The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-21 00:00:00, page 3

I hope I have made myfelf properly uhd^rftood, and
can assure you, I have to the best of my abilities act
ed for you as myOlf. I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient and mod humble fervaut,-
(Signed) JAMES MEYRICK-
Major general Arnold.
fludas l&riot betrayed hie maftcr for ihhty pieces
of ftlver, but repenting of bis Ruilt, returned the mo
ney into the treasury and went and hanged himself.
Judas, Arnold, received five thou and pounds fterl
in, for bis treach ry, and we find has lodged the mo
ney in the British funds, but he has not Spirit enough
to pursue the character in the only part worthy of imi
tation ]
Extra& of a letter from major general Greene, dated
Camp at Little river, near Ninety-Six, June 20,
1781•
« T N my letter of the 9th I informed your excellen.
I c y that the enemy had received a considerable re
inforcement at Charleftown, and that I was apprehen
sive they would march out and interrupt our opera
tions On the nth I got intelligence that they were ad
vancing: I immediately detached the cavalry, with or
ders to generalSumpter to colled all the force he could,
and keep in their front, and by every means in his
power retard their march. The enemy passed him at
Congaree before he got his troops in motion; after
wards he found it impracticable to gain their front. It
was my intention to have fought them before they ar
rived at Ninety Six, could I have collected a force
fufficient for the purpose.
“ Wehad pushed on our approaches very near to the
enemy's works. Our third parallel was formed round
their abbattis : amine and two approaches were with
in a few feet of their ditch. These approaches were
directed against the ftarfort, which stands upon the
left of the town, as we approached it from the Saluda.
On the right our approaches were very near the ene
my's redoubt; this was a strong stockade fort, with
two block houses in it. These two works flanked the
town, which is picketted in with strong pickets, a
ditch round the whole, and a bank railed near the
height of a common parapet. Beside these fortificati
ons, were several little flushes in different parts of the
town, and all the works communicated with each o
ther by covered ways. We had raised several batteries
for cannon, one upwards of twenty feet high, within
one hundred and forty yards of the Ear fort, to com
mand the works, and a rifle battery also within thirty
yards, to prevent the enemy from annoying our work
men. For the lass ten days not a man could shew his
head but he was immediately shot down, and the firing
was almost incessant day and night. In this flage of
the approaches I found the enemy fa near us that it
would b^impoffible to reduce the place without haz
arding a storm. This, from the peculiar firength of
the place could only be warranted by the success of
a partial attempt to make a lodgment on one of the
curtains of the star redoubt, and a vigourotis push to
carry the right-hand work.' The disposition was ac
cordingly formed, and the attack made. Lieutenant
co one! Lee, with his legion infantry and captain Kkir
wood's light infantry, made the attack on the right;
and lieutenant colonel Campbell, with the firft Mary
land and the firft Virginia regiments, was to have
flormed the star redoubt, which is their principal
work, and stands upon the left. The parapet of this
work is near twelve feet high, and raised with (and
bags near three feet more. Lieutenant Duval, of the
Maryland line, and lieutenant Selden of the Virginia
line, led on the forlorn hope, followed by a party
With hooks to pull down the sand bags, the better to
enable them to make the lodgment. A furious can
nonade preluded the at ack. On the right the ene
my were driven out of their works, and our people
took possession of it. On the left never was greater
bravery exhibited than by the parties led on by Duval
and Selden, but they were not so fuccefsful. They en
tered the enemy's ditch, and made every exertion to
get down the sand bags, which, from the depth: of the
ditch, height of the parapet, and under a galling fire,
was rendered difficult. Finding the enemy defended
their works with great obstinacy, and feeing but little
profpea of succeeding without heavy loss, I ordered
the attack to be puflied no farther.
" The behaviour of the troops oir this occasion de
serves the higher commendation. Both the officers
that entered the ditch were wounded, and the greater
part of their men were either killed or wounded. I
have only to lament, that such brave men fell in an
unfuccefsful attempt.
" Captain Armstrong, of the firft Maryland regiment,
was- kilted and captain Benson, who commanded the
regiment, was wounded at the head of the trenches.
