The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-11-26 00:00:00, page 2

Cfr of a Loiter from Lieutenant Ce^ra[ Far!
Co'nwailis, to bis Excellent) the Commander ;
in Chief; J
York Town, in Virginia,
Oerther 2ttb, 1781# i
SIR,:,
T HAVE the mortification to inform yourl
A Excellency, that 1 have been forced to give 1
up the polls of York and Gloucester, and to|
surrender t,he troops under my command, by §
capitulation on the 19th inftaht, as prifonersl
of war, to the combined forces of America and j
France.,
I never saw this port in any favourable light, j
but when l found I was to be attacked in it in |
so unprepared a date, by so powerful an array §
and artillery, nothing but the hopes of relief §
would have induced me to attempt its defence, 4
for I would either have endeavoured to escape [
to New-York by rapid marches from the Giou-|
cutler fide, immediately on the arrival of Ge-|
rural Wallington's troops at Williamsburg, or )
Iwould, notwithstanding the'defparity ofnum- §
bers, have attacked them in the open field, 1
where it might have been just pcffible that for-|
tune would have favoured the gallantry of the a
handful of troops under my command. But|
befog assured by your Excellency's letters that 1
every pottible means would be tried by the na-|
vy and a my to relieve us, I could not think |
rayfelf at liberty to venture on either of those 1
desperate attempts, r Therefore, after remain- 1
ing two days in a strong position in front of §
this place, in hopes of being attacked, upon %
' observing that theVnemy w~re taking meafur'es §
which could not fail of turning my left flank 1
in a short time, and receiving on ths fecond}
evening, your letter of the z,h of September,
inf rmfog me that the relief would fail about [
the ;th of Odo. I withdrew whhir the workst
on the night of the 29th of Sept, hoping by the 1
labour and firmnefs of the soldiers to protract 1
the defence uadl you could arrive. Every j
thing was to be exp Tied from the spirit of the §
troops, bur every difadv&nt&gt attended theirs
labour, as the ^rks were to be continued un-§
der the e emy's e,anu our flock of entrench-|
ing tools, utich did not exceed four hun-|
died when we beget to work in rhe latter end 1
ofAogufQ Was now much diminished.;|
The enemy broke ground on, the 30th, and $
conftruded on that night ad he two follow- 1
ing days and nights, two redoubts, which [
with fine works that had belonged to + urj
outward pbfition, occupied a gage b tweenl
tut creeks or ravines, which come fr in thel
river on each fide of the town: On the right |
cfthe 6.h cf OTober they made tneirfiril pa
railed, extending from ii'- right on the Everj
to a deep ravit & on the left, nearly eppofir. to|
the center of this place, ankl embracing our |
whole left, at thedirtance of fix hand eh yar is. !
Having perilled this parallel, their batteries 1
Opel ed on t^e evening ,fte ^th againlfour 1
left, and oth r bakeries' fired at the fame time |
againd a redoubt advanced over the creek up-|
ch cur left, and dfcr.d s d by about ono hun-|
tired aad t.wectv men of the 2,1 regiment, and :
mari es^ maintained that poll with uncommon }
{Wherry. The fire conrnued inceffart from 1
heavy cannon, rod fun mortars and ho.it-)
frs, throwing feelie from 8 to 16 inches, until J
our^guns bh the left were filenked, Qur works )
much damaged, and cur h fs of men coefder- [
able. On the ni, ht of the nth, they beg n;
their second parallel about geo yards nearer {
to us: The troops being much weakened by'l
fekneh, as well as by the fire ofthe besiegers, )
and< bferved that the enemy had not only fe- 1
cured their flanks, but proceeded in every re- 1
fi^a with the utmost regularity and caution ; ]
] could not venture so large forref as to hope _
froffi them any considerable effe&, but ocher- §
wife I did every thing in my power to it ter [
ruot their work, by openly new embtozuresl
for guns, and keeping a coriftant fi e with all ‘
the au*i zers and (mall mortals that we coul [
ran. Oi the evening of the 14th, they af¥
, faulted and carried two redoubts, that had f
been advanced about, 300 yards for the pur- ,
pofe<f delaying their approaches, and cover- 1
ing cur left flank, and during the night in- 5
eluded them in their freon-d paraUeJ, on which |
trey cortit ued to work with the utmofcexer
tion : "Being perfectly fenfib'e that our works
could not Hand many hours after the opening
cf he b^teries of that parallel, we not only
Continued a tanharc fire sith all our mortars,
and every gun that could be brought to bear ;
upon it, but a little before day break in the
nursing cf the i6th+ I ordered a fnt'e cf
about 3(0 men, under t%e director, of Lieut.
