New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-04-23 00:00:00

THE New - Hampshire Gazette OR, State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, April 23, 1781.
[ No. 1277. ]
PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 4. Head Quarters, Iron Works, North-Carolina, March 10, 1781.
SIR, SINCE I had the honour of addressing your Excellency last, there has been changes in our circumstances. On the second, Lieut. Col. Lee, with a detachment of riflemen, attacked the advance of the British army, under Col. Tarleton, near Allamance, and killed and wounded, by report, about thirty of them. On the 6th the British moved down towards High Rock, either with a view to intercept the stores or to cut off our light infantry from the main body of the army, then advanced near seven miles; but they were handsomely opposed, and suffered considerably without effecting any thing.
This Manoeuvre occasioned me to retire over the Haw river, & move down the north side of it, with a view to secure our stores, coming to the army, and to form a junction with several considerable reinforcements of Carolina and Virginia militia, and one regiment of Virginia eighteen months men, on the march from Hillsborough to High Rock. I effected this business, and retired towards Guilford Court house.
The militia had been on such loose and uncertain footing, ever since we crossed the Dan, that I could attempt nothing with confidence, though we kept within ten or twelve miles of the enemy for several days. The enemy kept close, seemingly determined that we should gain no advantage of them, without finding something of consequence. I have the honour to be with great respect and esteem, your most obedient humble servant, NATHANIEL GREENE. His Excellency Gen. Washington.
Camp at the Iron Works, 10 miles from Guilford Court House, March 16, 1781.
SIR, ON the 10th I wrote to his Excellency Gen. Washington, from the High Rock Ford, on the Haw River, a copy of which I enclosed your Excellency that I had effected a junction with a Continental regiment of 8 months men, and two considerable bodies of militia belonging to Virginia and North Carolina. After this junction finding that our force was much more respectable than it had been, and that there was a much greater probability of its declining than increasing, and that there would be the greatest difficulty of subsisting it long in the field in this exhausted country, I took the resolution of attacking the enemy without loss of time, and made the necessary disposition accordingly; being persuaded that if we were successful it would prove ruinous to the enemy, and if otherwise, would only prove a partial evil to us.
The enemy marched from the High Rock Ford on the 12th and on the 14th arrived at Guilford. The enemy lay at the Quaker Meeting House, on Deep River, eight miles from our camp. On the morning of the 15th our reconnoitring parties reported the enemy advancing on the great Salisbury road. The army was drawn up in three lines. The front line was composed of the North Carolina militia under the command of Generals Butler and Eaton—the second line of Virginia militia, commanded by General Stevens and Lawton, forming two brigades—the 3d line consisting of two brigades, one of Virginia and one of Maryland Continental troops commanded by Gen. Hugar and Col. Wil-
liams. Lt. Col. Washington, with the dragoons of the 1st and 3d regiments, a detachment of light infantry, composed of Continental troops, and a regiment of riflemen under Col. Lynch formed a corps of observation for the security of our right flank. Lieut. Col. Lee with his legion, a detachment of light infantry and a corps of riflemen under Col. Campbell formed a corps of observation for the security of our left flank.
The greater part of the Country is a wilderness, with a few cleared fields interspersed here and there. The army was drawn up upon a large hill of ground, surrounded by other hills, the greater part of which was covered with timber and thick under brush. The front line was posted with two field pieces just in the edge of the woods, and the back of a fence which run parallel with the line, with an open field directly in their front. The second line was in the woods about 300 yards in the rear of the first; and the Continental troops about 300 yards in the rear of the second, with a double front as the hill drew to a point where they were posted, and on the right & left were two old fields.
In this position we waited the approach of the enemy, having previously sent off the baggage to this place, appointed to rendezvous at in case of a defeat. Lt. Col. Lee with his legion, his infantry, and part of his riflemen, met the enemy on their advance, and had a very severe skirmish with Lt. Col. Tarleton, in which the enemy suffered greatly. Capt. Armstrong charged the British legion and cut down near 30 of their dragoons; but, as the enemy reinforced their advanced party, Lieut. Col. Lee was obliged to retire and take his position in the line.
