The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-09-24 00:00:00, page 1

Extras pf a Letter from Brigadier-General
Arnold, to bis Excellency the Commander in
Chief, dated Plumb Island, September 8, 1781.
• SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency, that
She transports with th& detachment ot troops under
my orders, anchored on the Long-^fland (Lore on the sth
inst. at £ o'clock P. M. about ten leagues from New-
London ; and having made some necessary arrangements,
weighed anchor at 7 o'clock P. M and flood for New-
London, with a fair wind. At one o'clock the next
morning, we arrived off the harbour, when the wind
suddenly Lifted to 'the northward, and it was 9 o'clock
before the transports could beat in, At ten o'clock the
troops in two divisions, and in four debarkations wert
landed ; one on each lide the harbour about three miles
from New-London ; that on the Grotton fide, confining
of the 40th and 54th regiments, and the 3d battalion of
New-jersey Volunteers, with a detachment of Vagers,
and artillery were under the command of Lfeu\ Colonel
Eyre. The division on the New-London fide confined of
the 38th regiment, the Loyal Americans, the American
Legion, Refugees, and a detachment of 60 Jagers, who
were immediately on their landing put inunction, and at
eleven o'clock, being within half a mile of Fort Trum
bull, which commands New-London harbour, I detached
Captain Millet, with four companies of the 38th regt,
to attack the fort, who was joined on his ^a r ch by Capt.
Frink, with one company of the American Legion. At
the fame time I advanced with the remainder of the di
wifion, weft of Fort Trumbull, on the rad to the town,
to attack a redoubt which had kept up a brilk fire on us
for some time; but which the enemy evacuated on our
approach. In this work we found fix pieces of cannon
mounted, and two dismounted ; soon after I had the
pleasure to fee Capt. Millet march into Fort Trumbull
under a shower of grape (hot from a number of cannon,
which the enemy had turned upon him ; and I have the
pleasure to 'inform your Excellency, that by the sudden
attack, and determined bravery of the troops, the fort
was carried with the loss of only 4 or 5 men killed and
wounded. Capt. Millet had orders to leave one company
in Fort Trumbull, to detach one to the redoubt we had
taken, and to join me with the other two companies.
No time on my part was loft in gaining the town cf New-
London. We were oppoftd by a small body of the ene
my with one field piece, who were so hard pressed that
they were obliged to leave the piece, which being iron
wasrfpiked and left.
Asfoon asthe enemy wasslarmed in the morning, we
could perccidatbgy Were very busily ertlp%ydd in bending
fails, Qnd endeavouring to get their privateers, and other
(hip up Norwich River, cut of our reach; but the wind
being small, and the tide against them, they were obliged
to anchor again—-From information I received before
)¥ after my landing, I had reason to believe that Fort
Griswold, on Grotton fide, was very incomplete; and
I was allured (by friends to Government) after my land
ing, that there were only twenty or thirty men in the
fort; the inhabitants in general being on board their
(hips, and busy in faring their property. On taking
poffeffon of Fort Trumbull, I found the enemy's (hips
would escape unless we could pouefs ourselves of Fort
Crifw Id ; I therefore dispatched an officer to Lieut.
Col. F.yre, with the intelligence I hdd received, and re
quested him to make an attack upon the fort as soon as
possible ; at which time I expeded the howitzer was up
and would have been made use of. On my gaining a
height of ground-in the rear of New-London, from which
I had a good profpe& of Fort Griswold ; I found it much
more formidable than I expected, $r than I had formed
an idea of from the information I had before received ;
I observed at the fame time, that the men who had
escaped from Fort Trumbull, had crossed in boats and
had thrown themfelv^into Fort Griswold, and a favour-
Monday, September 24, 178 k.
Barrack Mafler General's Office,
Water-street, April 2, 1781.
SUCH persons as are willing to farnifh the
Barrack Master General with WOOD fcr
the use of his Majesty's troops, to be delivered
either in this city, or at the different polls
upon the island of New-York, or Powles-Hook,
are requeued to fend their proposals in writing
to this office. And those who have vessels, and
will employ them in bringing wood to New-
York, will meet with every suitable encourage
ment, and the money paid them immediately
after its delivery into the magazines.
ASSIZE of BREAD.
FLOUR at 41. per Cent.
Published September 29, 1780.
A White LOAF, of the fineft FLOUR,
to weigh zlb. for 16 Coppers.
