The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-08-13 00:00:00, page 2

mn^rn ^ second battalion offer, moving forward
to occupy the ground left vacant by the movement of
Lieutenant Colonel vVebfter. , , . Triant
Ail the infantry being now in tne line, L^utenant-
Colonel Tarleton.had di:eftions to keep.his cavalry com
p.,a, and not to charge without pofiuve orff, except to
pro® any of the corps from the ^ evident Danger ,
being defeated. The excessive thtcknefs of the
rendered our bayonets of little ofc, and enabled the broken
enemy to make frequent Rands, with an lr ^ a '
which occasioned fume loss, and to several of the corps
treat delay, particularly on our right, where tie 6, bat
talion of guards and regiment of Bose w,re Y
gaged, in front Bar k, and rear, with some of the enemy
that had) been routed on the firft attack, and with part o.
the extremity of their left wing, ~ch b Y, "^s
of the wood had been paffrd unbroken. The reg.
meat and grenadiers, and second battalion of the guards,
not knowing what was passing on their right, and hearing
the fi e advance on theif left, continued to move forward,
the arti l^y keeping pace with them on the road, follow
ed by the cavalry. The second battalion , the guards
firft gained the clear ground near Gpildf rd Court-laoufe,
and found a corps of continental infantry, much
in number, formed in the open field on the le.t cf the
road. Glowing with impatience to fignahze them.elves,
they'inftantly attacked and defeated them, taking two
fix plunders, but, purging into the wood with too much
ardour, were thrown into confufion by a heavy a ? d
immediately charged and driven back into th^neld by
Colonel Washington's dragoons, with the loss of the
pounders they had taken. The enemy s cavalry were
soon reputed by a well direded fire from two three pound
ers joft brought up by Li^utenapt Macleod; and by the
appea ance of the grenadiers of the guards and of the
regiment, which, having been impeded by some deep ra
vines, were now coming out of the wood, on the right of
the guards, oppofiteto the Court-House. By the feinted
exertions of Brigadier General O'Hara, though wounded,
the second battalion of guards were soon rail ed, and, tup
ported by the grenadiers, returned to the charge with the
greatest alacrity. The 2 3 d regiment artiv^g at that
infant from our left, and Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton
having advanced with part of the cavalry, the enemy
were soon put to flight, and the two fix pounders once
more fell into our hands ; 2 ammunition waggons, and
2 othr fix pounders, being all the artillery they had .n
the field, were likewise taken. About this time the 33d
reg ; ment and light infantry cf the guards, after overcom
ing many difficulties, completely routed the corps ra^c n
was opposed to them, and put an end ^0 the afhon i^Ep s
quarter. The 23d and 71st regiments, with part of the
cavalry, were ordered to pursue; the remainder of the
cavalry was detached with Lieutenant Colone. Tarleton
to our tight, where a heavy fire continued, and where his
appearance and spirited attack contributed much to a
speedy terminaticn of the adion. The militia, with
which our righthad been engaged, difp&fed in the woods ;
the continentals went off by Reedy Foik, beyond which
it was not in my power to follow them, as their caval y
had (offered but little. Our troops weie excessively fa
tigued by an action which had laftrd an hour and ah^lf;
and our numerous wounded, dispersed over an extensive
space of country, required immediate attention. The
care of our wounded, and the total want of provisions in
an exhausted country, made it equally impossible for me
to follow tbr'blow the next day. The enemy did not
stop till they got tothe iron works on Troublesome Cteek,
eighteen miles from the field of battle.
From our own observation, and the beff accounts we
could procure, we did not doubt but the strength of the
enemy exceeded fevan thousand men ; their militia com
posed their line, with parties advanced to the rails of the
field in their front; the continentals were posted ob';que
ly in the rear of their right wing. 1 heir cannon hed
on us whilst we were forming, from the center of the line
of militia, but were withdrawn to the continentals be
'fore the attack.