In both attack A had upwards of 40 men killed and
wounded ; the loss was principally at the far fort and
in the enemy's ditclj, the other parties being all under
Cover. The attach wa ontinued three quarters of an
hour, and as the t my were greatly exnofed to the fire
o f the rifle battery and artillery they mu ft have fuffered
greatly. Our hrti ! le y was well served, and I believe
did great execution
" The troops have undergone incredible hardships
during the siege, and though the issue was not fucceff
ful, I hope their exertions will merit the approbation
of congress.
" W continued the siege until the enemy got within
a few miles of us, having previously sent off all our
lick, wounded, and spare stores.
'' Inclofed is a lift of our killed and wounded during
the siege"
RETURN of t^e killed, wounded and miffing, dur
ing the siege / Ninety fix, in South Carolina.
Non commissioned, ^nd rank and file.
Virginia brigade, ~1 killed, 33 wounded, 16 miffing.
Maryland brigade, 12 killed, 24 wounded, 3 miffing.
Light infantry 1 killed, 9 wounded, 1 miffing.
Legion infantry, 2 killed, 2 wounded.
Virginia militia, 1 killed, 2 wounded.
TOTAL. 57 killed, 70 wounded, 20 m : ffng.
Captain Armfirong, of the Mary; nd line, killed,
and captain Benson and lieutenant Duvall wounded.
Ambler's Plantation, opposite James River, July 8,
SIR, 17-81.,
ON the 4th inflant the enemy evacuated Williams
burg, where some flores fell into our hands, and reti
red to this place, uhder the cannon of their whipping.
The next morning we advanced to Bird's tavern, and
part of the army took post at Norvell's mill, about
nine miles from the Britilh camp.
The6th I detached an advanced*corps under general
Wayne, with a view of reconnoitring the enemy's situ
ation. Their light parties being drawn in, the pic
quets, which lay close to their encampment, were gal
lantly attacked by force riflemen, whose (kill was em-°
ployed to great effeT. , .
Having ascertained that -lord Cornwallis had sent off
his heavy baggage under a proper escort, and posted
his army in an open field fortified by the (hipping, I
returned to the detachment which I found more gene
rally engaged. A piece of cannon had been attempted
by the vanguard under rtihjor Galvan, whole conduct
deleaves high,applaufe. Upon this the whole British
army cajhe out and advanced to the thin wood occupy
ed by general Wayne. His corps, chiefly cofapofed of
Pennsylvanians and 'fome light infantry, did not exceed
eight hundred men, with three field pieces, but not with
handing their numbers at fight of the Brittfh arm, ' the
troops ran to the rencotindr ; a (hbtt fkirmilhenfued
with a close warm and well directed fire - but as the
enemy'sright and left of course greatly out flanked ours,
I sent general Wayne orders to retire half a mile to
where colonels Vote and Barber's light infantry battali
ons had arrived by a most rapid move, and where I di
re&ed them to form. In this position they remained till
force hours in the night. The militia under general
Lawson had been- advanced and the continentals were
at Morrell's mill,when the enemy retreated during the
night to James-island, which they also evaluated, cross
ing over to the south fide of the river. Tuejr ground
at this place and the island was successively occupied
by general Mughlehberg. A number of valuable horses
were left on their retreat. From every account the
enemy's loss has been very great and much pains taken
to conceal it. Their light infantry, the brigade of
guards,and two British regiments formed the firft line;
the remainder of their army the second The caval
ry were drawn up but did not charge.
By the inclofed return you will fee what part of ge
neral Wayne's detachment fuffered most. The ser
vices rendered by the officers make me happy to think,
that although many were wounded we loft none. Most
of the field officers had fheir horses killed ; the fame
accident to every horse of two field pieces, made it im
possible to move them, u'nlefs men had been facrificed.
But it is enough for the glory of general Wayne and
the officersand men he commanded, with a reconnoiter
ing party only, to have attacked the whole Britilh ar
my close to tneir encampment, and by this severe skir
mish hastened their retreat over the river.
Colonel Boyer of the rifle men is a prisoner.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
Major general Greene.
