The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-04-04 00:00:00, page 3

vdry extraordinary mode of address deprived his Ex
cellency Lord Cornwallis of 140° men dead on the
field. It is easy to suppose an affair of this kind would
make matters serious on both lides : A general charge
of the British, as soon as our main body came up,
made a vain attempt to cut off the few regulars in the
field; but Colonel Walhingtoh, at the expence of
Captain Fauntleroy and Captain Barrett, with 10 pri
vates killed and wounded, entirely d'eftroyed the par
ty, commanded by General O'HarrA, himfelf amongst
the slain : The rest fell with a Colonel Lovelace and
almost every officer in the division. Don't be fur
prized when I tell you that, in consequence of some
North-Carolina militia making a start, and other parts
of the army, after a conflict of an hour and an half,
retired about two miles, as did the enemy. A Colo
nel Dixon of ours fays, he came over a part of the
enemy's dead, after they had decamped, and from
his own observation, as well as some women and o
thers, who were paying the last refpe&s to the deceas
ed, they fay the enemy must have fuffcred greatly:
We, on the larged computation, did not lose more
than 20c. General Greene is well fatisfied with what
is done, and is determined to follow up his stroke;
having since the action received larger reinforcements
than his loss amounted to."
APRIL z.
Head-Quarters, Iron-works, North-Carolina,
SIR, March 10, 1781.[
SINCE I had the honour of addressing your Excel
lency last, there have been some changes in our
cipcumftances. On the 2d Lieut. Col. Lee, with a
detachment of riflemen, attacked the advanced of the
British army under Col. Tarleton, near Allamance,
and killed and wounded, by report, about thirty of
them. On the 6th the British moved down towards
High Rock, either with a view to intercept our stores,
or cut off the light infantry from the main body of the
army, then advanced near seven mile^ ; but they were
handsomely opposed, and fuffcred coufiderabiy with
out effecting any thing.
This manoeuvre oceafioned me to retire over the
Haw river, and move.down the north fide of it, with
a view to secure our-stores coming to the army, and
to form a junction with several considerable reinforce
ments of Carolina and Virginia militia, and one regi
ment of Virginia eighteen months men, on the march
from Hillfborough to High Rock. I effeded this bu
tinefs, and retired toward Guilford courthouse.
Our niilitia had been upon such a loofc and uncer
tain footing ever since we crossed the Dan, that I
could attempt nothing with confidence, though we
kept within ten or twelve miles of the enemy for se
veral days. The enemy kept close, seemingly deter
mined that we should gain no advantage of them with
out rifquing something of consequence. 1 have the
honour to be, with great refpett and esteem, your
mod obedient humble servant,
NATHANIEL GREENE.
His Excellency General Washington.
Camp at the Iron-works, 10 miles from Guil-
SIR, ford courthouse, March 16, 1781.
ON the loth I wrote to his Excellency General
Washington from the High Rock ford on the
Haw river, a copy of which I enclosed your Excel
lency, that I had effeded ajundtion with a continen
tal regiment of eighteen months men, and two con
siderable bodies of militia belonging to Virginia an,
North-Carolina. After this junction, I took the re
solution of attacking the enemy, without loss of time,
and made the necessary difpoiition accordingly; being
persuaded that if we were fuccefsful, it would prove
ruinous to the enemy, and if otherwise, it would on
ly prove a partial evil to us.
The army marched from the High Rock ford on the
12th, and on the 14th arrived at Guilford. The ene
my lay at the Quaker meetinghouse on Deep river, 8
miles from our camp. On the morning of the 15th
our reconnoitring parties reported the enemy advanc
ing on the great Salisbury road. The army wasdrawn
up in three lines ; the front line was computed of the
North-Carolina militia, under the command of Gene
rals Butler and Eaton; the second line of Virginia
' militia, commanded by Generals Stevens and Law
son, forming two brigades; the third line, confiding
of two brigades, one pf Virginia, and one of Mary
land continental troops, commanded by Gen. Huger
and Col. Williams. Lieut. Col. Washington, with
the dragoons of theist and 3d regiments, a detach
ment of light infantry, composed of continental troops,
and a regiment of riflemen under Col. Lynch, formed
a corps of observation for the security of our right
flank. Lieut. Col. Lee with his legion, a detachment
of light infantry, and a corps of riflemen under Col.
Campbell, formed a corps of observation for the se
curity of our left Bank.
The greater part of this country is a wilderness,
with a few cleared fields interspersed here and there.
The army was drawn up upon a large hill of ground,
furfounded by other hills, the greater part of which
was covered with timber and thick underbrush. The
front line was posted with two field piecesjuft on the
edge of the woods, and the back of a fence which ran
parallel with the line, with an open field dire&ly in
their front. The second line was in the woods, about
300 yards in the rear of the firft, and the continental
troops about 360 yards in the rear of the second, with
a double front, as the hill drew to a point where they
were posted ; and on the right and left were two old
fields. In this position we waited the approach ofthe
enemy, having previously sent off the baggage to the
place appointed to rendezvous at, in case of a defeat.
