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The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia dated June 17, 1777, reporting on militia alarms, troop movements by American generals Washington, Putnam, Arnold, and Sullivan against British forces under Howe near Somerset Courthouse, New Jersey, and rumors of international support and Burgoyne's troubles in Canada.
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We have had alarms of late, and still keep a little stir. The two first classes of our militia are to march next Thursday. About 7000 of the enemy still remain at Somerset courthouse, about 9 miles from Brunswick, and 8 from general Washington, who has a strong army with him, and has ordered 6000 men from general Putnam, who has 8000 men on the other side of the North river, and I expect hourly to hear of their arrival at head quarters. General Arnold is at the Delaware, to take care of our ferries. General Sullivan lay at Princeton when the enemy moved, and it was thought they meant to cut off his retreat; but he, by a forced march, came to Correll's ferry with 3200 brave fellows, and marched out, on Saturday last, with a finer army, in order to make an attack on the thieves, who, if he gets on their front, then general Washington can come on their rear, when I have not the least doubt but we shall have a very good account of them. Indeed I think, as many others (even tories are of the same opinion) that general Howe is in a fair way to be cut off. It is generally said he wants general Washington to go to his post; and as it is come to the test with that gentleman, probably he may make battle. --- A report is very current here, and generally believed, that France and Spain have said they are determined to divide Portugal between them; that several line of battle ships (I think four) and 16 frigates, have sailed from Brest, thought to be for America; that Burgoyne is arrived in Canada, without any reinforcements, nor does he expect any; that on his parading the troops, when he returned, the foreigners mutinied, and refused to fight, saying their times were out, and they would return home; and that they are fortifying Point Levy, thought to be in consequence of the expectation of a French war, which I heartily wish for, that all the good friends to America may once more enjoy peace and independent liberty, with your most obedient, &c.
P.S. General Arnold writes, that he thinks we shall in a few days have an army of 20,000 men.
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What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Somerset Courthouse
Event Date
June 17, 1777
Key Persons
Outcome
anticipated attack on british forces; potential battle between washington and howe; rumors of foreign troop mutiny and no reinforcements for burgoyne.
Event Details
Alarms in Philadelphia with militia set to march; 7000 British at Somerset courthouse near Brunswick; Washington with strong army ordering 6000 from Putnam; Arnold guarding Delaware ferries; Sullivan's forced march to Correll's ferry with 3200 men to attack British, allowing Washington to flank; opinion that Howe may be cut off; rumors of French and Spanish plans for Portugal, ships sailing to America, Burgoyne's arrival in Canada without reinforcements, foreign troops mutinying, and fortifying Point Levy in expectation of French war; Arnold expects 20,000 men soon.