The action Commenced by a cannonade which lasted about twenty minutes, when the enemy advanced in three columns; the Hessians on the right, the guards in the centre, and Lieut. Col. Webster's brigade on the left. The whole moved through the old fields to attack the North Carolinas brigade, who waited the attack until the enemy got within about one hundred and forty yards, when part of them began a fire, but a considerable part left the ground without firing at all. The Generals and field officers did all they could to induce the men to stand their ground; but neither the advantages of the position nor any other consideration could induce them to stay. Gen. Stephens and Gen. Lawton, and the field officers of those brigades were more successful in their exertions. The Virginia militia gave the enemy a warm reception, and kept up a heavy fire for a long time; but being beat back, the action became general almost everywhere. The corps of observation under Washington and Lee were warmly engaged and did great execution. In a word the conflict was long and severe, and the enemy only gained their point by superior discipline.
They having broke the second Maryland regiment, and turned our left flank, and got into the rear of the Virginia brigade, & appearing to be gaining our right, which would have encircled the whole of the continental troops, I thought it most adviseable to order a retreat. About this time Lieut. Col. Washington made charge with the horse upon a part of the brigade of guards; & the first regiment of Marylanders, commanded by Col. Gauby, and seconded by Lt. Col. Howard, followed the horse with their bayonets; near the whole of this party fell a sacrifice. Ge-
neral Hugar was the last that was engaged, and gave the enemy a check. We retreated in good order to the reedy Ford river, and crossed at the ford, about three miles from the field of action, and there halted and drew up the troops until we collected most of our stragglers. We lost our artillery and two ammunition waggons, the greatest part of the horses being killed before the retreat began, and it being impossible to move the pieces but along the great road. After collecting our stragglers we retired to this camp, ten miles distant from Guilford.
From the best information I can get, the enemy's loss is very great, not less in killed and wounded, than six hundred men, besides some few prisoners that we brought off.
Inclosed I send your Excellency a return of our killed, wounded and missing. Most of the latter have gone home, as is but too customary with militia after an action. I cannot learn that the enemy have got any considerable number of prisoners. Our men are in good spirits and in perfect readiness for another field day. I only lament the loss of several valuable officers, who are killed and wounded in the action. Among the latter is General Stevens, shot through the thigh, and Gen. Hugar in the hand; and among the former is Major Anderson of the Maryland line.
The firmness of the officers and soldiers, during the whole campaign, has been almost unparellelled. Amidst innumerable difficulties, they have discovered a degree of magnanimity and fortitude that will forever add a lustre to their military reputation. I have the honor to be, with very great respect and esteem, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
NATHANIEL GREENE.
His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq; President of Congress.
Continental. Killed, 1 Major, 1 Captain, 3 subalterns, 5 serjeants, 47 rank and file. Wounded, 8 Captains, 4 subalterns, 6 serjeants, 93 rank and file. Missing, 3 serjeants, 8 drummers, 150 rank and file. Total, 1 Major, 9 Captains, 7 subalterns, 14 serjeants, 8 drummers, 290 rank and file.
Published by Order, CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
By a Letter from the Marquis de la Fayette, the British fleet which sailed the 24th, had returned next day to Lynhaven Bay, and were accompanied by a number of vessels, supposed to be the transports from N. York. The above is thought to be the embarkation that has been long preparing at New-York, and to consist of 2500 troops, under command of General Phillips.
Agreeable to a Resolution of Congress, the drawing of the Fourth Class of the United States LOTTERY commenced the 4th instant, at the office in Front-street.
WESTMINSTER, (State of Vermont) April 9.
We hear from Windsor, that the General Assembly, at their present session, have adopted a union with the towns on the Grants East of the River, on the principles proposed by the Committees of the Legislature and Convention, at their last session; and that the members from those towns have taken their seats in the House accordingly.

BY THE UNITED STATES IN CON- GRESS, ASSEMBLED, March 16, 1781. RESOLVED , That all Debts now due from the United States, which have been liquidated in Specie Value, & all Debts which have been or shall be made payable in Specie, or in other Money equivalent, shall be actually paid either in Specie, or in other Money equivalent thereto, according to the current Exchange between such Money and Specie.
That it be and hereby is recommended to the several States, to amend their Laws, mak- ing the Bills of Credit emitted under the Authority of Congress a legal Tender, so that such Bills shall not be a Tender in any other Manner than at their current Value compar- ed with Gold or Silver. Extract from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMSON , Sec.
