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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Porterfield to Thomas Burke
Porterfield, James
December 19, 1780
Volume 15, Pages 181-182

HON. JAMES PORTERFIELD TO HON. THOS. BURKE.

Predericksburg, 19th December, 1780.

The Honourable Thomas Burke, Esqr., by Post, in Congress; from James Porterfield.
Sir:

You have, without doubt, expected to see me or some other messenger from Mr. Mallett before this time. I have been detained here by some Publick accts., but shall without fail leave this place in three days for Philadelphia, where I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you. I can inform you that Mrs. Burke was well when I left Hillsborough, the 3rd Inst. We had just received accts. from Salisbury by a Letter from a Gentleman there to Doctr. Reed at Hillsborough, informing you that on the 20th of last month Colo. Tarleton attempted to surprise Genl. Sumpter, in which he was repulsed in three successive Charges, with a Loss of Eighty men killed and seventy-five taken. Tarleton was Mortally wounded, and Sumpter slightly, with a

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ball in his Shoulder, which was immediately extracted. Doctr. Reed (whom perhaps you may be acquainted with) assures us that his information is so good he cannot doubt it.

I am, very Respectfully,
Your Obedt. Servt.,
JAMES PORTERFIELD.