The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-03-23 00:00:00, page 1

ASSIZE of BREAD. Floor at 355. per Cent.
Published February 2, 1778.
From the LONDON GAZETTE.
Whitehall, Dec. 15, 1777.
THIS afternoon Capt. Craig of the 47th Regiment,
arrived from Quebec, with the following Duplicate
of a Letter from Lieut.Gen.Burgoyne, to Lord Germaine,
the original of which has not yet been received.
Albany, Gather 20, 1777.
My Lord,
NO poflibility of communication with your Lord
fhi, having existed since the beginning of Sep
tember, at which time my last dispatches were sent away,
I have co report to your Lordship the proceedings of the
army under my command from that period; a series of
hard toil, irceffant effort, stubborn aflion, till disabled
in the collateral branches of the army by the total de
fe<ftitin of the Indians ; the desertion or the timidity of
the Canadians and Provincials, some individuals excepted;
disappointed in the hft hope of any timely co-operation
from other armies; the regular troops reduced by losses
from the best parts, to 3500 fighting men, not 2000 of
whh were British; only three days provisions, upon
short allowance, in ft ore; inverted by an army of sixteen
thoufend men, and no apparent means of retreat re
maiming; I called into council all the Generals, Field
Officers, and Captains, commanding corps, and by their
unanimous concurrence and advice, I was induced to
open a treaty with Major General Gates.
Your Lordfllip will fee by the papers transmitted here
with the disagreeable profpea which attended the firft
overtures, and when the terms concluded are c impared, I
trust that the fpirt of the councils I have mentioned,
which, under such circumstances, dilated instead of sub
mitting, will not be re used a ihare of credit.
Before I enter upon the detail of these events, I think
it a duty of justice. rcy Lord, to take upon myfelf the
measure of having p-ndd the Hudson's river, in order to
force a passage to, Albany. I did not think myfelf au
thorised to call any men into council, wheh the peremp
tory tenor of my ciders, and the fcafun &f the year, ad
mitted no alternative! = -
PrOvUonx for about, th' r , ri^fevirj.& n brought
forward, the other necuT^y fibres prepared, and the
brigde cf boa's ^pleated, t!t atm, parsed the Hudson's
river on the 13th and 14th of September, arid encamped
On the heights, and in the Plain of Saratoga, the enemy
being then in the neighbourhood of Still Water.
igtb. The whole army made a movement forward, and
encamped in a good position in a place called Dovogot.
i6tb. It being found that there were several bridges to
repair, that work was begun under cover of strong de
tachments, and the fame opportunity was taken to re
conncitre the country.
1716. The army renewed their ma,ch, repaired other
bridges, and encamped upon advantageous ground, about
four miles from the enemy.
I&L The enemy appeared in considerable force to ob
ftru& the forth, repair of bridges, and with a view as it
was conceived, to draw on an action where artillery could
not be employed; a'fmall loss was feftained in Ikirmiih
ing, but the work of the bridge was eftected.
igtb. The passages of Great Ravin, and other roads
towards the enemy, having been reconnoitred; the army
advanced in the following order.
Brigadier General Frazer's corps, fuflained by Lieut.
Col. Breymn's corps, made a circuit in order to pass the
' Ravin commodiously, without quitting the heights, apd
afterwards to cover the march of the line to the right;
these corps m vet in three columns, and had <t : Indians,
Canadians, and Provincials, upon their fronts and flanks.
The British line, led by me in person, parted the Ravin
in a direct line South, and formed in order of battle as
faft as they gained the fimmit, where they waited to
give time to Frazer's corps to make the circuit, and to
enable the left wing and artillery, which under the com
mand of Major General Phillips, and Major General
Reidefal, kept thegreat road and meadows near the river,
in two columns, and had bridges to repair, to be equally
ready to proceed. The 47th regiment guarded the bat
teaux.
