The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-07-05 00:00:00, page 1

NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
PHILADELPHI A.
Extraß of a letter from General Wa/bington, dated
Whipbany, June 25, 1780.
ri^ HE conduct of the enemy giving us rea
son to fufpert a design against Weft-
Point, on the 21st the army, except two
q brigades and the horse, (left under the
command of General Greene to cover
the country and our stores) was put in
motion to proceed slowly towards Pompton. On the
22d it arrived at Rockaway bridge, about 11 miles
from Morristown. The day following, the enemy
moved in force from Elizabeth-Town towards Spring
field. They were opposed with great conduct and
spirit by Major Generals Greene and Dickinson, with
the continental troops and such of the militia as were
alfembled: But with their superiority in numbers,
they of course gained Springfield. Having burnt the
village, they retired the fame day to their former po
sition. In the night they abandonedit, crossed over to
Staten-Illand, and took up their bridge. I beg leave
to refer Congress to General Greene's Report for
particulars.
The enemy have not made their incursions into this
state without loss. Ours has been small. The mili
tia deserve every thing that can be said on both oc
casions. They flew to arms universally, and arted
with a spirit equal to any thing I have seen in the
course of the war.
The encl&fed REPORT from Major-General Greene
is as follows :
SIR, Springfield, June 24, 1780.
I HAVE been too bufuy employed, until the pre
sent moment, to lay before your Excellency the
tranfadions of yesterday.
The enemy advanced from Elizabeth-Town about
five in the morning, said to be about 5000 infantry,
with a large body of cavalry, and 15 or 20 pieces of
artillery. Their march was rapid and compact. They
moved in two columns, one on the main road lead
ing to Springfield, the other on the Vauxhall road.
Major Lee with the horse and pickets opposed the
right column, and Col. Dayton with his regiment the
left, and both gave as much opposition as could have
been expected from so small a force. Our troops were
so extended, to guard the different roads leading to
the several pafles over the mountain, that I had fcarcc
ly time to colled them at Springfield, and make the
ncceffary dispositions before the enemy appeared be
fore the town ; when a cannonade commenced be
tween their advance and our artillery, polled for the
defence of the bridge. The enemy continued ma
neeuvering in our front for upwards of two hours,
which induced me to believe they were attempting to
gain our flanks. My force was small, and from the
direction of the roads, my situation was critical. I
difpoled of the troops in the best manner I could, to
guard our flanks, secure a retreat, and oppose the ad
vance of their columns. Col. Angell with his regi
ment, and several small detachments, and one piece
of artillery, was polled to secure the bridge in front
of the town ; Col. Shreve's regiment was drawn up
at the second bridge, to cover the retreat of thole
polled at the firfl ; Major Lee with his dragoons and
the pickets, commanded by Capt. Walker, was poll
ed at Littles bridge, on the Vauxhall road ; and Col.
Ogden was detached to support him. The remain
der of General Maxwell's and Stark's brigades were
drawn up on the high grounds at the mill. The mi
litia were on the flanks. Those under the command
of General Dickinson made a spirited attack upon one
;>f the enemy's flanking parties, but his force was too
Ymall to pulii the advantage he had gained.
While the enemy were making demonftratiorr to
their left, their right column advanced on Major Lee.
The bridge was disputed with great obstinacy, and
the enemy must have received very considerable inju
ry ; but by fording the river, and gaining the point of
the hill, they obliged the Major with his party, to
give up the pass. At this instant of time, their left
column began the attack on Col. Angell ; the action
was severe, and laded about forty minutes, when su
perior numbers overcome obstinate bravery, and forc
ed our troops to retire over the second bridge, there
the enemy were warmly received by Col. Shreve's re
giment, but as they advanced in great force, with a
large train of artillery, he had orders to join the
brigade.
As the enemy continued to press our left on the
Vauxhall road, which led dirertiy into our rear, and
would have given them the mod important pass ; and
finding our front too extensive to be effectually se
cured by so small a body of troops, I thought it most
advifeable to take poll upon the fifft range of hills in
the rear of Bryant's tavern, where the roads are
[Vol. lII.]
