The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-09-26 00:00:00, page 3

spiking up the cannon, evacuated the fame, and
gone over to Fort Griswold, on Groton fide.)
The enemy having placed proper guards round
the town, they next proceeded, agreeable to orders,
to set fire to the stores and shipping; the wind being
something high, soon communicated it to the dwell
ing houses, a great number of which were reduced
to ailics; all those on the street lituate on the bank,
together with the church, court-house and gaol, were
burnt; not a store remains: sundry houses at the
north part of the town were also reduced to ashes;
a confidefable number of vessels, it is judged three
fourths, were saved by hauling them up Norwich
river: Some houses were plundered; the soldiery
seemed to be under no regularity, and every one
was at liberty to commit what devaluation he thought
proper. This party was headed by that parricide of
his country Benedict Arnold.
Their tarry was ihort, the jmilitia of the vicinity
having began to make their appearance. About 4
o'clock they retreated with precipitation to their
/hipping, leaving a town once flourifhing, a feene of
dehfu&ion. By this calamity, it is judged, that
more than 100 families are deprived of their habitati
ons, and mod of them of their all. The bravery of
a few noble heroes, we are happy to fay, was the
cause of the sudden retreat of the enemy; they form
ed themselves into small parties, and gauled them
sorely.
About the fame time of their landing on New-
London tide; a party of near 800 men, commanded
by a Col. Ayers, landed on Groton point, and im
mediately proceeded to gain possession of Fort
Griswold, but on account of the distance they had
to march, our people were given an opportunity to
colleift considerably strong in the fort; upwards of
130 men made their appearance to repel the invasion
of the enemy; about one o'clock they came up be
fore the fort, and made a most vigorous effort; our
people gave them a warm and severe reception, and
withhold their fire with uncommon firmnefs; we
soon had the misfortune of having the halliards cut
away, by which means the flag fell, and the enemy
supposing it to be done by orders, as a token of
furrendry, gave a huzza, and immediately come up
under the Fort; they mounted the walls with alert
pefs, but our people continuing their opposition, a
severe conflict ensued, till at length, finding themselves
overpowered by numbers, began to cry for quarters ;
the enemy, with their usual barbarity, murdered
all that came in their way ; the groans and pains of
the wounded were put an end to by being dabbed
with bayonets : Col. Ledyard, commander of the
Fort, offered his sword to an officer, and made a
formal surrender of the fortrefs ; but instead of meet
ing with that usage which is pradifed by the most
barbarous, he instantly found it sheathed in his own
body. However, humanity at length stepped in and
pleiad for mercy ; after they had slaughtered near
three-fourths of the garrison, the others were treated
as courage, policy, nay, and every principle, re
quired that the whole should be. At about % o'clock
they gained full possession of the Fort. After a time
{efficient to bury their dead, drel's the wounded,
an d secure the prisoners, they (aboyt 5 o'clock) set
fir: to the stores and houses on the bank at Groton,
an.A consumed almost the whole.
Ifhey remained till about 11 o'clock, when they
embarked on board their fleet ; they lay at the har
bour's mouth, on account of contrary winds, till
Saturday morning, when being favoured with a frelh
breeze, the whole set fail and flood up found.
The party at New-London amounted to about
800, and sustained but little loss. At Groton their
conimander was wounded, who it is said died next
day on board the fleet ; their second in command, a
Majfor Montgomery, and an Ensign, were killed at
the fort ; and about 40 privates were found buried in
different places round it; and we hear a confidcrable
number have been lince discovered at some distance,
amounting in the whole to about 115. By all ac
counts they had a proportionable number wounded,
which they carried off with them.
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 expe&ed would reduce them to their pri
mitive shapes ; but alas ! it abounds with so many
absurdities and contradictions, that our informant
tells us a sullen sadness is frill visible. He further
adds, that no person was allowed to go on board the
frigate, nor to speak with any of the hands, and that
it was generally believed that the French fleet were
thirty leagues southward of the Capes of Virginia,
but it was in pursuit of the British, whom they had
totally routed.
Sir Henry Clinton's baggage is on board ship, and
on Tuesday last he began to embark troops, which
continued for three days; Their destination is un
certain, tho' it is generally believed, they are embark
ing for the purpose of relieving the southern army,
foould their fleet be fuccefsful.