Colonel Abercrombie, to attack two batt aies}
which appeared to be in the geateft forward- 1
rels, and to spike the guns ; a^detaconeat ofl
Guards, w b the doth company of grenadiers,'
'underthe command 'of Lieut. Colonel Lake, 1
attacked the one, and ore of Light Infantry 1
under the command of Major Armibong, at-1
tanked the other, and bot'h Exceeded by fbrc-!
ing the redoubts that covered them, Diking •
eleven guns and kMrirgor wounding about^
one hundred of the French troops, who,bad {
the guards f that part of the trenches, and with $
little Infs on our fide. This a&ion, thou hj
extremely honourable to tb^ officers and fol-|
diers who executed it, proved of little public 1
advantage, fur the care n having been foikedJ
in a Qu/iy, were soon rendered fit for service |
a^tn, and before dark, the whole parallel and §
batteries appeared to be nearly complete. Atj
this tire we knew.that there was no part cf'
the wh n le front attacked in which we could
ibew a bogle gun, and our shells were nearly !
expensed; I had therefore only to ehoofe be- 1
tween preparing to, surrender next day. or en-J
deavourihg t-g toss wth the greatest part of :
the troops, and ^determined to attempt the .
Kcu, reft.-aing that though it llould prove
Although the eveift has been so unforta/
'nate, the patience of the soldiers in bearing
ithe great^t fatigues, and" their firmreG end
' intrepidity under a perfi verirg fire of Ihor and
I fhe:ls, that 1 believe has not ofteh been cx-
Iceeded, deferred the highest commendation
land praise ; a fuccefsful defence, however, in
lour situation was perhaps imp ffible, for the,
place could only be reckoned an intrenched
camp, fubjeft in mott places to enfilade, and
the ground in general so difadwantageou's,
that nothing but the necessity of fortifying it
as a poll to protect the navy, could have in
disced any person to erect winks upon it; our
-.force diminished daily by fi.knef- and other
losses, and was reduced when we offered to
capitulate, on this fide, to little more than
3,200 rank & file, fit for duty, including officers
Servants and artificers, and at Gioucelter, a
bout 600, including cavalry: The enemy's
army confided of upwards of B,oo^ French,
nearly as many ConuneniJs, and 5,000 mi
litia, They brought an immense train of
heavy artillery, moil amply furnished with
ammunition, aid perfectly well manned.
The constant and universal cheerfulness and
spirit ofthe Officers in all hardship and danger,
deserve my wa>mcft acknowledgements; and I
haye been particularly indebted to Brigadier-;
General O'Hara, and to Lieutenant Colonel!
Abercrombie, the former commanding on thel
right, and the* latter on the left, for their ;
attention andexertion on every occasion. The !
detachment of the 23d regiment and marines|
in the redoubt on the rig t, commanded by|
Captain Apthorpe, and the subsequent detach- }
meats commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Johnson, deserve particular commendation; ?
Captain Rochfort who commanded the artill-j
cry, and indeed every Officer and soldier of :
thatdiftinguifhed corps, and Lieutenant Suth-1
erland the commanding engineer, have merited |
in every reaped my highest approbation ; andl [
cannot fufficientt, acknowledge my obligations [
It was soon evident thatthe intended paflhge
was impracticable, and the absence of the
boats rendered it equally impdffible to b;ing
back the troops that had passed, which I had
ordered about two o'clock in the morning.
