The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, March 22.

Copy of a letter from col. Richard Caswell, to Cornelius Harnett, Esq; president of the Provincial Council of North Carolina, dated camp at Long Creek, Feb. 29, 1776.

SIR,

I have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had an engagement with the Tories at Moore's creek bridge on the 27th inst. Our army was about 1000 strong, consisting of the Newbern battalion of minute-men, the militia from Craven, Johnston, Dobbs, and Wake, and a detachment of the Wilmington battalion of minute-men, which we found encamped at Moore's creek the night before the battle, under the command of col. Lillington. The Tories, by common report, were 3000 strong; but general Macdonald, whom we have prisoner, says they amounted only to about 15 or 1600. He was unwell that day and not in the action. Capt. Macleod, who seemed to be the principal commander, with capt. John Campbell, are among the slain. The number killed, and mortally wounded, from the best accounts I have been able to collect, is about 30, most of whom were shot on their passing the bridge. Several fell in the water, some of whom I am certain had not risen yesterday evening, when I left the camp. Such prisoners as we have made say, there were at least 50 of their men missing. The Tories were totally put to the rout, and will certainly disperse. Col. Moore arrived at the camp a few hours after the engagement was over. His troops came up the evening, and are now encamped on the ground where the battle was fought; and col. Martin is at or near Cross Creek, with a large body of men. These, I presume, will be sufficient to put an effectual stop to any farther attempts of the Tories to embody again. I therefore, with col. Moore's consent, am returning to Newbern with the troops under my command, where I hope to receive your orders to dismiss. I intend bringing the general with me; but should the Council rise before my arrival, be pleased to give orders in what manner he shall be disposed of. Our officers and men behaved with the spirit and intrepidity becoming freemen, contending for their dearest privileges. I have the honour, &c.

R. CASWELL.

List of rifle guns, and other articles already taken from the Highlanders and regulators, viz. 1500 rifle guns, all of them excellent pieces; two medicine chests, immediately from England, one of them valued at 300 l. sterling; one box, containing half-johanneses and English guineas, discovered by a negro secreted in a stable at Cross Creek; 13 waggons, with complete sets of horses: 850 common soldiers taken prisoners, disarmed and discharged. We have flying parties out, taking the ringleaders and all suspected persons, and disarming the common soldiers throughout the whole back country.

List of prisoners taken by col. Long, and now in Halifax jail. Col. John Piles, major Thomas Collins, capt. David Jackson, capt. Enoch Bradley, capt. John Piles, capt. Thomas Bradford, capt. William Bradford, lieutenant Stephen Parker, lieutenant Donald Macdonald, (wounded through the thigh) ensign John Downing, and doctor Robertson York; also in Halifax jail, four of the name of Fields, one of the name of Turner, and three of the name of Bell, with a midshipman and quarter-gunner of the Scorpion man of war.

List of prisoners taken by col. Martin, and sent to Halifax jail. Col. Kingsborough Macdonald, col. Hugh Macdonald, col. Thomas Rutherford, col. Hector M'Neil, col. Alexander Macdonald, capt. Morrison, capt. Mackenzie, capt. Thomas Weir: capt. Leggate, capt. Solomon Gross, capt. Persons, capt. M'Coy, capt. Muse of the light horse, capt. John Muskon, capt. Neil M'Carter, adjutant Fraser, lieutenants Colin M'Iver, Joshua Hewes, Cameron, Donald Muse, Donald Cameron, and sundry other lieutenants and ensigns, whose names I have not yet an account of. Kenneth Macdonald, aid-de-camp; James Hepburn secretary; parson Beattie, chaplain; Aaron Verdy, waggon-master; doctor Morrison, commissary. He also took about 350 guns and shot bags, with about 150 swords and dirks.