The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-02-10 00:00:00, page 2

IT is said of a celebrated orator of Ephesus, that in
a harrangue, which he pronounced before Hannibal,
he s ook upon to treat and discuss at large the several
duties of a general. His discourse was received by the
acclamations of his audience. But Hannibal, for whom
it had been delivered, being pressed to give hisopini
on of the speaker, replied with great freedom, teat
the fellow knew nothing at all of the matter. I quote
this from memory, to five mylelf from the military
critic, if I should chance at any time to speak to those
objects, of which he may presume himfelf, or a Han
nibal, the only proper judge.
A few (hovel fulls of earth, thrown up on Bunkers
hill, laid the foundation for those laurels we have since
so plentifully gathered. It was here that rude vil
lagers suddenly assembled, were seen, twice repulsing,
an old and well difciplioed army. The pre udices of
Great-Britain cost her at this time about eleven hun
dred men in killed and wounded, and forced her gene
ral to confefs in his official report " that the valour
of her officers and soldiers had never, been more con
spicuous." Europe acknowledged this, as the high
est encomium a young people could receive. The
boafling and fanciful projectors of a proud court,
became fulien and grieved at the failure of their favo
rite hypotheses. The ministry of England were obliged
to change their arrangements for the war. A few re
giments were now found to be inadequate to the re
duction of America.
Soon after this event, the Congress appoint a com
mander in chief. We attempt the recovery of Boston,
under the most peculiar and unpromising circum
flances. Posterity will find it difficult to believe, that
we succeeded, with not twenty rounds of cartridges
to each soldier in our camp. From this period the
world were apprised that we possessed the qualities of
a warlike people, it remained only that we should push
them further into practice. A few experiments might
serve for argument, but could not bring conviction.
This was only to be derived from fuc effes or misfor
tunes, supported by that luftre of spirit, which no
occasion can lessen. Misfortunes are not only good
for something, as they serve to make men acquainted
with each other, but as they draw forth and illustrate
virtues, that without them, might have always lain
concelaed. I hope no one will think, that we have not
been handfomety enough dealt with on this head, for
a young people just setting out in the world.
As if confeious of our powers, and to prevent the
enemy from turning the strength of Canada against us,
we entered upon the conquest of the British force in
this country. Our early operations were fortunate,
and (hone with an air of enterprise and brilliancy.
Their conductor, however, had a short, tho' a glori
ous career. May we not venture to fay of him, that
if he had not become supreme in his profeffion, per
haps, we should not have found his superior. His loss
to America, was as that of a man of firing delibera
tive talents, joined to those of the most rapid execu
tive. Even the enemy, in their triumph, (hewed a sym
pathy, at the extinction of such uncommon qualities.
In order to co-operate with general Montgomery's
movements, which had attracted the principal force m
Canada, a detachment was made from the provincial
army before Boston, to attempt, by a new route, the
furprize of Quebec. We cannot suppose too highly of
the men who went upon this expedition. Unac
customed to the life of a soldier, they bore with pati
ence the extremes of hardship and hunger; performed
a march through many a league of inhospitable woods,
a great extent of which was untrodden, even by the sa
vage ; —furmounted with a perseverance, almost with
out example, all the physical obdruClions of rapids,
carrying places, large (wamps, and bleak mountains,
when, as if their virtue had wanted still further expe
riment, they struggled through a siege, under circum
stances that would seem toooppreffive for the known
power of human nature to refill.
If we failed against Quebec, it was not from its be-
Ing beyond our abilities, but from an over- prudence
When we arrived, and one of those incidents, when we
affaiied, which charaCterife the affairs of war. Quebec
was saved to Great- Britain by the caprice of a drunken
sailor. The retreat from a work we were approaching
had taken place, when this man swore he would not
feave his gun without firing it. He did so, and gene
ral Montgomery, who was leading his troops, fell by
its difeharge, and with him funk all hopes offuccefs.fr
This was succeeded by a series of misfortunes., Our re
treat, however, from the town, held up a countenance
that saved the remains of our little army. In a word,
if we did not reduce the British force in Canada, yet
what we effected, and what we fuffered, drew towards
us a more anxious attention, while it unfolded new
traits of our military character.
Courage and enterprize, intrepidity and firmnefs,
glory and virtue, distinguish this period.
'The campaigns of 1776 and 1777 are marked with
the most intereftiog features. These will in time be
forgotten in their effects, or buried among the number
less accc unts of carnages and wars, that have defolat
ed the different ages of the world. We canno, how
ever pass them over ; they are to us of the utmost im
portance, as no moments in our hiflory contain, more
splendor and reproof.
It is in the tranfaftions and events of 1775 we
find the causes that produced the great armament of
the following year. These had enlightened the British
, I have this anecdote of the sailor, from a princi
pal officer, who was present, and wounded at the
attack.
JAN U S. N°- 111.
" Br tain, at the expence of three millions, has
" killed <.ne hundred and fifty Yankies this
" campaign, (1775,) which is twenty thousand
" pounds a head.—During the fame time sixty
" thousand children have been born in Ameri
“ ca."
