The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1779-03-29 00:00:00, page 2

SAVANNAH, March 6, 1779.
Account of a signal Victory obtained by his
Majesty's troops, commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Prevoft, over the rebel army under
the command of Major General Ash, and
Brigadier Generals Elbert and O'Bryan, on
the 4th of March, 1779.
THE rebel army having penetrated with
near 2000 men, partly continentals, and
partly militia, a* fr as Miller's burnt bridge,
on Brier Creeks it was tho't prudent to allow
them to repair it, and to draw them on the
f uth fide of the Creek before they were attack
ed ; but informa ion being received that they
had sent off all their carts and Waggonsto Bur
ton's ferry over Savannah river, and proceed
ing but slowly in the repairs of the bridge, the
Colonel concluded that they had no farther ob
j ft in view, and that they meant to return
shortly, in consequence of which he ordered
the firft battalion of the 71st regiment, with
about 150 of the Carolina Volunteers, to pro
ceed to Buck Creek, three miles south of the
burnt Bridge, in order to mask the advance
corps, with which he took a circuit of fifty
miles in order to come on their rear, and at
tack them with five field pieces: About 8,0
regulars, and about 180 or 200 of the Caroli
na Volunteers and Rangers, the march was
begun privately on the ill day of March in
the evening ; the troops marched chiefly all
Light, and arrived about ten the next day, at
U Mil intelligence being received that a body
of Loyalists from North and Sou r h Carolina,
after fighting th :e successive actions with the
rebels, in their way to join the royal army,
wert on their wiv to ('drain's ferry (on Brier
Creek) Colonel Campbell moved the ad
vance to favour their fafety, and in a fewdavs,
picked up no less than 300 valuable fubjedts,
whoe zeal, spirit, fortitude and loyalty do
honour to the age in which they live, and will
immortalize their names in the records of fame.
March 4. From the Welt India blinds we
hear, that Count D'Fdaing with his fleet, and
12000 land forces is blocked up in Martinico,
by Admiral Byron, where they fuffer greatly
for want of provilions ; the King's ships and
a vast number of privateers, picking up every
veffcl attempting to carry them Supplies . That
Dominica had been retaken, and General
Grantjoined by a reinforcement from Europe,
who was preparing for an expedition against
Guadaloupe.
By Augustine Prevost, Esq; Brigadier-
General, and Commander in chief of his
Majesty's troops in the Southern diftrid;
Hyde Parker, jun. Esq; commanding his
MajeftyW Ships in the river Savannah, and
Archibald Campbell, Esq; commanding the
northern detachment.
WHEREAS the King in Parliament, being
desirous to restore the blessings of re
conciliation, and peace to Great-Biitain and
the colonies, did, in the couife oftlie last year,
repeal certain ads, which were found to have
excited jealousies, and to have given appre
hensions of danger to liberty in the laid
colonics: And whereas the inhabitants of
Georgia have acknowledged, that the bene
volent overtures of Great - Britain, in that rei
pefl, are such as come up to every wish, that
they in the hour of temperate deliberation, or
the utmost apprehensions of danger to liberty
had ever expressed, and have Sealed that ac
knowledgement by the sacred cedimony of
their just allegiance to the crown. ?
We the commanding officers of his Majesty's
fleet and army, from a just regard to the wel
fare of Georgia, and for the preservation of
peace and good order among its inhabitants,
Do hereby declare, that all the laws of the
province of Georgia, which were in force at
the end of the year <775, are, and shad conti
nue in fell force, until such time as a period of
less difauiet, ball enable a future general
assembly, to alter or amend then. And for
the more immediate and eneftual execution of
ftice, without which, the property of indi
duals cannot be fife, public confidence rc
.ored, nor domestic tranquility confirmed:
Ve hereby nominate and appoint the following
entlemen, to the federal departments of the
ivil government in Georgia, till his M ij^J.y s
deafure is known, namely,
His Honour Lieut. Col. James Mark Prevoft,
Esq; Lieutenant Governor.
Members of COUNCIL.
