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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Abraham Sheppard to Richard Caswell
Sheppard, Abraham, fl. 1759-1790
April 07, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 82-83

COL. ABRA. SHEPPARD TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

George Town, 7th April, 1778.

Dear Governor:

Sir, yours of the 18th March by Capt. Herron came safe to hand the 3rd of this instant, and am glad to hear that you are in health, and that our old friend Cogdell has ousted that polite gentleman, and that the Doctor will no more poke his nose in the Breech of our Grandees at the Assembly. I had a letter from General Gates the other day, regarding my not marching my Troops too soon out of the small pox &c—but no news at Camp, only it is thought Howe has a reinforcement from Long Island. This day four weeks, we were here inoculated, and are all pretty well over it, not many of them had it bad, only four died, a sergeant Priscott, and three soldiers, owing to their bad colds and pain, and two others died that were not inoculated owing to their being so ill when we came to town. I myself have had the pock broke out pretty well in my face and head, which is something troublesome, to me in the face as they dont dry up fast. We should have been able to march next week but the measles rages fast among the young soldiers, which seems to be worse than the small pox. I am sorry that Mr. Robert Turner got that wound, as he was a good officer. I should be obliged to you, as soon as he gets well enough to let him recruit more soldiers, as NewBern is a good stand, and he a very good hand at recruiting. Capt. Wilson has joined us here, and has conveyed and left at Halifax what he could gather

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of his deserters, which he says is about twenty. I should be glad if Capt. Meacham Sheppard could stay at home to recruit or resign, as I am confident his constitution will not admit of his undergoing a Campaign. Our men that are not down with the measles, are brave and hearty and fit to undergo the Campaign I am in hopes very well. We have lost in all since we crossed Roanoke 20 men by death. I should be glad to hear from you the first opportunity and to hear what you say regarding Col: Sheppard.

I am dear Sir, your Excellency's mo. ob. huml Servant,
ABRA. SHEPPARD.