The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-07-27 00:00:00, page 3

PHILADELPHIA; July 27.
Head-barters, Ne^-V/indfor, July zr, 1779.
SIR,
On the 16th inflant I had the honor to inform Congress
of a fuccefsful attack upon the enemy's post at Stony-Point,
on the proceeding night, by Brigadier General Wayne,
and the corps of light infantry under his command. The
ulterior operations in which we have been engaged, have
hitherto put it out of my power to transmit the particu
lars of this intere fling event. They will now be found in
the iuclofed report, woich I have received from General
Wayne. To the encomiums he has deservedly bellowed
on t e officers and men Under his command, it gives me
pleafurc to add, that his own conduit throughout the whole
of this arduous enterprise, merits the warmest approbation
of Congre's. He improved upon the plan recommended
by me, and executed it in a manner that dots signal ho
nor to his judgment and to his bravery. In a critical mo
ment of the assault, h'e received a A sh wound in the head
With a musket ball, but continued leading on his men with
unshaken firmuefs.
I now beg leave for the private fatisfaHion of Congress,
to explain the motives which induced me to direct the at
tempt. —- '
It has been the unanimous sentiment to evacuate the
captured post at Stony-Point, remove the cannon and floras,
and destroy the works, which was accomplished on the
night of the 18th, one piece of heavy cannon only except
ed. For want of proper tackling within reach to transport
the cannon by land, we were obliged to fend them to the
fortby water. The movements of the enemy's vessels cre
ated some uneasiness on their account, and induced me to
keep one of the pieces for their protection, which finally
could not be brought @ff, without rifling more for its pre
servation than it was worth. We also loft a galley, which
was ordered down to cover the boats. ' She got under way
on her return the afternoon of the 18th The energy be
gan a severe and continued cannonade upon her, from
which having received some injury, which disabled her
for proceeding, file was run aftiore Not eihg able to get
her afloat, till late in the flood tide, and cine or two of the
enemy's vessels under favor ofthe night, having passed a
bove her, she wasfet on fire and blown up.
It is probable Congress will be pleifed to bellow some
marks pfeonfideration upon those officers, who diftinguifli
ed themselves upon this occasion. Every officer and man
of the corps deserves great credit, but there were particu
lar ones whefe situation placed them foremoft in danger,
and made their conduct most conspicuous. Lieut Colonel
Fleury and Major Steward commanded the two attacks.
Lieutenants Gibbons and Knox commanded the advanced
parties or foltern hopes,and all acquitted themselves as well
as it was possible. These officers havea claim to be more
particularly noticed.
Mr. Archer, who will hate thehonor of delivering these
dispatches, is a voluntier Aide to General Wayne, and a
gentleman of merit. His zeal, activity and spirit are
conspicuous upon every occasion. I have the honor to be,
With the greatest refpelt and efleem,
Your Excellency's mod obedient humble servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
I forgot to mention, that two flags and two flandards
were taken, the former belonging to the garrison, and the
latter to the 17th regt These shall be sent to Congress by
the firft convenient opportunity.
SIR, Stun,-Petit, July 17, 1779.
I have the honor of giving you a full and particular re
lation of the reduction of this point, by the light infantry
under my command.
On the 15th instant at twelve o'clock we took up our
line of march, from Sandy-Beach, distant .14 miles from
this place ; the roads being exceedingly bad and, narrow,
and having to pats over high mountains, through deep
morasses, and difficult defiles, we were obliged to move in
single files the greatest part ofthe way. At eight o'clock
in the evening, the van arrived at Mr. Springfleel's, with
in one and a half miles of the enemy, and formed into co
lumns as faft as they came up, agreeable to the order of
battle annexed ; viz. Colonels Febiger's and Meig's regi
ments, with Major Hull's detachment, formed the right
column ; Col. Butler's regiment and Major Murfree's two
companies, the left. The troops remained in this position
until several of the principal officers, with myfelf had re
turned from reconnoitering the works; Half after eleven
o'clock, being the hour fixed on, the whole moved for
ward, the van of the rig^t consisted of one hundred and
fifty volunteers, properly officered, who advanced with
unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, under the command
ofLieut Col. Fleury ; these were preceded by twenty pick
ed men, and a vigilant and brave officer to remove the ab
batis and other obftrultions. The van of the left consisted
of one hundred volunteers, under the command of Major
Steward, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, also
preceded by a brave and determined officer, with twenty
men, for the fame purpose as the other.
