their dead, the Rebels sent one for the same the fire, which seemed to come from one purpose; the truce lasted from ten till four gun; nothing more material during the P. M., the French fired several cannon when night. it expired. Between 8 and 9 P. M. our 14th. More deserters from the French picquets fired on the right several shots; and Rebels who make the same report as the lines lay on their arms all night, and the former-at nine this morning a flag out the seamen stood to their cannon. No to settle an exchange of prisoners; some other firing.from either side during the information gives us reason to suspect a night. vigorous attack from the French, as soon 11th. This morning very foggy, no alarm as they have got off their heavy baggage from the enemy, our line very alert and in cannon, sick and wounded-we fired at high spirits; the French and Rebels sent times during the night on the enemy's in flags of truce during the greatest part of works, they returned two shot only, from the day; the enemy employed burying two small pieces, supposed to be six their dead, carrying off their wounded, and pounders. searching for their missing. The French 15th. The enemy very quiet this morntake off all their cannon and mortars in the ing, we could not hear the Rebels revallie night, leaving only some small field pieces the French beat the drums, but fired no to amuse us, our whole lines in spirits, morning gun; a light ship came to Five ready for another attack. Several deserters, Fathom Hole, suppose to water. Two French and Rebel, come in, and all report gallies joined the two former ones—more that the enemy are moving, and that their deserters come in and report the enemy to loss in the attack is much more than we be on the retreat, that their loss the mornimagined, the Rebels miss 1300, the French ing of the engagement was very great, loss uncertain, but greater than the Rebels, particularly in their best officers, they are as they fought like soldiers, and were killed very sickly, and discontented with the and wounded, but the Rebels loss is from Rebels; the regiment Darmagnac are on desertion immediately after the defeat. their march to Bewis, with baggage, sick 12th. The French amused us with four and wounded, the night quiet, firing cannon shot at day break, more deserters occasionally from the grand battery on the come in, say they are retreating, Count enemy's entrenchment, they returned 3 or d'Estaing was at the attack and was dan- 4 shot. gerously wounded in two places, and 16th. The French beat the revallie, the the flower of the French army killed or rebels did not; more deserters from the wounded-Count Polaskie mortally wound- French confirming the former reports of ed. The enemy very quiet all night, open'd a new battery on the right of three 4 pounders. their great loss and retreat, we are however on our guard. The frigates in the river loose their topsails, as we suppose, to 13th. We fired a gun at three in the drop down and cover the retreat of the morning, the French returned two shot, French. An alarm at sunset, that the the whole line very alert, and under arms, enemy was forming in our front, the lines a flag out at nine to return the wounded under arms; the rebels set fire to some French officers and soldiers-the frigate in houses on our right, as well as in our the Back River moved down at high front-our armed negroes skirmishing with water-hear'd several guns from the sea, the Rebels the whole afternoon, we fired which we suppose signals; more deserters occasionally during the night on the come in, who reported the enemy's loss to ehemy's works and camp; they returned be great, the Rebel militia are mostly gone two shot. off, and the rest dispirited and ready to march to Charles Town; our batteries in front fired on the enemy's works at intervals during the night, the enemy returned 17th. The French beat the revallie, the Rebels did not; heard the report of several cannon; a manager of Sir James Wright's from Ogeeche, reports that the enemy were preparing for a retreat, that they lost the tunity of answering your kind letter as that day of the attack 1500 men, killed and of Coll Johnston, altho' an interview would wounded, and the desertion. very great; much better serve to disclose or unburthen fire as usual at the enemy's works, they the mind which cannot so properly be done returned three shot. by Pen and ink. 18th. The French beat the revallie, the Your soldiers shirts are by this time I hope Rebels did not, but were heard working in gone forward, with Overalls, and as much the woods, the armed negroes brought in dispatch in procuring Shoes as can well be two Rebel Dragoons and eight horses, and made. As you are now to have but a fewe kiiled two rebels who were in a foraging hints, the great concern of an Empty Treaparty; only one deserter this day from sury with a thousand daily demands, forms the French, who gives the same account the front line of my highest fears and deepest as the former ones; many boats observed distress-we want at this moment to draw passing from the enemy's vessels and money, produce, transpor ation, &c. from their army-nothing material during the these States to whom we are already deeply night, we fired as usual on their works, and indebted, and whom our delinquency in paythey returned three shot from a six pounder, ment disenables from advancing those Taxes our lines very alert and generally on their whereon at present we depend.