The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-05-19 00:00:00, page 2

three hundred yards in the rear of the Second with a double
front, as the hill drew to a point where they were polled ;
and on the right and left were two old fields. In this position
we waited the approach of the enemy, having prerioufly sent
off the baggage to this place appointed to rendezvous at, jn
case of a defeat. Lieut. Col. Lee with his legion, his infantry,
and part of his riflemen, met the enemy cm their advance, and
had a very severe skirmish with Lieut. Colonel Tarleton, in
which the enemy fuffered greatly. Capt. Armstrong charged
tie British Legion, and cut down near 30 of their dragoons ;
but, as the enemy reinforced their advanced party, Lieute
nant Colonel Lee was obliged to retire, and take his position
in the line.
The action commenced by a cannonade, which lasted about
twenty minutes, when the enemy advanced in three columns;
the Hessians on the right, the Guards in the centre, and Lieu
tenant-Colonel Webner's brigade on the left. The whole
moved through the old fields to attack the North Carolina
brigade, who waited the attack until the enemy got within a
bout one hundred and forty yards, when part of them began
f 0 fire, but a considerable part left the ground without firing at
all. The Generals and field officers did all they could to in
duce the men to Stand their ground, but neither the advantages
of the position nor any other confidefation could induce them
to day. General Stephens and General Lawson, and the field
officers of those brigades, were more fuccesful in their exerti
ons. The Virginia militia gave the enemy a warm reception,
and kept up a heavy lire for a long time; but being beat back,
the action became, general almost every where.—The corps of
observation under Washington and I,ee, were warmly engaged
and great execution. In a word the conflid was long and se
vere, and the enemy only gained their point by superior disci
pline.
They having broken the second Maryland regiment, and
turned our left flank, got into the rear of the Virginia brigade,
had appearing to be gaining our right, which would have en
circled the whole of the continental troops, I thought it
mod advtfeable to order a retreat. About this time, Lieute
nant Colonel Washington made a charge with the horse upon
a part of the brigade of guards; and the firft regiment of
Marylanders, commanded by Colonel Gnnby, and seconded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, followed the horse with their
bayonets; near the whole of this party fell a facrifice. Gene
ral Huger was the last the last that was engaged, and gave the
enemya check. We retreated in good order to the Reedy
Fork River, and crossed at the ford about three miles from the
field of action and there halted, and drew up the troops, until
We collected most of our Straggler's. We loft our artillery and
two ammunition waggons, the greater part of the horses being
killed before the retreat began, audit being impossible to move
the pieces but along, the great road. After collecting our
stragglers, we retired to this camp, ten miles, distant from
Guildford.
From the best information I can get, the enemy's loss is
very great, hot less in killed and wounded than fix hundred
men, besides some few prisoners that we brought off.
Inclofed 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 action.—l cannot
learn that the enemy have got any considerable number of
prisoners.—Our men are in good spirits, and in perfect rea
diness for another field day.
I only lament the loss of several Valuable officers who Were
killed and wounded in the adion. Among the latter are Ge
neral Stephens, shot through the thigh, and General Huger in
the hand, and among the foimer is Major Anderson, of the
Maryland line.
The firmnefs of the officers and soldiers, during the whole
campaign, lias been almost unparalleled. Amidst innumerable
difficulties they have difeovered a degree of magnanimity and
fortitude, that will for ever add a luftre to their military re
putation. I have the honour to be, with very great respect
and esteem, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble
servant, NATHANIEL GREENE.
His Excellence Samuel Huntington, Esq;
Prudent of Congress.
RETURN of the Killed, Wounded, and Miffing, of the Conti
nental Troops in the asion of the 15th of March, 1781, near
Guildford Court-House, in North-Carolina.
Camp, Speedwell Furnace, Guilford-County,
North-Caroling, March 17, 1781.
Brigade of Virginia Regulars, commanded- by Brigadier-
General Huger. Killed, 1 Captairi, 2 Subalterns, 3 Serieants,
23 rank and file ; wounded, 4 Serjeants, 35 rank and file;
miffing; 39 rank and file.
Brigade of Maryland Regulars, commanded by Colonel
Williams. Killed, 1 Major, 1 Subaltern, 2 Serjeants, 11 rank
and file. Wounded, (brought off) 5 Captains, 1 Serjeant, 36
ranlc and file. Miffing, 3 Serjeants, 6 drums and fifes, 88 rank
and file;
Of Delaware battalion, Capt. Kirkwood's company. Killed,
7 rank and file. Wounded, 2 Subalterns, 11 rank and file.
