The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-08-07 00:00:00, page 2

Pfll LA DELPHI A, July IT.
^ar„l of a letter from Maier General Greene, dated Camp at
Little river, near Ninety-Six, Jane 20, 1781.
IN my letter of the riinth, I informed your Ex
cellency, that the enemy had received a con
siderable reinforcement at Charleftown, and that
I trig ipprehenfive they would march out, and
interrupt our operations. On the nth I got
intelligence that they were advancing. I imme
diately detached the cavalry, with orders to Gen.
Sumpter to colle& all the forces he could, and
keep in their front, and by every means in his
power retard their march. The enemy passed
him at Congaree, before he got his army in mo
tion; afterwards he found it impracticable to
gain their front. It was my intention to have
fought them-before they arrived at Ninety-Six,-
could I have collected a force fufficient for the
purpose.
" We had pushed on our approaches very near
to the enemy's works. Our third parallel was
formed round their abbatis ; a mine and two ap
proaches were within a few feet of their ditch.
These approaches were directed against the Star
fort, which stands upon the left of the town, as
we approach it from the Saluda. On the right
our approaches were very near the enemy's re
doubt; this was a strong flockade fort with two
blockhouses in it. Thele two works flanked the
town, which is picketed in with strong pickets,
a ditch round the whole, and a bank raised near
the height of a common parapet. Besides these
fortifications, several little slushes were in diffe
rent parts of the town,and all the works commu
nicated with each other by covered ways. We
had raised several batteries for cannon, one up
wards of twenty feet high, within 140 yards of
the Star fort, to command the works, and a rifle
battery also within thirty yards, to prevent the
enemy annoying our workmen.
'' For the lait ten days not a man could shew
his head but he was immediately foot down, and
the firing was almost incessant day and night.
In this stage of the approaches, I found the ene
my so near us that it would be impossible to re
duce the place without hazarding a storm. This,
fromthe peculiar ftrengthof the place, could only
be warranted by the success ofa partial attempt
to make a lodgment on one of the curtains of the
Star redoubt, and a vigorous push to carry the
right hand work. The difpofirion was accord
ingly formed, and the attack made. Lieut. Col-
Lee, with his legion infantry and Capt. Kirk
wood's light infantry, made the attack on the
right; and Lieut. Col. Campbell, with the First
Maryland and the First Virginia regiments, were
to have stormed the Star redoubt, whichis their
principal work, and stands upon the left. The
parapet of this work is near twelve feet high, and
raised with sand bags near three feet more.
Lieut. Duval of the Maryland line, and Lieut.
Selden of the Virginia line, led on the forlorn
hope, followed by apartywith hooksto pulldown
the sand bags, the better to enable them to make
the lodgment. A furious cannonade preluded
the attack. On the right the enemy were driven
out of their works, and our people took possession
of them. On the left never was greater bravery
exhibited than by the parties led on by Duval and
Selden, but they were not so fuccesful. They
entered the enemy's ditch, and made every ex
ertion to get down the sand bags, which, from
the depth of the ditch, height of the parapet, and
under agalling fire, was rendered difficult. Find
ing the enemy defended their works with great
obstinacy, and feeing but little profpea of suc
ceeding without heavy loss, I ordered the attack
to be pushed no farther
" The behavior of the troops on this occasion
deserves the highest recommendation. Both the
officers that entered the ditch were wounded,and
the greatest part of their men were either killed
or wounded. I have only to lament, that such
brave men fell in an unfuccefsful attempt.
" Capt. Armstrong of the First Maryland re
giment was killed, and Capt. Benson, who com
manded the regiment was wounded at the head
of the trenches In both attacks we had upwards
of forty men killed and wounded ; the loss was
principally at the Star fort and in the enemy's
ditch, the other parties being all under cover.
The attack was continued three quarters of an
hour, and as the enemy were greatly exposed to
the fire of the rifle battery and artillery, they
must have furfered greatly. Our artillery was
well served, and I believe did great execution.
" The troops have undergone incredible hard
flips during the ffege, and though the issue was
Rot fuccefsmi, I hope their exertions will merit
the approbation of Congress.
