The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-23 00:00:00, page 2

Extrad of a letter from Col. Richard Cafwell, late a Dele
gate for the province of North-Carolina in the Continental
Congress, and now Commander of a body of troops in that
province, to the Hon. Cornelius Harnet, Esq; President
of the Provincial Council of North-Carolina, dated from
his camp at Long creek, February 29, 1776.
SIR,—I have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had an
engagement with the Tories, at Widow Moore's creek
bridge, on the twenty-seventh current. Our army was about
one thousand strong, consisting of the Newbern battalion of
minutemen, the militia from Craven, Johnston, Dobbs and
Wake, and a detachment of the Wilmington battalion of
minutemen, which we found encamped at Moore's creek
the night before the battle, under the command of Colonel
Lillington. The Tories by common report were three thou
sand, but General M'Donald, whom we have a prisoner,
fays there were about fifteen or sixteen hundred; he was un
well that day, and not in the battle. Captain M'Cloud, who
seemed to be the principal commander, with Captain John
Campbell, are among the slain. The number killed and
mortally wounded, from the bed accounts I was able to col
led, was about thirty, most of them were shot on their naff
ing the bridge. Several had fallen in the water, some of
whom, I am pretty certain, had not risen yesterday evening,
^hen I left the camp ; such prisoners as we have made, fay
there were at least fifty of their men miffing. The Tories
were totally put to the rout, and will certainly disperse.
Colonel Moore arrived at our camp a few hours after the cn
gagement was over; his troops came up that evening, and
are now encamped on the ground where the battle was
work and artillery, where they met a very proper reception.
Captain M'Cloud and Captain Campbell fell within a few
paces of the breastwork, the former of whom received up
wards of twenty balls through his body ; and in a very few
minutes their whole army was put to the flight, and most
fhamefully abandoned their General, who was next day taken
prisoner. The lot of the enemy in this a&ion, from the best
accounts we have been able to leain, is about thirty killed and
wounded ; but as numbers of them must have fallen into the
creek, besides many more that were carried off, I suppose
their loss may be estimated at about fifty.We had onlv
two wounded; one of which died this day. Thus, Sir, I
have the pleasure to inform you, has most happily terminated
a very dangerous infurredion, and will I trull put an effectual
check to Toryifm in this country.
The situation of affairs in this place made it necessary for me
to return here, which, at the special request of the Committee,
I did last night with my regiment. The large requisitions
made by the men of war, who now lie just below the town,
gave the inhabitants reason to apprehend every thing that
could be fuffered from their disappointed vengeance, however
the Committee have most spiritedly determined rather to fuf
fer the worst of human evils than afford them any supplies at
all, and I have no doubt we shall be able to prevent them
from doing any great injury.
In order to leflen as much as possible the expence
incurred by this expedition, I some time ago directed
Col. Martin to disband all the troops under his command
except one thousand, including the regulars, and with those to
secure the perlons and estates of the insurgents fubjeft to your
farther orders, and then to proceed to this place, unless
otherwise directed. However, as I do not think theffervice just
now requires such a number of men in arms, I shall immedi
ately direct him to dilband all except the regulars, and with
those to remain in and about Cross creek until farther orders.
148
fought; and Colonel Martin is at or near Cross creek, with a
large body of men ; those, I presume, will be fu fficient ef
fectually to put a flop to any attempt to embody again. I
therefore (with Colonel Moore's consent) am returning to
Newbern with the troops under my command, where I hope
to receive your orders to dismiss them. There I intend carry
'"g the General, if the council should rife before my arri
val, be pleased to give order in what manner he shall be dis
posed of. Our officers and men behaved with the spirit and
intrepidity becoming freemen, contendihg for their dearest
privileges.
A letter from Donald M'Donald, Esq; lately created Briga
dier-General in the Tory army by Governor Martin, to
Brigadier-General Moore.
S I R,
I herewith fend the bearer, Donald Morrison, by advice
of the Commissioners appointed by his Excellency Josiah Mar
tin, and in behalf of the army now under my command, to
propose terms to you as friends and countrymen. I mutt
suppose you unacquainted with the Governor's proclamation,
commanding all his Majesty's loyal fubjeds to repair to the
King's Royal Standard, else I should have imagined you
would ere this have joined the King's army now engaged in
his Majesty's service. I have therefore thought it proper to in
timate to you, that in case you do not, by twelve o'clock
tomorrow, join the Royal Standard, I must confider you as
enemies, and take the necessary steps for the support of legal
authority. °
I beg leave to remind you of his Majesty's speech to his
Parliament, wherein he offers to receive the milled with ten
derness and mercy, from motives of humanity. I again beg
of you to accept the preferred clemency. I make no doubt
but you will ihew the gentleman sent on this message every
possible civility ; and you may depend, in return, that all
your officers and men, which may fall into our hands, shall b*
treated with an equal degree of refped. 1 have the honor to
be, in behalf of the army, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
DON. M' DONALD.
Head- Quarters, Feb. 19, 1776.
His Excellency's proclamation is herewith inclofed.
To the commanding officer at Rockfifh.
Brigadier General Moore's answer.
SI R,
Yours of this day I have received, in answer to which I
must inform you, that the terms which you are pleased to
fay in behalf of the army under your command, ate offered
to us as friends and countrymen, are such as neither my duty
or inclinations will permit me to accept, and which I must
presume you too much of an officer to expert of me. You
were very right when you supposed me unacquainted with
the Governor's proclamation, but as the terms therein pro
posed are such as I hold incompatible with the freedom of
Americans, it can ,be no rule of conduct for me. However,
should I not hear farther from you before twelve o'clock to
morrow, by which time I shall have an opportunity of con
futing my officers here, and perhaps Col. Martin, who is in
the neighbourhood of Cross creek, you may expert a more
particular answer ; mean time you may be assured that the
feelings of humanity will induce me to ihew that civility to
such of your people as may fall.into our hands, as lam de
sirous mould be observed towards those of ours, who may be
unfortunate enough to fall into yours. Jam, Sir,
Your most obedient, and very humble servant,
Camp at Rockfifh, Feb. 19, 1776. JAMES MOORE,