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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Armstrong to Jethro Sumner
Armstrong, James, d. 1794
May 26, 1781
Volume 15, Page 467

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COL. JAMES ARMSTRONG TO GENERAL SUMNER.

Martinboro, May 26th, 1781.

Dear General:

Yours of the 18th instant came safe to hand, which gave me great pleasure. I had got as far as this on my way to Halifax, in order to see you if possible. But as I have received your orders I shall wait untill I can collect what men is to be had & proceed agreeable to your directions to general rendezvous; I have about 50 men here, chiefly of this County, a few from Beaufort and Craven. I have wrote to the different Cols. in each County to forward on their men with the utmost expedition & have them equipped if possible. There is about 30 guns in good order & 20 more that I am getting repaired so that there will be a sufficient number for what men is present. Ashe sent Major Blount to Kingston to collect what men and arms may be had from there and as soon as can hear from him and get the arms repaired shall march from this to Tarboro. I have sent a Quarter Master to Newbern to collect arms and accoutrements from their. Major Pasture being killed a few days past by the Tories near Kingston have applyed to the Col. of the County to furnish those articles, &c.

We have been alarmed for ten days past by the Tories imbodying about us, but they seem to drop of. 30 horse from this County and a few from Craven, Comd. by Col. Tilman, went up to Edgecombe, took Benj. Vichous, one of their Ringleaders and twenty one head of cattle which they had collected for the British army; since they wrote to me for Peace, and was granted it provided they gave up their arms and in future adhear to the laws of their Country.

I am with every sentiment of regard and esteem
Your most Obedt., Hum. Servt.,
JAMES ARMSTRONG.