The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-10-27 00:00:00, page 2

RETURN of the Killed and Wounded of the French
Troops since the beginning of the Siege of York.
From the 6th to the 7th Odober.
In making the firft parallel. Kill. Wound-
Main attack ox
Attack up the river at the left, 0 7
One officers of the artillery wounded.
From the 7th to the Bth.,
jin shaking the batteries upon theist parallel.
Main attack 0 6
From the Bth to the 9th.
Continuation of the batteries.
Main attack 1 1
From the 9th to the, roth.
Continuation of the batteries 0 2
Attack up the river 0
From- the 10th to the iith.
The batteries firing— main attack 1 1
From the iith to the 12th.
Opening the second parallel.
Main attack 0 4
Attack up the river 0 3
From the 12th to the 13th.
Commencing of the batteries on the second) 6 ^
parallel)
Two officers wounded.
From the 13th to the 14th.
Continuation of the batteries 1 28.
Attack up the river 0 3
From the 14th to the 15th.
Attack of the two redoubts of the enemy) 4] ,
down the river.)'
Six officers wounded
Total. 50 127
Nine officers wounded, two of them since dead.
Return of the killed and wounded of the American ar
my from the 28th September, 1781, the day of the
investiture of York, to the storm of the enemy's re
doubts on the night of the 14th October following,
inclusive..
From the investiture of York to the opening of the
fi r ft parallel on the evening of the 6th Oft exclusive.
Continentals, killed 1 sergeant, 3 rank and file.
Wounded, 1 colonel*, 2 rank and file.
Militia, killed 1 rank and file. W®unded 6 rank and
file.
From the opening of the firft parallel, to that of the
second on the evening of the iith Oftober^ exclusive.
Continentals, killed 2 rank and file. Wounded 3
rank and file.
Militia, Wounded 3 rank and file.
From the opening of the second parallel to the 14th
Odober, inclusive.
Continentals, killed 1 captain, 3 rank and file,
Wounded 1 captain, 7 rank and tile.
enterng the enemy's work, with his corps, among the
foremoft, and making prisoner the commanding officer
of the redoubt. Lieut, col Gimat's battalion, which
formed the van of the right attack, and which fell un
der my immediateobfervation, encouraged by the deci
sive and animated example oftheir leader, advanced wit h
an ardour and resolution superior to every obstacle.
They were seconded by major Fish with the battalion
under his command, who, when the fr r nt of the column
reached the abattis unlocking hiscorps to the left, as
he had been directed, advanced with such celerity, as
to arrive in time to participate in the assault.
Lieut. Mansfield deserves particular commendation,
for the coolness, firmnefs and punctuality, with which
he conduced the van-guard. Capt, Olney, who com
manded the firfl platoon of Gimat's battalion, ^enti
tled to peculiar applause. He led his platoon into the
work with exemplary intrepidity, and received two bay
onet wounds. Capt. Gilliland with the detachment of
tappers and miners, acquitted themfel'vts in a manner
that did them great honour.
I do but justice to the federal corps, when [have the
pleasure to assure you, there was not an officer nor
soldier whose behaviour, if it could be particularised,
would not have a claim to the warmest approbation.
As it would have been attended with delay and lots to
wait for the removal of the abbattis and pallifades,
the ardor of the troops was indulged in passing over
them.
There was a happy coincidence of movements, the
dedoubt was in the fame moment inveloped and car
ried on every part. The enemy are intitled to the ac
knowledgement of an. honourable defence.
Permit me to have the fatisfaßion of expressing our
obligations to colonel Armand captain Segonge, the
chevalier de Fontivieux, and captain Bedkin, officers
of his corps, who, ading upon this occasion as volun
teers, proceeded at the head of th? right column, and
entering the redoubt among the firfl, by their gallant
example contributed to the success of the enterprise.