The Hon. Lewi, Jrhnfon, Esq; John Hume, Esq;
James Penman, Efy M .tin J>lli% Esq; James Ro
bertson, EQ Winm Telfair, E f, James Mofs
man, E'q; R >ger K Ifall, Esq;
C O MMI SSI ONERS of Claims.
James Penmen, Esq; Martin Jdlie, E„; Junes
R>be tfon, Esq; Willem Telfair, Esq; Roger Kel
fJl, E quire.
Lewis J >hnfton, Est;; Chief Tuftice; Matin Jol
lie, Esq; and John Mullryne, affiltant Judges: James
Robertson, Esq; Attorney General ; John Hume,
Esq; Secretary of the province; Angus Campbell,
EQ Prothonotary; Joseph Failey, Esq; Provost
Marshal; Lewis Johnson, Esq; rreafarc. ; Robert
M'Culioch, Esq; Collector of theCuitoms; William
Bown, Eq; Comptroller; Steven Haven, Esq;
Naval officer ; Mrrtiri Jollie, Esq; Julge of the
Admiralty; RQIOI Brice, Esq; Mirihil of the
Court of Admiralty ; William Stewart, Bfq; Nota
ry Public; Alexander Wylly, Esq; Clerk of the
Court; David M ntaigut,Efq;Clerk of the Council;
P rilip Younge, Esq; Surveyor-General ; the Revd.
Mr. Edward Jenkins, Rtdor of the Parish of thrift
Church.
Given at Savannah, the 4'h day of March, 1779.
AUG. PREVOST.
HYDE PARKER.
ARCH. CAMPBELL.
A PROCLAMATION.
a place where the rebels had lately destroyed a
bridge ; a temporary one was contracted, but
for want of grapnals and, cables, could not
stand the ftrenyh of the current, the creek
being both wide and rapid a pontoon was then
fubftitued, and though it admitted of a consi
derable delay, the troops and the artillery were
carried over before day break the third instant,
the light-infantry and the horse had been lent
forwards the preceding evening, to prevent
the retreat of the enemy, and to conceal the
intended movement, the scouts gave advice
that they had difeovered some parties of the
enemy, they were re-informed with a view to
attack them, and to prevent their retreat to
the main body of their army, and at the fame
time to conceal the march of the regular troops,
part of them escaped over the river, having a
ferry there, a few of them got taken, and a few
saved themselves by the great speed of their
horses, but as they had not difeovered the
troops, it gave no kind of apprehension that
it would alarm them, otherwise than to induce
them to fend a party in quest of the scout we
had Shewn in their rear ; the prisoners concur
red in their declaration, that the rebels were
unapprized of the vicinity of any enemies,
and trusting much to their superiority in num
bers, were in the most perfect security, they
said that Major Ross with three hundred light
horfe had joined their army the preceding
evening. The troops continued their march,
and by half after fur in the afternoon the
flying parties of horse drove in the enemy's
picket, and took some prisoners, who inform
ed us th it they knew not of any number of
troops but only a few fcouters coming. The
troops were rapidly formed, with the light
infantry on their right, and two field-pieces,
was ordered t> penetrate by a road leading
towards the left of the rebel army, the center
was composed of the 2d battalion 71st, with
some rangers, and Carolina foot on their left,
and one howitzer and two 6 pounders in their
front. About 150 horse were ordered to take
the left of the whole, to turn the right flank
of the enemy.
A reserve was formed about 400 yards to the
rear, and confided of three companies of gre
nadiers from Florida, and a troop of dra
goons ; about 40 or 50 rifle-men were polled
to ambufeade a place through which the rebels
might attempt, under cover of a swamp and
thicket to attack our left and rear; the enemy
began a feathering fire of mufqnetry, and fired
some cannon but were put to flight in an in
stant: they could not stand the spirited attack
of Sir James Baird's light-infantry on our
right, and from that instant the success of the
day was decided. They were pursued to the
creek, into which, after throwing away their
arms, the most aCive plunged and escaped by
swimming; their right had no means ofefcap,
ing, but a lagoon very deep and broad, and
then to'crofs the river Savannah ; there num
bers have been drowned and perithed, many
were killed in the pursuit, and about one hun
dred taken prisoners. General Ash, the com
manding officer of their army, with some other
officers of note, were^ mistaken by the zd
battalion 71st for some of our own people, as
they passed by them and took off their ha's.
