The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-05-26 00:00:00, page 3

Philadelphia, May 26.
Camp, Sanders's Creek, April 27, 1781.
SIR;
I Did myfelf the honour to address your excellency
on the 2d, and informed you that we lay before
Camden, having found it impracticable to storm the
town with a profpea of success, and nothing left
but to take a position to induce the enemy to sally. We
chose a hill about one mile from the town, on the
main road, leading to the Waxhaws. It was covered
with timber, and flanked.on the left by an impaffatoie
morals. The country between that and the town is
covered by heavy wood and under brush. In this si
tuation we lay constantly upon our arms, ready for
tßion at a moment's warning.
About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 25th, out
advanced piquets were fired upon, who gave the ene
my a warm reception.
The line was formed in an instant, General Huger's
brigade upon the right of the road, colonel Williams's
brigade of Marylanders on the left, arid the artillery
in the centre. Colonel Ready with a few militia in the
rear, as a second line. Captain Kirkwood and the
light infantry lay in our front, and as the enemy ad
vanced, he was soon engaged with them, and both he
and bis corps behaved with great gallantry.
The picquets under the command of captains Mor
gan and Benson, behaved With equal spirit, and good
conduct
As the enemy were found to b 6 advancing only
with a small front, lieutenant colonel Ford, with the
Second Maryland regiment, had orders to advance and
flank them upon the left, lieutenant colonel Campbell
had orders to do the like upon the right. Colonel Gun
t>y, with the First Maryland regiment, and lieutenant
colonel Haws with the second Virginia regiment, had
ordes to advance down the hill, and charge them in
front. Lieutenant colonel Wafldngton had orders to
turn the enemy's right flank, and charge them in the
rear. The whole line was soon engag'd in close firing,
and the artillery under colonel Harrison playing on
their front. The enemy were daggered in all quarters,
^nd upon the left were retiring, while our troops con
tinned to advance, when unfortunately two companies
ts the right, of the First Maryland regiment, got a
little disordered, and unhappily colonel Gunby gave
an order for the rest of the regiment, then advancing,
to take a new position in the rear, where the two com
panies were rallying. This impressed the whole regi
ment with an idea of a retreat, and communicated it
felf to the Second regiment, which immediately fol
lowed the First on their retiring. Both were rallied,
but it was too late, the enemy had gained the hill, and
obliged the artillery to retire. Toe Second Virginia
regiment having advanced some distance down the hill,
Mnd the Maryland line being gon?, the enemy imme
diately turned their flank, while they were engaged in
front. Lieutenant colonel Campbell's regiment had got
into some disorder, and fallen back a little : this obliged
me to order lieutenant colonel Haws to retire. The
troops were frequently rallied, bw had got into too
much disorder to recover the fortune of the day, which
once promised us a coropleat vi&ory, as colonel Wash
ington found the enemy, both horse and foot retiring
with the utmost precipitation towards the town, and
took upwards of 200 prisoners; and ten or fifteen offi
cers, before he discovered our people had left the
gound; more than fifty of which were .brought off.
The colonel's behaviour, and that of his regiment upon
this occasion, did them the highest honour. We re
tired about two or three miles, without any loss of ar
tillery or ammunition waggons, the baggage having
been sent off at the beginning of the action. The ene
my fuffered very greatly. Our force was not materi
ally different ; but had we fueceeded, from the difpo
£tion made, we must have had the whole prisoners,
as well as full possession of Camden. Inclofed is the
return of the killed and wounded. Among the former
is captain Beaty of the Maryland line, a most excel
lent officer, and an ornament to his profeffion. Out
army is in good spirits, and this little rep: Ife will make
no alteration in our general plan of operations. In
clofed I fend your excellency the conditions of the ca
pitulation and surrender of Fort Watson, which, J
hope, will be followed by others.
I have the honour to be,
With the greatest refpea,
Your excellency's most obedient
And most humble servant,
„ , + Nath Green.
P. S. The horse and part of the infantry, at the
Close of the evening,- charged upon the enemy, who
retreated immediately, into the town, with precipitation.
Bis Excellency,
Sam. Huntingdon, Esq.
LIST of commissioned officers killed; wounded, and
captured, in the action before Camden, 25th April
1781.
Lieutenant colonel Ford, Mary^atid, dangerously
Wounded, elbow.
Lieutenant colonel Campbell, Virginia, flight con
gufion, thigh.
Captain William Beatty, Maryland, killed.
Captain J. Smithed Maryland, prisoner.
Captain Denholm, Virginia, flight confufion.
Captain lieutenant Bruff Maryland, wounded in
woth ankles, and prisoner on parole.
Lieutenant M.Gaffaway, Maryland, Lightly wound-
Lieutenant Ball, Virginia, dangerously in the leg
0. H. WILLIAMS, D. A- G.
RETURN of the killed and wounded in the a^ion.
Killed : 1 Serjeant, 17 Rank and file
Wounded : 7 Serjeants, ioi Rank and file.
