The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-31 00:00:00, page 3

or three fires and retreated to alarm the remainder
of the Battallion (except one Lieutenant and about
15 men, who have not been heard of as yet.) A
bout four o'clock this morning the alarm was gi
ven, by beating to arms, when the remainder of
our battallion, accompanied by the Delaware and
Maryland battalions went to the place, where our
men retreated from. About a quarter of a mile on
this fide, we saw the enemy when we got into the
woods (our battalion being the advance guard)
amidst the incessant fire of their field pieces loaded
with grape shot, which continued 'till ten o'clock.
The Marylander's on their left flank and we on
their right, kept up a constant fire amidst all their
cannon, and saw several of them fall; but they be
ing too many for us we retreated a little, and then
made a Rand. Our Lieut. Col. Parry was shot
through the head, and I was under the necessity
of retreating with him to this place, in order to
secure his effects; since which I have heard the
enemy are within 600 yards of our lines; which I
think will cost them some number of men before
they gain them."
Extras of a letter from Neu-York, August 27.
“ I fit down in the midftof confufion to tell you
that our people have been engaged with the enemy
on Long-Island all this morning, and are nt it yet;
We cannot get at particulars. Those who have
come over lay, the enemy have loft the moR men.
Lieut. Col. Parry, of one of the Pennsylvania bat
talions, is killed; he died heroically, urging his
men on against the enemy. Your kinsman, Herma
nus Rutgers was killed yesterday. Several of the
enemies Ihips have attempted coming up this morn
ing, but both wind and tide are a head, and they
are hitherto baffled. Our men on the island behave
bravely: Heaven fend them vidory.
“ Thirty-five minutes pad twelve noon. Firing
Hill continues with intermissions. A mm of war
coming up, said to be the Roebuck, has just loft,
by a flaw, all ffie gained last tack. Several fires
have been kindled on the island. I believe our peo
ple set fire to hay, grain, &c. to prevent the ene
my's getting possession of them Capt. Farmer, of
Colonel Miles's regiment, is Rightly wounded in the
foot, and brought to this city. I think some men
of war will be up next tide.
“ P. S. The firft battalion of New-York, Col.
Lasher, and the Pennsylvania and Maryland bat
talions, behaved with the greatest bravery, even to
a fault: They were commanded by Lord Sterling.
I fear some of our braved officers from the south
ward are among the slain. We forced the enemy
into their lines. Parry is killed, Capt. Farmer is
Slightly wounded, and Major Abeel of New-York,
killed."
A letter from Neu-York, August 27, 8 o'clock P. M.
f This minute returned from our lines, on Long
Island, where I left his Excellency the General.—
From him I have it in command to inform Congress,
that yesterday he went there and continued till even
ing, when, from the enemy having landed a con
siderable part of their forces, and many of their
movements, there was reason to apprehend they
would make in a little time a general attack. As
they would have a wood to pais through, before
they could approach the lines, it was thought ex
pedient to place a number of men there on the dif
ferent roads, leading from whence they were Rati
oned, in order to harrafs and annoy them on their
march. This being done, early this morning a
smart engagement ensued between the enemy and
our detachment, which being unequal to the force
they had to contend with, have fußained a pretty
considerable loss, at least many of our men are mif
fing, among those that have not returned are Gen.
Sullivan and Lord Sterling. The enemy's loss is
not known certainly, but we are told, that such of
our troops as were in the engagement and that have
tome in, fay that they had many killed and wounded.
Our party brought off a Lieutenant, Serjeant and
Corporal, with 20 privates prisoners. While these
detachments were engaged, a column of the enemy
defeended from the woods, and marched towards
the center of our lines, with a design to make an
impression; but were repulsed. This evening they
appeared very numerous about the skirts of the
woods, where they have pitched several tents; and
his Excellency inclines to think, they mean to at
tack and force us from our lines by way of regular
approaches, rather than in any other manner. To
day five ships of the line came up towards the town,
where they seem very desirous of getting, as they
turned a long time against an unfavourable wind;
and on my return this evening, I found a deserter
from the 23d regiment, who informed me, that they
design as soon as the wind will permit them, to come
up to give us a severe cannonade, and to silence our
batteries if possible."
Extract of a letter from Long-Island, Wednesday,
Day-break.