'' We continued the siege until the enemy
got within a few miles of us, having previously
lent off all our sick, wounded, and spare stores.
Inclofed is a lift of our killed and wounded du
ring the liege."
Return of the killed, wounded and miffing, du
ring the siege of Ninety-Six in South-Carolina.
Non conmiffioned and rank and file.---Virginia
brigade, 41 killed, 33 wounded, 16 miffing
Maryland baigade, 12 killed, 24 wounded, 3 mif
fing.—Light infantry, 1 killed, 9 wounded, 1
mixing.—Legion infantry, 2 killed, 2 wounded.
—Virginia, militia, 1 killed, 2 wounded. Total,
skilled, 70 wounded, 20 miffing.
Capt. Armstrong, of the Maryland line killed,
arid Capt. Benson and Lieut. Duval wounded
Capt. Bently, of the Virginia line, prisoner.
Lieuts. Evans, Miller arid Selden wounded.
Col Kofcuifzki, chief engineer, slightly wounded.
O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. G.
SIR, Head-Starters, July 3, 1781.
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellen
cy, a copy of myletter to Major General Greene,
containing the proceedings of the two armies
since my last.
With the greatest refpe&, I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble
servant, LA FAYETTE.
His Excellency the President of Congress.
Ambler's Plantation, oppoJite 'James river, July 8.
S I R,
ON the 4th inst. the enemy evacuated Willi
amsburg, where some stores fell into our hands,
and retired to this place, under the cannon of
their shipping. The next morning we advanced
to Bird's tavern, and part of the army took post
at Norrell's mill, about nine miles from the Bri
tish camp.
The 6th I detached an advanced corps under
General Wayne, with a view of reconnoitring
the enemy's situation. Theirlight parties being
drawn in, the piquets which lay close to their
encampment, were gallantly attacked by some ri
flemen whose (kill was employed to great effe&.
Having afeertained that Lord Cornwallis had
sent off his heavy baggage under a proper escort,
and polled his army in the open field fortified
by the (hipping, I returned to the detachment,
which I found more generally engaged. A
piece of cannon having been attempted by the
van guard under Major Galvan, whose conduct
deserves high applause. Upon this the whole
British army came out and advanced to the thin
wood occupied by General Wayne ; His corps,
chiefly composed of Pennsylvanians and some
light infantry, did not exceed eight hundred
men, with three field pieces, but notwjthftand
ing their numbers, at fight of the British army,
the troops ran to the rencountre ; a short skir
mish endued, with a close, warm and well di
reded fire ; but,s the enemy's right and left of
course greatly outflanked ours, I sent General
Wayne orders to retire half a mile, to where Col.
Vofe and Col. Barber's light infantry had arriv
ed by a most rapid move, and where I directed
them to form. In this position they remained
till some hours in the night. The militia under
Gen. Lawson had been advanced, and the conti
nentals were at Norrell's mill, when the enemy
retreated during the night toJames island, which
they also evacuated, eroding over to the fouth
fide of the river. Their ground at this place,
and the island, was fucceihvely occupied by Ge
neral Mulenberg. A number of valuable horses
were left on their retreat.
From every account the enemy's loss has been
very great, and much pains taken to conceal it.
Their light infantry, the brigade of guards, and
two British regiments formed the firft line ; the
remainder of their army the second ; The caval
ry were drawn up but did not charge.
By the enclosed return you will fee what part
of General Wayne's detachment fuffered most.
The services rendered by the officers, make me
happy to think, that although many were woun
ded, we loft none. Most of the field officers had
their horses killed, the fame accident to every
horse of two field pieces, made it impossible to
move them untefs men had been facrificed. But
it is enough for the glory of General Wayne, and
the officers and men he commanded, with a re
connoitring party only, to have attacked the
whole British army, close to their encampment,
and by this severe skirmish hastened their retreat
over the river.
Col. Boyer, of the riflemen, is a prisoner.
I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
t LA FAYETTE.
Major-General Green.
