February 20: North Carolina

   On February 20, 1776, American General James Moore wrote to General Donald MacDonald of the Loyalist Scottish Highland forces, “Agreeable to my promise of yesterday, I have consulted the officers under my command, respecting your letter, and am happy in finding them unanimous in opinion with me.  We consider ourselves engage in a cause the most glorious and honourable in the world, the defence of the liberties of mankind, in support of which we are determined to hazard everything dear and valuable; and in tenderness to the deluded people under your command, permit me, sir, through you, to inform them, before it is too late, of the dangerous and destructive precipice on which they stand, and to remind them of the ungrateful return they are about to make for their favourable reception in this country.”
    “I have no doubt that the bearer, Captain James Walker, will be treated with proper civility and respect in your camp.”   
   Any condescension in the letter was reciprocal.  In his October 26, 1775 speech before both Houses of Parliament, England's King George III referred to the “deluded multitude”  in America who supported the measures of the Continental Congress.   In his February 19 letter to Moore, MacDonald echoed the King's sentiments by referring to “misled” Americans.   For more background on the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (February 27, 1776), please consult the posts “King George and Broadswords!” and  “Feb. 13: Parker Leaves Cork...Finally,” as well as the entry on the subject at Wikipedia.