Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Benjamin Lincoln to Richard Caswell
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
April 14, 1779
Volume 14, Page 68

GEN. B. LINCOLN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Black Swamp, April 14th, 1779.

I am just honored, my Dear Sir, with your favor of the 5th Inst.

I am happy to hear that your Militia are collecting. I wish they had been ordered to have remained a certain time in Camp after they should have joined us; then it would have been not only the duty, but the interest of individuals to have reached as early as possible. I wish your Militia had been ordered to remain longer in the field, if their services should be required, for, besides the great loss of time spent in marching to and from Camp, they are not long enough in it either to learn the duties or become ironed to the fatigue of it. I hope your State will find further aid, and adopt some mode for filling up your Continental Battalions. If that could be accomplished, and the whole of them sent this way, few, if any, of your Militia, probably, would be required.

I wrote fully to you a few days since, which makes it unnecessary for me to add, but that I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, with sentiments of esteem,

Your affectionate humble Servt.,
B. LINCOLN.
Gov. Caswell.