Our killed and wounded you will perceive by the en
closed return. I sensibly felt, ata critical- period, the
loss of the affiflance of lieutenant colonel Gimat, who
receiveda musket-ball in his foot, which obliged him
to retire from the field. Captain Bets of Laurenses
corps, captain Hunt and lieutenant Mansfield, of Gi
mat's, were wounded with the bayonet, in gallantly
entering the work. Captain - lieutenant Kirkpatrick,
of the corps of Tappers and miners, received a wound
in the ditch. Inclofed is a return of the prisoners.
The killed and wounded of the enemy did not exceed
eight. Incapable of imitating examples of barbarity,
ail'd forgetting recent provocations, the soldiery feared
every man who ceased to resist.•
I have the honour to be,
with the warmest esteem and attachment,
Sir, your mod obedient humble servant,.
A. HAMILTON, .
Lieutenant colonel commandant.
The marquis de la Fayette.
Camp before York-Town, October 15, 178 T.
Militia, killed grank and file. Wounded 7 rank and
file.
At the storm on the evening of the 14th October.
Continentals, killed 8 rank and file- Wounded 2
lieu,. colonels, 1 major, 2 captains, 1 captain lieute
nant, i lieutenant, 1 sergeant, 28 rank ad file.
Total—Continentals, killed 1 captain, 1 ferjeant, 16
rank and file. Wounded 1 colonel, 2 lieutenant-colo
nels, i major, 3 captains, Icaptamlieutenant, lieu
tenant, ifirgeant, 40 rank and file.
Total—Militia, killed 4 rank and file. Wounded
16 rank and file-.
Officers killed at the opening of the second parallel
Ca ptain White, of cobnel Vofe's battalion infantry.
Wounded at ditto.
Captain Goffeten, of general Hazen's regiment.
Officers wounded at the storm.
Lieutenant- colonels Barber and Gimat.
Major Barker, infpedor to light infantry division-
Captains Olney and Hunt of colonel Gim-aUs batta
lion infantry.
Captain lieutenant Kirkpatrick, corps of sappers
and miners.
Lieutenant Mansfield, of colonel Gimat's battalion
infantry.
* Colonel Scammel, since dead-
EDW ARD HAND, A. G.
Head-quarters, near York, 19th October, 1781,
SIR,
IHAVE the honour to inform Congress, that a re
bullion of the Britilh. army under the command of
lord Cmwallis is most happily effected —The un
remitting ardour which actuated every officer and soldi
er in the combined army, on this occasion, has prin
cipally led to this important event at an earlier peri
od than my mod sanguine hopes , had induced me to
exp'd.
The fingu.hrfpirit of emulation} which animated the
whole army, from the sirs lcommencement of our ope
rations, has filled my mind with the highest pleasure
and fatisfa&ion, and had given me the happied presa
ges of fu/cefs.
On the 37th inflant, a- letter was received from ford
Cornwallis, proposing a meeting of commissioners, to
confu.lt on terms for the surrender of the posts of
York and Gloucefler. This letter (the sirs lwhich
had passed between us) opened a correspondence :
A copy of which I do myfelf the honour to en
clole; that correspondence was followed by the
definitive capitulation, which was agreed to, and sign
ed on the 19th : Copy of which is also herewith tranf
muted,and which 1 hope will meet the approbation of
Congress-
I thouJd be wanting ire the feelings of gratitude, did
I, not mention on this occasion, with the warmefl sense of
acknowledgments, the very cheerful and able assistance
which I have received in the course of our operations,
from his excellency count de Rochambeau, and all his
officers of ever? rank, io their refpeftive capacities.
Nothing could equal this zeal of our allies,, but the
emulating spirit of the American officers, whose ardour
would not fuffer their exertions to be exceeded.
The very uncommon degree of duty and fatigue
which the nature of the service required from the r ffi
cers of engineers and artillery of both armies, obliges,
me particularly to mention the obligations I am under
to the commanding and other officers of those corps.
