The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1777-03-17 00:00:00, page 1

Monday, March 17, 1777
NE W-Y ORK
AND
WEEKLY
B, the Earl of Halifax Packet, Ca,t. Bolderfon, aubo }
arrived here the gtb Infant in Jeroen Weeks frem l
Falmouth ; and the Mercury Packet, Capt. Dillon,|
•who came up this Da, Se'nnigbt, in 15 Weeks from
the fame Place, roue have the folloovwg Advices,
viz.
From the London Gazette Extr aordinary.
Whitehall, December 30, 1776.
F —^ —"GUIS Morning Captain Gardner, one of
I Sir William Howe's Aid de Camps,
arrived in his Majesty's Ship Tamer,;
from New-York, with the following
Dispatches from General Sir William
Howe, to Lord George Germaine.
Neov-York, Noro. 30, 1776.
My Lord,
THE Service in which I have been employed since
the Departure of Capt. Balfour, with the Advice of
the Reduction of New-York, would not allow of an
earlier Time to fend an Account to your Lordflrp of
the Progress made from that Period.
The very strong Positions the Enemy had taken on
this Island, and fortified with incredible Labour, de
termined me to ^et upon their principal Communica
tion with Connecticut, with a View of forcing tuvm
to quit the strong Holds in the Neighbourhood of
King's Bridge, and, if possible, to bring them to
A&ion.
All previous Arrangements being made, the Anny
embarked on the 12th of O&ober, in flat Boats and
other Crafr, and prtffing through the dangerous Na
vigation of Hell-Gate, in a very thick Fog, landed
on Frog's Neck, near the Town of Westchester,
about Nine in the Morning, the Carysfort Frigate
being placed to cover the Descent. The Presence of
Lord Howe, the A&ivity of Ccmmodoie Hrtham,
most of the Captains of the Fleet, and of the Navy
Officers in general, were infinitely conducive to the
King's Service in this difficult Movement ; only one
Artillery Boat was overfet, having three fix Pound
ers on bend, which were left, and three Min
drowned.„
Lieutenant-General Earl Percy remained with two
Brigades of British and one of the Hcflrans in the
Litres'near Hrerlem, to cover New-Yoik.
The Army remained in this Situation until the
Stores and Proviftons could be brought up, and three
Battalions of Hessians drawn from Staten-Island;
which, together with feme bad Iv earner intervening,
occasioned a Delay of five Drys.
On the >Bth several Corps rtimbirked in flat
Boats, and palling round Frog's Neck, landed on
Poll's Point, at the Mouth of Hutchefon's River;
after which the main Body creffed the Mouth of
that Riverto the fame Place, advance,! immediately,
and laid that Night upon their Arms, with the Left
upon the Creek opposite to East-Chester, and the
Right near to Rochelle.
On the Match to this Ground, a Skirmish eirfued
with a fmail Part of the Enemy polled to defend a
narrow Caufewny, who were pursued for a Mile,
where a considerable Body appearing in Front be
hind Stone Walls, and in Woods, some Companies
of Light Infantry, and a Part of the Chaffers,
were detached to dislodge them, which they did ef
feßually ; Lieutenant-Colonel Mufgrave command
ing the i ft Battalion of Light Infantry, and Captain
Evelyn of the 4th Regiment, were both wounded ;
the latter is since dead, and much to be regretted as
a gallant Officer, but Lieutenant-Colonel Mufgrave
isina fair Wayof Recovery ; rfirce Soldiers were
killed and twenty wounded.
The Enemy's Less upon this Occasion was a
Lieutenant-Colonel killed, a Major wounded, and
about ninety- Men killed and wounded.
The Part of the 16th Light Dragoons that arrived
with Lieutenant-Colonel Harcourt on the 3d instant,
(one Tranfpnrt being (till miffing) and the whole of
the 17th Light Dragoons joined the Army on the
20th.
On the 21st the Right and Center of the Army
moved to a Position about two Miles to the North
ward cf Rochelle, on the Road to the White Plains,
leaving Lieutenant-General Hauler, with two bri
gades of Hessians and one of Britifo, to occupy the
former Ground. Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers, with
his Corps of Rangers, was detached to take PoiTel
fon of Mamaroneck, where the Carelessness of his
Centri , exposed him to a Surprise from a large Body
of the Enemy, by which he loft a few Men killed or
[ken ; nevertheless, by a fpiriied Exertion, he obli
ged them t > retreat, leaving behind them some Pri
soners, and several killed and wounded.