At twelve o'clock the assault was to begin on the right
and left flanks of the enemy's works, whilst Major Mur
free amused them in front; but a deep morass covering
their whole front, arid at this time overflowed by the tide,
together with other obftruajons, rendered the approaches
more difficult than were at firft apprehended, so that it
was about twenty minutes after twelve before the assault
began, previous to which I placed myfelf at the head of
Febiger's regt or right column, and gave the troops the
(post pointed or? rs not to fire on any account, but place
theft whole dep usance on the bayonet, which order was
literally and^LtTy obeyed. Neither the deep morass,
the formid ^ ylouble rows of abbatis, or the strong
works in . dank, could damp the ardour of the
troops, who roe face of a mod tremendous and incessant
fire of mulkeH 1 from cannon loaded with grape-shot,
forced their wF ^ rhe point ofthe bayonet, thro' every
obflacle, both ^ s meeting in the center of the ene
my's works, nearly at the fameinftant. Too much praise
cannot be given to Lieut. Col. Fleury, (who struck the
enemy's standard wu bis own hand) and to Major Stew
ard, who commands d the advanced parties, for their brave
and prudent QUdua , *
Colonels Butler ^^ and Febiger conduced them
selves with that co'olnefs fr^ery ,^ P erfeverence , that
^ ever i n s ure f uccef , C Ha) ^ S ^
bravely I
^" P '°° "^ ° f ^° ur Excellency's tim^
bX r ? r eve % Dividual who deserves it, for his
J Fthis occasion. I cannot, however, omit Ma
A return of the killed and wounded of the light infantry
at the storm of Stony Point, under the command of
Brigadier General Wayne. July 15, 1779..
Colonel Febiger's regiment. Killed, 1 Serjeant, 6 Pri
States. Wounded,, 7 Serjeants, 1 Corporal, 29 Privates.
Colonel Butler's regiment. Killed, 1 Serjeant, 2 Pri
vates. Wounded, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Serjeants, 2
Corporals, 25 Privates.
Colonel Meig's regiment. Killed, 3 Privates. Wound
ed, 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Serjeant, 6 Privates.
Mijbr Hull's detachment. Killed, 2 Privates. Wound
ed, I Lieutenant, 4 Privates.
Total killed, 2 Serjeants, 13 Privates.
Total wounded, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Captains, 3
Lieutenants, 10 Serjeants, 3 Corporals, 64 Privates,
By order of the General,
BENJAMIN FISHBOURN, A. D. Camp.
Fort Montgomery, July 21, 177%
(True Copy.)
General return of the prisoners taken at Stony -Point.,
Officers sent to Eafton on parole. 1 Lieutenant-Colonel,
4 Captains, 12 Lieutenants, 4 Ensigns, 1 Conductor of
Artillery, 1 Assistant Surgeon.
Officers and Privates wounded and sent iu. 2 Lieute
nants, i Ensign, i Surgeon, 39 Privates.
Left at K tkeal. 9 Privates, 2 Attendants.
Sent to Eaftom. , 441 Privates, 25 Servants to Officers.
Total, 54|.
ABRAHAM SKINNER, D. Com, Prisoners.
Soften, July 20, 1779. (Copj.)
Return of the enemy's killed.
I Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 8 Serjeants, 3 Corporals,
50 Privates.. Total 63.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
(The return of ordnance and stores taken at Stony-
Point will be in our next.)
IN CONGRESS, fuly, 26th, 1779.
Resolved, unanimously that the thanks of Congress be
given to his Excellency General Washington, for the vi
gilance, wisdom and magnanimity, with which he hath
conduced the military operations of these States, and
which are among many other fenal instances, manifefled
in his orders for the late glorious enterprize and fuccefsful
attack on the enemy's fortrefs on thebanKs ofHudfon's river.
Revived, that the thanks of Congress be presented to
Brigadier General Wayne, for his brave, prudent and sol
dierly conduit, in the spirited and well conduced attack
of Stony- Point.
Resolved, That Congress entertain a proper sense of the
good conduit of the officers and soldiers under the com
mand of Brigadier General Wayne, in the assault of the e°
nemy's works at Stony-Point, and highly commenced the
coolness, discipline and firm intripidity exhibied on the oc
casion.
