The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-12-27 00:00:00, page 1

From the LONDON GAZETTE Extraordinary.
Whitehall, October 9,178 c.
T II I S morning Carton Refs, Aid de Camp to
Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis, arrived in town
from South-Carolina, with a letter from his Lordship
to Lord George Germaine, one of his Majesty's prin
cipal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a
copy:
My Lord, Camden, August 21, 17G0.
-wr T is with great pleasure that I communicate to
iyour Lordship an account of a complete victory
obtained on the 16th instant, by his Majesty's
troops under mycommand, over the rebel sou
thern army commanded by General Gates.
In my dispatch, No. 1. I had the honour to inform
your Lordlhip, that while at Charleftown, I was re
gularly acquainted by Lord Rawdon with every ma
terial incident or movement made by the enemy, or
by the troops under his Lordship's command. On
the 9th instant two expresses arrived, with an account
that General Gates was advancing towards Lynch's
Creek with his whole army, supposed to amount to
6000 men, exclusive of a detachment of 1000 men un
der General Sumpter, who after having in vain at
tempted to force the posts at Rocky Mount and Hang
ing Rock, was believed to be at that time trying to
get round the left of our position, to cut off our com
munication with the Congarees and ChatleftPwn ; that
the difaffeded country between Pedee and Black Ri
ver had actually revolted; and that Lord Rawdon
was contrasting his posts, and preparing to affcmbic
his force at Camden.
In consequence of this information, after firjfhing
some important points of business at Charleftown, [
set out on the 10th, and arrived at Camden on the
night between the 13th and 14th, and there found
Lord Rawdon with our whole force, except Lieute
nant-Colonel Turnbull's small detachment, which fell
back from Rocky Mount to Major Ferguson's pelts of
the militia of Ninety-fix on Little River. ?
I had now my option to make, either to retire or
attempt the enemy ; for the position at Camden was
a bad one to be attacked in, and.by General Sumpter's
advancing down the Wateree my supplies mutt have
failed me in a few days.
I saw no difficulty in making good my retreat to
Charleftown with the troops that were able to march,
but, in taking that resolution, I must have not only
left near 800 sick, and a great quantity of fiores at
this place, but I clearly saw the loss of the whole pro
vince, except Charleftown, and of all Georgia, ex
cept Savannah, as immediate consequences, betides
forfeiting all pretentious to future confidence from our
friends in this part of America.
On the other hand there was no doubt of the rebel
army being well appointed, and of its number being
upwards of 5000 men, exclusive of General Sumpter's
detachment, and of a corps of Virginia militia of 12
or 1500 men, either actually joined or expected to
join the main body every hour; and my own corps,
which never was numerous, was now reduced, by
sickness and other casualties, to about 1400 lighting
men of regulars and provincials, with 4 or 500 militia
and North-Carolina refugees.
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
However, the greatelt part of the troops that I had
being perfectly good, and having left Charleftown Ef
ficiently garrifoued and provided for a siege, and fee
ing little to lose by a defeat, and much to gun by a
victory, I resolved to tike the firft good opportunity
to attack the rebel army.
Accordingly, I took great pains to procure good in
formation of their movements and position; and 1
learned that they had encamped, atter marchng from
Hanging Rock, at Col. Rugeley's, about 12 miles
from hence, on the afternoon of the 14th.
After consulting some intelligent people, well ac
quainted With the ground, I determined to march at
10 o'clock on the night of the 15th, and to attack at
day-break, pointing my principal force agaiaft their
continentals, who from good intelligence I mew to
be badly posted close to Col. Rugeley's houl<. Late
in the evening I received*into# mation that tie Virgi
nians had joined that day: However, that having
been expected, I did not alter my plan, but parched
at the hour appointed, leaving the defence ofcamoen
to some provincials, militia, and convalcicots, and
a detachment of the 63d regiment, which, „ being
mounted on hort which they had pressed on the road,
it was hoped would arrive in the course of tie night.
I had proceeded nine miles, when, about half an
hour pad two in the morning, my advanced guard
fell in with the enemy. By the weight of he fire I
was convinced they were in considerable force, and
was soon allured by some deserters and prifoicrs, that
it was the whole rebel ^rmy on its march toattacl; us
at Camden. I immediately halted and formed, and
[Vol. IV.]