The 6th Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Ag
new, was moved the zzd to futtain the Post of Ma
m*roneck. On the fame Day Lieutenant-General
Knyphaufen, with the 2d Division of Hessians and
Regiment of Waldeckers, having arrived the 18th
at New-Yoik, landed at Rochelle, was ordered to
remain there to cover the Difcmbaikation of the Stores
and Provisions.
Unon the Movement of the Army to Frog's Neck,
the Enemy detached a Corps to White Plains, and
quitte I their Petition about King's Bridge with some
Precipitation, leaving 2000 Men f:r the Defence of
Fort Washington, extending their Force behind the
Bronx, from Valentine's Hill to White-Plains, in de
tached Camps, every where entrenched : Their Left
bv this M-ans coveringan upper Communication with
Connecticut, as well as the Road along the North-
River, it was judged expedient to move to Whuc-
PIQS, and endeavour to bring them tc an Action.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 30s. per Cent.
A White Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to weigh
3 lb. 40Z. fer 14. Coppers, and in the fame
Proportion for Loaves of a lesser Weight.
Published January 10, 1777.
Containing tbe catlieft ^anices
0 Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in HANOVER-SQUARE.
Lieutenant General Heister, with his Corps, ha
ving Orders to join cm the March, the Army moved
in two Columns on the 25th and took a Position with
the Brunx in Front, the Right of the Line being at
the Distance of four Miles from the White Plains,
upon which the Rebels immediately quitte I their de
tached Camps between King's Bridge and White
Plains, assembling their whole Force at the latter
Place, behind Entrenchments that had been thrown
up by the advanced Corps.
The Array marched by the Right in two Columns
towards White Plains early on the 28th, Lieutenant-
General Clinton leading the Right, and Lieutenant-
General Heitter the Left Column.
Monday, 15 Min. after
Tuesday, 7 Min. after
Wednesday, 55 Min. after
Thursday, 44 Min. after
Before Noon all the Enemy's advanced Parties
were drove back to their Works by the Light Infan
try and Chaffeurs, and the Army formed with the
Right upon the Roid from Mamaroneck.to the While
Plains, about a Mile fr@m the Centre of the Lines:
and the Left to the Brunx, near the fame Distance
from the Right Flank of their Entrenchments.
A Corps of the Enemy was foimed on a comman
ding Ground, feyarated from the Right Flank of their
Entrenchments by the Brunx,; which alio, by chang
ing its Course nearly at Right Angles, separated this
Corps in Front from the Left of the King's Army.
Colonel Raille, who commanded a Brigade of
Hessians on the Left, obfeiving this Petition of the
Enemy, and feeing a Height on the other Side
of the Brunx occupied by them, from whence their
Flank might be galled, took Possession of it with
great Alacrity, to the Approbation of Lieutenant-
General Heiher, who was acquainted with this Move
ment by Sir William Ertkine.
Upon viewing the Situation, Orders were given
for a Battalion of II ffians to pass the Brunx, and
attack their detached Corps, supported by the Lcond
Brigade of British, under the command of Brigadier
General Ldlie, and the Hr ffian Grenadiers, lent from
the Right commanded by Colonel Danep; giving
directors, at the fime Time, for Colonel Bride to
charge the Enemy's Flank as the Hessian Battalion
advanced to them in Front; but there being some
Difficulty in puffing the B;unx, the 28th and 35:11
Regiments, who were the firri to support, puffed it in
a Place mod practicable, and formed on the epyofite
Side, though under the Enemy's Fire, with the great
ell Sreadinefs; afeended the deep Hilf in D'fi mce to
all Opposition, and rushing on ths Enemy, routed,
and drovc-them back from their Works.
Theft twoßittalions were closely supported bv the
s'h and 49th Regiments, who (hewed the fame Zeal
to dittinguifh themfclvcs ; the Hessian Grenadiers also
coming up, and puffing the Brunx, attended the
Height with the greaßft alacrity, and in the belt
Order.
This material Post being gained, the Heffiin
Grenadiers were ordered forward upon the Heights
within Cannon Shot of the Entrenchments, the Brunx
from its winding Cotufe being (fill between them and
the Enemy's Right Flank ; the 2d Brigade of Briuth
formed in the Rear of the Hessian Grenadiers, and the
two Brigades of Hessians on the Left of the 2d Bri
gade, with their Left upon the Road leading from
Terry Town to White Plains.