The fign,l guns, which had been previobfly fettled to
give notice of all the columns being ready to advance,
having been fired between one and two o'clock, the march
continued, the fecuts and flankers of the column of the
Britifo line were soon fired upon from final! parties, but with
no cftft; after about an hour's march, the pickets which
had made the advanced guard of that column, were at
tacked in force, and obliged to give ground, but they soon
rallied, and were furtained.
On the firft opening of the wood I formed the troops;
a few cannon riot di,fledged the enemy at a house from
whence the pickets had been attached; and Brigadier
General Frazer's corps had arrived with such precision in
point cf time, as to be found on a very advantageous
heighten the right of the Britiffi.
In the mean time the enemy, not acquainted with the
combination of the m,rch, had moved in great force out
of their entrenchm3 with a view of turning the line
upon the right; and being checked by the position of
Brigadier General Frazer, countermarched in order to di
„ft their great effort to the left of the British..
From the nature of the country, movements of this
nature, however near, may be efeded without a possibili
ty of their being difeovered.
About three o'clock the action began by a very vigor
ous attack on the British line, and continued with great
obstinacy, till after sunset. The enemy being continu
ally supplied with frefh troops, the ft refs lay upon the
zoth, 21st, and 6zd regiments, most parts cf which were
engaged near four hours without intermission; the 9th
had been ordred early in the day to form in reserve.
The Grenadier- and 24th regiment were feme part of
the time brought into afticn. as were part of the light
infantry ; and all these corps charged with their usual
spirit.
The Riflemen and other parts of Be,man's corps
were also of service ; but it was not thought advifeable
to evacuate the height where Brigadier General Frazer
w?s ported, otEetwife than partially and occafionallv.
Major General Phillips, upon firft hearing the firing,
Monday, March 23, 1778. THE ^ r [No. 1378.]
NEW-YORK O^ GA ZETTE:
fr'^^&ti'' ° °
AND 'THE
W EE K L YMERCUR Y.
Containing the earlieff amices &q3^^^ foreign ano pomeffick.
A White Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to weigh
2 l h > 6<> z - f° r 14 Coppers, and in the fame
Proportion for Loaves of a lesser Weight.
JAMES ROBERTSON, M. G.
^ Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in HANOVER-SQUARE.
found his way through a difficult part of the wood, to
the feene of action, and brought up with him Major
Williams, and four pieces of artillery,,and from that
moment I flood indebted to that gallant and judicious
second for incessant and most material services; particu
larly for restoring the action in a point which was critical
ly pressed by' a, great fuptriority of fire, and to which he
led up the 20th regiment, at the utmost personal hazard.
Major General Reidefel exerted himfelf to bring up a
mart of the left wing, and arrived in time to charge the
enemy with regularity and bravery.
Just as the light closed, the enemy gave ground on all
sides, and left us campleatly masters of the field of battle,
with the loss of about 500 men on their fide, and as
supposed, thrice that number wounded.
The darkness preventing a purfuit,' the prisoners were
few.
Thebehaviour of the officers and men in general was
exemplary. Brig. Gen. Frazer took his position ia the be
gining of the day with great judgment, and fuftafoed the
action with conftamt presence of mind and vigour. Bri
gadier General Hamilton was the whole time engaged,
and acquitted himfelf with great honour, activity and good
conduct. The artillery in general was diftinguiffied, and
the brigade under Captain Jones, who was killed in the
a&ion, was crnfpicuoufly so.
The army lay upon their arms the night of the 19th,
and the next day took a position nearly within cannon
shot of the enemy, fortifying their right, and extending
the left so as to cover the meadows through which the
great river runs, and where the batteaux and hofpitalt
were placed. The 47th regiment, and the regiment of
Hesse Hannau, with a corps of provincials, encamped in
the meadows as a further security.
It was soon found that no fruits, honour excepted,
were attained by the preceding victory; the enemy work
ing with redoubled ardour to strengthen their left; their
right was unattackable already.