-How the arms ready to receive the enemy. scheme of business and Finance contained 19th. The French beat the revallie, the in the resolution of the 18th of March last Rebels not, but were heard cutting in the will operate for our relief is yet uncertain woods; the ship that came to Five Fathom but doubted by too many, for altho' it is Hole moved down the river, as we sup- considered by many good judges to be posed, full of water and the French baggage. at once just and wise respecting the pub20th. The French beat the revallie, but lick at large, yet various individuals supdid not fire the morning gun; two de- pose themselves injured or disappointed by serters that came in this day, say the fixing the money at forty to one, and thereRebels marched off yesterday evening, fore decry the measure. Mr. Laurens by after having fired their camp; the frigate our reverse of fortune in South Carolina has fell down lower, but the wind being against been retarded in his voiage to Holand for her, she could go no further. LETTERS OF GENERAL JOHN ARMSTRONG made himself famous by his affair at Kittaning, and was a man of parts. He was a personal friend of Washington, having served with him in the French war. -or which place he sets out from hence in a few days for the purpose of borrowing money for the United States. Mr. Sarel was set ARM-out (before yr. letter came to hand)' for GEN. Holland also, in order to procure Cloathing for the Pennsylvania line of our army, with some other necessaries for the State, which if he is successful, I hope may be of some use to us. Genl. Greens peremptory resignation in the business of Qr. M. GIrefusal to act under the new regulation His correspondence with General Irvine for that department, at this very critical (for which our readers are indebted to a moment, has at once disappointed and descendant of the latter, who obligingly thrown Congress into a degree of vexatious favors us with contributions from General distress greater than can well be expressed, Irvine's papers) possesses an interest as a or has yet happened in regard of any inportraiture of the men and times, indepen- dividual, nine tenths of the difficulty arises dent of the historical value of the facts from the importance of the present moment. embraced. The Committee of Congress at Camp appears to make Genl. Greens continuance of absolute necessity-so that if he is retained I cannot pass so favourable an oppor- the measures of Congress for reforming DEAR GENERAL, PHILADELPHIA, 8rd August, 1780. that department must be rescinded, & the The present state of our Southern Decensures of the publick must remain agst. partment is very forbiding, the letters of Congress, as deaf to their remonstrances Genl. Gates & Baron De Calb, draw for the reformation of abuses. The remon- the picture of universal want, more parstrance of the Genl. Officers was this morn- ticularly in the articles of money & proing read & committed to a respectable visions. Genl. Green having so peremptorily Committee, the greater part whereof will in refused the necessary service, is likely to my opinion meet the cordial attention of be discharged from all other-to-day must Congress, who are as well disposed to do end this disagreeable matter. I beg you anything in their power that is in itself will present my best wishes to the gents. right, as men can be. of our line. I intend this by Coll Johnstone, together with a conference before he sets out. DEAR GENERAL, J. A. CARLISLE, 80th October, 1779. The controversy betwixt you & Genl. Hand gives some pain to all your friends that I have heard speak of it, as tending to derange many things now established & introduce a new field of dispute which A cold joined to a late hour disencou'd not be well settled again-these and ables me to say more at present than sundry such sentiments prevail at the Board that I reached home about a week ago of war, whom it is said are possessed of and found Mrs. Irwin & children, with written opinions of high authority which my own Family also in usual healthclearly conclude agst. the utility, if not also and that I beg you will favour me with a agst. the right of your claim; for they will line on the prospects of an investiture of not allow that the Resolution of Congress New Yorke which by the way I consider for securing the rank of Prisoners extends through the unexpected stay of the Count to your case, or at least that this is doubt- & many other circumstances, as abortive ful.