Camp McGoon's Creek, October 1, 1780.
Sir:
By Capt. Lock I received a Letter informing me of Colonel Dickerson, who was on the Enemy's Lines yesterday and discovered 800 of them upon their march, three miles in advance from Charlotte, with two Field pieces of Cannon, on the Road leading to Bety's ford on Catawba River, about 9 o'clock in the morning. This Detachment is probably intended to support Major Ferguson, who, we are informed, is in the Neighborhood of Burke Court House, and to act against Cols. Lock, Cleveland, McDowell and Armstrong.
We have some accounts of the Enemy's being reinforced with two Regiments from New York; others say 1,000 men. This Intelligence is taken from Prisoners. Also that they brought with them to Charlotte about Eighty waggons and 70 or 80 Hogsheads of Rum; that it was given out they were to march in ten Days from Newbern; that they were building brush Hutts, their
Lines were circumscribed close in the Town, and the Roll called very often in the Day; that their Liquors were stored.
[Endorsed.] Letter from Genl. Sumner to Major Genl. Gates, October 1, 1780.