I with it was in my power to express to Congress,.
how much I feel myfelf indebted to the count de Graffe,.
a d the officers of the fleet under his command, for
the diflinguilhed aid and support which has been af
forded by them, between whom and the army the most
happy concurrence of sentiments and views have sub
filled, and from, whom every possible co operation has
been experien ed, which the most harmonious inter
course could afford.
Returns of the l'rifoners,MiliNry Stores, Ordinance,,
Shipping, and other matters, I dial! do myfelf theho
ncur to transmit to Congress as soon as they can be
collected by the heads of departments to which they,
belong.
Colonel Laurens and the vifeount de Noailles, on
the part of the combined army, were the gentlemen who.
a&ed as commissioners for forming and fettling the
terms of capitulation and- surrender herewith trans
mitted.; to whom L am particularly obliged for their
readiness and attention exhibited on the occasion.
Colonel Tilghman, one of my aids de camp, wil[
have the honour to deliver these dispatches to your ex
ceftency; he will be able to inform you of every mi
nute (ircumftance which isnot particularly mentioned,
in my letter. ;his merits,which are too well known to need
any. observations at this time, ,have gained my particu
lar attention, and I, could wish that they may be honour
ed by the notice of your excellency,and Congress.
Your Excellency and Congress will be pleased to ac
cept my congratulations on this happy event, and be
lieve me to be, with the highest refpe& and esteem
Sir, your Excellency's
most obedient humble servant,
His excellency, the G. WASHINGTON.
President of Congress.
P. S. Tho' I am not possessed of the particular re
turns, yet I have reason to suppose that the numb#
of prisoners will be between five and fix thousand, ex.
cluftve of seamen and others
(For the Remainder fee the last page.)
On Wednesday Next,
Aat TWELVE o'Clock at Noon, nt the Coffee-Hoc^,
Will be Sold by Public Auction,
The Schooner General Arnold,
With her Tackle, Apparel end Fu niture, ^ she row
lays at Mi in's Wh^ff, between Race ano Vin -ftrettt,
agreeable to an Inv<nt:ry to be seen at ihe pace of
Sale, being a Prize taken by the Letter of Marqu
Ship Nonsuch, Cap ain W.-lls.
By Order ct the Court rs Admira'ty,
CLEMENT BIDDLE, Marshal.
SfOUTH.CAROLIN A.
By In's- Excellency John Rutledge, Esquire, Govern
nor and Commander in Chief of the said State.
A PROCLA MA TI O N.
WHEREAS the forces of the United States hav
ing compelled the troops of his Britannic ma
jesty to fuFrender, or evacuate the feviral strong posts
which they held in the upper and interior settlements,
and retreat to the vicinity of Charleftown, and the
enemy being, therefore, unable to give that protecti
on and support, which tley promised, to their adhe
rents, left many inhabitants of this state, who had ta
ken up arms with them (induced To to do by their art
ful representations) to become victims to their injured
country. Whereupon, such persons, to escape or avoid
the effects of its just refentmemt, followed and remain
with the Bririfli army, or lurk and conceal themselves
in secret places. And whereas, the commandant of
Charleftcwn having sent beyond sea, the wives andfa
mides (which were in the said town) of all the avowed,
friends of America; the several brigadiers of militia
were ordered, as a retaliation of such treatment, to fend
the wives and families (within their re'peftive diftrids)
of all persons who had joined or adhered to, and re
mained with the enemy, into their lines And where
as, it is represented to me, in behalf of the unhappy
men who are with the Britilh troops, or secreting them
selves as aforefaid, that they are now convinced (being
reduced, with their families, to great distress and po
verty) that they relied on falfe and specious engage
ments, and were flattered with vain, expectations, and
delufiv^ hopes, and that they are therefore anxious (if
they may be admitted) to return to their allegiance,
and use their utmost exertions to support American
independence- On duly weighing and considering the
premises, I have thought fit, by and with the advice
a nd < mfent of the privy council, to idue this Proclama
tion, offering, and I do hereby offer, to all persons
who have borne arms with the enemy, and who now
adhere to or are with them in tuis ft'ate, or are lurking
or concealing themselves in Secret places in any part of
the ftate,.a FULL and FREE PARDON and OBLI
VION, for such their offence, es having borne arms
with or adhered to, the eh my, upon the conditions
following ; that is to fay, that such persons do, and
shall, within .thirty days after the date hereof, sur
render themselves to a brigadier of the militia of this
slate, and engage to peri <m.conflant duty as privates,,
in the militia, for fix months next ensuing the time
of such Surrender, and that they actually perform fuck
duty. And I do further offer to the wives and children ..
