The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-07-28 00:00:00, page 2

ed at New-London for them to make an attempt there
at this time.
We are just informed by express from Greenwich
and Norwalk, that there is a large body of the enemy
in full march from Kingfbridge up towards those
places.—Have no doubt your Excellency will from
time to time afford such aid from the continental ar
my, as the movements of the enemy make it necessa
ry, and as may be consistent with the general security.
Some days before the receipt of your last, we had
sent an express to your Excellency, requeuing the
detention of Gen. Glover's brigade in this State for
the present, or to turn his rout on the sea coast, which
your timely provision has happily superseded.
We have enclosed the late address of Sir George
Collier and Major-General Tryon, to the inhabitants
of Connecticut. It was sent to Colonel Whiting, of
the militia, near Fairfield, giving him one hour for
his answer, but before he had time to read it half
through the town was in flames. The ihort answer
you have inclofed.
I am, with great esteem and regard,
Your Excellency's molt obedient humble servant,
His Excellency' JON. TRUMBULL.
General Washington.
Norwalk, July 10, 1779.
Dear General,
f Arrived here last night, and find the fleet which
transport the British incendiaries is returned to
Huntingdon Bay, opposite to this town, where they
now are. The troops employed for these purposes
are, by the belt information I can get, about 2000,
commanded by Governor Tryon. At New-Haven the
few militia gathered in season to oppose the enemy's
progress, behaved with great resolution, and repulsed
them in two attempts to possess themselves of the
bridge over the river the weft of the town. After this
repulse they made a circuit of about two miles and en
tered the town on another quarter. The militia kept
constantly harraffing them whilst they continued in
town, and it is probable they left it sooner than they
intended. At East-Haven a smart action took place
between the inhabitants of the village and the enemy
soon after landing, in which the inhabitants appeared
inferior to the Britons in nothing but numbers. The
loss in killed and wounded on each fide in these skir
mishes is considerable; their numbers I have not been
able to ascertain, but, from accounts of deserters and
prisoners, about 160 of the wounded were carried on
board the fleet. At Fairfield a considerable skirmish
happened at landing, with loss on both sides. After
the enemy had possessed themselves of the town, they
attempted to take the little fort, which was bravely
and faccefsfully defended by Lieut. Jarvis and about
20 men ; the enemy dismounted all his cannon but
one, and beat down great part of the works, but could
not succeed in their intentions to take the fort. They
have burnt East-Haven, the whole of Fairfield, except
four houses, and the greatest part of Green's Farms,
plundered New-Haven of every thing they could carry
off Their brutality and savageness here is unequalled
by any barbarities Britons have exhibited to our no
tice before, during the war. The murder of old men,
abuses of women and little children, will make but a
small part of the black lift. By accounts from Ilorfe
neck, the enemy have advanced in force within one
mile of that place, their numbers are said to be from
6 to 8000, with 12 field pieces, near loco horie, and
about 300 waggons, the numbers are doubtless exag
gerated, but I believe they are in very considerable
force in that quarter.
I am, with the greatest refpe&,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
His Excellency SAMUEL'H. PARSONS.
General Washington.
A letter from Brigadier-General Parfans, dated Wilton,
July nth, 1779.
IN my last I informed that-the enemy landed last
' night —At four this morning the enemy on their
advance were met by the militia, and some skirmish
ing ensued, but without any considerable effect on
either fide; at about fix o'clock, the troops under
Gen. Wolcot and my small detachment of 150 con
tinental troops were joined, and took possession of an
eminence at the north end of the tewn. The enemy
advanced in our front and on our left flank until about
nine o'clock, when they were checked in their pro
gress by the vigorous exertions of the parties of mili
tia and continental troops sent out to oppose them,
and, in turn, were compelled to retire from hill to
hill, at sometimes in great disorder. We continued to
advance upon them until near eleven o'clock, when a
column having nearly gained our right flank, the mi
litia in the center gave way, and retreated in disor
der: This gave the enemy possession of our ground.
Gen. Wolcott, who commanded, exerted himfelf on
this occasion to rally the troops and bring them to
order again; but without effect, until they had retir
ed two miles, when some troops being again formed,
returned to the aid of the right and left wings, who
had retired but a small distance and in order. With
these, the enemy were pursued again, and retreated
with precipitation to their ships.
I am not yet able to ascertain our own or the ene
my's loss ; but in my next shall be able to give a more
particular account. Of my handful of continental
troops, I have loft five men. Lieut. Gibbs and fix
privates are wounded ; I don't know of any miffing:
Some loss the militia have sustained. I am fatisfied
the loss of the enemy must have been considerable :
About twenty boats landed on the weft fide the har
bour at five o'clock, and immediately began to set
Fublifoed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Extract of a letter from an officer in General Lincoln's
army, dated camp at Sommer's Plantation, Stone,
June 20, 1779.
