The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-08-14 00:00:00, page 3

Extract of a letter from major-general
High Hills of Santee, July 17, 1781.
I Did myfelf the honour to address your excellency
on the 22d ofJune, at Little River, near Ninety -Six,'
since which we have been constantly upon the move.
In the afternoon of, the 23d, I got intelligence that the
enemy had crossed the Saluda, and were advancing ra-.
pdly to attack us. I immediately put the army in
motion, having few of no militia with me,' and retired
towards Charlotte, on which route we<had previously
ordered provisions and forage to be provided. The,
enemy pursued us two days ; but as our fic'k, wounded
and stores, had all been sent off before, they could ef
fed nothing, though they came on as light as possible,
leaving even their khapfacks and blankets behind them.
The enemy advanced no farther than the Enoree, as
we rendered their fubfiflence difficult, by difrhantling
the mills as we retired. On the morning of the 26th,
they began to retire towards Ninety-Sik. We halted
near the Cross Roads, at a point proper to file off to
wards the Congaree, and favourable to return to the
siege of Ninety-fix. As the enemy retired I kept the
legion close to their heels. • Lord Rawdon lay at Nine
ty-Six only two days; and then, with a little more
than one half his force, he began bis march for the Con
garee, leaving colonel Cruger at Ninety-Six,' with the
remainder. From these appearances it was evident the
enemy intended to hol'd the post of Ninety-Six, and re
eftablilh one on the Congaree at Friday's ferry. To
prevent the enemy from establishing a post there, and
holding there ground at Ninety Six, (which served to
awe the Georgians, and encourage the Indians, who
frequently committed depredations within 30 or 40
miles of us) we left our baggage, ftpres and invalids
behind us at Winnfborough, with orders to proceed to
Camden ; and marched the army with all possible ex
pedition for the Congafees. His lordship arrived there
two days before tis; but on our approach he retired
to Orangeburgh, with evident marks of precipitati
on, which discovered that our movements were un
expected.
Captain Eggleflone, of lieutenant-colonel Lee's legion,
made a ftfoke at his horse, which served to encreafe
his fears. Inclofed is lieutenant-colonel Lee's report
®f the affair. The address and gallantry of captain
Eggleflone, upon the occasion, cannot be too highly
commended.
From a persuasion #bat the enemy would attempt to
re-establish themselves at the Congaree, I had directed
generals Sumptef and Marion to colled all the force
they could, and meet me at that place. I left the ar
*ny on the march, and joined the cavalry near the ene.
my, that 1 might the better direct the force to the most
proper point fur operating to advantage.
We got intelligence by an intercepted letter, that
colonel Stewart, with a reinforcment, was convoying
a quantity of provisions and floras from Charleftown
to lord Rawdon. We made a rapid march, with the
whole of our cavalry, and a body of mounted infantry/
Under general Marion, to intercept them: but unfor
Innately we were too late; they formed their junHbn
without interruption : howevever, colonel Horry took
three of their waggons, which were a little in the rear,
loaded with a variety of stores.
On the a rival of the army at the Congaree, we cross
ed and drew our force together at B aver Creek;
and general Pickens was detached to watch the motions
of the enemy at Ninety Six. With the rest of our
force, having been joined by generals Sumper and
Marion with about 1000 men, competed of slate troops
and militia, we began our march on the 11th to at
tack the enemy at Orangeburgh, and arrived before
the place on the 12th: but we found them so firong
tend advantageously ported, that we had little hopes of
Succeeding in an attempt, especially as otir cavalry,
from the nature of the ground, and position of the
enemy, could not be brought to aft to advantage:
mor could we have improved a defeat, as thte enemy had
a fafe retreat over the Eddiftoe fiver ; and the only
pass defended by a large brick jail, not inferior tp a
good redoubt. In this building, and in several others
near it, their troops were ported. Secured on one
fide by an impassible river, and covered by the other
by strong buildings, little was to be expedca from an
attack.