Miffing, 2 drums and fifes, 13 rank and file.
Detachments of firft and' third regiments of cavalry, com
manded by Lieut. Col. Washington. Killed, 3 rank and file.
Wounded, (prisoners of war) 2 Captains, % Subalterns, 4 rank
and file. Miffing, 3 rank and file.
Partisan Legion, command d by Lieutenant-Colonel Lee.
Killed, 3 rank and file ; wounded (prisoners of war) 1 Cap
tain, , rank and file; miffing, 7 rank and file.
Total, z Major, 9 Captains, 7 Subalterns, 14 Serjeants, 8
drums and fifes, 290 rank and file.
Brigadier General Huger, slightly wounded in the hand.
I received no return of the companies of artillery, but their
less, &cHs very considerable.
This return is the most accurate that can be obtained at
present, but it is expected many of the miffing will rejoin their
corps. O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. General.
RETURN of the Militia, hilled, wounded and miffing, in the
action at Guildford Court-House, in North-Carolina, the 15th
of March, 1781.
Camp, Speedwell Furnace, North-
Carolina, March 17th, 1781.
First brigade Virginia Militia, commanded by Brigadier-
General Stephens. Killed, 2 Captains, 9 rank and file. Wound
ed, I Capt, 4 Subalterns, 30 rank and file. Miffing, 1 Major,
1 Capt. 3 Subalterns, 3 Serjeants, 133 rank and file.
Second brigade Virginia Militia, commanded by Brigadier-
General Lawson. Killed, 1 rank and file. Wounded, 1 Major,
2 Subalterns, 13 rand and file. Miffing, 1 Subaltern, 3 Ser
jeants, 83 rank and file.
Rifle- regiments commanded by Colonels Campbell and
Lynch. Killed, 2 Captains, 1 rank and file. Wounded, 1
Captain, 1 Subaltern, 1 Serjeant, 13 rank and file. Miffing,
I Captain, 7 Subalterns, 8 Serjeants, 7^ rank and file.
Total. 8 Captains, 18 Subalterns, 15 Serjeants 361 rank
and file.
Brigadier-General Stephens, wounded thro' the thigh. Ma
ny of those miffing are expected -to return, or to be found at
their homes. O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. General.
RETURN of the North-Carolina Militia killed, &c.
Two brigades commanded by Brigadier-Generals Butler,
and Faton. Killed, 6 rank and file. Wounded, 1 Captain,
1 Subaltern, 3 rank and file. Miffing, 2 Captains, 9 Subal
terns, 552 rank and file.
Total- 3 Captains,, io Subalterns, 561 rank and file.
1 he North-Carolina cavalry, commanded by the Marquis
of Bretigney, lofti munkilled and 1 wounded.
I have received no return of one of the North -Carolina re-.
giments ; those miffing are foppofed to have gone home. Ac
cording to the reports of the General and Field officers, very
few were killed or taken, most of them having thrown away
their arms, and abandoned the field earlyin' the artion.
O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. General.
Publfhed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
[Mr. Rivington begs Mr. David Claypole, Printer of Phi
ladelphia, to do his Baife-Mains to the gentleman who trans
poses in ordinary, and prepares for publick imposition the la
mentable tales of the Congressional Generals; and to point
out the following inaccuracies in his late labours in behalf of
Mr. Greene.
First. His letter of the loth of March to Mr. Wallington,
is dated at the Iren Works in Guildford, and in that of the
16th to Mr. Huntington, it is said to have been written at the
High Rock ford on I law River.
Second. That Lord Cornwallis having crossed Haw River at
Trollingen's Ford, about 15 miles below the camp at High
Rock, he could not have been said by any man on the spot to
come down towards High Rock.
Third. In the letter of the 10th Mr. Greene is mAde to fay,
that after having effected a junction with a regiment of 18
months men from Virginia, and some militia, he retired to
Guildford.Court House, while in that, of the 16th he fays, he
marched from the High Rock Ford on the 12th, and only ar
rived there on the 14th..
