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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Butler to Thomas Burke
Butler, John, d. 1786
September 01, 1781
Volume 22, Page 584

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GEN. BUTLER TO GOV. THOS. BURKE.


Hillsboro, September 1st, 1781.

His Excellency Thomas Burke, Esq., Governor of North Carolina.

Sir:

I reached Salisbury the 27th last month and understood by Col. Locke that the draughts of that District had marched near two weeks before that Time and were halted at Camden by order of Gen’l Greene, though, by his own accounts, not half of the Draughts have appeared, notwithstanding he has done all in his power by repeated orders to get them out. The Col. sets off on Monday next to take command, and promises to make Return to you. Under these circumstances and knowing the great necessity of service in this Part of the Country and [torn out] returned home, while I remain at Salisbury. An express from Col. Wade came to Col. Locke to inform him that a strong party of Tories was then at Little River of Pee Dee, and had taken Prisoners some of Wade’s Men at a Mill on Little River, which I suppose once belonged to Rich’d Fanning, and begging Locke’s assistance. As a General Muster was before appointed at Salisbury to be yesterday, the Col. intends to order out 200 men to reinforce Wade, and it is reported that a considerable Number are making from Mecklenburg to the same point. On my arrival home find your Excellencies orders are for turning out all the Men in this District that can be armed, to assemble at Ramsey’s Mill and wait your further orders. I have therefore concluded to take command and shall wait your orders at Ramsey’s aforesaid, and shall send orders to Col. Wade to collect the different Parties in that quarter to one point and hold ready to join the Hillsborough Men when their rout is known. Gen’l Greene crossed the Watasco River at Camden on Saturday and Sunday last. I have the honor to be

Your Excellency’s obedient Servant,
JOHN BUTLER.

Sept. 1st, 1781, Gen. Butler. Rec’d and answered 4th.
Intelligence.

The bearer is to be in provision for himself and forage and shoes for his horses.

JOHN BUTLER.