*Battles of Piney Creek & Beatti's Bridge, 3-4 Aug 1781

A pension applicant named Isaac Lefever gave testimonly of his wartime activity under Captain Stephen Tompkins. The following court record reveals that the instigating factor for the Battle of Beatti's Bridge in August of 1781: the deprediation by Tories of the 'widow Tompkins' property along the Pee Dee River. This was none other than Mary Tompkins, widow of Stephen's uncle, Thomas Tompkins: ‘He [Lefever] was a volunteer in Captain James Fairs Company in Anson County in the state of North Carolina about the year 1778. Said Company belonged to Colonel Wade's command. Major Jones was one of the field officers, and deponent was elected and served a short time as Lieutenant in Fair's Company. That Fair's Company was detailed for one expedition against a party of Tories who had committed depredations at widow who Tompkins house & plantation -- that said Company pursued and came up with them at Pedee [River]. The Tories broke and ran upon the first fire leaving the notorious Tories Captain Hickman and John Dinkins dead on the field. The former of whom was shot by this deponent.”

This testimony of Rev. War solider Charles Hinson, another post-war pension applicant who fought under Capt. Tompkins, gives further details of the enusing battle: "I again volunteered in the County of Anson, North Carolina under Capt Duke Glenn in the month of January 1781 and was marched into So. Carolina and joined General Sumpter and was in an Engagement with the Enemy at the head of S--- Hore[?] (now black River) Lord Rawdon was then in possession of Camden I was then marched back to North Carolina on Pee dee River when owing to some cowardly conduct of Capt Glenns he was tryed by a Court Martial and was disgraced and Cashiered I was then placed under the command of Capt Stephen Tomkins and was marched to Drowning Creek and was engaged against the Tories in the Battle of Baties Brige I served seven months and was discharged in August 1781...."

COURT RECORD OF THE ABOVE: 'Personally appeared in open Court William Ricketts a man of credibility a resident of the County of Anson State of North Carolina who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath Make the following statement viz- That he saw Charles Hinson the above named applicant engaged in the American service in the time of the revolutionary war during the spring and summer of the year 1781 under Captain Stephen Tompkins, Col Wades Regiment and was with him the a considerable part of the time of 3[?] months Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 10th day of April aD 1833." [Source: National Archives pension application file S7014 [North Carolina])]

*Battle of Little Raft Swamp, 1 Sep 1781

Col. Thomas Wade - Commanding Officer

Anson County Regiment of Militia detachment led by Col. Thomas Wade, with at least four (4) known companies, led by:

- Capt Patrick Boggan

- Capt. Alexander "Red" McNeill (Cumberland Co.)

- Capt. John Randle

- Capt. Stephen Tomkins

Richmond County Regiment of Militia detachment led by Col. Thomas Crawford, with at least three (3) known companies, led by:

- Capt. William Hunter

- Capt. John Speed

- Capt. William Wall

Chatham County Regiment of Militia detachment led by Col. John Luttrell, with at least one (1) known company, led by:

- Capt. Abner Nash

A total of ~450 men.

*Battle of Lindy Mill, 13 Sep 1781 in North Carolina

- Brig. Gen. John Butler - Commanding Officer

- Salisbury District Brigade of Militia detachment led by Col. Thomas Wade, with the following units:

- Anson County Regiment of Militia detachment led by Col. Thomas Wade, with three (3) known companies, led by:

- Capt. Patrick Boggan

- Capt. Joseph Howell

- Capt. Stephen Tomkins