In this situation with my little force divided,
the enemy's batteries openedat cay break, the
passage between thi) place and Gloucelter was
much exposed, but the bo^ts having now re
turned, the^ were ordered to bring back the
troops, that had palled during the night, and
they joined us in the fortfroon wth^ut much
loss. Our, works in the mean time were goi g
to ruin, and not having been able to Itrength
en thern'by abbatis. nor in an tf her manner
than by a flight frazing, which the eneiny's
artillery wee oenoliihing wherever they
fired, my opinion entirely coincided with that
of the Engineer and the principal officers of
the army, that the. were in many places very
available in the forenoon, and that by the
continuance of the fame fire f> r a few hours
longer, they would be in such a date as to
renter it duf< erate with our numbers to main
tain them. Weat that time could not fie a
single gun, only ofie^ight inch, and little
more than 100 Cohort shells remained, a di
verlion by the Freeco Grips of war that lay at
the month of York R ver Was to be expected,
our numbers had been'diminifhed by the ene
my's fire, bur particularly by sickness, and
the /Length and fpi;ite of those in the works
wme much exhausted by the fatigue of con
stant Mate dm; and unremitting duy —Under
all these c rcumdances 1 thougnt it would
,have been wanton and inhuman t> the lad de
gree to factifice the lives of this small b dy of
gallant fldlers who had ever behaved with^
io much iidJicy and courage by rxpefing
themifives to an assault, which from the
numbers and precautions of tae enemy could
not fail to lucceed. 1 theofure orop&d to
capituj.ee, and 1 have the honour 10 erck fe
to your Excellency the c^py of the correipon
deuce bet era Gen. W^fingtOß -nd me on
that fubjud, and the terms of capitulation
agreed upon. I h^ceiely lament tyat better
c^uld not be obtained, bur [ have neghfUd
nothing to alleviate tft misfortunes and drf
tress of both officers and soldiers, Tn^ men
are well eloathed, and pre. ded with cecef
faries, and I trull will be regularly supplied
by the means cf the officers that are permitted
to remain .with them ; the treatment in g;
neral that we have received from he enemy
since our furiender, I'as been perfectly good
and proper, but the kuidnef and a'tehtion
that has been ihewn to us b..i'. e Femh Cffi
Cers in particular, their delicate leifibftty of
cur function, their generous and pullin,, of
fers of money, both public arid private ^ any
amount, ha: really gone bgcod what 1 cm
pcffibly describe, and will 1 hope, n-he ao
impression cn the bread < F every Britrfh officer
whene. er the fortune of n a r lit mid put an, of
them into our power.
unfoccTTul in its <.).:&, it might st fea^ de
lay the emmv in .the prosecution rs further
cn erpri7.es : fixteeo large beats were prepar
ed and upon other pretexts were ordered to
be in' rtadincfs to receive troops precisely at 10
o'clock ; withthefe I hoped to pass the infantry
during the night,abandoning our baggage, and
leavingddetico men t to capital ate for the town's
people, and tor t^ebek oid wounded,on which
fulfca a letter was ready to be delivered to
General Wafh.ngiLn. After making my ar
rangements with the utm ft secrecy, the light
infantry, greater part of the Guards, a^d part
of the 23a regiment, embanked at the hour
appointed, a^d molt o' them landed at Glou
cefler, but at the critical moment the weather
from being moderate a r d calm, changes to a
molt violent llorm of wind and rain, and drove
all the boA:s, some of which had trbops on
board, down the riv^r.
! to Captain Symmonds, who commanded Eis
Majefty'sfhlps, and to the other Officers and
famen of the nayy for their zealous and adive
Ico operation.
I I trarfinit returns of our killed and wound
;ed; the loss of fe^raen and town's people was
:likewife configurable.
