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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Hardy Murfree to Jethro Sumner
Murfree, Hardy
September 10, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 648-649

LIEUT. COL. H. MURFREE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL SUMNER.

Murfree’s Landing, 10th Septr., 1782.

Dr. Genl.:

I recd. your favour and observed the Contents, in the beginning of the year 1778. Colo. Polk, Williams, and Brewster resigned, which entitled Ashe, self and Dixon to Lieutn Colonelcys. The arrangement taking place soon after prevented our taking the rise that we were entitled to but Congress resolved the 24th Novr. (I believe) 78 in favour of such officers that was deprived of their Rank by the Arrangement, and from that resolve we think that we are entitled to have our Commissions dated to the time the Vacancy offered.

Lts. Colos. Mentges and Stewart both mentioned our taking the rank of them before I left Camp, but said if it was right they had no objection, but they had never seen any resolve in our favour, and Colo. Stewart said he would object to our arrangement. I told him, I was satisfied if he did, as I wanted nothing but what was right, and if the resolve of Congress was not in my favour I did not want the rank.

I did not think to mention the circumstance to you on my way

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home, and should have been glad they would have applyed for a Board to settle it before I come from Camp, but they did not, and thought it was not our Business. I can’t conveniently come to your house before the last of next week, when I will be there, and if I am not entitled to the rank do not want it, but think I am.

I am, Dr. Sir, Your Most Huml. svt.,
H. MURFREE.