The Right and Centre of the Army did not remove
from their Ground. In tins Pofuion the Troops lay
upon their Arms that Night, and with very li tie
Alteration encampe : the next Day.
The Officers and Men of the British and Heflian
Artillery, deserve , much Commendation for their
a&ive Services on this 0 cation.
The killed, wounded, and Prisoners tak'n from
the Enemy, during the course cf this Day, is said to
be ro' less than 250.
The Loss of his Majesty's Troops and Allies was
finall, as yorr Lordfmp will observe by the general
Return, eonlidering the Strength of the Giound
from whence the Enemy was so-red ; though the
Loss of Lieutenant Colonel Cur of the 35th Regi
ment, who died the next Day of his Wounds, is
much to be lamented.
The Enemy drew back their Encampment on the
Night of the 18th ; and, obhiwing their Lines next
Morning much ftreagthemd by additional Works,
the designed Attack upon them was deferred; and
the 4th Brigade, left with Lord Percy, with two
Battalions cf the 6th Brigade, were ordered to join
the Army.
Tliefe'Battalions having joined on the goth in the
I Afternoon, a Disposition was made for the Attack
next Day ; but the Night and Morning proving very
wet, it was postponed : In the mean Time the Rebels
I having Intelligence by a Defuter cf their Danger,
most prudently evacuated their Camp in the Night of
the lit cf November, after setting Fire to all the
Houses in and near their Lines, most of which were
confirmed, and retired with their main Force towards
North Cattle, leaving a ftreng rear Guard upon the
Height and in the Woods, for one Mile back from
their Intrenchments, the Pofiffion cf which was
immediately taken, and the Hessian Grenadiers re
mained upon the Ground.
All these Motions plainly indicating the Enemy's
Design to avoid coming to Action, I did not think
the driving their rear Guard farther back an Object
of the least Consequence. -
Lieutenant General Knyphaufen being ordered on
the 28th of October, to leave the Regiment of Wal
deck, at Rochelle, and to move with the fix Batta
lions of Hessians of his Cerps towards Kingsbridge,
I took Post at Miles Square and Valentine's Hill, and
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
T H E
4 Friday, 29 Min. after 7
5 Saturday, 11 Min. after 3
5 Sunday, 53 Min. after 8
6 Full Moon next Sundry.
on the 2d of November, encamped on the Island of
New-York, near to Kingsbridge ; the Enemy%uit
ting the Heights of Fordham upon his Approach,
retired to Fort Washington.
The Army was ordered, on the 3d, to provide
three Days Forage ; and the next Day Major Gene
ral Grant marched with the 4~h Brigade to Miles'
Square and Valentine's-Hill, the 6th Brigade to a
Bridge over the Brunx in Weft Cheder near De
Laney's Mills; and the Waldeck Regiment took
Post at another, three Miles above the former, on
the fame River.
On the 6th the Army encamped at Dobbs's Ferry
upon the North River.
When this Movement was made, the Rebels came
down from their strong Holds, burning what Gey
had not before destroyed at White Plains, and dis
tressing the Inhabitants by final! Parties, in a mod
wanton Degree.
The Park of Artillery moved to Kmgfbridge on
the 7th, under a strong Escort, with a Detachment
of Chaffeurs, to join Lieutenant General Knyp
haufen.
Two Battalions of light Infantry, and the Re
mainder of the Chriffeurs, with 4 Field Pieces, took
Post next Day on the Communication to Kingf
bridge.
On the loth a Brigade of Hessians was sent asa
Reinforcement to Lieutenant General Knyphaufen.
On the 12th the Army marched in two Columns
towards Kingfbridge', and encamped the Day follow
ing upon the Heights of Fordham, forming a Line
with the Right to the Brunx upon the Well Charter
Road, and the Left to the North River.
During the Continuance of the Army at Dobbs's
Ferry, the Enemy sent a large Detachment over the
North River by King's Ferry to Jersey, and were
employed in entrenching at Croton Bridge and
White Plains, and building Barracks at those Places,
and at Peck's Hill, near the Foot of the Highlands,
for their Winter Habitations.
Lieutenant General Knyphaufen had for some
Days eftablifned his Poll on the York Side of Kmg(-
bridge, within Cannon Shot of Fort Washington,
which was covered by very strong Ground and ex
ceeding difficult of Access ; but the Importance of
this Poll, which, with Fort Lee on the opoofite
Shore of Jersey, kept the Enemy in Command of
t'x Navigation of the North River, while it barred
the Communication with York by Land, made the
Poffrilion of it abfaJutely necessary. Preparations
were trerefore made for a general Attack, and thirty
Fiat Boats under the Directions of Captains
Wilkinson and Molloy puffed up the North River cn
the Night of the 14th, undiscovered by the Enemy.
