The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-09-25 00:00:00, page 3

tyand benevolence of captain Beazley, of his majesty's
ship Amphion, to whose very friendly and generous-af
fifiance, many of the wounded officers and men are
moil probably indebted for their lives.
Fred. Mackenzie, D. A. Gen.
N E WY 0 R K, September 15.
Last Thursday letters were received from the British
fleet under the command of admiral Graves.
When monsieur de Graffe, who had landed his troops,
and been joined in Chefa peak by monsieur de Barras's
fllips from Rhode Island, perceived the approach of
our squadron, he ordered infta^tly that his comman
ders should flip their cables and push out to Ra, this
brought on a partial engagement between the two pow
ers on the sth instant, the British confining of 19 and
the French of 24 line of battle (hips, admiral Graves's
signal was for a close engagement, but (from the difpo
fitton of the enemy, who, notwithstanding their supe
riority in number, used every artifice to avoid one) it
was found impracticable to bring more than a part of
our line into action, we are informed that the two ad
mirals, in the London of 98, and the Ville de Paris
of iio guns, were fiercely opposed to each other, the
Shrewsbury of 74, commanded by captain Mark Rob
inson, and the Intrepid of 64, by captain Molloy,
were two others principally engaged on our fide: seve
ral of the enemy's ships were beat out of the line,
when the affair was over 'tis said the French pushed
back again for repossession of the bay, but thia purpose
admiral Graves effeaually defeated, and sent off the
whole French fleet, which by the last advices had reti
red 30 leagues to the southward of cape Henry, and
the British fleet in fight of them, so that another contest
for the sovereignty of the American seas, is hourly ex
pected between these great naval armaments. The
French left their anchors (with bnoys) on their sudden
departure from Chefapeak, which were afterwards cut
away by captain Duncan in the Medea, and captain
Dawson in the Iris. One French ship of 64 guns, or
armed enffute, with three frigates, 'tis said, were left
in York river, to aid the marquis la Fayette, and co
operate with Mr. Washington, should he move down
to Virginia. In the above skirmish captain Mark Rob
inson was very dangerously wounded in the leg, which
disabling him from service, the Shrewfbury is now
commanded by captain John Colpoys ; there are hopes
of captain Robinson's recovery. It is an indifpwtable
fa& that the French fleet were four days to windward
of the British, with a fuperiorry of five ships of the live,
and during that space their admiral never ventured to
attack admiral Graves, who was ever ready to give
him battle.
For genuine particulars of the above event we en
treat the patience ofour readers until we are possessed
of a more accurate and authentic aetail, which we hope
soon to produce from authority.
CHATHA M, September 19.
Last Thursday a frigate arrived at New-York from
the fleet, in three days, and from what we can learn,
brought news very unpalatable to the loyalists, and
occasioned many long faces in the city ; however, that
fertile genius Mr. Rivington, after two days painful
labour, has been delivered of a feeble effort, which he
expected would reduce them to their primitive shapes ;
but alas ! it abounds with so many absurdities and con
tradiHiona, that our informant tells us a sullen sadness
is hill visible. He further adds, that no person was al
lowed to go on board the frigate, nor to (peak with a
my of the hands, and that it was generally believed
that the French fleet were 30 leagues to the Southward
of the Capes of Virginia, but it was in pursuit of the
British, whom they had totally routed.
Last Friday that fiend and dog of Hell Arnold, re
turned to New-York from his satanic expedition into
Connecticut, and landed 150 wounded men. The 40th
regiment, we are assured, from good authority, were
mostly cut to pieces in the reduaion of fort Griswold,
commanded by the late gallant lieutenant colonel Led
yard.
Sir Henry Clinton's baggage is on board ship, and
onTuefday last he began to embark troops, which con
tinued for three days. Their destination is uncertain,
though it is generally believed, they are embarking for
the purpose of relieving the southern army, should their
fleet be fuccefsful.
The militia are called out to do garrison duty in
New-Yok, and we are told, the evacuation of the re
fugee post on the Bergen shore is on the tapis.
