2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
An authentic and complete issue of Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, November 29, 1781, Boston, 4pp. In part, "Eight o'clock, P.M. of the 24th ult. I received advice that a considerable body of the enemy were discovered in the upper part of the Mohawk district; every means was instantly taken to collect the force of the country, in order to oppose them without loss of time, so that by one o-clock, the following day, I was within two miles of Fort-Hunter, with between four and five hundred levies and militia; there I learnt that the enemy, having burnt several houses and barns at Warrensbush, had crossed the river at a ford some distance below, and were marching to Johnstown. This obliged me to cross the river as soon as possible, and march by the shortest route to the place whither they were directing their course. When within two miles of Johnstown, I was informed they were already there, had halted, and were busy in killing cattle belonging to the inhabitants. Thus situated, I was determined to attack them as soon as possible.... "A few minutes brought us in view of them. The troops of this wing were pushed on to a field adjoining to the one possessed by the enemy, where they displayed to the right and advanced in a line towards them, who retired with precipitation to a neighbouring wood, closely pressed by our advance, who began to skirmish with them, while the remainder of the wing was advancing briskly in two columns. In this pleasing situation, without any apparent cause, the whole of this wing turned about and fled, nor was it possible to rally them. A field piece, which was left on a height, at a distance from the wood, to secure a retreat, was abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy. At this critical period, our left wing commanded by Major Rowley, of the Massachusetts State, and composed of the militia of this county, except about sixty of the levies of the above State, made their appearance in the enemy's rear.. ... These soon regained every thing our right wing had lost, and more. Night came on, and the enemy retired into the wood, leaving a great number of their packs behind them. After marching six miles, they encamped on the top of a mountain." ... This issue also includes continuing international reaction to the American victory at Yorktown (p3/c1-2).
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