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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Samuel Chapman to Jethro Sumner
Chapman, Samuel
August 11, 1781
Volume 15, Pages 599-600

CAPT. SAMUEL CHAPMAN TO GENERAL SUMNER.

Oxford, Aug. 11th, 1781.

Dr. General:

The inclosed is a descriptive list of the men that have joined since the 1st of August. By Captain Goodman I sent a party of men and a descriptive list of them—likewise a list of the furloughed men & those that had deserted, the former of which have all joined and are sent to your Camp; the latter I have not heard of since. I have sent to the Commanding officer of their Counties to have them apprehended.

Maj. Hogg past this place on his way to Halifax a few days past. He says he shall order the delinquents of Halifax District to rendezvous at Halifax, in Consequence of which I shall order what few men may be brought here to be carried to Salisbury as there are very few delinqs. in this or Wake County & the other Counties of

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Hillsborough district are so disaffected that there is very few delinquents arrested in this District.

I wrote Governor Burke informing him there was no Guard over the stores at Harrisburg; he informed me he should order a Corporal and Six from the Militia of this County—which I should suppose was much too few for that purpose.

A Report prevails that the Enemy at Wilmington have surprised Col. Kenan of Duplin County, killed and taken about twenty of his men, & dispersed the remainder. By letter from Genl. Nash from Mr. T. Person they intend for Newbern, which makes me anxious to go there before them, to endeavor to preserve what little property I have.

The Small pox being in Newbern obliged Mrs. Chapman to leave town, which makes my presence absolutely necessary at this time.

I hope, Sir, you will excuse my going now. The whole of the Troops have marched from this place in expectation of rescuing you from the enney. I Remain, with the Greatest Respect,

Dr. Genl.,
Your most Obedt. Humble Servant,
SAML. CHAPMAN.