The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

FISH-KILL, July 18.

Just as this paper was going to press, a gentleman favoured us with a Philadelphia paper of the 10th instant, from which we have extracted the following important intelligence.

Ebenezer, 24th May, 1782.

DEAR SIR,

On the 21st inst. I received intelligence of the enemy being out in force from Savannah; in consequence of which White's dragoons and Posey's infantry were put in motion, and at five o'clock in the evening arrived at Mr. William Gibbons, six miles N. W. of Savannah. At six an express from Lieut. Col. Jackson announced the enemy in force at Harris's bridge, on the Great Ogechee road, seven miles from town, and that a small party were at Ogechee ferry, which he intended to attack with his troops. Upon enquiry I found that the only rout to the enemy's position was through a thick swamp of near four miles extent, with many deep and dangerous morasses to pass, and to intersect the Ogechee road at an intermediate distance from Savannah and the bridge. I was properly impressed with the difficulty attending a night march over such ground, as well as the delicacy of a manœuvre that placed me between the whole of the enemy's force in Georgia; but when I came to reflect upon the experience and gallantry of the officers, and the steady bravery of the troops, they were directed to advance, from a conviction that the success of a nocturnal attack depended more upon prowess than numbers. At 12 o'clock at night our van arrived at the Ogechee road, four miles S. W. of Savannah, when the enemy also appeared advancing in close and good order. Notwithstanding this circumstance, and the great disparity of numbers (our rear being at a considerable distance) as success depended upon the moment, I ordered the van guard to charge, which was obeyed with such vivacity, as to immediately terminate in the total defeat and dispersion of all the British cavalry, and a large body of infantry picked from the seventh regiment, the Hessians, Fanning's and Brown's regulars, with the Creek Indians, Tories, &c. the whole commanded by Col. Brown. The precipitated flight of the enemy prevented any part of the troops from coming into contact with them, except Lieut. Col. Posey's light company, under Capt. Parker, and a few dragoons under Capt. Hughes and Lieut. Boyer, conducted by Col. White. This small van guard put to rout the whole of the enemy's force without the use of powder. The almost impenetrable thick woods, deep swamps and morasses into which they plunged, in a dispersed state, and under cover of the night, screened them from total ruin, at the expense of a great proportion of their arms and horses, which they abandoned to procure personal safety. The few of our troops that had an opportunity to engage, introduced the American sword and bayonet with such effect, as to kill many and wound some; a number of prisoners also fell into our hands, among which is Lieut. Col. Douglas, dangerously wounded. We have collected between 20 and 30 of the enemy's best dragoon horses, exclusive of several that lay dead upon the spot. A great number are yet straggling in the swamps without rulers, and such is the dispersed state of the dragoons and infantry, they continue dropping in by two's and three's, mostly disarmed. Even Col. Brown and Lieut. Col. Ingram did not find the way to town till the second night after the action, and then unattended.

After refreshing the troops at Mrs. Gibbons, we advanced within view of their lines yesterday morning, detached a few infantry and dragoons to draw the enemy out; but they declined the invitation, contenting themselves with advancing a few Indians and negroes to the skirts of a swamp, from whence they commenced a scattering and ineffectual fire. Finding that General Clarke was not to be enticed from his redoubts, I returned with the troops to this place, where the last arrived this morning, with the loss of only five privates killed, and two wounded. We had also two dragoon horses killed, and three hurt; but these we shall replace with part of the cavalry taken from the enemy.

I feel myself under the highest obligation to every officer and soldier for their good conduct, zeal and perseverance, during a very fatiguing march of near 40 miles, performed in a few hours, to effect this enterprise. Lieut. Col. Jackson of the State Legion, and his corps, are entitled to my best thanks, for their conduct in the day near Ogechee, where the enemy likewise suffered.

I have honor to be, &c.

ANTHONY WAYNE.

The Hon. Major General Greene.

Published by order of Congress.

CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'y.