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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Emmet to Thomas Burke
Emmet, James
July 31, 1781
Volume 15, Pages 589-590

JAMES EMMET TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


Cumberland, Camp 10 Miles Above X Creek on the
N. E. Side of Cape Fear, 31 July, 1781.

Sir:

I have just time, by Col. Owins, to drop your Excellency a sketch of the unhappy situation of this County. On Sunday Evening

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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.

I have the honour to be, with due respect Sir, Your Excellency's obedt. Servt.,
JAMES EMMET.

P. S. I must beg leave to observe that if we do not Garrison X Creek very soon, the Enemy will.