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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
General orders from Nathanael Greene at Speedwell Furnace
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
March 16, 1781
Volume 15, Pages 430-431

HEAD QUARTERS SPEADWELL FURNIS.


Friday, 16th March, 1781.

Parole—Countersign
of the day—tomorrow

Major Hardyman,
Adj't. Russell.

The General requests the officers will take every precaution to procure their arms and ammunition and make every necessary preparation for another field day. The event of the action yesterday, though unfortunate, is by no means decisive, the gallant behaviour of the corps of observation, consisting of the detachment of Cavalry and infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. Washington and the Legion commanded by Lieut. Col. Lee, & Light Infantry commanded by Col. Campbell, in conjunction with the riflemen under Lynch; the firm opposition made by the Virginia Militia, under Brig. Genl. Stephens and Lawson, the good order maintained by the regular troops of Virginia, Commanded by Brig. General Huger & the intrepid behaviour of the first Maryland Regiment with the attack of the artillery which was so well served by Captains Singleton and Finley, have rendered success dear to the enemy, must prevent his improving his good fortune & eventually secure victory to the Americans arms. The Commandants of Regts. will immediately inspect and make report of the state of their ammunition, two days provisions to be drawn and cooked immediately, & the troops to be served with a gill of Rum. A Regimental Field Returns are to be made & delivered to the Deputy Adjut. General by 4 o'clock

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P. M., in which the killed, wounded and missing are to be accounted for; the Commissioned Officers are to be named.

A True Copy,
J. S.

Major General Greene orders, the 16th of March, Speadwell Furnis on a Branch of Haw River.

Note.—Judge D. Schenck adds in the following note on May 27th, 1891:

Lawson's Brigade had one man killed; Eaton's Brigade of N. C. seven.