Resolved, That Lieut. Col. Fleury and Major Steward,
who by their situation, in leading the two attacks, had a
more immediate opportunity of diflinguifhing themselves,
have by their personal atchievements exhibited a bright
example to their brother-soldiers, and merit in a particu
lar manner the approbation and acknowledgement of the
United States.
Resolved, That Congress warmly approve and applaud
the cool determined spirit with which Lieut. Gibbons and
Lieut. Knox led on the forlorn hope, braving danger arid
death in the cause of their country.
Resolved, That a medal emblematical of this adion be
struck That one of gold be presented to Brigadier Ge
neral Wayne, and a fiver one to Lieut. Col, Fleury and
Major Steward.
Resolved, That a brevet of Captain be given to Lieut.
Gibbons and Lieut. Knox:
That the brevet of Captain be given to Mr. Archer, the
bearer of the General's letter and volunteer Aid toßrigadier
General Wayne:
That Congress approve the promises of reward made by
Brigadier General Wayne, with the concurrence of the
Commander in Chief to the troops unde/ his command :
That the value of the military fibres, taken at Stony-
Point, be afeertained and divided among the gallant troops
by whom it was reduced, in^fuch manner.and proportion
as the Commander in Chief shall prescribe.
Extrafl from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
jor Lee, to whom I am Indebted for frequent an:
ufeful intelligence; which contributed m<ch to the facets
of the enterprize, and it is with the greatest pleafurc I -
knowledgelo you, I was supported in the attack by ail
the officers and soldiers under my command, to the utmost
of my writes. The officers and privates of the artillery
exerted themselves in turning the cannon againftVerplank#
Point, and forced them to cut the cables of their (hipping,
and run down the river.
I ihould be wanting in gratitude was I to omit mentio
ning Capt. Fifhburn and Mr. Archer,my two aids de camp,
who on every occasion flawed the greatest intrepidity, and
supported me into the works after 1 received m, wound in
pa ffing the lafl abbatis.
Inciofed are the returns of the killed and wounded of
the light infantry, as also of tire enemy, together with the
number of prisoners taken, likewise of the ordnance and
Hores found in the garrison.
I forgot to inform y®ur Excellency that previous to my
marching, I had dra ^/n Gen. Muhlenberg into my rear,
who with three hundred men of his brigade took post on
the opposite fide of the marsh so as to be in readiness either
to support me, or to cover a retreat in case of accident,and
I have no doubt of his faithfully sad effectually executing,
citier had there been any bccafi®n for him.
The humanity of our brave soldiery, who (corned to tak^
the lives of a vanquished foe calling for ,mercy, reflects
the highest honor on them, and accounts for the few of
the enemy killed on the occasion,
I am not fatisfied with the manner in which I have men
tioned the conduct of Lieutenants Gibbons and Knox,
the two gentlemen who led the advanced parties of twenty
men each—their difiin uiflied bravery deserves the high
est commendation—the firft belongs to the sixth Pennfyl
yania regiment, and toft 17 men killed and wounded in
the attack ; the lafl belongs to the ninth ditto, who was
more fortunate in saving his men tho' not less exposed,
I have the honor to be, with great rTpelt,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant;
ANTHONY WAYNE.
Gen. Washington.
Philadelphia, July 24 .
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
On Monday the second day of August next, on the
premises,
T "AT valuable tra& of Land known by the name
of Doctor Eckstine's, situated in Bristol town
fhfp, fix miles from the city, one from Germantown;
and within a quarter of a mile of two grist mills, con
taining twenty five acres, eight of which are well tim
bered, eight acres of watered meadow equal to any in
hr State, the remainder good tillable land, and chiefly
planted with a variety of the best kind of fruit trees.
There are also upon the premises three dwelling houses,
two of which are of stone, a barn, stable, &c. &c. le#
pleasant situation, and distance firm the city, affords an
agreeable retreat for a gentleman during the summer
season. The vendue to begin at Two o'clock, and con
ditions made known at the time, of sale by
THOMAS MASON.
Philadelphia, July 26.
IN pursuance of an order of Orphans Court,
will behold at Public Vendue, on Saturday the seventh
day of August, at the Coffee-houfe in the city of Phila
delphia, a certain tra& or piece of Land, situate in Li
merick townfllip, in the county of Philadelphia, ccn
tlning forty acres, adjoining lands of John Koplin and
Philip Yort; late the effate of George Crows, deceased.