On our fide it became expedient to ere& strong redoubts
for the protection of the magazines and hospital, not only
against a sudden attack, but also for their security in case
of a march to turn the enemy's flank.
zift. A messenger arrived frora Sir Henry Clinton,
whhJ I,tr pr rn r&pi.-^ i#fciming > ^OT :!U — ear..;,;,
to attack Fort Mon;gomrfrCT about ten days from tl^
date of his letter, which was the loth of September.
This was the only messenger of many <hat I apprehend
ed were dispatched by Sir William Howe, and him, that
had reached my camp since the beginningof August. He
was sent back the fame night to inform Sir Harry of my
situation, and of the necessity of a diveifion to oblige
Gen, Gates to detach from his army, and my intention
to wait favourable events in that position, if possible, to
the izth of October.
In the course of the two following days, two officers
in disguise, and other confidential persons were dispatched
by different routs with verbal messages to the fame etTed;
and I continued fortifying my camp, and watching the'
enemy, whose numbers encreafed every day.
3d of October. I thought it advifeable to diminish the
soldiers rations, in order to lengthen out the provisions,
to which measure the army submitted with the utmost
cbeerfulnefs. The difficulties of a retreat to Canada
were clearly forefeen, as was the delemma, Should the
retreat be effected, of leaving at liberty such an army
as Gen. Gates's to a& against Sir William Howe.
This consideration operated forcibly to determine me
to abide events as long as possible, and I reasoned thus:
The expedition I commanded was evidently meant to be
hazarded; circumstances might require it ihould be de
voted; a critical junction of Mr. Gates's force with Mr.
Washington might possibly decide the fate cf the war ;
the failure of my junction with Sir Harry Clinton, or
the loss of my retreat to Canada, could only be a partial
misfortune.
7th. In this situation things continued till the yth,
when no intelligence having been received of the expect
ed co-operation, and four or five days for our limited flay
in the camp only remained, it was judged advifeable to
make a movement to the encm, left, not only to difeo
ver whether there were any possible means of forcing a
passage should it be necessary to advance, orof difcdging
him for the convenience of retreat, but also to cover a
forage of the umy, which was in the greatest dirtrefs on
account of the scarcity.
A detachment of 1500 regular troops, with 2 twelve
pounders, 2 howitzers, and 6 fix pounders, were ordered
to move, and was commanded by myfelf, having with
me Major General Phillips, Major General Reidefel, and
Brigadier General Frazer. The guard of the camp upon
thehrights was left to Brigadiers General Hamilton and
Speicht; the redoubts and the plain to Brigadier General
Goll; and as the force of the enemy immediately in
their front, confined of more than double their number*,
it was not possible to augment the corps that marched be
yond the numbers above stated.
I formed the troops within three quarters of a mile of
the enemy's left ; and Capt. Frazet's rangers with Indi
ans and provincials, had orders to go by secret paths in
the woods to grin the enemy's rear, and by Shewing
themfdves there to keep them in check.
The further operations intended were prevented by a
very sudden and rapid attack of the enemy on our left;
where the Britiffi grenadiers werepofted to support the
left wingof the line. Myor Ackland at the head of
them luftained the attack with great resolution ; but the
enemy's great numbers enabling them in a few minutes to
extend the attack along the front of the Germans, which
were immediately on the right of the grenadiers, no
part of that body could be removed to make a second line
to the flank where the stress of the fire lay. The right
was at that time unengaged ; but it was soon observed
that the enemy were marching a large corps round their
flank to endeavour cutting off tb-ir retreat. The light
infantry and part of the 24th regiment, which were at
that post, ware therefore ordered to fbfm a second line,
and to fectire the return of the troops into camp.