The militia are called out to do garrison duty in
New-York, and we are told, the evacuation cf the
refugee post on the Bergen ihore is on the tapis.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 18.
The British fleet under the command of Admirals
Graves, Hood and Drake, on the 7th instant, made
a feeble effort to enter the Chesapeake; but were
attacked and driven to sea by the Count de Graffe,
who, after pursuing them several leagues, with 26
ships of his fleet, returned fafe 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 Grade was chafing the Britifli
fleet, the Count de Barras, with 8 French line of bat
tle ships, besides frigates; transports, and victuallers,
arrived in the bay, and brought in two British pro
vision ships, bound from St. Lucia to New-York.
On Tuesday last the British frigates Iris and Rich
mond, the former commanded by Capt. Dawson, and
the latter by Capt. Hudson, were captured near Cape
Henry, by a part of the Count de Graffe's fleet, as
they were returning into the Chefapeakc. These
frigates (one of which fought with great bravery and
perfeveranee against a superior force) were coming
into the bay, under the idea, it is supposed, that the
Count de Barras's squadron was British.
P H I L A D EL P'll I A,
Sept. 19. We are informed from good authority,
that His Excellency General. WASHINGTON, with
his suite, arrived at Williamsburg on Friday last.
The army, which had embarked at different parts of
the bay, were hourly expected at James-river, from
whence we hope to hear some important particulars
in a day or two.
A letter of the 9th instant, dated at Williamfourg,
fays, that on the approach of the British fleet to the
Chesapeake the French weighed and stood out; but
the British declining an engagement, the French fleet
returned to the Chesapeake.
By accounts received last Tuesday from General
Greene's army, as late as the 26th of August, we
learn, that the British had evacuated their pod at
Orangeburgh, and removed their ficlt and stores to
Charleftown. They had lately sent about 400 men,
with a number of schooners, under convoy of seve
ral tallies, to colled provisions in the southern part
of the date, and General Marion was detached to
prevent their succeeding. General Greene had mov
ed from the high hills of Santee, crossed near Cam
den, and was on his march towards the Britifli post
at Thompson's which it was expected they would eva
cuate on his approach.
Since our last advices the corps of horse under
Lieutenant-Colonels Washington and Lee have at
different times taken between thirty and forty pri
soners, and killed and wounded a number more, the
greatest part of the whole were cavalry. Besides
these General Marion has taken several officers,
some privates, a quantity of baggage and two hun
dred guineas.
Extract of a letter from General Greene's camp da
ted 25th August, 1781.
" An express arrived the 10th instant from Col.
Harden, who informs that on the 4th instant Col.
Isaac Hayne was, by a mandate of Balfour's, igno
miniously hanged in Charleftown. After the execu
tion, his young son was permitted to carry his fa
ther's body and inter it at his plantation at Ponper,
which was done on Sunday evening last. Colonel
Hayne was a most amiable character, highly refpec
ed, and had a most extensive influence. Nothing
could strike deeper at the root of independence than
this meafnre, if fuffered to pass without retaliation ;
General Greene therefore fcopped all further ex
changes, avowed his intention of retaliation, and
issued a proclamation, setting forth his reasons, let
them lead to what consequences they may. Our
countrymen breathe nothing but revenge on this
cruel occasion—it will now unite them Wronger than
ever, in prosecuting the war with the greatest vigour
and spite. Could the diabolical Balfour fall into our
hands to fuffer the fame ignominious death, it would
be but a small recompence for the loss of our worthy
countryman; but he keeps elofe in his strong holds
in Charleftown. On the 13th instant a part of Gen.
Marion's brigade,- under Colonel Irwin, fell in with
an escort to a waggon loaded with flour, from
Charleftcwrt, going to the British at Congaree, cap
tured three officers, viz. Captain Niel Campbell,
Lieutenants Robifon and M'Gregor, and one private,
with 200 guineas. Captain Leacraft, of Haden's
regiment, went lately on Port Royal island, where he
captured Lieutenant-Colonel Kellall, with several
other officers, and liberated a number of our friends."
By a gentleman who arrived last Thursday night
from Baltimore, we are informed, that two British
men of war are captured by the squadron of the
Count de Barras and brought into the Chesapeake,
viz. one 64 and a 44 gun ship. This intelligence
may be depended on, as the information was given
at Baltimore by a person who came from the fleet.
