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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Letter from York Town, Nov. 5, 1777, reports on Revolutionary War updates: Clinton's movements affected Burgoyne's defeat; Vaughan at Fort Montgomery; reinforcements to Washington; unconfirmed Rhode Island retaking and ship capture; Howe's bridge destroyed by rains; Col. Hazlewood's defiant stand; Vaughan returns to New York; provisioning distress in Philadelphia.
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November 5, 1777.
Clinton's progress up the North river rendered dispatch necessary
with Burgoyne, and prevented our success from being so
brilliant as it would otherwise have been; but as it is, it is
very great.
General Vaughan yet remains with Clinton's force at Fort
Montgomery, in the highlands, on Hudson's river, and Gates is ordered immediately to dispose of him; 2000 men are detached to reinforce General Washington
from the northern army; and Morgan's excellent corps of light infantry
is by this time near German Town. A report is just come to town that
we have retaken Rhode Island; that 900 prisoners have fallen into our
hands; also that the Eagle man of war of 64 guns, was run ashore in a
late attack on Fort Island; that the enemy set her on fire, that our people
extinguished the flames, and got the ship up to the fort. These accounts
want confirmation, although they come pretty straight to this place. I hope
I shall be able to confirm them by next post. The late heavy rains have carried
Howe's bridge away that he had built with much pains over the
Schuylkill, and removed it quite down to our fort in the Delaware, and the
enemy's batteries on Province Island are greatly damaged. When Col.
Hazlewood, who commands the fleet of galleys in the Delaware, was summoned to surrender to the enemy, he answered, I know you are brave, and
shall endeavour to merit your esteem by a gallant defence; I will not surrender while I have one galley left. This mosquito fleet, as our enemies
tauntingly call the galleys, is likely to prove an insuperable bar to
their larger fleet of heavy ships.
P. S. Since writing the above, the account of Rhode Island being taken
grows stronger; and it is certain that General Vaughan, with his force,
is returned to New York, after destroying the forts and barracks they
had taken on North River. Great distress for provisions in Philadelphia,
and growing still greater, as the enemy have little communications with
their ships, and none with the country.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
York Town
Event Date
November 5, 1777
Key Persons
Outcome
success against burgoyne achieved but not as brilliant due to clinton's actions; vaughan returned to new york after destroying forts; unconfirmed retaking of rhode island with 900 prisoners and capture of eagle man-of-war; howe's bridge destroyed by rains; provisioning distress in philadelphia increasing.
Event Details
Letter details military developments: Clinton's advance necessitated quick action against Burgoyne, leading to significant but tempered success; Vaughan holding at Fort Montgomery with orders for Gates to engage; 2000 men sent to reinforce Washington, Morgan's corps near German Town; reports of retaking Rhode Island, capturing prisoners and a British ship; heavy rains destroyed Howe's Schuylkill bridge and damaged batteries; Col. Hazlewood vowed to defend galleys in Delaware; later confirmation of Vaughan's retreat and Philadelphia's supply shortages.