List,

The following letter is from Major James Henry Craig of the 82nd
Regiment of Foot. It was sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Nisbet Balfour
concerning an operation in the area of Wilmington, North Carolina during
early February, 1781. This operation occurred at a place called Heron's
Bridge and involved not only men of the 82nd Foot but also some light
infantry, grenadiers and a contingent of Marines. The letter is
particularly interesting both for its level of detail.



Major James Henry Craig to Lieut.-Colonel Nisbet Balfour’

4 February, Wilmington

Sir, as I had the honour of receiving my instructions from you and have
at present no way of communicating with Lord Cornwallis, I think it my
duty to make my report to his lordship through you, requesting you to
take the earliest opportunity of laying it before him.

Having at length after four days conquered the difficulties
occasioned by the intricacy of the navigation and the ignorance of the
pilots, we landed on the 28th last month at a settlement about 12 miles
from Wilmington, Captain Barclay at my request landing with us the
marines of the ship of war under his command; and the next [day] marched
and took possession of Wilmington in conjunction with the galleys who
with Captain Barclay on board moved up the river at the same time, the
inhabitants surrendering themselves prisoners at discretion.

I found that a body of militia under a Colonel Young had been
collecting for some time and had retired (but the night before we came
into the town) to Heron’s Bridge about ten miles off where they
intended waiting to collect strength and cover the vessels which had
carried all their stores and ammunition up the river. The accounts of
their numbers varied so much that Iwas at a loss to form any judgment of
them. However, as the dispersing them as well as seizing their vessels
might be of consequence to us, I determined to march to them the next
day, thinking that though the great strength of the post with which I
was well acquainted might make the first difficult, still an
opportunity might be found especially if they attempted to support
their vessels. The open attack of the post we knew to be impracticable
as it consisted of a bridge with a narrow causeway on the opposite end
through a very deep marsh a quarter of a mile in breadth which
terminated in a hill on which they were encamped. The river on that side
also offered a very favourable bank for the defence of the bridge. We
marched at 4 in the afternoon with 250 rank and file and 2
three-pounders, leaving Major Manson with the remainder to guard the
town. A little after dark one of the light infantry with great spirit
made himself master of one of the rebel light horse who was on the
lookout, and from him we got such intelligence as determined us to
attempt surprising them. We accordingly moved on within about a mile of
the bridge and there lay on our arms, meaning to attack them between 3
and 4 in the morning. Volunteers immediately turned out for thedangerous
service of seizing the necessary sentinels, every precaution taken for
securing any patrol which might come near us, and I have not the
smallest doubt of our having succeeded had not an unlucky accident put
an end to all our hopes. A
sergeant and a private man found themselves so closely beset by six
horseman before they were aware of it that they had not time to throw
themselves into the wood but were obliged to fire. As all idea of
surprising them was now over, we pushed forward directly and followed
the patrol so closely that they had neither time to take up the bridge
or use any other precaution. The light infantry (with a part of Major
Manson’s command attached to them) and grenadiers formed within 50 yards
of the rebel party on this side the bridge who challenged us and fired.
They were immediately charged and run over the bridge. As I found they
had not taken the bridge up and seemed in a great panic I determined to
push them, and notwithstanding the strength of the ground thought
circumstances bid fair for succeeding in an attack on their post itself,
which would at once secure their vessels and probably prevent their
assembling again. Captains Nesbit and Pitcairne were therefore ordered
to pass the bridge and pursue the attack which they did with the
greatest spirit. I formed the companies of the 82nd with the
field-pieces to cover the bridge in case of misfortune, which was done
in a moment, and then advanced with the marines to support the flank
companies. Everything gave way and in
a few minutes all was over and we in possession of the rebel camp, where
we found a number of arms, canteens, some provisions etc. After waiting
a sufficient time to be sure they were totally dispersed we returned
over the bridge as I wished the men to rest in security after the
fatigue of two days march and laying five nights either on their arms or
on the decks of sloops and boats without covering. I have since learned
the rebels to have been between 250 and 300. As we did not extend our
search far we only found three dead, and the darkness of the night
together with their precipitate flight prevented our making more than 7
or 8 prisoners. Many, however, were wounded who are since got home. On
our side six private men were wounded but I am sorry to add that Captain
Nesbit received two shots in his leg on the first discharge of the
sentinels, notwithstanding which he charged with his company to the
enemy’s camp and exerted
himself so much that I did not perceive he was hurt till all was over.
He is, however, in a fair way of doing well and I hope only to have to
lament the loss of his assistance which I most sensibly feel. We took
one iron three-pounder which we threw into the river after breaking off
the trunnions. The capture of their vessels took place the next day as
foreseen; the two largest, one of which was loaded with amunition, were
burnt and the remainder brought down here, together with a brig which
was taken by a galley and two gunboats sent up the river by Captain
Barclay. The following day we marched 5 miles in front and destroyed a
considerable quantity of rum and stores which might have been
serviceable to an enemy, and returning by another road reached this on
Friday evening.

In justice to the troops and marines under my command I cannot help
mentioning that the town of Wilmington was taken possession of and an
extent of country of upwards of 45 miles marched over with only one
single instance of any article being touched or inhabitant injured in
his property except as ordered by myself. This I am sure will entitle
them to his lordship’s notice as much as the commendations I could
bestow on their behaviour in the action.

I am preparing everything for the further execution of my
instructions.

James Henry Craig, major, 82nd regiment

[Document of the American Revolution, 1770-1783, pages 54-55.]
[Original document C.O. 5/101, fo. 248]