RETURN of the killed, wounded and miffing, of the
Detachment commanded by general Wayne, in a fkir
milh with the British army near the Green Springs in
Virginia, July 6. 1781.
Maor Galvan's advanced guard. 4 rank and file kil
led, 1 sergeant 7 rank and file wounded.
Colonel Stewart's detachment of Pennsylvanians. xi
rank and file killed, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, 4 ser
geants, 30 rank and file wounded.
Colonel Butler's detachment of Pennsylvanians. zfer
geants 4 rank and file-killed, 15 rank and file woun
ded, 9 rank'and file miffing.
Colonel Humpton's detachment of Pennsylvanians. 1
ferpeant 4 rank and file killed, 3 captains, 1 lieute
nant, if* rgeam, 19 rank and file, wounded.
Major Willis's detachment of light infantry. 1 serge
ant I rank and file killed, 7 rank and file wounded.
Captain Ogden's company, of Macpherfon's legion. 2
rank and file wounded.
Captains Savage and Duffy's artillery- r captain lieu
tenant, i sergeant, 2 rank and file wounded.
TOTAL. 4 sergeants 24 rank and file killed, 5 cap
tains, i captain lieutenant, 4 lieutenants, 7 sergeants,
82 rank and file, wounded, 12 rank and file miffing.
NAMES of the OFFICERS wounded.
Captains, Vanlear, (division infoeclor,} Doyle, Finney
Montgomery, Stake, M'CleFlan.
Lieutenants, Piercy, Feltman, White, Herbert, (taken
prisoner) Captain lieutenant Crofoy, of artillery.
N. B. A few rifle-men were wounded, the number
not afeertained. WILLIAM BARBER,
Major, and D. A. G.
Published by Order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Extract of a letter from an officer of rank, dated Joly
Dear Six. 'nth, 1781.
“ I wrote you on the Bth a full account of an aHion,
between a reconnoitering party of ours, in number
about 800, and the whole Britilh arny u?der lord
Cornwallis on the Bth instant, in which from every
account the enemy fuflained a loss of at least three
hundred men killed and wounded, exclusive of a num
ber of officers,—among whom we are credibly inform
ed, there were some of diftiuguiihed rank. Their pre
cipitate retreat the fame evening to Jamestown island,
and from thence in the morning across the James ri
ver, was a tacit and strong acknowledgment, Pat a
general action was not their with. T e British officers
Captain Bentley, of the Virginia line, prisoner. Lieu
tenants Evans, Milter and Sellden wounded. Colonel
Kofcuifzkif chief engineer, (lightly wounded.
O. H. WILLIAMS, D: A: G.
SIR,- Dead Quarters, July 8, 1781.
I HAVE the' honour to inclofe toyohr excellency a
copy of my letter to major general Greene, con
taining the proceedings of the two armies since my'iaft.
With the greatest refpeO,
ihave the honour to be, your excellency's
mos lobedient, and fumble servant.
LA FAYE' fTE.
His excellency the President of Congress.
we are informed, are much displeased at the issue, an^
acknowledge they were outgeneralled ; otherwise they
must have cut to pieces our small detachment, aided
as they were by 500 horse, and a considerable body
of their infantry mounted.—We could not possibly
have extricated ourselves from the difficulties we wera
in, bu r by the manouVre we adopted; which although
it may have the appearance of temerity to those un
acquainted'with dircumflances, yet was founded upon
the truest military principles': And was one of those
necessary, though daring measures, which seldom fail
of producing the desired effect, that is, confufing the
enemy and opening a way to retreat' in fight of a much
superior army.''
In C O UNC I L, Philadelphia,- July 17, 1781.
