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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Horatio Gates
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
August 02, 1780
Volume 14, Pages 522-523

GEN. RICHARD CASWELL TO GENERAL GATES.

Camp Thompson's Creek, Three miles below the Cheraws, 2d August, 1780.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of the 31st ulto. I have just rec'd by General Harrington. The very wet weather which has been these three days past has Occasioned the River and Creeks to rise in such a manner as to Stop the Mill at Ancrum's from Grinding. This Obliged me to move from thence this morn'g, and I am now at Rogers' Mill, where I had been told there could be procured a

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great quantity of Grain, & the Mill likely to grind at any Time. The former I found true, but the latter the reverse, the Mill Stopping since I came here by the back Water, and we have not Meal for half rations for this day. Generals Rutherford & Gregory, who Command the two Brigades in this Camp, I have Consulted on the Subject of your Letter. They Join me in Opinion that 'tis best for us to March, Notwithstanding We may, & most Certainly shall, suffer for want of Bread. I shall leave all the Waggons we can spare to bring on Meal when the corn can be ground, & propose setting out for Anderson's as early to-morrow as practicable. I have written to Genl. Butler, directing him to proceed by the shortest route to Anderson's.

I have the Honor to be,
With the Greatest regard & Esteem, Dr. Sir,
Your Most Obed't & Very humble Servt.,
Rd. CASWELL.