While this movement was proceeding, the enemy puffi
ed a frefh and strong reinforcement to renew the action
upon the left, which overpowered by so great a superiority,
gave way, and the light infantry and 24th regt, were
obliged to make a quick movement to save that point
Monday, 59 Min. after 4
Tuesday, 52 Min. after 5
Wednesday, 38 Min. after 6
Thursday, 31 Min. after 7
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
Friday, 22 Min. after 8
Saturday, 12 Min. after 9
Sunday, 58 Min. after 9
NeiuMoon the %%tb,
/ from being entirely carried, in doing whiph, Brig, Gen.
; Frazer was mortally wounded.
j The danger to which the lines were exposed becoming
at this moment of the most fcrious nature, orders were
given to Major? Gen. Phillips and Reidefel to cover ) the
retreat, while such troops as were most ready for the pur
pose returned for the defence of the fame. The troops
retreated ha'd pressed, but in good order. They were
obliged to leave fix pieces of cannon, all the horses hav-
I ing been killed, and most of the artillery men, who had
1 behaved as usual with the utmost bravery, under the
1 command of Major Williams, being either killed or
I wounded.
I The troops had scarcely entered the camp, when it was
I stormed with great fwy, the enemy ruffiing to thelines un
der a severe fi/e of grape ihot end small arms. The post of
the light infantry under Lord Bclcarres, assisted by feme of
the line, who threw themselves by order into thole en
trenchments, was defended with great spirit; and the
enemy, led on by General Arnold, was finally repulsed,
and the General wounded; but unhappily the entrench
ments of the German reserve, commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Brcyman, who was killed, were carried, and
altho' ordered to be recovered they never were so; and the
enemy by that misfortune gained an opening to our right
and rear. The night put n end to the action.
Under the disadvantages thus apparent in our fitua'tion,
the army was ordered to quit the present pofiticn during
the night, and take post upon the height above t\e hos
pital; thus, by an entire change of front, to reduce the
enemy to form a new disposition. This movement was
effected with great order and without loss, tho' all the
artillery and camp were removed at the fame time. The
army continued offering battle to the enemy in their new
position the whole day of the Bth.
B^. Intelligence was now received that the enemy
were marching to turn the right, and no means could
prevent this measure but retiring towards Saratoga. T,e
army began to move at nine o'c ¥ at night; Major
General Reidefel commanding the van guard, and Major
General Phillips the rear. y
This retreat, though within mulket ihot of the ene
, my, and encumbered with all the baggage of the army,
tv^a^scx— 7 rt;roto lofo; bit 4 very heavy rain, aM
I be ^ifficu'tiee of gudraing ?fy b£tto w xj which con-
! gained all the provisions, occasioned delays, which pre
vented the army reaching Saratoga till the night of the
9th, and the artillery could not pass the fords of the Fish
kill till the morning of the 10th.
At our arrival near Saratoga, a corps of the enemy, of
between five and fix hundred, were difeovered throwing
up entrenchments on the heights, but retired over a ford
of the Hudson's river at pur approach, and joined 2 body
posted to oppefe our passage there.
It wasjudged proper to fend a detachment of artificers,
under a strong efeert, to repair the bridges and open a road
to Fort Edward. The 47th regiment, Capt. Frazer's
margfmen, and Mackoy's provincials were ordered for
that service; but the enemy appearing on the heights of
the Frihkill in great force, and making a difeefition to
pass and give us battle, the 47'h regiment and Frazer's
markfmeh were recalled^ The provincials left to cover
the workmen at the firft bridge, ran away upon a very
flight attack of a small party of the enemy, and left the
artificers to escape as they could, without a possibility of
performing any work.,
During these different movements the batteaux with
proyifions were frequently fired upon from the opposite
fideof the river; feme of them were loft, and feverai
men were killed and wounded in those which remained.
litb. Attacks upon the batteaux were continued; se
veral were taken and retaken; but their situation being
muc' nearer to the main force of the enemy than to ours,
it war found impoffibte to secure the provisions any other
wise than by landing them and carrying them upon the
hill : This was effected under fire, and with great diffi
culty.
The possible means of further retreat were now con
sidered in councils of war composed of the General Offi
cers, minutes of which will be transmitted to your Lord
ffiip.
