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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Armstrong to Jethro Sumner
Armstrong, John, 1717-1795
June 13, 1781
Volume 15, Page 481

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COL. JNO. ARMSTRONG TO GENERAL SUMNER.

Salisbury, June 13th, 1781.

Sir:

By several Gentlemen from Camp we have the following, accounts last Saturday, the commanding Officer at 96 offered tearms of capitulation on these tearms, that he would surrender up the fort upon condition that the Tories and deserters from our army should be deemed as prisoners of war, which was not granted. General Greene was then carring on his works within 15 feet of their main works. It is fully allowed before this time he was under their Magizine and no doubt blowen up, the fort would been surrendered before now if it had not been for the great number of toreys and deserters in it, which knowes their case bad, as for Augusta they held out longer than expectation by reason of som noted Torys which will not be shewn any mercy on account of their barbarous cruelty heartofore with the inhabitants of that Country, we took a small fort at Golphin's called Silver Bluff with 36 hogs. rum and several other stores very valuable. General Greene hath ordered large stores of provisions to be laid in here and at every stage between this and 96, it is allowed that as soon as the small job that is now in hand is finished that he will march for Virginia. The tories in the Country is all surrendered their selves and glad of the opportunity.

I have the disagreeable news to inform you of the death of Major Eaton, he was wounded at Augusta, taken prisoner and surrendered up his sword, and afterward put to death with his own sword, this I have by a letter from Capt. Yarborough.

I am almost readey to march with 200 good men of this district. I sent 180 before. No more at this time from your most obedient,

Humble servant,
JNO. ARMSTRONG.