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Extract.- From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir Henry Clinton. Petersburg, May 12, 1781 I AM extremely sorry to inform your excellency, that Major-general Phillips is reduced so low by fever, which seized him on the 2d instant, that he is incapable of business, and the physicians are not without fears for his safety. In this situation, I think it my duty to transmit to your excellency, by express, a detail of the proceedings of the army under the orders of Major general Phillips, since they left Portsmouth, which his indisposition prevented hum from doing as he intended. On the 18th of April, the light infantry, part of the 76th and 80th regimens, the Queen's rangers, yagers, and American legion, embarked at Portsmouth, and fell down to Hampton road: on the 19th, proceeded up James river to Burwell's ferry; on the 20th, Lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie, with the light infantry, proceeded up the Chickahomany, in boats; Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, with a detachment, to York; Lieutenant-colonel Dundass, with another detachment, landed at the mouth of the Chickahomany; and Major-general Phillips any myself landed with part of the army at Williamsburg, where about five hundred militia were posed, who retired upon our approach. The militia at York crossed the river before the arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, who made a few prisoners, spiked and destroyed some cannon, and next returned to Williamsburgh. On the 22d, the troops marched to Chickhomany. We were met on the road, five miles fromthe mouth of the river, by Lieutenant-colonel Dundass with his detachment: This evening the troops, cavalry, artillery, &c. were re-embarked. The next morning we were joined by lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie with the light infantry, who had been ten or twelve miles up the Chickhomany, and destroyed several armed ships, the state ship yards, warehouses, &c. &c. At ten o'clock the fleet weighed, and proceeded up the James river within four miles of Westover. The 24th, weighed anchor at eleven o'clock, and run up to City points, where the troops, &c. were all landed at six o'clock in the evening. The 25th, marched at ten o'clock for Petersburg, where we arrived about five o'clock P. M We were opposed about one mile from town by a body of militia, under the orders of Brigadier-general Muhlenburg, supposed to be about one thousand men, who were soon obliged to retire over the bridge with the loss of near one hundred men killed and wounded, as we have since been informed; our loss only one man killed, and ten wounded. The enemy took up the bridge, which prevented our pursuing them. 26th, Destroyed at Petersburg four thousand hogsheads of tobacco, one ship, and a number of small vessels on the stocks and in the river. 27th, Major-general Phillips, with the light infantry, part of the cavalry of the Queen's rangers, and part of the yagers, marched to Chesterfield court house, where they burnt a range of barracks for two thousand men, and three hundred barrels of flour, &c. The same day I marched to Osborn's, with the 76th and 80th regiments, Queen's rangers, part of the yagers, and American legion, where we arrived about noon. Finding the enemy had very considerable force of ships four miles above Osborn's, drawn up in a line to oppose us, I sent a flag to the commodore, proposing to treat with him for the surrender of his fleet, which he refused, with this answer, "That he was determined to defend it to the last extremity." I immediately ordered down two six and two three-pounders, brass field pieces, to a bank of the river, nearly level with the water, and within one hundred yards of the Tempest, a twenty-gun state ship, which began immediately to fire upon us, as did the Renown, of twenty-six guns, the Jefferson, a state brigantine of fourteen guns, and several other armed ships and brigantines; about two or three hundred militia on the opposite shore at the same time kept up a heavy fire of musketry upon us: Notwithstanding which, the fire of the artillery, under the direction of Captain Fage and Lieutenant Rogers, took such place, that the ships were soon obliged to strike their colours, and the militia drove from the opposite shore. Want of boats, and the wind blowing had, prevented our capturing many of the seamen, who took to their boats, and escaped on shore; but not without first scuttling and setting fire to some of their ships, which could not be saved. Two ships, three brigantines, five sloops, and two schooners, loaded with tobacco, cordage,. Flour, &c. fell into our hands. Four ships, five brigantines, and a number of small vessels, were suck and burnt: On board the whole fleet (none of which escaped) were taken and destroyed about two thousand hogsheads of tobacco, &c. &c., and very fortunately we had not a man killed or wounded this day; but have reason to believe the enemy suffered considerably. About five o'clock we were joined by Major-general Phillips with the light infantry. 