Brigadier General Elbert, Colonel M'lntofh,
two other Colonels, and 23 more officers have
been taken ; seven pieces of cannon, several
stand of colours, their baggage, arms, ammu
nition, and every thing in short, fell into the
hands of the brave victorious troops. Not a
whole platoon of the rebel army escaped toge
ther, on our right or left the panic occasioned
by the terror of the bayonet, left them no al
ternative but that of plunging into the water,
many of which we are since informed have been
met without any other ciaaths but a shirt and
breeches, and without arms, numbers of them
badly wounded, few would have efeaped if
night had not come @n so soon.
The loss on our fide was one officer wounded,
five privates killed, and ten wounded; that
of the enemy about 150 killed in the pursuit,
vast numbers were drowned, and the rest ren
dered useless, having loft their arms and
cloaths.
The coolness and intrepidity of the troops
was conspicuous; not a word was heard but
what was expressive of a wish to come up with
the enemy ; a chearful smiling countenance
appeared on every fide ; the confidence of the
troops was to a degree a fare and certain sign
of the success they met with; notwithstanding
every fatigue and even want of provisions for
the whole day of the engagement, the troops
formed, advanced rapidly, changed their dif
pofrion, and manoeuvred with as much case
as they could have done it on the fame ground
had do enemy been in fight.
March 11. Advices have been received
from the back country, that since the late de
feat of the rebels, Colonel Marbury, who,
with a body of light horse, was protesting the
several recruiting parties that were flattered
through the inhabitants, has thought it [pru
dent to make a speedy retreat over Savannah
river.
By deserters from General Lincoln's army
we are informed, that a body of militia, con
fiding of no less than 300 men, went off toge
ther to betake themselves to their refpe&ive
homes ; but that the General sent a strong de
tachment of continentals after them to bring
them back, determined to make them fight,
whether they have a stomach for it or not.
Yelterday morning about seven o'clock,
Hyde Parker, Esq; Commodore of his Majesty's
ships in the river, and Archibald Campbell,
Esq; Lieutenant Colonel of the 7111 regiment,
and Commandant of the northern detachment,
embarked in order to proceed to Great-Britain,
on board the Phoenix man of war.
Arrived last week, the ship Peggy prize to
the Wasp privateer, belonging to Sc. Augustine.
(Signed) ARCHD. CAMPBELL.
Savannah, 6th March, 1779°
PROPOSALS.
Made by Colonel Prevost, refpeding Piifo
ners of War, at a conference held at Zubly's
Ferry on the 31st of January, 1779, with
an officer deputed by Mr. Lincoln wno is
not named in the printed account, from
which the following is copied.
1. That a fair exchange of prisoners shall
take place without exception of persons.
2.' That it shall take place before the
15th day of March.
3. that the prisoners shall be mutually
and impartially exchanged, officers for officers,
non-commifiioned officers for non-commiffibn
ed officers, soldiers for soldiers, and citizens
and inhabitants for the fame number of citi
zens and inhabitants, agreeable to rank and
station.
4. That the Highlanders at Fredericks
burgh in Virginia shall be firft sent in on this
occasion, the rest to be completed from Bur
goyne's army.
5. That the rations of provisions that have
been issued, or shall be issued hereafter in the
Southern Diftrid, to the prisoners on each
fide, shall be rated at the price of fix-pence
flerling per ration, to be paid, in gold and
silver, the dollar at four (hillings and eight
pence.
6. Whenever the exchange takes place,
the commiflaries of prisoners on both sides,
are to exchange accounts properly authenti
cated, of the number of rations that have been
issued to the prisoners who fnall be exchanged,
and the balance paid at the rate above menti
oned : Should any difficulty arise on that head,
the matter to be left to a future determination,
and not prevent the exchange from taking
place.
7. That propel means of conveyance shall
be furnilhed, at the public expence, for the
bagg a g e °f the officers who shall be exchanged,
and proper treatment and quarters provided
for them and their men on the march, to the
place of exchange mod contiguous to the
Head Quarters of each army.
