[Editor's note: Retreating in the face of Cornwallis' occupation of Charlotte, General Jethro Sumner took post at the Yadkin Ford from September 28, 1780 until October 17, 1780, when he pursued the retreating Cornwallis. There are numerous letters from two camps in the area: Camp at McGoon's Creek (McGoon's Creek is identified as a small creek just north of I-85 on the south side of the Yadkin River), and Camp Yadkin Ford, on the north side (Yadkin Ford is the ford touching the upriver end of the Big Island).]  

GEN'L JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJ. GENL. GATES

Adkins Ford, September 29th, 1780
The enemy continue in Charlotte, about 2,000.  Some enlarge their number to 3,000.  On my retreat I endeavored to bring off all the public stores there, and effected it.  I have detached Co. Davie of the light horse, and Col. Taylor with 200 horse, to Fisher's Mill and in the vicinity, to remain and prevent the enemy's plundering the inhabitants.  I every hour expect to hear from them.

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, p. 778.  

GENL. GATES TO GENL. JETHRO SUMNER

September 30th 1780
If you should have been advised to cross the Yadkin, you must on no account abandon the defense of that ford, nor withdraw your guard from the west side of that river until you are, by the near approach of a superior number of the enemy, forced to do it. Gen. Butler has orders to join you immediately, and the Virginians near Guilford Court House are to march forthwith to your succor.  Gen. Smallwood and Col. Morgan will march as soon as possible.

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, pp. 778-779.  

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJR. GENL. GATES

Camp McGoon's Creek, Oct. 4th, 1780.
Sir:
... I am satisfied with your order to support & not abandon this pass or ford; but, Sir, the extent of Country between this & Charlotte is too great & rich to remain here if the Army had formed a junction; neither do I so much expect this ford will be the Enemy's object in preference to the Shallow ford about 30 or 35 miles up this river; McKnitts road leading from Charlotte, I am informed, leads directly to the Shallow ford, from thence to the Moravian towns.  This road, I apprehend, the 800 and two field pieces were on when Colo. Taylor discovered them; so that either of these roads may be made use of in passing this river, yet I think it highly necessary that some works of defense should be made on the Bank of this ford; but, Sir, we have no tools to effect such defense from the earth, but a few Axes.  ...
I am, Sir, Yr. Obdt. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMMER

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, p. 667.  

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJOR GEN. GATES

Camp McGoon's Creek, October 5th, 1780
Six Ock. Mng.
Sir:
By express rec'd last evening from Colo. Jo. Williams of Surry County, about thirty Tories had enter'd Richmond Town and taken of several prisoners.  I had, before this express arrived, detach'd thirty Infantry to the fork of the Yadkin and Deep Creek  One Capt. Miller, with about thirty hourses of the County, on Information of the Tory party immediately went in pursuit.  Genl. Davidson also had detail'd a party in that Quarter, which we hope will be force sufficient to disperse them.  ...
We are here, Sir, Genlly. in great Strength for provision.
I am with great Respect, Yr. Servt.,
(Signature torn off.)

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, pp. 669-670.  

GEN. GATES TO GEN. JETHRO SUMNER

[October 7th, 1780]
The succor of our friends at '96 and Augusta gives me great satisfaction.  The instant the whole of the troops here are in a condition to march, I shall proceed with them to the Yadkin.  Col. Morgan and the light infantry set off this morning.  Gen. Smallwood is at present sick, but hopes to be able to set out in a few days.  The continental and state cavalry of Virginia will be here this morning, and will march on Monday to join you.  All the entrenching tools here will be sent off with an engineer to lay out the redoubts.  I am exceedingly anxious that your provisions should ba ample and constant; without that, there is no making a stand with any army in any country.

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, p. 783.  

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO GEN. HORATIO GATES

Camp Yadkin Ford, October the 13th, 1780
Sir:
I inclose to you the Draft of the Enemy's lines at Charlotte, which I received from Genl. Davidson the 11th instant.  The Evening of the same day Colo. Williams & Mr. Lenear arrived in Camp, informing me of the Torries getting very troublesome in Surry, being imbodied to the number of 3 or 400.  I had some accounts at the same time that one Wright, their head-man, had sent in several of his men into Charlotte to get a way open for them to join the British Army.  I have thought proper, therefore, to detach a party of 300 foot, with a few horses, under the command of Colo. Paisley, to endeavour to disperse them & Cut them off from Charlotte.  This party is to be back within six days.  ... I expect Colo. Morgan in to-day.  ...
I am, Sir, with respect,
Yr. Obdt. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMNER

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, pp. 692-693.  

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJ. GEN. GATES

Camp Yadkin Ford, the 13th, October, 1780
IX. Ock., Even'g.
Sir:
About an hour ago I receiv'd the inclosed Express from Genl. Davidson of the Enemy's Retreat from Charlotte towards Beggar's Fery on Catawba River.  I shall, Sir, recross the river to Morrow, or Early next morning, with all the troops at this place, (the sick and convalescents, with great part of the baggage, I shall leave proper Officers to take charge of, &c., &c., &c.,) and March after the enemy, so as to annoy as much as possible, preventing a general Action.  Colo. Morgan Arrived in Camp about two Ock. this after Noon with his Troops.
I am, Sir, Yr.
Very Hble. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMNER.
P.S. The fourth part of the Troops here are without Cartridge Boxes, and flints are likely to be very scarce.
J.S.

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, p. 693.  

GEN. W. SMALLWOOD TO GEN. JETHRO SUMNER

October 19th, 1780
Before I left your camp I did not advert to the expediency of leaving an officer and party at the ford, to secure the boats and to forward the passage of stores, etc. It will also be necessary to raise a small redoubt to cover the passage in case of a retreat. I have wrote to Gen. Gates to forward an engineer and some artillery, one piece of which I propose lodging there for that purpose.

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, p. 791.  

GENL. SMALLWOOD TO MAJ. GENL. GATES

Salisbury, 20th October, 1780.
Dear Sir:
Last night at 9 o'Clock I received your Letter dated the 18th Instant, previous to which I had advanced here with the Cavalry, fixed my Quarters, and marked out an encampment for the Militia. The Yadkin was so swelled and rapid by the late Rains that it was unpracticable to cross on the seventeenth when I arrived there, and the Troops with difficulty now cross, there being but one very sorry Boat, but expect they, with their Baggage, will all arrive here to day.
I have ordered a Field Officer with a proper command to remain at the Ford to secure it and the Boat, as well as to forward any Supplies of Stores and Provisions which may arrive. He is also directed to bring up one or two more boats which lie below, as soon as the current will admit, which I sent parties after before, but they could not stem the Stream. I have also ordered Artificers to remain and repair the Boats, who, with the Soldiery at that Station, will be ready to construct works as soon as Colo. Cuziosco [Thaddeus Kosciuszko] arrives, whom I beg you will forward.
...

The State Records of North Carolina, collected and edited by Walter Clark (Winston: M. I. & J. C. Stewart, 1896)(Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), Vol. XIV - 1779-'80, pp. 703-704.