The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-02-13 00:00:00, page 2

Extract of a letter from general Washington to Con
gefs, dated Head-Quarters, January 31, 1781.
“ Inclofed are two reports of ma or general Parsons,
and lieutenant colonel Hull, of an enterprize against
Delancey's corpsat Weft-Chefler, in which, with small
loss on our fide, the barracks of the corps, and a large
quantity of forage were deflroyed—fifty-'wa pr foy
ers and a considerable number of horses and cattle
brought off, and a bridge across Haerlem, under pro
teftion of one of the enemy's redoubts, burnt. Gene
ral parfons' arrangements were judicious, and the con
dud of the officers and raen employed upon t e occa
fton ntitled to the highest praise. The position of the
corps, two or three miles within some of the enemy's
redoubts, required address and courage in the execu
tion of the enterprize?'
was fixed at half past three o'clock in the morning.
After executing the different orders at the several polls
all the detachments on the weft fi 1c of the Brunx had
orders to retire to Delancey's bridge, precisely at day
light, for the purpose of gaining EaR-Chefter early in
the morning.
The disposition having been thus fettled, the morn
ing of the 21st the troops were put in motion in one
column, and proceeded down the road leading by
Young's, from thence through Mile-square, until their
arrival nearly opposite Kingibridge, when it was tho't
advifeable to take the fields, to avoid the enemy's pa
troles on the different road-. On my arrival near the
principal part of the huts at Morriffania, all the de
tachments having been made agreeable to orders, the
troops met with an unexpected obfiruHion, which T
was apprehensive would have defeated my plan.—A
small creek (over which, by my intelligence, was a
bridge) had been swelled by a very heavy rain the night
and morning of t 1 e 21st to fetch a height, and so filled
with broken ice, as rendered the passage excessively dif
ficult. Determined, however, to make the attempt,
the infantry was ordered to mount behind the horsemen,
and in the course of fifteen minutes about seventy were
carried over, which, wit the norfe, were thought a
fufficient force to rfecl the business in that qu: rter
and as not only this detachment, but major Maxwell's
Captain White, with his own comp ny and a small
party o' militia, was to advance to Delancey's bridge,
furprize, if poffble, a subaltern's guard polled at
that p ace, and after leaving a fufficient force to secure
the pass for the troops on the weft fide of the Brunx,
then to aft agdnft the enemy at Well Farms.
Captain Pritchard, with his company, and lieute
nnt Mofie^'s levies, had directions to proceed to
Frog's Neck, with a view of furprizing the enemy fta
tioned in that quarter.
Captains Dennet and Benton, with their companies,
were to be posted at Williams's bridge, to observe the
motions of the enemy on the road leading from Kings.
bridge, repulse them if they attempted to cross, and
at fucrife take up the bridge, retire to Eaft-Cheßer,
and join the troops posted at that place, to cover the
retreat of the operating force.
Ti.ree companies under the command of captains
Fox, S Williams and Dorrance, with the principal
part of the volunteer horsemen, were to proceed to
£/ >rriffan a, destroy the enemy's huts, and aft aecir
cvmftances mght require. Proper guides were appoint
ed to the different detachments. .and a number ofhorfe-
likewise with about eighty mounted volunteers joined
the detachment, and were polled on the different roads
in my fro^t, and on my flanks, to prevent either in-
Irabitants or deserters giving intelligence to the enemy
of our movements.
in elligence, was guarded by an hundred regulars, to
preven a sally on the troops designed to act against
Moriffama, capture any of the enemy who should at
tempt to fly there for security, and destroy a pontoon
bridge of communica ion, conßrudd over Haerlem
Creek, which was covered by the cannon in the re
doubt.