Tn this situation we got intelligence of the evacuation
of Ninety-Six, and that colonel Cruger, and the troops
With him were on the march, in the forks of the Eddiftoe,
for Orangeburgh. There was no possibility of firik
ing at him, as the north branch of Eddiftoe, which lay
between us, had no other pass for thirty miles, either
above or below, than that which the enemy occupied.
As the evacuation of Ninety-Six was one great object
of our manoeuvre, and as the enemy were driven from
the Congaree, we thought it most advifeable to attack
their lower ports at Monk's Corner and Dorchester ;
by which we were in hopes to for.e the enemy at
Orangeburg to retire into the lower country for the
protection of those ports. Generals Sumpter and Marian,
with the legion cavalry, are detached upon this ser
vice, and began their march from Orangeburgh on the
13th, at which time we began our's for this place to
refrefh the army, and.to form a junction with general
Sumner and a body of militia, expected from Salisbury
dirtriQ. The day after we left Orangeburgh the ene
my formed a junction with the troops from Ninety-
Six, and had made no movements the day before yes
terday.
The late reinforcement which arrived in Charlef
town amounted to a little more than 2000 men, and
had orders only just to call there, but were not ex
peded to be wanted, and were to have gone to the
northward. One of the regiments mutinied a few
days since at Dorchester; in quelling which near an
hundred men were killed and wounded: It is said to
have afifeh from the nature of the service the men
were employed in, different from what they expected.
They came over as fetilers, not as soldiers.
POSTSCRIPT 3 to the Pennsylvania Packet. Tuesday, August 14, 17^/4
Greene, dated head-quarters, on the
Nothing can equal the cruel ravages of the enemy
in these parts, where they leave the country. The
tories are all ordered down below Orangeburg, but I
believe few will go ; and lam happy to hear a far less
number have joined the enemy, in. thei, late move
ments, than was expeDed. The militia on our fide are
encreafing : In Georgia a considerable body are collect
ed, andin readiness to defend the Rate."
Extract of a letter from lieutenant colonel L^e, rioted
, , July 3d.
" KNOWING the distressed slate of the Britifli ar-,
my, and having learnt that his lordfllip had left a body
of his cavalry at Ninety-Six, 1 detached ca ptain Arm
flrong with an additional troop to reinforce captain
Eggleflone, with advice to pass the river Saluda, to
gain the forage country, and to seek an opportunity for
flriking at the enemy's foragers.
" In the night of the 2d captain Eggleflone fortu
tynately eroded the enemy undifeoyered, and took a
judicious position two miles in their front. Early in the
ensuing morning, the main body of the British horse
were observed advancing. On the firft notice prepa
rations were made for manoeuvring, and the enemy
presuming on a militia prize, pushed on with vigour :
They were met with great gallantry, and were in a few
moments entirely defeated, and pursued to the piquets
of the army. One captain, one lieutenant, and one
cornet and forty five privates were brought off, with
their horses, arms and accoutrements ; but one man
escaped.
" Captain Eggleßohe (peaks in the most handsome
terms, of the zeal displayed by the soldiers on this oc
casion, and declares the greatest obligations to capt.
Armstrong and cornet Winston, who seconded his ex
ertions with the most exemplary intepidity and judg
ment. Captain Eggleflone has claim to every praise,
for his efforts, and adds to the many obi nations
which his zeal for the public service, and unwearied
attention to duty, had imposed on his commanding
officer." Fuhlifhed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
By a gentleman from the eartward, w- havd received
the following intelligence from Penobfeot, which may
be depended on : that the enemy continue to fit out
their small privateers daily: that 15 fail of which
were nearly ready for sea including those which have
lately failed from that place: that their others were to
cruise along the Eartern Shore chiefly, with intent to
take all coafiers, or other vessels which may not,be arm
ed ; therefore, coaflers, &c. may through timely notice,
prevent themselves from falling into the hands of their
most inveterate enemies. It is said, that one Mowat
is at the head of the above plunderers. The infamous
Long, who lately made his escape from this place, had
a vessel fitted immediately for him upon his arrival at
penobfeot § and has often threatened, that if ever he
has it it in his power, he, is determined to burn and
fink all veff Is that he may hereafter fail in with, be
longing to the Americans.
