The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-03-28 00:00:00, page 2

P II I L A I) F I. P II I A, M. u 3 23.
Extract of a lit.r fr^;: CbM'kfo^% Soutb-Caro-
Hur, dated February 7, 1776.
" The troubles in the back parts are entirely
fublided. Their rin^eadeis, with about an
hundred and thirty others, were taken. All to
about twenty have been dihndfcd, and lent fate
to their own houl'cs, being convinced of their
miflake, and well fatisfi d wi(h the treatment
they received when taken. Titty had bcn per
suaded to take up arms to preserve their lives
and properties which they heard had been fold
to the Indians, who were to butcher them all
on a tired day, when the liberty people (as they
call them) were to go into torts knd leave them
open and defenceless to the enemy to be de
stroyed entirely. Some villains swore before a
magidrate, that powder had been font to the
Indians for this diabolical purpoffy Upon this
they cohered a second and third time, but were
attacked by Coldnelsßichardfon and Thompson,
at break of day, after a forced march of twenty
five miles in the night, surprised and taken.
“ About thirty of the prisoners worked at a
battery fix miles fromtown, on Sullivan's Illand,
at the" month of the harbour. I did myfelf the
honour ongoing down as a volunteer with the
detachment. Here I got acquainted with seve
ral o' the insurgents, who arc plain, honed,
kntibie fellows; and as I aflumed no charter
above a digger or fpadelman, in which,.without
vanity, I excelled the whole corps, they looked
on me as their brother, and heard hhc gladly. I
gave them a full and proper account of every
thing concerning the ground of the pretent war.
This, with three or four gallon- of rum, was of
infinite service to our cause.
“ The reason of deferring the battery on
Sullivan's Illand was, the Tamar and Cherokee
Hoops of war lay close along fide of this island;
which was made a den for run-away slaves, who
were encouraged and protected by the peo
ple.belonging to the Grips. The departure of
them, occasioned by want of provisions, which
we refufei to supply them with, the moment
we had it in our power to prevent them from
plundering, gave us an opportunity of fortifying
the island. I went twice down, and worked,
the firft time three, and the other, two days,
th 3 only volunteer. The ships were but a tew
diys gone, when three others lent from Eng
l .nd, Appeared off our bar, the Syren oftwenty
eight, the Raven of twenty guns; and a tranf
p>rt. They fcveral times, attempted coming in,
bat the wind for three or four days prevented
them. One of our pilot boats fired upon their
barge; which was fcveral times returned, with
out damage. They at last failed for Georgia,
where they and the other men of war are now
Arising to procure provisions, after which we
expert a visit from thm, and are pretty well
prepared. We have above one hundred heavy
• cannon mounted for the defence of the town
and harbour, the militia from all parts are march
ing into town.
" Upon the return of the Georgia delegates,
the sons of liberty, aflembled, unrigged all the
vehels that -were ready to fail for England, set
up a liberty pole, seized upon the persons of
the governor and council, and sent to us for
two hundred men. Some tories there are driv
ing to bring on an Indian war, and recruiting
for government in the back parts of that pro
vince.
'' The town is surrounded with seven batte
ries, two on James's island, viz. Fort Johnston
of twenty- and a new one of eleven guns, and
two on Sullivan's Island, one of twelve, and
another of four guns, so that we can rake the
whole harbour from the bar. But I suppose
this is nothing to what your Council of Safety
has done for the city of Philadelphia, which is
so cafily defended on account of the length of
your river. You mud be impregnable by this
time. You a e happy, my dear friend, in not
being exposed to the more than diabolical ma
chinations of government tools, and the dread
of infurredions from your slaves. Hell would
be aftamed of such mean and more than brutal
attempts to destroy us, and the devil would blush
ar the impudence of the man who would have
the effrontery to recommenda re-union with so
barbarous a government."
Intelligence from North-Carolina.
Extrafl of a letter from Brigadier General James
? Moore, in the Continental service, to the Honour
able Cornelias Harnet, Efi; PreJident of the
Provincial Council, North-Carolina, dated Wil
mington, March 2, 1776.
