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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Letter from Gen. Greene's headquarters near Charlestown reports American successes driving British into the city, awaiting French army to besiege it; condemns British for arming escaped slaves and hosting a scandalous ball with enslaved women dressed as ladies; notes Gen. Wayne has similarly confined British to Savannah garrison.
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Extract of a letter from a gentleman of character to his friend in this town, dated at Gen. Greene's Head-Quarters, near Charlestown. Feb. 20.
"The great and gallant Gen. Greene has had a series of successes against the enemy, they are now effectually drove into Charlestown, and have not a foot of ground out of that garrison: we now only wait the arrival of the French army, which is near at hand, when we shall march down and open the trenches against the lines of Charlestown, and I make not the least doubt that by the month of April we shall be in full possession of that capital. The enemy is much alarmed at our approach, and of course keep very close.
"Would you believe it, the British lost to all sense of honor, have armed our Slaves who fled to them into the garrison. This step I trust they will pay dear for. But, Sir, they are not only lost to every sense of honor—but they are likewise to that of shame!
"Not long since, they had a ball in Charlestown: this they called an Ethiopian Ball, at which were present the officers of the army (and our female slaves only!) who these shameless tyrants had dressed up in taste, with richest silks and false rolls on their head, powdered up in the most pompous manner: these chaps who call themselves gentlemen, waited on those wretches in carriages to carry them to the ball, which they drove through the streets in pomp along side of them. Many of those wretches were taken out of houses before their mistresses faces, and escorted to the ball by these British tyrants. Inclosed I send you a copy of a card wrote to one of those shameless Brutes, by the managers of the ball, which were three negro wenches; it was held at a very capital private house in Charlestown, and the supper cost not less than 80l. sterling; and these tyrants danced with the slaves 'till four o'clock in the morning. Thus you see to what a state of shame and perfidy the officers of that once great nation (Britain) has arrived to.
"Gen. Wayne is now within four miles of Savannah, having effectually drove the enemy into the garrison, they not occupying one post out of it."
"My Lord,
"YOU are invited to a ball on Thursday evening, at No. 99, meeting-street; the ball to be opened at eight o'clock.
Hagar Roupell.
Isabella Pinckney, Managers."
Mary Frazer,
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Near Charlestown
Event Date
Feb. 20
Key Persons
Outcome
british forces driven into charlestown and savannah garrisons; expect to take charlestown by april with french aid; british armed escaped slaves
Event Details
American forces under Gen. Greene have successes driving British into Charlestown garrison, awaiting French army to besiege; British armed escaped slaves; held scandalous ball with female slaves dressed finely, managed by enslaved women, at No. 99 meeting-street; Gen. Wayne drove British into Savannah garrison.