CAMP AT WAXHAW, September 22, 1780.

If nothing material happens to obstruct my plan of operations, I mean, as soon as Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton can be removed, to proceed within the twenty-third, thirty-third, volunteers of Ireland, and Legion to Charlotte-town, and leave the seventy-first here until the sick can be brought on to us. I then mean to make some redoubts, and to establish a fixed post at that place, and give the command of it to Major Wemys, whose regiment is so totally demolished by sickness that it will not be fit for actual service for some months. To that place I shall bring up all the sick from Camden who have any chance of being serviceable before Christmas, and trust to opportunities for their joining the army.

The post at Charlotte-town will be a great security to all this frontier of South-Carolina, which, even if we were possessed of the greatest part of North Carolina, would be liable to be infested by parties who have retired with their effects over the mountains, and mean to take every opportunity of carrying on a predatory war; and it will, I hope, prevent insurrections in this country, which is very disaffected. I then think of moving on my principal force to Salisbury, which will open this country sufficiently for us to see what assistance we may really expect from our friends in North-Carolina, and will give us a free communication with the Highlanders, on whom my greatest dependence is placed.

[Source: Walter Clark, ed., The State Records of North Carolina, 26 vols. (Goldsboro, N. C.: Nash Brothers, 1886-1907), 15:282.]