The Virginia Gazette

On Sunday morning last, Major Clarkson, of New York (a Gentleman who served at Saratoga, with great reputation, as an aid to Major General Arnold, and who hath acted in the same station during the present Campaign to the Southward, under Major General Lincoln) arrived in town from the banks of the Savannah (but last from Charlestown, in South Carolina, 15 days) with dispatches from General Lincoln, to the Hon. Congress. These dispatches contain the particulars of an unsuccessful assault on the town of Savannah, and the subsequent retreat of the allied army, from before that place, which will, no doubt, in due time, be communicated to the publick.

Major Clarkson gives us the following account of this most unfortunate event. The cannonade and bombardment of the town of Savannah (though many buildings therein were burnt and destroyed) not producing the desired effect, and the Count D'Estaing being unable, for certain important reasons, to stay long enough to finish the siege, by regular approaches, came to the resolution, in concert with General Lincoln, of making a vigorous assault on the town. In consequence of this resolution, the allied army, consisting of about 3200 French, and 2400 Americans, were formed in 3 columns for the attack; two detachments to make two feints at certain places fixed on, and a corps of reserve; the remainder were stationed as guards to the artillery, baggage, &c. This disposition being made, on Saturday morning, the 9th of last month, just at the dawn of day, the 2 columns, destined for the assault, advanced in the most gallant manner; the right, consisting of about two thousand French, led on by the intrepid Count D'Estaing, and the left, composed of twelve hundred Americans, headed by the brave General Lincoln.

The design was to force into the town, if possible, without firing a gun, there to form, and commence their further operations. The garrison amounting to 2600, including Col. Maitland's detachment, which escaped from Beaufort, and threw themselves into the town, being too well prepared to receive them, the town being completely environed by strong redoubts and abattis, a most tremendous discharge of artillery and musketry now began from the enemy's works on the advancing columns. Notwithstanding which, they marched forward with the greatest rapidity and resolution, and part of them entered the enemy's abattis. After an arduous bloody conflict of one hour and six minutes, during which the Count D'Estaing was wounded slightly in his leg and arm, General Pulaski mortally wounded, Majors Motte and Wise, of Carolina, killed, and several other officers of both columns, and about 500 privates killed and wounded, this little army, this noble band of brothers, was forced to abandon their hardy enterprise and retire to their works, 150 yards distant, which they did with a regularity that would have done honour to the best troops of Prussia, the enemy making but a very feeble pursuit. After remaining 4 days before the town, the enemy not daring to commence an attack, the Generals judged it prudent to raise the siege. The Count, when Major Clarkson came away, was preparing to embark his troops, and General Lincoln had retreated to Purysburg, in South Carolina, situated on the Savannah, 24 miles from the capital of that name.

The brave Count Pulaski died of his wounds on the 19th of October, and his corpse was carried to Charlestown, and there interred with great military funeral pomp, and with every other mark of respect that a generous and grateful people could show a hero, who had sacrificed his life in defence of their liberties.

The loss of the French was about 33, and that of the Americans 370, in killed and wounded.

General Clinton's army stationed at New York, Long Island, and Staten Island, amounted about a fortnight since, to 16,500 men.