We learn that provisions are exceeding scarce at Pe,
nobfeot, corn not to l>e had for lets than five silver dol
lars per bushel, and other necerfaries of life in propor
tion,
Since pur last arrived here the privateer ship Mar
quis, captain Cowell, from a cruise of 12 w &s, during
which he has captured a brig from Portfmoutb, bound
Kr Newfoundland ; her cargo consists of dry goods,
salt, cordage, &c.
Captain Cowell, in lat. 48—50, fell in with a British
fllip from Liverpool, Sound for New York (on the 29th
tilt, about one o'clock, P, M.) and engaged her jard
arm and yard arm, upwards of two glares; but he
finding the British flip to be of much superior force,
she mounting 32 guns, four, fix and nine pounders,
after the Marquis had eight men killed and fourteen
wounded, her hull, marts, yards, figging, and fails
being much damaged, captain Cowell thought proper
to leave her, he not having men enough to give her
another broadside: he supposed the loss of the British
to be very great, as there was a continual run of blood
from the fhip's scuppers,
We have been favoured with a number of London
papers which came in the Marquis, one of which
mentions; that the Dutch fleet contifting of 27 fail,
which was captured at St. Eurtatia, and ordered for
England, has been retaken by La Mothe Piquet, and
have all (afe arrived at &est.
Several important pieces of intelligence, contained
in these Epglifh papers, we have omitted this week, ow
ing to ouy not deceiving them timely. The followjn g
is what we present our readers with at present, viz.
LOND O N, May %
. Since the news pf the unfortunate capture of opr
Eu"latia fleet on the 2d current, the public has 'been
fettered Mith a variety of reports concerning .them.
One of these yesterday went so far as to fay,'that the
grand fleet, under admiral Darby, had fallen in with
them, and retaken all the tranffofrts, together with
four line of battle ships belonging to the French, and
that one only of their men of war had escaped. We
are sorry to add that no confi mation has yet been
received bf this matter. It it some consolation, how
ever, to reflect, that after the worst which has happen
ed touching this misfortune, the Vengeance, with all
the prize money on board her, is certainly fife.
May 19. An express was received yeflerday mor
ning at tbW admiralty from Plymouth, with an account
of the arrival of one of the government cutters, the
maftef of which has brought intelligence, that ie saw
the whole of the French ihips with their prizes, in the
entrance of the British channel, long. 0 35, lat. 48.
30, fleeting with a fair wind for Bred harbour, where
they muff have arrived in the common course of pro
bable events, a week ago.
So much are the India companyin want of flipping,
in consequence of Ryder Ally's incurfon ihto the Car
natic, and the redudion of Arcot, that a by law, con
fining the company to a particular number of v&fel#
SALE M, Jay fE
However, after the arrival of an 4prefs to the com-J
mandant, part of the 30th regiment and all the Hessians
that could be spared were sent out in all haste, and re
leased the igth, which would have been obliged to
surrender, had not that reinforcement come so soon to
t^eir relief. General Greene is encamped upon the
high hills of Santee ; le has issued ordersfor all the fa
milies of those who are with the Brififfi, to remove
immediately within the British line; .Ifaw a person
yeftefday who was very lately in his camp ; he fays,
tjiat he read the general order, mentioning, that gene
ral Greene would provide waggons for those who bad
no convenience to move their families. A large rein-,
for cement, under the command of general Sumner, are
upon their march to join general Greene, and, accord
ing to accounts we have, they muff have joined by
this time. This is e%a& truth of tie matter, and you
may communicate it to whom you please, who may
depend upon it.""
From Rivington's Royal Gazette, dated August 8.
extract of a letter .from London, dated June 5.
" Admiral Darby is returned without detaching any
ships to the westward, and Ifft admiral l)igby, : with,
ten fail of the line, to prote& our .homeward bound
trade: In his absence, La Mott^PicqUet flipped out with
fix ships, and captured twenty fail of fir George Rod
ney's hufiatia prizes. Tfoey were kept in the chops
of the cheque! by a firong easterly wind, which pre
vented admiral Darby's earlier return to England, ©r
the Monneur might have repented his epterprize.
