Salisbury 13th November 1780 Dear Sirs Saturday Night I arrived here with such of the Continental Light Dragoons as were fit to move. - I left Hillsborough on Monday Morning and had a very dry and agreeable March hither. - Inclosed I send a Copy of a Letter I received last Night by express from Governor Jefferson; and a List of the Troops, the enemy are said to have now under the Command of General Lesley in Virginia. - From several Circumstances I am induced to believe, these, are only the advanced corps; and that as soon as Sir Harry Clinton perceives, the Season for Campaigning is past, to the Northward, He will reinforce the Troops in Virginia - and very probably those in South Carolina also, - and most assuredly will himself, join one or the other of these Bodies of Troops ~ A Board of General Officers, who sat yesterday Morning at my Quarters, have given it as their unanimous opinion that Colonel Polk should be immediately obliged to answer for his Conduct, - and that his two friends, Mr. Achiltree and Mr Mc Cafferty, should be sent for here, under a guard, to be dealt with, as they shall appear to have merited. ~ I have not the least Dependance in what Genl Harrington [inserted: writes] in respect to a fleet of our allies, being upon the Coast of South Carolina or Georgia, - had that been the Case, Admiral Rodney would never have suffered the Troops now in Virginia, to have sailed from New York, under a Convoy of only One Fifty gun ship and Three frigates, - besides, Lord Cornwallis who has now been march'd a month from Charlotte, would have been more expeditions in his movements; had he any cause to apprehend, an attack upon the Sea Line of the Southern States: - for these reasons, and from the advanced season of the year, - I cannot believe there is either French or Spanish Fleet, upon the Coast. I shall be very happy to be mistaken ~ As [2] the Enemy seem to have taken a fixed position at Winsborough, and Camden, and fortified the Latter; it behoves us to do the like, in the best situation for us - in doing which, our Strength, Magazines, Resources, Health and Preservation of the Troops, are to be considerate. - for this purpose I could wish to see you here, for a Day or two; when the sense of the General Officers, may be collected upon that and other Important Subjects; not prudent to trust to writing, by this mode of conveyance ~ I shall order a Strong Escort from the Cavalry to meet you at Phiser's, to relieve, those you may think it necessary to bring with you from camp. - You will give your Directions to Genl. Morgan, upon whom the Command will devolve, in your absence, taking his Opinion upon the present posture of affairs, before you set out. - Your Letter of the 31:st ultimo came to my Hands the 6th.. ins:t, upon the March from Hillsborough. - I am astonished at what you tell me, in regard to Colonel Polks refusing to supply the Continental Troops with provisions - and at the very alarming Distress you are reduced to, for want of that essential article. - to increase your numbers must encrease your wants: - I must therefore repeat my desire of seeing you, as soon as possible. ~ General Butler acquaints me there are Numbers of the Militia discharged from your camp, whose Terms of Service are unexpired, - one Regiment being to serve until the 25th. Instant, and the other until the 5th. December - the General thinks they have deceived you, as to the Time, they were to remain. - you will discover the bad tendency of letting them go Home before their Time is out, as they will all in future expect like indulgence. - The badness of the weather, which appears likely to last; The badness of the Roads; and wretchedness of our Draught Horses, will necessarily detain us here some Time; Long enough perhaps, for us, to decide upon the most eligible Spot for our next Station. With much Regard I am Dear Sir your affectionate, hble Servant Horatio Gates. Major Genl. Smallwood. [docket] Majr. Genl. Smallwood [address leaf] Salisbury November 13th. 1780. From General Gates.