II trull that your Excellency will please to
;haften the tecurn of the Boneta, ^fter landing
'her passengers, in compliance with the article
of capitulation. > , ;
I Lieutenant Coloriel Abercrombie, will have
I the honour to deliver this dispatch, and is well
Iqualified to explain to your Excellency every
I particular relating to our past and present fitu
;a.ion.
I have the honour to be,
with great refpe&, >
Sir,
Your mod obedient,
and moll humble Servant,
(Signed) CORNWALLIS.
Return of the billed, wounded, and miffing, of the
following Corps, from the 23th of September,
to \gth October, 1781.
For L OND O N,
$ (With the firft Convoy)
&T 3 The NAN C Y,
A fafffI»JAMES MILLAR, Mate,
A Fite strong stout vessel, very
° good accommodations for
p?ff e ngers. For freight r paf
"ge ppiy to David Fetgufon, at Captain Gibbs's,
Smit -itreet, or to the < aptam on board, at the Hay
Wharf, at the North-River.
XXXIIId. Captain Kerr, Killed; lieute
nantj-u zon, wt unded. _
LXXLE Lieutenant Frazer, killed.
LXXVIth. Lieutenant Robertson. Bounded.
Ble. Captain Rail, killed Ensign Span
.geuberg, sounded. 4
Coirimiffary Paikin, killed.
J. DESPARD, D. A. G.
^^^o^.^^^^^^
JOSEPH CORR E,
Pajiry Cook and Confeflioner,
No. 17, Haoovei -Square,
HAS re-commenced making PASTRY, such
as tarts, minced pies, meat pie% collards,
cakes, macaroons, jellies, blase mange, firrup of
capdiaire and orgeat coM,h3, sweet meats, orange'
peal, citron; abb may be h.d r^fins, jyruon al
n on 1% loft fell ditto, ifnigiafs, fu„ai candy by the
box or lets quantity.
N, B. Dinners or suppers dressed abroad ; he like
wile will provide and furnilh entertainments on the
fhartett notice and mod equitable terms. ctf.
LXXXth,Regiment 1 rank and file killed,
i rr'ank and hle wounded, 1 Captain, 9 rank
and hie miffing. Total 22.
Two Battalions Anfpsch. 1 Serjeant, if
rank and file foiled. 4 Serjeants, 30 rank and
file wounded. Total 46
Pmive Heieditaire, 2 Serjeants, z drum
mers, 19 r^nk and file .killed, 7 ^erje^nts, 1
drummer, ^girank and file wounded, 2 Ser
jeants, 14 ranka d file mating Total 96. ,
Regiment de B fe. 1 Captain, 4 Serjeants,
13 rank and file killed, 1, Ensign, 4 Serjeants,
3 crammers, 32 rank and file wounded, 1 Ser
jeant, 10 rank aid file m ding. Total 96.
Regiment de Both. 1 Captain, 4 Serjeants,
13 rank aid life k Red, I Ensign, 4 Srijeants,
3 drummers, 32 <, ik and file wounded, 1 Ser
j ant, 10 rank and fi.e miffing. 'Total 69.
Totah—2 Cdpmins, 4. Lieutenants, 13 Ser
j-ant: 4 drummers, 133 rank and file killed.
5 Lieutenants, 1 Entign, 24 Sejeants, 11
summers, 285 rank and file wounded.
1 Maj r, 2 Captains, I Sub hern, 3 Serjeants,
63 rankand hle miffing, , —Total 5,2.
Rank and Names oj Officers in the above Return:
hnuu^b.e Major Cochran, acting Aid de
Cam to Lac Cornwall's, killed.
td^t Infancy. Lieutenants Campbell, 74th
company, killed; Lyfter, 63d ditto, wounded,,
fidce draa; Dunn, ditto, ditto, wounded,
fine oe^d; Lightbume, 4,7 th ditto, wounded.
