The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-19 00:00:00, page 2

Philadelphia, July 19.
SIR, Camp before Ninety-Six, June 9, 1781.
I WROTE your Excellency on the 29th of May, and
inclofed the capitulation and surrender of th garri
son of Fort Dreadnought, and an account of a small
a&ion at Augusta. On the sth of this instant Fort Corn
wallis surrendered. Inclofed is General Pickens and Lieu
tenant Colonel Lee's report of the capitulation, and an
account of the stores and prisoners.
The very great exertions that were mule by General
Pick ns and Lieutenant Celon 1 Lee, and the troops un
der their command, particularly the Legion, d sane the
big left honor, and I hope will meet the approbation of
Congress.
Indited is General Mai ion's report of the evacuation of
George-Town. The enemy now have no fortified pests
either in South Carolina or Georgia, except Charltftown
Savannah and Ninet -Six, which we are now at.
l have the honor to be with great refold,
Your Excellency's mf,o^editnt humble servant,
NAFHANIEL GREENE."
His Exc< llency Samuel Huntington, Ffquire.
"SIR &m, in Augusta, June 5, 1,81.
" In our separate difpat< hes of lad month we comma
nieated the events which fed to the siege of Fort 'ornwal
lis. From that period the mod vigorous exertions have
been used, attended with incessant labour, to advance our
approaches with rapidity.
" A perfed circumvallation was nearly compleated,
with three issues from it, communic uing with the ene
my's foffe. Several batteries were erected, one near 30
feet high, which gave us entire command of their w< rks,
and two jifle citadels we formed within 30 yards of their
parapet. In this Situation, it was our determination to
have forced a lodgement in the different curtains, from
which effaolifhmeht we might with readiness and certain
ty of success have referred the issue of the contest to the
bayonet. The judicious, vigilant and gallant conduct or
the garden deprived us of many advantages which we
wished to have seized in the course of our operations, and
which would have tended to have shortened the siege. At
nine o'clock in the morning prop^fals were received from
Col, Brown, which we have the honour to traufmit, with
the capitulation which took place, and all other official
communications. Returns of the public stores, artillery
and prisoners are also enclosed.
" It is out of our power to do justice to the efforts of
the officers of every rank, and to the chearful patience
with which their exertions were supported by their faith
ful soldiers. The Col nels Clarke, Harding and Ham
mond, with their militia, were eflentially serviceable.
" Capt. Rud. Iph, with the officers of the infantry of
the Legion, have distinguished thein'elves as usual Capt.
Smith, who commanded the Norths a olina corps, was
specially ufeful by his activity and attention, and the gen
tlemen under him behaved periedHy soldier-like. We de
riv'd every possible aid from the artillery under Capt. Fin
ley. and beg leave to express our obligations to that gen
tleman, his officers an : soldiers.
“ The legion cavalry have participated fully in the
variety ' of service, and have been eflentially serviceable,
by the animation and zeal with which they performed
thei sh re of the toil..
" Our loft has not been very considerable, and by no
means proportionate to the warmth of the contest. The
amiable and gallant Major Eaton fell in our firft advance ;
the regier ^ hch we feel on this occasion is very distressing,
and can be ex perienced only by thole who knew his worth.
What adds to our sorrow and excites our indignation is,
that we have reason to believe that this patriotic soldier
fell a facrifice after surrender. A very pointed correspon
dence took place on this subject between Lieut. Cel. Lee,
under whole command the Major was, and Lieut. Col.
Brown; a further enquiry will now commence, and at
tonemrnt shall be made for the impious deed.
" Doftor Irvine, of the legion, has the honour to bear
this letter. During the important operations in this State,
by the issue of which the capital of Georgia, with a large
extent of territory, is recovered from its late subjugation,
we have experienced great utility frem this gentleman's
ze 1, us exertions, and take the liberty to recommend him
to your particular notice. We have the honour to be,
Sir, with the hightft sentiments of refpecf,
Your obedient bumble servants,
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. of Militia,
HENRY LEE, jun. Commandant of
Continental Troops.
Major General Greene."
(No. 1.)
SIR, Augusta, May 31, 1781.
THE usage of war renders it necessary that we pre
sent you with an opportunity of avoiding the deftru&ion
which impends you/ garrison.