Every Thing being prepared, and the Attack fixed
for the Morning el the 16th, Lieutenant Colonel
Patterfcr, Adjutant General, was tent the 15th to
summon the Commanding Officer to furrend^r, and
to warn him of the Confequenecs that mull attend a
general Attack, to which he replied he would defend
himfelf to the last Extremity.
Four Attacks were determined upon, the firft,
under the Command of Lieutenant General Knyp
haufen, agaiuft the Enemy's Left on the Side of
Kingfbridge, in two Columns, formed by Detach
ment from the Hessians of his Corps, the Brigade of
Raille, and Regiment of Waldeck.
The 2d by theist and 2d Battalions of Light In
fantry, and two Battalions of Guards, under the
Command of Brigadier General Mathew, to land
by Haerlem Creek upon the Enemy's Right from
thirty flat Bpats ; which Attack was to be supported
by theist and 2d Grenadiers and 33d Regiment,
undecthe Command of Lord Cornwallis. The 3d
Attack intended as a Feint by the 4zd Regiment, to
be embanked in Batteaux in a Creek, opposite to Co
lonel Morris's House, and upon the Left of the Ene
my's Lines towards New-York. The 4th by Lord
Percy, with the Corps under bis C mmand on York
Island, to affiult the Right Flank of the Enemy's
Entrenchments on that Side.
The Field Artillery and Batteries being properly
difpefed for the three Attacks on the Side of Kingf
bridge and Haerlem Ciceks, Lieutenant General
Knyphaufen moved forward about Noon, but having
a very thick Wood to pass, in which the Enemy
was very advantagecufly posted, it was fame Time
before he could penetrate; from which Difficulties
his Corps was for a considerable Time exposed to
the Fire of three Pieces of Cannon, As loon as this
Attack began, the Light Infantry moved, and land
ed under "a brisk Fire, before and after they had
quitted the Boats, from a Party of the Rebels polled
behind Rocks and Trots ; however, by getting up a
very deep unevenMountrin with their ufualAaivity,
they soon dispersed the Enemy. The Guards fol
lowed by the Grenadiers and 33d, landed without
any Loss.
Intelligence in the mean Time being received that
Lord Percy had carried an advanced Woik, Orders
were sent to Lieutenant Colonel Sterling, command,
inv the 43d Regiment, to endeavour to land, and for.
tw*6 Battabons'of the 2d Brigade to support him.
Upon which he immediately advanced in his Boats
through a heavy Fire with great Perseverance ; and
forcing his Way up a ffeep Height, which was well
defended by a Body of the Rebels, lie gained the
Summit, took 170 Prisoners, and penetrating acyofs
the Blind, facilitated Lord Percy's Succcfs against
the Enemy's Lines opposed to him, which his Lord
fisip puffed.
Wheat per Bulhel, 9s. od.
Flour, 30s. od.
Brown Bread, 255. od.
Weft-India Rum, Bs. od.
N; v-England do. ss. od.
(Ne. 4325.
/' A <7 O T TP 1?•
GAZLII K•
T H E
MERCUR Y,
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufebvado Sugar, sl. 10s.
Single refin'd ditto, 2s. 91.
Molasses, 3s. 6d.
Beef per Barrel, 90s. od.
Pork, 51. 10s.
ffpreign an,o Demented.
Colonel Raille, who led the Right Column cf
Lieutenant General Knyphaufen's Attack, having,
after a confider^ble Opposition, forced the Enemy
from their strong Holds, pushed forward to their ad
vanced Works, and lodged his Column within one
hundred Yards of the Fort, from whence he sum
moned them to surrender, upon which they readily
desired to tieat.
Lieutenant General Knyphaufen's Column hav
ing more Impediments to encounter in passing
through the Wood, could riot join the Right Co
lumn until they had got up to the Fort. The Ene
my, upon his Appearance, surrendered Prisoners of
V7ar, to the Number of 2700, including Officers,
besides the Prisoners made by rhe 43d Regiment.
The Enemy had thiee Officers and fifty Men kil
-IM, and fix Officers and 90 Men wounded, in the
d fErent Attacks.
