The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-09-13 00:00:00, page 2

BERLI N, April 22.
AN order of the Cabinet Council of the King of
Prussia, has appeared. It is addrefled to the
Grand Chancellor, and is dated April 24, 1780, and
directs that henceforth every plantiff bring his com
plaint in person before the Judges, and plead his
own cause, without being allowed to employ an hired
Advocate ; but if the perfou suing, be incapable, in
that case he shall be granted at the expence of the
State, the assistance of a lawyer, who shall be obliged
to prosecute gratis. It is hoped that these arrange
ments will lessen the number bi law-suits, promote
parley decisions, and present high costs. The law
yers, who of courie, will be rendered useless, are
allowed to offer themselves, (if they believe them
selves capable ) in cases of vacancies, for feats in the
different Colleges of Justice.
PHILADELPHIA, September 12.
Extract of a letter from General Gates, to the Presi
dent of Congress, dated Hillfborough, August 20,
1780.
"SIR,
" TN the deepest distress and anxiety of mind, I am
I obliged to acquaint your Excellency with the
defeat of th 'troops under my command. I arrived
with the Maryland line, the artillery, and the North-
Carolina militia, on the 13th inffant, at Rugely, 13
miles from Camden; took post there, and was the
next day joined by General Stephens, with 700 militia
from Virginia ; Col. Sumpter, who was at the Wax
aws with 400 South-Carolina militia, had, the Sun
day before, killed and taken near 300 of the enemy,
who were posted at the Hanging Rock. This, and
other strokes upon the enemy's advanced posts, oc
casioned their calling in all their out polls to Camden.
The 15th, at day-light, I reinforced Col. Sumpter
with 300 North-Carolina militia, 100 of the Mary
land line, and two 3 pounders from the artillery, hav
ing previously ordered him down from the Waxaws,
nnd directed, as soon as the reinforcements joired
him, that he lliould proceed down the Wateree,
opposite Camden, intercept any stores coining to the
enemy, and particularly the troops from Ninety-Six,
who were likewise withdrawn from that post. This
was well executed by Col. Sumpter, as his letter en
closed will shew.
" Having communicated my plan to the General
officers, in the afternoon of the 15th instant, it was
resolved to march at 10 at night, to take poll in a very
advantageous lituation, with a deep creek in front, 7
miles from Camden ; the heavy baggage, &c. being
ordered to march immediately by tne Waxaw road.
At ten the army began to march in the following
order. —Col. Armand's legion in front, supported 011
both flanks by Col. Potterfield's regiment, and the
light infantry of the militia, the advanced guard of
infantry, the Maryland line, with their artillery in
front of the brigades, the North-Carolina militia,
the Virginia militia, the artillery, &c. and the rear
guard. Having marched about five miles, the legion
was charged by the enemy's cavalry, and well sup
ported on the flanks, as they were ordered, by Col.
Potterfield, who beat back the enemy's horse, and
was himfelf unfortunately wounded ; but the ene
my ')infantry advancing with a heavy fire, the troops
In front gave way to the firh Maryland brigade, and
a confufion ensued, which took some time to regulate.
At length, the army was ranged in line of battle, in
the following order: General Gift's brigade upon the
right, with his right close to a swamp, the North-Ca
rolina militia in the center, and the Virginia militia,
with the light infantry and Potterfield's corps upon
the left; the artillery divided to the brigades, and the
firft Maryland brigade as a corps de reserve, and to
cover the cannon in the road, at a proper distance in
the rear. Col. Armand's corps were ordered to the
h ft, to support the left flank and oppose the enemy's
cavalry. At day-light the enemy attacked ana drove
in our light party in front, when 1 ordered the left to
advance and attack the enemy ; but to my astonish
ment, the left wing and North-Carolina militia gave
way. General Cafwell and myfelf, alhfted by a num
ber of officer , did all in our power to rally the broken
troops, but to no purpose ; for the enemy coming
round the left flank of the Maryland divilion, com
pleted the route of the whole militia, who left the
Continentals to oppose the enemy's whole force. I
endeavoured, with General Cafwell, to rally the
militia at some diflance, on an advantageous piece of
ground, but the enemy's cavalry continuing to harrafs
their rear, they ran like a torrent, and bore all before
them. Hoping yet, that a few miles in the rear, they
might recover from their panick, and again be brought
into order, I continued my endeavour, but this like
wise proved in vain.
