The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-31 00:00:00, page 2

The advices since our last from the back country
are, that the Cherokee and Creek Indians, to the
number of between 6 and 700, are encamped in
Carter's valley, from whence they fend out parties
against the lettlements, some of which had pene
tjated near 100 miles on this fide of the Big island,
carrying definition wherever they come,' by burn
ing houses, fences, fields of wheat and other grain,
and turning droves of horses into the corn fields.
Upwards of 1000 head of horses have been drove
off, and a great number of cattle; the sheep and
hogs they shoot down. They had killed and scal
ped 18 men, one or two women, and several chil
dren; some of the people were mod barbarously
murdered, too flocking to relate. The ruined fet
lers had collected theinfelves together at different;
places, and sorted themfelvss, 4.00 and upwards at
Major Shelby's, about the fame number at Captain
Campbell's, and a considerable number at Amos
Eaton's--- I he fort at Wattaugah, which was be
sieged by 400 savages, is now relieved, the Indians
having abandoned their enterprize upon the ap
proach of Col. Russell witli about 300 men.—ln
all the skirmishes with the Indians, our people have
continually worsted them, and, in the whole, have
killed and Icalped 27, and badly wounded many
ethers, as was difeovered by the tracks of blood.—
A man from the frontiers of Georgia had arrived
in. Fincaftle, who declared upon oath, that he saw
upwards of 100 people buried in one day, who were
killed by the Creek Indians.
,“g(^ ! 7- By an express from Colonel Russell of
Fincaftle, we learn, that on his approaching the
W ataugah fort with the men under his command,
th 1 Indians retired precipitately; however not with
out losing one man and having two wounded, by a.
party that pursued them. The fort was thus for
tunately relieved after a fortnight's close siege, du
ring the greater part of which time our people lived
on parched corn. There were supposed to be about
500 women and children in this little fort, who fled
there for Shelter on hearing that the Indians were
marching into that part of the country. We loft
not a man in this long affair, except four or five
who ventured out to drive in some cows; those
were found scalped.
The number of Indians concerned in.the different
ravages lately committed in Fincaftle, amount to 6
or 700, some fay 800; and yet, sudden as their
attack was, they murdered in all their butchering
parties but 18 persons and wounded fix, whilst our
men killed in the skirmishes witli them 26 on the
spot (as many were carried off dead) took one pri
soner, and wounded at lead as many as they killed.
As the Cherokees have been so completely checked
in their career, and we understand from fort Pitt
that the northern Indians are not disposed to attack
us in that quarter, and have only engaged not to
fuffer us to march through their country against
Detroit, we may hope that there is not much to be
dreaded from the terrible combinations of Indians,
we have been threatened with by our enemies.
ANNAPOLIS, August 22.
Extract of a letter from Cbarlefomn, South-Carolina,
dated July 31, 1776.
" We are just now fitting off for the burning
sands of Georgia; an expedition is planned against
part of East-Florida; two brothers of governor
Wright, with many others, are intrenched, and
have posted themselves on St. Mary's River, which
divides Florida from Georgia; besides a great num
ber of negroes they have of their own, others flock
to them. Col. Somer's regiment, from North-Ca
rolina, and major White, of North-Carolina, with
two companies of volunteers, have marched, and
colonel Muhlenberg's regiment only waits for wag
gons to transport their baggage."
B O S T O N, Augufl 15.
Yeflerday fe'nnight the Tyrannicide privateer, in
the service of this State, commanded by Capt. Fisk,
sent into Salem a prize brig, called the St. John.
Her cargo consists of 120 hogsheads of molasses, 81
cades of rum, 51 calks of coffee, 14 hogsheads of
sugar, and eight calks of cocoa.
An express from South Carolina arrived this
morning, who brings advice that General Clinton
with his troops, escorted by Sir Peter Parker's shat
tered squadron, departed from Charfeftown the 3d
of this infant. They had been moving off for seve
ral days, and were supposed to be bound part for
Virginia, the rest farther northward. In going
over Charleftown bar, a row battery that was sent
to annoy them made prize of a brig transport, hav
ing on board a w hole company of the Royal High
land emigrants; the Captain only escaped. The
fame day a boat from General Clinton's Ihip was
taken, with nine sailors in her.—General Lee is ex
pected here in a few days.
1V ILL lAM SBU RG, Aagaf^ 16.
I^ROM undoubted authority, we can assure the
public that 15,000 wt. of pure lead has been
got from our mines in the back country; which,
after being call into bullets, we hope will be uner
ringly directed against our enemies.
The fame day arrived at Dartmouth, taken by
the above privateer, the prize schooner Three Bro
thers, Capt. Smith, from Dominica for Nova-Scotia.
Her cargo consists of 50 hogsheads of rum, 86 calks
of molasses, 40 barrels of flour, 10 barrels of pork,
and 4201. L. M. in cash.