NEW-LON DON, September to.
We had prepared our paper thus far for publicati
on, when at about day break on Thursday morning
last, twenty-four fail of the enemy's shipping appear
ed to the westward of this harbour, which by many
were supposed to be a plundering party, after flock :
alarm guns were immediately fired, but the discharge
of cannon in the harbour has become so frequent of
late that they answered little or no purpose. The de
fencelefs state of the fortifications and |of the town are
obvious to our readers ; a few of the inhabitants who
were equipped advanced towards the place where the
enemy were thought Ikely to make their landing, and
manoeuvred on the heights adjacent, until the enemy
about 9 o'clock landed in two divisions of about 800
men each, oneof them at Brown's farm near the hght
houfe, the other at Groton point; the division that
landed near the light-house marched up the road,
keeping out large flanking parties, who were attacked
in different places on their march by the inhabitants
who had spirit and resolution to oppose their progress ;
the main body of the enemy proceeded to the town and
set fire to the stores on the beach, and immediately af
ter to the dwelling houses lying on the mill-cove; the
fiattered fire of our little parties, unsupported by our
neighbours more diflant, galled them so that they soon
began to retire, setting fire to ftoresand dwelling houses
p omifcuoufly in their way; the fire from the stores com
municated to the Dipping that lay at the wharves, and a
number were burnt, others fwung'to single faft and un
hurt. At 4 o'clock they began to quit the town with
great precipitation, and were pursued by our brave
citizens with the spirit and ardour of veterans, and
drove on board their boats. Five of the enemy were
killed and about 20 wounded, among the latter is a
Hessian captain who is a prisoner, as are (even others.
We loft four killed and ten or twelve wounded, none
mortal-
The mod valuable part of the town is reduced to alli
es, and all'the stores. Fort Trumbull, not being tena
ble on the land fide, was evacuated as the enemy ad
vanced, and the few men in it crossed the river to fort
Griswold, on Groton hill, w ich was soon after invert
ed by the division that landed at the point ; the fort
having in it only about 120 men, chiefly militia haflily
collected, defended it with the greatert resolution and
bravery, and once repulsed the enemy ; but the fort
being out of repair could not be defended by such a
handful of men, tho' brave and determin'd, against so
superior a number; they did- all that men of spi
rit and bravery, in such a Situation could do ; but after
having a number of their party killed and wounded,they
found that further refinance Would be in vain, and re
signed the fort; Immediately on their (urrendery, the
valiant colonel Ledyard, whose fate in a particular man
ner is much lamented, and 70 other officers and men,,
were murdered, most of whom were heads of families.
The enemy loft a major Montgomery and 41 officers
and men in the attack, who were found buried near the
fort ; their wounded were carried off. Soon after the
enemy got possession of the fort they set fire to and
burnt a number of dwelling houses and stores on Groton
bank, and embarked about fun set, taking with them
sundry of the inhabitants of New-London and Groton.
A colonel Ajers, who commanded the division at
Groton, was wounded, and it is said died on board the
fleet, toe night they embarked.
About 15 fail of vedels with effeas of the inhabitants,
retreated up the river on the approach of the enemy
and were saved, and four others remained in the har
bour unhurt. T.e troops weie commanded by that
infamous traitor to his country Benedict Arnold, who
headed the division which marched to this town. By
this calamity it is judged that more than one hundred
famlies are deprived of their habatations and most of
them of their all.
This neighbourhood feel sensibly the loss of many de
serving citizens, and tho' deceased can't but be highly
indebted to them for their spirit and bravery in their
exertions and manly oppofi-tion to the merciless enemies
of our country in their last moments.
September 14. The following savage aßion, com
mitted by the troops who subdued fort Griswold on
Groton hill, on Thursday last, ought to be recorded
to their eternal infamy ;
Soon after the furret dry of the fort, they loaded a
waggon with our wounded men, by order of their of
ficers, and set the waggon off from the top of the hill,
which is long and very ffeep ; the waggon went a con
fiderable dirtance with great force, til it was sudden
ly flopped by a tree ; the fllock was so great to those
faint and bleeding men, that part of them died instant
ly : the officers ordered their men to fire on the wag
gon while it was running.
