The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-09-04 00:00:00, page 2

That they separated off Madeira, and their purple
Kas to attack the squadron under my command where
ever they could find it, of which they had received a
corre& lift at Brest: that the Artefien fi r ft difeovered
us lying in the road, and tacked towards Monsieur
Suffrein to acquaint him of it : that he instantly order
ed them to prepare for the attack; and being asked by
Mons. CardaiUiac, the captain of the Artefien, what
they should do if the Portuguese forts should fire upon
them ? He delired them to fire at the Portuguese forts
also.
After an action of such length, in such a situation,
in fmodth water, with large (hips so near each other, it
is furprizing to find how few men have been killed, and
what flight images his majesty's (hips have received.
The Monmouth lying within a cable's length had
not a man killed, and only 6 wounded.
The Jupiter had two wounded.
The Isis had four killed, and five wounded.
The Romney had seven wounded ; and the other
(hips according to the lift inclofed.
The Jason and Latham India (hips, who lay at the
furtheft distance from the enemy, had 4 killed and 14
wounded; among the number of the killed is lieuten
ant Keith of the Tafon, a brave and worthy officer.
Several of the naft India (hips have fuffered in their
malls, yards, and rigging, but nothing that will im
pede the voyage, or which cannot be repaired even here
with security.
The fate of the Infernal firelhip, and Terror borrb,
deserves to be particularly related : They had come
from the isle of May two days before, and lay to the
eartward, without all the (hips, not with (landing my
orders in writing had been ftriftly given, and punctu
ally communicated, for all the small (hips to anchor
within the rest. The Terror had sprung her bowfpirit,
and was filling of it, with her rigging loose, when the
enemy appeared, and one of the 64 gun ships layed
her on board.
The Terror catched fire, and the enemy durst not
take possession of her, though often invited so to do by
captain Wood. She then cut her cable, and drove to
sea, where (he loft her bowsprit and foremart.
One of the French ships again followed her in this
miserable condit on, and fired several (hot at the Ter
ror; yet captain Wood, feeing us preparing to come
out, would not strike his colours, but bravely contriv
ed to set some flay fails, and Aide off in that shattered
condition.
The fire ship went '0 sea, and was taken by the ene
my, by what means I cannot relate; but I have good
reason to believe she was afterwards either abandoned
by the enemy or retaken by the crew, as the Jupiter
saw her next day to leeward, and landing towards us,
with her distinguishing vanes and answering flag abroad.
The Fortitude India ship behaved with uncommon
bravery. She was boarded by the Artefien, who fired
many guns into her; several of the enemy's crew jump
ed on board the Fortitude; yet in this situation cap
tain Jenkinfon, of the 98th regiment, kept up a con
flant fire with small arms; several of the enemy were
shot an the shrouds, and two were forced over board,
and ttken up again into the Fortitude, after the two
ships had Separated.
The Hinchenbrook was also miserably Cut and man
gled by the Artefien, before she was taken.
Many of the other India ships fuffered considerable
damages, particularly the Lord North, Ofterly and A
sia ; and the Edward victualler was nearly funk and car
ried out to sea, though afterwards abandoned.
With great difficulty, after turning many days, we
recovered this bay with the Fortitude, aad we towed
in the Hinchinbrook and Edward.
Every possible exertion has been used since to repair
the various damages which the ships had sustained and
the whole convoy are as completely refitted as circum
flances will allow ; in the execution of which service I
am chiefly indebted to the indefatigable attention of
captain Pafley, whose zeal in this, and every other oc
casion, I with may be represented to his majefly.
To add to our embarrassments, the Porto sloop, who
joined us that day we got back, run foul of the Hero,
and loft her fore mart and bowsprit.
I have judged it proper to put captain Sutten, of the
Jfis, under an arrest.
Since writing the above^ccount, the Infernal fire ship
has joingi us. The enemy had abandoned her on our
approach, having taken away captain Darby and five
seamen, and nine soldiers of the ,Bth regiment.
Lieutenant Hamilton has been ever since turning up
to gain this port, which shews the impossibility of join
ing the convoy if I had followed the enemy.