The only one that seemed at all practicable was by a
, night march to gain Fort Edward, with the troops carry
ing their provisions upon their backs; the impossibility
of repairing bridges, putting a conveyance of artillery
and carriages out cf the question ; and it was proposed
to force the ford at Fort Edward, or the ferd above it.
Before this attempt could be made, scouts returned
with intelligence, that the ercray were entrenched op
posite those fords, and peffeffed a camp in force on the
high.^r.w d between Fort Edwa ' and Fort George, with
cannan; they had also parties down, the whole Ihore to
watch our motions; and poftsfo near to us upon our own
fide cf the water as must prevent the army moving a
fingla mile undifeovered.
The bulk of the enemy's army was hourly joined by
new corps of militia and volunteers, and the numbers
together amounted to 16,000 men.
Their position, which extended three parts in four of
a circle round us, was, from the nature of the ground,
inattackable in all parts.
In this situation the army took the best position possi
ble and fortified; waiting till the 13th at night, in the
anxious hope of fuccours from our friends, on the next
definable expectation, an attack from our enemy.
During this time the men lay continually upon their
arms, and were cannonaded in every part ; even rifle
fno: and grape-flint came into all parts of the line, tho'
without any considerable effect.
At this period an exact account of the provisions was
taken, and the circumstances stated in the opening of
this letter became complcat.
The council of war was extended to all the Field Offi
cers and Captains commanding corps of the army, and
the convention inclofed herewith ensued; a tranfaCtion
which I am sure was unavoidable, ^nd which I trust in
•that situation will be esteemed honourable.
Afterrthe execution of the treaty, Gen. Gates drew to
gether the force that surrounded my position, and I had
the consolation to have as many witnesses as I have men
under my command, of its amounting to the numbers
mentioned above.
Wheat per Bushel, 12s. cd.
Flour, 355. od.
Brown Bread, 20s. od.
Weff-India Rum, 6s. 6d.
New-England do. ss. od.
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 51. ios.|
Single refin'd ditto, 2s. 2d.|
Molasses, 2s. 6d.l
Beef per Barrel, ,os. od.;
Pork, 51. lOS.1
The enemy having twice summoned Brigadier General
Powell, and received such answers as became a gallant
officer entrufled with so important a pest ; and having tri
ed during the course of four days federal attacks, and be
ing repulsed in all, retreated without having done any
cohfiderable damage.
Brigadier General Powell; rem wio'= report to me I
extract this relation, gives g eat ccimentations to the
regiment of Prince Frederick, anti .he ether troops sta
tioned at Mount Independence. The Erie, dies also men
tions with great applaud the behaviour of Capt. Taylor,
of the 21st regiment, wh, v^ accidental jhert on his
road to the army from the hospital, and Lieut. Beecroft,
of the 24th regiment, wh, with the artifices in arms,
defended an important battery.
On the 24th of September, the enemy, enabled by the
capture of the gun boats and batteaux, which they had
made after the furprize of the ffoop to embark upon Lake
George, attacked Diamond Island in two divisions.
Capt. Aubrey and two companies of the 47th regimens
had been posted at thafoifland fr< m the time the army pas-
C-U tha HpZfon'iX%r,A6 2 barter situation for the security
of the stores at the foutL end of Lake Geofae, than Fore
George, which is on the continent, and not tenable against
artillery and numbers. The enemy were repulsed by Capt.
Aubrey with great loss, and pursued by the gun boats
under his command to the east ffiore, wherp two of their
principal vessels were re-taken, together with all the can-
Hon; they,had just time to set fire to the other batteaix,
and retreated over the mountains,
I beg leave to refer your Lord Ihip for further particu
lars to my Aid-de-Camp Lord Peteifham ; and I humbly
take occasion to aecomrrend to Lis Majefiy's notice that
nobleman, as one endued with qualities to de . important
services to his country in every Ration to which hi birth
may lead. In this late ram pit, in particular his be
haviour has been such as to entitle himt the folleft ap
plause, and I am cor.fi/dent hib merit will be thought a
Sufficient ground of preferment, though deprived of the
eclat and fort of claim which generally attends the deli
very of fortunate difoatchts.