XXJId. Lieutenants Mair, killed; Guyon,
killed
Royal Artillery. 24 rank and file killed,
21 Bounded, 2 miffing. Total 47.
Guards. : Serjeant, 3 rank and file killed,
1 Serjeant, 21 rank and file wounded^ Total 26.
Light Infantry 1 Lieutenant, ^Seajeants.,
24 rank and file killed, 3 Lieutenants, 2 Serje
ants, 1 drummer, 51 rank and file wounded.
Total 85.
XVII h Regiment. 1 drummer killed, 1
Serjeant. 6 tank and file wounded. Total 8.
XXIIId Regiment. 2 Lieutenants, 1 Ser
jeant, 8 rank and file killed, 3 Secants, 2
drummers, 15 rank and file wounded. Total 31.
XXXIIId Regiment. 1 Captain, 7 rank and
file killed, 1 Lieutenant, 1. Serjeant, 10 rank
and file wounded, 1 Subaltern, 7 rank and file
miffing. Total 28.
XLllld Regiment. I Serjeant, 9 rank and
file killed. 1 Serjeant, 1 drummer, 16 rankand
file wounded, 1 Captain, 1 1 rank and file miss
ing. Total 40.
LXXlll Regiment. 1 Lieutenant, 9 rank
and file killed, 3 drummers, 19 rank aed file
wounded, 1 Major, to rank and file rhiffiag.
Total 43.
LXXVIth Regiment. 1 drummer, 5 rank
and file killed, 1 Lieutenant, 4 rank and fi.e
wound d. Toto! 11.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Tenants under
the Veltry, that unless they Immediately pay
off all arrears, their n^mes will be returned to the
Police, in order to compel payment.
JOHN SMYTH,
Collector and T eafurer.
New-York, Novi 13, 1781.
REGIMENTS or CORPS.
No. 20, nearly oppofne the Coffee-Houfe, in Water-
Street, have imported from London in the Fleet
just arrived, a neat ^ortipent of Dry Goods,
wh'ch they will fed on reaf.'able terms, viz.
Likewise Boot Le^s nn! SeI^, 1 ^, Saddles and
Saddlery, an assortment of I wnery, H.f>n Tea,
tingle refined LoT Sugar in Calks, of 4 to 5 cwt 4
( f fes of pickles well assorted, Florence On, boxes ,<
Hardwire neatly allotted, Tin Plates, Boule Wire,
Bird Shot, &c.
For LOND O N,
(Wiih CocvoQ
The Ship COMMERCE^
JAMES CUMMINS, Mailer,'
IQ^CTF Lying at Well 's ,7harf.
r। 'HIS Ship is so well known, that ftc needs no
1 recommendation. For freight or pillage .apply
to Messrs. Gwilt and Goodwyn, or to the Mailer
on board.
* # * The goods on board cenfigned to order, will,
after this day, be fiored at the owner's expense, if
not immediately applied' for.
New-York % ~Nov. 19, 1781.
AT the Manufacturer's Cloth Store,, No. 44,
Queen-fteet, near Beekman's S^ip, is now
felling, wholesale and retail, ti 1 all is fold, a fielh
importation cf
Superfine BROAD CLOTHS,
Cheap as usual such as,
Scarlets, full dark blues, London browns, stoved
whites, doable milled blue drabs, for great coa/?,,
and other thick fials, twilled and plain Bath coat
ings, and a variety of other cloths, with trimmings
for the fame: Also a quantity of MANCHESTER
GOODS, such as corduroys, velverets, &c. and a
few pieces of fine Irfh linens, &c.
Benjamin Waddington,&Co.'
Have imported the under mentioned ARTICLES,
in the lad fleet from England, which will be fold
on very low terms for Cafo only, at their store in
Queen street, viz.
