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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Polk to Thomas Pinckney
Polk, Thomas, 1732-1794
August 06, 1780
Volume 14, Pages 535-536

COL. THOS. POLK TO MAJOR PINCKNEY.


Carlotte, August 6th, 1780.

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 3rd inst. came to hand last night. My Zeal to Serve My Country, and Seeing that the Army is not likely to be well Supplied Otherwise, induce Me to Accept of Genl. Gates's offer of an appointment as Commissary Genl., &c.; but, as Mr. Green has been hitherto so inactive as to Suffer the Army to want Supplies that might be had, I cannot think of Acting either under or in Conjunction with him.

What provisions has heretofore come to my mills was given out to the Commissaries, So that I have No Quantity at present; however, have dispatched three waggon loads of flour to your Appointed post, and will, without loss of time, Send a Considerable Quantity for that purpose; must raise a Brigade of Waggons and a guard; would be glad Genl. Gates would apply to Genl.

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Rutherford to allow fifty men as Guard & fifty as waggoners to Serve as above, & to receive their Service in tower of duty and for them a forrage master or Commissary. Would be glad to know how Soon you Could Send my Commission, with particular directions Concerning what kind of provisions I am to purchase, and from time to time what Number of troops I am immediately to Supply. Until I hear from you will collect all I can and keep forwarding as much as I can get waggons to Carry.

I mean to exert my Credit and lay out all my money now; and, as I have ever made it a rule Not to deceive people with regard to payment, I will expect to be regularly Supplied with Cash. No pains will be Spared on my part, and I believe I will be able to find provisions for the Army, if to be got far or Near. You may expect the Next Supply Very Soon.

I am, Dr. Sir,
THOS. POLK.

P. S. If I am to procure beef and other provisions for the winter Season the Sooner I know the better. Who am I to direct to?—

T. P.
Major Pinckney.

N. B. Since I wrote to you last our people have been skirmishing with the enemy upon their lines. I believe about 20 of the enemy have been killed. Their post at the hanging rock is at present very weak, the principle part of their troops being sent over the river to reinforce at Rocky Mount.—T. P.