Hillsborough, July 20th, 1781.
Sir:
This day I received certain Intelligence that on Tuesday last the Tories under the Command of Fanning had taken Colo. Ramsey, together with about 40 others, chiefly Officers of the Chatham Militia, who were assembled at the Court House to hold a Court Martial. This information came by a Note from Capt. Cage to General Butler, requesting his assistance to relieve the Prisoners, which note I sent to Colo. Taylor, who has set out with a few men in order to Join the Chatham Militia.
Capt. Douglas this moment arrived in Town who says that Fanning had about 100 men, that they marched with the prisoners in order to carry them to Wilmington, but it is generally believed they intend to carry them to the Raft Swamp and deliver them to McNeal. That on Wednesday morning about 140 of the Chatham
Militia were Collected, and determined to relieve the prisoners if possible. Inclosed you have a return of the Ammunition at this Port.