The firefhip has fuflained little or no damages.
We shall fail from this island tomorrow; and the
Porto sloop will be ready to proceed for England the
day after with these dispatches.
I am, with the greatest refped, my lord,
Your lordship's mod obedient,
and mod humble servant,
GEO. JOHNSTONE.
Lift of the killed and wounded in the ships and velfels
under the command of commodore Johnftone, in an
a&ion with a French squadron commanded by mon
sieur de Suffrein, on the 16th of April, 1781, in Port
Praya road, in the island of St. Jago.
Romney. 7 seamen or petty officers wounded, 3 ditto
since dead of their wounds.
Monmouth. 1 seaman or petty officer, 5 soldiers or
marines wounded.
Hero. 2 seamen or petty officers wounded.
Jfis. I seaman or petty officer, 3 soldiers or marines
killed, 4 seamen or petty officers, 1 soldier or ma
rine wounded, 1 seaman or petty officer since dead
of his wounds.
Jupiter, i seaman or petty officer, 1 soldier or ma
rine wounded.
Jason. 2 seamen or petty officers killed, 4 seamen or'
petty officers, 3 soldiers or marines wounded.
Aftive. None.
Diana. 3 seamen or petty officers, 3 foldit or marines
wounded.
Rattlesnake. None.
Infernal. 1 seaman or petty officer killed, 2 seamen
or petty officers wounded, 4 seamen or petty offi .ers,
9 soldiers or marines taken prisoners.
Terror. 2 soldiers or marines killed, 6 seamen or pet '
ty officers, wounded.
San Carlos. 3 seamen or petty officers, 3 soldiers or
marines wounded.
Pondicherry. 4 soldiers or marines killed, 1 seaman
or petty officer, 9 soldiers or marines wounded, 1
soldier or marine since dead of his wounds.
Royal Charlotte 1 soldier or marine killed, r seaman
or petty officer, 3 soldiers or marines wounded.
Porpoise. None.
Resolution. Ditto.
Manilla. Ditto.
Elizabeth Bomb Tender. Ditto.
Essex. 2 soldiers or marines kill'd, 1 seaman or petty
officer, 6 soldiers or marines wounded.
Lord North. None-
Queen. 1 seamen or petty officer, 2 soldiers or marines
killed, 6 seamen or petty officers, 4 soldiers or ma
rines wounded.
Chapman. None.
Latham. 2 soldiers or marines killed, 1 seaman or pet
ty officer, 6 soldiers or marines wounded.
Hastings. 1 seamen or petty officer killed, 2 seamen
or petty officers wounded.
Southampton. None.
Oflerly. 1 seaman or petty officer killed, 6 seamen or
petty officers, 2 soldiers or marines wounded.
Valentine. 4 seamen or petty officers wounded.
Asia. 3 ditto wounded.
Hinchinbrook. 7 seaman or petty officers killed, 7
ditto wounded, 7 ditto taken prisoners
Locko. 2 soldiers or marines killed, 5 fe man or pet
ty officers, 2 soldiers or marines wounded.
Fortitude. 2 seamen or petty officers, 2 soldiers or
marines wounded ; 3 ditto since dead of their wounds.
Sykes. None.
Elizabeth. Ditto.
Admiral Keppel. Ditto.
Jupiter. Ditto.
Prudence Ditto.
Union. Ditto.
Edward. Ditto.
Nancy. Ditto.
Three Sifters. Ditto.
Content. 1 soldier or marine wounded.
Eagle. None.
Myrtle. Ditto.
TOT A L.
16 seamen or petty officers killed, 77 ditto wounded,
4 ditto since dead of their wounds, 11 ditto taken
prisoners.
20 soldiers or marines killed, 63 ditto wounded, 4 ditto
since dead of their wounds, 9 ditto taken prisoners.
OFFICERS KILLE D.
George Keith, firfl lieutenant of the Jason.
Captain Crawford, of the 100th regiment, on board
the Ofterly Bast Indiaman.
Lieutenant M'Donal, of ditto, 00 board ditto.