Rifling: 3 Serjeant, 133 Rank and file.
Most of the miffing mistook the order to rally, at
~'? n , ders creek, and tock a direrent route; feme are
f 7 wounded arid in the Britifli hospitals. one
third of the remainder have been heard of and are ex
peaed to rrjoiu.
O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. G.
Fort Watson, April 23, 1781.
"S t
" T lEUTENANT colonel Lee made a junction
JL, with me or Santee, the 14th instant, after a
rapid march from Ramfey'sfMill on Deep River, which
he performed in eight days.
" The 15th we marched to this plate and invested
it, our hope was to cut off their water ; some riflemen
and continentals immediately took post between the
fort and the lake.
" The fort was fittiated on a small hill, forty feet
high, stockaded, with three rows of abbatis around
it, and no trees near enough to cover out men from
their fire.
" The third day after we had invested it, we found
the enemy had funk a well near the stockade, which
we could not prevent them from, as we had no in
trenching tools to rhake our approaches; We imme
diately determined to raise a work equal to the heighth
of the fort: This arduous Work was completed this
morning by major Maham, who undertook it. We
then made a lodgement on the fide of the mount near
the stockade; this was performed with great spirit
and address, by enfigri ohnfon and Mr. Lee, a volun
tier in colonel Lee's legion, who with difficulty as
cended the hill and pulled away the abbatis, which
induced the commandant to hoist a flag- Inclofed is the
capitulation; which T hope may be approved of by you.
" Our loss was two militia killed, and three conti
nentals wounded.
" On this occasion I am particularly indebted to
colonel Lee, for his advice and indefatigable diligence
in every part of this tedious operation, against as strong
a little fort as could be made on the m ft advantage
ous spot that could be wiffied for.
" Trie officers and men performed every thing that
could be expected, and major Maham, of my brig
ade, had in a particular manner a great share in this
fuccef , by his unwearied diligence in executing a tow
er, wrich was the principal occasion of the reduction
of the fort. In short, fir, I have had the greatest
fatisfaaion from every one under my command.
'' Inclofed isa lift of the prisoners and stores taken.
I fliall with mt loss cf time, demolish the fort ; after
which I (hall proceed to the high fail's of Santee, and
halt at captain Richardson's plantation 'till further
orders. I have the honor to be,
With the greatest refpeH,
Sir, your mof^ obedient
Humble Servant,
FRANCIS MARION, B GU
TERMb of CAPITULATION proposed by lieute
nant M'Kay, commandant of fort Watson.
I. The officers to be permitted their parole, to
wea r their fide arms, and to possess their private bag
gage. Agreed.
11. The British soldiers to be permitted to march
to Charles-Town, where they are to continue per
fectly ou of service till exchanged, and liable to be
ordered elsewhere b, the Commander in chief of the
American southern army. Agreed.
111. The irregulars to be treated as prisoners of
war. Agreed.
IT. All public stores so be delivered to' the legion
quarter-matter, and the fort to be delivered up to
captain Oldham, who will take possession this even
ing with a detachment of Marylanders.
The capitulation is acceeded to, as it now stands,
in compliment to the gallantry with which it has been
defended. (Signed,)
PATRICK CARNS, JAMES M'KAV,
Captain Leg. Infantry. Lieutenant.
April 23, 1781.
A LIST of FRI SO N ERS taken at Scott's Lake,
April 23, 1781.
Commanding Officers.
Lieutenant Mackay, commandant of the fort.
Surgeon Campbell, king's American regiment.
Ensign Robinson, loyal American regiment.
Lieutenant Lewis, South-Carolina rangers.
Ensign and quarter-master M'Kallam, ditto?
73 British privates.
36 Tories.
Total, 5 Commissioned officers, and 109 privates.
Extract of a letter from general Marion, dated April
lift, 1781.
" A small detachment which I sent to watch the
enemy's movements in Camden, took, at the mouth of
Kerfhaw's creek, a boat laden with corn, killed two,
wounded four, and took fix British soldiers and one
tory.
“ Colonel Horfy crossed the Pedee with fetfenty men
to intercept t'e tofies, who I expelled would join co
lonel Watson in his march up Pedee; he fell in with
a party of thirty foragers and as many more to cover
them, he charged them on horseback, in Mr, M Pher
fon's plantation, killed two and took thirteen British
soldiers, and two tories, two negroes, without the loss
of a man.
<r General Lillington reports that the Bladen militia/
of North Carolina, fell with great spirit on the rear
of lord Cornwallis's army, as he was retreating to
Wilmington, and killed thirteen men, and took be
tween fifteen and twenty prisoners.
" General Pickens reports, that colonel Clarke, ori
the 23d of March, -had an action with major Dunlap;
near Ninety Six, killed thirty-four, and took forty
two prisoners; among the former the major himfelf is
numbered." Published by Order of Congfefs,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
* * a The Committee appointed by the different'
companies of Philadelphia militia, meets this afternoon,
at 5 o'clock, at the State house.
