Reports come on with General Gates' letter, which say that both General Smallwood and Gist are slain, and that Baron de Kalb is wounded, but there is no authority for it. We lost eight pieces of cannon, and doubtless all our baggage and stores. The militia dispersing and taking to the woods, few or none of them fell into the enemy's hands; but probably many of them might suffer greatly for want of provisions, and perhaps some might perish. General Gates retreated one hundred and eighty miles in three days to Hillsborough, at which place he wrote to Congress of the misfortune which had befell him. This is a great misfortune; and the more so as that unfortunate country was too discouraged before to make any great exertions. However, it was beginning to recover itself, and some few days before the action we had gained several advantages, and taken several hundred prisoners. It is high time for America to raise an army for the war, and not distress the country by short enlistments, and hazard the liberties of these States with an order of men, whose feelings, let their principles be ever so good, cannot be like those who have been long in the field. I am, with great respect, your most obedient, humble servant, NATH. GREENE. N. B. I wish you not to have any part of this letter published, as the President of Congress did not think it proper to publish General Gates's letter until the arrival of further particulars. To His Excellency Governor Greene. Yesterday Evening I had the Honor to receive Your Excellencys' Letter dated the 13th Instant with the Resolve of Congress enclosed of the same Date. While I live I shall be happy to execute the Commands of Congress, and notwithstanding they have given me a New Field for Action and that in the most untoward Circumstances; I promise them I will do my utmost to save, and most effectually to serve the General Interest in the Southern States- The Powers given me seem as extensive as the Field is wide, and I will believe that the Generosity of Congress will be at least equal to their Confidence. I ask no sort of Indulgence for the Errors of the Heart; for those of the Head alone, I expect their compassion. I perceive in the Resolves no mention is made of the Quar Mas Gen to whom am I to look up to for the Execution of the Public Service, in that Mainspring of Military Motion. I do not wish for Patronage or the Power of displacing; I only desire that Governor & Council of State, may upon my Representation, redress all Defects, supply all Deficiencies, and regulate both that and the In a Letter I have just received from the President of Congress is the following Paragraph-"I have rec'd certain Information that Mr. Clay, Dy Paymr Genl in the So Dept was not made prisoner in Charles Town, and that he has Warr'ts on Virga and No Carolina, to a large amt, which is supposed in whole, or in part, yet remaining unpaid- You will doubtless obtain certain information in these Matters (which are unknown to Congress) and perhaps find it practicable and expedient to retain Mr. Clay in the office of Paymaster General "—I request in Consequence of the above Information that you will immediately repair to me at Richmond in Virginia with all the Warrants and public Monies in your Possession-where you will receive my further Orders for your Official Conduct in the ensuing Campaign. I am &c. To Mr. Clay H[ORATIO] G[ATES] Depy Paymr Genl So Department Commission as I wish the Service in Sir H[ORATIO] G[ATES] No. 4 Fredericksburgh 3d July 1780 The 29th Ultimo I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency's Pacquet dated the 16th June.- I have in Consequence wrote Governor Nash of North Carolina and inclosed him the Resolves of Congress as you directed, and a Letter with orders to Dep paymr Genl Clay to repair immediately to my Head Quarters with all the Warrants and Monies in his Possession where, he is also informed, he will receive his further Orders. I communicated the Resolve of Congress To Saml Huntington Esqr respecting Genl Weedon and Colonel President of Congress Morgan, to those Gentlemen-theycheerfully acquiesced in obeying the Commands of Congress; but Colonel Morgan requests me to represent to Your Excellency, that the State of Virginia. have appointed some Junior Officers to himself Brigadiers General who will take Command of Him, should he take the Field in his present Rank. This is not only a galling Circumstance to so old and deserving an Officer, but must impede, and possibly entirely defeat my Intention, in placing Colonel Morgan at the Head of a Select Corps from whose Services I expect the most brilliant Success. Therefore I humbly entreat your Excellency, will move Congress to order a Commission to issue immediately, appointing Colonel Morgan a Brigadier General. I am confident the Rank, the Services and the Experience of Colo Morgan is such as will prevent any officer, from thinking Himself agrieved by His Promotion- I shall impatiently expect the arrival of this I have the Honor to enclose certain Resolves of Congress, which I am ordered by that Honble Body to transmit to your Excellency- I hope to be at Richmond, Wednesday Evening or Thursday Morning at furthest being necessarily detained here until I have answered the Despatches of Congress I have received from the Northward, and settled some Matters with the public Officers in this Town-When I have consulted with the Governor and Council of this State at Richmond upon the proper Means of repelling the Invasion of these States,-I shall again do myself the Honor of addressing Your Excellency.In the Mean Time, I am confident, the State under Your Command will be inspired to act with the utmost vigour in the Support of the Common Cause. I shall be happy to hear from Your Ex |