I have only to add, my Lord, a general report of the
killed and wounded, I do not give it as correct; the
hurry of the time, and the reparation of the corps,
having rendered it irapcffible to make it so. Tire British
officers have bled profufely and most honour bly; all
who have fallen were , valuable, but the extensive merits
which marked,the public and private charafer of Br ga
dier General Frazer will long remain upon the memory
of this army, and make his loss a fubjeft of particular
regret. Those who remain unwounded have Leen<qu lly
forward; and the General Officers, from the rn.de of
fighting, have been more exposed than in other services.
Among the rest I have had myefcapes. Itdepepds upon
the fentehce his Majesty ffiall pass upon my cond.u&;
upon the judgment of my profeffion, and of the impar
tial and refpeaable part of my country, whether I am
to esteem them blessings or misfortunes.
I have thehonour to be, &e.
J. BURGOYNE.
P. S. The above is an exi& duplicate of the dispatch
sent b) Lord Peterffiam. Capt. Craig, of the 4,th re
giment, who has the charge of it, is an officer of great
merit; and is particularly worthy of notice for having
served with unabated zeal and activity through this labo
rious campaign, notwithstanding a wound through his
atm, which he received at Hubbetton.
No. I.
°a. 13, 1777.
LIEUT. Gen. Burgoyne is defirons ot fending a
field officer, with a meffige to Maj. Gen.
Gates, upon a matter of high moment to both armies.
He requests to be informed at what hour Gen. Gates
will receive him to morrow morning.
Major General Gates.
Aitfwer.] Major-General Gates will receive a
field-officer from Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne at the ad
vance^ post of the army of the United- States, at
ten o'clock to-morrow-morning, from whence he
will be conducted to Head Quarters.
P. M. Caober, 13, 1777,
lieutenant-General Burgoyne.
No. 11.
Major Kingflon delivered the fcllo^irg message to
Major-General Gates, Oficber 14, 1777,
AFTER having fought you twice, Lieut. Gen.
Burgoyne has waited some days, in his pre
sent position, determined to'try a third conflict
against any force you could bring to attack him.
He is apprised of the Superiority of your numbers,
and the disposition of your troops to impede his sup
plies, and render his retreat a feene cf carnage on
both sides. In this situation be is impelled by huma
nity, and thinks himfelt juftified by established prin
ciples and precedents of state, and of war, to Ipare
—-—^'▼«CT^—
[Fer tbe Remainder, turn to the last Page.]
During the events stated above, an attempt was made
against Ticonderoga by an army assembled under Major
General Lincoln, who found means to march with a con
siderable corps from Hubberton undifeovered, while ano
ther column of his force passed the mountains between
Skenefborough and Lake George; and on the morning
of the 18th of September, a.fudfcn and general attack
was made 6pon the Carrying-place of Lake George, Su
gar-Hill, Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence. The
sea officer commanding the atmed Hoop stationed tp de
fend the Carrying-place, as also some of the officers com
manding at the ports, at the Sugar-Hill, and at the
Portage, were surprised, and a considerable part of four
companies cf the 53d regiment, were made prisoners ; a
block-house commanded by Lieutenant Lord of the 53d
regiment was the only post on that fide that,had time to
make use of their arms, nnd they made a brave defence
'till cannon taken from the furprffed vessel was brought
against them.
After stating and lamenting so fatal a want 9f vigi
lance, I have to inform your Lord/hip of the fatisfacrory
events which followed.
/Fine Salt, ^s. od
ICoarfe Salt, Bs. cd
llndian Corn per Bu. 7s. od
;Coffee, I^. 9d
IChocolate, 265. per Do.