-That the first appointment of Genl. for this season. Officers being wholly with Congress, be- Before this time I hope farther provision longs not to the ordinary line of rank is made for the subsistance of the General secured by the resolution to which we Officers of the Army, which at leaving have alluded. I cou'd, especially with the Congress I impressed on the minds of some consent of my colleagues, bring this matter members who promised suddenly to have before Congress, but whether brought on it on the carpet, and to which I think in this way, or by a plain & dispassionate there wou'd be no opposition. If any memorial from yourself, the immediate uneasiness shou'd arise to you, my advice consequence wou'd be a reference to the still is that you write either to Congress Board of War, and from thence (as far directing to the President or to the Board as I can learn) to the Commander-in-Chief of War-mentioning only the facts & and a Board of Officers at Camp. I have your confidence that justice will be done thought it necessary to write you thus you. My compliments to Coll Hay-I plainly, having strong apprehensions that am, dear General, sincerely yours, if carried to the uttermost, it will ultimately go agst. you. I therefore wish you cou'd either reconcile it to yourself from what you may have learned of the sense of I suppose Doctor Shiell, lately from others, to give it up, or to write me soon, Dublin, will visit the Camp, give me leave that it may be brought to a period-be to recommend him to your particular noassured that sentiments from Camp, and tice-He is a gentleman--a genuine Whig also sentiments formed here promise no and a man of very good sense and breeding. success to yr. claim in the present question. I hope you will judge right-and am most sincerely yours. JOHN ARMSTRONG. Wheat £15 per Bushel, Indian corn 9 pounds &c. DEAR GENERAL, PHILADA., 17th August, 1780. By Coll. Johnston I had the pleasure of writing you at some length which I hope you received-the bearer Captain Vanderhorst-otherwise Vanross, I beg DEAR GENERAL, CARLISLE, 16th August, 1787. There are no less than ten new houses of leave to recommend to your civilities & The design of the following lines as you those of the gentlemen of the Pennsyl- may readily conceive, is only to shew that vania line. He is a gentn. who lately we have you in remembrance, and perhaps possessed a very pretty Fortune in the at a leisure moment to draw something neighbourhood of Charleston from whence better from you. he has been obliged to flee with great loss, whoes hospitallity hath often been wit- Stone or Brick going on in this town; and nessed by Coll. Coner & myself-he yet money is almost invisible-what shall designs only a visit to Camp, wishes the we think of a late estimation of 25,000£s pleasure & curiosity of seeing Our Com- due on the Storekeepers Books of this town, mander-in-Chief, then returns to South distinct from all other debts either to the Carolina-I am grieved to hear of the publick or to individuals! is it not high agitation at Camp of a certain point of de- time that all ranks should change their licacy and honr. wherein the Officers of gates. two years more in our present the Army, but more particularly those of course, must sell plantations and change our line are deeply interested-having property very fast & very cheap-Some heard this matter but imperfectly, shall Storekeepers Lawyers & Speculators, only take the liberty of making two short must be the nabobs of this country—we observations-I hope the young gentn. cry out against an aristocracy, but are will have prudence and address enough to practically laying the foundation of it with decline the honr. of that particular com- both hands! mand.* But if our officers must make a Our country thro' the favour of God, sacrifice, please to remember, it is not to an have had a tolerable good crop, and a individual only, but to the weal & safety of favourable season fore securing it; what many, to the publick good of these Com- quantity thereof will go to the payment of monwealths at large-a sacrifice this, which publick dues, is yet unknown. if I mistake not, is second, only to that I had a late visit from a sensible but which we owe to God Himself. My Health rigid Constitutionist-he said if the Ashas been in jeopardy of late by excessive sembly altered the funding law, or made heat business and confinement, in this city any discrimination respecting the alienated where many of late hath made a sudden certificates, it was but a forerunner of, a exit from the present world-but if my previous step to throwing off the whole health is spared until the memorial of the debt! I asked if he thought the State able General Officers is carried through, Mr. to pay the whole of the interest agreeable McClane being now come, I intend to