Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from the North Carolina Council of Safety to John Rutledge
North Carolina. Council of Safety
September 28, 1776
Volume 11, Pages 354-355

LETTER TO JOHN RUTLEDGE ESQR. FROM COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State]

Halifax 28th Sept 1776

Sir,

Your Excellency's favour of the 23rd of August last came safe to hand and we are made extremely happy to learn from it of Major Williamson's success against the Lower Cherokee Indians on which we congratulate you.

The information which you have received with respect to the Number of Men under the command of Brigadier Genl. Rutherford from this State is altogether without foundation as that Gentleman marched with about 3.000 Men well armed and provided with every necessary through the Main pass of the Mountains on the first day of this Instant and we have since learnt that he reached Swanano the next day without the least interruption from the Savages and we have no reason to doubt but that Genl. Rutherford entered the Middle Settlements of the Cherokees on the Ninth, the day agreed upon between our Genl. and Major Williamson as the distance from the entrance in the Mountains to the Settlements is only Eighty Miles. You have inclosed a Copy of Genl. Rutherford's letter to this board to which we refer you for every particular.

Colonel Christian who commands the Virginia Troops about 1450, and 600 Men from this State, will attack with all possible expedition the over Hill Towns and should the Indians abandon

-------------------- page 355 --------------------
the Middle & Valley Settlements & go over the Mountains Genl. Rutherford is ordered to pursue them with a large detachment from the Army under his Command.

We are with great respect
Your Excellency's most hble Servts
By order of the Committee of Safety.