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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Jethro Sumner to Horatio Gates
Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785
October 10, 1780
Volume 14, Page 785

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GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO GEN. GATES.

October 10, 1780.

With great satisfaction I inform you of the defeat of Major Ferguson on King's mountain Saturday evening at 4 o'clock. I received several prisoners last evening from Gen. Davidson's camp, mostly tories. He informs me that he has now moved his camp within thirteen miles of Charlotte at Rocky River. He has about 2,000 healthy riflemen with him. I am distressed, Sir, when I assure you of my sentiments, corroborating with my officers of the Continental line, to decline taking any command of the militia on the arrival of Gen. Smallwood in camp, although I assure you I have no objections in our line of the United States; yet, nevertheless, I decline command of the militia of this state, as being treated scandalously and with great partiality and degradation by designing men. Therefore I wish to have your approbation to decline taking any charge, unless in the channels in which I am an officer.