"A detachment of, eleven fail of the line left Cadiz
soon after Admiral Darby failed to the northward, to
meet their fota soon expected from Havanna, I believe
they have few others fit to keep the sea. The French
have about 2'o fail of the line at Brest and Rothfort,
which 1 believe will be all ready this month;; and I
hope ours will be out time enough to prevent their get
ting away to join the Spaniards atCadi£ De Graffs
detached fix fail of the line to the Bast, aud took with
him nineteen, and a fifty gun ship to the Weft Indies :
there are at Martinique four, which makes twenty
three : and fir George Rodney has twenty-one, with
which I make no doubt he,will both face and beat the
French fauadron : Mons. Monteil has left the Havanna,
and returned with four fail to St Domingo, s o we shall
(till, I flatter myfelf, maintain, our superiority on the
American teas ; and if de Graffe detaches for your coaff,
fir George will do the faroe. lam sorry admiral Digby
is detained out so long, for it will retard hi sdeparture
for New York, #s he roll not probably leave his fiarri
outiil the grand she; gets @uv"
was repealed on Tuesday, and leave given to the di;
re&ors to purchase some additional ships, which are ten
be freighted for different fettloments with the greatest
expedition. —— _
Philadelphia, August 14.
By the Black Prince, captain Robinson,
which arrived here on Sunday morning, af
ter a ffiort passage, from Cadiz, we have in
disputable authority to assure the Public,
ThMt the greatest part of the St. Euftatia
Fleet (having on board the gallant Mr.
Rodney's Plunder of that island) was fafe
arrived at Brest.
A very valuable ship, from Bristol bound
to New-York, is sent into our river by the
Rising Sun privateer, captain Caffon.
Extras of a letter from New-London, dated August r.'
Lart evening captain Dudley Saltonftall, in the
brig Minerva, carrying sixteen fix pounders, brought
intothis port the ship Hannah, Murray, Samson, and
company owners, from London, burthen 550 tons,
mounting sixteen fit pounders End 35 men, Thomas
Watson commander, which he took the 29th of July off
the Hook, m 35 fathoffi stater,>ftet an engagement of
two ^ldies., The captain of the Hannah affirms, insu
rance was made on her at Lloyd's for 80,cool, sterling,
and it is supposed field worth at leaf! 90,0001^ sterling.
A number of the invoices were thrown, over, board,
the/ invoices for 40,0001. sterling have been picked up-
Captain Watfou's people declare, that a French fleet
has captured all Rodney's st. Euftatia fleet, except two
" Last week the flcop Randolph, captain Peck,
brought in a flip from Bristol, worth io,oool. lawful
monry. Yeflerday the Schooner Young Cromwell, of
10 guns and 39 men, Wm. Reed, master, brought in
tothis port, a fchoonef. of 10 guns and 45 men, which'
was taken fix hours after she left New-York; and a
number of small privateers have been lately sent in
herfy which I cannot particularize."
Extras of an authentic letter from a gentleman at the
southward, to his friend in this city, July 28, 1781.
On Sunday the 15th instant, a party of horse, head
ed by V ade Hampton, came down unexpectedly from
Monk's Corner, fiopt at Goose Creek Church, at the
time of service, and made the congregation prifoners
proceeded as low as the Quarter house, surprised a.
party or South-Carolina dragoons, killed the officer, a
few privates and carried away the remainder, with
about 60 horses; after having paroled some others that
happened to be there. One captain John Wright,
who was with the party, was killed, but I heard of
nobody e!fe Lord Rawdon is now in town;te came
lately from Ninety - Six with part of his army, which
he left at Dorchester; the greatest part was left" at
Orangeburgh, under the command of colonel Cruger-
The 19th regiment which was ported at Monk's Cor
ner, being obliged to retreat, after having destroyed
them baggage, crossed at Huger's Bridge, and made a
fland at Shubrick's plantation, where they were at
tacked by a considerable party of colonel Sumpter's
half of the regiment were either killed, wounded or
tiken ; the remainder so surrounded after the aftim
was over, that they could not look out.