BOSTON, April 19.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer in the southern Army, dated Reedy Creek, 4 Miles from Guilford Court-House, North Carolina, March 16, 1781.
ON the 15th instant we met Lord Corn- wallis, and a general action ensued; our force being mostly militia, we were not able wholly to destroy my Lord & his army, but it is certain, that we have killed and wounded 7 or 800 of them. Our loss is about 50 killed, and 220 wounded & missing; we retired to this place to day, the enemy retired near Guilford Court House. I consider this action like that of Burgoyne, the 19th of September 1777, he kept the field, but it proved his ruin.
"What a glorious opportunity now offers to put an end to the war—The enemy in this country by victories and defeats, have lost two thirds of their army since the taking of Char- lestown, and a little exertion of the States would totally destroy them. I fear you will not make these exertions before you are scourged to it by the enemy. It is a very foolish way to ruin an enemy by allowing him to obtain expensive victories when we might so easily do it by defeats, tho' I am certain his ruin is inevitable."
We hear that the hon. Robert Morris, Esq., has been appointed by Congress, Superin- tendant General of the Finances of America; and that the abilities, integrity & patriotism of this gentleman, give room to hope, that ways & means will now be found to remove many of the embarrassments of this country, by furnishing her with the sinews of war, &c.
Capt. Ganes in a privateer from Salem, has taken two prizes, one a brig, with 200 pipes Madeira wine, which he ordered home; the other a schooner with fish, which was sent for Martinico.
By a vessel arrived at Beverly since our last, in 28 days from Port Dauphen, we learn, it was reported there, that a French fleet, con- sisting of 17 sail of the line, & a large num- ber of transports, had arrived at St. Piers in Martinico.
By Capt. Thorndike, who also arrived at Beverly, since our last, we learn, that the Is- land of Curassow was in quiet possession of the Dutch the 1st of March.
Arrived in a safe port, a ship from Cork, bound to New York, laden with pork, flour, butter, peas and cordage; prize to the snow Rothambeau, Capt. Molally.
Extract from Capt. Grinnell's Journal of Occurrences.
"Cadiz, December 26, 1780. This Day arrived here from Lisbon, Ebenezer Nicker- son, late Commander of the Brig William and Polly, belonging to Isaac Smith, Esq.; of Boston, who informs that on his Passage to that Port from Vigo, on the 19th of Oct. ult. in Lat. 43 N. and Long. 58 W. in a hard Gale of Wind, his Vessel foundered and sunk—That his Mate and five others of his People perished, viz. Nathaniel Clark, Sam. Stebbins, Samuel Akins, of Boston, Henry Brealy, Stephen Gage, Josiah Gage, and —Crail, of Cape Cod.—That Nehemiah Eldridge, Barnabas Parker, Richard Foreth-
gill,—Hamilton, of Cape Cod,—and Farr, of France, the rest of his Company, having, with himself, taken to the Boat, were fortu- nately taken up, five Hours afterwards, by an English Brig, in which they arrived safe Lisbon."
Wanted immediately,
For the Use of the TROOPS raised by this STATE,
A QUANTITY of Yarn Stockings;— and Cotton or Cotton and Linnen for Shirting.—Also, Mens Neats Leather Shoes, made agreeable to an Act of the State.— Any Person inclining to contract for a Num- ber of Pair, may know the Terms by apply- ing at the War-Offices in this Town and Exeter, where Cash is paid for Shirting and Stockings. Portsmouth, April 21, 1781.
Monsieur Leamant, has for Sale,
At the House of Mrs. Talpey in Portsmouth, RUM by the Cask,—SUGAR by the Bar- rel, or larger Quantity,—COFFEE by the Cask,—French BRANDY by the Cask.— Portsmouth, April 19, 1781.
WHEREAS my Father, Jonathan Al- len, of Greenland, is adjudged Non- compas mentas, and I the Subscriber being appointed by the Honorable Phillips White, Esq; Judge of Probate of Wills, &c. Guar- dian to my said Father, do hereby forbid all Persons trading with or trusting him, as I will pay no Debts that he may contract.
Jonathan Allen, junr. Greenland, April 21, 1781.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, ROCKINGHAM, ff.
