88 Letters to the Governor and Council

Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 75

necessary dispositions to prevent the Enemy from crossing the Ca-
tabaw but so few Militia came in & the fords were so numerous it
was impossible to effect it — they crosS^td at McCowan ford where
Gen^l Davidson was Posted with the greatest part of the Militia. The
opposition was inconsiderable owing to the General's being kill'd,
as it is said in the begining of the Action, The greatest part of the
Militia were dispersed soon after the Enemy crosS^td nor can I hear
of their collecting since in any considerable numbers. I waited on one
of the plans of Rendezvous that night after the Enemy crosS^td until
past 12 o'Clock & not a man came to our assistance — we are now
endeavouring to form a junction of our Continental troops at this
place, the Enemy were within about twenty five miles of us last night.
We have hitherto removed all the stores out of the Enemy's way,
but if they pursue us & we are not able to make an effectual stand,
which their is little prospect of, unless the Militia will come to our
aid we shall lose our stores & what serves to render our situation
still more distressing is, I have just got intelligence that the fleet
that left Virg^a is arrived at Wilmington & that the forces have landed
there.
The Southern States are in such a defenceless condition that they
must fall under the dominion of the Enemy, unless reinforcements
are immediately sent from the northward. You know I have always
considered the incursions, in Virginia as of no consequence if we
could prevent their penetrating this way. Pray send us all the men
you can equip.
In moving the stores from Salisbury I found upwards of 1700
stand of Continental Arms in one store kept for the use of the
militia in the most miserable order you can imagine. Such destruc-
tion of Public Stores is enough to ruin a nation these are some of
the happy effects of defending the Country with Militia from which
good Lord deliver us !
Since my last Col Lee has surprised George town, he writes me
that many were kill'd but few taken, one field Officer was kill'd &
several made Prisoners you shall have the particulars when I have
more time to relate them
If the Enemy distress us in this State I am not without hopes of
giving them trouble in their rear & shall take measures for that pur-
pose with Gen^l Sumpter, Marion & Pickens. O ! that we had in the
field, as Harry the 5^th said some few of the many thousands that are
idle at home.

February 27
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 91

[David Poe, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I am satisfied that before this Time your Excellency has had in-
formation, that there has been some unnecessary Delays, in forward-
ing the Dispatches by the Line of ExpresS^ts. I think it my duty to
inform your Excellency, that matters has been of late Conducted