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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An intercepted letter from Lord Cornwallis to Lt. Col. Cruger reports a victory over Gen. Gates's army on the 16th instant in South Carolina, with enemy losses of over 100 killed/wounded and 800 prisoners, British losses of 300, and captures of artillery and wagons. Orders issued to pursue rebels and punish participants in the revolt harshly, including imprisonment, property destruction, and executions.
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"Enclosed is a letter from Lord Cornwallis to Lieut. Col. Cruger, which has been incorporated with the preamble of our confiscatory act, and serves (amongst other reasons) to justify our proceedings to the world."
The original of this letter from Ld Cornwallis to Lt. Col Cruger, was intercepted by General Greene, and acknowledged by Lord Cornwallis, in answer to letter of General Greene's, read in the house of representatives with the General's permission.
SIR,
"I have the pleasure to inform you, that on the morning of the 16th instant, I attacked and defeated Gen. Gates's army; above 100 were killed and wounded, and about 800 taken prisoners. We are in possession of 8 pieces of brass cannon, all they had in the field; all their ammunition waggons, a great number of arms, and 130 baggage waggons, so that there never was a more complete victory. I have written to Col. Trumbull, who is with Major Ferguson at Little River, to push on to Waxhaw after General Sumpter, whose detachment is at present the only collected force of the rebels in all this country. Lieut. Col. Tarleton is in pursuit of Sumpter on this side. I have given orders that all the inhabitants of this province, who have submitted, and who have taken part in this revolt, should be punished with the greatest rigour; that they should be imprisoned and their whole property taken from them, or destroyed. I have likewise directed, that compensation should be made out of their effects to the persons who have been plundered and oppressed by them. I have ordered, in the most positive manner, that every militia man who had borne arms with us, and had afterwards joined the enemy, should be immediately hanged. I have now, sir, only to desire, that you will take the most vigorous measures to extinguish the rebellion in the district in which you command, and that you will obey, in the strictest manner, the directions I have given in this letter, relative to the treatment of the country. I intend sending a Frigate directly to England; any letters which you may send immediately to Charlestown, will be in time for it. Our loss is about 300 killed and wounded, chiefly of 33d and volunteers of Ireland. I am, &c.
CORNWALLIS."
Lt. Col. Cruger.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
South Carolina
Event Date
16th Instant
Key Persons
Outcome
enemy: above 100 killed and wounded, about 800 taken prisoners; british: about 300 killed and wounded, chiefly of 33d and volunteers of ireland. captured: 8 pieces of brass cannon, all ammunition waggons, great number of arms, 130 baggage waggons. orders for punishment of rebels including imprisonment, property destruction, hangings, and compensation from their effects.
Event Details
Lord Cornwallis attacked and defeated Gen. Gates's army on the morning of the 16th instant, achieving a complete victory. Instructions given to pursue General Sumpter's detachment with Col. Trumbull and Lieut. Col. Tarleton. Orders issued to punish inhabitants who took part in the revolt with imprisonment, property seizure or destruction, and immediate hanging of militia men who defected; compensation to be made from rebels' effects. Directives to extinguish the rebellion vigorously. The letter was intercepted by General Greene and incorporated into South Carolina's confiscatory act.