New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-03-19 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette OR, State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, March 19, 1781.
[ No. 1272. ]
PHILADELPHIA, February 28.
By authentic advices we learn, That Gen. Morgan collected 100 prisoners, By parties sent out for the purpose, after the account he gave in his letter to Gen. Greene, dated the 19th of January last. That upon receiving the news of Tarleton's defeat, Lord Cornwallis marched in pursuit of the light infantry and prisoners. As soon as General Greene was informed of the movements of Lord Cornwallis, he put the army in motion on Pedee, and, leaving it under the command of Gen. Auger, set out to join the light infantry, in order to collect the militia and embarrass the enemy, until he could effect a junction of his forces. Gen. Morgan, after the defeat of Tarleton, had very judiciously made forced marches up into the country, and happily crossed the Catawba the evening before a great rain, which swelled the river to such a degree as prevented the enemy from crossing for several days, during which time the prisoners were got over the Yadkin, and on their march for Dan river, which they likewise passed, and on the 14th of this month had reached Bedford Court-house, in the State of Virginia.
Gen. Greene, on the latter end of January arrived at the light infantry camp at Sherrard's ford, on the Catawba. The enemy were a little lower down the river at McCowan's ford, and the river was still so high, that they could not cross. They had destroyed their waggons, and equiped themselves completely as light infantry. On the first of February they crossed at McCowan's ford, Gen. Davidson, with a party of militia, was posted there in order to oppose their crossing, but he falling by the first discharge, the enemy made good their landing, & the militia retreated. A place of rendezvous was appointed for the militia to collect at, who were posted up and down the river. Part of them halted about seven miles short of the place of rendezvous, and were overtaken by Tarleton and dispersed. General Greene waited that night at the place appointed, but finding the militia did not collect, the light infantry the next morning continued their march to Salisbury, and crossed the Yadkin. Before they got over all the baggage & stores the enemy approached, and there was a pretty smart skirmish between a party of our riflemen and the advance of the enemy near the ford. The boats being secured, and the river continuing high from the late rains, the enemy were for some time stopped in their pursuit.—Heavy rains, deep creeks and bad roads, as well as delays for want of provisions and other causes, prevented our forming a junction as soon as was expected. Gen. Greene therefore fearing that the river might fall so as to be fordable, ordered the army to file off to Guilford Court House, where part of them arrived on the evening of the 8th, and the rest were expected to be in on the 9th. The enemy, finding they could not pass at the Trading ford, near Salisbury, marched up the south side of the Yadkin, and on the night of the 7th crossed at the Shallow ford, and had on the 9th advanced towards Salem, one of the Moravian towns, within 25 or 30 miles of Guilford Court House.
These rapid movements having prevented the junction of the militia, Gen. Greene ordered the stores and heavy baggage to be removed to Prince Edward Court House, in the State of Virginia; and having formed a
light army, composed of the cavalry of the 1st and 3d regiments, and Lieut. Col. Lee's legion, a detachment of light infantry, under Col. Howard, and some few Virginia riflemen, making in the whole 700, ordered them with the militia, to harass the enemy in their advance, & check their progress, while he with the rest of the army crossed the Roanoke. In the mean while, Gen. Sumppter was ordered to collect the militia in the upper part of South Carolina, and Gen. Pickens had orders to take the command of the men in arms in the rear of the enemy. Such was the situation of the two armies at the date of the last dispatches, which was the tenth of this month.
Extract of a letter from Major Gen. Greene, dated at Sherrard's Ford, on Catawba River, January 31.
"I have received intelligence, that 400 troops, have sailed from Charlestown for Wilmington, in North Carolina."
Extract of a letter from Col. Drayton, to Major Gen. Greene, dated Feb. 2.
"On Monday evening the 12th ult. the enemy's fleet appeared off. On Tuesday part got in, and the Thursday following the whole of them reached the first flats. The inhabitants then held a consultation on the propriety of meeting their foes with a flag, and concluded on it. In consequence they insisted on Col. Young, who commanded the militia, to withdraw the few he had (not more than fifty) and leave the town to make their own terms. This he did, and on Saturday a flag was sent, with an officer to surrender as prisoners of war, until exchanged. This the British answered, by taking possession of the town with two gallies, & about 200 infantry, on Monday the 15th, at 12 o'clock."
