The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-27 00:00:00, page 3

" I have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had an
engagement with the Tories, at Widow Moore's Creek
bridge, on the 27th current. Our army was about 1000
strong, confining of the Newbern battalion of minute
men, the militia from Craven, Johnston, Dobbs and
Wake, and a detachment of the Wilmington battalion
of minutemen, which we found encamped at Moore's
creek the Right before the battle, under the command of
Col. Lillington. The Tories by common report were
3000, but Gen. M'Donaid, whom we have a prisoner,
lays there were about 15 or 1600; he was unwell that
day, and not in the battle. Capt. M'Clcod, who seemed
to be the principal commander, with Capt. John Camp
bell, are among the (lain. The number killed and mor
tally wounded, from the best accounts I was able to col
led, was about 30, most of them were ihot on their
puffing the bridge. Several had fallen into the water,
some of whom, Lam pretty certain, had not risen
yesterday evening, when I left the camp; such prisoners
as we have made fay, there were at least 50 of their men
miffing. The tories were totally put to the rout,, and
will certainly disperse. Col. Moore arrived at our camp
a few hours after the engagement was over; his troops
.came up that evening, and are now encamped on the
ground where the battle was fought; and Col. Martin is
at or near Cross-creek, with a large body of men ; those,
I presume, will be fufficient effectually to put a flop to
any attempt to embody again. I therefore (with Col.
Moore's consent) am returning to Newbern with the
troops under my command, where I hope to receive
your orders to dismiss them. There I intend carrying
the General. If the council should rife before my arrival,
be pleased to give order in what manner he shall be dis
posed of. Our officers and men behaved with the spirit
and intrepidity becoming freemen, contending for their
dearest privileges."
“ One Mr. Achifon, rnidfhipman of the Syren, with
three sailors, were drove over Ocracock Bar in distress,
who were taken prisoners and brought to Newbern, the
midfllipman and one sailor are font to Halifax as prisoners,
the other two difeharged in this town. It appears the
Syren had taken a veflel of ours on the coast, and those
men were conducting the prize to Boston, when they
were forced over the bar."
Extras of a Letter from a Gentleman in North-Carolina
to his Friend in this city, dated March 10, 1776.
" I have it in ray power to give you a few lines by the
express afternoon we received a letter from
Col. Cafwell, giving an account, in a full manner, of a
battle between his troops, Col. Lillington's, off Cape-
Fear, and the Highlanders and Regulators, about twenty
miles above Wilmington, at Moore's creek bridge, which
is between the North Weft and North East rivers. The
insurgents had made many attempts to escape the vigi
lance of our troops, and get down to Governor Martin.
Col. Cafwell was after them many days; at length they
made an attempt to cross at this pass, about the break of
day, on Tuesday, the 27th of last month.
" Col. Cafwell had very wifely ordered the planks to be
taken off the bridge, so that ih paring it they met with
many difficulties ; a very heavy firing came on. Our troops
reserved their fire till within a small distance, which did
great execution. Many passed the bridge. Gen. M'Cleod
and Captain Campbell were inftantlyfhot dead. M'Cleod
had nine bullets apd twenty-four swan ihot through him
and into his body. Twenty-eight more are killed and
mortally wounded; and between twenty and thirty pri
Extrafi of a letter from the Provincial Council of North-
Carolina, dated Newbern, March 5, 1776.
" Governor Martin has been too fuccefsful in exciting
an infurre&ion of the banditti among the Highlanders
and Regulators. We refer you to a copy of Colonel Caf
well's letter and other inclofed papers for the particular
account of them. We have given orders that the persons
and properties of the ringleaders should be fechred, and~
that all who were in arms or aiding and abutting should
be disarmed, and every other effectual measure pursued
to prevent their giving Governor Martin any aid in case
of the arrival of his expected reinforcements. We have
every thing to hope from the vigilance, skill, and activity ✓
of the officers, and the bravery, spirited, and patriotic
behaviour of the troops on this occasion. A noble ardor
appeared in every part of the country through all ranks
of people; insomuch that in less than a fortnight 9,400
men and upwards were embodied and on their march
against the enemy; more might have been raised, had
they been necessary. We hear that the men of war are
on their way to Wilmington, the inhabitants have re
moved all their valuable fffe&s, apprehending that the
Governor will prevail on the officers of the men of war
to aft the fame tragedy there, which Lord Dunmore
lately played at Norfolk, to his immortal infamy.