ANNAPOLI S, September 20
We have it from the best authority, that the count
de Graffe is returned to his former station at Cape Hen
ry, having driven the British fleet from the coast,
formed a junction with the squadron of the count de
Barras, and captured two British frigates.
About 4000 French troops, with a train of artillery,
marched into this city on Tuesday last, fromthe north
ward, and will embark this evening or to-morrow
morning for Virginia ; they are to be convoyed by the
Romulus, Gen ille, and some other frigates of our il
lustrious Ally, now at anchor off this harbour.
B ALTIMOR E, September 18.
Early on Sunday morning lafi, his most Chriflian
majefiy's forces, confining of several thousand choice
troops (who arrived here on Tuesday last) attended by
several generals and- other officers of diftindjon, march
ed for Annapolis, where they are to embark with all
possible expedition for Virginia. The behaviour of
every corps, during their flay here, deserves universal
applause.
The fame morning the ship Sharpe, bound from
Charleftown to York River, Virginia, lately com
manded by captain Alexander Bogg, laden with rice
coffee, geneva, &c &c. arrived at Fell's point, having
been captured by one of the French fleet, near the
month of Chesapeake.
A brig from Charleflown for Virginia, was taken in
company with the ship above mentioned, and is now
on her way to this port.
On Thursday night last, a fleet of transports from
the Head of Elk, having on board the artillery, grena
diers and light troops of the allied army, arrived at
Annapolis, on their route to James river. They fail
ed again for their definition on Sunday.
A fewdays ago the 4th Maryland regiment, consist
ing of 600 rank and file, marched from Annapolis to
join the marquis de la Fayette, at Williamsburg.
Within a few days part, several hundred waggons and
carts, loaded with the baggage, provisions, &c. of the
allied army, passed through this town, on their way to
Annapolis.
The British fleet under the command of the admirals
Graves, Hood, and Drake, on the 7th instant, made
a feeble effort to enter the Chesapeake; but were at
tacked and driven to sea by the count de Graffe, who
after pursuing them several leagues, with 26 ships of his
fleet, returned afe to the bay, with 23 ships, the other
three having been left in chafe of a single British man
of war, supposed to be the Royal Oak.
While.the count de Graffe was chafing the British
fleet, the count de Barras^ with 8 French line of battle
ships, besides frigates, transports, and victuallers, ar
rived in the bay, and brought in two British provision
ships, bound from St. Lucia to New-York.
Oh Tuesday last the British frigates Iris and Rich
mond, the former commanded by captain Dawson, and
the latter lay captain Hudson, were captured near cape
Henry, by a part of the count de Graffe's fleet, as
they were returning into the Chesapeake. These frig
ates (one of which fought with great bravery and per
severance against a superior force) were coming into
@©©^®&@©©©@&&®^
S A L E, BY
Tench Coxe,
At his Store in Water-street, four Doors below Chef,
nut-street,
Pontiry, Nombattu and
Hurting Linens, white Swarfkins, white and brown Su
gars ra hoglheads, boxes and barrels, Maryland To
bacco, white Bread in barrels and kegs: Also, 17
Acres of LAND near the City.
The Partnership between
the fubferibers being dissolved by mutual consent, such
perlons as have any demands against the fame, are re
quested to apply for payment ; and those who are in.
deb ed thereto will plezfe to fettle their accounts with
EDWARD FOX, at their late Store above Walnut
ftreet, n Water-street.
Philadelphia, ALEXANDER NELSON,
S^pt. 2?, 1781. EDWARD FOX.