8. That the officers, non-commissioned
officers and privates, who have been taken at
Fort M'lntofh on Sitilla, at the defeat of Col.
Baker, the late excursion of the Bripfh troops
in Georgia, and other places, who have been
liberated and not yet exchanged, shall be ac
counted for and exchanged upon honour.
Head-charters, at Ebenezer, Feb. 5, 1779.
AS lam conscious of having acted a most
candid part in the conferences hitherto
held, relative to the exchange of prisoners
whom the fate of war has reduced into capti
vity ; [ am not in the lead apprehensive of
committing to paper, and submitting to pub
lic infpeCion, proposals suggested by humani
ty, to which I think it an honour to subscribe
my name.
As the alterations which you have endea
voured to introduce into my original proposals
seem to have brought greater difficulties in the
conclusion of a cartel ; I would wish that, as
they were founded on equitable principles,
no alterations were made but such as, from
circumstances, require some not very material
changes
With that view therefore you have refund
to admit an exchange of citizens and inhabi
tants of equal rank and station, will appear
rather extraordinary. You cannot be a Gran
ger, Sir, that no peaceable inhabitants were
looked upon by us as prisoners of war till long
after the illegal detention of the King's repre
sentative, and of persons of weight and influ
ence, whose sole. crime, in your eyes, was to
endeavour to Rand forth as inimical to innova
tions in government, and to differin opinion
with people who meant to subvert it: Such
measures sometimes eccafioned reprisals, and
those persons who fell into our hands, though
not till long after, for the fake of liberating
the friends of Government so unlawfully de
tained, were at last, upon some occasions,
exchanged, tho' fuffered generally by us to
return to their refpettive homes, many instan
ces of which I could mention from my own
personal knowledge ; however, as at present,
To Archibald Campbell, Eq Lieutenant
Colonel of the 71st regiment, and Command
er of the Northern Detachnene of his Ma
jetty's army in Georgia.
The Addref> of the Inhabitants of the town of
Savannah, on his embarking fur England.
S IR,
THE inhabitants of the town of Savannah,
bein' ,deeply impressed with gratitude
for the benevolent and humane attention which
vou have constantly Ihewn to their interests,
since the arrival of the troops under your
command in Savannah ; take this opportutii
tv of returning you their most grateful and
fincerethanks. They beg leave to aflure you,
that they will for ever remember, in the warm
ed manner, your uniform endeavours to pro
mote harmony and peace betwixt the army and
inhabitants; and your constant attention co
the complaints oftlie diftrelfed. With minds
imprinted with these sentiments, they ardently
wish vou a fafe and happy passage co Great-
Britain, where y-wr condud mutl be highly
approved of by bis Majesty, and pleasing to
our fellow fubjrCs.
ANSWER,
Gentlemen,
J Beg leave to return my bed acknowledg
ments for the honour of your addrels. 7 hat
my conduct should have merited your appro
bation, gives me real Satisfaction.
To relieve the Jilkefled, and promote
peace and harmony in America, has ever been
the object of my attention, if Georgia has
felt an impression of those endeavours I am
happy.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, &c.
infirmities and old age Are apt fufficien! r,z :
lons not to be forcibly made, either to take
arms, or to act in capacities equally h Hele ;
everyman therefore, who in such circumfy
ccs falls into our hands, surely is and cannot
be considered in any light more favourable
than that of a prisoner of war: At our firtt
conference however, you flatly refufed to ex
change any other persons but continental sol
diers, and could leave to the non-existing flare
or Georgia to fee how it would get militia and
other prisoners out of our hands. You will not
disown, lam well assured, that I represen ted to
you the injustice of such a measure on your
fide, and my feelings for those deferred wretch
es (perhaps imprudently) made me suggest such
arguments as I conceive induced your Gene
ral, upon your representation, to attempt to
palliate such a refufal by a diltindion too nice
in fad to be understood. To throw it into a
proper point of view, I beg leave to refer you
to the comparison of the firit article of my pro
posals, and that of the fame article with your
alterations on the next day.
