The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-11-21 00:00:00, page 2

It is with the greatest pleasure I can inform your
Lordships, that I had only 12 men wounded in the
action, none of which appear at present dangerous.
1 am the only officer hurt, having from a splinter re
ceived a flight hurt in my leg, which in all proba,
bility will be soon well.
A good deal of injury is done to the ship in her fails
and rigging : In her hull there was no Shot of conse
quence that I at present know of, except one which
went through between wind and water, knocked
down two men in the magazine, and afterwards
lodged in the matter's bed place.
In justice to my Ihip's company, I cannot conclude
without acquainting their Lordihips with the heady
and resolute behaviour of my officers and crew on
this occasion, as it merits my warmef tpraifes and
admiration, and I hope it will recommend them to
their Lordihips favour.
N. B. The Cameleon mounts 14guns, fix pound
ers, four carronades and 90 men.
From the Amsterdam Gazette, of Augufl 14, 1781.
AMSTERDAM, August 14.
Extract of an authentick letter, <written from the Fly,
the 9th of Augufl, by an officer of tbe Holland man
of <war, commanded by Captain Dedel.
" [ Eagerly embrace this opportunity of acquaint-
I ing you of my arrival at the Fly, and of our
having sustained, on the sth of this month, a molt
obstinate and bloody combat against a Britilh squa
dron, confiding of a 90 gun ship, five 70's, and one
from 50 to 60. —Our squadron consisted of three 50's,
two 68's, a 70 and a 40. The engagement began
five minutes before eight o'clock, and laded about
four hours. The Britilh were the firft who gave lig
nals for retreating. It was impossible for us to fol
low the enemy, considering the condition our Ihips
were in, after having sustained a combat against forces
so superior. Our ship made forty inches of water,
which obliged us, after having held a council of war,
to heave our guns overboard, which did not stop the
water's coming in. After having tried all in our pow
er to save the Ihip, we were forced to submit to the
hard necessity of leaving her, and going on board the
Spy, of 16 guns, which took a great deal of time,
for we had but a small sloop, with that of the Spy.
Seeing at last that the water had got between decks,
we left the ship about two o'clock in the morning,
amidd a horrid temped of thunder and lightning,
and we had the grief to leave behind us several wound
ed, which it was impossible to save. A little after
we saw our vessel fink, which had received, during
the action, several shot under water. We had been
long engaged between a 70 and a 50, and we had
fired about 1500 Shot. We loft no officers; our loss
confids of 25 killed, and 45 wounded.
Among other particulars relative to this engag
ment, we learn that Capt. Bentick has had 18 killed
and 49 wounded, and Capt. Kindfbergen 8 killed
and 28 wounded. The latter defended himfelfagainft
three Ihips a whole hour, during which he fired 1054
foots. The brave Dedel was, during the whole ac
tion, between a Britilh 84 and a 70. There never
was so much courage and intrepidity displayed. The
firft quartermaster, and the mate of the ship Admi
ral-General having been wounded, after having had
their wounds dressed, returned to their posts again,
encouraging the crews to take revenge for the blood
of their comrades fpilt in the action. The enemy
mutt have considerably fuffcred, for they were seen
to throw a great many bodies overboard. The num
ber of killed and wounded is not yet known; we
know only that Lieut. Storm des Gravefande has
loft an arm and both his legs, and young M'Lane
has had his head shot off.
Although this engagement had no decisive conse
quences, it will however be looked upon as a re
markable epocha in the annals of history, by the im
portant observations it suggests:
I. Posterity will not fail to remark, that this is
almost the firft regular action that has been fought
since the beginning of the war.
2. It will be remarked, that there were in this ac
tion only the vessels of Amsterdam: Had those of
the Meuse and Zealand been there, it is not to be
doubted but we would have gained a most complete
victory, and we would have found in the rich con
voy of the enemy, a full indemnification for the law
^ piracies they have exercised against us.
A 3d remark occurs here, that notwithstanding the
ntempt which the English have affeded, and the
d opinion with which our long patience had in
-ed other nations towards us, it evidently appears
cwe have not degenerated from the valour of our
lent heroes, and that the English would already
e severely felt the vigour of our arm, had we not
n prevented by unhappy circumstances.
Ind lastly, the victory is undoubtedly on our fide,
we can properly give that name to the advantage
baffling the enemy's designs. Considering our
eat inferiority, it could not have been our inten
on to attack ; the English, on the contrary, flatter
ed themselves with the idea of destroying our fleet,
and carrying off our convoy. They have failed in
both designs, they have even been very roughly used:
We can then fay, without vanity, that they have
been defeated. As they have nevertheless done us
a good deal of hurt, it is not to be doubted, but
they will attribute the victory to themselves. It
would even be easy to relate before hand, the account
of their pretended victory, in the ame terms in which
it will be expressed in the London papers: But the
world has long since ceased to be dazzled r he
Britilh gafconades. At all events, it is certain, that
this firft adion does the greatest honour to our na
tion, and will not fail to animate them Bill more
against their enemy."