We have deferred our summons to this late date, to
preclude the necessity of much correspondence on the
occasion. You fee the ftrergth cf the investing forces,
the progress of our works, and you may inform yourfelf
of the situation of the two armies, by enq dries from
Capt. Amftrong, of the Legion, who has the honour to
bear this. We have the honour to be, Sir,
Your mos obedient servants,
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. Mil.
HENRY LEE, jun. Lieut, Col.
Lieut. Col. Brown. commanding Cont. troops.
(No. 2.)
Gentlemen,
WHAT progress you have made in your works I am
no Granger to. It is my duty and inclination to defend
this pott to the lart extremity. I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen, jour mofl obedient fervent,
THO. BROWN, Lieut. Col. commanding
King's troops at Augusta.
To B. Gen. Pickens, and
Lieut. Col. Lee.
(No. 3.)
SIR,
I T is not our disposition to press the unfortunate.
To prevent the effufion of blood, which mart follow a
perseverance in your fiuitlefs refinance, we inform you
that we are willing, tho' in the gra, of victory, to grant
fu h terms as a comparative view of our refpe&ive Situa
tions can warrant.
( N M)
Gentlemen, Fort Cornwallis, June 5, 1781.
YOUR propositions relative to the officers of the King's
troops and mititia being admitted to their paroles, and the
exclusion of the men, is a matter! cannot accede to. The
conditions I have to propose to you are, that luch of the
different elafles of men who compose this garrison be per
initted to march to Savanna, or continue in the country,
as to them may e ihoft eligible, until' exchang d.
I bave the honour to be, b^c.
THO. BROWN, Lieut. Col. com. K. T.
B. G. Fickens. at Augusta.
Litut. Col. Lee.
( No. 10)
SIR, „ # Augusta, June 5, 1781.
IN cur answer of this morning we granted the molt ge
nerous terms in our power to give, which we beg leave to
refer to as final on our part.
We have the honour to be, hide.
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. M.
HENRY LEE, jun. Lieut. Col. com
Lieut. Col. Brown. Cont. Troops.
(No. 11 )
Gentlemen, # June 5, 1781.
AS tome of the articles proposed by you are generally
exprefled, I have taken the liberty of deputing three gen
tlemen to wait upon you for a particular explanation of
the refpettive articles. 1 have the honour to be, &c.
THO BROWN, Lt. Col. Com. K. T.
Settled by conference with Lieut. Col. Lee.
ARTICLES of Capitulation proposed by Lieutenat-Colc
nel Brown, and answered by General Pickens, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee.
Article j. That all acts of hostilities and work fliall cease
between the besiegers and besieged, until the articles of
capitulation shall be agreed on, signed and executed, or
colle&ively rejected.
An/wer. Hostilities shall cease for one hour, other ope^
rations to continue.
Art. 2. That the fort shall be surrendered to the com
manding officer of the American troops, such as it now
hands. That the King's troop, three days afte< signing
articles of capitulation, shall be conduced to Savannan
with their baggage, where they will remain prisoners of
war until they are exchanged; that proper conveyances
shall be provided by the commanding officer of the Ame
rican troops for that purpose, together with a fufficimt
quantity of good and wholesome provision till their arri
val at Savannah.
Ans. Inadmissible. The prisoners to surrender field
prisoners of war. The officers to be indulged with their
paroles; the soldiers to be condudedrto such place as-tlde
commander in chief shall direct.
Your determination will be considered as conclusive,
and will regulate our future conduct. We have the ho
nour to be, Your ms obedient bumble 'invents,
ANKREW PICKENS, B G. M.
HENRY LEE; jun. Lieut. Col corn.
Lieut. Col. Brown. Cont. Troops.
(No. 4.)
Gentlemen, Fort Cornwall's, June 3, 1781.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your summons of this day, and to allure you, that as it
is my duty, it is likewise my inclination to defend the port
to the lalt extremity 1 have the honour to be, Gentle
men, Your mofl obedient and mod bumble servant,
IHO. BROWN, Lieut, vol. command-
B. G, Pickens, ing K. T. at Augusta.
Lieut, col. Lee.
( No# s;)
S I R, Head. Barters, Jute 4; 1781.