Fort Lee being the next Objt & for the entire Com
mand of North River, and a ready Road to pene
trate into Jet fey; an Addition of Boats under the
Command of Capt. Phipps, was sent by the Admiral
to King's Bridge, in the Night of the 17th, without
being difeovered by the Enemy. The firft Division,
for Embarkation, landed next day at Eight o'Clock
inthe Merging, about Even Miles above the Fort,
while the second division marched up the Ean Side
of the River, by which Movement the whole Corps,
as per Margin,* were landed with their Cannon, by
Ten o'Clock under the Command of Lieutenant-Ge
neral Earl Cornwallis. The Seamen distinguished
themselves remarkably upon this Occufion, by their
Readiness to drag the Cannon up a rocky narrow
Read; for near Half a Mi's, to the Top of a Precipice,
which bounds the Shore for Eme Miles on the Weft
Side.
Lord Cornwallis immediately began his March,
and had net the Enemy, at Fort Lee, been apprized
of his moving towards them, by a Countryman, after
he had proceeded some Distance, he would have sur
rounded two Thousand Men at the Fort, who escaped
in the utmost Confufion, leaving all their Artillery,
and a large Quantity of Stores and Provisions; their
Tents (landing, and Kettles upon the Fire.
His Lordship encamped thac Night near the Fort,
making life of the Enemy's Tents.
The next Day Major General Vaughan, with the
Light Infantry and British Gienadieis, was detached
to the New-Bridge, upon Hackinfac River, and a
Detachment of the 16th Dragoons, under the Com
mand of Colonel Harcourt, wxs sent over to Fort Dee.
This Detachment with fume Companies of Light In
fantry, scoured the Country on the 22(1, as far ax
Paflaick River, and found the Enemy had abandoned
all the intermediate Country, their advanced Guard
beirg at Aqu^kinunc.
On the 24th, tb.e 2d aud4th Brigades of British,
and i Battalion of the 7 1st Regiment joined his Lerd
fhip, whe, leaving the ad Brigade at Fort Lee, ad
vanced with the main Body on the 25th to the New-
Bridge. On the Enemy retiring to Newark, as his
Lodfhip appioached, he tock Possession of that Place
on the 28th, and is now following them, retreating
towa:ds Brunswick.
I cannot too highly acknowledge the active Services
cfLeu'epant General Clinton on every Occasion:
the Support I have at all Times received from the
other General Officers, and the zealous Ardor of all
Ranks whatsoever, during the Course of this Cam
paign.
The Hessian Troops, underthe Command of Lieu
tenant Generals Heister and Knyphaufen, also ex
hibited every good Disposition to promote His Ma
jetty's Intercfts, and jukly merit my Acknowledge
ment of their Services.
I have the Honour to be, &c. &c.
W. HOWE.
* if and 2d Battalions of Light Infantry ; 2 Cosn
,antes of Cbaffeurs• , 2 Battalions of Britifb, and 2 dit
to oJ Hefan Grenadiers; 2 Battalions of Guards ;
33d and^zd Regiments.
Extras ofa Letter from General Sir William Howe
to Lord George Germaine. Dated New-York,
Dec. 3, 1776.
I HAVE the Honour to inclofe to your Lordihip
a Return cf Ordnance and Stores taken from the
Enemy since the Landing of his Majesty's Troops at
Frog's Neck in Weft Chester County, from the 12th
of O&ober to the 20th of November. Those in the
Commissary and Q^arter-Mafter General's Branches
are also very cenfiueucble; but as it has not been in
their Power hitherto to ascertain them, the Reports
mutt therefore be deferred to the next Opportunity.
I also inclofe a Return of Prisoners taken during the
Campaign.
Return of Cemmiffion and Ncn-eommiffioned Of
ficers, Rank and File, killed, wounded, and
miffing, belonging to the Army under the Com
mand of his Excellency the Hon. General Howe,
in several Actions, &c. with the Rebels, from
the 17th of September, to the i6h cf Novem
ber, 1776, inclusive, fpecifying the different Pe
riods, and the Corps the Casualties have hap
pened in.
In the Aaion at Pelham Manor, on the 18th of Oc
tober, and in previous Skimifhes, from the 17th
September inclusive.
[Fer the Remainder, fee the las Page.]
Fine Salt, 10s. ®d
Coarse Salt, Bs. od
Indian Corn per Bu. 6s. 6d
Coffee, is. gd
Chocolate, 263. per Dez