Owens, R.D. (fl. 1864) to George Wortham
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.47 Author/Creator: Owens, R.D. (fl. 1864) Place Written: Plymouth, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 July 1864 Pagination: 1 p. ; 49 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Accuses men belonging to Sharlington's Company of stealing from him. Says he watched as a few men from "Sharlington's Co went and broke open my trunk and stole all of my clothes and about $1500 in NC bank money." Has confronted Sharlington about this and says his company is full of scoundrels. "They have done more harm than they have good ever since they have been in this country. Whenever the Yankees come they leave. I do not believe there is a man in the County but what had rather have them out of it. Col everytime I think of their robbing me it makes my blood bad boil within me." Offers to "get a company together and carry them to you dead or alive."
George Wortham was a Confederate officer, who served as a Captain in the Twelfth North Carolina Infantry and later Colonel in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
N.C. ? Co. [illegible] neck
July 10th 1864
Col Geo Wortham
Com Post Plymouth
N.C.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 18th inst has just been received I hasten to inform you that on Wednesday evening last while myself and Capt William Harvey were off buying in stuff to carry over the line five thieves or Robbers (Jo [illegible], Burke Gipson, Bill Alexander, John Sharlington, and Aethe Walker) belonging to Sharlington's Co went and broke open my trunk and stole all of my clothes and about $1500 in NC bank money. This I can prove by Mr. Henry N. Dunker & wife & Miss Elizabeth Snell. I saw Mr. Sharlington yesterday morning and informed him of my being robbed by some of his men and asked him in the presence of Mr. Wm J. Biasly whether or not I had been reported to him and he told me that I had not. I told him that Jo Clough the most celebrated their of his Co had called me a Buffaloe and to tell him for me that he had it to take back [illegible] wear him out to a frazzle. I understand that they say they have orders to cut up any canoe that they find a float. I was informed yesterday that the same thieves who robbed me found Mr. John Alexander's canoe and cut her up. This Sent. To my knowledge has been running meat to the Confederate Army ever since the war commenced. I understand that you ordered them out the other day [illegible] that they refused to go and also that some of them had said that they had orders [illegible] them go over the line. I now say to you if you want them and not men to spare to send after them send me down the [illegible] and I will get a company together and carry them to you dead or alive. They have done more harm than the have good ever since they have been in this country. [illegible] the Yankees come they leave. I do not believe there is a man in the County but what had rather have them out of it. Col everytime I think of their robbing me it makes my blood bad within me. I would come to see you myself but have no conveyance. I shall have for Whale's Head on tomorrow or next day, but will return again in a few days. Write me soon
Your Friend,
R. D. Owens
P.S. Give my love to F. B. Sikes.
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