Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-05

/ hut BHtliul0 lTOiu
view | had from their enoampment.
But few tents were to bs seen from
| Iron Hill and Grey's Hill, which are
the only eminenoes about Elk"
Wilmington, 29th of Aug.-Wash-
| ington to President of Congress-On
my return to ghis place last evening
from White Clny Greek, was honored
with yours OF the 9th.
The enemy advanced a part of their
army yesterday to Grey's Hill about
two miles ON this side Of Elk; whether
they intend to take post there ur to
cover while they remove what stores
they found in the town, L cannot yet
| determine -
Wilmington, Aug. 30.- Washington
Ia President of Congress- Since had
the honor of addressing you yesterday.
nothing of importance has occurred,
and the enemy remain as they were. l
was accommodating the country and diff
ferent roads all yesterday and am now
setting out on the same business again.
1 "Sensible of the advantages of light
troops have formed>>a corps under the
command of brigadeer by drafting
hundred from each brigade which is to
be constantly near the enemy and to
give them every possible annoyance.
! Wilmington, 8 p. m. Sd of Sept.
l777. Washington to President of Con-
gress: This morning the enemy came
out with considerable force and three
pieces of artillery against our light ad-
vanced corps, and after some pretty
smart skirmishing, obliged them to re
treat, being far superior In numbers,
and without cannon. The loss on either
side Is not yet ascertained. Ours,
though not exactly known, is not very
considerable; theirs, we have reason to
believe, was much greater, az some OF
our parties, composed of expert marks
men, had opportunity of giving them
several close, we'll directed fires, more
particularly In one instance, when a
body of riHemen formed a kind Of am
buscade. They advanced about two
miles this side of Iron Hill and then
Withdrew to that Ilace, leaving picket
at Cooch's mill, about mile in front.
Our parties now lie at White Clay
Greek, except the advanced pickets,
which are at Christiana bridge. On
Monday a large detachment Of the
enemy landed at Cscil Court House and
this morning had advice OF their hav-
ing advanced on the New Castle road as
far as Carson's tavern. Parties Of horse
were sent out to reconnoiter them
which went three miles beyond the Red
, Lion, but could neither sec nor hear OF
them, when l con lecture they filed oil
by road to their left and fell IN with
their main body. The design of their
movement this morning seems to have
baen to disperse our light troops, who
had been troublesome to than, and to
gain possession of Iron Hill; to estab-
, lish q post there most probably for Gov
| | aripr moi rat n m nj aooihanta -
Wilmington, Sept. 7th, 1777. Wash
ington to Major General Heath-Since
Gen. Howe's debarkation in Elk River
be has moved on about seven miles
, his main body now lies at Iron Hill,
, and ours near a village called Newport.
II In this position the armies are from
, eight to ton miles apart 1t is yet very
uncertain what Gen. Howe's plan ol
operation will be. t.
, Eight miles from Wilmington, Sept.
9th, TIT. Washington to President OF
Congress enemy advanced yester-
day with seeming intention Of attack
ing us upon our. post near Newport. We
waited for them the whole day; but
. they halted In the evening at place
called Milltown about two miles from
US. Upon accommodating their situation,
it appeared probable that they only
,, meant to ainuse us in front while their
real intent was to march by our right,
and, by suddenly passing the Brandy
wine and gaining the heights upon the
north side of that river get between us
and Philadelphia, and cut us off from
that city. 10 prevent this, it was
judged expedient to change our position
Immediately. The army accordingly
! marched at O'Clock this morning and
will take post this evening upon the
high ground near Uhadd's Ford. "
The following items from the journal
of Lieut. James MoMichael Of the
Pennsylvania line shows the movements
. OF the American army after it's arrival
in Delaware;
, August 26.-At a. m. we marched
from our eucampment to Brandywine
, Bridge, near Wilmington, when turn
, ing N. N. W. we proceeded few miles
and encamped near the east bank OF
the creek. Here | was ordered on court
martial duty. Here we also learned that
the enemy had landed and were en-
camped at Iron Hill.
August 27.-Recsived orders this
evening to march next day to White
, Clay Greek.
"August 2S.-We marched from our
enoampment at a. m. and proceeding
through Wilmington, Newport and
, Rising Sun Cecil county, Maryland
, encamped in White Clay Greek hun
dred, VT ere We learned the enemy were
near Newark and had driven in the
militia. Here we lay under arms, with
, out tents or blankets, as the wagons
were left in the rear. A detachment oil
, | 100 men were sent out from Weedon e
brigade to observe the movements OF
, the enemy. We expect general attack
tomorrow.
august Cat a. m. we marched
from White Clay Greek proceeded N.
, e. few miles up the Lancaster road
, then turning marched to the heights oil
} Newport, on Red CLAY Greek, where we
! took post. Our scouting party returned
with IA regulars, prisoners, They gaTt
, us to understand that their army wa:
/ not advancing, but that they intended
! shortly to attempt the conquest OF
Philadelphia. Our enoampment kere
. was exceedingly beautiful, and being
chiefly surrounded by Wing innabi
| tants, was to us very agreeable.
: 'Septembet 2.-An expr ess arrived
5 at p. IN. with this news that the enem.
/ we're advancing. We struck tents Gno
' marched to an advantageous height al
I the intersection of the roads leading tt
| Newport and Wilmington and remained
I under arms to 3 p. M, when we Learned
8 that the enemy had advanced to tins
heights near Christiana bridge and
halted. Orders were issued to cook ouI
provisions and to be ready to march a
I m oment's notice.
ma