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDI- CATURE &c. will be holden at Port- mouth, in and for said County, by Adjourn- ment, on the fourth Tuesday of April In- stant, of which, all Persons concerned, are desired to take Notice, and act accordingly.
By Order, SAMUEL SHERBURNE, junr. Clerk. Portsmouth, April 11, 1781.
Siberian Wheat,
Free from Adulteration, to be Sold by JOHN SPARHAWK, Portsmouth.
To be leased out for one Year,
A Tavern House at Greenland, well known by the Name of Clark's Tavern. Enquire of Mary Clark of said Greenland.
SIX MONTHS TIME from the Date being allowed by the Hon. PHILLIPS WHITE, Esq; Judge of the Probate of Wills, &c. for the County of Rockingham, to the several Creditors to the Estates of Thomas Forsey and of Benjamin Forsey, both late of Albany, in the State of New-York, Merchants, deceased, represented Insolvent, the Com- missioners appointed to receive and examine said Claims, give Notice, that they will meet at Mrs. Tilton's in Portsmouth, on the last Monday in April next, and the five following Months, from 6 to 8 o'Clock P. M. to receive said Claims. Portsmouth, March 28, 1781.
WANTED to Hire a good Hand, to work on a Farm, within a few miles of Portsmouth, for which a good price will be given.
Enquire of the Printer, Portsmouth. PORTSMOUTH, April 21.
Last Monday, about two o'Clock After- noon, by some Accident, two Barns, on the Farm at Greenland, which the Rev. Mr. McClintock lives on, took Fire, which was consumed immediately; together with six Tons of Hay, eight Calves, &c. and which was a great Loss to Mr. McClintock; as also to the Owner of the Farm, Mr. Apple- ton of Haverhill.
Take Notice,
Advertisement.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth, that the LAW against SWINE going at large in that Part of said Town from the Head of BOYD's mill Pond up the Road to the Pound, and from thence down the Road to MICHAEL WENT- WORTH's, Esq; is revived and made per- petual with high and great Penalties; it is therefore expected that the Inhabitants of said Town will exert themselves to carry this salutary Measure into Effect; and if any Person should disregard the same, they must expect to forfeit each HOG found go- ing at large, after this Public Notice is then given.
By Order of the Selectmen, of said Town. Portsmouth, April 17, 1781.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
THE Non-resident Owners of LAND in the following Towns, viz. Chester, New-Chester, Bedford, Windham, Plymouth, Haverhill, Raymond, Stratford, Heniker, Moultonborough, Chilmark, War- rington, Warren, Cheapsfield, Lempster, New-Hamp- shire, Hopkinton, Rindge, Weare, Boscawen, Lan- caster, Savile second Tax, Sanbornton ditto, Cocker- mouth ditto, Dorchester ditto, New-Hampton ditto, Jeffrey ditto, Mason ditto, Packerfield, Sandwich; are hereby notified, that their Lands in said Towns were taxed for the Year 1780, and if not paid within eight Weeks from the first publication of this Advertise- ment, either to the Collector or Subscriber, they will be notified for Sale: THOMAS ODIORNE, Receiver of Non-residents Taxes. Exeter, March 16, 1781.
The above Advertisement is inserted in the New- Hampshire Gazette, printed at Exeter, so that the Own- ers of Lands are advised to look out sharp, and pay their Taxes in Season.
ALL Persons that have any Demands on the Estate of Mr. John Foster, late of this Town, deceased, are desired to render their Accounts for Payment: And those who are Indebted to said Estate, are desired to make Payment to—
JOSHUA WENTWORTH, Executor. Portsmouth, April 5th, 1781.
Any Person having Books on loan, be- longing to said Estate, are desired to return them to the Executor.
LONDON, November 4.
Lord North was blooded three times Thursday. The measures, system, and plan of the Court are so fixed, that even his death suppose it were to happen, would make no alteration. The runners of the interior Ca- binet, make no scruple of saying, the King has already fixed upon Mr. Jenkinson, for his successor.
October 27. The Fleet which is to sail for America, from Ireland, will consist at least of 100 sail, besides Men of War and armed Ships, which will convoy them all the way.
The Piece sign'd, Extraditio Adolescents, is receiv'd by the Printer, but could not be inserted this Week, but perhaps may next, provided the Author calls to the Printing- Office.