W EDNESD A Y, December 27, 1780.
the enemy doing the fame, the firing soon ceased. —
Confiding in the difeiphned courage of his Majesty's
troops, and well apprized by feverai intelligent inha
bitants that the ground on which both armies stood,
being narrowed by swamps on the right and left, was
extremely favorable for my numbers, I did not
choose to hazard the great flake for which I was go
ing to fight, to the uncertainty and confufion to which
an action in the dark is so particularly liable. But
having taken measures that the enemy thonkl not have
it in their power to avoid an engagement on that
ground, I resolved to defer the attack till day. At
the dawn I made my lad difpolition, and formed the
troops in the following order: The divition of the
right, consisting of a small corps of light infantry, the
23d and 33d regiments, under the command of L;eu
tenant-Colonel WcbfCi ; the division of the left, con
sisting of the volunteers of Ireland, infantry of the le
gion, and part of Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton's
North Carolina regiment, undcrthe command of Lord
Rawdon, with two fix and two three pounders, which
were commanded by Lieutenant M'Leod. The 71st
regiment, with two fix pounders, was formed as a rc
ferve, one battalion in the rear of the divitioh of the
right, the, other of that ofthe left, and the cavalry of
the legion in the rear, and the country being woody,
close to the 71st regiment, wi:h orders to ftize any
opportunity that might offer to break the.enemy's
line, and to be ready to protest our own, in case any
corps fnould meet with a check.
The difprfitiun was just made when I perceived
that the enemy, having likewise perlifted in their re
solution to fight, were formed in two lines opposite
and mar to us; and observing a movement on their
left, which I supposed to be with an intention to make
some al eration 111 their order, 1 directed Lieutenant-.
Colonel Webster to begin the attack, which wa done
with great vigour, and in a few minutes the action
was general along the whole front. It was at this time
a dead calhi, with a little haziness in the air, which,
preventing the smoke from rising, occasioned so thick
a darkness, that it was difficult to fee the effect of a
very heavy and well supported fire on both sides.
Our line continued to advance in good order, and
with the cool intrepidity of experienced British sol
diers, keeping up a constant lire, or making use of
bayonets, as opportunities offered; and, after an ob
stinate refinance during three-quarters of an hour,
threw the enemy into total confufion, and forced
them to give way in all quarters. At this instant I
ordered the cavalry to complete the route, which was
performed vith tneir ufuai promptitude and gallan
try ; and after doirg great execution on the field of
battle, they continued the pursuit to Hanging Rock,
22 miles from the place where the action happened,
during which many of the enemy were slain, a num
ber or prisoners, near 150 waggons (in one of which
was a brafr cannon, the Carriage of which had been
damaged in the action of the night) a considerable
quantity of military fores, and all the baggage and
camp equipage of the rebel army, fell into our hands.
The loss of the enemy was very considerable; a
number of colours, and seven pieces of brass, cannon
(being all their artillery that were in the action ) with
all their ammunition waggons, were taken ; between
8 and 900 were killed, among that number Brigadier
Gen. Gregory, and about icoo prisoners, many of
whom wounded ; of which number were Major-Ge
neral Baron de Kalb, since dead, and Brigadier-Gen.
Rutherford.
I have the honour to inclofe a return of killed and
wounded on our fide. The loss of so many brave men
is much to be lamented ; but the number is moderate
in proportion to so great an advantage.
The behaviour of his Majesty's troops in general
was beyond all praise ; it did honour to themselves
and their country. I was particularly indebted to
Colonel I,ord Rawdon and Lieutenant-Colonel Web
ftcr, for the distinguished courage and abilities with
which they conducted their refpeftive divisions, and
the capacity and vigour of Lieutenant-Colonel Tarle
ton at the head of the cavalry, deserve my highest
commendation; Lieutenant M'Leod exerted bimfclf
greatly in the conduct of our artillery. My Aid de
Camp, Captain Ross, and Lieutenant Haldane of the
engineers, who acted in that capacity, rendered me
most effntial service; and the public officers, Major
of brigade England, who aCR d as Adjutant-General,
and the Majors of brigade Manly and Hoyle shewed
the most active and zealous attention to their duty ;
Governor Martin became again a military man; and
behaved with the Ipirit of a young volunteer.