^p HE board taking into confederation, the Resolve of
' the honourable Congress of the United States,
passed the twelfth ihftant, setting forth, That,
" Whereas it has been represented to the United
" States in Congress assembled, That there are many
“ French teamen, fubjeds of Bis Most Christian Ma
“ jefty, in the United States, employed on board
“ armed and other vessels, in the service of the said
" States, or the citizens thereof: And whereas it has
“ also been represented, That the said seamen are ne
" ceffarv for compleatly manning the squadron under
“ the Count de Barras; all officers, therefore, com
'• manding armed or other vessels, under commiffi
“ ons from the United States in Congress assembled,
“ are hereby ordered and directed, immediately, to
" deliver to the said Count de Barras, or to any person
“ or persons by him appointed to receive the fame, all
" French seamen, fubjefts of his said Majesty, who
" are or may be entered ' on board their vessels re
“ fpeßively : And if any officer, commissioned as afore
" said, (hall neglect or refufe complying with this or
" der, he shall forfeit his commission, and be fubjeft
c to such other punishment as to right ffiall appertain.
" And it is earnestly recommended to the Legislatures
" and Executives of the several States, to give effec
“tuaraid and support for the executing this order;
“ and also for delivering to the Count de Barras, all
" French seamen, as aforefaid, that may be otherwise
" employed within their refpeftive jbrifdiHions."
Wherefore, Resolved, That all mercharits, captains
of vessels, and others, citizens or inhabitants of this
fiate, be ffriaiy enjoined to pay due obedience to the
above"Refolve : and all magistrates, fheriffs, constables
and other civil officers, be directed, to aid and assist
such persons as may be legally appointed by the Com
mander of the Fleet of t is Most Christian Majefly,
in apprehending and securing such French mariners,
as they will answer the contrary at heir peril.
Extract from the minutes,
.T. MATLACK, Secretary.
%* A further SALE of the PUBLIC LOTS ot this
City, for the Redemption of the Bills of Credit of this
State, dated April 29, 1780, will be held at the Coffee-
House, on THURSDAY, the 26th of July, at Eleven
o'clock in the Forenoon. A PLAN of the LOTS
may be seen at the Coffee-Houfe. The Conditions
the fame as in the former Sales.
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fl.
To A L L whom it may concern.
fjOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiral
t, will be held at the State-H use, in the city of
Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 25th day of July, in
stant, at Eight o'clock in the forenoon, for the trial of
the Brigantine or vessel called the TRISTAM SHAN.
Df, burthen about one hundred tons, lately com
manded by Captain Brice, taken at sea, on tier pass
age .from Tenerieff to this Port, by the Britifo Frigate
Orpheus, and since retaken and sent into this Port, and
libelled pgdoft as Poze by SAMUEL CASSON, (qui
tarn, &c.) To the erid that all perfins concerned, may
appear and shew cause, if any there be, wherefore a de
cree Ihould not pass, pursuant to the prayer of the
libel, &;. By order of the Judge,
July 20, 1781. JAMES READ, Register.
The Owners and Drivers
of the different brigades of Waggons, late
ly returned from the Southward, are de
sired co meet at the Blue Ball tavern, op
posite the Statc-Houfe, on Wednesday
next, at Nine o'clock in the forenoon,
on particular Business to their own concern.
To be Sold by Public Vendue,
At the Ceffec-Houfe. cn SATURDAY, the 28th of
Jidv. ihftant, at SIX o'Clock in the Evening,
A NEW three 4oty LRICK HOUSE, with a two
" ftc >y KITCHEN, situate on the east file of Se
cond hr e, between R ce and Vine-streets, three
doorg above Code's alley. The House is 17 feet and
a half front, and 34. feet arid a half deep ; the Kitchen
's !2 and a half by >6 and a half feet; with the Lot of
Ground whereon it tt<nd% being 17 feet 8 inches front
and 72 and a half feet deep, with the privilege of a 4
feet abey, leading into Coats's alley ; clear of ground
rent. Ju y 20.
Five Pounds Reward.
„ AN-AWAY, bit nhht from the subscriber, A
K iik ly NEGfcOE BOY, named DUBLIN, nine
teen yeus of ag. # , about 5 feet high : He took with
him a white doth ioa' and breeches, ; nd a short, brown
plush coat with white <aoe and cAf.. Whoever mil
secure the said Negroe in any gaol i ;~h- United States,
(hall have the above Reward. DAVID LENOX.
July 18.
Lodgings to be Lett:
A PART 01 an HOUSE, unfurnifhed, in a fleafant
" parta! the city. Enquire of the Printer.