" I have the pleasure to inform you I have fur
viv'd a very warm engagement yesterday. Our
battalion has fuffered much, a great number of
both officers and men are killed and miffing. We
retreated through a very heavy fire, and escaped by
fwiming over a river, or creek rather, my height
was of service to me, as I touched almoß all the
way. Numbers of men got drown'd. I have loft
no officer and but few men. Captain Veazey and
Lieut. Butler fell early in the engagement. We
are now all Safe in our lines and forts. The affair
yesterday was only a skirmish on the Island about
three miles from our works; The particulars I
cannot give you but we were decoyed, and at once
Surrounded, I am convinced, with 10,000 men."
Extrafl of a letter from Neuffork, August 28.
" Yeßercka^pg^ed a very distressing one on Long
Island—Great numbers killed on both sides, and I
fear (though we cannot get certain accounts) that
numbers of our people are taken; however, I am
told they continue in high Spirits. The Generals
Sullivan, Sterling and Parsons, went out of the
lines too far and were all miffing this morning with
many others. An intelligible man just now come
over the ferry fays, General Sullivan got in this
morning and brings an account that Gen. Stirling
is killed, but he dont know any thing of General
Parsons. It appears as difficult getting certain in
telligence here as it can be with you. On the whole,
I believe our troops behaved with spirit, and have
not yet given way in their skirmishing to any equal
number of the enemy, and have kept them from
getting up to their lines and forts, which a>e well
manned to receive them, should they get so far. I
believe the enemy have got all the force they can
Spare; from Staten-Island on Long-Island."
Copy f a letter from Neu-York, dated August 29,
In COUNCIL of SAFETY, Philadelphia,
Augufi 30, 1776.
Resolved, That the Commanding Officers of the
militia who have returned from camp with their
troops, be required to deliver into the hands of
Mr. Robert Towers, Commissary, all such arms and
accoutrements belonging to this State, as may be in
their pofteffion; in order that the fame may be put
into the hands of fucli affocrators who are not pro*
vided, and ready to march to New-Jersey: The
expence of such collections will be difeharged by
this board. Extrafl from the Minutes,
JACOB S. HOWEL, Secretary.
In CONVENTION for the State of Pennsylvania,
Saturday, August 24, 1776.
WHEREAS it appears to this Convention,
upon due enquiry and information of the circum
ftances,that the Salt now on hand in this city has been
imported at low prices and under moderate insu
rance; And whereas divers persons, in comtempt
of the just and wholesome regulations of the Com
mittee, &c. of Philadelphia, under directions of
Congress, have continued to dispose of their Salt
at mod exorbitant prices, to the great grievance and
distress of their fellow-fubjeds of this State: It is
therefore refolded, That the said regulations be here
by confirmed; and all persons whatsoever are here
by RriCHyl enjoined to pay due obedience thereto.
And the said Committees are authorized and direc
ted to seize and take into their possession, the Salt
belonging to such persons as have refufed, or shall
refufe conformity to the regulations so established:
or shall altogether withhold or refufe to fell their
" I am told the Court Martial divided about
Zedwitz and have Sentenced him to be broke, and
rendered for ever incapable of holding any military
office, but I do not learn that the Sentence has been
confirm'd by the General. It is ahard matter to get
general intelligence from Long-Island. Every man's
attention seems confined solely to his own regiment.
I have a line from Head quarters this morning in
forming me that nothing of moment has turned up.
There was a constant firing all yesterday afternoon
and till I went to bed last night; it appeared 10 be
platoon firing and now and then a field piece."
From sundry other letters from New-York we
colled the following particulars—that Col. Grant
member of the House of Commons is killed, his hat
with two bullet holes and marked with his name
was found, also his gold watch; 'tis supposed the
enemy had loft about 500 men; that there are about
300 of our men miffing; and that General Parsons
had returned fafe into the fort with a few men;
also that two frigates and a transport had got up to
Brook-Haven, and were killing the cattle end falling
them.
The Battalions of Associators from the city of
Philadelphia, having compleated fix weeks military
Service for the defence of the colony of New- Jersey,
are hereby agreeable to orders of Convention, re
lieved from further duty in this Ration, and direc
ted to proceed to Philadelphia, as soon as the ne
cessary accommodations for their march can be pro
cured.—General Mercer takes this opportunity to
return his hearty thanks to those gentlemen, for
the readiness with which they have on every occa
sion, executed such parts of military service as their
Rations required. H. MERCER, Brig. Gen.
Extrafl of a letter from Skeenfborougb, August 16.
“ By the last accounts from St. John's we learn,
that the enemy had not more than 40 batteaus built,
and two gallies or gondolas---ls this is true, I hardly
think they will venture down the Lake this fall---
We are determined however to be prepared for them
— Five other gallies are to be built here, as soon as
those which are on the flocks are launched."