WE beg leave to propose that the prisoners in your pof
leffi n may be sent out of the fort, and that they be con
fideied you s or ours, as the liege may terminate.
Confident that you cannot oppose this dictate of huma
nity and cuttom 01 war, we have only to law, that any re
,quell of alimilar nsure hom you will meet our ready
all'eat. We have the m Hour to be, &c
ANDREW PICKENS B. G. Militia.
HENRY LEE, jam Lieut. Col. Com.
Lieut. Col. Brown.
Gentlemen,\
TC• d^ A motives of humanity, and a feeling fr
tin oCTvnrs re maim is, nciiemeo cetdetowhat
you ^,v pr pi fed c nicer: ing the prisoners with us, yet
many real ns, to which y u cannot be Grangers, forbid
my compEing wih his nqaili ion -Inch attention as I
car, coyliftent with good policy and my duy, shall be
shewn them. 1 have the hom ui to be, &c.
THOMAS BROV & N, L^ut. Col. commanding
K. 1. at Augusta.
B. G. Pick, ns, and
Lieut. Col. Lee.
< NO 7 > .
Gentlemen, Fort Cornwallis, June 5, 1781.
„IN your summons of 3d iulbnt, as no particular condi
tions were fpecified, I postponed the confederation of it to
this day.
From a desire to lessen the dirtreffes of war to indivi
duals, I am inclined to propose to you my acceptance of
the inclofed terms, which, being pretty similar to thole
granted by the commanding officers of the King's troops
to the commanding officers of the American troops and
garrison in Charleftown, I imagine will be honourable
to botli parties. I have the honour to be,
\ Gentlemen, your mos obed. and mofl bum. Servt.
THO. BROWN, Lhut Col. com. K. T.
B. G. Pickens. at Augusta.
Lieut. Col. Lee.
(No. 8)
SIR,
THERE was a time when your proposals of thisdate
might have been accepted. That period is now parted.
You had every notice from us, and must have known the
futility of your further opposition.
Altho' we should be juttified by the military of both ar
mies to demand unconditional fabmiflion, our sympathy
tor the unfortunate and gallant of our profeffion has in
duced us to grant the honourable terms which we here
with transmit. We have the honour to be, &c.
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. M.
HENRY LEE, jun. Lieut. Coi. com.
Lieut. Col. Brown. Cont. Troops.
Art. 3. The militia now in garrison shall be permitted
to return to their refpe&ive homes, and be secured in
their persons and properties.
Ans. Ar.fwered by 2d article, the militia making up
part of the garrison.
Art. 4. The sick and wounded shall be under the care
of the r own Surgeons, and be fupplrid with such medi
cines and necessaries as are allowed to the British hospitals.
Agreed.
Art. 5. The officers of the garrison and citizens who
have borne arms during the siege, shall keep their fide arms,
pistols and baggage, which shall not be searched, and re
tain their servants.
Ans. The officers and citizens who have borne arms
during the siege shall be permitted their fide arms, private
baggage and servants: Side arms not to be worn; and
the baggage to be searched by a person appointed for the
purpose.
Art 6. The garrison at an hour appointed shall march
out with shouldered arms and drums beating, to a place
to be agreed on, where hey will pile their arms.
Ans. Agreed. The judicious an I gallant defence made
by the garrison entitles them to ete<y mark of military
reject The fort to he delivered up to Capt. Rudolph at
12 o'clock, who wli take possession with a detachment of
the legion infantry.
A^t. 7. That the citizens fliall be protested in their
per sons and property.
Ans. Inadmidable.
Art. 8. That twelve months tim° be allowed to all such
as do not ciroofe r o r c fide in this country to dispose of
their effects, real and p rfonal, in this province, without
any molestation whatever, or to remove to any p rt there
of, as they may choose, as well themselves as families.
Ans. Inadmiffable.
Art. 9. That the Indian families row in garrison fliall
accompany the K ng's tro ps to Savannah, where they
will remain p ; ifoneis of wai, until exchanged for an equal
nu nber of prisoners in the Creek or Cherokee Nations.
Ans. Answered in the 2d article.
Art. to. That an express be permitted to go to Savan
nah with the commanding officer's dispatches, which are
not to be opened.