" The militia having taken to the woods, in all
directions, I concluded with General Calwell, to re
tire towards Charlotte. I got here late in the night,
but reflecting that there was no profpedof collecting
a force at that place, adequate to the defence of the
country,! proceeded with all possible dilpatch hi
ther, to endeavour to fall upon some plan of defence,
in conjunction with the legislative body of the Rate.
I shall immediately dispatch a flag to Lord Cornwallis,
to know the situation of our wounded, and the num
ber and condition of the prisoners in his hands."
Copy of a letter from Col. Sumpter, to Gen. Gates,
dated Wateree-Ferry, August 15, 1780.
" Dear General,
" I have just time to inform you, that early this
moriLfg 1 took pofßffiou of all the pass ways over
the Wateree river, from Elkinfes ford to Mr. Whi
tears ferry, five miles below Camden. The enemy
had guards at many different places upon the river,
all of which was evacuated last night or this morn
ing, and the guards ordered into Camden, except
those at Wateree-Ferry, which was continued on
both sides of the river, of which the guard upon the
weft tide was furprized by a party of my men, who
killed seven, look about thirty prisoners, among
which was Col. Cary, their commander, together
with thirty-eight waggons, loaded with corn, rum,
&c. also a number of horses: the boats are all upon
the opposite fide of the river, the ground upon this
fide is very bad, the enemy keep up a constant fire,
but I have received no damage yet. I intend to keep
poffeflion, if I can, until I am honoured with your
Excellency's further commands. I Ihould not have
been so precipitate in my movements, but forefa w
the exceflive difadvantage,that would result from
their having the communication open, whereby they
were constantly receiving both men and provisions.
" The number of troops, regulars I mean, do not
exceed 1200, and not as many as 1000 of the militia,
who are generally sickly and much dispirited ; there
is a reinforcement laid to be upon the road from town,
will at rive in two days, the number about 500.
" As soon as possible will give you a more parti
cular account of what is palling.
I am, dear General, with the greatest refpeQ,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
THOMAS SUMPTER."
His Excellency General Gates.
'' P. S. I have the pleasure to inform your Excel
lency, that I have this instant made about Seventy pri
soners, all British, fix waggons, baggage, &c. just
from Ninety-Six, many of the prisoners are sick." ,
Extract of a letter from Governor Nash, to the Dele
gates of North-Carolina, dated Hillfborough, Au
gutt 23, 1780.