1 he fatigue of the troops rendered them incapable
of further exertion on the day of the action ; but as I
saw the importance of destroying or difptrfing, if pos
sible, the corps under General Sumpter, as it might
T I-I E
prove a foundation for assembling the routed army,
on the morning of the 17th I detached Lieutenant-
Colonel Tarleton, with the legion cavalry and infan
try, and the corps of light infantry, making in all a
bout 350 men, with orders to attack him .wherever
he could find him ; and I sent orders to Lieut. Col.
Turnbull and Major Ferguson, at that time on Little 1
River, to put their corps in motion immediately, anti
on their fide to pursue and endeavour to attack Gen.
Sumpter. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton executed this
service with his usual activity and military address.
He procured good information or Sumpter's move
ments, and, by forced and concealed marches, came
up with and furprized him in the middle of the day on
the 18th, near the Catabo fords. He totally destroyed
or dispersed his detachment, consisting then of 700
men, killed ifo on the spot, and taking two pieces
cf brass cannon and 300 prisoners, and 44 waggons.
He likewise retook ico of our men, who had fallen
into thdi hands partly at the action at Hanging Rock,
and partly in Aborting some waggons from Congaices
to Camden ; and he repealed 150 cf our militia men,
or friendly country people, who had been fuzed by
the rebels. Captain Campbel, who commanded the
light infantry, a very promifr g officer, was unfortu
nately killed in this affair. Gur loss otherwise was
trifling. This action was too b ilhant to need any
comment of mine, and will, I have no doub', highly
recommend Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton to hi Ma
jesty's faveur. The rebel forces being at metre 'if
perfed, the internal commotions and infer: ettuns in
the province will now subside. But IfhaH give direc
tion to inGift exempla y punishment on some of the
most gu Ity, in hopes to deter others, in future, from
iporting with allegiance and oaths, and with the lenity
and generosity of the British government.
On the morning of the 17th I dispatched proper
people to North-Carolina, with directions to' cur
friends there to take arms and alterable immediately,
and to seize the most violent people, and all military
stores and magazines belonging to the rebels, and to
intercept all ttragglers from the routed army; and I
have promised to march without loss of time to their
support : Some necessary supplies for the army are
ow on their way from Charlcftown, and I hope that
their arrival will enable me to march in a few days.
My Aid de Camp, Captain Ross, will have the ho
nour of delivering this diftatch to your Lordship, and
w ill be able to give you the fulleft account of the Bate
of the army and country. He is a very deferring offi
cer, and I take the liberty of recommending him to
your Lordship's favour and patronage.
I have the honour to be. &c.
CORNWALLIS.
Return of the killed, wounded, and miffing, of the
troops u % dcr the command of Lieutenant-General
Earl Cornwallis, in the battle fought rear Camden,
South-Carolina, on the 16th of August, 178 c.
I Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 ferjeants, 64 rank and
file, killed; 2 Lieutenant-Colonels, 3 Captains, 8
lieutenants, 5 Ensigns, 13 ferjeants, 1 drummer, 213
rapk and file, wounded ; 2 ferjeants, 9 rank and file,
miffing.•
Two Thousand Dollars Reward.
RAN AWA Y,
On Sunday last, from the fubferiber, in Mendham
township, Morris county,
A NEGRO MAN named JOE, about 30 years
of age, five feet eight inches high, one leg a
little Shorter than the other, part of one of his great
toes cut off, loft some foreteeth, and his back is
much fcarrified and in lumps by wl ipping.---Alfo a
handsome NEGRO WENCH, 18 years of age,
with her Child about fix weeks old, which from
some of its clothes being found, she is supposed to
have killed. The Negroes went off with one Slight,
a soldier belonging to the 2d I'ennfylvania regiment,
and they stole, and took with them, a variety of
clothes, and two horses, the one a bay, four years
old, the other a grey, seven years old, and have
switch tails. The soldier stole a written difchaige,
in the name of William Nelson. whom he will pro
bably perfonate. Whoever takes up the laid Ne
groes and horses, so that the owner may get them
again, shall have the above reward, or Twelve
Hundred dollars for the Negroes only, and Eight
Hundred for the horses, or in proportion for any
or either of them, and reasonable charges, paid by
Ebenezer rlackey, ju.,
Dec. 22, 1780. gw*
[Numb. 157.]