The Newport Gazette

NEW YORK, July 6. Last Saturday evening arrived by the Sandwich packet, in seven days from Falmouth, in England; the advices brought by her are, that the march of the British army from Portsmouth to Charleston was more rapid than ever was known to be performed, in order to form a junction with the troops from St. Augustine, amounting to which they only lost three privates by the way. Upon their approach to Charleston, a number of the inhabitants grew so outrageous and were for rising immediately against them, but Count Pulaski having with him 2000 Polish troops, threw himself into the town which gave over before the arrival of the British forces, they were repulsed, and General Prevost having only brought one six pounder with him, did not choose to commence an immediate attack, but contented himself in the mean time with taking possession of James's Island, securing the inland navigation between Charleston Bay and Georgia, and looking out for a healthy situation for the army, which was happily found upon John's Island, where it is now encamped in perfect security. The troops are in high health and spirits, make frequent incursions into the country, and are amply supplied with fresh provisions. His Majesty's ships and armed vessels continue to block up the port of Charleston.

From the Georgia Gazette June 10.

The following is an extract of a letter of late date, received from an officer of distinction in our army, at the camp in South Carolina, and contains the most authentic account of their operations.

The success which his Majesty's army has met with in this province by possessing a situation about any loss of men to the very gates of Charleston, and obliging the enemy to burn his beautiful suburbs in day by day, presented the natural difficulties the country was through a sufficient force, with General Moultrie's army, to force as from any distance into the province but he is now thrown by the troops, their patience and perseverance under the severest fatigues such as would have surmounted greater than he has met with from the enemy. We arrived before Charleston on the 11th after almost totally destroying or taking half of Pulaski's legion of horse by putting to the sword about fifty of their gallant dragoons under the command of the brave Captain Twos. A number the killed of the enemy was Colonel Fulsom's, and several privates, besides a great number of prisoners taken. The enemy sent next morning to know what terms we would grant. Four hours were allowed them to surrender prisoners at war, or take the oaths of allegiance to his Majesty, and be protected in their person and property, and return to the class of peaceful citizens; but on express his viceroy arrived in the mean time from General Lincoln, with an account of his approach, and that reinforcements put in motion that day, thereby giving others confident, and began to talk in other terms, however they proposed a neutrality for the province until the war between Great Britain and America was determined, but to Georgia to proposition which the General could not agree to, they were informed that nothing could be granted but the most favorable terms, as to security of persons and property if the place was surrendered; this they declined on the encouragement received from General Lincoln, the arrival of their armed vessels to aid their works, and the number of guns mounted on them. The bombarding of the place was the next point to be considered, but though it was not deemed impossible but it might be carried in that way, yet as it would probably have been attended with the loss of a considerable number of men, which may be avoided by proceeding on another plan, where the success will be at least equally certain, and the risk less, it was therefore determined to keep the field, as we were so situated as to insure a communication with our shipping, receive the necessary supplies from thence as circumstances should require. This measure is now pursued, and the army are in possession of James's and John's Island, the enemy precipitately abandoned the very strong fort situated on the former island called Fort Johnston.

Proposition made by Colonels Smith and McIntosh, to Col. Prevost and Capt. Moncrief, at a conference on Charleston, May 12, 1779.

'The Carolina should remain in a state of neutrality during the war, and the question whether Carolina should remain an independent state or be subject to Great Britain, be determined by the fate of the war."

A copy from the original in the possession of J. M. Prevost.

The foregoing proposition throws in a clear point of view, with what safety the people of Carolina can throw off, and break their most solemn engagements with the Continental Congress, and France, on the approach of real danger, or whenever they think it will suit their private views, such is the matchless virtue and honesty of the inhabitants of South-Carolina.

Some time ago the fate of South Carolina made requisition to the Continental Congress, for a supply of two thousand men in South Carolina, the Congress sent young Mr. Laurens, to recommend it to the above army their domestic, and at the same time recommending Mr. Laurens as proper person to head them. This is said to be the cause of the Carolinians being willing to remain in a state of neutrality.

Maj. Graham with a party of the light infantry surprised a large body of the militia on John's Island, killed and took about eighty men without making any resistance, and with but the least loss on our side. Captains O'Ferrall and Mason, with the Thunderer and Snake galleys, on their passage from Beaufort to our army, attacked the armed schooner Eagle and another armed schooner, the former was taken without opposition, the latter on seeing the force of the galleys was abandoned and burnt by the enemy. Colonel Prevost with a large corps under his command covers the country at Stone Ferry.

Since Major Chr Ait's arrival with the General's dispatches from the Royal army, the following facts have been obtained by the Printer.

The removal of the King's troops from James's Island to John's Island, having been resolved on the afternoon over the Stono river was effected in the night between the 27th and 28th of May. A bridge of boats has been since thrown over the river at Stono Ferry, connecting John's Island with the main, and over it the light infantry, light cavalry, rangers, &c. with a battalion of Hessians are advanced and in a very strong position. The army abounds with every sort of provisions, and rum has lately reached it. The rebel brigs Notre Dame and Bellona, were stationed in the mouth of Stono Inlet; and the Beaufort, the Wasp, and the Roe, with ten-gun and other small rebel vessels, occupied the mouth of North Edisto, on the south side, and the two gun battery on Fenwick's point, which had been evacuated, is repossessed by the rebels. It was Friday night last that the Vigilance sloop from Port Royal has, and sailed at the dawn for Charles-town harbor.