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1780.
brought so near to a point, that fuccour might rea
dily be given from one to the other. Thia enabled
me to detach Col. Webb's regiment, commanded by
Lieut. Col. Huntington, and Col. Jackson's regiment
with one piece of artillery, which entirely checked
the advance of the enemy on our left, and secured
that pass.
Being thus advantageously polled, I was in hopes
the enemy would have attempted to gain the heights,
but discovering no disposition in them for attacking
us, and feeing them begin to fire the houses in town,
detachments were ordered out on every quarter, to
prevent their burning buildings not immediately un
der the command of their cannon and mulketry. In
a few minutes they had set fire to aimoil every house
in town, and began their retreat. Capt. Davis with
a detachment of 120 men, several smaller parties,
with a large body of militia, fell upon their rear and
flanks, and kept up a continual fire ,on them, till
they entered Elizabeth-Town, which place they
reached about fun-fet —Stark's brigade was immedi
ately put in motion, on the firft appearance of a re
treat, which was so precipitate that they were not
able to overtake them.
The enemy continued at Elizabeth-Town Point
until twelve o'clock at night, and then began to cross
their troops to Staten-Illand ; by fix this morning they
had totally evacuated the Point and removed their
bridge. Major Lee fell in with their rear guard, but
they were so covered by their works, that little or no
injury could be done them. He made some refugees
prisoners, and took foine tories which they abandon
ed to expedite their retreat.
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that
the troops who were engaged, behaved with great
coolness and intrepidity, and the whole of them dis
covered an impatience to be brought into artion.
The good order and discipline which they exhibited
in all their movements do them the highest honour.
The artillery under the command of Lieut. Col. Forest
was well served. I have only to regret the loss of
Capt. Lt. Thompson, who fell at the tide of his piece
by a cannon ball.
It is iropoffible to fix with certainty the enemy's
loss, but as there was much close firing, and our
troops advantageously polled, they must have fuffcr
ed very considerably.
I herewith enclose your Excellency a r.eturn of our
killed, wounded, and miffing, which I am happy to
find is much less than 1 had rcafon to expect from the
heavy fire they fullained.
I am at a loss to determine what wasthe objert of
the enemy's expedition : If it was to injure the troops
under my command, or to penetrate further into the
country, they were fruftrated. If the deftrurtion of
this place, it was a dilgraceful one. I lament that
our force was too small to lave the town from ruin.
I wish every American could have been a fpertator,
they would have felt for the fuffcrers, and joined to
revenge the injury.
I cannot close this letter without acknowledging
the particular services of Lieut. Col. Barber, who
arted as Dep. Adj. General, and dillinguilhed himfelf
by his activity in aflifting to make the ncceffary dis
positions. I have the honour to be, &c.
N. GREEN E,
Major-General.
There were a number of prisoners made, but as
they went on to Morris I had 110 return or them.
His Excellency General WaJbington.
R E TUR Nos the killed, Grounded, and miffing, in the
action of the 23d cf june, 1780. — Springfield.
Artillery. Killed ; 1 Captain, 2 Serjeants. Wound
ed; 2 Matroffes.
Angell's regt. Killed; 1 Serjeant, 5 rank and file.
Wounded; 1 Captain, 3 Subs, 3 Serjeants, 25 rank
and tile. Miffing; 3 rank and file.
Shreve's regt. Killed; 1 rank and file. Wound
ed; x Serjeant, 2 rank and file. Milling ; 2 rank
and file.
Dayton's regt. Killed ; 2 rank and file. Wound
ed ; i Sub, 6 rank and tile. Milling; 4 rank & tile.
Spencer's regt. Wounded; 1 Serjeant.
Lee's detachment. Killed; 1 rank de file. Wound
ed; 4 ranlc and file.
Total. Killed; 1 Captain, 3 Serjeants, 9 rank &
file. Wounded ; 1 Captain, 4 Subs, 5 Serjeants, 37
rank and file, 2 Matroffes. Milling; 9 rank & file.
The return of Davis's detachment I could not get,
he having marched off the next morning after the ac
tion. The return of the militia I cannot get: They
had none killed, but about 12 wounded.