Extract of a letter from a volunteer on board of Ad
miral Zoutman's squadron.
" The English had the cruelty and infernal barba
rity to fire from their cannon, pepper, glass, bits of
china ware, knives, and other materials, which we
have had to extrad from the wounded men, to their
intolerable anguish."
Amsterdam, August 22, 1781.
On the iith of August the Prince wrote the following
letter to the crews of the vessels of the state:
Noble, refpedable and virtuous, our faithful and well
beloved,
WE have learned, with the greatest fatisfadion,
that the squadron of the state, under the command
of Rear Admiral Zoutman, although weaker by a
great deal in ihips, guns and men, than the English
squadron of Vice Admiral Parker, has resisted so cou
rageously, on the fifth of this month, his attack,
that the English squadron, after a most obstinate
combat, which lasted from 8 o'clock in the morning
to half after 11, was obliged to desist and retire.
The heroick courage with which Rear Admiral Zout
man, the captains, officers, petty officers and com
mon Sailors and soldiers, who have had apart in the
action, and who, under the blefling of God Almigh
ty, have so well discharged their duty in this naval
combat, merit the praise of all, and our particular
approbation. It is for this cause we have thought
fit, by the present, to write to you, to thank pub
lickly in our name, the laid Rear Admiral, captains,
officers, petty officers and common bailors and sol
diers, by reading this letter on board of each ship
which took part in the action, and whose captains
and crews have fought with so much courage and
valour, and to transmit, by the Secretary of the fleet
of the state, an authentick copy, as well to the said
Rear Admiral Zoutman, as to the commanders of
the fllips under his orders, with the conduct ofwhom
the said Rear Admiral had reason to be Satisfied,
teftifying moreover, that we doubt not that they,
and all the other officers of the state, and soldiers,
on those occasions which may present, will give
proofs that the state is not destitute of defenders of
our dear country, and of her liberty ; and that the
ancient heroick valour of the Batavians still exists,
and will not be extinguished. Wherefore, noble,
refpedtable, virtuous, our faithful and well beloved,
we recommend you to the divine protection.
Your affectionate friend,
Hague, WILLIAM,
August 14, 1781. Prince of Orange,
By order of His Highness,
J. J. de Lazzey.
B OST O N, Nov. 8.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Amsterdam,
to another in this to^n, dated July 25, 1781.
" The vessels in our road, bound for America, not
being yet failed, have sent you as by orders received;
and as our fleets are out, thebe seas will be pretty
clear of cruizers ; the danger that may remain after
the little fleet is out of the North Seas we apprehend
the frigate that convoys it. and their own force will
be Sufficient to protect them ; we are of course in
less danger of the vessels that come hither than you
imagine. Though we cannot boast ofhaving a formi
dable fleet at sea, or even a refpedable one, yet it
is fufficient to cope against that it is in the power of
England to fend against us at this time, when they
arc obliged to face so many foes ; their forces must
be divided and leflening, while ours is daily increas
ing ; and be assured that England never was so much
disappointed as at our entering into the war, unpre
pared as we were ; and knowing the Sentiments of
our Court in their favour, and by whom perhaps
they were assured, that if they aCted the villainous
part they have done, we Should be obliged to yield
to their imperious dictates; they have proved other
wise, and they have by their ill-judged policy only
acquired an enemy, who, if peace does not soon
take place, will be the worst they have to deal with
in Europe.
" 'Tis certain they have done us a great deal of
mifchief and injury ; but we believe they have now
done all they could, and we are now to begin, and
are much mistaken if they are gainers in the end.
Our wealth alone will furnifh us with the means of
making powerful exertions, whilst our enemy cannot,
without a miracle, hold it out two campaigns more,
distressed as they are on all quarters, and most from
that where they depended most for their resources
for carrying on the war. The last mails from Eng
land brought a fall of 12 and 13 per cent, on their
India Stock, which is now at 132 and 133, which
but ten days since were at 146, and thought then
to be lower than could be expected. Their profpe<ft
in the East is dismal indeed ; the loss of Madrafs,
and many other of their settlements there, gives
room to suppose their losing all they have in that
part of the world.
