Kirkwood, Robert, Journal, Delaware Line, 13 Apr to 25 Oct 1780

The journal and order book of
Captain Robert Kirkwood
of the Delaware Regiment of the Continental line

Journal
of Marches, from Morristown, East Jersey, Southerly � [1]

When		Miles.
1780.
Ap^l 13^th	I left Morristown four days before the Mary- land and Delaware Line, and arrived at New- ark, in the Delaware State. � � � � � �	120.
	From thence went to Lewis town, and return- ed back to Newark � � � � � � � � �	260.
May 5^th	Set sail from the Head of Elk, in Comp^y with 50 sail of vessels, being the Second brigade in the Maryland Line, Destin'd for Petersburgh, Virginia, at which Port the vessel I was in Arrived the 23^d Inst. � � � � � � � �	350.
30^th	Decamped from Petersburgh, and marched to Rockaway Court House. � � � � �	18.
31^st	Marched to Jones's Bridge and Encamped.	17.
June 1^st	Marched to Commissary Lambs, Brunswick County � � � � � � � � � � �	15.
2^nd	Marched to Short's Ordinary � � � �	16.
3^rd	Marched to Stony Creek � � � � �	18.
4^th	Marched to Roanoke which we Crossed at Taylor's Ferry and lay upon its Bank, (this River is about 350 Miles Long).	8.
6^th	Marched into Granvill County, North Carolina.	10.
7^th	Marched this day to Gen^l Parsons.	10.
June 21^st	Marched from Gen^l Parsons, and Encamped on the South Side of Flat River. � � � � �	20.
22^nd	Marched this Day to Hillsborough � � � �	15. ��
		877. ��

[215]

When	Year 1780	Miles.
		877 ��
June 30^th	Marched and crossed Haw River � � � � �	15.
July 1^st	Marched and lay in the woods � � � � �	6.
2^nd	This day marched to Chatham Courthouse � �	18.
5^th	Marched this Day to Deep River which we Crossed	14.
18^th	Marched to Wilcoxes Iron Works � � � � �	12.
19^th	Marched to Hollinsworths Farm on Deep River �	18.
25^th	This Day the Hon^ble Maj^r Gen^l Gates arrived and took Command of all the Southern Troops �
27^th	Marched this day to Spinks Farm, Randolph County, N. Carolina � � � � � � � � �	15.
28^th	Marched this Day to Cottons Farm � � � �	15.
29^th	Marched to Smith's Mill, on Little River � � �	10.
Aug^t 1^st	Marched to the River Pee Dee, and Crossed at Masseys Ferry, encamped on Ingrams Farm, Hanson County � � � � � � � � � �	10.
2^nd	Marched this Day to Mays Mill � � � � �	15.
3^d	Marched to Thompsons Creek. The line at this place Divides North & South Carolina. � � �	15.
4^th	Marched this Day near Andersons Cross Roads �	17.
6^th	Marched and Encamped in the pines, received Information that the Enemy was advancing � �	5.
8^th	Marched to Big Linches Creek � � � � � �	16.
10^th	Marched and encamped in the Pines � � � �	7.
11^th	Marched to Little Linches Creek, to gain the Ene- mys Right � � � � � � � � � � � �	16.
12^th	March^d this Day and lay on our arms all Night.	6.
13^th	March^d to Ridgleys Mill � � � � � � � �	16.
15^th	March^d this Night at 10 OClock � � � � �	6.
16^th	About one in the Morning Met with the Brit- ish Army at black Swamp and drove in their Advance guards � we then Halted and form^d the line of battle � the 2^d Brig^d on the Right the first in the Center and the Malitia on the Left and Lay on our arms until Break of Day	��
		1129 ��

[216]

When.	Year 1780	Miles.
		1129 ��
	when the British advanced and attack^d our Left Flank where the Malitia Lay, who give way, which give the Enemy's horse an opportunity to gain our Rear, their Infantry at the same time gaining our Flank, and their Line advancing in our front, which Caused the Action to Be- come very Desperate, which continued for the Space of Half an hour � in this action, L^t Col. Vaughan, Major Patten, six officers and Seventy Rank and file of our Reg^t was taken Prisoners with all the Cannon and Baggage of the Army � I can give no account of our Marches on the Retreat untill we came to Sal- isbury which we Arrived at on the 21^st � � � �	123.
24^th	Marched and Cross^d Yadkin River � � � �	7.
	From thence we marched to Guilford Courthouse.	50.
	And from thence to Hillsborough � � � � �	45.
Octb^r7^th	This Day three Companies of Light Infantry were chosen, one under the command of Cap^t Bruen of Virginia � second, by Cap^t Kirk- wood, & the third by Cap^t Brooks � the whole under the Command of Col. Morgan. � � �
Octb^r8^th	Began our march from Hilsborough under com- mand of Col. Morgan, and arrived at Sal- isbury the 15^th Inst. � � � � � � � � �	95.
10^th	Marched this Day to Col. Locks Farm. � � �	5.
19^th	Marched to Fifers Mills � � � � � � � �	15.
21^st	Marched about two below Esq^r Alexanders �	23.
22^d	Marched to Six mile run � there join^d the N. Carolina Militia under the command of Gen^l Davidson � � � � � � � � � �	16.
25^th	Moved our Encampment in front of the Militia this Neighborhood is called New Providence and within 14 miles of Charlotte. [3] � � � � �	��
		1508 ��

ENDNOTES
Added by transcriber

This transcription was made from photocopies of the original journal, premumably taken from microfilm, with reference to the printed and edited version of the journal. It was noted that a few details may be seen to differ between the two versions (dates, mileages, place names).
Page number in brackets are present on photocopies of original, but may have been added at some point by others.
Printed version of journal adds, presumably from the next page ([217] in the journal: While we Lay at this place Col. Morgan received his Commission of Brigadier Gen^l From Congress. . It may be seen that Gates letter to President of Congress 4 July 1780 was the probable cause for this taking place.

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