Extract of a letter from Major Gen. Greene, to Congress, dated January 31.
"I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter from Lieut. Col. Lee, announcing the partial success of an enterprise against George Town, which does hon'r to his corps."
Legion camp, on Sampit River, Jan. 25.
SIR,  "I have the honour to advise you of the compleat surprize of the post at Georgetown, this morning, by the infantry of the legion; Capt. Carnes, who conducted this enterprise, has claim to great merit, for the address exhibited on the occasion; the officers and soldiers under him distinguished themselves by their gallantry and firmness. My force was inadequate to the assault of the enemy's inclosed works, nor was the possession equivalent to the certain loss to be expected from such a measure; I therefore determined to pursue my principle object, by means more certain and less destructive to my troops."
"The blunders of the guides prevented a full correspondence in the movements of the cavalry and infantry, by which mistakes we were, in some degree, baffled in the important consequences which the prowess of the infantry have a right to expect."
"Many were killed, few were taken; among the former is Major Irvin; among the latter Lieut. Col. Campbell, of the Garrison."
"Disposed on all occasions to alleviate misfortunes, I have indulged Col. Campbell and the captured officers with their paroles."
"The legion has suffered very little on this expedition, one killed, two wounded, & 2 horses disabled, make up our whole loss."
"I have the honour to be, with the most perfect respect, your most obedient servant.
HENRY LEE, jun. Lt. Col.
Com. Partizan Legion."
Hon. Major Gen. Greene.
Published by order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'yry.
TRENTON, February 28.
By a letter from Morristown of the 25th inst. we learn, that a packet lately arrived at New York, has brought the following account, namely, that a large fleet of men of war and transports, with troops on board, had sailed from Brest for America, before the packet left England, and that it was supposed their particular destination was New-York. Intelligence from New York also mention, that the infamous Arnold had sent an express by a short route, to Sir H. Clinton, informing that he was blocked up by four French ships of force, and, if he had not speedy assistance, must infallibly fall into the hands of the rebels; which was immediately forwarded across Long Island to the English Admiral at Gardner's Bay. It is also added, that the defeat of Col. Tarleton was considered there as a severe stroke, and that they are in much consternation.
It is given out from abroad, that large reinforcements to the British army are to be sent over the ensuing campaign; part of them to relieve the Hessians and other foreign troops now here, who are expected to return to Europe, in the spring.
BOSTON, March 15.
On Thursday last Mr. Destouches, commander in chief of the French squadron at Newport, sailed from that place with the greater part of his squadron, among which was the Romulus, lately captured from the British. This brave and enterprising officer had on board a body of troops. The destination of this fleet remains a profound secret—Some suppose it is designed for Halifax others Virginia, and others one of the Carolinas. The object is undoubtedly important; and the zeal of our Allies to be useful to these States in the present arduous contest, and to reap laurels in America, must give great pleasure, and new animation to every friend to our independence and happiness.
We hear from New York, that Admiral Arbuthnot is highly displeased, the commander of the French squadron at Newport has lately refused the entrance of a flag from New York into that port. The British Admiral wanted, no doubt, to know the situation of Newport; and the French commander wisely chose not to gratify him, especially as other ports more convenient for the purpose, were open for exchange of prisoners.
Letters from the Southward mention, that the Marquis de la Fayette, who has already given such shining proofs of his warm and generous engagement in the cause of America, is leading a choice body of troops towards Virginia, for the aid of that States against the British invaders.
A letter from Virginia, mentions, that the troops which lately arrived at Cape Fear, consist of about 400, from Charlestown, under the command of Col. Craig.
Our enemies endeavour to avail themselves of every circumstance in their favour, by strangely magnifying it. An embarkation of 400 men from Charlestown in Wilmington has been represented as a reinforcement from Britain of 2500, under Gen. Prevost.

BOSTON, March 8. Extract of a letter from Thomastown, dated February 22, 1781.
