General James Moore took the field at the
head of his regiment, and on the 15th secured possession of Rockfish
bridge, seven miles from Cross Creek, where he was joined by a recruit
of sixty from the latter place.

On the 19th the royalists were paraded with a view to assail Moore on
the following night; but he was thoroughly entrenched, and the bare
suspicion of such a project was contemplated caused two companions of
Cotton's corps to run off with their arms. On that day General MacDonald
sent the following letter to General Moore:

"Sir: I herewith send the bearer, Donald Morrison, by advice of the
Commissioners appointed by his Excellency Josiah Martin, and in
behalf of the army now under my command, to propose terms to you as
friends and countrymen. I must suppose you unacquainted with the
Governor's proclamation, commanding all his Majesty's loyal subject
to repair to the King's royal standard, else I should have imagined
you would ere this have joined the King's army now engaged in his
Majesty's service. I have therefore thought it proper to intimate to
you, that in case you do not, by 12 o'clock to-morrow, join the royal
standard, I must consider you as enemies, and take the necessary
steps for the support of legal authority.

I beg leave to remind you of his Majesty's speech to his Parliament,
wherein he offers to receive the misled with tenderness and mercy,
from motives of humanity. I again beg of you to accept the proffered
clemency. I make no doubt, but you will show the gentleman sent on
this message every possible civilty; and you may depend in return,
that all your officers and men, which may fall into our hands shall
be treated with an equal degree of respect. I have the honor to be,
in behalf of the army, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,

Don. McDonald.
Head Quarters, Feb. 19, 1776.
His Excellency's Proclamation is herewith enclosed."

Brigadier General Moore's answer:

"Sir: Yours of this day I have received, in answer to which, I must
inform you that the terms which you are pleased to say, in behalf of
the army under your command, are offered to us as friends and
countrymen, are such as neither my duty or inclination will permit me
to accept, and which I must presume you too much of an officer to
accept of me. You were very right when you supposed me unacquainted
with the Governor's proclamatio