A Quantity of fupetfine Flour,
Wax, Mould and dipped Candles,
Ear Iron feel, Plough Sheers, and Iron Hoops,
A Quantity of Printing or common Writing Paper,
A few Cases of keen's Ware, assorted,
Grape and Round Shot, 9 and 12 Pounders:
BESIDES
A very large Afforcment of
DRYGOOD S,
Of almost every Species, calculated for this Market,
amongst those suitable for the Wi ter Season, are
A vallvariety of Yarn and Worfled Ho/e & Gloves,
Stuff Mercery, Black Modes, Sattins, Armozeens, and
Silk Handkerchiefs, Flannels, and Baizes,
B ft London made Boots and Shoes,
Irilh Linens, dark printed Callicoes, and Chintzes,
Printed Handkerchiefs, &;. &c. &c.
New-York, November 14, 1781.
Bloom of Circaffia.
yT is allowed (hat the Circaffians are. the
X molt beautiful Women in the World. —
However they derive not all their Charms from
Nature. A Gentleman lorig resident there in
thefaite of a Person of Diftinaion, well known
for his Travels thro' Greece, became acquainted
with the Secret of the Liquid Bloom, extracted
from a Vegetable, the Produce of that Country,
in general used there with the most efteemec
Beauties. It differs from all others in twc
very effenlial Points; firft, that it instantly
gives a Rosy Hue to the Cheeks, not to be dis
tinguifhed from the lively and animated Biocn
of Rural Beauty, nor will it come eff by Per
fpiration or the Use of an Handkerchief.—/
Moment's Trial will prove that it is not to bl
paralleled, Sold bv H G^in P
IRISH Linens, ।
Raffia at d lush fheet
in ^.'
Dyed Pillows,
Ma: feilles quilting, ,
Rose 2nd common Blan
kets,,
Scarlet, white and green
Ba £e,
Wihon & Scotch Carpets
Callicoes aid -Chintzes,
Mufons and Mullin
faandke jchiefs,
Cambricks,
Persians, Sa: fnets,
Lungee, Romal, and
printed Handkechiefs
Black and coloured Bar
celona Handkerchiefs,
Waistcoat Patterns,
Thre J Lace & Edgings
Sattins, modes, and mode
Handkerchiefs,
Lutestrings, G,uzes,
MICHAEL PRICE,
' at No. 15, Wall street,
HA S received by the lallti et from Cork, a
quantity of fupetfine kiln dryed flour, mess
pork and ox tongues in half barrels, pork hams in
good order, mould candles, rendered tallow, Irish
linens and checks, ready m'de ruffled shirts, frk aid
fluff petticoats, very curious patterns for jackets
fiut^ble lor the prefect season, with a quantity of
hosiery, London d aw boot legs, with vamps, soles,
&c. consent.
' Likewife by the Blenheim, Ark, and Commerce,
from London, a neat affutment of European and
India goods, which he will dispose of on reasonable
term? for caffi .ctf.
To be SOL D,
A Very convenient dwelling house, built on leafed
ground, fit ? ate on Cruger's wharf. Imme
diate poffellion will be given ; proposals for the said
hbufe and lot of ground, will be received by JOHN
WOODS, attorney at law, and notary public, No,
135, upper end of Queen-street, weft fide , ho hath
also two very valuable lots of ground at the upper
end of Lid (freer, to fell.
$$ For LIVERPOOL,
^&, The Brig FANNY;
of freight or passage, may
be known of A. White, on board,
at Murray's wharf, or at the Cofr-Houfe. The
Fannv is a very faft failing^veffM.
M'KIE and CUMMING,
ITicking Stays,
Womens Callimancoe
Shoes,
Metis Silk, Cotton,
Thread and Woifted
H fe,
Mens Worked Socks,
Womens Silk and Cotton
Hbfe,
Mens Silk,Thread,Wor.
(fed and Woodstock
Gloves,
Womens Larob and BLi
ver Gloves,
Mens black and white
White and coloured
Threads,
Sewing Si'k and tapes,
dallimanco:s. Durants,
lammier, Moreens, and
Cambers,
Bins, Needles and Play
ing Cards, &c.