N. B. Those companies that have not chosen com
mittee-men, are requeued to choofe' them as soon as
possible.
TO BE LE t, A'
Pleasant Country - House,
near the Falls of Schuylkill, with Stables and other
convenient Accommodations. Eocuire of ED WARD
SHIFPEN, in Fovrth-ftreet, near Spruce ffreh
Northern Liberty AUCTION STORE;
May 16, 1781.
THE Subferibert beg leave to acquaint the public
in general, and their friends in particular, that
a public auction will be held on Tuesday, in
every week, beginning at ten o'clock in the forenoon,
where all kinds of goods, wares and merchandize,
hoofed ar.d lands, vessels, horses, carriages, houfhold
furniture, wearing apparel, &: . &c. will be fold to
the b*ft advantage. Those who will favour us with
their employ, in that way, m^y depend that due at
tendon will be p%id to their interest, and punctuality
and expedition in the settlement of their accounts.
Alex. Boyd and Co. AufEoneers.
N. B. Public Vendue will be held at the above store
next Tuesday, at ten o'clock in the morning; and an
it conduces very much to the interest of our employers,
in the tale cf their goods, that the public be informed
of the particular fort or kind for fate, on each vendue
day, it is reqaefted that all Persons, who mean to fa
vour our store with their commands, would fend them
in, the Saturday before, cr as early as Possible, tha&
they may be published in a hand bill.
—— -1! ... — L- —-- r
fames Withy, Hatter,
In Chefnut-ftreet, between Second and Thftd-ftreet,,'
nearly opposite the Cross Kays Tavern ;
DEGS le^ve to acquaint his Friends^
Cult mets, and the Public, that h, makes and
fells fashionable Beaver and Castor HATS of the bell
quality ; Ladies and Gentlemens Riding Hats in the
best and neateftmariuer. Those Gentlemen who pleafei
to favour him with theif Command', may depend upon
being served to luit their Taste, on the lowest Term©
the Price of Furs will admit.
JAMES WITHY.
George Kline, Printer,
In Front ttreet, near Arch-ftfeet, Philadelphia,
B EGS leave to inform the Public, that
be will furnish Gentlemen (in town or country)
w th any one, or all of the NEWS-PAPERS printed id
,hs city, by the Month, Quarter or Year ; and all#
Port riders, sagr-men or others, who may want Pa-,
pers for th r ir Employers in the rountrff, and will call
0. him, may always be fupplidd with the fame.
N. B. The uttioft Attention will be paid to Letters
on this Business, the Exp< nee of which letters he expea#
will be defrayed before they come to his hands#
Said KLINE h:s for Sale, on the most reasonable
terms, a large and general Affertment el German and
Enghih School Books, Stationary, &c. Amongst which
are, GERMAN BOOKS.
Qya'rto Bibles neatly bound, Tertameats, Presbyte
rian Hymn Books, Lutheran Ditto, Psalters, Prelby
terian And Lutheran Catechisms, Frefbytcran and Lu
theran ABC Books, &c. &c. &c.
ENGLISH BOOKS.
libl%Teftameab, Dilworth's Spelling Books, Prim,
mart, Psalters.
STATIONARY.
Blank Books of all forts, Writing and Wrapping
Paper by the Ream or Quire, Best black and red Irik
Powder, Playing Cards, Slates and Slate Pencils, Seal
ing Wax, L.uge and fmali Wafers, Best Quills, Blue
and white Pinboard, Best Black-lead Pencils, Willa
and Powers Shipping tills, fee. &c.
He also gives the highest Price for clean Linen or
Cotton RAGS, in Paper Money or Specie.
A~LL KTIT D°S O~F
COLOUR S,
For the ARMY and NAVY, Made and Sold, oa
the most reasonable Teims,
By Rebecca Young,
In Walnut-street, near Third-street, and next door but
one to Mr. Samuel M'Lane's;
it. B. Any person having BUNTIN G for Sale,
may hear of a Purchaser, by applying as above-
TO BE SO LD, A
Negroe Boy,
About 10 years old ; has ti,d the Small-Pox Enquire
•f the Printer.
A QUANTITY OF
Good Illinois Beaver,
T. be Sold by JAMES MONTGOMERY.
Mount-Airy, Germantown township. May 12, 1,81.
Came to the farm of the fub^
scriber, a few days ago, a tyack MARE COLT,
fifing t^ o years old, marked M. N. R. on the near
fore ihoutder and near hind hip, her off bind foot
white. Ihe owner or owner?,'proving their ^gpertt
arid paying charges, may have her again.
William cross.
Notice is hereby- given, to all
Perlons ^0 bfr any Demands against fr Effate of
FRANCIS DRALE of the township of the Northern
Liberties, 'deceased, that they bring in their Accounts,
in order to be fettled and paid, and all Perfans indebt
ed to said Estate by Bond, Note, Beck, or o'btrwife,
are requested to come and pay in three months from thia
date, to prevent further trouble; as the decease's
Estate must be fettled by
May afo CATHERINE DEALE, Executrix.