of such perfons,,upon their hufbunds or parents com
plying with the condition firft abovementioned, li
cence and permission, to return to their habitations,
and to hold and . enjoy their property in this frate
without moleflation or interruption. Provided always
that, if such persons thall desert from the militia ser
vice within the time above limited, their families
shall be immediately sent into the enemy's lines, and'
neither they or their husbands or parents, Suffered to
return to, or reside in this state. Nevertheless, Ido
except from the pardon hereby offered, and fromeve
ry benefit of this proclamation, all such persons, as
having gone over to, or joined the enemy,, were cal
led upon: by me, in and y two several proclamations,
to surrender themselves to a magistrate within forty
days after the refpeQive dates of those proclamations,
in pursuance of an ordinance intitled, " An ordinance
to prevent persons withdrawing from the defence of
this state, to join the enemies thereof :" all such as
were sent off or obliged to quit the state for refusing co
take the oath required of them by law, who h.ve re
turned to this country, alt those who fubferibed ^
congratulatory address, bearing date on or about the
fifth day of June, One thousand seven hundred and
eighty, to general fir Henry Clinton, and vice admi
ral Arbuthnot, or another address, bearing date oir or
about the nineteenth day of September, One thousand
Seven hundred and eighty, to lieutenant general earF
Cornwallis ; all such as hold, or have held, any com
miffionjcivih or military, under the Britilh government,,
and are now with the enemy ; and^all those whose con
dud has been so infamous, as that they cannot,
(con fleetly with juflice or policy) be aamitted to
partake of the privileges of Americans. Notwith
handing which last mentioned exception, such. persons,
if they should bedeemed, by me, or the governor and
commander in chief for the time being, inadmiffable.
to the rights and privileges of fubjefts, will not be
detained as prisoners, b:t shall have full and free li
berty, and a pass or permit to return. At a junc
ture when the force of the enemy in this flate,though
lately considerable, is greatly reduced by the many'
defeats which they have fuffered, and particularly in
the late important aflion at Eutaw; when they
are dispossessed of every ph and garrison,. except
Charleftown; when the formidable fleet of his most
Christian majefly, in Chefeape ke-Bay, and the com-,
bined armies of the king of Frince and of the Unitea
States, under the command of his excellency general.
W ihington, in Virginia, afford a well grounded hope,,
that, by the joint efforts of their armies, this cam
paign will be happily terminated,and t.e Britilh power
in every part of the Cons derate States,, soon totally
anihilated ; it is conceived, that the true and real mo
tive of the offer hereby made, will be acknowledged^
It must be allowed to proceed, not from timidity (to
which the enemy affed to attribute every ad of cle
mency and mercy, on our part) but from a wish to
impress, with a sense of their error, and to reclaim
misguided fubjeds, and give them, once more, an op
portunity of becoming valuable members of the com-,
munity, instead of banish 11g them, or forever cutting
them off from it; for even the most difafleßed can
not suppose, that the brave and determined freemen of
this state have any dread ' of their arms.
With the persons to whom pardon is thus offered,
thechoice dill remains, eitt er to return to their allegi
ance, and, with their f.mil es, be restored to the fa
vour of their country, and to their possessions, or, to
abandon their properties, in this state, for ever, and
go, with their wives and children, whither, for what
purpose, on whom to depend, or how to subsist, they:
know not-,-mof tprobably to experience, in feme firing?