RETURN of the killed, wounded and miffing
of the detachment commanded by General
Wayne, in a skirmish with the British army
near the Green Springs, in Virginia, July
6th, 1781.
Major Galvan's advanced guard. Killed, 4
rank and file ; wounded, 1 ferjeant, 7 rank arid
file.
Col. Stewart's detachment Pennsylvanians,
Killed, 11 rank and file ; wounded 2 Captains,
3 Lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 30 rank and file.
Col. Butler's do. Killed 2 ferjeants, 4 rank
and file ; wounded fifteen rank and file; miff
ing o rank and file.
Col. Humpton's ditto. Killed 1 sergeant 4
rank and fife ; wounded, 3 Captains, 1 Lieute
nant, one ferjeant, 19 rank and file.
Major Willis's do. of light infantry ; Killed,
I ferjearit, one rank and file : Wounded 7 rank
and file.
Captain 'Ogdens companyM'Pherfon's legion,
wounded 2 rank and file.
Capt. Savage and Duffy's artillery. Wounded
I Captain-Lieutenant, I fergbant, 2 rank and
file ; milling 3 rank and file.
Total, g Captains, 1 Capt. Lieutenant, 4
Lieutenants, 7 sergeants, and "2 rank and file
Wounded ; 4 sergeants, 24 rank and file killed;
12 rank and file miffing.
Names of the officers wounded.
Captains. Van Lear, Division infy&or.
Doyle, Finney, Montgomery, Stake, and
M'Clellan.
Lieutenants. Piercy, Feltman, White, Her
bert, taken prisoner, and Capt. Licut. Crossly,
of artillery.
N. B. A few riflemen were wounded, the
number riot afeertained.
Wm. BARBER, Maj. and D. A. G.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
July 25.
We are assured, that Lord Cornwallis . has de
tached the whole of his cavalry and part of his
infantry, under Col. Tarleton, for South-Caro
lina. It is supposed Corwallis intends to embark
with the remainder of his army, for New-York.
Last Friday another flag arrived here from
Charleftown, in which camepaffengers Brigadier
General Moultrie, and many others of the virtu,
ous but unfortunate citizens of South-Carolina.
The last accounts from South-Carolina inform
us, that after lord Rawdon had returned to
Ninety-Six, he reinforced that garrison with one
hundred men, and then retired towards Charlef
town, at which place he was arrived at the date
of our accounts ; and his troops were at Orange
burgh, about So miles from Charleftown,on their
route to join his Lordship, who, it seems had de
stroyed many of his men by marching them into
the country so soon after their arrival ; and had
only reaped the small benefit of relieving, for a
time, the post of Ninety-Six; as it appears that
that brave, persevering, and gallant officer, Ma
jor General Greene, had again appeared before
the place, and compleatly inverted it.
The Honorable the Congress of the United
States have appointed Thomas Hutchings, Esq;
formerly a Captain and Engineer in the British
army, to be Geographer to the United States.
Thisgendeman relinquished his profitable offices,
as well as profpeas of promotion in the British
army, in order to take a part with his native
country, contending for her just rights against
the unjust claims of Great-Britain.
FIS H-KILL, August 2 .
The following agreeable Intelligence we received
from Albany by the last post.
On the loth ult. on the difeovery ofa great
smoke, by Col. Willet, who commands the levies
at Fort Rensselaer, towards the settlement of
Corey's town: Captain Gross (who had been sent
with a. detatchmenct 06 35 men to Turlough,
about eleven miles from Corey's town) was or
dered immediately to repair to Corey's town to
make difeoyeries, at which place he arrived in
time to extinguish several houses which the ene
my had set on fire.—ln the mean time, Col. Wil
let ordered in such of the militia of the neigh
bourhood as he could colle&, and having receiv
ed particular information of the place where the
enemy had laid the night before, and where they
had left part of their baggage, marched with the
militiaand levies under his immediate command,
in the evening, in hopes of reaching them before
day-light; which he would have effected, had it
not been for the d^rknefs of the night, and his
guide miffing the way---this prevented his reach
ing their encampment before fix in the morning