Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln

Camp Bergen County, New Jersey 30th October 1780

My dear Sir
I have the pleasure to inform you that there is as great a Certainty of your exchange as there can be of any event that has not taken place.
General Phillips has agreed to be exchanged for you and Sir. H. Clinton has delegated to him every power [inserted: necessary to effect it and all others] as far as the Officers and soldiers now in New York. Major Skinner is with the Enemy putting a finishing hand to the business - I dare say that in a very few days I shall have the happiness to inform you and the Gentlemen of your family that you are no longer prisoners, for the Exchange is to extend to the Gentlemen of your Suite.
You will have heard of the affair of the [struck: middle] [inserted: militia] to the Southward before you can receive this, but as there is but a bad communication from the South to the East, I will just give you the outlines of it.
You must know [2] that Lord Cornwallis has advanced as far as Charlotte and taken post there. our people at Hillsboro - a large body of tories and disafected persons on the left flank of the [Country] through which Lord Cornwallis had passed collected and were joined by a Col. Ferguson with some few british troops-the whole amounting to 1400 men, their design was to have formed a junction with the Enemy at Charlotte, but this was frustrated by the well affected military of the neighbouring districts [inserted: who assembled] to the number of [struck: 7] 3000, as the disafected had distanced them so far as to render it impossible to be overtaken by foot, our people by a vigorous exertion collected 1600 horses, on which were mounted the same number of men who soon fell in with the Enemy. at a place called Kings Mountain in North Carolina - our people attacked with great spirit - and after an action of 20 [inserted: 40] minutes completely routed the enemies whole force, killed 150 among whom Col. Ferguson, and took 813 prisoners, a considerable proportion of whom were [strikeout] [inserted: wounded]-1500 [Hand] of arms, and 29 barrels of powder. The remainder dispersed on [3] all sides.
A Colonel Clark with another party penetrated as far as Augusta on the Savannah in Georgia and seized on that post, and some prisoners and a considerable quantity of stores, merchandise, after which he returned to the frontiers of North Carolina.
I hope [inserted: these] two fortunate events have diffused an amazing ardor in North Carolina, the whole country is in arms
Congress have directed an enquiry into the conduct of General Gates and General Green is gone to take the command of the Southern Army. Baron de Steuben has gone with him.
In great haste I am my
dear Sir
Your affectionate friend
and humble servant
H Knox
General Lincoln