"Last Saturday night about 12 o'clock, a party of refugee Tories and British soldiers, commanded by two British officers, surrounded the house of Gen. Wadsworth, and ceased the centinel. I was awaked by a shocking noise and trampling in the crusted snow round the house, and ran across the entry into Mr. Wadsworth's room, but saw no safety there—The windows were dashed in, and the officers in the room through them—The kitchen was forced open & full of men who fired indiscriminately every way. The house was dark and full of smoke of gun powder—Mr. Wadsworth all the while defended himself in his room, and kept the enemy out—He discharged his pistols and gun, mortally wounded two, and broke the arm a third, supposing the guards & servants would do the same; but the former were militia, who all ran and hid themselves, and never fired a gun—one of the waiters were mortally wounded, and the other taken prisoner before he was well awake—The General was badly wounded, and being overpowered and unassisted, was obliged to surrender; they would hardly allow him time to put his cloaths on, he was pale and faint with the loss of blood—They said what they could to comfort us, they assured us they would take the best care of the General, and hurried away leaving us greatly distressed. The poor wounded fellow lay groaning and bleeding to death—The house was torn almost to pieces, not a door nor window whole in it, all covered with blood, and near a mile from any house or any one to come to our assistance. 'Twas a night of woe. The men were like so many devils, swearing and dashing the things to pieces; one while they would burn the house and throw fire all over the kitchen, and fired into the beds, the officers could not keep them in order, and I believe if they had been commanded by a tory, they would have killed us all and burned the house."
CHALESTOWN, (S. C.) January 22. Exaggerated reports having, as usual on such occasions, been spread by the rebels, of an action, between their General Morgan and Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton, on the 17th instant, in which they have gone so far as to assert, that we was totally defeated; it is become necessary, in justice to the public, and to obviate the impression which bold assertions, however groundless may have on the weak and the credulous, to give the circumstances of this affair, with as much accuracy as possible, till a more minute detail shall come to hand.
The rebels, finding that Lord Cornwallis was making forward movements, attempted a diversion on the side of Ninety six; to cover which, General Morgan, with a body of Continentals and Militia, and also a corps of horse under Colonel Washington, had taken a station on the banks of the Peoet; to dislodge him from which to favour the march of the army, and to relieve Ninety six, Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton was detached with a corps of cavalry and infantry, to the westward of Broad River, and by continuing with unremitting ardour, forced marches, came up with the enemy, who had for some days retreated before him, about eight in the morning of the 17th, drawn up under cover of a wood. In this situation, the troops made their attack, and, by the vigour of it dispersed the militia, and a part of the Continentals; when receiving, in the eagerness of their pursuit, a warm fire from General Morgan's corps, which had faced on them, some were killed by this unlooked for resistance, and the ardour of the pursuit being thus check'd, the enemy had seemingly the advantage. When, thus circumstanced, Lt. Col. Washington's horse, which he forced from their ground, and by defeating a detachment of the enemy's infantry had captured some of the baggage, retook or destroyed the whole of it; when he pursued his march to Hammond's Ford, leaving as did the enemy, his killed and wounded on the field.
Though the number of killed and wounded, on either side, cannot as yet be well ascertained, there is great reason to believe our loss by no means so great as the enemy would fain insinuate; and by all accounts, Colonel Tarleton, was never more distinguished for spirit and gallantry, than on this occasion.
We have the pleasure to assure the public, from undoubted authority, that Lord Cornwallis is now in pursuit of General Morgan, who after his late action with Col. Tarleton took to the mountains, where he is likely to meet with a large numbers of Indians and embodied Loyalists, who, we are well informed, are actually in arms for us in those parts.
PORTSMOUTH, March 12.
On Friday last, quitted this transitory Life, after a lingering Sickness, Mr. JOHN FOSTER , of this Town, in the 29th Year of his Age, and on Monday following was decently inter'd.—A young Gentleman of an amiable disposition, and a genteel Deportment—in his manners easy and free, in his Religion, Steady, and free from Biggots; as a Citizen, unshaken to the interest of his Country, and of a universal Courtesy to Mankind in general—In his Death the Public have lost a very useful Member of Society, his Parents, an attentive dutiful and affectionate Son, and his Friends and Acquaintance, a very heavy Loss:—having finished the Course set before him he hath fled to the Mansions of eternal Bliss there to receive the Reward of a well spent virtuous Life.
THIS is to forbid any Person or Persons trading with, or Crediting a Negro Lad belonging to Nicholas Pickering, of Newington.