Head-Quarters, Woodbridge, August 23.
ORDER S.
fte o'clock, A. M.
Salt during the continuance of such regulations,
allowing to the said persons, upon the sale thereof
the fixed and fettled prices, firft deducing the ex
pences incurred upon the sale.
AND WHEREAS it is but reasonable that
every part of this extensive State should be accom
modated as nearly as may be witli their proportion
of this article, so justly esteemed a necessary of life
Be it refolded, That the Committee of Philadel
phia are hereby further directed to distribute the
Salt, that may as aforefaid come into theirpoffeffion,
in equal quantities in the several Counties, having
regard to the reputed number of inhabitants con
tained in the said counties.
Extrafl from the Minutes,
JOHN MORRIS, jun. Secretary.
WAR OFFICE, Philadelphia, Auguf 28.
AS there is the moR prefling necessity for all the
troops, without exception, who are now in Phila
delphia, on their way to the camp, to march to
Amboy, in the State of New-Jersey, it is hereby
most earnestly requested, that they do immediately
proceed, without waiting for farther supplies of
arms or any other matter or thing, as care will be
taken to furnifh them when they arrive at camp.
RICHARD PETERS, Secretary.
Port of Philadelphia, ) _ ,
Pennsylvania, ff. § T ° all ma Y concern.
NiOTICE is hereby given that a Court of Ad-
I miralty for taking cognizance of and trying
the justice of captures of vessels made pursuant to
the Resolves of the honorable Continental Congress,
will be held at the Court House, in the City of Phi
ladelphia, on Wednesday the 18th day of Septem
ber next, at id o'clock in the forenoon of the fame
day, then and there to try the truth of the fads al
ledged in the bill of James Campbell, Commander
of the Schooner of war, called the Enterprize,
(who as well &c.) against the ship or vefTel called
Black River, burthen 100 tons, with her tackle, ap
parel. furniture and cargo, lately commanded by
George Corrie. To the end and intent that the
owner or owners of the said ship and her cargo, or
any perlon concerned therein, may appear and Ihew
cause if any they have, why the fame should not be
condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
August 30, 1776. By order of the Judge.
* ANDREW ROBESON, Render.
Philadelphia, Bth Month 30, 1776.
ALL Persons that have any demands against
the ERate of ELLIS LEWIS, late of this
City, deceas'd, are requested to bring in their Ac
counts that they may ,be adjusted and paid; and
those that are indebted to said ERate, by bond,
note, or book account, are desired to pay the fame
to the Subscribers.
TO BE S O L D.
Agreeable to the last Will and Teßament of said
Ellis Lewis, deceas'd, a MERCHANT MILL and
SAW MILL adjoining, in good repair, together
with 100 acres of land, situated in the County of
Chester and Township of Kennet, distant from
Chester 20 miles, and from Wilmington 10 miles;
the County of Lancaster lies about 25 miles back of
said Mill, where a fufficient quantity of Wheat may
be procured, the Mill house is built of stone and
brick, about 40 by 35 feet, also a Rone addition
adjoining 30 by 25 feet; there are in said mill two
pair of mill Rones, one of French burrs the other
Cologn, three boulting reels, and hoißing works
that go by water. A two Rory stone dwelling
houfe, three rooms on a floor, a Rone kitchen, and
a pumpof good water in the yard; the barn is one
Rory of Rone and a frame upon it, with stabling
underneath, there are about ten acres of very good
meadow, that is watered out of the mill-race, and
two apple orchards; the place has always been
deem'd a healthy situation and in good neighbour
hood. Any person inclining to purchase the above
described premises, by applying to JOSEPH
MUSGRAVE living near the fame, may know
the terms and veiw the place. An indisputable title
will be made to the purchaser by the fubferibers,
MARY LEWIS,?_
JOHN MORTON,S kx ^ cutors -
W'AS found on the 27th of August inR. a lea
ther Pocket Book, with a small quantity of
money, the owner may have it again by proving
his property, paying charges and applying to Za
chariah Wood in Market-street, the sign of the Lamb
and Star, near the Court-house.
'Juft printed, publifoed, and to be Sold, By
JAMES HUMPHREYS, junr.
G R 7E C yE
GRAMMATICS,
INSTITUTIO COMPENDIARIA.
IN USUM SCHOLARU M.
AUTO RE
EDV. WETTENHALL, D. 1).
Nuper Epifeopo Kilmer, & Ardag.
Pieces omitted this week shall be in our next.