outhern cape of James river); their destination unknown.
1781, January 2. At 10 A. M. information received that they had entered
James river, their advance being at Warrasqueak bay. Orders were
immediately given for calling in the militia, one fourth from some,
and one half from other counties. The members of the legislature,
which rises this day, are the bearers of the orders to their respective
counties. The Governor directs the removal of the records into the
country, and the transportation of the military stores from Richmond to
Westham (on the river seven miles above); there to be carried across the
river.
January 3. At 8 P. M. the enemy are said to be a little below Jamestown;
convenient for landing, if Williamsburg is their object.
January 4. At 5 A. M. information is received that they had passed
Kennon's and Hood's the evening before, with a strong; easterly wind,
which determines their object to be either Petersburg or Richmond. The
Governor now calls in the whole militia from the adjacent counties.
At 5 P. M. information, that at 2 P. M. they were landed and drawn up
at Westover (on the north side of the river, and twenty-five miles below
Richmond); and consequently Richmond their destination. Orders are
now given to discontinue wagoning the military stores from Richmond to
Westham, and to throw them across the river directly at Richmond.
The Governor having attended to this till an hour and a half in the
night, then rode up to the foundery (one mile below Westham), ordered
Captains Boush and Irish, and Mr. Hylton, to continue all night wagoning
to Westham the arms and stores still at the foundery, to be thrown
across the river at Westham, then proceeded to Westham to urge the
pressing the transportation there across the river, and thence went to
Tuckahoe (eight miles above and on the same side of the river) to see
after his family, which he had sent that far in the course of the day.
He arrived there at 1 o'clock in the night.
January 5. Early in the morning, he carried his family across the river
there, and sending them to Fine Creek (eight miles higher up) went
himself to Britton's on the south side of the river, (opposite to
Westham). Finding the arms, &c. in a heap near the shore, and exposed
to be destroyed by cannon from the north bank, he had them removed under
cover of a point of land near by. He proceeded to Manchester (opposite
to Richmond). The enemy had arrived at Richmond at
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