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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to John Butler
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
March 05, 1779
Volume 14, Pages 29-30

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GOVERNOR CASWELL TO BRIGADIER GENL. BUTLER.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Kingston, 5th March, 1779.

Sir:

In pursuance of a late act of Assembly for raising 1,500 men for the defence of this and the neighbouring States, I have written to the Colonels and commanding officers in every County in your District. Those to Granville & Caswell I this day gave to Capt. Howell Lewis, Junr., who is appointed Captain of the Light Horse instead of Capt. Satterwhite, resigned, and he promised to deliver them. The others I take the liberty of sending to you to be forwarded immediately by express, unless my express to you shall go thro' any of the Counties; in that case I shall direct him to deliver them. The letters contain a proportion of the officers and men to be raised in each respective County, as follows:

Orange
1 Capt.
- Lieut.
1 Ensign.
58 privates.
Granville
1
-
-
40
Wake
-
1
-
35
Chatham
1
-
1
38
Caswell
1
-
1
43
Randolph
-
1
1
46
6
3
3
260

The General Muster in every County the 13th Instant.

The Lieut. Cols. and second Majors of every County to meet at Hillsborough the 20th to determine according to the Militia Law who—for one of each is to turn out—is to go with the Detachment. The Lieut. Col. and second Major, with the other officers and men, you will be pleased to order on so as to be at Salisbury the 25th Inst. All officers necessary you are requested to appoint, and on their arrival at Salisbury they shall be furnished with Commissions, as I intend being there that day. I propose marching from hence with some volunteers, and such of the 1,500 men as can be collected, the 16th. Shall be at Campbleton 20th, so that by return of the Bearer at Campbleton or Salisbury I hope to have the pleasure of seeing or hearing from you.

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As it is probable you may not have been so fully informed of the measures adopted by the General Assembly in their late Sessions as may be necessary, I think it my duty to send you the enclosed extracts from the Journal, which, so far as they relate to your department, I most earnestly beg you to carry into effect in the most speedy manner. If you wish to be employed by your Country by marching with the Troops as a Brigadier, either in this or the neghbouring States, will be glad to be informed, to the end I may give you such command as may be most agreeable. General Jones has signified his desire of marching with the Light Horse. I have no objection, and request you will collect those to be raised in the District of Hillsboro', so as to join the Halifax detachment of Light Horse, on their march, at Hillsboro', from whence they are to proceed so as to be at Salisbury the 15th Inst., at which time I also beg you will send the foot there, which you are required to raise in your District, and make me a General return. Any matters that fall within my department will be attended to whenever you signify your wish to have such business done.

I am, with great respect and esteem,
Your mo. ob. Servt.,
R. CASWELL.