The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-09-02 00:00:00, page 2

HEAD-QUARTERS, Weft-Point, Aug. 23, 1779.
SIR,
1H AVE the honor to inclofe your Excellency Major
Lee's report of the furprize and capture of the garrison
of Powles Hook. The Major displayed a remarkable degree
of prudence, address, enterprise, and bravery upon this
occasion—which does the highest honor to himfelf and to
all the officers and men under his command. The fitua
tico pf toe post rendered the attempt critical, and the suc
cess brilliant: It was made in consequence of information
that the garrison was in a Rate of negligent security, which
the' event has juftified.
I am much indebted to Major General Lord Stirling fcr
the judicious measures he took to forward the enterprise,
and to secure the retreat of the party.
Lieut. M Callifter, who will have the boner of deliver
ing these dispatches, will present Congress with the ftamd
ard of the garrison which fell into his pofleffion during the
attack. Major Lee speaks of this gentleman's conduce in
the handsomest terms.
I have the honor to be,
IWith perfft refped and esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
G. WASHINGT ON.x
P. S. The report not having been received till this day,
prevented a speedier transmission. Major Lee mentions 20
men loft on our fide ;—Capt. Rudulph informs, that since
the report was concluded, several of the miffing had re
turned, which will lessen the supposed loss near one-half.
On reaching the point of separation, I found my firft
disposition impracticable both from the near approach of
day and the riling of the tide. Not a moment being to
spare, I paid no attention to the punctilios of honor or
rank, but ordered the troops to advance in their then dis
position. Lieutenant Rudulph, whom I had previously
detached to reconnoitre the passages of the canal, returned
to me at this point of time and reported that all was silence
within the works, that he had fathomed the canal and
found the passage on the center route flili admissible. This
intervening intelligence was immediately communicated
from front to rear, and the troops pushed on with that re
solution, order and coolness which ensures success.
,The forlorn hopes, led by Lieutenant M'Callifter of the
Maryland, and Lieutenant Rudulph of the dragoons,
marched on with trailed arms in most profound silence.
Such was the lingular address of these two gentlemen, that
the firfl notice to the garrison was the forlornes plunging
into the canal. A 1 ring immediately commenced from
the blocks houses and along the line of abattis, but did not
in the leaf! check the advance of the troops. The forlorn,
supported, by Major Clarke at the head of the right co.
lumn, broke through all opposition, and found ah entrance
into the main work. So rapid was the movement of the
troops that we gained the fort before the discharge of a
single piece of artillery. The center column, conduced
by Capt. Forfyth, co puffing the abattis took a direction
to their left. Lieutenant Arrnftrong led on the advance of
this column Tney soon possessed themselves of the offi
cers and troops polled at the house No. 6, and fully com
pleated every object of their destination. The rear co
lumn, under Captain Handy, moved forward in support
of the whole. Thus were we compleatly victorious in the
space of a few m aments.
The appearances of day-light, my apprehension least
some accident might have befallen the boats, the numerous
difficulties of the retreat, the harraffed date of the troops,
and the deftruTion of ail our ammunition by passing the
canal, coufphed in influencing me to retire the moment of
victory. Major Clarke, with the right column, was im
mediately put in motion with the greater part of the pri
soners. Captain Handy followed on with the remainder.
Lieutenants Armstrong and Reed formed the rear guard.
Immediately on the commencement of the retreat, I
sent forward Captain Forfyth to Prior's Mill to colled
such men fpm the different columns as were most fit for
a&ion, and to take post on the heights of Bergen to cover
the retreat.
On my reaching this place I was informed by Cornet
Neill, (who had been ported there during the night for the
purpose of laying the bridge and communicating with the
boats) that my messenger direded to him previous to the
attack bad not arrived, nor had he heard from Captain
Peyton who had charge of the boats.
Struck with apprehension that I should be disappointed
in the route of retreat, I rode forward to the front under
Major Clarke, whom I found very near the point of em
barkation and no boats to receive them. In this very cri
tical filiation I loft no time in my decision, but ordered
the troops to regain Bergen road and move on to the
New Bridge: At the fame time I communicated my dis
appointment to Lord Staling by express, then returned
to Prior's Bridge to the rear guard.
