Early Governors' Papers

indeed few instances will appear have occurred where any army have been Maneuvred ^manoeuvred [sic] out of a ^their chosen position ^disposition, that but they have do ^have not suffered in the extreme - The feats performed by the Southern Militia was cheifly [sic] ^done by the frontier part, who had been used accustomed to fighting of the Indians ^& from the frequent engagements, they had through necessity, become became acquainted with a deep hand of discipline that ^had taught them the propriety, of forming ^& supporting strong lines and never ^to suffering them selves to be out flanked; they were are the best of rifle men, and [innured?] (inured) used to action hardship and active lives, and by being engagd frequently ^in action with their neighboring indians, fighting was in the feild [sic] became much more familiar - where ever those kind of Militia were engaged, the result was were seldom unfavor able- for Instance the battles ^fought at Kings mountain, the [enn?] =ree, the cowpen, & at Guilford, & was ^cheifly [sic] of that kind of Militia and gen ^altho was inferior on as to numbers, and ^was compleatly [sic] successful in all except the latter - But ^how differently was the scene at Cambden under Gates,? altho his Numbers was at least three to one ^to that of the enemy, but his Militia were of a different kind; every kind of all military operations was new to them, and the one half Quoted left the feild [sic] without discharging their Guns.- Witness Virginia, could all the boasted strength of that State, place a check on ^Lord Cornwallis ^in his progress [?] ravages until joined by regulars. & His Army did not succeed the Number of eight thousand - If the Gentlemen in opposition to raising regular armies would advert to ^to these & other past events, it would in my opinion teach them a very different lesson