'' On the earliest intelligence that the tories
were collecting and embodying at Croft, Creek,
which I received on the ninth of February, I
proceeded to take possession of Roekfifh bridge,
within seven miles of Cross Creek, which I con
sidered as an important post This- I-effected on
the fifteenth, with my own regiment, five pieces
of artillery, and a part of the Bladen militia;
but as our numbers were by no means equal to
that of the tories, I thought it moll advifeable
to intrench and fortify that pass, and wait for a
reinforcement. By the nineteenth I was joined
by Col. Lillington with one hundred and fifty
of the Wilmington minute-men, Colonel Kenon
with two hundred of the Duplin militia, and
Colonel Ash with about on : hundred of the vo
lunteer independent rangers, making our num
ber then in the whole about eleven hundred,
and from the belt information I was able to pro
. cure, the tore army, under command of Gene
ral McDonald, amounted to about fourteen or
fifteen hundred. On the twentieth they march
el within four miles of us, and sent in by a Hag
of truce, the Governor's proclamation, a mtmi
fefto and l.tter from the General, copies of
which, together with another letter, and foyam
fwers, you have indofed, I then waited only
the persons and estates of the insurgents, fub
je& to your farther orders, and then to proceed
to this place, unless otherwise directed. How
, ever, as I do not think the fefvice just now in
quires such a number of men in arms, I flip!
immediately direct him to disband all except the
regulars, and with those to remain in and about
Cross Creek until further orders."
Extract of a letter from Col. Richard CafweH,
late, a Delegare for the province of North-
Carolina in the Continental Congress, and
now Commander of a body of troops in that
province, to the Hon. Cornelius Harnett,
Esq; President of the Provincial Council of
North-Carolina, dated from his campat Long
creek, February 29, 1-76.
S I R,
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that
we had an engagement with the Tories, at
Widow Moore's creek bridge; on rhe twen
ty-seventh current. Our army was about one
thousand strong, confiding of the Newbern,
battalion 'of minutemen, the militia from Cra
ven, Johnson, Dobbs rnd Wake, and a de
tachment of the Wilmington battalion of minute
until Col. Martin and Col. T ha-kflun who
I had certain intelligence were on'tlieir march,,
should get near enough to cut offtheir retreat,
anl determined to avail myfelf of the firft fa
vourable opportunity of attacking them; How
ever, contrary to my expectations, I learnt on
the twenty'-firfl, that they had the night before,
and that night, eroded the N. W eit liver, at
Campbelltown, with their whole army,funk and
destroyed all the boats, and taken their.route
the mod dired way t< > Negro Head Point, I then
dilpatched an ekprefs to Col. Cafwell, who was
on his march to join us with about eight hun
dred men, and directed him to return and take
poffeliion of Corbert's ferry over Black River,
and by every means in his power, to obftruß,
hirrafs, and diltrefs them in their itarchj at
the fame time I directed Col. Martin and: Col.
Thacktton to take possession of Cross Creek, in
order to prevent their return that way. Colonel
Lillington and Col. Ab I ordered, by a forced
march, to endeavour if possible to reinforce Cob
Cafwell, but if that codld hot be efefted, to take
possession of Moore's Creek bridge,whilll I pro
ceeded back with the remainder of;our army to
cross the North Weft at Elizabeth Town, so as
either to meet them on their way to Corbert's
Ferry, or fall in their rear and surround them
there. On the twenty third I eroded the river
at Elizabeth Town, where I was compelled to
wait for a fu,ply of provitions till the twenty
fourth at night, having learnt that Col,,Cafwell
was almost entirely without. Just when I was
prepared to march, I received an express from
Col. Cafwell, informing thit the tories had taif
ed a flat, which had been funk in Black River
about five miles above him, and by erecting a
bridge, had puffed it with their whole army.
