who took Holt's types, he imputed to other reasons, than CHAP. 1.I. their peaceable intentions, as the drums were beating to arms, without success, the greater part of the time that the party were, on shore, He gave them no satisfaction on the subject of restoring the persons and property seized and carried off. Holt, the printer, was not, silent on the occasion. He published, in the Williamsburg papers, an eloquent philippie, against Dunmore, and a patriotie advertisement, stating his intention to establish a new press, to be conducted on the same principles, as that which had been destroyed.

Towards the last of this month six companies arrived in October. or near Williamsburg, some of theu: armed with rifles.Dunmore also received a reinforcement from St. Augustine of about 200 men; of this the committee of safety were informed by express. He then with 140 men, went upon an expedition against Kemp's-landing, now called Kempsville, in Princess Ann County. His object was to intercept a quantity of gunpowder, lately imported-but this had been carried off some time before. A blacksmith's shop was broken open, and abott 50 muskets destroyed: 2 officers. in the minute service, and 4 privates were made prisoners. Captain Matthews who commanded 50 minute-men at this nlace, was imself made prisoner. He declined the combat, it is said from inequality of numbers. The accounts of the day differ with respect to many of these little skirmishes; some stating Dunmore's force to have consisted of 200 men, others at 140 as stated above. It is not material; the fact of Dunmore's success in this petty affair, is acknowledged by every one.

For some on Dunmore carried on a predatory warfare against the colony of which he had recently had the government. He landed a party of soldiers at Norfolk, destroyed 17 and carried off two, without molestation.

He was induced to this by information which he had received, that these cannon were to be fitted up and placed upon the wharves and on other eligible places for the purpose of annoying his fleet; and that a number of men were daily expected from Williamsburg, who were to fire them from behind hogsheads filled with sand. This plan, if in agitation, he rendered abortive.

Soon after, there appeared off the mouth of Hampton river, a large armed schooner, a sloop and three tenders, with soldiers on board and a message was received at Hampton from captain Squires, on board the schooner, that On which a be would that day land and burn the town.

company of regulars and company of minute-men who were placed there in consequence of former threats denounced against that place, made the best disposition to prevent their landing, aided by a body of militia who were suddenly called together on the occasion.

The British accordingly attempted to land, but were retarded by some boats sunk across the channel for that purpose.

Upon this they fired several small cannon at the provin cials without effect; they in return, discharged their small arms with such unerring aim, as to compel the enemy to retire. The evening preceding this they had landed and Turnt down a house in the vicinity of Hampton.

On intelligence of this reaching Williamsburg, about 9 o'clock at night a company of mounted riflemen were dişpatched to the aid of Hampton, and an officer appointed to take the command of the whole, who with the company arrived at Hampton about 8 o'clock the next morning, notwithstanding it rained incessantly the whole night.

The vessels sunk at the mouth of the creek had not been placed so advantageously as was intended, in consequence of the rapidity of the tide. Squires, who commanded the expedition in person, was therefore enabled during the night, by cutting away the bowsprits of two of the vessels to pass into the creek, and draw up his fleet close to the town. The fire upon the town commenced soon after the arrival of the troops from Williamsburg; but was returned so briskly from the houses on the shore, that the assailants were compelled to retire precipitately.

The Brins lost in this attack, a small tender with five white men, a woman, and two slaves; six swivels, seven muskets, some small arms, a sword, pistols, and several papers belonging to lieutenant Wright, who made bis escape by leaping overboard, and swimming to the shore, from whence he was taken off at the mouth of the creek. by some of the fleet as they retreated outward. It was the general opinion, at the time, that all the British vessels would have been captured, but for the accidental circumstance of the wind shifting, at the very moment that they found it necessary to retreat; for they entered when it blew from the south, and it shifted to the opposite point most opportunely for them.

When it was discovered that they were about to retire, a party was despatched by land, to oppose their passage through the narrow mouth of the creek; but, whether by accident or design. is not known, when they had marched but a small distance from the town. a report was suddenly spread among them, that a party of the British had landed in a different direction, and were about to attack the back part of the town. This caused a halt, and produced a momentary confusion. Before correct information could be obtained, the vessels had cleared the creek. The report was groundless.* Not a single Virginian was killed

* This account of the attack upon Hampton, and the repulse of the British, is taken partly from the printed accounts of the day>

VIRGINIA.

the glory and the advantage of the day remained entire with the Patriots, whilst the British retired with considerable loss, and more than proportionate shame.

In the mean time. numbers of armed Virginians hourly arrived at Williamsburg, from various parts of the unper country. Fired with patriotic and holy enthusiasm, they courted the toils and dangers of the tented field. They were eager to participate in the expedition. which was to inflict on Dunmore and his adherents, a blow too long delayed, and to relieve the suffering friends of American rights and American liberty, in Norfolk and the adjacent counties. To these menacing movements, the British were Den her inattentive nor indifferent. Informed that the se

Affair at

vember 10.

