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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Griffith Rutherford to Samuel Ashe
Rutherford, Griffith, ca. 1721 - 1805
September 01, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 788-789

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from General Griffith Rutherford to the North Carolina Council of Safety about the Expedition against the Cherokees.


Camp Head of Catawba 1st Sepr 1776.

Sir,

Your favour of the 23d Augt is now before me and am so exceedingly hurryed I cannot be particular herewith. I send you my last letters from the Commanders on the frontiers of So Carolina & Virginia.

If the Indians evacuate the Middle & Valley Towns and our provisions will hold out and it be possible to March to the overhill Towns

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perhaps I shall go to that place, or perhaps send a detachment to join the Virginians. Those under my command consists of 1971 privates of foot, about 80 light horse. The number of officers pack horse masters & drivers are not yet taken. For the present plan of operations I refer you to Colo Williamson's Letter. I have ordered 130 under three Captains to Range and defend the forts on the frontiers of Tryon, 175 on the frontiers of Rowan, 100 on Surry.

I am in a very imperfect state of health, but will be as assidious as possible in executing the important trust reposed in me.

My best compliments to the gentlemen of the Council.

Sir your most Obedient
and most Humble Servt
GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD.

P. S. I am this moment informed by the pack horse master General that there is about 1400 pack horses one driver to each 4 horses a pack horse master over every 10 drivers. We have 40 days provision.