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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Ervin to Horatio Gates
Ervin, John
August 02, 1780
Volume 14, Page 522

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LT. COL. JOHN ERVIN TO GENERAL GATES.

Peedee, 2d August, 1780.

Sir:

I received your Instructions of the 29th July, in which you Order that the men be Immediately March'd to Head Quarters. I should be sorry to disobey Any Order from you, but there is great Numbers of Cattle Collecting and are drove off to the British, which I am endeavouring to have stop'd. I have taken some of the Principle tory Officers, and purpose taking all I can. The Inhabitants of the East side of this River, Belonging to this Regt., have refus'd to turn out in Defence of their Country, and have lifted Arms Against us, but have Dispers'd Again, & am at a Loss to Know how to Proceed against them until I receive further Instructions from you; Any Order from you to me I shall Cheerfully Obey if it Lies in my Power; the Bearer, Capt. Ervin, is a Gentleman you may put great Confidence in & can inform you more fully of our Present situation than I can by writing.

I am, Sir, your most H'ble Servt.,
JOHN ERVIN,
Lt. Colo. of Col. Giles's At. M.
Major Genl. Gates.