re- to the law? he acknowledged it is not able, tire, before which you will hear from me but altho' we had taken too much debt in a future letter. I begin to doubt upon us, it is only owing to the bad whether the 2d Division of the F. Fleet management of the republicans, whom he will arrive in time, but still hope that this thinks has opposed the best measures for Campaign will not pass over without some a discharge of the debt. I thought there happy event to these States & laurels to the arms of America. I am, Dear General, Genl. Irwin. affectionately yours, JOHN ARMSTRONG. was powerfull reasons for making a distinction in the payment of interest, due on these securities at least in point of time, and perhaps in the manner of doing it too, but that none of them should be disavowed or rejected—and that it is hard to suppose we have any set of men in the rank of legislatures, capable of such an atrocious degree of robery & villany, as to discard the whole! and thereby injure a great many of their own political friends as well CARLISLE, 5th January, 1798. as others. He said aristocracy was their DEAR GENERAL, object, and that no wreck nor ruin would I now acknowledge & thank you for by some be regarded (if like Sampson they your favour of Novr. last. The point resthemselves should even die with the Philis-pecting the time or call of new members to tines) in order to get clear of the humiliating a seat in Congress I see is very plain, and line of republicanism &c. These are afflict- most probably will not happen before the ing considerations, but depraved as man- time you mention-if it should, no doubt kind are, I hope they would not go these the President will some way notify distant lengths, but if any of our citizens are so members before hand. I have shown your totally lost to reason & conscience, there is letter to the Doctor with which he is very a farther hope that they will not be per- well satisfied. mitted. From the prevalence of these kind You will scarcely be able to recollect of jealousies amongst ourselves there is whether you franked a letter for Johnny much to fear. Amongst other things, how some short time before Mrs. Irwin went to hard may we suppose it to be, for the Con- town? I sent it by some person who said vention to throw out any thing that will he would see you, I remember telling him, give general satisfaction, impossible. but if he found you at leisure to give my comhowever, or rather whatever their system pliments & ask you to throw a over it-but may be, altho' it must be examined both by if he found you busie, to leave it in the post Congress & the different States, and per- office as it was, but cannot recollect who haps may either require or endure amend- this person was-the reason I mention this ments; but in my private opinion, it trivial matter is, that by a late letter from ought not to be scaned with an eye too him, he complains as having heard nothing critical, but with great candour and many from me since my last, only a few lines I allowances, nor should cold water be pour- had wrote to his wife. ed upon it, because such opposition might We are much elated with the late good naturally produce bad consequences among news from France-and happier would it the people because it is apparent enough be both for them and us, did our expresthat we are not at present fit, or in a capa- sions of joy still rise higher & shew themcity to adopt the most perfect system of selves thro' different mediums from those Government-and because, an indifferent of ringing Bells, lighting tapers & washing one is better than none wish how many down an Oyster Supper; not that I object of yr. body may be thus mild in yr. an- to these in due measure, but we should imadversions. send them bread to eat, and gratefully & We expect to hear from you soon-Mrs. publickly acknowledge the real author of Irvine & the Children are in good health. their mereys and our own-this check, of I wish you to talk farther with Genl. Ver- these combined tyrants (tho' we cannot non on the sale of our College land-the call it more) is evidently from the supreme soil I believe is strong & well watered. lord of the universe, who has thrown his What have you done with yr. Nagg, or hook into their noses and turned them have you obtained some decent old pacer back by the way they came, not with for him-I have two good mares, yet nothing to ride. If you come shortly to Philadelphia you will probably come home for two or three days. I am dear General, JOHN ARMSTRONG. laurels, that disdain to grow in such a soil, but covered with a double coat of shame! the policy and arms of France has no doubt been a mean of impeding the diabolical career of these haughty invaders, but the mortifying blood descended from another quarter; and if the whole scene end well, the event will call for the general adoration & thanks of this nation. Two things however have a tendency to dash |