“Last evening I marched to Charlotte with the remainder of the cavalry, and by the latest intelligence the enemy were on the way to Nation ford. Col. Davie is now in pursuit with all his cavalry. The enemy seem to have gone off with an alarm, but from what cause is uncertain. Deserters say they received accounts last Monday of Gen. Clinton's defeat at West Point; others, that we were reinforced with 5,000. The inhabitants say they left their kettles on the fire, and 20 waggons, which they left 5 miles from town, with a quantity of valuable loading, have fallen into our hands. Express this moment arrived from Col. Davie informs that the main body of the enemy lay last night 11 miles from town. I propose to march downwards today.”