AFor LONDON,
(To fail with the firft Convoy)
The remarkablefaefaftfailing
Ship ELEONORA,
Thomas Akers, Master;
Mounts 18 guns, with men an
swerable: For passage, apply to the said master on
board at Wells's wharf.
o^^^^< ^^^^o
NEW-YORK, Sept. 24.
Dr. James's Fever Powder.
A Few doses of this powder, taken according to tty
printed directions, will remove any continual acut
fever in a few hours, though attended with conyulfions,
light-headednefs, and the wotft fymptems; but if ad
ministered at the beginning of a fever, one dose will often
be fufficient to perform a cure. Jt is likewise a mod
effectual remedy for the small pox, measles, pleurifes,
fore throats, acute rheumatisms, St. Anthony's fire, and
all inflammatory disorders, as also for the lowness of spi
rits proceeding from flow and latent fevers. A single
dose will remarkably flop the progtefs of a cold, and cer
tainly prevent the ill confcquences of this complaint.
SOLD BY H. GAINE.
N E W-Y ORK
AND
WEEK L Y
Containing tl>eeaten SDbiceg '
# Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in HANOVER-SQUARE.
Monday, . 3 Min. after 3
Tuesday, 2 Min. after 4
Wednesday, 54 Min. after 4
Thursday, 44 Min. after 5
HIG H-WATER at N E W-Y O R K,
THIS WEEK.
able wind springing up about this time, the enemy's fhipn
were cfcaping up the river, notwithstanding the fire
from Fort Trumbull, and a fix pounder which I had
with me. I immediately dispatched a boat with an
officer to Lieut. Col. Eyre, to countermand my firft
order to attack the fort, but the officer arrived a few
minutes too late.---Lieut. Col. Eyre had sent Captain
Beckwith with a flag to demand a surrender of the fort,
which was peremptorily refufed, and the attack had
commenced. After a most obstinate defence of near forty
minutes, the fort was carried by the superior bravery and
perseverance of the assailants. Theattack wasjudicious
and spirited, and refleas the higheft' honour on the offi
cers and troops engaged, who seemed to vie with each
other in being firft in danger. The troops approached on
three sides of the work, which was a square with flanks,
made a lodgement in the ditch, and under a heavy fire,
which they kept up on the works, effeaed a second
lodgement upon the fraizing, which was attended with
great difficulty, as only a few pickets could be forced out
or broke in a place, and was so high that the soldiers
cpuld not afeend without assisting each other. Here the
coolness and bravery of the troops were very conspicuous ;
as the firft who ascended the fraize were obliged to si
lence a nine pounder, which Enfiladed the place on
which they stood, until a fufficient body had collected
to enter the works, which was done with fixed bayonets,
through the embrazures, where they were opposed with
great obstinacy by the garrison with long spears. On
this occ^fion I have to regret the loss of Major Mont
gomery, who was killed by a spear jn entering the ene
my's works; also of Eofign Whillock, of the XLth
regiment, who was killed in the attack. Three other
officers ofthe fame regiment were wounded : Lieut. Col.
Eyre, and three other officers of the LlVth regiment,
were also wounded, but I have the fatisfaction to inform
your excellency that they are all in a fair way to recover.
Lieut. Col. Eyre who behaved with great gallantry,
having received his wound near the works, and Major
Montgomery being killed immediately after, the com
mand devolved on Major Bromfield, whofc behaviour on
this occasion does him great honour.
Lieut. Col. Bufkirk, with the New-Jersey Volunteers
and artillery, being the second debarkation, came up
soon after the work was carried, having been retarded by
the roughness of the country ; I am much obliged to
this gentleman for his exertions, although the artillery
did not arrive in time.
I have cnclofed a return of the killed and wounded, by
which your Excellency will observe that our loss, tho' very
considerable, is very ffiort of the enemy's who loft most
of their officers, among whom was their commander
Col. Ledyard. Eighty five meh were found dead in Fort
Griswold, and sixty wounded, most of them motally;
their loss on the opposite fide must have been considerable,
but cannot be a feertained. I believe we have about 70
prisoners, besides the wounded, who were left parolled.