Oppressed by every possible misfortune; at the head of
troops worn down by a. rapid march of thirty miles, thro'
mountains, swamps and deep morasses, without the least
refreshment during the whole march, ammunition deftroy
wd, encumbered with prisoners, and a retreat of fourteen
SIR,
Lord Stirling was pleased to communicate to your Ex
tellency my verbal report to his Lordfllip of the 19th in
stant- I now do myfelf the honour to present a particular
relation of the enterprise which your Excellency was
pleaded to commit to my direction.
I took command of the troops employed on this occasi
on on the 18th : They amounted to four hundred infantry,
tompofed ot detachments from the Virginia and Maryland
divisions, and one troop of dismounted dragoons.
The troops moved fr^m the vicinity of the New Bridge
about four o'clock, P. M. Patroles of horse being detached
to watch the.cemmunication wi h the Nrrth River, and par
tiesof infantry flattened at the different avenues lead n c to
Powles-Hook: My anxiety to render the march as eaty
as poffibie, induced me to pursue the Bergen road lower
than intended. After filing into the mountains, the timi
dity or treachery of the principal guide prolonged a short
march into a march of three hours; by this means the
troops were exceedingly harraffed, and being obliged to
pals through deep mountainous woods to regain our route,
some parties of the rear were unfortunately separated.
This affeaed me most sensibly, as it not only diminished
the number of the men defline,d for the assault, but de
prived me of the aid of several officers of distinguished
merit.
PHILADELPHIA.
miles to make good, on a route admissible of irterceptiod
at several points by a march of two, three or four miles ;
one body moving in our rear, and another (from the in
telligence I had received from the captured officers) in all
probability well advanced on our right; a retreat naturally
importable to our left. Under all these diftreffiag circum
stances, my foie dependence was in the persevering gal
lantry of the officers and obstinate courage of the troops.
In this I was fully fatisfied by the shouts of the soldiery,
who gave every proof of unimpaired vigor oh the moment
that the enemy's approach was announced.
Having gained the point of interception opposite Wee
hock, Captain Handy was directed to move with his di
vision on the Mountain road in order to facilitate the re
treat. Captain Catlett, of the 2d Virginia regiment, for
tunately joined me at this moment at the head of fifty men
with good ammunition. I immediately halted this officer,
and having detached two parties, the one on the B#gen
road in thq rear of Major Clarke, the other on the banks
of the N,rth River, I moved with the party under com
mand of the Captain on the center foute. By these pre
cautions a sudden approach of the enemy was fully pre
vented. lam very much indebted to this officer and the
gentlemen under him for their alacrity and vigilance on
this occasion.
On the rear's approach to the Fort I.ee road we met a
detachment under the command of Colonel Ball, which
Lord Stirling had pulhed forward on the firft notice of our
situation to support the retreat. The Colonel moved on
and occupied a position which effectually covered ws.
Some little time after this, a body of the enemy (allud
ed to in the intelligence I mentioned to have received from
thefofficers white in the fort) made their appearance, ifo
ing out of the woods on our right, and moving thro' the
fields directly to the road. They immediately commenced
a fire upon my rear. Lieutenant Reed was ordered to face
them, while Lieut. Rudulph threw himfelf with a party
into a done house which commanded the road. These two
officers were directed mutually to support each other, and
give time for the troops to pass the English Neighbour
hood Creek, at the Liberty-Pole. On the enemy's observ
ing this disposition, they immediately retired by the fame
route they had approached, and gained the woods. The
precipitation with which they retired, preventing, the pos
sibility of Colonel Ball's falling in with them, saved the
whole.
The body which moved in our rear, having exceffivefy
fatigued themselves by the rapidity of their march, thought
prudent to halt before they came in contact with us.'
Thus, S r, was every attempt to cut off our rear com
pletely baffled. The troops arrived fafe at the New-Bridge
with all the prisoners ab@ut one o'clock, P. M. on the
nineteenth.
I fhou'd commit the highert injustice, was I not to ah
sure your Excellency that my endeavors were fully second
ed by every officer in his fiction; ner can any difcrimina
tiou jufily be made, but what arose from opportunity. The
troops vied with each other in patience under their many ,
fufferings, and conduced themselves in every vicissitude
of fortune with a resolution which refleas the highert ho
nor on them.
During the whole adion not a single musket was fired
on our fide, —the bayonet was ®ur sole dependance.
Having gained the fort, such was the order of the troop;
and attention of the officers, that the soldiers were pre
vented from plundering, altho' in the midfi of every fort.
American humanity has been again signally manifefled.
