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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Charles Porterfield to Horatio Gates
Porterfield, Charles, d. 1780
August 09, 1780
Volume 14, Page 547

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LIEUT. COL. PORTERFIELD TO GEN. GATES.


Lynche's Bridge, 9th August, 1780.

Sir:

I acknowledge the recp't of Your favour, & the waggons are come up here, but I believe perfectly secure, as I am determined To dispute to the last the passage of Lynche's Bridge.

To make sure my conjectures concerning the British army moving this morning, I went with some of the Horse and foot to reconnoiter their camp, as mentioned in my last letter, & find they are their in strength. I advanced to their Retreat and fired on them. Sevral shot were exchanged so as to alarm them To parade their Troops, which lay so situated that it was impossible to injure them with my force.

I send You a prisoner Tooke by our Retreat. He belongs to Lord Cathcart's Regt., who on their way to Join Lord Roden fell in with us. Their whole core marched To the Bridge, & had we known anything of their coming would fell into our own hands; but takeing them for a party from the enemy's camp, our scouts fired on them, which alarmed them & prevented their folling Timely into our hands, which they would have done. This minut we have four more, & expect more Yet.

I have the Honour to be,
With great Respect,
Your Hbl. Serv't,
PORTERFIELD, Lt. Colo.

Excuse blots; I am in haste.