Lottery Office,
Portsmouth, February 2, 1781.
ON Tuesday the 5th of February the Renewal of Tickets for the FOURTH CLASS of the UNITED STATES LOTTERY, will commence and continue until the 24th of March, and no LONGER.—No person can be permitted to purchase more Tickets in the 4th Class than he can produce in the Third.
N. B. All Tickets that shall be unrenewed at the expiration of the above limited time, will become the Property of the United States.
State of New Hampshire.
PURSUANT to a request of the owners of more than the Sixteenth part of the town of New Durham, in the County of Strafford, the Proprietors of said New Durham are hereby notified and warned, to meet at the meeting House in said Town on Tuesday the 17th Day of April next, at 2 o'Clock P. M. then and there to act on the following articles, viz. 1st. To choose a Moderator to govern said meeting. 2d. To determine what sum of money shall be raised to defray the charge of laying out the 2d Division of said Town. 3dly. To pass such Votes and pursue such measures as may then be thought necessary.
STEPHEN EVANS, Justice Peace. Dover, February 28th, 1781.
TO BE SOLD at PUBLIC VENDUE, on Wednesday the 28th of March next at 2 o'Clock P. M. at the House of Major Peter Coffin, Innholder in Exeter, to Lots and a half of Land in the 2d Division of New Durham, viz. No. 29, 42, 44, 49, 52, 65, 74, 89, 92, 97, & a half, of No. 50, unless the Taxes upon the same are paid before that time. Elisha Thomas, Constable.
New Durham, February 28th 1781.
At the Shop directly opposite the North Door of the State House in Portsmouth, may be bought,—
CORDAGE from 2 to 4 & half Inches, Sixty or Seventy Quintals of good Fish—A large Net used for Cod Fishery. Together with Bohea Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Cotton, Duffels, Check and white Linnen, some China, Earthen and Glass Ware, &c. &c.
Portsmouth, February 9, 1781.
THURSDAY the 1st of March
A SCHOOL was open'd for MISSES, By BENJAMIN DEARBORN , at his House in pay'd Street,—where Reading, Spelling, Writing, and Arithmetic, will be taught from 9 to 12 o'clock A. M. and from 2 to 5 P. M.
Portsmouth 1780.
TO BE SOLD, or EXCHANG'D, For Shipping FURRS,
A Good Assortment of Beaveritt, Castor, and Felt HATS, at the Shop of DANIEL PEIRCE , in Portsmouth:—
—Where may be had,— A Variety of English and West India GOODS, Groceries, &c. as cheap as at any Shop in Town.—N. B. A few sets of Plough IRONS, may be had at said Shop; cheap for Cash or Country Produce.
Just PUBLISHED,
And to be sold by JOHN MYCALL at his Printing Office, near the Rev. Mr. Cary's Meeting House in Newbury Port, and BENJA. DEARBORN , in Portsmouth—
An ORATION,
Delivered at Hackinsack on the 10th of September 1780, at the Interment of the Hon. Brigadier ENOCH POOR , General of the New Hampshire Brigade.
By ISRAEL EVANS , A. M. and Chaplain to said Brigade.
TO BE SOLD,
LAND in almost any Township in Masons Patent, for particulars Enquire at the Printing Office.
BOSTON March 25.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman at Newport, dated March 7.
"His Excellency Gen. WASHINGTON , arrived yesterday in the forenoon on board the Admiral, when Gen. ROCHAMBEAU met him:—After spending an hour or two on board, he landed about one o'clock, at the end of Long Wharfe.—Prior to this, the troops were turned out:—The General marched through them to Count ROCHAMBEAU's quarters; when a dinner was provided:—It would have afforded you the highest pleasure, to have seen with what satisfaction, and joy he was noticed, by every officer and private in the French line as he walked:—After he arrived at Gen. Rochambeau's quarters, and before dinner the officers of the several corps came and paid him their respects:—The town ran together, to devise a mode, in which they might evidence their joy on the occasion:—To illuminate the town, was the result of their meeting:—At dark the candles were lighted. Ringing of bells and every demonstration of joy, marked the evening.—About ten, the General, a large number of officers and inhabitants of the town, supped with Baron VIOMINA , and about eleven, he retired to his quarters."