" Since our late defeat near Camden, I delayed
writing till I could give you some certain account of
that unhappy affair. The militia, except one North-
Carolina regiment, commanded on the occalion by
Col. Dixon, of the regulars, gave way on the firlt
fire, and fled with the utmolt precipitation. The
regulars and the regiment just mentioned, bravely
flood and pushed bayonets to the lalt. By the deser
tion of the militia, the enemy were able to turn the
left of the standing troops, and to bend their whole
force against them. The conflict was obstinate and
bloody, and lalted for fifteen minutes. , After our
brave troops had retreated from the ground, they
were fiercely charged by a party of Britilh horse,
whom they repulsed, and, to their immortal honor,
made good their retreat. General Cafwell has sent
in a flag, and a surgeon to attend the wounded. As
yet we have no particular account of the fate of the
miffing, except of a few principal officers, among
these is the Baron de Kalb, said to be mortally wound
ed. Generals Gift, Smallwood, Stephens, Ruther
ford, Butler and Gregory are fafe, so is Col. Gunby,
who was said to be killed. To add to our misfor
tunes, Col. Sumpter, who the day before the action
had captured a party of the Britilh, with forty wag
gons, was the day after the action overtaken and
surprised near the Hanging-Rock, by a party of the
Britilh horse. They came on him lo unprepared,
as to oblige him and his men to fly to the woods,
leaving their prisoners, waggons, and even their
arms behind them. General Stephens writes to Ge
neral Gates, that he has collected between 7 and 800
of the Virginia militia and llate troops. General
Cafwell made a hand at Charlotte, near the boundary
line, and called 111 upwards of 1000 frelh men. These
he added to Col. Sumpter's party of about 700, and
gave him the command of the whole, whilit he came
here. I have ordered out three regiments from this
diftridt, and mean to put them under the command
of General Sumner, and the officers ofthe three re
gular regiments of this state ; lo that I hope in a few
days we Ihall be able to assume a tolerablegood coun
tenance." '
Extract of a letter from General Gates to the President
& Congress, dated Hillfborough, 30th Aug. 1780.
S I R,
" I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency,
for the perusal of Congress, my letter of this date to
General Walhington.
Extract from the enclosed letter to General Walhing
ton, dated Hillfborough, Aug. 30, 1780.
" Since my public letter to Congress, I have been
able to collect authentic returns of the killed, wound
ed and miffing ofthe officers ofthe Maryland line, De
laware regiment, artillerifts, and those of the legion
under Col. Armand. They are enclosed.
" The militia broke so early in the day, and scat
tered in so many directions upon their retreat, that
very few have fallen into the hands of the enemy. By
the firmnefs and bravery ofthe continental troops, the
victory is far from bloodless on the part of the foe,
they having upwards of 500 men, with officers in pro
portion, killed and wounded. Lord Cornwallis re
mained with his army at Camden when I received the
last accounts from thence. Two days after the acti
on of the 16th, fortune teemed determined to conti
nue to distress us ; for Col. Sumpter, having march
ed near 40 miles up the river Wateree, halted with
the waggons and prisoners he had taken on the 15th.
By some indiferetion, the men were furprized, cut off
from their arms, the whole routed and the waggons
and prisoners retaken. Col. Sumpter, since his fur
prize and defeat up the weft fide of the Wateree, has
reinstated and encreafed his corps to upwards cf icca
men. 1 have directed him to continue to harrafs the
enemy upon that fide ; Lord Cornwallis will therefore
be cautious how he makes any considerable movement
to the eastward, while this corps remains in force up
on his left flank, and the main army is in a manner
cantoned in his front. Anxious for the public good,
I Ihall continue my unwearied endeavours to flop the
progress of the enemy, to reinstate our affairs, to re
commence an offenfive war, and recover our losses 111
these southern Hates."
The enclosed RETURN is as follows:
LIST of Continental Officers killed, captivated,
wounded and miffing, in the actions of the 16^
and 18th August, 1780.
Killed. The Honorable Major-General the Baron
de Kalb. Capt. Williams, 6th Maryland regt. Capt.
Duval, 2d do. Lieut. Donovan, 6th do. Lt. and
Adjt. Coleman, artillery.
Wounded. Captains Somervell, 6th Maryland regt.
Gibson, sth do. Roun, Virginia state artillery. Lieuts.
Duvall, 3d Maryland regt. Sears, 2d do. Erdign
Fickle, 7th do. 5
Prijouers. Lieut. Col. Woolford, sth Maryland
regt, wounded. Lieut. Col. Vaughan, Delaware.
Lieut. Col. Porterfield, Virginia state regt, wounded.
Lieut. Col. De Bufon, A. D. Camp Gen. de Kalb, do.
Majors Winder, ill Maryland regt. Patton. Dela
ware regt. Pinckney, A. D. Camp Gen. Gates, wo.