I then determined as the last expedient to pro
ceed immediately in boats down th^ N. Weft
River, to Dollifon's landing, about sixty miles,
and take possession of Moore's Creek bridge, a
bout ten miles from them, at the fame tithe ac
quainting Col. Cafwell of my intentions, and
recommending to him to retreat to Moore's
Creek bridge, if possible, but if not, to follow
on in their rear. The next day by four o'clock
we arrived at Dollifon's landing, but we could
not possibly march that night for want of horses
for the artillery, I dispatched an express to
Moore's Cieek bridge, to learn the,Situation of
affairs there, and was informed that Colonel
Lillington, who had the day before Taken his
Hand at the bridge, was that afternoon reinfor
ced by Col. Cafwell, and that they has raifeda
small breastwork, and destroyed a part of the
bridge.:
" The next morning, the 27th, at break of
day, an alarm gun was fired, immediately after
which, scarcely leaving our people a moment
to prepare, the tory army, with Captain Mac-
Cleod at their head, made their attack on Col.
Cafwell and Col.Lillington, and finding a small
intrenchment next the bridge on our fide empty,
concluded that our people had abandoned their
post, and in the mod furious manner advanced
within thirty paces of our break-work and artil
lery, where they met a very proper reception.
Capt. M'Cleod and Capt. Campbell fed Rubin
a few paces of the bread-work, the former of
whom received upwards of twenty bal^.thro''
his body; and in a very few minutefo£heir
whole army was put to.flight, and mold fhame
fully abandoned, their General, who was next
day taken prisoner. The iofa of the enemy in
this action, from the best accounts we have been
able to learn, is about 30 killed and wounded;
but as numbers of them must have fallen into
the Creek, besides many more that were carried
off, I suppose their loss may be estimated at a
bout go. We had only two wounded, one of
which died to day. This, Sir, I have the plea
sure to inform you, has happily terminated a
very dangerous infurredion, and will, I trust,
put an effectual check to toryifm in this coun
try,
" The situation of affairs at this place made
it neceflary for me to return here, which, at the
special request of the Committee, I did lad night
with my regiment. The large requisitions made
by the men of war, who now lie just below the
town, gave the inhabitants reason to apprehend
•every thing that could be fuffered from their dis-/
appointed vengeance, however, the committee
have spiritedly determined rather to fufler the
word of human evils than afford them any Ap
plies at all, and I have no doubt we shall be able
to prevent them from doing any great injury.
" In order to leffen,as much as poffible,he
expence incurred by this expedition, I some
time ago directed Colonel Martin to disband all.
the troops under his command, except 10,00,
including the regulars, and with those to feefre
men, which we found encamp d at Moore's
creek, tte r/ght before the battle, under the
comipand of Col. Lillington. The Tories
by common report were three thousand, but
General M'Donald, whom we have a priso
ner, fays there were about fifteen or fixteen'
hundred ; he was unwell that day, and not
in the battle. Captain M'Cleod, who teemed
to be the principal commander, with Captain
John Campbell are amongst the' slain. The
number killed and mortally wounded, from
the best accounts I was able to colled, was
about thity, most of them were foot on their
passing the bridge. Several had fallen in tlfe
water, some of whom, I am pretty certain,
had not risen yesterday evening, when I left
the camp ; such prisoners as w& have made,
fay there were at lead fifty of their men milling.
The Tories were totally put to the rout, and
will certainly disperse. Colonel Moore arrived'
at our camp a few hours after the engagement
was over ; his troops came up that evening,
and are now encamped bn the # ground where
the battle was fought ; and Colonel Martin
is at or near Cross creek, with a large body
of men ; those, 1 presume, will be {efficient
effectually to put a flop to any attempt to
embody them again. I therefore (with Colo
nel Moore's content) am returning to Newbern
with the troops under my command, where!
hope to receive your orders to dismiss them..
There h intend carrying the General. w If the
council Ibould rife before my arrival, be pleaf'
ed to give order in what manner he ffiall be
disposed of. Our officers and men 1 ehavdd'
with the spirit and intrepidity becoming free-•
men, contending for 'their dearest privileges.
A letter from Donald M'D.>i\ild, ffq; lately
created Brigadier-General 'in the Tory army,
by Governor Martin, to Brigadier-General
Moore.
