The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-07-10 00:00:00, page 2

I^ it; tins he did then at a private ford four
miles below Bratty's, though strongly opposed by
a body of militia, who were routed, and General
Davidson killed. On this occasion, his Lordship
observes; " The guards behaved gallantly, cros
sing the river under a heavy fire, without return
ing a shot until they were over and formed."
On the fame day, Cob Tarleton had the good
fortune to defeat another corps of the enemy's
militia, that had assembled under Col. Pickings,
killing and taking many, and entirely dispersing
the rest.
In relating these circUmßances to your Lord
flrip, it is no fmall' fatisfa&ion to add, that or.
both occasions the loss fußained by the King's
troops was inconsiderable; and that, except Col.
Hall of the guards, who is killed, no officer was
hurt.,
After gaining these advantages, Lord Corn
wallis. proceeded to Sallbury, of which town he
pofleffed himfelf the 4th instant.
Hitherto General Green had remained in his
position on the eastern banks of the Pedee, and
by thus hanging on the frontiers ofthe Province,
and having with him a force of cavalry, - was ena
bled to make inroads into the heart of it, which
were greatly diftrefling to the inhabitants, and
obliged me to detach, to cover the communicati
ons between this and Camden, prevent the ene
my's taking poll on this fide the Santee, and hin
der insults in our vicinities ; but on the news of
Lord Cornwallis's late successes, he called in his
cut-parties, and by a precipitate movement reach
ed the Moravian settlements in North-Carolina,
where by the last accounts he has taken a Ration
to cover thepaffage of the Yadkin.
From this view ofthe situation of both armies,
we may expert soon to hear of some event of mo
ment, and which I hope will give occasion to con
gratulate your Lordship.
By my laR letter your Lordship was informed
of an expedition being then to fail under Major
Craig ofthe 82d regiment, the force employed on
that service, and the object of it. I have now
the honor to communicate to your Lordship, his
having taken Wilmington without opposition,
on the 29th ult. but, finding that a body of the
enemy had polled themselves at Heron's Bridge,
about twelve miles from that town, to cover as
well this pass as the fhiping in the ri ver, an dto shew
a force for the militia to form on. Major Craig
by an immediate and well timed exertion, furpri
zed the rebels in this very Rrong position, and,
by dislodging them from it, has cleared that part
ofthe country, gained, in co-operation with his
Majesty's ships of war, poffeflion of their vessels,
andtaken on board them and in their camp seve
ral military ilores, the want of which may be
much felt, mould they attempt again to raise any
force in these parts.
Major Craig further informs me, that he is ex
erting every means to put the very eflential poll
of Wilmington into a Rate of defence, and even
tually to communicate with the army under Lord
Cornwallis.
LONDO N, March 21,
CAMPS are to be formed in different parts of
England during the course of next month.
Orders are given for all the officers as well as
privates belonging to the regiments on duty in
Scotland, except those that are on recruiting par
ties, to join their refpeaive regiments forthwith.
It is said an account has been received of the
answer which the courts of France and Spain
ha^e given to the proffered mediation of the em
press of Russia, which is, Shortly and substantial
ly, that those courts are truly sensible of the hu
mane and generous offers of her Imperial Majefr
ty, to put a. flop to the miseries of war, and the
further effufion of human blood ; and they ac
of, with unfeigned pleasure, her majesty's pro
posal of a general Congress, for the purpose of
adjuring @ll points of controveriy between the
contending powers, under the express condition,
that a plenipotentiary attend on the part ofthe
United States of America.
Several battalions of infantry are now on their
march for Plymouth ; which garrison and its de
pendent cantonments, will in a few days consist
of 10,000 men, in order to oppose any attempts
the enemy may make to land a body of troops on
that quarter of the iflahd, in the absence of the
grand fleet.
A new man of war of 64 guns is ordered to be
built in the room of his Majesty's ship Sterling
Castle, loft at Hispaniola.
On Tuesday ten prizes, lately taken from the
French and Dutch were condemned at Doctors
Commons.