“ We have ordered that the Provincial Congress should
meet at Halifax the second of next month.
“ We have appointed Committees to confer with Vir
ginia and South-Carolina on the molt proper mode of de
fence, to be adopted by these Colonies the ensuing cam
paign.
" We understand General Clinton is arrived in Virgin
nia with the transports and troops from Boston, but have
not yet any advice of the arrival of those expected from
Great-Britain.
ExfaTof a letter from Cambridge, March iB, T,,6.
“ I'give you joy of Boston's being evacuated. Satur
day night our people began upon the hill next the point;
about midnight the regulars began firing upon them, and
continued it until morning, but did not hurt any one;
After that the minifterialifl:,s hurried on board as sass as
they could. They did not set fire to the town, but they
have done much mifchief, and though the soldiers were
not authorifed to plunder, they were not hindered from
doing it. Many of the officers have been as bad as the
privates, and carried off the furniture from the ^pufes
of those gentlemen who had left the fame, and accom
modated them therewith. The British troops are dis
graced.—This change in our affairs has been produced
by the movements on Dorchester. Almost all the tories
are gone off, and are in a dreadful Situation; should it
be long before they can put to sea, they wiil be half
ftarved. —The White-Haven ship from New-York got
among the Nantucket Ihoak, and is taken. —All the
eight White-Maven ships taken."
We hear the humane General Howe has burnt the
pretty little town of Nantafket, in Boston harbour; and
that many of the Tories, not being able to get off with
the fleet, have thrown thcmfelvcs on the mercy of their
countrymen.
INTELLIGENCE from North-Carolina.
Extract of a letter from Col. Richard Cafwell, late a Dele
gate for the province of North-Carolina in the Continental
Congress, and novo Commander of a body of troops in
that province, to the Honourable, Cornelius Harnet, Esq;
PreJident of the Provincial Council of North-Carolina,
dated from his Camp at Long-Creek, Feb. 29, 1776.
" S I R,
foners, amongst them his Excellency General Donald
M'Donaid, who is on his way to us, and is expected
here to-morrow. We had only two men wounded, one
of them mortally. The insurgents retreated with the
greatest precipitation, leaving behind them some wag
gons, &c. They cut the horses oht 0; the waggons, and
mounted three upon a horse. Many of them fell into the
creek and were drowned. Tom Rutherford ran like a
lusty - fellow, he and Felix Kenan of Duplin county were
in arms against us; they by this time are our prisoners, as
is Lieutenant-Colonel Cotton, who ran the firft fire. The
battle lasted only three minutes. The Colonels Cafwel
and Lillington had under their command 1000 men. The
Highlanders and Regulars 1600. The account is certain
as to the number of the infiagents, for Col. Cafwell had
it from Gen. M'Donaid himfif. Col. Moore sent off ex
presses to the main army, a. lifting of between five and
fix hundred men, under the Colonels Martin, Polk,
Thackflon, and Long, in and about Cross creek, to se
cure the whole of the Highlanders and Regulators; not
a man of them has a probability of making his escape.
" Governor Martin has threatened the deftru&ion of
Wilmington, if they do not supply him with pfovifions.
The town has spiritedly refufed to supply him with a
single mouthful, notwithstanding the cruizer and three
armed vessels lay opposite it; and they have told the
Governor he may do as he pleases, as they are determin
ed to resist to the last. They have a good battery there,
and four hundred chosen men, under the command of
a br^ve Irishman, Col. William Purviance, who is de
termined to fee it out with them. The women and
children are sent out of town. The Tories are all le
cured in Wilmington jail, to the number of twenty-five.
