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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Memorial from the officers of the Tenth North Carolina Regiment concerning supplies for troops
Kean, Caleb; Dauge, Peter, 1739-1801; Sheppard, Abraham, fl. 1759-1790; Et Al.
1777
Volume 11, Page 670

THE MEMORIAL OF THE OFFICERS OF THE 10TH N. C. REGIMENT.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

To his Excellency Richard Caswell Esqr Governor, Captain, General, and Commander in chief, in and over the State of North Carolina.

The Memorial of the Lieut. Colonel, Major and other Officers, of the 10th Regiment of North Carolina Forces Sheweth. That your Memorialists were appointed officers, and received Commissions from Colonel Abraham Sheppard, commanding the said Regiment; which Regiment, your Memorialists, well knew was to be raised in the space of something less than three months, viz. from the 19th of April to the 1st of July following: actuated by a love of Liberty, Freedom, and the United Scates; and a regard for the Honor, Character and Respect of this State in particular your Memo'ts were induced to enter into the service: not from any lucrative views, as they are well known to be in general proprietors of fortunes sufficient to enable them to live in credit and affluence at Home, and being persons of some influence in their respective Counties, did jointly raise the number of men, stipulated by act of Assembly to be raised by the said Cols. Abraham Sheppard and More, as has fully appeared by return made to your Excellency and Council.

Your Memo'l's under the sanction of public faith, promised the

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men enlieted by them, the different clothing ordered Continental Soldiers by Resolve of Congress, which they were to receive at Kingston, the place of Rendez-vous—at the junction of different Companies at said place, they only had, delivered them part viz: Coats, Shoes, Frocks, and Blankets, and of those not a sufficient number. The Commissary of Stores, there promised, that they should be furnished with the remainder at Halifax; thither the Regiment cheerfully marched, crossed the River Roanoke, and encamped about two miles from the said Town. It waited eight days for the Commissary of Stores, who at his arrival could not make up the deficiency of the men's clothing and they got but a few of the articles before recited, with one hundred and eleven pair of summer breeches. Not one hat or pair of stockings has the Regiment received, hardly half their Tents, or kettles, and there are now many of the men exposed to the inclemency of the weather, without Blankets or Tents or shoes.

Your Memo'ts would therefore represent to your Excellency, that they are now exposed to the censure of their Soldiers for breach of promise: The Regiment is now at twelve miles distance from Halifax on their way to the Northward, they are well acquainted with the Spirit and love of Liberty of their men, they know they are willing to be lead by them to any part provided they could fulfill their promises, which it is humbly presumed were nothing more than the Authority of the Legislature must justify. They would, to conclude, request, that their men may be duly served with their proper necessaries; and they will wait for and duly execute the orders issued to them with the greatest alacrity. On the contrary it is with submission represented the bad consequences that may arise from their not being duly served; and the little esteem an officer, and such a Gentleman must be held in, when he is liable to be reproached (and with justice) by his men for breach of promise.

CALEB KEAN 1st Lieut.
LEWIS CANNON 1st Lieut.
TIMOTHY JONES 2nd Lieut.
REUBEN ROUNTREE 2nd Lieut.
WM. SHEPPARD 1st Lieut.
ISAAC HARDEE 2nd Lieut.
THOMAS SHUTE Ensign.
GEORGE COOK. 1st Lieut.
MATHEW McCAULEY “
JOHN LOW 2nd Lieut.
PETER DAUGE L. Col.
JOHN SHEPPARD Major
ABRAHAM SHEPPARD Capt.
JAMES WILSON Capt.
ANDREW VANNOY Capt.
SILAS STEVENSON Capt.
ISAAC MOORE Capt.
DEMSY GREGORY Capt.
JOHN JONES Capt.
HENRY CANNON 2d Lieut.