" Last night at 12 o'clock our army marched to
attack the enemy. The cannonade began at half pad
7, and lasted till near a quarter past 9 o'clock ; the
firing very heavy for three quarters of an hour. The
enemy sallied upon Col. Henderson's light infantry,
Head-Barters, New-Windsor, July 16, 1779.
Sir, Half after nine o'clock, A. M.
I have the pleasure to transmit your Excellency the
inclofed copy of a letter from Brigadier Gen. Wayne,
which this moment came to hand. I congratulate
Congress upon our success, and what makes it still
more agreeable, from the report of Capt. Fifhbourn,
who brought me General Wayne's letter, the poll was
gained with but very inconsiderable loss on our part.
As soon as I receive a particular account of the affair,
I shall transmit it.
I have the honour to be, with great refped,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
G. WASHINGTO N.
P. S. General Wayne received a flight wound in
the head with a musket-ball, but it did not prevent
him from going on with the troops.
His Excellency John Jay, Esq.
Scone, Point, iGth July, 1779.
Two o'clock, A. M.
Dear General,
The fort and garrison with Col. Johnson are ours.
Our officers and men behaved like men who are de
termined to be free. Your's, molt Sincerely,
ANTHONY WAYNE.
General Washington
fire to the buildings. They compleated burning the
town about twelve o'clock; thisappears to have been
their sole business, as the^lid not fcay to carry off any
plunder of considerable value.
The enemy were about 2000, our numbers between
900 and 1100. I am, dear General,
His Excellency Your obedient servant,
General Washington. SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
By Commodore Sir George Collier, Commander in
Chief ot his Majesty's ships and velkls in North-
America, and Major-General William Tryon, com
manding his Majesty's land forces on a fepayate
expedition.
Address to the Inhabitants of Connecticut.
T I HE ungenerous and wanton infurrettion against
the sovereignty of Great-Britain, into which this
colony has been deluded by the artifices of desperate
and defiguing men, for private purposes, might well
juftify in you every fear, which conscious guilt could
form respecting the intentions of the present arma
ment.
Your towns, your property, yourselves, lie still
within the grasp of that power, whose forbearance
you have ungenerously construed into fear, but whole
lenity has persisted in its mild and noble efforts, even
though branded with the most unworthy imputation.
The exigence of a single habitation on your de
fencelefs coast, ought to be a constant reproof to your
ingratitude Can the strength of your whole province
cope with the force which might at any time be pour
ed through every district in your country ?—You are
conscious it cannot. Why then will you perjift in a
ruinous and ill-judged refinance?
We have hoped that you would recover from the
phrenzy which has diftra&ed this unhappy country ;
and we believe the day to be now come, when the
greater part of this continent begin to blush at their
delusion. You, who lie so much in our power, afford
the most striking monument of our mercy, and there
fore ought to let the firft example of returning to
allegiance.
Reflect upon what gratitude requires of you ; if that
is infufficient to move you, attend to your own inter
est : We offer you a refuge against the distress, which
you universally acknowledge, broods with increasing
and intolerable weight over all your country.
Leaving you to consult with each other upon this
invitation ; We do now declare, —that whosoever stall
be found, and remain in peace, at his usual place of
residence, shall be shielded from any insult either to
his perlon or his property; excepting such as bear
offices either civil or military under your present
Usurped government; of whom, it will be further re
quired, that they shall give proofs of their penitence
and voluntary submission, and they shall then partake
the like immunity.
Those, whose folly and obstinacy may flight this
favourable warning, must take notice, that they are
not to expert a continuance of that lenity, which their
inveteracy would now render blameable.
Given on board his Majesty's ship Camilla, in the
Sound, July 4th, 1779.
GEORGE COLLIER,
Wm. TRYON.
Colonel Whiting's answer to the flag, from Gen. Tryon.
Connecticut having nobly dared to take up arms
against the cruel despotism of Britain; and the flames
having preceded their answer to your flag ; they will
persist to oppose to their utmost, the power exerted
against injured innocence.
SAMUEL WHITING, Col. Com.
July 7th, sun-set.
Major-General Tryon.