I have the honour to inclofe your L-rdfhip the lift of
- our killed and wounded. Captain Schurz's wound is sup
posed to be mortal j, but the Surgeons aHu;e me, thatrone
of the other officers are in danger, and that a great num
ber of the men will soon recover. I cannot ascertain the
loss of the enemy, but it must have been considerable;
between 2 and 300 deed were left uaon the field; many
of their wounded that were able to move, while we were
employed in the care of our own, efaped, and followed
the rout'd enemy; and our cattle-drivers and foraging
parties have reported tp me, that the hcufes in a circle of
fix or eight miles round us are full of others; those that
routined we have taken Qe best care cf in our power.
We t<iok few prisoners, tewing to the (xc^ffive thickness
of the wood facilitating their escape, and every man of
our amy being repeatedly wanted for action.
Thecondua and adio^s cf the offices and fillers that
compose this little army, will do more justice to their
merit than I can by word. They pt-fevering intrepi
dity in adion, their invi c ble patience in the hardships
and fatigues of a march above 600 miles in which they
have, forded several large rivers, and numberlef§ creeks,
many of which would be reckoned large rivers in any
other country in the world, without tents or covering
against thl climate, and often Without provisions, will
fufficiently manifeft their ardent zeal for the honour and
interests of t^eir foreign and their country.^
I have been particularly indebted to Major-General
Lrflie for his gallantry and exertion in the a^ion, as well
as his assistance in every other part of the service. The
z r al and spirit of Brigadier- General O'Hara, merit my
hi/heft commendations: for, after receiving' two danger
ous wounds, he continued in the field whilst the action
lafled. By his earneff attention on all other occafions,'
ftconded by the officers and soldiers of the brigade; his
Mjefty's Guards are no, less d-ftinguifhed by their order
and difeipiine, than .by their spirit and vatour.
The Hessian regiment of Bose defove my warmest
prrife, for its discipline, alacrity and courage; and does
honour to Major do Buy, who commands it, and whois
an officer of superior merit.
I am much obliged to Brigadier-General Howard, who
fervid as a volunteer; for his fpirite'd example on all oc
casions. ,
Lieutenant-Colonel Webfler conduced his brigade like
an officer of .experience and gallantry. Lieutervant-Colo
mel Tarleton's food conduct and spirit in the management
of his cavalry, was confpicuqus during the whole a&ion ;
and Lieutenant Madeod, who commanded the artillery,
proved himfelfupon this at well as on all former occasions,
a most capable and deserving officer. The attention and
exertion of my Aids de Camp, and of all the other -public
officersin the army, contributed Very much to the suc
cess of iheday.
L have constantly received the most zealous assistance
" from Governor Martin during my command in the south
ern diftria. Hoping that his presence, would tend to ex
cite the loyal fulj&s in this province, to take an active
part with us, he cheerfully submitted to the fatigues and
dangersof our campaign; but his delicdte conftitutioh has
fuffered by his public spirit, for, by, the advice of the
Phyficians,-he is now obliged to return to England for
the recovery of his health.
This part of the country is so totally deflitute of sub
sistence, that forage is not nearer than nine miles, and the
soldiers have been two days without bread ; I fhUl there
fore leave ab rut 70 of,the worst of the wounded cases at the
New Garden Quaker Mceting-houfe, with proper, assist
ance, and move the remainder with' the army to-morrow
morning to Bell's mill. I hope oor friends will heartily
take an active pat with us, to which I shall continue to
encourage them, Rill approaching our Whipping by easy
inarches, that we may procure the necessary supplies for
further oper,tions, and I<d e our sick and wounded where
proper attention may be paid to them.
This dif^tch will be delivered to your Lordship by
my Aid de Camp Captain Brodrick, who is a very ,0-
mifing cfi'urr. and whom I beg leave to recommend to
your Lmdfhip's countenance and favour.
I have the honour to be, &c. CORNWALLIS.
[For the Remainder fee the /cf Page of this Paper]
±xtra& : of a letter from Earl Cornwallis to Lord Georgia
Germain, dated Wilmington, April 18, 1781.
