The Virginia Gazette

Extracts of Several letters to a Gentleman in Eaton, dated at Major General Sullivan's head quarters on Tioga, August 31, 1779.

"Yesterday a general action ensued, in which the Indians and tories got completely routed. The conflict was long, and I believe on their part was bloody, though only 1 dead bodies were found upon the field, and they, I suppose, would not have been left, if our troops had not pushed them at the point of the bayonets. Our loss was but trifling: I think five or six were killed, and between 40 and 50 wounded. The cannonade on our part was elegant, and gave the Indians such a panic, that they fled with great precipitation from the field. One tory and one negro taken prisoners, who give information that their whole force were collected here. This settlement is routed root and branch, all the houses burnt, and the corn fields destroyed. It is very remarkable General Sullivan has been twice successful on the 29th of August."

"I have just time to inform you, that on Sunday morning last our advanced parties discovered the enemy's breastworks between Chemung and Newtown, they immediately gave intelligence; their right flank was secured by the river, and their left by a high hill. General Poor's brigade was immediately ordered to wheel off and endeavour to gain their left flank, and if possible to surround them, whilst our artillery and main body attacked them in front; they stood a hot cannonade for more than two hours, but upon their discovering our intentions of surrounding them, the retreat halloo was given, and they retreated with the utmost precipitation, leaving their packs, a number of scalping knives, tomahawks, &c. behind them. We pursued them upwards of two miles, took two prisoners, one white man and one negro; they crossed the river and carried off a number of killed and wounded, as we found by their tracks of blood and two canoes which we found covered with blood. I saw eight of their warriors' scalps taken on the spot, and I just heard of fourteen more dead Indians that were found hid with leaves. Their breastworks was artfully and strong constructed with logs and blinds made with boughs, and extended upwards of half a mile. The party was headed by the two Butlers and Brant, and consisted of about 600 Indians and 200 tories, by the best intelligence we can get. Our loss is four killed and thirty two wounded, mostly slight."

Extract of a letter dated Wyoming September 2, 1779.

"At two o'clock this morning Doctor Kendall arrived at this place from Chemung, and brings the following intelligence: On Sunday morning last, our army discovered a large breastwork in a narrow passage, about four miles above Chemung, where Mess. Butler, Brant, and M'Donald had collected all their force. General Sullivan attacked them; the enemy returned the fire, and the engagement lasted near two hours, when the savages gave way and were completely routed; twenty five of them were left dead on the field, some prisoners were taken. Our loss was one Lieutenant and four privates killed, and one Major, one Captain, and thirty three privates wounded. Mr. Butler's commission and the commission of another officer were taken with several orderly books."