By a person from Charleftown, No Four, we
hear that the report there was that a great number
of boats full of troops had been seen in the lakes,
so it is very likely we shall soon hear of some busi
ness from that quarter.
Thursday lad a fine prize ship, from St. Augustine
for London, laden with dried ikins and indigo, was
sent into Salem by a privateer commanded by Capt.
Simmer.
The fame day arrived at Newbury-Port, a prize
schooner laden with rum, &c. We have not heard
by whom Ihe was taken.
Lad week the Warren privateer of Dartmouth
carried in there a ship from the Weft-Indies for
Newfoundland, laden with sugar and molasses; she
was commanded by Captain Cochran of this town,
and owned by Captain Boylftone, of Boston.
PROVIDENCE, August 17.
Wednesday last arrived here from a short cruize
of a month, the privateer sloop Diamond, Captain
Wm. Chafe, of this port, and brought in a prize ship
from Dominica bound to Bristol. The following
passengers were on board, viz. a youth about seven
years of age, son to. the Governor of Dominica;
Mr. Hutchinson a member of the Council of that
island; and Mr. Charles Hobby Hubbart, of Boston:
This gentleman arrived at Antigua from England
in December last, in a transport ship, where, on
account of his attachment to the American cause,
he was apprehended and confined in gaol upwards
of fix months, great part of the time in a dungeon.
Another prize ship taken by the diamond, arrived
here on Sunday last.
Capt. Chafe informs, that a privateer from Bed
ford has taken a veffej from the Wed-Indies, bound
to Newfoundland, having on board, besides a good
cargo, 500 Johannes.
N E W-Y O R K, August 26.
We can afftire the public, that the foreigners in
Burgoyne's army are beginning to desert in large
numbers. About 60 of them, in a boat, came over,
to our troops the other day at Ticonderoga..
Tuesday lad two of our privateers, commanded
by the Capts. Rogers and Pond, fell in with three
vessels from Halifax, and took them. The firft and
second loaded with hay and wood, a third loaded
with sutlers stores for the army at Staten-Island.
They allo took a fourth prize loaded with oil, bound
for Halifax, they are all carried fafe into port.
Wednesday evening last we had here as violent a
thunder-gud as has been remembered by the oldest
man now living among us. The lightning struck a
marque in Gen. M'Dougall's camp, near the Bull's
Head in the Bowery, and inflantly killed Captain
Van Wyck and his two Lieutenants, Verfereau and
Depyfter. A soldier, named Ephraim Bartlet, was
also killed in the house of Mr. Joseph Hallet, in
Hanover-Square, and several others much hurt.
We also hear four men were killed on Long-Bland,
and some houses and barns burnt on Tappan.
Tuesday last a number of ships witli troops on
board failed from Staten-island out of the Narrows;
next day they were followed by many more, and
about ten o'clock Thursday morning about 10,000
men landed between New Utrecht and Gravefend,
on Long-island. Friday a party of them came and,
took poffeflion of Flat-Buffi, which immediately
brought on a very heavy fire from our troops who
are advantageously posted in the woods, and on
every eminence round that place.
An advanced party of the Regulars are encamp
ed a little to the North Weft of Flatbufh, Church,
and have a battery somewhat to the Westward of
Mr. Jeremiah Vanderbelt's, from whence they con
tinue to fire briskly on our people, who often ap
proach and difeharge their rifles within 200 yards
of their works. Wehave had oily 4 men wounded
since the enemy landed; but we are certain many
of them fell; one, a Hessian, was killed last Friday;
several dollars were found in his pocket, and he
had an excellent Rifle, and many of the Regulars
are in Rifle dresses.
By Yesterday's Post from the Eastward we
have the following Intelligence.
BOSTO N, Auguf 22.
Last Thursday, was sent into Marblehead, by
the Franklin vessel of war, Capt. Skimmer, and on
Saturday last was conveyed round to this Harbour,
a brig from St, Augustine, bound for Bristol, with
5000 raw and half dressed Deer skins, and about
twotons of Indigo. There were on board laid brig,
Lieutenant, Serjeant and a Drummer, of the 14th
Regiment, going on the recruiting Service.
Monday lad arrived at Portsmouth, a veffcl from
Holland, laden with dry goods, druggs, spices, &c.
PORT SMOU T H, Auguji 17, 1776.
By Capt. Ladd, who arrived here in 18 days, from
Cape Nichola Mole, we are informed, that the fleet
of sugar ships was to fail the 2d ofAuguft from Ja
maica, under convoy of one 20 gun ship; that a
French ship convoy'd him through the Windward
passage, and informed him France and Spain Tad
declared war against Portugal.
N EWBURY-P O R T, Anguft t 6.