I Marched from Guildford on the morning of the iSth
of March, and next day arrived at Bell's Mill, where
I gave thd troops two days rest, and procured a small sup
ply of provisions. From thence I proceeded slowly to
wards Ctofs-Creek, attending to the convenience of sub
sistence, and the movement of our wounded. On the
way I issued the jnclofed proclamation, and took every
other meant in my power to reconcile enemies, and to en
courage our friends to join us.
From all my information I intended to have halted at
Crofa-Creek, as a proper place to refrefh and refit the
troops; and I was much disappointed, on my arrival
there, to find it totally impossible. Provisions were scarce,
not four days forage within twenty miles, and to us the
navigation of the Cape Fear River to Wilmington, im
practicable; for the difllance by water is upwards of 100
miles: Under these circumstances, 1 was obliged to con
tinue my march to this^place, in the neighbourhood of
which I arrived on the 7th instant.
' I have been busy since my arrival in disposing of our
sick and wounded, and in procuring the necessary supplies,
to put the troops in a propet state to take the field.
Captain Schutz died a few days after the a&ion, as we
expe&ed ; but I am sorry to inform ycur Lordihip; that,
notwithstanding the flattering appearances, and the affor
ances of the Surgeons, Colonel Webster (whose loss is Se
verely felt by me and the whole army) Captain Maynard
of the guards, Captain Wilmoufky, and Ensign de Trott,
of the regiment de Bose, are since dead.
Major Craig, who took poffeflion of this place on the
latter end of January, has conducted himfelf with great
zeal and capacity, having with a very small force, not only
Secured the post from all in felt,, but made himfelf relpec
table in this part of the country by several fuccefiful ex
curfions.'/
1 shall not trouble your Lordship on the fubjeft of South
Carolina, having directed Lord Rawdon, who commands
on the frontiers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour, Com
mandant of Charleftown, to take every opportunity of
communicating to y< ur Lord/hip, as well as to the Cem
marder in Chief, the state of affairs in that province; as
they are both officers of capacity and great merit, I trust
that their conduct will have given fatisfadion.
o^4^^^
—Foreign Intelligence.—
BERN E, May 6.
THE expedition against the rebels takes a
favourable turn; Col. Froideville at
tacked their rear with some troops and two
pieces of cannon ; they at the firft seemed as
if they meant to make some refinance, but
soon requeued a parley, when they, in num
ber about 1200, laid down their arms. Du
ring the parley, the chief of the rebels fled,
but was massacred and drugged back to the
town, where his head was exposed upon the
gate. We are in hopes the rebellion will soon
be quelled.
Lifon, April 14. They write from Coim
bra, that a few days ago they had a furious
tempest, with hail of a prodigious size, which
fell with such violence, that though it lasted
but fix minutes it has destroyed all the vines,
and spoiled all the produce of the country,
and caused many other damages.
Florence, April 13. We have accounts that
the earthquake which was felt here on the 4th
has done great damage in Romania, several
high roads are broke up, houses and churches
beat down, and near the rock of St. Caffian,
a mountain split in two with a violent noise.
We do not hear but of two lives loft ; ,the per
sons were brothers, and both lying in one bed.
Ci-aita Fecobia, April 20. The Viper, an
English privateer of 18 fix pounders, flopped
here the 18th to take in provisions, and failed
again yefierday evening. A Dutch prize she
had taken off Malta, named the Neptune, and
which was feqt in here to be fold after being
condemned by the Admiralty Court at Lon
don, has given rife to a contest on the part of
a merchant of Lisbon, the proprietor of the
cargo. The Count de Menefes, his faithful
Majesty's minister at Rome, has made some
leprefentations on this head to Cardinal Pal
lavicini, Secretary of State, to prevent the
disposal of the cargo by the taker, till orders
should arrive from the Court of Portugal.