The bold assertions at the bottom, that only „ were killed,
10, wounded, and 161 miffing, of the Continentals, after
telling us that near the whole of one regiment of cavaliy, and
two regiments of infantry fell a facrifice in an aukward at
tempt to use the bayonet ; and his sagacity at difeovering ,the
loss of the British, as well as his finding out so soon that most
of his miffing, following the example of the militia, had run
home, may possibly be the work of Mr. Greene's own brain.
But the other mistakes are too grof; to have been committed
by any man who was present, and prove the tranfpofer, even
after allowing for the difficulty of working upon two letters
at the fame time, to be a very bungler, and wholly unfit and
unworthy\)f farther employment ; unless indeed the Congress
may expert the quality of his labours to depreciate with their -
currency.]
By letters from Chefapeak, we are informed, that a detach
ment of 30 of Colonel Beverley Robinson's Loyal American
regiment of Provincials, under the command of Capt. Kol
lock, appointed by Major-General Arnold to make a defeent
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, arriving at Vienna, in
Dorfet County on the north of Nanticoke river, found 200
militia under arms, whom he dispersed, after firing from his
cutters, a few three pound shot ; an officer was then dispatch
ed to demand a large supply of provisions, grain, &c. # which
after some deliberation, (to prevent their town from being de
stroyed) was amply complied with.
J,rd 12. By a gentleman from Philadelphia we are in
formed, that the British prisoners of war confined there,
receive only one pound of beef, and that generally of the
coarsest and most unferviceable pieces, for three days allow
ance; but that they have proper rations of very good bread.
Beef fells in Philadelphia at 12 dollars the pound, and one
hundred and sixty Congress dollars may be purchased for one
of silver.
Yesterday arrived from Chefapeak, Virginia, the following
transports, viz. Elizabeth, Nestor, Harmony, Caledonia,
Charming Nancy, Empress of Russia, Lord Mulgrave, Apol
lo, Providence, Belona, Eolus and Eliza, with sundry mer
chant vessels and other prizes.—They left Portsmouth last
Friday, at which time the garrison were in remarkable good
health, and abundantly supplied with every species of pro
vision the country affords.
By the fleet we learn, that prizes are daily brought to Ports
mouth from the different creeks in that colony and Maryland.
Previous to the failing of the fleet, General Arnold wrote
a polite letter to George Robinson, Esq; Agent of transports,
requesting him to present his thanks to the masters and crews
of transports for their alacrity in manning the guns and doing
duty on shore, when called on for that purpose.
Philadelphia, April 18. The following is an extract of a let
ter dated at General Greene's head-quarters, Col. Ramsay's,
Deep River, March 30, 1781.—" Our men had fuffered so
much for want of provisions in this exhausted part of the
country, that many of them fainted on the march, arid the
difficulty of procuring any immediate supply, prevented our
further pursuit. The enemy are on their route to Cross-
Creek and Wilmington.
“ Nothing but blood and daughter has prevailed among
- tbe whigs and tories, and their inveteracy against each other,
must, if it continues, depopulate this part of the country."
April 18. We are informed his Majesty's Sloops of war
Hope, Captain Thomas, and Monk, Captain Rogers, having
intelligence that a ship pierced for 20 guns, and other vessels,
were on the stocks at the Congress Shi, Yard, under the care
of Stephen Stewart, a person long distinguished by an active
zeal in the Rebel service, failed up Weft River, in Chefapeak,
landed a few men in the rear of a guard at a battery, of all
which they took possession,, and "proceeding to the Ship yard.
destroyed the aforefaid frigate, all the other vessels, and ma-,
terials for (hip-building, with Stewart's house and effects, and
returned without taking away or injuring the property of any
gentlemen of the vicinity.
Yesterday arrived a snow, bound from South-Carolina for
London, which had been taken by the rebel privateer Sa
ratoga, and now is happily re-taken by his Majesty's (hip
Pearl, Capt. Montagu.
The inhabitants of this province begin to talk very freely
of their publick affairs. A plebeian said the other day to a
senator, “ We never can bear the taxes; the alliance with
“ France will be our ruin ;' the people will rise." To
which the grave senator replied, “ Let them rife, you'll fee the
" consequence."
Yesterday arrived here the rebel privateer brig Peggy, of
fourteen fix pounders and forty men; she was fitted out at
Newbern, North-Carolina, by one Stanley, who loaded her
with rum, indigo, and part of his houfhold furniture. Stan
ley's inftrurtions to her Commander were, to proceed to Phi
ladelphia, deliver the cargp, and then go on a cruize, in com
pany with the rebel privateer. General Nash, off Sandy-Hook.