" In Europe the junction of the Spanish and
French fleets, in numbet 53 fail of the line, is greatly
superior to what they can muster in Europe ; not to
mention what they may have to fear from us, or any
of the Northern Powers, whose sentiments are hostile
to England. After giving you a candid state of the
situation that England is in, with regard to Europe
% rd the East-Indies, you can as well judge as we
how matters Land in the Welt-Indies, and better
how their affairs are in North-America. The qucf
tion you alk us with refpeft to the opinion we en
tertain of the state of the war ; we answer, its cer
tain tliat England has made a powerful stand against
so many forces united, and that She may still be ca
pable ot making lome further exertions, but her fall
is not the less certain, unless Providence intervenes
in her behalf; which assistance we well think the
wickedness of her measures are not likely to insure.
May liberty and independence, so dearly purchafed,'
be fully secured to the United States of America, by
a peace that may benefit all mankind, and cement
that union with our Republic!:, which is daily wish
ed for more and more."
Last Tuesday arrived in this harbour, one of His
Most CVriftian Majesty's cutters, in 44 days from
France, with publick defpatches for Congress, Count
de Graffe, &c. We learn, that the united fleets
were cruizing in the channel of England, of near
50 fail of the line, wa ting to intercept the Britifn
homeward Weft-India fleet.
Extract of a letter from Messrs. Joseph Gardoqui and
son, to a gentleman at Newbury-Port, dated Bil
boa, Sept. 18, 1781.
We have now, as promised in the foregoing, the
very high and interesting Satisfaction of informing
you, that our expedition to the island of Minorca,
has had the wished for success, as having wholly fur
prized the enemy with its arrival.—The English gar
rison had only time to retreat and Shelter in St.
Phillip s castle, and ot course our troops without
the least opposition took pofleffion of all the island;
and as the enemy had hardly time to provide them
selves with provisions, it is thought that the castle
(which is the only piece of ground they hold) will
not stand long; and hope in our next to advise you
of its surrender."
PHILADELPHI A, Nov. 14.
Head-Quarters, Continental Village, November 8,
1781.
SI R,
("INCE I had the honour of addressing your Excel
° lency this morning, I have received the enclosed
papers from Major-General Lord Stirling, by which
Congress will perceive that the enemy have been
completely disappointed in their designs on the nor
thern frontiers of this state, and defeated with con
siderable lois. The address, gallantry, and persever
ing activity exhibited by Colonel Willet on this oc
calion, do him the highest honour. The conduct of
Major Rowley, and the brave militia under his com
mand, at a critical moment, merits particular com
mendations.
I have the honour to be, with the highest refpe&,
Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,
n „ W - HE AT H.
His Excellency the President of Congress.
Extract ofa letter from Major-General Lord Stirling,
dated Saratoga, November 6, 1781.
THAVE received a letter from Colonel Willet, copy
A ot which is enclosed. The returns he alludes to
were never sent. The vigilant, prudent conduct of
this officer through the whole affair was such as re
fli(fts the highest honour upon the military character;
and the afienti.il Service he has done his country will
give him a pleating remembrance in every honelt
breast. The number he has taken, killed and wound
ed, with the distressed situation in which he left them,
will amount to little Short of a total defeat: eight
days march will Scarcely bring them to a country
where they can be fupolied with provisions.
(Copy) Fort Rensselaer, November 2, 1781.
My Lord,
HAVING just returned from pursuing the enemy,
my first business is to acquaint your Lordship
of the particular transactions that have taken place
in this quarter from the time of their firft appearance.
Eight 0 clock, P. M. of the 24th ult. I received
aevice that a considerable body of the enemy were
discovered in the upper part of the Mohawk diftrid;
every means was instantly taken to colled the force
ot the country, in order to oppose them without loss
of time, so that by one o'clock, the following day,
I was within two miles of Fort Hunter, with between
four and five hundred levies and militia; there I learnt
that the enemy, having burnt several houses and barns
at Warrenfbuih, and crossed the river at a ford some
distance below, and were marching to Johnstown.
This obliged me to cross the river as soon as possible,
and march by the shortest route to the place whither
they were directing their course. When within two
miles of Johnstown, I was informed they were already
there, had halted, and were busy in killing cattle
belonging to the inhabitants. Thus Situated, I was
determined to attack them as soon as possible; and
ordering the left wing cf the few troops I had, to
perform a circuit through the woods, and fall upon
their right flank, while the right wing advanced in
front.
A few minutes brought us in view of them. The
troops of this wing were pushed on to a field ad
joining to the one possessed by the enemy, where
they displayed to the right and advanced in a line
towards them, who retired with precipitation to a
neighbouring wood, closely pressed by our advance,
who began to skirmish with them while the remain
der of tbe vying was advancing briskly in two co
lumns.—ln this pleasing situation, without any ap