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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Captain Reuben Wilkinson, of the 3d North Carolina Regiment, publicly defends his loyalty amid Tory suspicions in Bedford County, Virginia, by detailing five years of Continental Army service under Generals Sumner, Hogan, and Gates during the Revolutionary War. Dated September 30, 1780.
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As I have lately been charged in Bedford county, at New London, and suspected of being a tory to my country, although no farther enquiry has been made than in private conversation, I would wish, in this trying and difficult crisis to set my reputation in the light it stands, and I trust ought to stand with the publick. It is true, in the county of Bedford, I have been unacquainted for eight years past, and in that county suspicions run high, yet as I may have occasion to be again in the place, I desire the officers of the army will attest the truth of my assertion. I have been in the continental army for five years, and I hope supported a reputable character. In North Carolina, I served under General Nath. General Sumner, and General Hogan; from thence I went to the northward; afterwards returned to the southward, and served under General Gates. I beg the publick will not think this improper, when they recollect the situation of affairs at present, and the difficulties the best of men may be thrown under. Whispers may extend far, and suspicions, unsupported with evidence, be admitted as proof. I wish to wipe off suspicion, and prevent idle surmises, from injuring a man who has behaved with propriety to his country, and never merited her censures.
REUBEN WILKINSON, Capt. 3d. N. C. R.
BEDFORD, court-house, Sept. 30, 1780.
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
Reuben Wilkinson, Capt. 3d. N. C. R.
Recipient
To The Publick At Large, And The Army Of The United States Of America In General.
Main Argument
the author defends his reputation against suspicions of being a tory by recounting his five years of service in the continental army under generals sumner, hogan, and gates, emphasizing his reputable character and the dangers of unsupported whispers in the current crisis.
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