SI R,
I herewith fend the bearer, Donald Morrison,
by advice of the Commissioners appointed by
his Excellency Josiah Martin, and in brhalfof
the army now under my common ? , to propose
terms to you as friends and countrymen. I iriuft
suppose you unacquainted with the Governor's
proclamation, commanding all his Majesty's loy„
al fubjeds to repair to the King's Royal Stand
ard, else I should have imagined you would ere
this have joined the King's army, now engaged
in his Majesty's service. I have therefore thought
it proper to intimate to you, that in case you do
not, by twelve o'clock to-morrow, join the Roy^
al Standard, I mud oonfider you as enemies,
and take the neceflary fleps for the fuppott of
legal authority.
I beg leave to remind you of his Majesty's
speech to his Parliament, wherein he offers to
receive the milled with tenderness and mercy,
from motives of humanity. I again beg of you
to accept the preferred clemency. I make no
doubt but you will shew the G % ntleman sent on
this message, every possible civility; and you
may depend, in return, that all your officers and
men, which may fall into our hands, shall be
treated with an equal degree of refped. I have
the honour to be, in behalf of the army, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
DON. MCDONALD.
Head-Quarters, Feb. 19, 177.6.
His Excellency's proclamation is herewith
enclosed.
To the commanding officer at Roekfifh.
Brigadier General Moore's anfiver.
SI R,
Yours of this day I have received, in anfiver
to which I must inform you, that the terms
which you are pleased to fay in behalf of the
army under your command, are offered to us as
friends and countrymen, are such as neither my
duty or inclinations will permit me to accept,,
and which I must prelume you too much of an
. officer to expeft of me. You were very right
when you supposed me unacquainted with the ,
Governor's proclamation, but as the terms
therein proposed are Rich as I hold incompati
ble with the freedom of Americans, it can be
no rule of conduc'd forme. However, should I
not hear farther from you before twelve o'clock
to-morrow, by which time I shall have an op-„
portuaity of consulting my officers here, ,and
perhaps Col. Martin, who is in the neighbour
hood of Cross creek, you may expe& a,more
particular answer ; mean time you may be af
fared, that the feelings of humanity will induce
me to (hew. that civility to such of your people
as may fall into our hands, as I am delirous
should be observed towards those of ours, who
may be unfortunate enough to fall into yours..
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient, and very humble fervt.
JAMES MOORE.
Camp at Roekfifh, Feb. 19, 1776.
From Brigadier General Moore, to Brigadier
General M'Donald.
SI R,
Agreeable to my promise of yesterday, T have
consulted the officers under my command, re
fpeQing your letter, and am happy in in ling
them unanimous in opinion with me. We con
fider ourselves engaged in a cause the most glo
rious and honourable in the world, the defence
of the liberties of mankind, in support of which
we are determined to hazard every thing dear
and valuable ; and in tenderness to the deluded
people under your command, permit me, Sir,
through you to inform them, before it is too
late, of the dangerous and deftruaive precipice
on which they stand, and to remind them of the
ungrateful return they are about to make for
their favourable reception in this country. If
this is not fufficient to recal them to the duty
which they owe to themselves and their pofte
fity, inform them that they are engaged in a
cause in which they cannot succeed, us not on
We have appointed Committees to confer
with Virginia and South-Carolina on. the most
proper mode of defence, to be adopted by these
colonies the ensuing campaign.
We underhand General Clinton is arrived n
Virginia with the transports and troops from
Boston, but have not yet any advice of the arri
val of those expeded from Great-Britain.'
One Mr. Achifon, midihipman of the Syren,
Whh three Jailors, were drove over Ocracock
bar in distress, who were taken prisoners and
brought to Newbern, the Midshipman and one
Bailor are sent to Halifax as prisoners, the
mother two difeharged in this ton n. It appears
the Syren had taken a vessel of ours on the
coast, and those men were conducting the prize
to Boflon, when they were foiced over the
bar.
•Extras of a private letter, dated North-Ca
rolina, March 10, 1776.
