 Hogun was named a major in the 7th North Carolina Regiment in April 1776 , and was given command of the unit on November 26 , 1776 . Initially , the regiment had some difficulty organizing after several of the officers delayed their military work in order to take care of their personal affairs . Hogun was forced to reprimand his officers sharply , threatening them with the loss of their commissions . At the same time , currents of doubt ran through North Carolina , as Loyalists attempted to hinder enlistment of Patriots by spreading rumors about the imminent demise of the Patriot army in the north , and disease that was allegedly ravaging that force . 