The Peggy was taken by one of his Majesty's (hips, in lat. 38.
40, and in a futile attempt to escape, threw thirteen of her
guns overboard.
From the New-ferfe, Journal, dated Chatham, April 11.
Letters from Philadelphia mention, that the Hon. Robert
Morris, Esq; hath been appointed by Congress Superintendant
General of she Finances of America ; and that the abilities,
integrity, and patriotism of this gentleman, give room to hope
that ways and means will now be found to remove many of the
embarrassments of his country, by furnifhing her with the heart's
blood of war, life.
[This is an insult offered to Mr. Morris, who eroer supported an
exalted reputation as a merchant. To call upon that gentleman
for the exertion of his acknowledged abilities, without affording
him any resources in money or -credit, is a further proof of Con
gressional mummery. Indeed the Congress and their cause are now
so much on the decline as to induce many of the inhabitants of Phi
ladelphia to prepare for an immediate removal out of harm's way,
by retiring to a great difance in the country, expelling, as they
give out, the mop vigorous exertions are intended again, that ca
pitalfeat of rebellion.]
The Marquis La Fayette is returned from Virginia to Phila
delphia, where the people continue much alarmed The
troops he marched to the southward are fallen back to the Head
of Elk, where it is said they are to be posted.
April 25. On Saturday evening last, Capt. Cornelius Het
field, with some of his Refugees, and a detachment of Ge
neral Skinner's corps under his command, made an excursion
to Elizabeth-towh. Just before they entered the town, the
advanced party fell in with a rebel patrole, which fled in such
haste as not to be overtaken.—Captain Hetfield immediately
proceeded to the town, but the Jonathans previously alarmed
of the danger, had as usual taken to their heels.—Captain
M'Michael of the Refugee Post at Bergen Point, who had been
taken out of a flag by the rebels, and held in irons, was upon
this occasion relieved, and restored to his companions.
We have only to regret the loss of Mr. Elias Mann, who
has ever distinguished himfelf on all occasions since the rebel
lion, as a brave and a&ive Loyalist.—He was unfortunately
killed by a shot from a Skulking party, as the troops were re
imbarking.—Captain Hetfield, and one private were Slightly
wounded.
An authentick Account of an excurfon from Lloyd's Neck to
Connecticut, by the associated Loyal,s, under the command of
Captain Hubbill.
“ ON Wednesday the 18th instant. Captains Hubbill and
Ives, with the assistance of other spirited Loyalists, manned
eight whale-boats, and left Lloyd's Neck with an intention to
make defeents on the coasts of Connecticut. At fun setting
they difeovered a Schooner at a mile's distance, on which they
immediately gave chace, but the weather being hazy, and the
Schooner favoured with a Strong Southerly wind got into New
field harbour, notwithstanding every exertion to prevent it;
she was pursued so close to the Shore, that several long foot
passed between Capt. Hubbill's party and some rebel militia
who came down to protest the Schooner.
“ Capt. Hubbill then rowed to the eastward, determined to
attack the fort near New-Haven ; and so well was the plan
conduced, that they landed in the night about a quarter of a
mile from the fort, and proceeded in such perfect silence, that
they gained the centre of the parade, Secured the sentry and
Surrounded the barrack before the rebels knew of the approach.
After forcing the door and entering the barrack, one of the re
bels difeharged his musket, and thereupon was instantly killed.
The rest of the party, 11 in number, Surrendered prisoners.
Captain Hubbill then ordered the platforms to be burnt, cut
down the flag Staff, and effectually destroyed two French
(double fortified) nine pounders, set fire to the barracks, and
to every thing which would burn. The rebel colours, with
the prisoners and 18 Stand of militia arms were brought off,
and the party returned to Lloyd's Neck without sustaining
any loss. The prisoners were brought to town last Sunday.”
By accounts from Rhode-IQand we are informed, that the
French ships of war were all ready for sea, and their trans
ports lying at Single anchor, out fide of the men of war, but
their troops were not embarked. The Romulus having re
ceived great damage from the fire of his Majesty's ship Lon
don, was hove down to undergo a repair.