Lieutenant Griffin, of the 98th regiment, on board the
Pondicherry armed transport.
Lieutenant Morris, of ditto, in a boat coming from
the fhorc.
Henry Roach, matter of the Porpoise armed transport.
The Surgeon of the Oflerly East India ship.
OFFICERS WOUNDE D.
Lieutenant Donald | Campbell, of the Terror bomb
vessel.
Lieutenant Hind, of the 98th regiment.
Ensign Scott, of ditto, on board the Fortitude East-
Indiaman.
PRISONER.
Captain Henry D'Efterre Darby, commander of his
Majesty's firefllip, Infernal, taken prisoner by the
French.
GEO. JOHNSTONE.
B OS T 0 N, August 23.
Duplicate, N°- 6.
My Lord, Charleftown, June 27, 1781.
AFTER the advantages gained by lord Rawdon,
on the 25th of April, over general Greene's army,
of which your lordship was informed, by my dispatch
of theist ultimo, the general flats of this province, the
the almost universal revolt of his inhabitants, and the
many parties of the enemy which were every where
harraffing it, rendering it expedient to relinquish the
post at Camden, lord Rawdon therefore quitted that
place, after having again offered battle' to general
Greene, who, secured in a firong position behind Saw
ney creek, could by no efforts be induced from it.
On the corps under lord Rawdon falling back to
waids this town, the enemy, by detachments, inverted
the ports at Mott'shoufe, Congarees and Augu fla,
having previously taken that at Wright's-Bluff : These
ports, my lord, had been established for controuling
the country, and preserving its communications. Un
fortunately, from the fuperiory of the enemy, and the
impossibility of immediate relief, as affairs Were then
circumstanced, these garrisons were obliged to surren
der, though gallantly defended ; however, I have the
fatisfadion to inform your lordship, that the stores in
them were but inconsiderable, and the amount of re
gular troops, in all, not exceeding 600, and even they
have fin e been exchanged, under a cartel which has
lately taken place between my lord Cornwallis and
major general Greene, for the release of all prisoners of
war in the southern dirtrid.
Having accomplished these smaller purposes, general
Greene combined his forces and laid close siege to
Ninety fix, the most commanding and important of
all the ports in the back country, and which was there
fore maintained by about 350 men, exclusive of mili
tia, and put under the charge of lieutenant colonel
Cruger, an able and zealous officer.
Tnus circumstanced was this province, when a re
inforcement of three regiments from Ireland arrived ;
and as feon as the necessary arrangements could be
made, lord Rawdon, having under him a corps of near
2000 men, proceeded to the relief of Ninety fix, an un
dertaking, from the mnfavourablenefs of the climate at
this season, which your lordship knows must have been
attended with many difficulties and much fatigue, but
which the zeal and exertion of the troops enabled them
to furmoout.
General Greene, on finding this corps approaching
hire, took the resolution of attempting to fform the
garrison, as an expedient less dangerous and decifr/ e
than coming te aHion with lord Rawdon. On l
morning of the 19th instant, he therefore made the ex
periment, but by the gallantry of the troops, was r e°
pulsed, having, as acknowledged by the enemy, at leaf;
75 killed, and 150 wounded. On this occasion, and
during the siege, our loss was truly inconsiderable, tho'
at present I am unable to fpecify to your lordship the
particulars of it.
Thus disappointed in his views, general Greene, the
ensuing day, raided the siege and retired, with his ar
my, behind the Saluda, to a firong situation, within
16 miles of Ninety-fix, at which place lord Rawdon
arrived on the 21ft. 1
The essential service done by the troops under col.
Cruger, in their gallant defence of the post, which
was closely pressed by the enemy, and the noble spirit
with which they repelled the a ffault of all Greene's ar
my, is much too obvious to require any tribute I could
pay to such distinguished merit.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordfllip's most obedient
and most humble servant,
W. BALFOUR.
Right hon. lord George Germain, &c. &c.
Duplicate, N°- 7.
My Lord, Charleflown, July 2, 1711.
