July 23rd, 1780.
Three successful attacks have been made on the Enemy. The particulars of the first I gave you in a former Letter. The second was on a Party of about one hundred and thirty tories, Commanded by Colo. Ferguson, a noted tory from the Northward, and seventy Light Horse of Cathcart's Legion, Commanded by a Capt. Hook on the 12th Inst. by a party of 80 or 90 Militia, under the command of Colo. Neale. The surprise was compleat. Ferguson, Hook, a Lieut. and 11 others were killed on the ground, and a major, 2 Lieuts. & 27 taken, many of whom are since dead of their wounds; the remainder are dispersed. Some accoutrements for Light Horse & a number of Horses were also taken; of the exact number we have not yet a certain account, but it is supposed the whole. Our loss was only one man wounded.
Lieut. Col. Williams, Lieut. Davidson, of the Continental Line, with a Detachment of One Hundred & sixty Light Horse from Brig. Genl. Rutherford's Brigade, on the 21st Inst. made the third
attack on about 500 or 600 tories, Commanded by the infamous Sam Bryan, near Colston on P. D., killed three or four, took Forty, & put the remainder to flight with more precipitation than we fled from Bryar Creek; none halted until they reached the Enemy's next Post at the Waxhaws, where they threw the whole into the utmost confusion & Consternation. Their whole time since has been employed in constructing Fortifications for their safety. Colo. Davidson was wounded in the Body, 'tis feared mortally; two Privates were also slightly wounded, but not a man killed. To Davidson's misfortune may probably be attributed their escape.Maj. Thos. Blount also writes, dated the 23rd July, Informing that the attack on Col. Moore with a party of torys was not commanded by Col. Francis Locke, as was reported, but by seven Captains of Light Horse, the eldest of which was Capt. Gilbert Falls, who, together with five others, fell in the attack. The other Capts. and 1 Lieut. wounded. The whole of our loss was seven killed & nineteen wounded; that Seventy of the Enemy were killed, One Hundred taken Prisoners, three Hundred Horses & considerable Baggage.