By a convention between the two Courts it is
stated, it is said, .that in case England should
declare war against any neutral power, she
shall grant a Sufficient time to advertise the
neutral ships of such war, in order to shelter,
by such declaration, the properties of the fub
jecls of the Court, of Portugal, without which
the prizes should not be deemed lawful, and
England having given proper time to the
Dutch, we ardently wish to know how this
contest will be decided.
Elfaeur, May 8. Yesterday 48 English mer
chant ships arrived here without convoy; and
th'is day ?3 others of the fame nation camfe
here, under convey of a zo gun snip, named 4
the Merchant, cammanded by Capt. Henry
Hearn ; the greatest part of these ships failed
thj§ day for the Baltic.
Four Danish men of war arrived from Co
penhagen this day in'the Sound, viz. [/Ele
phant, of 70 guns, Capt. Kieger; La Wilhel
mina Sophia, of 6®, Capt. Keogh; La So
phia Magdalena, of 60, Capt. Luthen; and
Le Wagrien. of 60, Capt. A. Bille. The
three firft will remain in the Sound to prevent
any disorders, with a guard snip of 50 gyns
already here; five other ships of the line and
fix frigates will be ready to put to, sea towards
the middle of this month. The Commander
in Chief, Capt. Krieger, will detach succes
sively one of the ships to cruise in the Catte
gat; and it is not doubted but they have or
ders, that whenever any English and Dutch
men cfwar should be in the Sound at the fame
time, to load with ball, and be on their guard
day and night. Le Wagrien, on board of
which are 140 land forces, is defined for Tran
quebar, on the Coromandel coast to recruit
the garrison there.
Paris, May 22. The King's lugger le Chien
de Chaffe, tarried into Rochelle the 10th of
this month the Gull, an English corsair of 9
guns and 27 men, which he had taken off Bel
les isle the 4th of this month.
LONDON, May y.
Extras of a letter from Paris, May 20.
“ As you have desired me to give you a de
tail of whatever may happen worthy of notice
here, I flatter myfelf that Mr. Neckar's dif
miffion, may, with propriety,,be considered
as something extraordinary. His being at the
head of the finances of such a state as this,
not fatisfying his ambition, he aimed at an
admission into the.Miniftry and Council-cham
ber, which the King was displeased with; and
at last granted him the difmiffion, which he
had been for some time soliciting, unless his
requests, as above mentioned were complied
with. Mr. Joly le Fluery, Prccuror General,
has been nominated to the place of Comptrol
ler General in bis stead, with Mr. Boujeon as
his assistant."
Accounts from Paris, which are dated the
18th instant, fay, that Mons. C. Deputy Pav
matter General of the Forces, is deficient in
his accounts more than 500,000 livres, and is
in private custody .until he can answer for the
default to the fatisfatlion of the ministers.
A letter from on board the Prince George
man of war mentions, that his Royal Highness
the Prince had not experienced a tingle day's
illness during the voyage; that he frequently
went aloft, was alert upon every occasion, and
bid fair to make a very expert fear,an; and
seemed vastly fond offthis fecord expedition to
Gibraltar; wishing much, once more, to fee
the Spaniards treated a la Rodney.
Prince William Henry, who is now cruifirg
with Admiral Digby, after having been twice
to the relief of Gibraltar, will, as soon as he
returns home, be made a Lieutenant, in which
station he will continue three years before he
is advanced any higher.
Advices from the Hague fay, that a fleet
will soon fail from the Texel of seven fail of
the line, with zoce land forces, who are cer
tainly designed for the Weft-Indies, where the
arms of France are to co-operate with them to
regain St. Euftsttia, and the fetdements taken
by the English.
The Soleil transport, of 250 tons, with a
company of grenadiers on board, from Cher
burgh to Breit, was loft oh the 14th inst. upon
the rocks, three leagues S. E. of Brest, and
only 30 privates and one Lieut, saved. The
company consisted of too men complete. The
mate and three of the crew were also loft.