Ten or twelve of the enemy's fbips were burned, a
mong them three or four armed vessels, and one loaded
with naval Acres, an immense quantity of European and
Weft-India goods, were found in the stores, among the
former the cargo of the Hannah, Capt. Watson, from
London, lately captured by the enemy. The whole of
which was burnt with the stores, which proved to con
tain a large quantity of powder, unknown to us; the
explosion of the powder, and change of wind, soon after
xthe stores were fired, communicated the flames to part of
the town, which was notwithstanding every effort to pre
vent it, unfortunately destroyed.
Upwardsof fifty pieces of iron cannon were dedroyed
in the different works, (exclusive of the guris of the
ships) a particular return of which, I cannot do myfelf
the honour to transmit to your Excellency at this time.
A very considerable magazine of powder, aud barracks
to contain three hundred men, were found in Fort Gris
wold, which Capt, Lemoinq of the Royal Artillery had
my pofitivedireaiens to destroy; an attempt was made
by him, but unfortunately failed, he had my orders to
make a second attempt, the reafona why it was not done,
Capt. Lemoine will have the honour to explain to your
Excellency.
I ffinuld be wanting in juflice to the gentlemen of the
navy, did I omit to acknowledge that upon this expedi
tion I have received every possible aid from them. Capt.
Beazley has made every exertion to assist our operations,
and not only gave up his cabbin to the sick and wounded
officers, but furnished them with every assistance and re
freihment his fop afforded.
Lord Dalrymple will have the honour to deliver my
difprtenes; I beg leave to refer your Excellency to his
Lordlhp f>r the particulars of our operations on the
New-London fide, I feel myfeFf under great obligations
to him for his exertions upon the occasion#
Capt. Beckwith, who was extremely serviceable to
me, returns with his Lordlhip. His spirited conduct in
the attack of Fort Griswold does him great honour ;
being on, of the firft officers who entered the work.
I Deg leave to refer your Excellency to him for the par
ticulars of our operations on that fide, and to fay I have
the highest opinion of his abilities as an officer.
l?m greffly indebted to Capt. Stapleton, (who a<%d
as Major of Brigade) for his spirited condu& and assist
ance ; in particular, on the attack upon Fort Trumbull,
and his endeavours to prevent plundering (when the pub
lic stores were burnt) and the deftruCtiOn of private
buildings.„
The officers and troops in general behaved with the
greatest intrepidity and fitrnnafs.
I have the honour to be,
With the greatest refpeft,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
And most humble servant,
B. ARNOLD,
Return of the KILLED and BOUNDED.
1 Major, I Ensign, 2 Serjeants, 44 rank and file,
killed.
I Lieut. Col. 3 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 Ensigns,
8 Serjeants, 2 Drummers, 127 rank and file wounded.
Of the wounded officers, one Captain, one Lieutenant,
and one ensign arc fiacc dead.
JOHN STAPLETON.
^^^^^re^^
Friday, 29 Min. after
Saturday, 14 Min. after
Sunday, 53 Min. after
First Quarter this Day.
The
RETURN of Ordnance, Ammunition, &c. taken
this day in Fort Griswold and its dependencies by a de
tachment of his Majesty's troops, under the command of
Brigadier-General Arnold, on an expedition to Con
ne&icut, viz. In Fort Griswold.
rfiß founders 1
112 - - 14
Ordnance Ironrt Garrison - - - 2
mounted on)6 - - - 1
Carriages. ,4 - - 1
- 1
<l2 - - 1
„ Travelling Q -- 2
Total 23
In the Fleche.
Ordnance Iron on Traveling C 4 p oundcrß - 3
Carriages. 2
On the Lower Battery.
Ordnance Iron mounted on f ^ Pounders - 7
Garrison Carriages. 112 - - 2
Total 9
Total of Iron Ordnance, - - - 35
Mufquets French - - - ic6
Pikes - 2 - - - 80
P 18 Pounders 1680
1 12 - - - 2100
Shot Round < 6 - - 100
1 4 . - - 200
- - 40
r 18 Pounders 230
[J2 - - 34°
Grape <6 70
4 - - 90
- 75
r 18 Pounders 12
a - - 23
!o- - 8
Cartridges ---Paper filled 4
Mufquet 10,000
Powder, Corned - Cwt. - - !5°
o c (Garrison 32 pounder 1
Carriages, Spare J °
( Traveling 12 - 1
Waggons, Ammunition - - 2
Gyn Triangle compleat - - I
Stores for the Laboratory, &c. &c b &c.
(Signed) J. LEMOINE.