April 28. The Rebel Ship HeCtor, Capt. Manning, of 18 fix
pounders and ninety men, was taken by the Virginia, Captain
Hazard, off Bermuda ; She belonged to Portsmouth, 'New-
HampShire, and Surrendered without firing a foot. The
HeCtor was cruizing in this latitude on purpose to intercept a
rich ship bound to London, the property of Messrs. Shedden
and Goodrich, of whose appearance information had been
dispatched to the HeCtor, by a clan of infernal rebels, inhabi
tants of Bermuda, who afford every aid and intelligence to
the enemies of Great-Britain ; most fortunately the Ship Vir.
ginia arrived in a critical conjuncture to prevent her falling a
facrifice to their treachery.——
A Correspondent hopes the loyal inhabitants of that island
will hold out to publick infamy the names of every villain de
tected in such treasonable correspondences.
, The Virginia after leaving Bermuda, where she conduced
the Hector, fell in with the Peggy, of Boston, .Captain Dog
gart which she took.
fyril %i. Last TLuTday was conduced fnto our harbour,
the Confederacy, a ^rigare carrying 28 French twelves and
8 fix pounders ; it is said ger keel was criminally laid for a ihip
of 64 cannon. She w;is ta^i, on Saturdaylaft, off the Capes of
Virginia, by one of bis .Majesty's drips of war ; her comman
der, Seth Warding, of Comierticut, had made every difpofi
t:bn for adofe engagement, when perceiving her antagonist
(on hoisting English colours) run out a lower tier of guns,
and another frigate in fight, he very prudently struck the rebel
, colours, and submitted without any refinance. Amongst near
300 men on board of her, were found a number of British sea
men, who had been forced into the .enemy's service, thro' the
harlheft ' treatment in their gaols; these with great alacrity im
mediately entered into that of their native country. We are
informed her invoice amounts to titty thousand pounds; the
cargo confills in sugar, cotton, indigo, and a large quantity
of cloathing for Mr. Washington's army; she was bound from
Cape Francois to Philadelphia, with a cenvov, of which seve
ral vessels have been already brought into this port. She is
the largest ship ever employed by the Congress, whole navy,
is now reduced to three frigates, viz. the Alliance, Trumbull;
and Deane.—There was a French Colonel of engineers in the
rebel service, and several other persons of that nation on board
the prize.—-Capt. Harding was some time ago taken aid
brought to this city in the Oliver Cromwell privateer. He
was oneof the captors of the Jason's fleet from New-York
for Georgia ; and it is justly due to him, that we inform the
publick, he treated the gentlemen, who, on that disastrous
event became his prisoners, with great humanity and kindness.
Yesterday arrived the Bull Dog Galley, (formerly in the
Congress service) laden with corn from Delaware, prize to the
Trimmerwhaleboat, which she took in that river, in company
with two schooners laden with tobacco, which arrived at
Sandy-Hook yesterday. These three make nine prizes, taken
and brought in here by the Trimmer within the space of a
month, besides numbers which foe has destroyed.
Letters from Lisbon mention, that Richard Cumberland,
Esq; continues still at the Spanish Court, greatly carefled by
the Royal Family and Nobility; and that Mr. Huffey has been
again dispatched by that gentleman to the British Court. He
embarked at Lisbon on the 29th of January.
I Wednefday was sent in here, by one of his Majesty's ships,
the rebel letter cf marque brig General Gates,"of 'eight fix
pounders and nineteen men. Bhe was loaded with tobacco at
Philadelphia, abound for Sweden, and was taken on Thurfday
laft off the Capes of Delaware.
Same evening arrived the letter cf marque ship Euphrates,
Capt. M'Corkill, of twenty-eight guns, in eleven weeks from
Lisbon : When she left that port, a Dutch Admiral in a fifty
gun ship, with another which mounted forty, lay in the Ta
gus, as did also a Britid. frigate, the Captain of which being
disgusted by some expreffrons which fell from the Admiral,
upon the arrival of intelligence of the rupture between Great-
Britain and Holland, used the freedom to kick him in one of
the most publick flreets in Lisbon. The arrival of Commodore
Johnston, with seven fail of the line; was daily expected there
from England. The Portuguese manifeft the most cordial
friendfhin to British fubjeds, and seem determined to observe
an exad ireutralitv.
By the Schooner Peggy, prize to the Virginia, was inter
cepted a letter from a merchant at Cape Francois, to his cor
respondent in Boston, giving the latter information of a Trea
ty cf zhZhwer being absolutely concluded between Great=Bri
tain and Rufiia."'•