The Superintendent of Naval Matters at
Havre de Grace has received preremptory or
ders from Paris, to prepare trarfports fuffici
ent for the reception of 4000 men, with full
four months provisions for the fame, and to
give notice to the War Office when they are
ready.
This morning some dispatches were receiv
ed from jersey, by which we are informed,
that the inhabitants there, are under great
apprehensions of a ,visit from the French, as it
has been reported there, that they intend to
make an attack upon that inland ; that there
are 4000 foldfers embarking on board of trans
ports for that purpose, under convoy of several
ships of the line. The militia and inhabitants
however keep a continual watch, and are rea
dy to give them a warm reception.
According to letters from Lisbon, the Por
tuguese squadron of observation, now cruising
between the Tagus and the DOuro, consists of
one ship of 64, two of 52, one of 40, one of
34 and two of 20 guns. In all seven fail of
men of war.
The French are collecting a great force at
Mauritius; besides two fleets, one of eight,
and the other of fix fail of the line known to
be there, or in India. Information is said to
be received of four fail of the line more, and
seven frigates, which have run thither in sin
gle ships of war; each as the convoy cf several
transports full of troops, &c.
Extract of a Leiter from Paris, May 23.
" M. Amulette is fixed upon to succeed Mr.
Neckar as Secretary of State, and Principal
Treasurer of France, which will be announc
ed as soon as bis accounts can be closed"
—Extra^sjrom Rebel Payers.- —
BOSTON, August 6.
Friday last arrived in this harbour, the
privateer snip Thorn, late commanded by
Capt. Tucker. —A few days before, she was
taken by two of his Tyrannic Majesty's sloops
of war ; but afterwards retaken by two of his
Most Christian Majesty's frigates from Rhode-
Island, and ordered for this port.
Saturday last was sent into this port by the
above frigates, the privateer Saucy Jack, of
16 guns, which had been out of Halifax only
a few days, and had taken nothing.—She for
merly belonged to Salem.
NEW-LONDON, August io>
Sunday was sent into port by the sloop Jay,
Capt. Havens, a brig from Waterford in Ire
land, bound to New-York, laden with beef,
pork, candles, &c.
^ANNAPOLIS, August 2.
Extraß of a letter, dated Malvern (or Neal^ern s)
Hill, fAy 20, 1781.
“ It is not easy to make any thing out of
Lord Cornwallis's present movements. The
fleet, with about 13CO troops on board (some
fay 2000) were, by our latest advices, still in
Hampton road. Since taking this position,
there have been winds that would have car
ried them out of the Capes, or up the Bay.
They have pilots on board acquainted with
the navigation of the Chefapeak. The fleet
is watered, and the enemy give out that Bal
timore is the place of deftinatiop; I know not
well what to fay in this case. To deceive more
effectually, Generals sometimes announce their
real intentions ; Lord Cornwallis has done this
in some inflance§. Going up,the Bay is &16.
'agreeable to the mihiflerial system. The com
petition of troops, is likewise calculated for
such service, comprehending the light infantry;
or a regiment of cavalry, or the Queen's Ran
gers. On the other hand, New-York seems
to call for their assistance, and they may be
waiting for a convoy, or a second embarka
tion. In fine, if I dared to conclude any
thing, it would be, that they are defined for
New-York. NevYrthelefs, precaution may
not be improper in your quarter, but I fla:e
the intelligence, and you will be the belt judge
of the measure.
" It appears to me that this state will not
be evacuated, nor their design of penetrating
Maryland even suspended at this moment, un
less the French have obtained such a naval
fupcriority as to place New-York and Cnarlef
town in the last degree of danger. Such an.
event only, or a certainty that the army here
will be too much exposed to capture frorj such
a superiority, can or will force them from this
state.
“ The Maryland dragoons have been or
dered to return, and I suppose have commence
ed their march this morning."
FISH-KILL, August 2.
