The Virginia Gazette

RICHMOND. Nov. 18.

On the 1st of October, Major Joseph Cloyd of Montgomery, marched from the lead mines, with 140 militia, with orders to join Colonels Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland. He marched the nearest route through the Mountains to Wilkes court-house, in North Carolina, and there received certain intelligence of a large body of tories being embodied, who were plundering over the bushy mountains, on the waters of the Catawba river. Upon which he detached about 48 of the best of his light horse, of which he took the command and pursued the enemy, and overtook and routed them on Gunpowder creek, about 20 miles below Burke court-house, here he was detained one day for his infantry, and on receiving certain accounts of the success of our troops on King's mountain, and hearing that a number of tories from several counties had embodied in Surry, he called his officers together, who unanimously agreed to return with a view to join this party. They then proceeded by forced marches to Surry (being joined by Captain Lewis with 30 men) and fell in with the enemy on the 14th of October, about two miles from the Shallow Ford of the Yadkin, consisting, by all accounts, of at least 300 men, commanded by the arch tory Col. Hezekiah Wright. An action ensued, which continued very warm and general for about half an hour, when the enemy retreated with precipitation and in great disorder being pursued near a mile. They left 16 dead on the field and 40 prisoners were taken, most of whom were wounded. It is believed a number of the enemy were wounded, as a great deal of blood was seen in the way the several dispersed parties retreated, and sundry dead bodies were found some days after in the woods, exclusive of the above number. Amongst the enemy killed, was Captains Burk and Bryan; of Major Cloyd's and Captain Francis. Wounded Captain Paris, Lieutenant Ward, and 3 privates, but not mortally. A few days after the battle, a number of the tories who were concealed, surrendered themselves to the officers of Surry county. The officers and soldiers of the Montgomery militia behaved well.