ABSEN TED himfelf this morning, a Ne s ro LAD,
named DUBLIN, about 54. years of age, well
fert and likely, has a pleasant countenance, born in the
Weft Indies, 1$ sensible and fpeato English pretty well;
Had on when he went away, a co-t and overalls' cf un
bleached country made linen, a waistcoat of yellow
cloth with yellow metal buttons, a round hat with til
ver loops, and had on flioes and stockings. Whoever
takes no the above described Negro, d nu delivers him
to JOHN WILCOCKS, Esquire, shall receive &
GUINEA Reward, Philadelphia Sept. a&.
the bay, under the idea, it is supposed, that the count
de Barras's squadron was British.
The French fleet in and near the Chesapeake, now
consists of about 50 fail of men of war, transports,
victuallers, &c. 35 of which are of the line.
Eighty pieces of battering cannon, many large
mortars, and an immense quantity of shells, shot, and
other warlike stores, have been brought in by the
Count de Barras's fleet, for the use of the allied army.
The Romulus of 44 guns, and la Gentille of 32
with 8 transport ships and 1 brig, are arrived at Anna
polis, for the purpose of transporting the troops, which
left this place on Sunday last, with their baggage, &c.
to Virginia. The embarkation will commence this day-
It is said they are to disembark at Burwell's ferry, in
James river, four miles from Williamsburg.
The allied army, which will, in a few days, com
mence very serious operations in Virginia, under the
inimedi te command of his excellency general Wafli
ington, will consist of between 15 and 20,000 elective
men.
Last evening a brigade of New-York state troops,
under the command of brigadier-general James Clin
ton, embarked at, and failed from, Fell's-Point, fog
Virginia.
Philadelphia, Sept. 2g.
Agreeable to orders from his Excellency the Com
mander in chief of the Militia of Pennsylvania, a ge
neral Meeting of the Battalions of this city and liber -
ties was yesterday morning held at the State house aud
on the Commons, when they made a most refpeCtablc
appearance.
ExtraCt of a letter from Camden in South-Carolina,
dated August 29, 1781.
" Every officer in the line of the southern army,
that was present, has addressed general Greene on the
late execution of colonel Hayne, praying that the Lex
Talionis should follow. In consequence of which the
general has issued his proclamation to that purpose,
and by a flag sent to the commandant of Charleflown,
has forwarded him copies of the address and proclama
tion, which sets forth, " That retaliation shall immc
diatel- take place, not on the tory militia officers, but
it shall fall on the heads of regular British officers."
This will now open a new feene of bloodshed, &c.
which in the end the British will have reason sorely to
repent. We have three British officers with us, priso
ners, who are quaking with fear, on the result of this
proclamation; but they are not of fufficient rank to
become objects; they tell us that colonel Balfour was
very averse to the measures taken against colonel
Hayne, and throw all the blame on lord Rawdon and
colonel Gould: However, this gains little credit here,
as the character of the commandant for his cruelty,
per fecution, hypocrisy, &c. is so well established, that
we are certain that he would not have forgone the
great pleasure of giving his fiat to the executi
on of an American, for the univerfe,as this cruel piece
of baseness will the more endear him to his sovereign.
General Greene, with the army, left this place two
days ago, on his march towards the enemy at Conga
rees, and we imagine he crossed at Friday's ferry yes
terday. A report has just reached us, that the enemy
the night before last, on receiving intelligence of ge
neral Greene's movements, precipitately left their en
campment and marched off, frft setting their huts and
some houses on fire."
By the United States in Congress affembfed,
September 20, 1781.
RESOLVED,
THAT the governor and council of the state of
North-Carolina be desired to ere& a Monument, at the
expence of the United States, not exceeding the value
of five hundred dollars, to the memory of the late
brigadier general Bavidfon, who commanded the mili
tia of the diftrid of Salisbury, in the state of North-
Carolina, and was killed on the firft of February last,
fighting gallantly in the defence of the liberty and in
dependence of these States.
Extract from the minutes,
GEORGE BOND, Deputy Secretary,
*** For want of room many pieces of intelligence,
&c. designed for this day's publication are omitted,
but will be attended to in our next.