^f- Agreed.
Art, 10. Additional. The particular attention of Col.
Brown is expelled towards the just delivery of all public
stores, m >nies, &c. an I (hat no loans be admitted to de
feat the spirit of this article.
Signed, at Head-Quarters, Atgufn, %„, 5, 1781, by
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. Militia,
HENRY LEE, jun. Lt. Col. Comandt.
THOMAS BROWN, Lt. Col. Com.
King s Troops at Augusta.
R ETUR N of Prisoners taken at Fort Cornwallis, June 5.
Kmfs dangers, r Lieut. Col, 3 Captains, 3 Subalterns,
r Q^ rier-Mafter, r Surgeon, 1 AffifUnt Cummiffary, r
Ser ,7uK-Major, r Drum Major, 8 sergeants, 4 Drums
arid Files, 136 Rank and File.
Weft Florida Rangers. 1 Captain.
South Carolina Ryahjis. 1 Captain.
Hewf^ley V lunteers. 1 Subaltern.
Georges L'faiijts. r Surgeon.
Georgia ^ies. 1 Col. iMjor, 4 Captains, 1 Adja«
tant, 2 Surgeons, 3 Serpents, 100 Rank and File.
South Carolina Tories. >9.
Total. 1 Col : el, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 9
C p ains, 4 übaherns, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quarter Matter, 4.
Surgeons. 1 Assistant Commiflary, 1 Sergeant-Major, ,
Drum Major, 11 sergeants, 4 Drums and Fifes, 255 Rank
and File.
OFFICERS NAMES.
King's Rangers. Li p ut. Col. Browne; Captains Smith,
Marlh 11 and Cameron; Lieuts. Brown and Cameron;
Eufi n DougLfsj'Q a ter-Mafter Cornilh; Surgeon Al
len; Adirtant touimilfuy Ge/non.
Weft Florida R ingefs. Capt. Peairs.
South -Carolina Wyalifs. Capt. Lieut. Black.
Lew Jerfj Volunteers. Lieut. Black, A. D. Q^M. G.
Georgia Loyatifts. Surgeon Taylor.
Georgia forihs Col. Gru-rfon; Major Williams; Cap
tains Philips, Ashton, P rrins and Crawford ; Adjutant
Johnson ; Surgeons Foliiot and Beghie
" SIR, Georgetown, Ma, zfb, 1781.
" IN my lart I acquainted v m frith m, intention of
marching to this place, yefte day I arrived, and immedi
ately began - to open an inrrenchment, but the enemy
thought proper 10 flip on bo rd of their vessels at g
o'clock at night, and fall down towards the bar. They
had a galley, two gun brats, and an armed schooner. I
immediately took poffeffi nos the redoubt and town. In
the firft were three nine pounders and a carronade, their
trunnions knocked off and Ipiked, and their baggage all
carried off.
“ I shall only ftav to level the works, when I will im
mediately cross Santee River, take poll near Monks Corner,
and wait your orders.
“ The enemy's leaving this post has saved a great deal
of provision, will prevent the tories from deffroying our
friends, and leave them at leisure to pursue their planting.
“ It cannot be conceived the joy this event has given,
our friends. I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
Hon. Maj. Gen. Greene. FRANCIS MARION."
Fublifad by order of Congrefj.
CHARLES a .HOMLON, Secretary.
Extras of a letter from St. Thomas's dated June 25.
“ I was in hopes to have informed you of a decisive
action between the two fleets, but Mr. Rodney refled
ing on the riches he had robbed th : 'Statia inhabitants
of, thought it better to postpone the aHion till he had
enjoyed or squandered a little of that ill gotten pelf;
he accordingly r n for Barbados; where he now is,
tae French fleet at Grenada, much superior: There
fore hope they will beaaiv. Tobago cert riuly taken -
as i L Pondicherry, in the Eart Indies, by Hyder Ally;
the British 101 l a great mat y men, as all were put to
the sword, being harmed. The fleet taat fadei from
'Statia for England, was captured in the channel by 1
the combined fleets. Tnere is no Congress to be held
at Vienna, as reported, the Dutch would not agree to
it; the cry with them i^ war, war, and fore active in
preparing.