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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Jethro Sumner to Horatio Gates
Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785
October 02, 1780
Volume 14, Pages 661-662

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJ. GEN. GATES.

Camp at McGoon's Creek, October 2d, 1780.

Sir:

The inclosed is a letter I received from Genl. Davidson this morning at half after Eleven, also One from Colo. Davie at 4 oClock in the Evening. McKnit's road, mentioned in Colo. Davie's letter, leads to the Tuckasege ford on Catawba river. Genl. Davidson's Brigade joins him very fast; he has, with my approbation, moved on towards Phyfer's. I have requested Genl. Davidson to supply Colo. Davie with some of his Infantry, to act in conjunction with his Horse, to reconnoitre & prevent small parties of the Enemy distressing the inhabitants near Charlotte, as much as possible. Col. Jarvis's & Exum's Regiments have some time passed claimed a right of being discharged, having (they say) served upwards of four months. Of this I have wrote to the Honble Board of War. Should they find that their time be expired, agreeable to the Resolves of the Assembly, Colo. Seawell's Regiment will then only remain of the Brigade. He is a diligent, good Officer of the Line he fills; I am therefore to inform you, upon those two parts of Regiments being discharged, the Brigade as such, I feel, is broke, & Colo. Seawell's Regiment will join some other Brigade, which leaves me without command, as soon as Genl. Smallwood join this Camp. Nevertheless, if you have any command

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for me in the line I am of, I shall Cheerfully receive Your Orders. Your letter dated the 30th September I received this Evening at five oClock, & will conform myself to Your instructions.

I am, with respect, Sir,
Yr. Obt. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMNER.
Hnble. Majr. Genl. Gates.