Captain Parry, of the cruizer, has meanly begged a few
quarters of beef, which the town has refufed him, and
the vcflels dare not begin the attack, though we daily
expend to hear of an engagement, as they are farving.
" It was humorous enough in the inhabitants of Wil
mington, when the Governor haughtily demanded one
thousand barrels of flour, after answering him fully on
that head, they then went immediately into the insur
rection, and what a hopeful 6. ration he had reduced his
friends to, that were furrourded by large, spirited And
powerful armies, who were determined to make ihort
work with them.
" The Negroes at Cape-Fear were never known to be
have so well as they have lately.
" Yesterday two prisoners, a rnidfhipman and a com
mon seaman, were sent out of this town to Halifax.
" We have now in arms, to the southward of this
town, nine thousand four hundred men. Gen. Clinton,
we expert to hear every moment, is landed at Cape-Fear,
with the troops under his command. As soon as we
learned he had failed from Virginia, sent off an express
instantly to our commanding officer there, to be ready
for him. The Governor of South-Carolina is at Cape-
Fear; Clinton, Martin, and Lord William Campbell,
are to fettle the plan of operations as to the subjugating
this province, South-Carolina and Georgia. To-mor
row we fend off two gentlemen to South-Carolina. Ido
expert the moment Clinton lands, this province, Virgi
nia, and South-Carolina, will march an army of twenty
thousand men against him. You never knew the like in
your life as to true patriotism, not a man of any influ
ence is left in the back country, nor on Cape-Fe^r, all
to a man turned out upon the firft alarm in defence of
their country."
Ext rail o' a Letter from a Gentleman in St. Mary's County,
to his Friend in Baltimore, dated .March 14, 1776.
" We have just taken an oyfttr boat, with fix men on
board, and on search, found five British muskets con
cealed in the boat ; the men have been ftridly exaffiined,
and it appears they came from Virginia, and were bound
to Baltimore, and had oysters on board to further their in
tended purpose, being employed by that infamous tool of
government, Lord Dunmore, as spies, to colled informa
tion from and enquire into the lituation of your town,
and take a view of your fortifications, &c. —They are
are al 1 properly confined.—lt is hoped you will keep a
good look out, and carefully examine all fufpe&ed vessels
and men."
Died Yesterday Morning, the Honourable SAMUEL
WARD, Esq; late Member of the Continental Congress;
his Remains will be interred this Afternoon in the Bap
tid Church.
The Froceffion will begin at three o' Clock this Af
ternoon, at Mrs. House's, in Lodge-Alley, where the
Friends of the Deceased are desired to attend. The
Body will be carried to Arch-street Church, where a
Sermon 011 the Occasion will be delivered by the Re
vercud Mr. Stillman. The Ladies will be admitted into
the Galleries at three o' Clock. /
Last Friday died, in the 76th year of her age, Mrs.
MARY DICKINSON, the widow of Samuel
Dickinson, Esq; late of Kent county on Delaware.
She was a lady possessed of so many virtues and accom
plishments, that it would be very difficult to draw a
character of her, which would not appear either the ef
fect of partiality, to those who were strangers to her, or
an imperfect expression of her worth, to those who were
acquainted with her. On Sunday, her remains were in
terred in the burying ground belonging to Friends in
Trenton.
On Sunday the 10th inst. departed this life, in the 54th
year of his age, Mr. JOHN CAMPBELL, of London
derry townfllip, Lancaster county; he possessed in an
eminent degree many and desirable good properties, viz.
the affectionate and loving husband, the lover and prac
tifer of temperance, the beneficent and kind friend, the
affable and agreeable companion, and the zealous patriot:
His life was marked with innocence. His remains were
interred on Tuesday, attended by a large and refpeCtable
number of the adjacent inhabitants of all denominations,
whole countenances indicated that sorrow, which they
felt at the lots of so ufeful and valuable a member of
society.
Philadelphia County, March 21.