Thursday last was sent in here, the floon Polly,
Capt. Peacock, from Charleßowh to Virginia,
; taken by the ship Dove, Capt. Lyons. By some
ofthe prisoners we learn, that Lord Rawdon,
being pushed too hard, had given up the State of
South-Carolina to the men, who, if it was possi
ble to believe Rivington, he was driving info
swamps, and had almost annihilated. Lordßaw
don had fa/Z poffeflion of Charleftown, and since
the arrival of the Cork fleet,witba reinforcement,
as was reported, of 4600 men, he has told his sol
diers he would march into the country for the
benefit of their health. George-town was evacu
ated the beginning of June ; in ihort every post
in Georgia and South-Carolina, except Ninety-
Six and Augusta, are evacuated or taken, and
those two polls are closely befieged,and no doubt
will soon surrender. The exchange of all the
officers and privates of the Continental line, pri
soners at Charleftown, was fettled, and vessels
preparing to carry them to the northward. The
arrival of the reinforcement at Charleftown rous
ed their usual British insolence, and they threw
impediments in the way of fettling the exchange
ofthe militia ; but it was expected, however,
that it would be fettled in a few days,
Yesterday came up to town, the ship Fortune,
Capt. Angus, from I'Orient, in France,, in 63
days. On the 20th ult. he fell in with and made
prize of the fchboner Dolphin, Capt-. Blake,
which, after taking out the most valuable part of
her cargo, he funk.
Subfance of letters taken on board the Anna Theresa
packet-boat, Capt. Crosby, from Lord George
Germaine to General Clinton.
" To push the reduction of the southern States
—To reinforce Arnold in the Chesapeake, and
by. n ? m eans to loose fight of the subjugation of
Virginia, which," hefaps, " will naturally be ac
companied with that of Maryland-—To prevent,
by every possible means, the settlement of Ver
mont, and to effect a settlement of the refugees
in Cafco-Bay—To inlift the American prisoners
at New-York, and fend them to the Weft-Indies,
where," hefays, " the army is exceedingly re
duced, and he fees no other, poflible means of re
cruiting it—-About 3000 British troops go out as
a reinforcement."
N. B. The above goes on supposition that the
Brest fleet, with troops, had not failed, and that
it probably would nob
BALTIMORE, June f 9 ._
Letters from Frederickfburgh, dated on Tucf
day last, mention, that the British army had
visited Goochland and A melia counties, the for
mer on the north and the latter on the south lide
of James river, and that it was hoped they were
on their retreat Rill more southward ; that their
cavalry had made a rapid march in two djvifions,
under command of Cols. Tarleton and Simcoe,
one to Charlottesville, and the other to a place
called " Point of Fork," where they had com
mitted great excesses, the particulars of which
had not been received.
A poftcript to one of the abovementioned let
ters advise, that intelligence had " just been re
ceived from the southward, that theßritilh forces
were in march for Richmond."
Extract of a letter from George-Down, dated on
Thursday last.
'' Bythe latest accounts wehave from Virginia,
the enemy are said to be retreating, having been
in Amelia county, considerably to the southward
of James river."
A gentleman just arrived in town from the
lower part ofVirginia, brings advice, that a few
days ago a fleet of forty-fix fail of British vessels
arrived in Chesapeake, supposed to be part of the
Cork fleet.
PHILADELPHIA, June 27.
By advices from the southward we learn, " '1 hat
the Britiih army in Virginia, under Cornwallis,
made a motion, with a view to possess themselves
of some Rores at Albemarle Old Court-House ;
whereupon the Marquis Fayette, beingjoined by
the firft detachment of Pennsylvanians, under
the command of Gen. Wayne, made forced
marches towards James river, and on gainingthe
South-Anna,he found Cornwallis encamped some
miles belowthe Pointof Folks. By a stolen march
through a difficult road, he threwhimfelf between
the enemy and the magazine, and took position
upon Michunk, where, agreeable to appointment,
he was joined by a body of riflemen. Next day
Cornwallis retired towards Richmond, where he
was at the date of our last dispatches, which was
the 18th inst.
Rxiraß^ o, a letter, fiend on beard tie fehderer
Dolphin, taken by Capt. Angus, from Colonel
Brathwaite to Mr. Moyne, cf Liston, dated
Madrafs, October 10, 1780.