SIR, Crompond, January 25, 1781,
I EMBRACE this firft moment of leifureto commu
nicate to you the proceedings of + he detachment
under my command, in the enterprize against Morrif
fania the night and morning of the 22d instant. Ma
jor general Heath having reinforced the troops station-
ed on the lines wich five additional companies on the
morning of the 20th I marched from this place to
Morth-Caftle, under pretence of mak nga large forage
Rear the enemy's lines; all the teams in this part of
the country having been previously cohered for the
puroofe. The fame evening I was joined 'by a small
company of New-York levies, commanded by lieute
nant Mofier, who had been for a considerable time Ra
tioned on the lines, and had afted in conjunction with
the troops under my command. Captain Honeywell
Major Maxwell, with two companies, commanded
by captains Dix and J. Williams, was directed to take
a position near the redoubt No 8, which by the best
men to keep up a line of intelligence. Particular places
were likew fe pointed out for the different commands
to break off from the column, and the time of attack
OR DERED, That the report of, major general
Parsons witn the pipers inclofed, relative to his
fuccefsful enterprize a^ainft the enemy's post at Mo
riffania, together with so much of general Wallington's
letter of the gift January last asreiates thereto, be re
ferred t@ t e committee of intelligence: and that the
commander in chief rturn the thanks of Congress to
major general Parsons, and the officers and men under
his command, and inform him, that Congress have di
re&ed this publication to be made, in testimony of
their approbation of his judicious arrangements, and
of the spirit and military conduct displayed by the of
ficers ano men employed under him on the occasion.-
As I imagined the following disposition was best
calculated to carry my orders into execution, it was
cm I rneatly the next morning communicated to the
off ers.
Ta CONGRES S, February 5, ryto
Extract from the minutes,
C. THOMSON, secretary.
Your most obedient servant,
Wm. HULL, Lieut. Col. 3 d Mass. reg.
Hop. major general Parsons.
Camp in the Highlands, Jan. 25, 1781.
Dear General,
I N obedience to your orders I marched on the 19th
instant from the Highlands, with the battalions under
my command, to destroy the hats in Morriffania,
which covered the thieves ,ffemblcd there under the
direction of colonel Delaney; and on the aril I ar
rived in King street, and lieutenant colonel Hull, with
one battalion, at White Plains, nearly at the fame
time. In the evening of the 21st, lieutenant colonel
Hull took up his march from White-Plains, and ha
ving arrived netr Kingfbridge, detached captains Den
net and Benton with their companies to Williams's
bridge, to prevent any communication with the enemy
on that road ; captain White to De Lancey's bridge,
to occupy that pass, and pref r^e a communication
with the troops posted at Eafl-Chefier, to cover his
operations and to afl again* the enemy at Weft
Farms ; captain Pritchard with his company, and a
small body of milit a, under lieutenant Mofier, to
possess himfelf of Frog's Neck ; and with the rem lin
ing troops marched towards Morriffania, leaving a fuf
fr lent force und^ r the command of major Maxwell,
captains Dix and J. Williams, to watch the enemy at
their redoubt, No 8, and to destroy a pontoon bridge
over Haerlem river, confirußed under command of
that redoubt, to keep up an easy communication with
the troops at fort Washington.
The huts (deflroying of which was the principal ob
jeft in view) were about two mil's below the r doubt,
toward- the point of Moriffania. In the marc 1 cold
nel Hall was unexpedly obstructed by the destruction
of a bridge over a crerk within a small distance of the
huts, and which by the heavy rain the proceeding day
had been rendered deep and vary difficult in puffing.
Captain Honeywell having on this occasion codeded
about seventy horsemen, the infantry under captains
command were obliged to return the Airae way to g'a%
Delancey's bridge, it was thought,an objed of the ut
most consequence that this pass should be secured —
the remainder o' the troops was ordered to take a po
sition for the purpose. T e noise, unavoidably occasi
oned in passing this creek, was heard by the enemy on
the other fide, who immediately fired an alarm, which
prevented the furprize being so compleat as was de
figne^ The infantry and horse were ordered to ad
vance, and after capturing a number of the enemy,
all tne huts in that quarter w re deflroyed.
After this iervfce was performed, that detachment re
turned, and being joined by major Maxwell, who had
deitroyed the bridge over Haerlem creek, and indeed
executed every part of his orders, I proceeded with al!
the troops then joined to Delaney's bridge, where cap
tain White had forced the gaard, and was in posses
sion of tne pass, over which the troops retired with lit
tle or no loss, altho' the enemy had collected in con
siderable force, and were attempting to regain it.