The fall to begin at Ten o'clock in the morning,
CHRISTIANA CROWS, Administratrix.
_ July 24, 1779.
TAKEN out of a chair at Mr. Forfyth's
Livery Stables, on Monday morning last, two
bundles containing one yard and a quarter of mininet
lawn, three yards of net lace, and a child's double cal
lico wrapper. Whoever will bring any or all of th
above articles to the Printer hereof, fnall be handfomel,
rej aided.
PbiaWphia, ]") 26, 1779-
In General Town-Meeting held this day, the plna
for flopping the emissions and raising a revenue by (üb
fcription, was .unanimpufly approved of and agreed to,
and a Committee appointed thereon.
The association for regulating prices, was likewise
agreed to with only a few, it is thought nos more than
four, dissenting voices.
The remainder of the business, on account of the change
ofthe weather, was deferred, and the meeting was adjourn
ed to the next day, Tuesday, and to meet in the State
House Yard at 9 Helock. of which this notice is given.
I-ANIEL ROEERDEAU, Chairman.
N. B. every citizen is requeued to attend.
Mr. DUNLAP,
hßferving m yourlaft 3 turday'sPaper feme rebellions
thrown out by an anonymous scribbler on the late pro
ceedings of the Elk Battalion, whien, he fays, he does not
like, please to inform him, through the fame channel, that
Ihould he think fit to publish weat will please him, it shall
be laid before the battalion at their next meeting, and I
doubt not it will have its weight, he putting his name
thereto, and he may rest assured there fliali no aid be fob
cited from Philadelphia to expose it or his late perform
ance ~ a BATTALION MAN.
Heart of Elk, July 23, 1779.
VJ A R-O FFI CE, %/, 26, 1779.
WH E R k A S the Board have received
info natron from ColonH Blind, commanding
at ?he Convention Briracks, beat Charkrtteville in Vir
ginia, that considerable defections have taken place
among the troops of the ConveniTOn, many of whom
leave the p,fi with an latent to rej in the enemy: All
officers in the ferrite of the Unit d States, are therefore
directed to be vi^dant in deb King and apprehending de
ferter^ from thefe:r ?ops. The civil 'officers in the refpec
live States where fuel deserters may be found, are eatneft
ly requ-fted to give their affiftince in securing them ; and
the well affiaed inhabitan s wi 1 do effrntial service to
their country, by taking into guftody all British deserters
travel! ng bora the (outboard, arid delivering them to
the n^xi Commiff re 0 Piiooers, or committing them
to the neafcft f ga<,i. A pr Hice of administering th^
State oath of allegiance to deteiters from the convention
troops, and then fopply rg them with passes, has here
tofpre been too prevalent; afid predh&fye of very perni
cious confrqu;nce:, by affording them a fa fe and e^fy
method of escaping to places in the poff-ffion of the Bri
tish army. Toofe magidrates and ot! er officers of jus
tice, whp|i?.ve been induced to receive such oaths, and
grant priVs in conference thereof, are earned y called
upon to difconunue a practice so injurious to the States i
And as these passed have been of tained merely with a
d sign to facilitate their efcape.td the enemy, the soldiers
pcd<ff. d of them are notwithftindirg to be secured, and
treated as deferter^. They are generally clad in short
coarse linen costs or coatees, and linen overalls ; and
carry their regimental coats in knapsacks.
Tie t oops under the convention of Saratoga consist
of the 9th, 29th, 2’ft, 24th, 47th and 6zrt regiments, a
defacement of the 33d regiment, L&rdßalcarrils's corps,
and royal artiller, British ; and o' the Brunswick dra
goons, regiments of Reidefel, Banner, Rhetz, Specht;
Hesse Hanau, Heflian artillery arid battalion of grena
diers, German, The regiments and corps are particu
larized, as the numbers and devices on the buttons f
many of their uniforms may tend to difeover the deser
tion of the owners.
By order of the Board,
P. SCU L L, Secretary.
The printers in the different States, are defred to insert
ibis eduertifement in their papers.
ri L L persons whom it may concern are desired to take
notice; That J O'H N HOLKER, Esquire, is
COTmiffioned Consul of France in the port of Philadelphia,
by the Mmifler Plenipotentiary of IBs Mod Chriflian Ma- 1
jelly. By araer oj the Marque Committee, of Congress,
J. BRO W N, Secretary.