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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Allen Jones to Thomas Burke
Jones, Allen, 1739-1807
July 06, 1781
Volume 15, Pages 514-515

GENL. ALLEN JONES TO GOVERNOR BURKE.

Wheeler's, July 6th, 1781.

Sir:

By the enclosed copy of a Letter from Genl. Gregory to Col. Blount that gentleman's loss appears trifling and by an Express from

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Col. Parker I am further informed that on the sudden retreat of the Enemy the General immediately took possession of his old posts, and to his great joy found the Enemy had damaged his cannon only by breaking out some of the spokes of the wheels, so great was their precipitation. Col. Parker adds that a reinforcement went directly on their return to Portsmouth to join Lord Cornwallis to enable him to make head against the Marquis. His Ld.ship still continues at Wms.burg and we hear has thrown up some redoubts and made an approach to attack him as difficult as possible, therefor Col. Parker whose letter I should have enclosed but the express being caught in a shower the letter was torn and so defaced that it was with difficulty and much time that I could make it out. I am sorry to inform you that a great part of the Marquis's men will soon leave him as they were enrolled for a very short time, Lord Cornwallis appears to know this and on their disbanding will I am afraid push the Marquis before he can be reenforced; These short enlistments or drafts are destructive wherever admitted: Heaven grant our Assembly may see the folly of the measure and avoid it for the future even in drawing out the Militia.

I shall pay proper attention to your Excellency's orders relative to the drafts now called out & not send them to Gregory's Camp, till I get the Arms from Col. Linton's regiment.

I am also to inform you that I should have called on the Coroner agreeable to your opinion, without consulting the Assembly, but Quinn had been killed & buried three days before I knew it, and the Small pox then raging in town I knew it was impossible to get a jury who would attend, and tho the Small pox is nearly out of the place at this time, I still fear it will be exceeding difficult; I sent your Letter to the Coroner by express this morning.

I have the Honour to be with the most sincere respect & Esteem
Your Excellency's mo. ob. Servt.
ALLEN JONES Br. Gl.