"IN J u 'y last, Heyder Ali entered the Car
natick with 60,000 horse, 20,000 foot, 20 batter—
in g guns arid 40 field-pieces. '1 he ccuntiy fell
beiore bifnlike rjpe cornbe forethe reaper's fickle.
We had no where 3500 men. Inthe face of this
army we were to make a junction to ferm any
thing to oppose. I had with me about the num
ber abovementioned, with 10 field-pieces ; Iwas
ordered to join the General at the Frefdency; I
was at Pondicherry ; on account of the waters I
was obliged to go inland, and the enemy vas so
situated that his second day's march would have
crossed my fourth ; but by marching alwafsfud
denly and in the night, and fending people to
clear one road when I meant to take another, I
made good my jun&,on, with only the loss of a
little baggage, which 1 could not protcfl from
his numerous horse. I joined the General, and
we marched to join Colonel Baillie coming frem
the northward, and with such a force as I had,
we got within 10 miles of him,, and even rein
forced him by a detachment. The enemy, on
this occasion, she wed a great piece of genera fbip,
for he made as if he meant to attack us, flipt by
us in the night, fell upon Baillie with bis whole
force, and notwithstanding the firmeft and
bravest conduct on our fide, he massacred the
flower of our army, as to officers and men, out
of 4000 there was Icarce any one left to tell the
dreadful tale ; so ccmpleat an overthrow, I be
lieve never happened to any troops before. The
enemy, I suppose, had&Bo,oco men and 40 field
pieces, against 4000 men and 10. We have very
good reaion to believe the enemy loft 10,coo
menand as many horses. This fatal victory was
obtained solely by the ammunition, on our fide
being exhausted in answering so superior a fire,
and by the blowing up some of our tumbrills,
which we were near enough to fee, for on the
cannonade in the morning, we marched to sap-
P°. rt °l ir friends, and were, I suppose, about 4
miles from them, when some mangled fugitives
met us, told us all was over, and the enemywere
moving offas fall as they could. As our's, not
soco men, was only the remains of an army, we
retreated to the Presidency, close prefled by the
energy's horse, with the lots of baggage, tents,
&c. The enemy has begun the siege of Arcott,
in which he makes neither figure nor progrefs,'
and as the periodical rains have now begun, he
must desist, and I hope as no French fleet can
now arrive with forces to join him, till after the
monloon, that weihallfo rally and collect as to be
able to give you a much better account of him."
TRENTO N, June 2%
From Monmouth county we learn, that on
Thurfdaylafta body,confiftingof about one thou*
sand New-Levies, Britfh and Foreign Troops,
under the command of Cortlandt Skinner, made
an incursion into that county : By their conduct
it appears their intention was to plunder a place
called Pleasant Valley, where they arrived about
11 o'clock, A. M. with little or no interruption ;
the inhabitants had however exerted themselves
in such a manner, in driving off their Rock of
every kind, that they found very little booty.
The militia of the neighbourhood were bythis
time beginning to colle&, and a pretty fmartfkir
mifhing was kept up through the remainder of
the day, in which we are informed our people
behaved with great spirit. They began their re
treat aboutfun down, and made DO halt tiflthey
got to Garret's-Hill, where they continved tha£
night, during the course of which, one of our
gallant officers made a defeent upon them, arid
refeued ^number of their stolen sheep ; the next
day they embarked again, having captured and
taken oil with them, by the best account, about
40 cattle and 60 sheep, with the loss of one mart
killed and a number deserted; their loss in
wounded is unknown : The loss on our fide is
one killed and three or four wounded. They
have burned two houses ; but it is acknowledged
in their favour, that, they behaved remarkably
well to the perlons of the people in general.
By their coming out in such force it was ex
pedicel their aim was to have penetrated further
into the country, to prevent which the militia of
the neighbouring counties were called upon, and
it was truly furprizing to fee with what spirit
and alacrity they flew to their arms, and were
crouding down from every quarter tQ the assist
ance of their brethren on this occasion, when ac
counts of the hasty retreat of the enemy render
ed their further services unnecessary.