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The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
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General Washington reports to Congress on a skirmish on September 3, 1777, near Iron Hill, where British forces with artillery attacked American light parties, forcing a retreat but suffering heavier losses; the enemy advanced then withdrew, possibly to secure a retreat post.
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"This morning the enemy came out with a considerable force, and three pieces of artillery, against our light advanced parties, and after a very smart skirmishing obliged them to retreat, being far inferior in number, and without cannon. The loss on either side is not yet ascertained. Ours, though not exactly known, is not very considerable; theirs, we have reason to believe, was much greater, as some of our parties, consisting of experienced men, had opportunities of giving them several close well directed fires, more particularly in one instance, when a body of riflemen formed a kind of ambuscade. They advanced about two miles this side of Iron Hill, and then withdrew to that place, leaving a picket at Cooch's mill, about a mile in front.
The design of their movement this morning seems to have been to disperse our light troops, who had been trailing them, and to gain possession of Iron Hill, to establish a post, most probably, for covering their retreat in case accidents."
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, sec'ry.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Iron Hill
Event Date
Sept. 3, 1777
Key Persons
Outcome
loss on either side not yet ascertained. ours not very considerable; theirs much greater. enemy advanced two miles this side of iron hill then withdrew to that place, leaving a picket at cooch's mill.
Event Details
This morning the enemy came out with a considerable force, and three pieces of artillery, against our light advanced parties, and after a very smart skirmishing obliged them to retreat, being far inferior in number, and without cannon. Some of our parties had opportunities of giving them several close well directed fires, more particularly when a body of riflemen formed a kind of ambuscade. The design seems to have been to disperse our light troops and to gain possession of Iron Hill to establish a post for covering their retreat.