At a meeting; of a considerable majority of the Gentlemen
<who have been crofu to fer%e for the ensuing year, as a
Committee of Inflection and Observation for this county,
Col. William Hamilton cuas appointed Chairman,
and Dr. Enoch Edwards, Secretary.
Ibis Committee, after having observed that several
Committees of the province of Pennsylvania have re
commended the calling a convention, and some of them
proceeded to nominate persons to represent them in the
fame,
R-folroed, N. Ci D. That it is the opinion of this Com
mittee that the measure of calling a Convention is by no
means necessary at this time, as we trust that the Honour
able House of Assembly, now fitting, are ready to hear
and redress every grievance that is or may properly be laid
before them.
Refolded, That it be requested of all those gentlemen,
who have undertaken to collect donations for the poor of
Boston, that they yvould pav their several sums into Hie
Hands of Mr. Joseph Mathers, who is appointed Teafurer
for this year.
Refolded, That John Bull, Esq; Colonels William Ha
milton, Robert Lewis, Doctors Charles Bcnfcl, Samuel
Swift, Messieurs Joseph Mathers, Jonathan Pafcall, and
I^ac Hughes, be appointed to serve as a Committee of
Correspondence.
Refolded, That it be recommended to those few town
ships which have yet negleded'tc choose a person to re
present them in this Committee, that they would proceed
to do it as soon as possible, as their members will be ex
pefted to attend when the Chairman ihall think proper
to call another meeting.
Signed by order of the Committee,
ENOCH EDWARDS, Secretary.
, The Piece fgned Will Whimble is come to hand,
but, it appears to us too prolix and incorrefl for Publication.
W The Officers and Privates of the.feveral companies
of Affbeiators which form the rifle battalion, are hereby
requeued to meet at Carpentefs-Hall, on Monday, the
Bth Day of April next, to choose, by ballot, their Field
Officers. —They are desired to meet precisely at two
0 clock in tne afternoon, at whicli time the election will
be opened.
The VVARDENS of the City have appointed Fri
day the ^'h day of this month, to meet again at the Cowt-
Iloafe, at 9 o'clock in the morning, to hear the appeals of fach
persons r as think themfehocs aggrieved in the Watch and
Lamp 1 ax for the prefect year ; —thofe zuho do not.attend
onthat day mus expect no allowances to be made them, the
H ardens finding it absolutely necessary to adhere closely to the
law, which requires that the Collectors " Jhall pay the
debate and every of the fams of money afeffed in his or their
refpedroe duplicates within three months ' next after the day
of appeal."
JLTL The Examination of the Students at the dead
my of Newark will be held on Tuesday the id day of
April, by the Trustees, who are to meet at teat time
and place.
Members of The Philadelphia CuNjhii;u
, tiofship for infaring Houses from Lufy by Fire are
hereby notified, that their Annual Meeting sos the Choice of
' I welve Directors and a Treasurer will be held at the Court-
House, on Monday, the Eighth Day of April next, at Two
0 Clock in the Afternoon. By Order of the Dircßors,
Matthew Clarkson, Clerk.
TO BE S ;
Two contiguous tracts of patented land, abcut 400 acres.
A good mill teat, on a fine Iheam, on the South fide .f
the Weft branch of Salquehanna, near the Great Island. Two
tiartsof about s°° acr es, on White Deer-hoie-cteek. below and
aujoitaing Mr. Benjamin Dean's land, Two traris of about geo
acres, above land ot M-r. Dunca*, and adjoining land of Mr.
Brown, on the South branch of White Deer-hole-creek. One
other tract of near 300 acres, on the North fide of the Weft
branch of White Deer-hole-creek, adjoining lands of Edward
Shippen, Efg; about 4 miles above the Forks. The above lands
are very fit for grain or stock, all wJI watered, convenient tn
navigation, and in thriving settlements ; those on White seer
hole-creeJi would suit several kinds of water-works, about 20
miles dihant from Sunbury, about 4 miles from the South fide
co the Weft branch, and all in Northumberland county. En
quire of GEORGE CAMPBELL, Esq; in Philadelphia,
or Doffer JOHN HOUSTON at York-town.