(Signed) F. BARBER, Lt. Col.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
THE
From the Pennsylvania Packet.
Mr. DUNLAP,
IN Free States every good citizen confiders the pub
lick interest as his own. While the times admit
of tranquility and ease, the management of publick
affairs is left wholly to the Magistrate. A jeaioufy of
power, natural in all democratical governments, con
fines his authority within narrow limits. The con
sequence is, that a degree of remissness is often found
in them on occasions, when greater than the ordinary
exertions would be laudable; but when the greatelt
are not indispensably ncceffary. The inconvenience,
however, is abundantly compqnfated by superior ad
vantages. Let critical emergencies rife, and the Ipi
rit of a republic rises along with them. Individuals
obey the calls of government ; and government gives
the most inviting encouragement to the aims and ef
forts of individuals. The powerful energy is diffufed
through the people ; and the most vigorous and de
cilive meaiures are the result of the pervading and
animating influence. Every member of the body po
litic is roused into artion ; and enterprizes are form
ed and carried into fuccefsful execution, which at
any other period, would appear and would prove the
offspring of inconsiderate temerity.
In the course of this war, which we have been
obliged to maintain against the pride, the insolence,
and the tyranny of Great-Britain, these observations
have been verified by experience. Forgiving and un
fufpicious, we have fuffcred our resentments to cool,
and our spirit of enterprize to languish, whenever the
objects of our resentment have been removed, and
our apprehensions of danger have begun to subside.
But when danger has returned, and a free people
have been summoned to exertion ; the spirit of a free
people has been far from deserting us.
Many late instances in Pennsylvania evince that this
laudable and generous disposition governs the condurt
of her citizens. Our political differences evanifh.
We drop them with chearfulnefs, when we are call
ed to aflitt in the decilion of a quellion, which must
be previously determined in our favour, in order to
enjoy an opportunity of difeuffing them.
It will be agreeable to your patriotic readers to be
informed of the Plan of the Bank eftablilhed in this
state, in order to raise supplies for the continental
troops —those troops, who, regulated by the com
mand, and stimulated by the example of one of the
brightest ornaments of humanity, have deserved so
well the gratitude and the assistance of every one that
feels himfelf interested in the cause of the United
States, of freedom, and of mankind!
The Plan of the Bank of Pennsylvania, eflablijbed
for fapply mg the army of the United States with pro
vifons for two months.
A NUMBER of Gentlemen are to give their bonds
' 1 to the Directors of the Bank, in such sums as
each (hall think proper ; binding himfelf for the pay
ment thereof, if it Ihall become necessary in order to
fulfil the engagements, and discharge the notes or
contrasts of the Bank.
These securities Ihall be extended to the sum of
Three Hundred Thousand Pounds, Pennsylvania Cur
rency in Specie, at the rate of seven shillings and six
pence for a Spanish dollar.
Two Directors Ihall be chosen by the sureties, to
condurt the business of the Bank, with such Assist
ants or Clerks, as upon experience may be found ne
cetlary. The Directors Ihall provide a proper place
for their counting-house, books, notes, stationary, &c.
They are to keep full and fair accounts of all their
transactions; crediting every person's account for mo
ney received from him ; and charging each proper
account for the monies paid. They are authorized
to borrow money on the credit of the Bank, for fix
months or any Ihorter period ; and to grant special
notes bearing interest at the rate of fix per cent, per
annum to the lenders for the sums borrowed. They
are to keep a fair and regular cash account, which
must be fettled every night, and one or both mult
count the balance, and fee that it is in their chest.
They must keep an exart register of all the notes they
issue, 10 as to afeertain every night the demands to
come against them the next day. They are to receive
from Congress such sums as they may from time to
time allot, for the re-imburfement of the bank. But
when this source and sums occasionally borrowed on
interest as aforefaid, do not afford a fufficient supply,
the Directors are authorized to demand and receive
from every fubferiber of A General Loan to the Bank,
such part of his fubfeription as may be necessary to
make exact payment: Granting to each of the laid
lubfcribers a note, bearing interest as aforefaid, tor
the sum received from him.
All monies borrowed and received from Congress
[Numb. 132.]