Lieut. Col. Lee with his legion, his infantry, and part
of his riflemen, met the enemy on their advance, and
had a very severe skirmish with Lieut. Col. Tarleton,
in which the enemy fuffcred greatly. Captain Arm
strong charged the British legion, and cut down near
thirty of their dragoons ; but, as the enemy reinforc
ed their advanced party, Lieut. Col. Lee was obliged
to retire, and take his position in the line.
The action commenced by a cannonade which last
ed about 20 minutes, when the enemy advanced in
three columns; the Hessians on the right, the guards
in the centre, and Lieut. Col. Webster's brigade on
the left. The whole moved through the old fields to
attack the North-Carolina brigades, who waited the
attack until the enemy got within about 140 yards;
when part of them began a fire, but a considerable
part left the ground without filing at all. The Gene
rals and field officers did all they could to induce the
men to ftahd their ground; but neither the advan
tages of the position nor any other consideration could
induce them to stay. Gen. Stevens and Gen. Lavy
fon, and the field officers of those brigades, were mote
fuccefsful in t,heir exertions. The Virginia militia
gave the enemy a warm reception, and kept up a hea
vy fire for a long time ; but being beat back, the ac
tion became general almost every where. The corps
of observation under Washington and Lee were Warm
ly engaged, and did great execution. In a word, the
conflict was long and severe, and the enemy only
gained their point by superior discipline.
They having broken the second Maryland regiment
and turned our left flank, and got into the rear of the
Virginia brigade, and appearing to be gaining our
right, which would have encircled the whole of the
continental troops, I thought it most advifeahfe to
order a retreat. About this time, Lieut. Col. Wash
ington made charge with the horse upon a part ofthe
brigade of guards; and theist regiment of Mary
landers, commanded by Col. Gunby, and seconded
by Lieut. Col. Howard, followed the horse with their
bayonets ; near the whole of this party fell a facrifice.
Gen. Huger was the last that was engaged, and gave
the enemy a check. We retreated in good order to
the Reedy Fork river, and crossed at th^ ford, about
three miles from the field of action, and there halted,
and drew up the troops, until we collected most of
our ftraggkrs. We lolt our artillery and two ammu
nition waggons, the greater part of the horses being
killed before the retreat began, and it being impoffibie
to move the pieces but along the great road. After
collecting our stragglers, we retired to this camp, ten
miles diftanl from Guiltord.
From the best information I can get, the enemy's
loss is very great, not less in killed and wounded than
fix hundred men, befidts some few prisoners that we
brought off.
Enclosed I fend your Excellency a return of our
killed, wounded and miffing. Most of the latter have
gone home, as is but too customary with militia after
an a&ion. I cannot learn that the enemy have got
any considerable number of prisoners. Our men are
in good spirits, and in perfect readincfs for another
field day. I only lament the loss of several valuable
officers, who are killed and wounded in the a&ion.
Among the latter is Gen. Stevens, shot through the
thigh, and Gen. Huger in the hand ; and among the
1 former is Major Anderfan of the Maryland line.
■The firmnefs ofthe officers and foldicrs, during the
whole campaign, has been almost unparalleled. A
midst innumerable difficulties, they have difeovered
a degree of magnanimity and fortitude that will for
ever add a luttre to their military reputation.
I have the honour to be, with very great refped and
esteem, your Excellency's most obedient, and most
humble servant,
NATHANIEL GREENE.
His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq.
Pretident of Congress.
Continentals. —Killed, 1 Major, 1 Capt. 3 subal
terns, 5 Sergeants, 47 rank and file. Wounded, 8
Capts. 4 fabalterns, 6 Sergeants, 93 rank and file.
Mining, 3 Sergeants, 8 Drummers, 150 rank and file.
Total, i Major, 9 Captains, 7 fubaltcrns, 14 Serge
ants, 8 Drummers, 290 rank and file.
Published by order,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec.
By a letter received from the Marquis de la Fay
ette, dated Williamlburg the 25th ult. we learn, that
Admiral Arbuthnot with the British fleet, which had
repaired their damage, landed their wounded, and
being joined by the Charon and 2 frigates from Chesa
peake, put to sea early on the morning of the 24th ;
and at eleven o'clock the fame day, a very severe cans
nonade, which lasted three hours, was heard very
diftinttiy on shore.
APRIL 3.
Agreeable to a resolution of Congress, the draw
ing of the Fourth Class of the United States Lottery
commenced yesterday at the Office in Front-street.
TRENTON, April 4 .