By accounts we learn, that since Admiral Hood's
arrival on the American Ration our prisoners in the
hands of the enemy at New-York, have experienced
an alteration in their treatment —for the better.
Letters from New-Jersey fay, that on Wednesday
and Thursday last 25 fail of fliips of war out of 30
which failed some time ago, returned to the Hook,
and by prisoners which were taken and landed at
Monmouth, the letter-writer fays, they were inform
ed that the British had had an action with the French,
in which the London, of 98 guns, had received con
siderable damage, and the Intrepid, of 74, had been
so well handled, that she funk on the passage, and
with difficulty the people and a few stores were sav
ed by the rest of the fleet.
TRENT ON, Sept. 26.
It is no longer a doubt that the British fleet have
returned to the Hook from the Mouth of.Chefapeake
Bay. where it is laid they received a severe drubbing
from Count De Graffe. Certain it is that they have
come back with several fliips less than they took out.
A body of continental troops have moved to the
banks of the Delaware. Two Pennsylvania mili
tia camps are formed at the fame place. The
militia of New-Jersey are also ordered to be in con
flant readiness. It is said these measures are taken in
consequence of some projected impressions on the
enemy, as the troops uncut General Heath are also
moving down towards New-York.
Wednesday last James Carter was executed at
this town, pursuant to bis fenteuce, for Horse-steal
ing.
Yesterday a number of British prisoners passed
through this place under guard, on their way to
Elizabeth-Town, to be exchanged.
We are informed, by good authority, that Admi
rals Graves, Hood and Drake, went up from the
Hook to New-York with part of the fleet on Sunday
last. Five fail of the line are all that are left without
the Hook.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
William Livingston, Esquire,
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief
in and over the State of New-Jersey, and the
Territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and
Ordinary in the Jame.
Proclamation.
WHEREAS it has been represented to me that
North Marpole, of the county of Gloucester,
has been guilty of attrocions offences, and committed
divers robberies, thefts and other felonies within
this Rate : —I have therefore thought fit, by and with
the advice of the Honourable Privy Council of Uris
Bate, to illite this proclamation, - hereby promising
to any person or persons wh® Inall apprehend and
secure in any gaol of this state, the said North Mar
pole, the sum of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS of
the bills of credit issued on the faith of this state.
Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Prince
ton, the twenty-fifft day of September, in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and eighty-one, and in the fifth year
, of the independence of America.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
By his Excellency's Command,
Bowes Reed, ftc'ry.
T O'B E ''S-O'I7II *
At publick vendue, on Saturday the sixth day of
October next, at Tom's-River;
THE SCHOONER NANCY and her lading,
consisting of about 19,000 feet of boards
and 10,000 Shingles. The vendue to begin at two
o'clock in the afternoon, when attendance will be
given, and the conditions made known by
2w*____ RICHARD ROBINS, jun.
RUN AWAY from the fubferiber, living in
Bucks county, on the fifteenth of this instant,
a Negro man about 20 years old, a likely well built
fellow, named NED: Had on when he went away
a shirt and trowfe-s, a new wool hat, new shoes
and copper buckles, and it is thought he took with
him a blgck handkerchief, a number of new coat
and jacket buttons, besides many other things.—
Whoever will secure said Negro in any gaol, so that •
his master may have him again, fliall receive Eight
Silver Dollars reward, • and reasonable charges
paid by -WILLIAM M'CALLA.
Sept. 19, 1781. gw*
BT s oTrD;
Or exchanged for all forts of country produce,
and other articles neceflary for carrying on iron
works ;
ALL forts of cast iron kettles, pots, large and
small tea-kettles, pie-pans, large and small
Billets, small mortars, griddles with and without
legs, waggon, chair and cart boxes, elofe stoves,
fix and ten plate stoves, open fire places, commonly
called Franklin stoves, &c. &c. &c. wholesale and
retail, by me at Mount-Hope furnace, Morris
county. JOHN JACOB FAESH.
Sept. 13, T/ST; 6w
11/A> left the 17th instant, at the fubferiber's
Vw in Grigg's-Town, Somerset county, state
of New-Jersey, a waggon and two borfes, one a
black roan, hipfhot, the other a dark brown.—
They were left by three men, who said the owner
was coming on; but as he has not yet come, this
is to desire the owne^to come, prove his property,
pay charges, and take them away.
CORNELIUS. CORNELL.
Grigg's-Town, Sept. 21,1781. 3W