Capt. of Artillery#
Betfev fioop, New-London harbour,
6th Sept. 1781,
Return of ordnance found and spiked by a detachment
of the army under the command of Brigadier-General Ar
nold, on the New-London fide, 6th September, 1781# ,
Iron,lß pounders mounted at Fort Trumbull 12
6 pounders at ditto. 3
12 or 9 pounders mounted at Fort Folly 6
Do. dismounted 2
12 pounder on the road to New-London 1
Total 24
A quantity of ammunition and stores of different kinds
were destroyed in the magazine at Fort Trumbull, and in
the Meeting-House at New-Lohdon.
Wm. H. HORNDON.
First Lieut. Royal Regiment of Artillery.
New-York, 17th Sept. 1781.
BRigadier-General Arnold, having reported
to the Commander in Chief the success of the Ex
pedition under his direction against New-London, on the
6th Instant, His Excellency has the pleasure of fignify
ing to the Army, the high Sense he entertains of the very
distinguished Merit of the Corps employed upon that fer
vicet But whilst he draws the greatest fatisfaCtion from
the Ardor of the Troops, which enabled them to carry
by assault a work of such strength as Fort Griswold is re
presented to be, He cannot but lament with the deepest
concern the heavy loss in Officers and Merrfuftained by
the 40th and 54th Regiments, who had the honor of that
attack, and as no words can do proper justice to the difei
pline and spirit which they (hewed on that occasion, His
Excellency can orily reqqeft, they will accept his thanks,
with assurances that he will not fail to represent their
ConduCtto their Sovereign, in the mod honourable terms.
The Commander in Chief begs leave to express his•
obligations to Brigadier General Arnold, for his very spi
rited conduct on the occasion; and he allures that Gene
ral Officer, that he is convinced he took every precaution
in his power to prevent the deftruSion of the Town,
which is a misfortune that gives him much Concern,
His Excellency also feels himfelf greatly indebted to
all the Officers of the Regular and Provincial Corps who
accompanied him on that Service, but more particularly
so, to Lt. Co). Eyre, Major , Bromfield, and Capt. Mil
lett, who commanded the attacks, and to Lord Dalrym
ple, Captains Beckwith, and Stapleton, cf whose very
able assistance and diftinguilhed gallantry the Brigadier
mikes the most honourable mention.
The Commander in Chief has likewise the greatest
pleasure in taking this public occasion of lignifying to the
Army, how much they are indebted to the great humani
ty* and benevolence of Captain Beazley, of his Majesty's
Ship Amphion, to whose very friendly and generous as
sistance, many of the wounded Officers and Men arcmoft
probably indebted for their Lives.
GENERAL ORDERS,
HEAD - Q_UARTER S,
PRICE CUR RR N T, in N F, W-Y O R K.
Wheat per Bushel, 265. od.|
Flour, 7° s ° °"'l
Brown Bread, 70s. od.
Weft-India Rum, „. 6d.
New-England do. 4s. odd
gaze t t E;
THE
MERCUR Y.
Fred,Mackenzie,
Do A. Gen.
Mufeovade Sugar, 5!. zos.i
Single refin'd ditto, is. gd.l
Molasses, 2s. 6d.|
Beef per Barrel, 81. od.^
Pork, 81. ics.l
foreign ano Dome^Ufo
It cures the green sickness, restoring the maiden blush,
makes the breath sweet, and the body lofty and vigorous.
It opens all obstructions both of liver and spleen,
wafting the hardness and swelling thereof, It vender
full recovers a loft appetite, and helps digestion. ' ,
It cures griping in the guts, expels wind, out of the
stomach, upwards and downwards.
It is a great preventive of confurnprions, roots out
forfeits, and raifeth the patient in a fm 11 time.
It prevents the breeding of worms in children, and
kills them, if already bred.
It is of excellent use for fea-faring per font.
In womens distempers it is very beneficial, and to
those that are afflicted with the phthifick, it gives great
relief.. 4
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Upham, to
Lis Excellency Governor Franklin, dated Fort Frank
lin, September 13th, 1781.
" Immediately on the receipt of your's by Captain
Camp, I made every preparation confident with the ne
cessary secrecy, to furnish as many Refugees for the pro.
posed expedition as could be ipared from the garrison.
My firft care was to put a supply of provisions on board the
vessels. I talked of an expedition and proposed to go my
felf, nor could I do more until the fleet appeared in fight.
