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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Read to Jethro Sumner
Read, James
May 17, 1781
Volume 15, Page 463

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CAPT. JA. READ TO GENERAL SUMNER.


Salisbury, May 17th, 1781.

Dear Sir:

I have wrote you repeatedly but never had the honor of hearing from you since I left Warren County.

I suppose you have heard of the evacuation of Camden which took place on the 10th of the instant. There is not any other news here but what comes from your quarter, that verbal and so various and contradictory that it is impossible to form an idea of the situation of affairs there.

General Green has stationed me here to transact some business, &c., and as it might be rather late for General Greene to send orders here after receiving information from you of Lord Cornwallis's movements it may prevent some unnecessary and occasion some rapid movements of stores, &c., if you will give me or order some person to give me early intelligence of the Enemy's movements in your neighborhood.

I (accidentally) received a wound in my right hand which almost prevents me writing; there is now an inflammation in it.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect,
You most obedient and most humble servant,
JA. READ.

Major Mountflorence is requested to forward this letter with all possible dispatch.