cord Virginia regiment and the Culpeper battalion had lately been ordered down to Norfolk. Dunmore resolved to prevent. if possible, their passage across James river.— With this object in view, he directed the King Fisher and three large tenders to move up to Burwell's ferry The hostile flotilla reached that place on the 10th of Novem ber. About 300 yards from the landing, lay an American vessel At this vessel the enemy's ships immediately fired, ordering her, in a haughty and peremptory tone, to come Burwell's along side of the King Fisher. Some Virginian riflemen fer-Nohad been stationed on a high and commanding part of the bank. These brave defenders of their insulted soil, directed the Skipper to remain where he was. The consequence was an immediate and vehement contest. The vessel lay about 300 yards from our men, and rather less than a mile from the man of war. The latter now directed against the object of the struggle, a brisker fire. This, however, was without effect. A barge full of men was then seen to advance from the King Fisner towards the vessel, Our riflemen steadily watched her approach-so soon as it bad proceeded within a suitable distance. they fired with such precision as to kill three of the enemy This kindled additional irritation in the breast of the latter Hostility became frenzy. A smart cannonade ensued, but with inconsiderable effect. A 6 pound ball perforated both sides November of the ware-house, in which some men had stationed themselves, and several struck and buried in the bank under them. A second attempt was made by the man of war to seize on the boat. but though more formidable, because better conducted than the first, this attempt proved equally abortive. The rifle guard, seasonably reinforced by the accession of ten men, poured upon the barge so bris! and

and partly from the statement of persons who were on the spot. The correspondence of a few eminen revolutionary characters has also been cont suited, nd furnished satis.ctor dewib.

Here L. H. GIRARDIA's narratio commences.

13.

III.

CHAP. so well directed a fire, that the people on board found it necessary to seek their safety in a precipitate return to the ship. Thus were all the objects of this hostile expe dition defeated by the skill and gallantry of a few expert and resolute men. Their success nerved resistance with fresh vigor, and swelled the current of the popular hope.

Attack on

Impatient to atone for so unexpected a failure, the man James Town of war and the tenders moved up to James-Town, in the course of the following night. They had just received reinforcements from Norfolk, and their anticipations of success were sanguine and high. At James-Town, howe ver, repulse and shame again awaited them. A boat was filled with armed men. who received orders to effect a lan New repulse at that place ding at a certain part of the beech. At that very spot, captain Green had posted two rifle centinels, being himself. stationed with his men about half a mile higher up. Asthe boat approached the people in it were repeatedly chal lenged; no answer was returned. Upon this the centinels fired at the boat, then about 50 yards distant. Their fire was immediately returned, and the boat still advancing, raw pidly pressed upon them. Not a moment was to be lost. One of the centinels speedily ran off to captain Green, to apprize him of the impending danger, and bring him to the point of attack. The other steadily maintaining his ground, and the more firm and collected, as the peril drew nearer, loaded again, and, as soon as he deemed the boat within a suitable distance, discharged his rifle a second time. A terrible and melancholy shrieking which immediately fol lowed on board, convinced him that his fire had not been ins effectual. Before Green's arrival, the boat tacked about and made off.

16.

November

On the 16th of this month, intelligence of an afflictive na ture reached Williamsburg, and clouded for a moment a bright dawn of success. Hearing that about 200 men of the Princess Anne militia were on their march to join the Affair in troops destined for the protection of the lower country,

Princess

Aune.

Duumore, had proceeded from Norfolk, at the head of a superior force. composed of regulars. fugitive slaves and disaffected inhabitants, with a view to intercept that patri otic band. The latter, aware of no hostile design, advanc. ed in incautious security, to the place of their destination. They were unexpectedly attacked, and compelled to engage, under the double disadvantage of an unfavorable ground, and inferior numbers. Supported, however, by inherent courage, and warmed by the justice of a noble cause, they,, for some time, fought with great bravery and execution. At last the combined disadvantages. just mentioned, compelled them to retreat, which they did in per fect order. John Ackiss, one of the minute men, was kill ed on the spot. Col. Hutchings and a Mr. Williams, with

III.

seven others, were wounded and taken prisoners Infor- CHAP, mation of this unfortunate occurrence was communicated to col. Henry, by an express from the camp at Cobham, who, with some danger, crossed James river a little above the place where the man of war and the wonders had taken their station.

CHAPTER IV.

1

Dunmore's proclamation, dated November the 7th-Effects of this proclamation-Woodford crosses James river at Sandy Point-Oath prescribed by Dunmore-Dunmore threatens Suffolk-A party is detached by Woodford to protect that place-He marches there himself—Calumnies and inflammatory reports about this expedition-Decla ration of the Committee of Safety thereupon-Connelly`s plot-Proceedings at Suffolk-Scott advances to the great bridge-Hostilities commenced there-Plan of an immedi ate attack on the enemy-That plan is relinquished-Two companies of disaffected militia dispersed by Wills-Woodford marches from Suffolk to the great bridge-Operati ons there Offer of troops from North Carolina, accepted.

Dunmore

In Norfolk and the adjacent country, Dunmore counted numerous adherents. Their rash advice, together with his proci own impetuous, revengeful and haughty spirit, early impel- oil, ed him to a measure characterized by folly, and fraught Nov.7. with incalculable mischief, both to the colony and to his own cause. Under date of November 7th, he issued the following Proclamation, whose style strongly indicates the agita tion of a perturbed mind, whilst its substance betrays a blind, npolitic, ruinous inflexibility, and, what is still worse, a savage and wanton disregard for some of the fundamental principles upon which the social fabric essentially rests, and for those rules of civilization which are usually respected even in the phrenzy and calamitous intent of war.

See Virginia Gazette of this date. Some of our documents relate this affair rather differently, and charge part of the militia with misconduct, Candor demands this remark.

dateri