DY the Prince William Henry packet, I was h%
° noured. on the 28th ult. with the duplicates of
your lordship's letters of the 7th of March and 4th of
April last, the originals of which have not yet come
to hand.
Your lordship may be assured, that no exertions on
my pa t will be wanting for the defence and maintain
ance of this place, which has lately received, from
works conftrufted by the commanding engineer, lieu
tenant colonel M ncrieffe, every additional fecurit,
which profeffional abilities can bestow.
Since the date of my dispatch, No. 6, I have been
honoured with two letters fron lord Rawdon, who
pursued general Greene to the fords of the Ennoree,
but, though near, was unable t, come up with him,
from the uncommon precipitancy with which the ene
my retreated, and their having so much the advance
on the march.
This circumfiance, and the great fatigue of the troops
in attempting to counteract it, rendering improbable
all hopes of overtaking general Greene's army, so as
to effect any thing decisive. Lord Rawdon is returned
to Ninety-Six, and general Greene having passed the
Tyger, and Broad rivers, it would from thence seem,
that the object of his march pointed towards Virginia,
which I am the rather inclined to believe, from the in
telligence, to which however I do not give the fulled
credit, which has reached me, of his being ordered
there, to join the force now under generals la Fayette
and Wayne.
The last dispatches which I have received from lord
Cornwallis, were dated at Peterfburgh, the 25th of May,
and give accounts of his having accomplished his junc
tion with the army under the late major general Phil
lips : His lordship was at that time proceeding in the
pursuit of la Fayette, who daily expected to be rein
forced by a corps under general Wayn, detached by
general Washington to his support.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordship's most obedient humble servant,
W. BALFOUR.
Right honourable lord George Germain, &c. &c.
[The above are copies of two original letters from
colonel Balfour to lord George Germain, taken in a pac
ket bound from Charleflown, South Carolina, to Lon
don. Attest. John Avert, fecretary.]
Monday arrived in port, the letter of marque ship
Fox, belonging to Falmouth, and brought in with her
a large prize ship, loaded with rice indigo, furrs, &c.
homeward bound, from Charleftown, South-Carolina.
OnTuefday evening arrived in town, captain Samu
el Tucker, and Dr. William Ramsey, of the Thora
cruizer, from the island of St John's, which place they
were carried into by captain fir William Younge, of
the Hynde British ship of war, from whom (as well as
from governor Patterson, of that island ) they confefs
to have experienced every mark of humanity and polite
ness, of which they entertain a grateful sense.
A ship from New-York bound to Penobcot with se
veral refugee tories, was taken a few days ago by a
small privateer from Newbury port, and is fafe arriv
ed.
Also two brigs from New York, bound to Quebec,
were captured by a privateer from Portsmouth.
Wednesday last arrived here a cartel from Newfound
land, with 390 prisoners, all in good health, having
been used with more than common humanity and kind
ness.—She was fitted out there with provisions, &c. f r
only 300 but the admiral kindly offered them to bring
as many more as they pleifed with that allowance ;
and in order to relieve their brethren from capti
vity. they agreed to be at ihort allowance, and took
90 more on board ; notwithflanding which, they all ar
rived as above, not one tick among the whole—How
eve rfe the treatment of our unhappy brethren at New-
York ! —When will retaliation take place ?
Extract of a letter dated on board the Jersey (vulgar
ly called HELL) PRISON-SHIP, New-York, Ay.
guff 10 1781.
" There is nothing but death or entering into tie
British service before me. Our ship company is reduc
ed to a small number (by death and entering into the
British service ) of 19— There is a partial cartel arrived
and bro't 11 prisoners, and the names of so many as
makes up that number, sent from Boston by somebody,
and damn the villain that trades that way, tho' there
is many such in, that are making widows and father
lefs children a curse on them all The comiffary toll
us one and all to the number of 400 mm, that the whole
fault lays on Boston, and we might all be exchanged,
but they never cared about us ; and he said the com
missaries were damned rougues and liars.
“ I am not able co give you even the out-lines of my
exile ; but thus much I will inform you, that we bury
6,7, ^, 9 10, and 11 men in a day ; we have 203