WILLIAMSBURG, June 27, 1777.
Deserted from my recruits, James Orange and Larking Rogers, both of which enlisted with me in Caroline. Orange is 6 feet 2 inches high, very lusty, well made, and has dark eyes and hair; had on when he went away a light cloth coat and breeches with pewter buttons numbered 17. Rogers, I understand, has enlisted with capt. Samuel Scott of the Georgia battalion; he is about 5 feet 10 inches high, and has a down lock. Whoever apprehends the said deserters, and delivers them to the commanding officer at Williamsburg, shall have 20 dollars reward for each.
CHA: YARBOROUGH, lieut.
Virginia Gazette (Purdie) June 27, 1777
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About this entry:
Charles Yarborough was with the 1st Virginia Regiment until he transferred to the Continental Army in 1778. We do not know whether or not he found Orange or Rogers, but Rogers is listed by his descendents as a soldier enlisted in North Carolina.
Language notes:
Lusty could be defined as spirited. A down lock is a growth of soft fine hair. (Down is the plumage of birds' feathers.)
Sources: Heitman, p 609; Daughters, v3 p2300. OED
