Sir:
I have just time, by Col. Owins, to drop your Excellency a sketch of the unhappy situation of this County. On Sunday Evening
a Party, upwards of 100 Tories, Commanded by one Col. Ray, came to Sproules's, made him, with some others prisoners, and killed a certain Andrew Beard. Our Town was alarmed with this information about midnight. We then embodied all in our power, which was a number much too small to pursue; we therefore retreated to this side of the River, where we are endeavouring to collect our Men, but they appear so dispirited, that I fear our County will fall without your Excellency's timely assistance. It is currently reported here that the English are on their march to Duplin, and 4 or 500 Tories are embodied at McFalls' Mill on Drowning Creek 35 Miles from X Creek. I wrote by Capt. Vernon, about ten days since, but have not heard of its getting to you.
P. S. I must beg leave to observe that if we do not Garrison X Creek very soon, the Enemy will.