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Preparing to defend Philadelphia from the invading British... Much on the war...



Item # 597524

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July 19, 1777

EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, July 19, 1777  Page 2 has a letter from Philadelphia noting: "General Howe is now in full march through the Jerseys in order to force a passage over the Delaware & to attack this city. You may depend upon it he will meet with a warm reception as it is General Cadwallader's orders to defend it to the last in case Howe should succeed in forcing a passage. Washington hath, at a full council of war, at lengthy determined to act on the defensive only...".
Further on is a letter from Amboy concerning a battle: "...2500 rebels attacked the 42d regiment which is quartered between this and Brunswick, but after a pretty smart engagement were beat off having about 40 or 50 killed..." and also: "...I don't suppose we shall have much fighting yet we shall at least have a good deal of marching, as the rebels must retreat as fast as we advance...I don't believe Washington can turn out 6000 men on this side the Delaware & these a mere rabble. Not a day passes but some deserters come in here, mostly Irish...I dare say 2000 deserters have come in within these 3 months, more than 1200 of whom are Irish..." and further on: "...in a letter...to Sir William Howe, to return his thanks to Lord Cornwallis...for their good behaviour on the march after the rebels through the Jerseys; to Col. Harcourt for his spirited behaviour in taking Lee..." and: "...removing all their stores out of Philadelphia & taking all the forage & provision out of Pennsylvania...Washington has declared he will not give up any more prisoners although an exchange was agreed upon; and Gen. Howe, relying on his word, give up 2200 more of his people than he had of ours..." with more, then also: "We hear Gen. Carleton is near Ticonderoga and we expect the two armies will soon join and in that cause the rebellion be crushed."
Much fine content in this issue. Four pages, folio size, very nice condition.

Category: Revolutionary War