Major Hubbill was too unwell to go with me, I therefore
left him to take charge of the fort, and, frith as much
dispatch as possible, embarked one hundred Loyalist,, ex
clusive of a fufficient number to man the two armed
sloop% With these we jined the fleet in season to pre
vent the least delay. By the inclofed arrangement you
will fee we had the honor to be included in the firft divi
sion, and Ihave the pleasure to add we were firft on ihore.
We advanced on the right of the whole to a height at a
final! distance from the shore, where we were ordered to
cover the XXXVIIIth regiment from'a wood on our
right, until the second divihon came up. We were then
ordered to change cur position from the right to the left,
at the distance of two hundred yard, from the main body.
This alteration derived its propriety from the circumflance
of the rebels having gone over to the left, from an appre
hension of being too much crowded between our troops
and the river on their right. Thus arranged we pro
ceeded to the Town of New-London, constantly fkir
miffiing with Rebels who fled from hill to hill, and
from fione fences which interfered the country at small
distances. Having reached the Southerly part of the
town,.the General fequefted me to take poss ffion of the
hill North of the Meeting-Hobfe, where the Rebels had
cohered, and which they seemed refblved to hold. We
made a circle to the left, and soon gained the ground in
contest. Here we had one man killed and one wounded.
This height, being the our . post, was left to us and the
Yagers. Here we remained exposed to a constant fire
from the Rebels on the neighbouring hills, and from the
fort on the Grotton fide, until the last was carried by the
British troops.
" We took the fame rout in our return as in going up
equally exposed though not so much annoyed. Every
thing required was cheerfully undertaken and spiritedly 'ef
fe&ed by the party I had the honour to command. A
fma ! l party from Vanalftine's post joined us, which en
creafed my command to one hundred and twenty. They
landed and returned with us, and behaved exceedingly
well. The armed vessels Aft'>ciation and Col. Marfin,
went elofe into the shore, and covered the landing on the
New London fide. At the reooeft of the General I fur#
nifhed boats to land forty of the troops on the Gratton
fide. Captains Gardner and Thomas wuld gladly have
gone up to the town, but were not permitted."
The Golden Purging SPIRIT of
It disposes old ulcers to a speedy healing, even to
admiration.
It is very profitable in agues, its operation is by stool
andurine (and if the stomach be very full and foul, it
sometimes gives a vomit) gently affixing nature to carry
off all those noxious humours that annoy her. It gives
no disturbance to the body, for griping, torturing or in
flaming the bowels, yet operates so effectually, that,
it leaveth the body refreshed, and the diseases vanquished ;
and to fay all in a Word, as it takes nothing in the Body
which may conduce to its preservation, so it leaves no
thing in the body which may afford matter to the growth
.of a disease, or endanger a relapse.,
SOLD BY H. CAINE.
THIS famous Golden Spirit radically cures the fcur
yy, a disease which of late years is become so
epidemical in these northern regions, that scarce any
perfen but has, more or less, a Tincture of it.
Its symptoms are various, as loose teeth, fore gums
and mouth, little spots in the (kin, faintnefs and ftiffnefs
of limbs, (harp pains in the legs, armsand other parts,
which are ftili attended with weariness and indisposition
to move; the Stomach is depraved, appetite loft, much
crudity, and indigested matter load the fplcen, and parts
adjacent, which caufeth stubborn obfirudions there ;
which by the use of this excellent spirit are removed, and
perfc&ly cured.
It has a peculiar property in curing the dropsy, expel
ling all those acid and four fait humours which so sharply
assault and oppress the sensible parts',and draws from the
remoter parts such as Arik fa'ft to the muscles and nerves,
and takes away all dulnefs, ftiffnefs, "and iodifootition,
and other symptoms that proceed from thence. It carries
away by urine and ftoul that serous w^try humour, which
is the occasion cf this disease, ffrengthening the liver
and other parts, thereby preventing its return afterwards.
.It cures the gout, by extracting out of all parts of the
body those crude and vicious humours which nourish it,
and frees the joints of all other diseases to admiration.
It diffoles the stone and gravel in the reins, kiddies or
bladder, taking away the original cause, and forceth
urine.
SCURVY-GRASS.'
As it was faithfully prepared only by the Author,
Mr. ROBERT BATEMAN.
|Fine Salt, ~ 2s. do.
ICoarfe Salt, is. do.
/Indian Corn perßu. 10s. do.
/ Coffee, is. do,
/Chocolate, 265. pet Do.