Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-05-16

Washington's headquarters being at Nor
ristown.
Soon after my return home, / received an
invitation from General Washington, to take
the Office of Acknowledgement This &C
cepted. and Joined the army under his COM
mand at MiddIebrook, in New Jersey.
General Howe having embarked his ar
nv at New-York, to proceed, as it was un-
derstood, either TO Delaware or Chesa-
peake Bav, General Washington's army
marched from New-Jersey TO the state of
Delaware and thence into the adjacent
part Of PennsylvaI 4, oppose the British
army then maro.sin,, 4 om the Head IF Elk
for philadelphia. On the nth Of Septem-
Der, the battle Of Brandywine took place.
After carrying General Washington's orders
to general officer at Chadsford. repaired
TO the right where the battle commenced /;
and remained by the generals side to its
termination at the close Of the day. Orders
were give for the troops to rendezvous at
Chester, whence they marched the next
day to the neighbourhood Of Philadelphia
When refreshed and supplied with ammu-
milton, the army again crossed the SchuY-
kill river, and advanced to meet General
Howe. On the 10th Of September, in the
morning, information was received Of the
approach Of the enemy. Some detachments
were made to reinforce the advanced
guards, and keep the enemy in check UNI
Til the American army should be arrayed
for action. General Washington ordered
me to the right wing, to aid in forming the
order Of battle. On my return to the centre,
| found the line not formed. Seeing the
commander il chief with number Of Off
GERS about hims as in consultation, press
ed my horse up TO learn the object. 1t was
. question whether we should receive the
British on the ground then occupied by our
troops, or retire beyond a valley in their
rear, in which the ground was said to be
wet, and impossible with artillery, which,
IN case of a defeat, would Of course BE lost &
excepting that with the left wing command
ed By General Greene, through which there
was 6rm road. BY this time the FIRE Of
the troops engaged appeared to be drawing
near. AT this moment, the consultation vet
continuing, | addressed General Washing
ton. Sir, (said ID the advancing Of the
British is manifested BY the reports of the
musketry. The order of battle is not corn
pleted. If we are to fight the enemy on
this ground, the troops ought 70 be immedi-
zteiy arranged. If We are to take the high
grounds on the other side Of the valley, we
ought 10 march immediately or the enemy
may fall upon Us in the midst Of our move
ment. -" Let us more"--was the Gener-
ais snBDSer. The movement took Pfacc.
Ii had begun % rain. tn British army
halted. Ours foriaed on the high ground
beyond the valley, and there remained dur
inc a very rainy dsy. We then marched 70
a place called the yellow Springs The
cartridge boxes were bad, and nearly all
The ammunition N them was spoiled Hence
IL became necessary 70 keep aloof from the
enemy Till fresh ammunition could be made
up and distributed
On the 4th Of October, General Washing
ton attacked the British troops at German 4
town. After the right wing. commanded
by General Sullivan, lad for some time been
eriskiv engaged, General Washington sent
the forward with an order TO that officer
Having delivered il, returned to rejoin the
commander in chief.-It had been found
that party Of the British troops had taken
post IN large and strong stone house, since
well known by the name Of Chew's house,
on which our light field artillery could make
mo- impression. This house stood back a
few rods fram the road FIRST discovered
The enemy % BE- there, BY their firing al me
from tie windows, % ny return from Gen
eral Sullivan.
On reioinihg General Washington, I
found a question was agtated, in lis pres
ence, Whether the whole OF the troops
then behind should pass on, regardless Of
the enemy in Chew's house, or summon
them to surrender. A brave and distin-
guished officer lnow no more urged sum
mons He said It would be " unmilitary %
leave a castle il our rear" I answered.
+" doubtless, that IS q correct general max
i'm; but II does not apply in this case. We
know the extent Of this castle (Chew's
house D and to guard against the danger
from the ene.ny's .allying out and falling OH
the rear If our troops small regiment
may be posted here to watch them and ii
they sally ont, such 2 regiment sriH take coyr
81 them. But Il added) to summon them 10
surrender win Be Useless We are nov III
the midst of the battle and its issue Is I'M
known I'll this state Of uncertainty, and
50 well secured al the enemy End them
selves, they will not regard a summons
the vyiH fire at yop fag However, sub
altern officer, with white flag and drum,
was sent with summons. He had reach
ell the gate at the road, when 4 shot from
a window gave him a wound Of which he
died.+
NOTES.
Since zbyitfrg this, have turned 10 Cor
y.-...-. - s,t.grt-, 49,. 4 LID