28th, The troops remained at Osborne's, waiting for boats from the fleet; part of them were employed in securing the prizes, and carrying them to Osborne's as a place of safety. 29th, The boats having arrived, the troops were put in motion. Major-general Phillips marched with the main body; at the same time I proceeded up the river with a detachment in boats, and met him between Cary's mills and Warwick. 30th, The troops marched to Manchester, and destroyed twelve hundred hogsheads of tobacco. The Marquis de la Fayette having arrived with his army at Richmond, opposite to Manchester, the day before, and being joined by the militia drove from Petersburg and Williamsburgh, they were spectators of the conflagration without attempting to molest us. The same evening we returned to Warwick, where we destroyed a magazine of five hundred barrels of flour, and Colonel Cary's fine mills were destroyed in burning the magazine of flour. We also burnt several warehouses, with one hundred and fifty hogsheads of tobacco, a large ship and a brigantine afloat, and three vessels on the stocks, a large range of public rope walks and storehouses, and some tan and bark houses full of hides and bark. May 1st, marched to Osborn's, and dispatched our prizes and boats down the river; and in the evening marched to Bermuda hundreds, opposite City point. May 2d, embarked the troops, &c. 7c. May 3d, fell down the river to Westover. May 4th, proceeded down to Tappahannock. 5th and 6th, Part of the fleet fell down to hog island. 7th, Major-general Phillips having received a letter from Lord Cornwallis, orders were given for the fleet to return up the river gain. We arrived at Brandon about five o'clock, and most of the troops, cavalry, &c. were landed this evening, though it blew a gale of wind. May 8th, remained at Brandon. Major-general Phillips being very ill, and unable tot travel on horseback, a postchaise was procured for him. May 9th, the light infantry, and part of the Queen's rangers, in boats, were ordered, with the Formidable and Spitfire, to proceed to City point, and land there. The rest of the army were put in motion for Petersburg, where they arrived late in the night, having marched near thirty miles this day. On our leaving Bermuda hundred, and going down the river, the Marquis de la Fayette with his army moved towards Williamsburgh, and, by forced marches, and crossed the Chickahopmany at longbridge, when our fleet returned to Brandon; which retrograde motion of ours occasioned him to return as rapidly, by forced marches, to Osbnorn's where he arrived the 8th, and was preparing to cross the rivers to Petersburg when we arrived there, which was so unexpected and took two majors, (one of them aid-de-camp to Baron Steubens, the other to General Smallwood); one captain and three lieutenants of dragoons; two lieutenants of foot; a commissary, and a surgeon: Some of these gentlemen arrived only two hours before us, with an intention of collecting the boats for the marquis to cross his army. On the 10th, the marquis made his appearance on the opposite side of the river with a strong escort, and, having staid some time to reconnoitre our army, returned to his camp at Osborn's; and we are this day informed he is marched to Richmond, where it is said Wayne, with the Pennsylvania line, has arrived: This is, however, uncertain; but he is certainly expected there. An express passed through this place the day before our arrival here, who left Halifax on the 7th, and informed, that the advance of Lord Cornwallis' arrived there that morning: This report we have from several quarters, and I am inclined to believe it is true. Several expresses have been sent to his lordship, informing him of our being here ready to co-operate with his lordship. We are in anxious expectation of having particular intelligence from his every minute. As soon as it is reduced to a certainty that Lord Cornwallis has crossed the Roanoke, and is on his march for this place, the army will advance one or two-days march from hence to meet his lordship, and carry a supply of provisions for his army. A considerable magazine of flour and bread has fallen into our hands near this place, and the country abounds with cattle. Major-general Phillips is so weak and low, that it will be some considerable time before he can go through the fatigue of business. In this critical situation, I am happy to have the assistance of so many good and experience officers with me, commanding corps. If joined by Lord Cornwallis, or the reinforcement said to be coming from New York, we shall be in force to operate as we please in Virginia or Maryland. I have the honour to be, &c. B. ARNOLD (From A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Province of North America?, by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, pp333-340.) Tarleton, Ch 5., [P], p. 333a 5/12/1781 |
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