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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Edward Stevens to Horatio Gates
Stevens, Edward
August 03, 1780
Volume 14, Page 530

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GEN. EDWARD STEVENS TO GENL. HORATIO GATES.

Camp Coxe's, August 3rd, 1780.

Sir:

I have just received yours of ye 2d August by Majr. McGill. The one by Ramsey of ye 30th July I received yesterday. A day or Two ago I wrote you from this, by Dr. Warfield; the badness of the weather and the difficulty of Crossing the waters I Imagine has prevented them from being up with you. In yours of ye 30th July you observed you hoped I w'd have been able to have brought Eight days' provisions from Hillsborough. I wanted to do it, but was glad to get one day's, which was all I left that place with. You also observe, as Capt. Passhbee had informed you, that he had been able to furnish me with Flower. I wish he had, for, if so, I should not have been here now. I only got a Thousand weight from him, and that I had to send 25 miles for. My people have been suffering ever since I have been here. I have taken every step that could be devised under my circumstances to lay in a sufficiency to carry me over ye Desert. But the several days and Nights of Violent Rains that has been, since my arrival here, has deranged all my plans.

I am still using every exertion, and am in hopes I shall be able to leave this the morning after to-morrow, (with provisions enough to carry me over the Sand Hills) if I can get my Waggons over the river.

I am as anxious to get up with the Army as you could possibly wish me to be, and am desirous of never moving in ye rear of an army, especially where such difficulties prevail in furnishing provisions.

I have nothing from the eastward but by common report, which was brought here by persons who have gone on to your Camp. I have received no letters from Virginia since you left Hillsborough. The Waggons I sent to Virginia for Grain is not yet come up. I am greatly distressed in moving for the want of them. I shall attend to what you say about leaving a Guard at the Ferry. I have sent the express you desire.

I am, with great esteem, Dear Sir,
Your most obedt. & very hum.,
EDWARD STEVENS.