Letter from Dr. B. Franklin to a
Gentleman in England.
" However diffident you may be of your own quali
fications, his Majesty is so well convinced of your ta
lents, abilities, diligence, and fufficiency, in the high
and important Situation to which you have been so de
servedly elected, that his Majesty cannot decline giving
the fulleft approbation to the choice which his Com
mons have made in your election ; and therefore lam
commanded by his Majesty to declare, that it is with
great pleasure that he allows and confirms you as their
Speaker."
This ceremony being ended, his Majesty, from the
Throne, addressed both Houses of Parliament in the
following words :
“ Your dutiful Commons of Great- Britain, in Par
liament affembfed, having, pursuant to your Majesty's
directions, and their ancient right, proceeded to the
choice of a speaker, I am sorry to be obliged to ac
quaint your Majesty, that their choice is fallen upon
me, who, confeious of my own inability to discharge
so weighty and' important a tru fl, most humbly iotreat
your Majesty to give them an opportunity of re con
sidering their determination, and fend them back to a
new and more worthy eleftion."
It is with more than ordinary fatisfaf iion that I meet
you in Parliament, at a time when the late elections
may afford me an opportunity of receiving the most
certain information of the difpofitfon and the wishes of
my people, to which lam always inclined to pay tiie
utmost attention and regard.
The present arduous fftuation of public affairs is well
known ; the whole force and' faculties of the monar
chies of France and Spain are drawn forth, and exerted
to the utmost, to support the rebellion in my colonies
in North-America, and without the least provocation
or cause of complaint, toattack my dominions : and the
undisguised object of this confederacy manifeftly is to
gratify boundless ambition, by destroying the com
merce, and giving, a fatal blow to the power of Great-
Britain.
The ford chancellor, after receiving his Majesty's
inftrudions, then replied,
By the force which the last Parliameat put into my
hands, and by the blessing of Divine Providence on the
bravery of ray fleets and armies, I have been enabled to
withstand the formidable attempts of my enemies, and
to fru ftrate the great expectations they had formed;
ard the Signal successes which have attended tie pro
gress of my arms in the provinces of Georgia and Caro
lina ; gained with so mucn honor to the conduct and
courage of my officers, and to the valour and intre
pidity of my troops, which have equalled their high
est character in any xra, will, I trust, have important
consequences in bringing the war to a happy conclusion.
It is my most earnest desire to fee this great endaccom
plifh'd ; but I am confident you will agree with mt in
opinion, that we can only secure fafe and honorable
terms of peace, by such powerful and respectable pre
parations, as (hall convince our enemies, that we w 11
not submit to receivethe law from any powers whatso
ever ; and that we are united in a firm refol'ution to de
cline no difficulty or haz rd, in the defence of our
country, and for the pr^fervatrou of our effemial inte
rests.
THIS day his Majesty came down to the house at
two o'clock, and having, in the usual state, as
cended the throne, the commons, on receiving
his Majesty's orders, attended below the bar, when Mr.
Cornewall, their new elected speaker, thus addressed
his Majesty:
" May it please your Majesty,
* By evidence given in the house of commons, it
appears, that England had 52,815 men in North-
America, of which Sir William Howe had under his
command 40,874.
The hopes and fears of Europe were strongly agi
tated by these measures. Those nations most intereil
ed in our fate, were as a balance between unequal
weights. The results of political reasoners were doubt
ful or contradictory. The philosopher retired within
himfelf, fat, as if in fad and solemn expectation of
some fearful event. America had afforded matter for
hope. But, Great-Britain had net, perhaps, in any
of her former wars, brought a greater or better ap.
pointed army into the field.* And this was fufficient
cause for their fears.
We Shall endeavour to comprehend what we have to
fay on this fubjed in the following number.
Gentlemen of the Houfeof Commons,
I have ordered the estimates. for the ensuing year to
be laid before you. I fee and feel with great anxiety
and concern, that the various services of the w&r,
must unavoidably be attended with great and heavy
expences, but I desire you to grant me such supplies
only, as your own security and lifting welfare, and
the exigency of affairs will be found to require.
Wednesday evening arrived the brig Industry, Cap
tain Moore, in eleven weeks from Liverpool : By
her we have the following advices.
LONDO N, November s.
ministry, and exposed new ground for fre(h calculati
ons. To her national troops, sent on this service,
foreign mercenaries were added, at an immense price.
Her belt officers were feleded on the occasion, and the
supposed prejudices of America consulted in their ar
rangement. Under such flattering circumffances, the
court of London felt all the prie and pleasure, arising
from the anticipated reduction of a vati continent, to
the guidance and government of her little illand.
" Mr. Cornewall,
« My LORDS and GENTLEMEN,
From the New-York Royal Gazette.
NEW-YORK, February 2.
' 'Thurfday morning last arrived from the southward.
Major Giles, aid-dc camp to General Morgan, with
dispatches to Congress, containing the following,
glorious Intelligence.