On our arrival at West-Chester, captain Prichard,
who had made the attempt on Frog'frNeck, joined
the main body. As he was palling over the causeway,
the guard posted far its defence fired on him, which
gave the alarm, and prevented nistuccefs bejng as com
pleat as was expected ; he, however, charged the guard,
wounded one and captured fix. On his way to captain
Simmons's quarters, he fell in with a patrole, one of
w rich was killed, mid two made prisoners. When he
arrived, every man had left the house, and concealed'
themfelvos in the woods .After scouring the neck, and
capturing a number of prisoners, he returned, and in
re-passing th^aufeway, ensign Thompson was unfor
tunately killed. The objects of the enterprize having
been thus compleated, it became necessary to make
my retreat to Eafl-Chefter, as sass as the very great
fatigue of the troops would admit. For this purpose
a disposition was made,' and the prisoners , which con
fined of about fifty, with the cattle and horses, were
ordered between the front guard and main body.
As soon as the line of march commenced, the enemy
appeared on my flanks and rear, and began a scatter
ing fire Difpofftion^ were immediately made, by re
inforcing the rear and- flank guards, to secure the co
lumn, and annoy the enemy as much as possible after
'fo long and severe a march.The enemy being continually
reinforced, and their fire incefftmtiy increasing, ren
dered it necessary for the troops to move exceedingly
flow, and for the rear and flank guards to be encreaf
ed, and ordered to positions best calculated for the
purpose.
On my arrival near East Chester, I was happy to
find that such a disposition was made of the troops un
der your command, and measures were so judiciously
adopted, as effectually secured my retreat, and gave
me an opportunity of placing myfelf under your im
mediate orders. What number of the enemy fell, ei
ther in the night attack, or on the retreat, I am una
ble to afeertain with precifion—lt must however have
been considerable. Fifty-two of colonel Delancey's
corps were made prisoners, between thirty and forty
Trge hu m s built for their quarters destroyed, and a
quantity of forage. A large number of horses and
cattle were likewise brought off. Inclofed is a return
of the killed and wounded, among which is ensign
Thompson, of the 6th Massachusetts regiment, killed,
and captain Dorrance, of the sth Connecticut, wound
ed. The loss of ensign Thomfan is much to be regret
ted, being an active and enterprizing officer.
Much credit is due to major Maxwell, for the ex
aCtntfs with which he executed his particular orders,
and for his general good conduct during the whole ex
pedition. Indeed I should do injustice to my own feel
ings, and be wanting in gratitude to the officers of
the detachment, should I forbear to mention their can
dud in the fulleff terms of approbation. The pati
ence and fortitude of the soldiers in the execution of
so severe a service, and- their order and bravery when
attacked by the enemy, place their conduct in a most
hononrable point of view. The conduct of captain
Honeywell, and the refugees under his command, de
serve particular commendation.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest Refpeft,
IFo% S. Williams, and Dorrance, was passed over the"
creek by the horsemen, but so much time being ueceft
farily taken up in this matter, they were difeo rered
before they had all crossed, and most of the enemy fled^
The troops immediately fired all the huts in that quar
ter, killed and took all the men who had not previous
ly escaped, and in their return forded the creek, the
horsemen not being colleded at that time.
In the mean time major Maxwell succeeded in de
flroying the bridge, and executed every other part of
the duty assigned him, with faithfalnefs and good con
duct. The several detachments to Williams's and De
lancey's bridges, and on Frog's Neck, succeeded acr
cording to my expectations. Colonel Hull and majo-
Maxwell arrived at Delancey's bridge in ftafon to dis
perse the enemy, who had collected to seize that pass r
and having joined the detachment under captain
White at tee bridge, and that un er captain Pritchard
at Weft Chester, retired with their prisoners, cattle,
horses, on the road towards Eaft-Cheder. The troops
under my immediate command having arrived at the
village of East-Chester, about half an hour after fix:
in tha morning, I immediately sent parties of observa
tion on the different roads leading to that place, and
detached some horsemen on the roads to Westchester
and Williams's bridge, for intelligence from colonel
Hull ; and soon found lie was retiring on the road from
Weft-Cheder and that the enemy had colleQed, and
were harr fling him on his march in flank and rear..
