Hillsborough, August 30, 1780.
Dear Hamilton:
About the twenty-third instant, I wrote my friend Harrison from
Salisbury, giving him a very hasty particular account of the defeat
of General Gates’s army at Sutton’s, near Campden, the sixteenth
instant. We were truly unfortunate, and completely routed. The infamous
cowardice of the militia of Virginia and North Carolina, gave the enemy
every advantage over our few regular troops, whose firm opposition
and gallant behavior have gained them the applause, as well of our
successful foes, as of our runaway friends. If I mentioned to Col.
Harrison the loss of two howitzers, I was mistaken. We had eight
pieces of light artillery, with six ammunition wagons, which, with the
greatest part of our baggage, were lost.
Our retreat was the most mortifying that could have happened. Those who
escaped the dangers of the field, knew not where to find protection:
the wounded found no relief from the inhabitants, who were immediately
in arms against us; and many of our fugitive officers and men were
disarmed by those faithless villains, who had flattered us with
promises of joining us against the enemy. The tories are now assembling
in different parts of the country; and there is actually a sort of
partisan war waged between them and the whigs of this country.
The greatest part of our baggage was plundered by those who first left
the field. The enemy took a part; and much of what escaped them, has
been pillaged by the inhabitants on the retreat. The wagon horses have
been stolen, and frequently taken from the drivers; and some of those
desperate rascals have been daring enough to fire upon parties of our
regular troops many miles from the place of action.
General Gates used the utmost expedition in getting from the lost field
to this place. As this step is unaccountable to me, you must expect to
know the reason another time, and from better authority. An unfortunate
General usually loses the confidence of his army; and this is much the
case with us at present. However, I suppose every thing necessary will
be done, in justification of the steps that have been taken, and then
all will be understood. Beside my ignorance, there is another reason
for my silence on this subject. The General is extremely mortified at
the disappointment his hopes have met with; and I think it ungenerous
to oppress dejected spirits by a premature censure.
The legislature of this State is now sitting at this place, and
devising means of defending the country. The General has exhibited
estimates (he informs me) of the supplies wanting to carry on the
campaign, both to the legislature of this State, and to Virginia; and
hopes they will be furnished. The officers of North Carolina talk
confidently of re-embodying a great number of militia. General Stephens
had collected about eight hundred of the Virginia militia at this place
since the action. But I am sorry to add, at least half that number have
deserted. The Maryland Division, including the Delaware regiment, will,
I hope, muster six hundred when all are collected. Part are now here: a
party are with General Smallwood at Ellis’s Ferry, Adkin river; and a
small party with Major Anderson, who General Smallwood left some time
at Charlotte, to receive the fugitives as they arrived. But this is the
place of general rendezvous.
From the best accounts I can get, Lord Cornwallis had with him, on
the day of battle, the seventy-first, sixty-third, thirty-third, and
twenty-third British regiments; a corps of Hessians, Tarlton’s legion,
and some new levies, amounting to about three thousand men. Our numbers
were very little greater; and our force will not be imagined so great,
by those who are informed of our long march in a barren country, with
very little other subsistence than a short allowance of fresh beef,
green corn, apples, and peaches.
As soon as I recover from a relaxation of spirits, which is all my
present complaint, I will write you again, and inform you that we are
resolved not to despair, but bear our fortunes like veterans in the
South; while you, like heroes in the North, win and wear the laurels
of the present campaign. Present my most respectful compliments to
the General, whom I love; to all my friends at head quarters and in
camp. Not a man among you have been generous enough to write a single
sentence to
Your sincere friend and servant,
O. H. Williams.
I mentioned the surprise of General Sumpter’s party, which happened the
sixteenth instant, in my last.