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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John James Ward to Richard Caswell
Ward, John James
July 28, 1777
Volume 11, Page 547

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DR. JNO. JAMES WARD TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Wilmington, July 28th, 1777.

Honorable Sir:—

Being informed by Capt. Vance, that there is some persons in the profession of Physick to be established for his Comp'y, & as Dr. Fergus is often absent, & it being agreeable to the officers &c. that I should attend on or officiate for 1st Company, Therefore I thought necessary to acquaint your Excellency of my abilities, having not experienced the practical part of amputations, but where it should be tho't requisite to perform those operations, it would require a surgeon & assis't, you'll see a certificate endorsed for Dr. Fergus of my having acted for the 1st Battalion of this State for 18 months & upwards. I should still have remained in ye capacity, but the pay then for such office was so small. By order of the officers I now attend and furnish the sick with my own medicines, & shall continue serving them till I receive intelligence from yr Excellency, & if your Excellency should think proper to authorise me to attend, I shall in every respect to the utmost of my judgment execute the office. There is a medicinal chest now in town which was omitted being sent the Troops, therefore I should be glad to know whether I might have y'r chest for ye use of ye artillery, or draw med's from Commissary of stores, or still continue the use of my own, that is provided yr Excellency thinks proper to appoint me.

I beg leave to subscribe myself Your Excellency's
most hble & obed't Serv't.,
JNO. JAMES WARD.
His Excellency Richard Caswell.