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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Armstrong to Jethro Sumner
Armstrong, John, 1717-1795
July 15, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 626-627

MAJOR JOHN ARMSTRONG TO BRIG. GENERAL SUMNER.

Richmond, Surry County,
July 15th, 1782.

Dear General:

Since I have seen you at Hillsboro, I had the misfortune to be wounded in a duel with Major Lewis. They are not quite well yet. I likewise am in a bad state of health, by reason of inward fevers. Am hardly able to sit up half of the day. If I do not recover I will not be able to take my command of the present drafts. I always was blessed with such a good health before that I never

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missed tour since my first entering into the service, neither is it my desire. If I am able to ride I will be at Salisbury at the time of bringing in the drafts. Capts. Yarborough and Gamble is there now and receives the deserters delinquents and others sent to them. Lieut. Alexander is in Charlotte on that business. Capt. Brevard superintends the district of Morgan. Lieut. Campbell, Guilford; Capt. Carter the three counties on Pee Dee and myself in Surry. Not one tittle of our duty shall be neglected, agreeable to your orders. I hope I shall receive instructions in a short time from you. I want to know what field officers will take the command in those two upper districts when there will be orders to march, as I am afraid it will be out of my power without a sudden change to be able to take the field before fall. I have had no news of any kind since I saw you. Only the Indians are very troublesome in this side of our new Country. I am afraid this will stop our surveying this fall without more help.

Col. Crawford, who formerly belonged to the Virginia line, with 480 men was totally defeated by the Indians, British and Toreys nigh their town.

I am with great esteem,
Your most obedient,
Humble servant,
JNO. ARMSTRONG.