Captains Brice, 3d Maryland regt. Hoops, 4th do.
Lynch, sth. Hamilton, sth. Hardman, 2d, wound
ed. Smith, 3d, do. Dorsey, artillery, do. La Brune,
legion, do. Rhoads, Delaware regt. Lamouth, do.
Capt. Lieut. Waters, artillery. Lieutenants Shoe
maker, 4th Maryland regt, wounded. Hanson, 4th
do. do. Read, jth do. do. Norris, 6th do. do.
Wallace, artillery. Foot, legion. Mofsley. artillery.
Duh, Delaware regt. Skillington, do. Lt. & Adjt.
Purvis, ditto. Enligns Burgifs, 4th Maryland regt.
Roach, Delaware regt. Volunteers, Nellfon, 6th
Maryland regt, wounded. Rutlidge, 4th do.
Miffing. Captains Morris 7th Maryland regiment,
wounded. Gaffaway, 2d do. Lieut. Gaffaway, 2d
do. Capt. Meridith, artillery. Capt. Lieut. Blair, do.
'' Si R,
" The above is the most accurate return I can ob
tain at present—those who have received flight con
tusions which do not hinder their doing duty, are
not included.
Your most obedient humble servant,
O.H. WILLIAMS.
Hillfborough, August 29, 1780.
" N. B. Seven hundred non -commiflioned officers
and soldiers of the Maryland divilion have rejoined
the army. An exact return thereof shall be sent by
the next conveyance.
HORATIO GATES."
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
BOSTO N, August 17.
Tuesday last arrived here a ship, in 39 days from
Cadiz, with 61 prisoners, belonging to the United
States. She was formerly a letter of marque brig be-
longing to Salem, but taken by a Britilh cruizer, and
afterwards purchased by a Portuguese. Capt. Felt,
who formerly commanded the brig, came passenger
111 her, and informs, That there were 40 fail of the
line in Cadiz Bay, including 13 fail of French, and it
was conjectured they would fail for the channel of
England in about 16 or 20 days after this Ship failed:
And that the Ruffians, Swedes and Dutch, had en
tered into an alliance to protect the commerce of
their refpedive States.
'^ 21. Four frigates, and the Portland of 50
guns, arc in Newfoundland, and that port garrisoned
by 1500 troops ; they are apprehensive of a visit from
the French navy.
It is reported that the Dutch have flopt all the
Britilh transports in which the German troops and
recruits were to have embarked, and are determined
to retain them, and all the German forces in Britilh
pay, within the territories of the States, till full fatis
taCtion Ihould be made by the Britilh Court for the
many violences committed on the trade of Holland.
Fuefday laic arrived here Capt. Hayden, from Hol
land, alter 7o days patfage. This veffcl met with a
fleet, which Ihe took to be enemies, which occasion
ed th: owing overboard all her letters and papers : 'J he
fleet, however, proved to be from Virginia, bound to*
France. By this veffcl we learn, that Russia, ofwhofe
expected assistance Britain has so much boalted, has
verified all that our friends in France have said in their
letters of her friendly disposition to the United States
of America, to our alliance with France, and to the
dclign of abating the Britilh power, grown so despo
tic by sea. Russia is at the head of an alliance lately
formed between the northern powers, Sweden, Den
mark, and Holland, with an undoubted view to pro
mote this design, ard to ensure the rights of neutra
lity to the several contrasting powers ; for which pur
pose those powers have already fitted out a number
of men of war, making in the whole a formidable fleet.
Some of these Ihips were at the Texel when this vessel
failed. So that Britain, to support her claims in A
merica, and upon the ocean, mul tnot only subdue
the # combined force of the House of Bourbon and the
United States, but all the maritime powers in Europe.
Aug. 24. Eight of the Quebec fleet have put into
Halifax, having gained information of several Ameri
can cruisers being in the river St. Lawrence. Rich
ard Hewes, Lieut. Governor of Halifax,, is appointed