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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract from a January 30 letter from Raritan reports General Dickinson's failed attempt to exchange prisoners with British forces in Brunswick via flag of truce. Enemy Hessians captured Dr. Vandiveer and Mr. Briggs; proposed swap for Mr. Morgan and Mr. Howard, confined for aiding British. Lord Cornwallis refused unless exchanged prisoners stay home, violating Washington's proclamation. Enemy horses dying from forage shortage.
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Extract of a letter from Rariton, Jan. 30.
The day before yesterday General Dickinson sent a flag of truce to Brunswick, to propose an exchange of prisoners. A Dr. Vandiveer, and a Mr. Briggs, had been taken by a party of Hessians, disguised like our people. The proposal was to exchange for them a Mr. Morgan and a Mr. Howard, who are now in Morris Town gaol. These men had taken part with the enemy, and are confined for administering the oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain. The messengers were refused admittance into Brunswick, and Lord Cornwallis would not give up our prisoners unless the others were allowed to stay in their own houses when they were exchanged. But this is contrary to General Washington's proclamation. Certain it is the enemy are in great want of forage; their horses are all dying. A man, who was in Brunswick last Monday, told me, they are laying in the streets and dying. No less than 60 or 70 were turned into one field to perish, and a guard set over them to prevent their strolling into the country, and falling into the hands of our people. Those we took from them were exceedingly poor, and fatigued almost to death.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Brunswick
Event Date
Jan. 30
Key Persons
Outcome
prisoner exchange refused by lord cornwallis unless exchanged prisoners allowed to stay in their homes, contrary to general washington's proclamation; enemy horses dying from forage shortage, 60 or 70 turned into field to perish.
Event Details
General Dickinson sent flag of truce to Brunswick proposing exchange of captured Dr. Vandiveer and Mr. Briggs for Mr. Morgan and Mr. Howard confined in Morris Town gaol for aiding enemy; messengers refused admittance; enemy in want of forage with horses dying in streets and fields.