With very great pleasure I acknowledge the
receipt of your obliging favour ; and my hap
piness in writing to you is now encreafed bv
the immediate defeat of those rascally diftur
brs of government called Highlanders and
Regulators, who had embodied tremfclves to
a great number, and were within twenty miles
of Wilmington. It is inconceivable to imagine \
what joy this event has diffufed through this
province---the importance of which is height
ened by Clinton and Lord William Camp
bell's being now in Cape Fear, in sanguine
expectation of being joined by the above de
feated and touted villains, and with a deter-
ly the whole save of this country, but that of
.our neighbouring provinces, is exerting and
now actually in motion to fup-refs- them, and
which must end in their utter dedruction. Deti
rous, however, of avoiding the effufon of hu
man blood, I have thought proper to fend you a
copy of the tell recommended by the Continen
tal Congress, which if they will yet fubicribe
and lay down their arms, bv twelve o'clock to
morrow,we are willing to receive them as friends
and countrymen. Shop Id this offer be reffted,
I shall cknlider them as enemies to the conflitu
tiohal liberties of America, and treat them ac
cordingly.
Jeannot conclude without remindingyou,Sir,
of the oath which you and some of your officers
took at Newbern, on your a rival to this coun
try, which I imagine you will^ind difficult to
reconcile to your present conduct. I have no
doubt that the teener, Capt. femes Walker, will
be treated with proper civility and refpc& in
your camp. I am, Sir,
Your most obedient and very humble fervt.
<J. MOORE.
Camp at Roekfifh, Feb. 20th, 1776.
From Brigadier General M'Donald, to Brigadi
er General Moore.
SI R,
I received youfrfavour by Capt. James Wal
ker, and obferiell your declared sentiments of
revolt, hostility, and rebellion to the King,
and to what I understand to be the confiitution
of this country, If I am midaken, future
conferences must determine; but w bile I con
tinue in my present sentiments, I shall contider
myfelf embarked in a cause which muff, in its
confcqucnces, extricate this country from anar
chy and hcenrioufnefs. I cannot conceive that
the Scots cmi grants, to whom I imagine you
allude, can be under greater obligations to this
country, than to that King under whose graci
ous and iherciful government they alone could
have been enabled to vi!ir this weflern region :
And I trust, Sir, it is in the womb of time to
fay, that they are not that deluded and ungrate?
ful people, which you would represent them to
be. As a soldier in his Majesty's service, I must
inform you, if you arc yet to learn, that it is my
duty.to conquer, it I cannot reclaim, all those
who may be hardy enough to take up arms a
gainst the best of masters, as of Kings. I have
the honour 1> be, in behalf of the army under
my command, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
DON. M'DONALD.
Head-Quarters, Feb. 1776.
James Moore, Esq;
Extract of a letter from the Provincial Con*
cil of North-Carolina, dated Newbern,
March §, 1776.1
Governor Martin has been too fucceQful
in exciting an infurredtion of the banditti
among the Highlanders and the Regulators.
We refer you to a copy of Colonel Cafwell's
letter and other incloled papers for the parti
cular account of them. We have given or
ders that the persons and properties of the
ringleaders should be secured, raid that all
, w.hxMv^ir-#^-OT^ittreHtng Thould
be disarmed, and every other effectual measure
pursued to prevent their giving Governor Mar
tin any aid in case of the arrival of his ex
ported reinforcements. We have every thing
to hope from the vigilapcty skill and activity
of the officers, and the bravery, spirited and
patriotic behaviour of the troops on this occa
sion. A noble>ardour appeared in every part
of the country through all ranks of people;
in so much that in less than a fortnight 9,400
men and upwards were embodied and on their
march against the enemy ; mote might have
been raised, if they had been neceftiry. We
are informed that the men of war are on
. their way to Wilmington, and that the in
habitants have removed all their valuable eflefts,'
apprehending that the Governor will prevail
on the officers of the men of war to add the
fame tragedy there, which Lord Dunmore
lately played at Norfolk, to his immortal
infamy.
We have ordered that the Provincial Con
gress should meet at Halifax jhe second of next
month.