbted.
Lord Cornwallis has been pleased, on my recommendation, to appoint Mr. John Crnden to execute the purposes of His Lord- ship's important Proclamation of the 16th inst., and I am hopeful his character, capacity and integrity, which qualify him for any Trust, will bespeak yonr Lordship's favour to continne him in office.
I have, &c., JO. MARTIN, Govr. of North Carolina.
Rec. 11 Decr.
83
STATE RECORDS.
GENERAL WM. DAVIDSON TO GENERAL GATES.
[Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, Vol. 2I., Page 271.]
CAPT. PHIPHER'S, 26th September, 1780.
SIR :
This day at 11 o'clock the Enemy march'd into Charlotte in force. According to the best information, Col. Davie skirmished with them at that place, and for several hours since, retreating, as pr. Express. About two he was reinforced by about 300 cavalry and infantry, but no intelligence since they joined him. He is directed to continue skirmishing with them to cover onr retreat. The Inhabitants are flying before us in consternation, and except we are soon reinforced the west side of the Yadkin must inevi- tably fall a prey to the enemy. Rowan is able to give us very little assistance, on account of Col. Ferguson's movements to the West-Ward.
Sir, I have the honor to be, &c., WM. DAVIDSON, B. Gen. P. S. Genl. Sumner desires me to give you this information.
DR. THOMAS BURKE TO HIS SECOND (IN SULLIVAN MATTER).
DR. SIR :
I have waited long with patience, but not withont uneasiness, for the result of the Conference which General Sullivan proposed upon your Communicating to him the Message of which you were so obliging as to take charge. I consented to that proposition, not because I approved it, but because I would not be thought to have a disposition averse to the more amiable mode of deciding our affair. I felt, indeed, the indelicacy of permitting any per- son to Judge in an affair of honor; but as the proposition came from the party called on, and the reference was only to be to the Seconds, and as I have the highest Confidence in your Judgment and Sense of honor, I got over my reluctance. I expected that
84
STATE RECORDS.
the discussion would be liberal, candid and ingennous, and appre- hended nothing like the refinements and Subtleties which you tell me are Insisted on. The Questions seem to me clear and Simple and the state of the matter short.
An Officer writes a letter to Congress, reflecting very Injuriously on a member of that Assembly who had represented his conduct in the action of Brandywine. Only one Member had made that representation, and that member must have been known to the whole assembly ; but the Officer might not have known him, tho' it was highly probable that whoever informed him of the repre- sentation that was made informed him of the Member who made it. The Member, in order to put the matter out of doubt, wrote to the Officer, fully stating the representations he had given, the opinions he declared and still entertained, and the motives for both, which could only be a Sense of duty, and not personal ill will, the Officer being personally a Stranger to the Member. The member, having thus fully informed the Officer, requires him to make proper Satisfaction for the Insult offered in the letter to Con- gress, if it was intended for him who now wrote to the . Officer, and assured him that if the Satisfaction was refused a personal Interview must be the Consequence. The Officer refused giving the satisfaction required, in a letter which refers this member to Certificates relative to the officer's general Conduct and personal courage, and Insinuating, very Indelicately, that the member was prejudiced. The member answered this letter, and having animad- verted on the Certificates and other matters, finally considers the refusal of the satisfaction required as a declaration of the choice of the other alternative. The Officer replied in terms highly offen- sive, being no less than that the member was neither a man of Truth nor a Gentleman.
Accidents for a long time prevented their meeting, and when . they came in reach of each other the member renewed his appli- cation, and required the matter to be closed by one alternative or the other. The Officer proposed that the Seconds should decide what was to be done, to which the member agreed. In short The Officer Insulted the member by a public address to the first assem- bly in America, and the Insult must remain on their records. The member gave no provocation except in discharging what he deemed his duty, and free from all personal ill will or regard.
85
STATE RECORDS.
The member very explicitly declares his Conduct, his opinions and his motives, and requires satisfaction for the affront. The officer afterwards writes several very offensive and injurious letters to . member, and it secms, it is Contended, that the member's having declared that he still held the opinions he gave in Congress is sufficient to Justify an affront that was given long before such declaration, and also all the Subsequent injurious language of the Officer. This appears to me very absurd ; and, indeed, I plainly perceive from it that he who contends for it thinks that the member ought not to have felt at all for the affront given by the Officer, tho' in a let- ter addressed to the first assembly in America, and to be on their records, but ought, in the most mild and Supplieating language, to have requested an Explanation, and that afterwards the Officer was not bound to any such delicacy in expostulating with the member, but was at liberty to use the most reproachful Terms in the language, and it is highly unreasonable in the member to be offended. In a word it amounts to this : Officers are under No Necessity to observe any delicacy with Members of Congress or private Gentlemen, and yet members of Congress or private Gen- tlemen must be extremely delicate and Circumspect even when they demand satisfaction for injuries.
I assure you; Sir, I consider this kind of refinement and Sub- tlety as trifling with the feelings of a man of honor, and I feel it as little less than a Second Insult, and I am extremely unwilling to admit of any further Negotiation. However, as I do not wish to be thought desirous of coming to too serious a decision unnecessarily, I will agree that one Gentleman be consulted by the Seconds if they themselves cannot agree, and I have no objec- tion to Mr. Wilson. But I must positively forbid the Communi- cation of it to more than one, and even to that one it must be under the most Sacred injunctions of Secrecy.
- To prevent, also, all pretence for refinements in future, I will here state the Questions which alone I will agree to submit. Was my Conduct as a member of Congress sufficient provocation for the affront given by General Sullivan in his letter to Congress ?
As this affront was given previous to any letter of mine to General Sullivan, I must insist that nothing in my letter can or shall be admitted to extenuate it, except only the representations which it relates to have been made in Congress. This being the
86
STATE RECORDS.
Testimony of that Conduct, given explicitly by myself, Were any Asperities in my letters sufficient to Justify the reproachful lan- guage in General Sullivan's answers ?
To this surely should be referred what ever may be deemed offensive in my letters, and not to the Letter to Congress, which Contained an affront to A member who, tho' not named, was Necessarily known to the whole Assembly, and which existed long before I wrote any letter.
If the submission is refused on these Terms, I must entreat you to proceed in the business on the Original ground.
I am, Dr. Sir, yours, THOS. BURKE.
HON. DR. THOMAS BURKE TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.
- TYAQUIN, NEAR HILLSBOROUGH, NO. CAROLINA, September 28th, 1780.
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.