On which I detached colonel Hazen with one hundred
men, with orders to colonel Hull, to retire in the rear
of colonel Hazen's command, and gain the village of
Esft Chester, with as much expedition as the very fa
tigued state of his men would admit. Colonel Hazem
having posted his men in an advantageous and conceal
ed place. Colonel Hull retired according to his di
rection, and the enemy advanced without-difeovering
colonel Hazen, until they received a well directed fire,
which immediately scattered and dispersed them.
At this instant the British troops appeared in force
on the road from Williams's, within a mile of Bast-
Chester. This obliged me to advance colonel Sher
man, with his battalion and, part of colonel Scammell's,
on that road. The remaining troops with colonel
Scammell were held in reserve ; and I direhed colonel
Hazen and lieutenant colonel Hull to retite to East-
Chefier, that our force might there be united, if the
British troops should advance (they being at much less
distance from that place than colonel Hazen's and
colonel Hull's detachments were.) But on colonel
Sherman's taking post on the hill weft of the village,
the British halted, and did not advance again. Colonel
Hazen, retiring according to order, drew the enemy
on near to East-Chester, when captain Kemper opened
his field-piece upon them, and some of colonel Scara
mellas hunters' ^ave them so well directed fires, as im
mediately to disperse them; some were seen to fall,
and the rest retreated in great disorder toward Weft-
Cheder. Having obtained the objeds I had in com
mand, agreeably to your direction, I returned by the
road through New Rochel.
In thecourfe of these tranfaßions, the enemy fuffar
ed very considerably, near thirty being Killed at the
huts and the several guards which were attacked in the
night, and many were seen to fall in the various actions
in the morning of the 22'd ; but as ray orders were to
hazard nothing after the object of the enterprize was
accomplished,. it is impossible to- give their loss with
certainty. All their huts and a considerable quantity
of forage were burnt, the pontoon bridge de^roye^
about one hundred and twenty cattle and horses driven
up from Morriffania, and fifty, four of Delancey's
corps -made prisoners.
In justice to lieutenant colonel' Hull, and^his officers,
Foughtto fay that much of the success of this enter
prize is owing to the judicious arrangements made by
him, and the fortitude and address with which the,
were executed by them; and in the state of excessive
fatigue of his men, t e retiring through Weft-Chefter'
in good order, and bringing off his prisoners,- near a
miles und< r the enemy's fire, until he was supported by
colonel Ha%en; does h m great honour. Captain Ho
neywell, who on this qecafipn had collected about se
venty horsemen, was particularly serviceable. And I
feel myfelf under great obligations to colonels Hazen„
Scammell, and Sherman, for the great assistance I re
ceived from them in making the necessary arrange
ments, and the chearfulAHs with which they and the
troops under their' command executed the several
parts of duty aligned to them.
The deftruftion of the huts in a place the enemy
considered perfectly secure (from the protection of a
redoubt, and the distance being much greater to the
only possible way of retreat than the enemy's march to
possess the fame pass) I hope will give some relief to
our frontiers, which have fufferech so much from the
incursions of these banditti; and than be happy if the
manner in which it was executed should meet your
approbation.
Lieutenant colonel Hull's report, and the return e£
the killed, wounded and miffing, are inclofed.
I have the honour to be,
dear general,
your most obedient servant,
SAM. H. PARSONS.
Major general HEATH.
Return of killed, wounded and miffing, in an expedi^
tion against Morriffania, January' 21, rfr.
Killed, i Ensign, 11 rank and file.
Wounded, 1 Captain, 1 Serjeant, 11 rank and file#
Miffing, 6 rank and file:
Total, killed,, wounded and miffing, 31.
SAMUEL H. PARSONS, M G.
®^^®^^®^®^@®^^
In pursuance of a Resolve of
CONGRESS, oY th* 6th instant, Te Managers
will continue the RENEWAL ot TICKE S in the
Fourth Class- until the First D«, of Match next,
mh«n th# D awing * to commence.
LOTTERY OFFICE, February 8, 1781