Yeflerday Capt. Wingate Newman, arrived here
in the Privateer named the Hancock, from Phila
delphia, Ihe brought in as a prize, (which is now
fafely anchored before this town) the ship Nancy from
Antigua, Capt. Keys, bound to London, having
on board about 400 hogsheads of sugar, 90 of rum,
and a few calks of Madeira wine. Three or four
gentlemen passengers, and a lady came in the above
filip.—He likewise brought in with him the sloop
Industry, Capt. William Hazen, bound to St. John's
in Nova-Scotia, in ballast.
A few days before taking the above ship, Capt.
Newman had a smart engagement with a sloop of
war, of much superior force, for three glasses, but
night coming on they parted, both having received
much damage, but on board Capt. Newman no lives
loft, nor none much hurt.
N E W P O R T, August 14.
A gentleman from the eastward, informs, that
the Hancock privateer, of Philadelphia, has taken
and carried into Marblehead a large transport from
England, with 250 Hessian troops on board. She
has also taken a Jamaica ship, laden with 400 hog
sheads of sugar, and 100 puncheons of rum, and
carried her into Newbury-Port.
N E W-H AVEN, Auguf 21.
Extrafl of a letter from Ticonderoga, Augufl 10.
" In a day or two, our fleet, (ic fail) will go
down the Lake on a cruize—Brigadier Gen. Gordon
was lately killed by a lieutenant of one of our re
connoitering parties, between Chamblee and St.
John's."
N E W-L ONDO N, Auguf 23.
Since our last, three Vessels have arrived here
from New-York, with Tories colle&ed from that
city, and Long-Bland; who are sent into the coun
try towns.
By Means of the great number of Prizes carried
into different Ports at the Eastward, Jamaica rum
is fold at 4s 4d. per gallon by the hogshead, and Su
gar at five dollars per 100 wt. in Boston.
HARTFOR D, August 26.
Last Saturday a number of Gentlemen were
brought to this town from New-York, where they
were lately taken up on suspicion of entertaining
sentiments unfriendly to the American States. We
hear they are soon to set out for Norwich, where
(for the present) they are desired to remain.
Last Monday David Matthews, Esq; Mayor of
the city of New-York, was bro't to this town from
Litchfield, and on Friday returned, having ob
tained liberty to remain there, under the care of
Capt. Moses Seymour.
Saturday night last a Post arrived in town from
Ticonderoga, which place he left the 20th instant
but brings nothing material.
It is said Lord Dunmore, with the remains ofhis
Ethiopian regiment, have arrived at Staten-island,.
and join'd Gen. Howe.
N E W-Y O R K, Augufl 28.
It is said, the enemy on Long-Bland have been
reinforced, and are now supposed to be 20,000
strong. Yesterday several skirmishes happened be
tween our troops and theirs, but we cannot obtain
any particular account; all we can learn is, that we
have taken 22 prisoners, viz. a captain, ferjeant,
corporal and 16 privates, belonging to the marines,
and Major Cudgjo, commander of Lord Dunmore's
black regiment. Never did troops behave with
greater courage and resolution than ours did on the
occasion. They made several attacks upon our
lines, but were repulsed witli considerable lots. Our
troops are in high spirits. We hourly expert to
hear of their renewing the attack.
PHILADELPHIA.
Extract of a letter from Nem-Tork, dated August 26.
" On Saturday a letter was difeovered, which
was written by Lieutenant Col. Zedwitz to Tryon;
he fays that having consulted him, he had accepted
a commission through necessity, and now commands
part of the rebel mob; that the discovery of Forbes
and the Mayor had like to have ruined his scheme;
tliat lie liad been at General W n's, who wanted
him to translate an advert— t, to be dispersed among
the Hess—s, the purport of which was, that he would
give each deserter among them, if they would join
our army, 200 acres of land, a horse, and a cow;
and the land only if they did not join our army;
that a perlon at head quarters could be prevailed
on to give a weekly return of the number and Rate
of our army for 40001, in hard money, and he was
not to be difeovered even if Zedwitz loft his life in
the scheme; that he said he did not think 40001.
would be given, but he would promile him 20001.
that he, Zedwitz, was now Lieutenant Colonel,
but daily expected a full commission, when he was
to go and have the command of the forts up North
River, &c.—He was tried this morning and cons fled
the writing, laid he did it to deceive Tryon, and get
some money which was due to him from the crown,
tor services performed in Germany. Sentence is not
pronounced. Our people at Elizabeth-Town and
the enemy on Staten Island connonaded each other
yesterday afternoon, without doing any damage,
but disturbing the congregation."
Extract of a letter from an officer in Col. Attlee's
Battalion, of Pennfivania, August 27.
“ Yesterday about 120 of our men went as a
guard to a place called Red Lyon, on Long Bland;
about eleven o'clock at night the sentries difcried
two men coming up a water mellon patch, upon
which our men fired upon them; the enemy than
retreated, and about one o'clock advanced witli
about 2 or 300 men, and endeavoured to surround
our guard; but they being watchful gave them two