Self-prefervation ftromgly dilated, on the retreat, the put
ting the prisoners to death, and British cruelty fully jufti
fied it ; notwithstanding which, not a man was wantonly
hurt.
During the progress of the troops in the works, from
the different reports of my officers, I conclude not more
than 50 of the enemy were killed, and a few wounded.—
Among the killed is one officer, supposed (from his descrip
tion) to be a Captaimin Colonel Bufkirk's regiment. Our
loss on this occasion is very trifling. I have not yet had
a report from the detachment of Virginians; but, as I
conclude their loss to be proportionate to the loss of the
other troops, I can venture to pronounce that the loss of
the whole in killed, wounded and miffing, will not exceed
20. As soon as the report comes to hand, I will trans
mit to Head Quarters an accurate return. I herewith in
clofe a return of the prisoners taken from the enemy.
At every point of the enterprise I flood highly indebt
ed to Major Clarke for his zeal, activity and example.—
Captains Handy and Forfyth have claim to my particular
thanks for the support I experienced from' them on every
occasion. The Captains Reed, M'Clane, Smith, Crump
and Wilmot, behaved with the greatest zeal and intrepi
dity. I must acknowledge myfelf very much indebted to
Major Burnet and Capt. Peyton of the dragoons, for their
council and indefatigability in the previous preparations
to the attack. The premature withdraw of the boats, was
owing to the non-arrival of my dispatches; and though
a most mortifying circumflance, can be called nothing
more than unfortunate. Lieutenant Vanderville, who was
to have commanded one cf the forlornes, but was thrown
out by the alteration of the disposition of battle, conduc
ed himfelf perfectly soldier-like. The whole of the of
ficers behaved with the greatest propriety ; and, as I said
before, no discrimination can justly be made, but what
arose from opportunity.
The Lieutenants M'Callirter, Annftrong, Reed and Ru
dulph, distinguished themselves remarkably. Too much
praise cannot be given to those gentlemen for their prowess
and example. Capt. Bradford, of the train, who volun
teered it with me for the purpose of taking direction of the
artillery, deserves ray warmest thanks for his zeal and acti
vity. lam personally indebted to Capt. Rudulph and Dr.
Irvine of the dragoons, who attended me during the ex
pedition, for their many Services.
I beg leave to present your Excellency with the flag of
the fort by the hands of Mr. M'Callifter, the gentleman
into whole possession it fell.
It is needless for me to explain my reasons for the in
flantaneous evacuation of the fort. Your Excellency's
knowledge of the post, will fu'ggeft fully the propriety of
it. The event confirms it.
Among the many unfortunate circumstances which cross
ed our withes, none was more so than the accidental ab
sence of Col. Bufkirk and the greatest part of his regiment.
They had set out on an expedition up the North-River
the very night of the attack. A compsny of vigilant Hes
sians had taken their place in the fort, which rendered the
secrecy of approach more precarious, and, at the fame
On board the Continental Sloop Argo, Auguji 27, 17*9.'
SIR,
I failed from Providence in t^e State of Rhode Ifhnd,
by order of Major General Gates, on a cruize against the
enemies of the United States the 2d ms. uni on the sth I
saw a fail and gave chace to her, after coming up with
her, and bringing her too, I found her to be a schooner
mounting 4 carriage guns, named the Count D'Eftaipg a
prize to the brig King George, immediately after manning
her, I made fail and flood the course that I was informed
by the prisoners, the King George bore.
On the 7th at two o'clock P. M. I observed a fail
Landing for us, and bore away for her, on approaching
each otuer, she difeovered us to be a vessel of force, and
declined attacking us, and made off with all the fad file
could pack, before the wind, but after 4 hours chace, I
came up with her. She then made ready to engage us, and
before I got along fide of her, she hrei three broadsides,
which I did not think proper to return, being determined
to beard her and rifque the fate of an action in that way,
rather than engage at long-fliot, for fear during the ac
tion she should bring me by the win&; and in that case I
was convinced she would make her efiape. I carried her
without the loss of a man ; she mounts ro four pounder,
besides cohorts and swivels, and was commanded by Stan
ton Hazard of Newport. I carried her into New-London
and landed my -prisoners 30 in number—The schooner
got into Bedford. I immediately flood out to tea again.
