Major Thomas Mathews, court of enquiry, June 4, 1779.

At a court of enquiry held at Williamsburg the 4th of June 1779, by order of Thomas Marshall, Esq.; Colonel of the State regiment of artillery, and commander of the troops of the Commonwealth, on the conduct of Major Thomas Mathews of the state artillery, respecting the evacuation of Fort Nelson on the 10th of May, his retreat subsequent thereto, and the measures he took to secure the publick stores, at the request of the said Major Thomas Mathews: Lieutenant Colonel Muter, President, Captains Charles Porterfield, Elias Edmonds, Charles de Klauman, and Samuel Crawley.

The court having considered the facts as stated by the several persons examined, are unanmiously of openion, that the evacuation of Fort Nelson by Major Mathews on the 10th of May was necessary, and that Major Mathews in his retreat, and the removal of the public stores, acquitted himself as a judicious, attentive, and brave officer.

George Muter, President.  After maturely considering the several circumstances, attending the several subjects of the above inquiry, I do most heartily concur in opinion with the court.

T. Marshall, Col. S.A.

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Source of Information

The Va. Gazette, Williamsburg, June 26, 1779.