, Two good tracts, 3CO acres each, to be lett for a c^nfiderable
time, fee of any rent, to persons well recommended, about 22
miles from Sunbury, and very near the river. March 18, 1776.
T WENrY D 0 L 3 Regard.
ON Sunday night last was STOLEN, out c f the stable
of the fubferiber, in the Northern Liberties of Philadel
phia, a dark-brown coloured HORS E, about Btr 9 years old,
'5 Panels high, shod all round, has a little white on one of his
hind feet, and a little griffel on the right flank, is a natural
trotter, and carries himfelf high. Whoever secures the said
horse and thief, and returns the herfe to the owner, and pro
secutes the thief to conviction, ffiall receive the above reward,
or Eight Dollars and reasonable charges for the horse only,
G-om CHARLES THOMSON.
To be DISPOSED of,
T HE Time of an ENGLISH SERVANT La',
I who has 3 Years to serve. He might do very well in
the Country, with a Master who would keep him constantly em
ployed. For Terms, apply to TH©MAS APTEY,
Keeper of the Work-hnufe. Philad. March 23, 1776.
10 be fold at public sale, on the 11th day of April,
AV A LUABLE plantation or tra& of land, lying along
the South fide of brandywine creek, within one mile 'of
the forks of said creek, in Pemnfbury townihip, Chester county,
containing 195 acres, with allowance of 6 acres to the hundred
for roads; there are erected on said place a stone houle, 2 flories
high, 21 by 33, three rooms on a floor, with a good well of
water at the door, a frame barn, 45 '1 21, a stable, 16 by 20,
one ftor) stone and one ditto logs, a ftmee spring-house, 16 by
Io ; there are 40 acres of fine bottom meadow, equal to any
on fail creek, a bearing orchard of 150 trees, of different fobs
of fiuit, 60 acres of young timber land ; the said plantation is
counted equal to any on laid creek for grain or grass, and lies
very commodious, within half a mile of two merchant and
saw-mills, and within 14 miles of Marcus-Hook or Wilming
ton, and in a good neighbourhood : The title is indictable,
and the quitrent One Shilling fterl, per hundred acres. Any
person wanting to view the premises, at or before the day of
sale, may apply to the fubferiber on the said place, w,ho will
let t^em kn>w the terms. John Br inton,'jun. | | 7/ 6.
TO BE SoTd;
THE Time of a DUTCH Servant GIRL, who has
between 6 and 7 Years to serve. Enquire of the Printers.
EIGHI DOLLARS Reward.
RUN away from the fubferiber, the 6th of March, 1776,
an indented servant man, named Charles Piller, by
trace a Barber, came from London about 4 months ago, but fays
he is a ocotebman; be is about s feet 3 inches high, fair complexion,
is much pitted with the fmallfr, foort sandy coloured hair ; bad
on, when he went away, a light blue feafy coat and waifiroat,
deep blue breeches, with fat metal buttons,' white yarn so kings,
new foaled foes, with small pinchbeck buckles, an old caftor hat,
and a new friped bollard Jbirt; likewise took with him several
razors, strap, saving-box, a diaper towel, and bis comb and
curling-iron ; he is a very great drunkard, and is very talkative
and abujive when drunk. Whoever takes up said servant and brings
him bdne ,to bis master, in Baltimore-sown, fall have if in touts
Two Dollars, and if out of town so .miles Four Dollars, aud if
out of the province the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid
b y Philip Miller. §
—— -—• ———?
The weekly Votes of the present Sitting of the
Honourable House of Afrmbly cf this Province, are
Puulifhed and fold by Henry MEhr, in Race-street.
THE Owners of the WICACOA MEADOWS
are derired to meet at the Court. House, in Philadelphia,
the firft Monday in April, being the eighth D.y of the Month,
at Four o'clock in the Afternoon, to choose Manages
and a Treasurer for the ensuing Year.&