The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-05-09

which many of His Majrsty'S faithful
subjects are still exposed by the cintinu-
auce of the rebellion; and 40 less DESTROYS
of protecting the innocent than determine
ing to pursue with the ri"ors of war all
ttt"~" whom His Majesty's forces in the
c"Hr>" of their progress may find in arms
iagau>t the King, dolh hereby assure the
pcaccablr inhabitants of the province of
Pennsylvania, the lower counties OH
Delaware and the counties of Maryland
on the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay
that in order to remove any groundlCSs
approximations which may have been
raised of their suffering by dcprcdations
of the army under his command He
hath issued the $trictest orders to the
troops for the preservation of regularity
and good discipline; and has Signiiicd that
the most exemplary punishment shall he
inflicted upon those who shall dare to
plumber their property or modest the per-
SONS of any of His Majesty's we'll dis
posed subjects.
Security and protection are likewise
extended to all persons, inhabitants If
the province and counties aforesaid. who
mot guilty of having assumed Legislative
or judicial authority may have acted
scous of their misconduct been induced
Ito leave their dwellings Provided such
persons do forthwith return and remain
pcaceably in their usual places of abode.
considering, moreover that many off
GERS ana private men, now actually in
arms against His Majesty, may be will
ing to rclinqush the part they have
taken in this rebellion and return to their
due allegiance. Sir William Howe doth
therefore promise free and general
pardon to all such officers ami private
men rs shall voluntarily come and Sur-
render themselves tn any detachment of
his MajcSty'S forces before the day on
which it shall he notified, that the said
Indulgence shall be discontinued.
"tiivcn under my hand ut Head Quar-
tiers of tlr Army, the 9th of August,
III, by His EXcellrncy'S command.
"ROBERT MCKENZIE,
| "Srcrtary.'
In II letter dated AT Mr.. RuSSlc'S. at the
head Of North East, on the 9th of .Au-
lguSt, and addressed to Governor Johnson
by benjamin Rumsey, he states that
there We're about one hundred men under
arms, of which number about SiXty-twU
were 1T North East and CharrStnwn.
He complains Of the want of arms, and
speaks of two Hessian deSrrterS. who
had come to North East that morning.
The two days after the British landed
Were stormy, which probably prevented
them from advancing sooner: but on tho
morning Of the 9th of August, two
brigalrs Of light infantry under Howe
marched 10y the old road. traces of which
l,. NJ hat lAl
Elk Ferry to the Head Of Elk, leaving
large division of the heavier troops.
under command of Generals Knyphau>en
and Agnrw, at Elk Ferry, with instruct
ions To cross the Elk River to Bohemia
Manor. The British did not contine
th"m>rlv", to the road after crossing
l.ittl" Elk Creek. hut spread over the
fields on each side Of it. their pioneers or
vanguard tearing down the fences and
other instructions to make way for the
others. 1t was said to have been
beautiful sight 10 see them as they came
in sight on the level slope west of the
town. their scarlet coats and bright guns
and bayonets cleaning in the rave Of an
learly August sun. After reaching the
Head of Elk (now Elkton) the British
lcncampcd on the plain, northwest Of the
town, where they remained for several
days.
While the British were ut Elkton they
destroyed large quantity Of grain that
was stored in Il warehouse that stood
i'll the "linllow' near where Prices
hotel now stands. The warehouse was
la frame building, and stood on the east
side Of Il canal or ditch that had been
dug for the purpose of bringing vessels
close To il. To facilitate the loading If
| grain tn" British tore the weather.
boarding of this warehouse AMI filled the
ditch fun OF grain. The British General
appears 10 have left part of his force
here for som" time. probably Il >mall
garrison, t" hold the town and keep open
his line of communication with the fleet
III the river.
The Americans had Il small body #
troops at Elk Forge. which was IL place
of much Importance at that time, and
had been in operation for about sixteen
years. They also had line of posts or
stations by way of Kenneth Square TO
Philadelphia, and kept up communication
by means of couricrs ON horseback who
changed horses ut each station.
While the British held the town they
|
parties, and III" Americans ut the forge
had their scouts on the alert, in order
IL be Informed of their operations. 1t
was Will" doing duty as Il scout that Il
grand uncle of the author fell in with II
squad of these British officers near the
site Of the bridge across Big Elk. north
Of tn" town, known as Gilpin'S bridge.
He was ON the north side of the creek,
aud they were on the opposite bank,
near where the house now stands. The
creek was Skirtcd On each side with
bushes and trees, and the old gentleman
fired at them before they saw him, and
to use his own words, zone of them set
tied down on his horses neck The old
soldier did not think it safe to stay longer
ut that time but returned Il short time
after the evacuation of Elliton by the
British and found a fresh grave in the
Hat between the bluff and the creek. The