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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Edward Stevens to Horatio Gates
Stevens, Edward
November 08, 1780
Volume 14, Pages 729-730

GEN. EDWARD STEVENS TO MAJOR GEN. GATES.

Hillsborough, Wednesday
Night, Novr. 8th, 1780.

Dear Genl.:

Late this evening an Express arrived from Virginia, And agreeable to your desire I opened the Letter from the Governour. We have no other news here from that Quarter but what is contained in your Letter. From what the Governor says it is clear you have not been deceived in your opinion with respect to ye enemy's intention of forming a Junction with Cornwallis.

Since you left us the Troops here have been Two days without Bread and our Horses without Forage, And I am afraid if ye board of War don't adopt some new measures for supplying us it will frequently be the case with the whole Army.

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The Waggons that I intended to have sent from hence to Taylor's Ferry for the Arms & Accoutrements, I am obliged to stop to Haul provisions & Forage. Yesterday I wrote Colo. Carrington on ye Subject, and informed him we had no other dependence in getting them forward but from his exertions in Virginia.

The Stores from Newbern is not arrived here yet, nor do I hear any thing of them. The Sick at this post is likely to suffer much for ye want of Hospital Stores. I received no Letter from the Governour, but receiv'd one from a private person, who informs me it is expected I am on my return to Virginia. I am some what embarrassed least ye Governour should think I do not Treat his order with that respect and obedience that I should always wish to do, And it is my desire to do every thing for the best.

With every Sentiment of esteem and respect,
I am, Dear General,
Your most Obt. & very hum.
EDWARD STEVENS.