To all Other articles herewith sent, I have
added the alterations which you wished might
be made; to any other I cannot possibly con
ceive to be juftifiable to give my assent; and
if the exchange cannot take place, agreeable
to the spirit of my proposals, 1 hope to be ex
culpated, and that the blame of the confe
queoces will not be laid upon me.
If the offer I made, that the prisoners on
board of the prison-ships might be put on
Store for the lake of preferring many mens
lives, I wish you to understand, that General
Lincoln's honour mull be pledged, that all
who shall abfeond without the knowledge of
the commissary of prisoners shall be accounted
for in any future exchange, and allowed as
having been returned to you; their having
abfeonded being certified upon oath, by the
commissary, muff be fufficient proof without
anyother. No advantage is intended to be
taken; it is calculated only to prevent any
dispute that might arise on that head.
Sir, I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient, &c.
LONDO N,
The Culloden brought to England some
French prisoners from Halifax, in number a
bout sixty, and one Murphy, late a Captain
of an American privateer, who having be
haved well, they put him on the quarter deck
as midihipman, where he entered into a plot
with the above prisoners, to seize the ship,
and throw the Captain overboard ; but just be
fore they were going to put their scheme into
execution, the plot was happily found out,
the Frenchmen were secured, and Murphy,
being tied hands and feet, was flung over the
poop, and in that condition came to England,
where he will be delivered up to justice, to be
tried for the conspiracy.
Yesterday an express went down to Fal
mouth, to order the bringing up the Spanish
money taken on board a Dutch ship and car
ried in there, it being restored to the owners.
It is to be lodged in the Bank of England,
and amounts to about ißo,o©ol. in coin and
ingots of gold and silver.
Two ships from South Carolina bound to
Nantz, chiefly loaded with tebaceo, having
sprung a leak, and met with great damage in
their rigging, were obliged to put into Lilb m
to refit, but are flopped as prizes by a frigate
which is at that place.
A letter from Bristol fays, that the zo,oooL
prize drawn an Monday last, is the property
of seven persons in that city. Mr. Watkins,
of Small Treet Bank has one quarter, and fix
others one eighth each. The other 20,c001,
prize is the property of two brothers, graziers,
in Northamptonshire.
The Little Nautilus, 2 tender to the sloop
of war of that name, has taken the Champion,
from Chester, in Maryland, to Nantz, with
169 hogsheads of tobacco on board.
Dec. 23. Yesterday arrived in town the Earl
of Carlisle and Mr. Eden, his Majesty's Com
missioners to the American Congress. They
came in the Roebuck, which is arrived at
Portsmouth. They bring no material frefo
advices, only a confirmation of several particu
lars, which were known before.
The Garland maw of war, arrived on Mon
day at Portsmouth, failed from Quebec with
the fleet from thence, but meeting with the
Warwick man of war in the Gulf, left the
convoy, and took two ships under her care t'®
Halifax, from whence die is now corne a finale
Blip.
A council is appointed to meet every Saturday
evening at Lord North's during the holidays.
•lt!&lX!<£b!&^±l&Z&,!@^^r^^lfeb^cydify.^^
From a Rebel Paper.
CHATHA M, March 23.
Last week, at Sussex, a Mr. Gardiner, and one
Mr. Tharp, brothers-in-law, having a dispute about
two dogs that were fighting, blows ensued, when the
latter ft>bbed the former in his breast wih a pen.
knife, of which wound he expired in a short time,
Tharp is confined in Suff x gaol; and, Ys expe&ed,
will receive the punishment due, to his demerit.
We have advice fiom the Eastward of tie taking
of three Ba itifh v@ff.-ls laden with cloathmg,who were
bound to New-York.
Dec. 22. The Culloden man of war, arrived
at Milford-Haven, was one of Admiral By
ron's, and parted with him on the Banks of
Newfoundland, where ihe received some da
mage, which obliged her to put into St.
John's to refit; from thence fne proceeded to
the continent of America, to join the Admi
ral, but not finding him on the coast, and the
crew being very sickly, went for Halifax,
where, upon consideration, it was thought ad
visable to return to England. When ihe got
into the Bay, the winds prevented her enter
ing the Channel, upon which ihe went to Mil
ford-Haven, where ihe naw lies.