Camp (South Carolina) on Pee Dee, January 24, 178^
S I R,
' ""IT " "•' ' ''' honour to inclofe, for the infor
mation of Congress the copy of my letter, to
m his Excellency General Washington, with
M the inclofures, announcing the DEFEAT of a
detachment of the BRITISH ARMY, under
lieutenant colonel Tarleton. The action was
important, and refleas the highest honor on genera!
Morgan, and the troops under his command.
" Major Edward Giles will deliver these dispatches,
and have the honor to give Congress such further in
formation, as they may request.
" The deputy commissa r y general of prisoners will,
as soon as possible, transmit a particular return of
the prisoners taken on the 17th, by which conveyance
I will forward the standards, to be laid at the feet of
Congress.
" I have the honour to be, with sentiments of the
greatest esteem and respect,
'' Your excellency's most
Obedient humble servant,
“ NATHANIEL GREENE."
" His excellency the Presi
dent of Congress."
Camp near Cain Creek, Jan. 1781.
“ Dear Sir,
" T HE troops I have the honor to command,
have gained a compleat victory over a detachment
from the British army, commanded by lieutenant colo
nel Tarleton. The action happened on the 17th in
fant, about fun-rife, at a place called the Cowpens,
near Pacolet river.
" On the 14th, having received intelligence that
the British army were in motion, and that their move
ments clearly indicated their intentions of dislodging
me, I abandoned try encampments at Grendale's
Ford, and on the r6th in the evening took possession of
a post about 7 miles from the Cherokee Ford, 011
Broad River. My former position fubjeded me at
once to the operations of Lord Cornwallis and Colonel
Tarlton, and in case of a defeat, my retreat might ea
sily have been cut off. My situation at the Cow-Pens
enabled me to improve any advantages that I might
gain, and to provide better for my security, should I
be unfortunate : these reasons induced me to take this
post, notwithflanding it had the appearance of a retreat.
" On the evening of the 16th, the enemy occupied
the ground we had removed from in the morning. An
hour before day light one of my scouts informed me,
that they had advanced within five miles of our camp.
On this information the necessary dispositions were
made, and from the alacrity of the troops, we were
soon prepared, to receive them.
" The Fight infantry, commanded by lieutenant co
lonel Howard, and the Virginia, militia under major
Triplett, were formed on a rising ground. The third
regiment of dragoons confiding of about eighty men,
under the command of lieutenant colonel Washington,
were so polled in their rear, as not to be injured by
the enemy's fire, and yet to be able to charge them,
should an occasion offer. The volunteers from North-
Carolina, South- Carolina, and Georgia, under the
command of colonel Pickens, were potted to guard the
flanks; major M'Dowal, of the North-Carolina volun
teers, was polled on the ri^ht flank, in front of the
line 250 yards; major Cunningham, of the Georgia
volunteers, on the left, t the fame distance in front ;
colonels Brannons and Thomas's, of the South Caroli
na volunteers, on the right of major M'Dowal ; and
colonels Hugh and M'Call, of the fame corps, on the
left of major Cunningham: captains Taeand Bucha
nan, with the Auguffa riflemen, were to support the
right of the line.
“ The enemy drew up in one line, 400 yards in front
of our advanced corps. The firfl battalion of rhe 71st
regiment was opposed to our right: the 7th regiment
to our left ; the legion infantry to our centre; and two
companies of ligat troops of 100 each on our flanks.
" In their front they moved two pieces of artillery,
and lieutenant colonel Tarleton, with two hundred
and eighty cavalry, was polled in the rear of his line,
The disposition being thus made, final! parties of
rifle-men were detached, to fkirmilh with the enemy,
on which their whole line advanced with the greatest
imperuofity, shouting as they advanced: maj% M'Dow
al and Cunningham gave them a heavy and galling
fire, and retreated to the regiments intended for their
support. The whole of colonel Pickens's command
then kept up a fire by regiments, retreating agreeable
to orders."
" When the enemy advancedto our line, they receiv
ed a well directed, and incessant fire, but their num
bers being superior to our's they gained our Banks,
which obliged us to change our position ; we retired in
good order about fifty paces, formed, advanced on the
enemy, and gave them a briik fire, which threw them
into disorder. Lieutenant col.,Howard, observing this,
gave orders for the line to charge bayonets, which was
done with such address, that the enemy fled with the
utmost precipitation. Lieutenant colonel Walhington
difeovering that tie cav Iry were cutting down our
riflemen on the left, charged them with such firmnefs fr
a^ obliged them to retire in confufion."
" The enemy were entirely routed, and the purfui
continued upwards of twenty miles. Our lof@ was it ^
My Lords and Gentlemen,
T repose an entire confidence in the zeal and affec
tions of this parliament, confeious, that during the
whole course of my reign, it has been the constant ob
jed of my care, and the with of my heart, to promote
the true interests and happiness o' all my fubjeHs,
and to preserve inviolate, our excellent coanitution id
church and date.
Philadelphia, Feb. 10.