On the 24th I took, in company with the sloop Revenge
from New-London, the sloop Adventure Thomas Jackson
master, from Tobago bound to New-York, she had on
board 94 hogsheads of rum. I manned her and ordered
her to port. 25th I tock, in company with the above-
N mentioned sloop, the brigantine Eliot from London for
New-York, a large vessel mounting 6 fix pounders full
flowed, her cabin not excepted, with dry goods, flour,
butter, cheese and lemmons ; I manned her and sent her
into port under theconvoy of the Revenge. The fame day
I fell in with the brigantine Saratoga, James Munro Capt.
an American cruizer, and at 11 o'clock P,M fell in with
and was fired upon by a cutter from New-York. Upon
this it was agreed that I should run down to the leeward
of her, and bring on the attack, whilst the Saratoga lay
a hull, in order to make the Captain of the cutter fuppefe
that she was not a vessel of force, until I had prevented a
possibility of her escaping by getting to leeward of her. I
begun the a&ion with her and continued it three glasses
before the Saratoga could come up to our artiftance. The
reason of this delay was, that in shipping her tiller, by
miflake, it was only entered into the rudder case in stead of
the rudder head, by which means the brig under all fail
went off before the wind from us, and it was along time
before any person could difeover the reason that the brig'
would not fieer to answer her helm. Upon the Saratoga's
coming up and giving her a broadside, they cried fcr
quarters with great earnestness. She mounts 10 double
fortified 4 pounders, and had when the action began (as
they fay) 52 men, but we reduced them down t 0.48, and
several of them were wounded, file was commanded by
Phenix Fagin. I had one man killed and 6 wounded.
26th, I took in company with the Saratoga, the brigantine
Chance from London bound to New- York. She had on
beard 100856 II) bread, 447 bushels and 4 gallons peas,
337 buthels and 4 gallons of oatmeal, 28528.1 b. of beef,
284001 b. of pork, 213801 b. flour, 71271 b. raisins 342 gal
lons and 7 pounds olive oil, 901 gallons of vinegar and
80261 b. butter. The cutter and brig Chance. I have
brought in with ma. I parted with the Adventure and
Elliot within one day's fail of New-London with a fair
wind to get in. I have brought in with me 70 prisoners.
time, diminished the object of the enterprize by a reduc
tion of the number of the garrison. Major Sutherland
fortunately saved himfelf by a soldier's counterfeiting his
person. This imposition was net difeovered till too late.
I intended to have burnt the barracks; but on finding a
number of sick soldiers and women with young children
in them, humanity forbad the execution of my intention.
The key of the magazine could not be found, nor could
it be broke open in the ittle time we had to spare, many
attempts having been made to that purpose by the Lieirts.
M'Callifter and Reed. It was completely impracticable
to bring off any pieces of artillery. I consulted Captain
Bradford on the point, who confirmed me in my opinion. l
The circumflance of spiking them being trivial, it was
omitted altogether.
After molt of the troops had retired from the works,
and were passed and passing the canal, a fire of mufquetry
commenced from a few stragglers, whahad coll^Red in an
old work on the right of the main fort. Their fire being
iaeffedua!, and the object trifling, I determined not to
break in upon the order of retreat, but continued parting
the defile in front. I cannot conclude this relation with
out expressing rdy warmest thanks to Lord Stirling for
the full patronage I received from him in every flage of
the enterprise. I mufl also return my thanks to the ca
valry, for them vigilant execution of the duties assigned
them.
Captain Rudulph waits on your Excellency with these
dispatches. I beg leave to refer to this officer for any
further explanation that may be required.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
With the most perfect refpe&,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
And most humble servant,
HENRY L. LE E, Jun.
Paramus, Aug. 22, 1779.
His Excellency General Washington.
RETURN of Prisoners taken at Powles-Hook on the
morning of the 19th of August, .779.
64th Regiment, 1 Captain. Garrison Regiment, 6 Ser
jeants, 67 rank and file. Bufkirk's ditto, 1 Surgeon, 1
Surgeon's Mate, 1 Quarter-M.fter, 4 Subalterns, 2 Ser
jeants, 39 rank and file. Hessians, 1 Serjeant, 10 rank
and file. Artificers, 2 Inhabitants, 10.
Artillery, 1 Serjeant, rCorpcr.il, 2 Gunners, 9 Ttfa
troffes.
Total 158.
The Surgeon on parole.
so order of Major Tee,
ROBERT FORSYTH, Capt.
P. L. Dragoons.
Publjbed by Order of Con°Y,fs,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.