Publi/bed by order of Con^refs,
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
who ordered to "charge with bayonets, when they
run, leaving 27 killed, and a Col. Johnson; but they
were too Strongly polled to force their works. Our
people behaved gallantly, and approached within 25
yards of their redoubts; it is said two of them were
entered, but we were obliged to retreat. The enemy's
loss myft be considerable; ours is a few killed and a
bout Bz*ounded. The retreat was conduced with
good order. It will reflet honour upon our troops,
and will be of Service in convincing the enemy that
we have spirit and bravery, as well as Showing to our
own people that they are not invincible."
Lift of killed, wounded and miffing, June 20, 1779.
Killed, wounded, milling.
Ift Battalion light infantry, 5 9
2d - - - 3 i£
S. Carolina cont. brigade, 5 25 7
N. Carolina cont. brigade, 10 37
N. Carolina militia, 3 20
S. Carolina militia, 1 6 2
Artillery, 3 7
Militia light-borfe, 1 1
30 116 9
WOUNDED OFFICERS.
Capt. Hext,)
Lieut. Irby, /Second Battalion light infantry.
Lieut. Smith, )
Capt. Dogget, (since dead)l
Capt. Goodwin, c
Lieut. Fifhbourne, , South Carolina conti-
Lieut. Hamilton, f nental b ^ a ° &
Lieut. Pollard,J
Col. Roberts, (Since dead)) A
Captain Mitchell, J Artillery.
Col. Armftrong,l
Lieut. Col. Lyttle,
Major Dixon, : NoqtaCarolina con
cept. Rhodes, x f tinental brigade.
Lieut. Campbell,
Lieut. Charleton, (since dead, J
Capt. Speed, )
Capt. Champlin, ? North-Carolina militia.
Lieut. Jones, )
Lieut. Deal,)
Lieut. Prime, >3. Carolina militia.
Lieut. Browne, )
Lieut. Davie, Militia lighthorfe.
Col. Laumoy, Engineer.
Mr. Whiting, ?
Mr. Ancrum, J volunteers.
July 22. Yesterday was sent into this port by the
brig Impertinent, John Young, commander, the iloop
of war Harlem, of 14 carriage guns and 85 men, be
longing to his Britannick Majesty. During the chafe
the people hove all her guns overboard —the Capt.
took to the boat with some of her men ; which was
overfet in carrying too much fail ; they undoubtedly
have perished—the Lieutenant (Rogers) and men
were landed at Sinnepuxent, and ordered for this city.
B OST O N, July 15.
No less than 90 prizes, captured from the enemy,
have been brought into this State within three months.
The Argo, a continental sloop, and the Macaroni,
a privateer from Salem, have taken and sent into a
fafe port, a Ship of force and an armed brig from
New-York; the engagement was long and smart.
There are many instances betides this, of our armed
vessels behaving with great Spirit and intrepidity.
A prize Ship, of 300 tons, bound from Liverpool
to New-York, arrived fafe at a southern port on the
3d inflant.
Friday morning arrived at Salem, a snow and brig,
prizes to a privateer out of that place, laden with
irifh provisions of ail kinds.
It is computed, that within the last 6 or 7 weeks,
upwards of 20,00 c barrels of provision, wet and dry,
designed for the use of the enemy on this continent,
have found their way into our ports. This is no small
supply to ourselves, and no inconsiderable loss to our
cruel invaders, who may soon feel it, and be checked
in some of their barbarous plans, by the want of these
stores.
FIS H-K IL L, July 22.
With pleasure we can inform the publick, that the
fort lately erected by the British on Stoney-Point,
was taken between one and two in the morning of
the 16th inst. by a detached party of our army, un
der the command of Gen. Wayne. They marched
in two divisions, and came up to the enemy's picket
about one o'clock, who fired off their pieces, gave
the alarm, and ran to tiie fort with all pofiible speed;
in a ihort time they blazed away from all quarters of
the fort---Our troops were ordered to attack with
fixed bayonets, and not fire a gun, —they advanced
in quick motion through a heavy fire of musketry and
cannon. We had about 25 men killed and about 50
wounded, among whom were fix officers ; General
Wayne received a flight wound with a ball, above
his temple—Lieut. Col. Hay, of Pennsylvania, was
wounded in the thigh—and the following officers,
belonging to the Eastern troops, under the command
of Col. Meigs, viz. Capt. Phelps, in the arm ; Capt.
Selden, in the hip, badly ; Lieut. Palmer, in the arm
and thigh ; Ensign Hall, his left arm broke, and a taj
Last Thursday arrived in a fafe port, a Ship of 400
tons, prize to the privateer Ship Harlequin, of Salem,
having on board 5400 barrels of provisions, 1300 of
which are flour. She carried 18 guns fixes and nines,
and was taken after a smart engagement.