On the loth ultimo, on the difeovery of a
great smoke, by Col. Willet, who commands
the levies at Fort Renffelear, towards the set
tlement cf Corey's Town, Capt. Gross, (who
had been sent with a detachment of 35 men to
Turlough, about eleven miles from Corey's
Itown) was ordered immediately to repair to
ICorey's town to make difeoveries, at which
Iplace he arrived in time to extinguish several
houses which the enemy had set on fire.—ln
the mean time Col. Willet, ordered in such cf
the militia of the neighbourhood as he could
I collect, and having received particular inftr
i mation of the place where the enemy had lain
j the night before, and where they had left
§part of their baggage, marched with the mi
!litia and levies under his immediate command,
I in the evening, in hopes of reaching them be
:fore day-light; which he would have effected
I had it not been for the darkness of the night,
and his guides miffing the way. —This pre
vented his reaching their encampment before
fix in the morning. The, having difeovered
him on his approach, tock a more advanta
geous position, and commenced an attack,
which was returned with great spirit, and
soon became general ; and upon our troops
advancing to close quarters, the enemy were
compelled to give way; but shortly after re
newed the action on the right of 'our troops,
where Capt. M'Kean, who commanded the
reserve, met and opposed them with such spi
rit, that a total route er ued • and the enemy
dispersing in small parti s, fe king fafety in
flight. The action laftea an hour and an
half—the bell account of the enemy's force is,
that, they consisted of upwards of two hun
dred ;—ours was far inferior to that number.
—Our loss in killed, was five ; miffing and
wounded, nine; among the latter was the
brave Capt. M'Cean, whois since deafcf his
wounds, deservedly much regretted: The
enemy's loss canpot be ascertained, but it is
not less than forty, as great part of that num
ber, were found dead on and near the place
of adion. Col. Willet,' and the officers and
troops under his command, merit the highest
applause for their gallant and spirited beha
viour, on this occasion; and great advantages
may be expe&ed from the event, as it will
tend to damp the spirit of enterprize in our
savage enemy.
S A L E M, July 31.
Since our last arrived here the privateer ship
Marquis, Cape Cowell, from a cruize of 12
weeks, during which he has captured a brig
from Portsmouth bound for Newfoundland';
her cargo consists of dry goods, fait, cordage
&c.
Capt. Cowell, in lat. 48, 50, fell in with a
British ship from Liverpool, bound for New-
York (onthe 29th ult. about one o'clock,
P. M.) and engaged her yard arm and yard
arm upwards of two glasses; but he finding
the British ship to be of so much superior force,
she mounting 3^ guns, four's fix's and nine
pounders, after the Marquis had 8 men killed
and 14 wounded, her hull, masts, yards, ri -
gi'ng and fails, being much damaged, Capt.
Cowell thought proper to leave her, he not
having men enough to give her another broad
side: He supposed the loss of the British to be
very great, as there was a continual run of
blood from the (hip's scuppers. [// ocas the
Ship Dick, Capt. Campbell, of Fourteen 6's, that
Capt.. Coauell engaged : She arrived at New-York
the 30th ult. and ha# only @0 Men wounded in
the Nation.]
~ NEW-Y OR K, AuguTß?~
Extract of a letter from Lieut. Col. Upham, of
the Officiated Loyalists, and Commandant, of
the pof at Lloyd's Neck, to his Excellency Go
vernor Franklin, dated Fort Franklin, Aug 4.
“ I have the fatisfaftion to inform the
Hon. Board of Directors, that a party of re
fugees under the command of Major Hubbil,
embanked from this place on Thursday last
on board the armed brig Sir Henry Clinton,
and' sloop Association, and the fame evening
crossed the Sound to Connecticut, where fifty
of them landed without opposition, and pe
netrated three miles into the .country and
collected twenty-five head of cattle and four
horses. The rebels happened, unknown to
our party, to be previously alarmed by the
appearance of a vessel on the coast rcw~-^
evening, and had collected in .:
force : A large body of them j .'t
selves advantageously behind a
where they lay concealed until
Saunders and Smith, with an adv.