Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Mark Armstrong to Horatio Gates
Armstrong, Mark
November 07, 1780 - November 11, 1780
Volume 14, Pages 727-728

MAJ. MARK ARMSTRONG TO MAJ. GENL. GATES.


Surry County, Novr. 7th, 1780.

Sir:

The first instant I relieved the guard at this place, the fourth Received your Orders of the 31st October. Inclosed you have a Report of the prisoners Delivered me by Colo. Cleveland, out of which Number One hundred & Eighty Eight are the Inhabitants of Salisbury District, and are taken out of my Hands by the Civil power, & bound over to ye law.

Last night three British Lieutenants On parole made their Escape (To witt): William Stephenson, Anthony Allaire, & John Taylor and one Guest, a South Carolina Tory Captain.

The Inclosed Letter from Captain Depeyster was wrote before the above Circumstance of the Escape Happened, but I have reason to Confide in those officers present, as they Show every mark of Uneasiness for the Ungentlemanlike Conduct of Those absent.

I have the Honor to be, Sir, your
Most obedient & Most Humble Servant,
MARK ARMSTRONG.
Majr. General Gates.

-------------------- page 728 --------------------

P.S. Since I wrote the above 16 Soldiers made their escape from The guard. Capt. Depeyster has not passed his word for the Remainder. The Torie prisoners have all enlisted into the Continental Service, excepting a small number, which the Justices have Committed to Halifax, there being but a few of the British. I am solicited by the officers from Vir. not to send them over the Mountains untill your pleasure is farther known.

I am, Sir, Yrs.,
MARK ARMSTRONG.

Novr. 11th, 1780.