Thursday last a party of the enemy from New-York
attempted to carry off the Honourable Josiah Horn
blower, Esq. Speaker of the Assembly of this state. —
They were in the habit of peasants, and perfonated
Jersey militia. In this manner they came to the ferry
nearly opposite his house in Essex county, and called
for the boat, which was carried over to them, the
people not fufpe&ing their villainy. The ferryman,
on his arrival, observed G. R. on their cartouch box
es, and therefore on his return, with some address
let the boat fall down stream with the tide, in order
to give a hint to Mr. Hornblower's family that all
was not right. This had the desired effect; Mr. Horn
blower escaped cut of the back door a few minutes
prior to their coming in at the front. Two of the
villains pursued him and were taken, the others got
off, after making Mr. Hornblower's son-in-law, Mr.
Cape, prisoner—who Iras since returned on parole.
Extras of a letter from an officer in Gen. Greene's
family, dated Speedwell's Iron-works, ten miles
from Guilford courthouse, March 16, 1781.
" The nth, 12th and 13th, the General was em
ployed in organizing and preparing his army for adi
on; the 14th he advanced to Guilford courthouse,
and on the morning of the 15th L. Cornwallis march
ed frdm his camp at New-Garden meetinghouse, a
bout eight miles from the courthouse, -to attack us.
Both armies were equally desirous of action ; it com
menced and was warm. The enemy penetrated our
lines, and after two hours conflid, we were obliged
to leave them in possession of the ground—that and
four field-pieces is the only advantage obtained, at
the expence of at le^ft loco of his best troops. We
have loft men, but the regular troops have not/fuffer
ed more than 120. They retired in good order, co
veted by the cavalry, and are disposed and in spirits
for another action. Like Peter the Great, we (hall
profit by defeat, and in time learn to beat our ene
mies. One more such a&ion, and they are ruined."
Extract of another letter from the fame person, dated
at the fame place, March 19.
" As the express was detained till this morning, I
have an opportunity to add, that the enemy retired
yclierday from Guilford courthouse to New-Garden,
where it is laid they are cflablilhing an hospital, where
1 thin^ it is probable they v>ill continue till the want
of provision obliges them to change their position.
Jhis movement is a convincing proof that they sus
tained a very considerable loss, and the report of va
rious perlons confirm mein the opinion. Their own
people acknowledge the lots of 701 800. The guards
bled freely, and some of their most valuable officers
tell upon the occasion. His Lordfllip had two hories
shot under him---his favourite Tarleton loft two fing
ers---Col. Webfler, of the 33d, the Lieut. Col. of bis
own regiment, was shot throughthe thigh. Colonel
Lovelace, of the guards, and several other officers of
diftindion, killed. In Abort, it was the most general,
and for the number of troops engaged, the most se
vere action I was ever in ; and, tho' drove from the
field, with icoo more continental troops than we al
ready have, I am persuaded we could improve it into
a vi&ory. The enemy, certainly, under the prelent
complexion, cannot File it such, or why did they
not improve their advantage ? Both parties have re
tired from the fit Id, and if it was not for the loss of
our artillery, both parties might compound for a
drawn battle; and this loss was inevitable, as the
horses were mostly shot, and it was impoffibie for the
men to drag the pieces off through a thick wood, co
vered with underbrush and small black oaks."
The last Post from Morris-Town brought no East
ern Papers, the rider having been made prisoner by
the tories, as is supposed, in the Clove, and carried
off to New-York with the mail.
WHEREAS at a late arbitration held between
Nicholas Egbert of the one part, and David
Cock of the other, both of Readington, concerning
a black mare; it was asserted to the arbitrators and
before a large number of fpe&ators, that George A
lexander, of Flemington, had fold said mare to Ni
cholas Egbert, of Peadington, for the sum of Four
teen Pounds, and that said Alexander had said he
could take his oath of it : These are to certify to whom
it may concern, that the fubfciber did buy the mare
of Joseph Smith, nailer, of Flemington, for Twenty
Pounds, and is able to prove it by good evidence.
2w NICHOLAS EGBERT.
Readington, March 22, 1781.
SPELLING-BOOKS ~
By the Thousand, Dozen or Single,
TO BE SOLD,
At the Printing-Office in TRENTON,
A L S O, The
Laws of the last Sitting.
B°E SO LD,
For any current Money,
A NEGRO MAN and WOMAN with two
CHILDREN, one a girl two years old ; the
other a boy on the breast. They will be fold cheap
to any person who will take the family. The only
pause of felling them is the owner's wanting to lef
(en his family. jFor terms and particulars apply to
Mr. Abraham Hunt, Trenton, or the owner at Bow
hill farm, Nottingham township, Burlington county.
3 w RANDLE MITCHELL.
WHE A T.
A QUANTITY of good merchantable WHEAT
is wanted ; for which ready money will be giv
en. Inquire of the Printer. gw