MAJOR JAMES M’HENRY TO GEN. GREENE
[Part of letter of Major Jamel McHenry, member of the Continental Congress, military secretary to Washington, and afterwards Secretary of War, to General Greene. It is dated at Ambler’s Plantation, (opposite James Island, Va.), July 8, 1781. It is not signed, but is of great historical interest. He says:]
On the 4th Instant, the Enemy evacuated Williamsburg, where some Stores fell into our Hands, and retreated to this Place, under the Cannon of their Shipping. Next Morning we advanced to Bird’s Tavern and a Part of the Army took Post at Narrell’s Mills about nine Miles from the British Camp.—The Sixth I detached an advanced Corps under Gen’l Wayne, with a View of reconnoitering the Enemy’s Situation. Their light Parties being drawn in, the Pickets which lay close to their Encampment were gallantly attacked by some Riflemen, whose Skill was employed to great Effect, Having ascertained that Lord Cornwallis had sent off his Baggage, under a proper Escort and posted his Army in an open Field fortified by the Shipping, I returned to the Detachment which I found more generally engaged. A Piece of Cannon had been attempted by the Van Guard under Major Galvan, whose conduct deserves high Applause. Upon this the whole British Army came out and advanced to the thin Wood occupied by Gen’l Wayne. His Corps chiefly composed of Pennsylvanians, and some light Infantry did not exceed eight hundred Men, with three Field Pieces. But notwithstanding their Numbers at Sight of the British Army, the Troops ran to the encounter, a short Skirmish ensued with a close Warm and well directed firing, but as the Enemy’s Right and Left, of Course greatly out flanked ours, I sent Gen’l Wayne Orders to retire Half a Mile to where Colonels Vose and Barber’s light Infantry Battalions had arrived by a rapid Move and where I ordered them to form, In this Position they remained ’till some Hours after Sunset, The Militia under Gen’l Lawson had been advanced and the Continentals were at Narrel’s Mill, when the Enemy retreated in the Night to James Island, which they also evacuated, crossing over to the South Side of the River. Their Ground at this Place and the Island was successively occupied by Gen’l Muhlenberg, many valuable Horses were left on their Retreat. From every account the Enemy’s Loss has been very great and much Pains taken to conceal it. Their Light Infantry the Brigade of Guards and two British Regiments formed the first Line. The Remainder of their Army, the Second, the Cavalry paraded, but did nothing. By the enclosed Returns you will see what Part of General Wayne’s Detachment Suffered most. The services rendered by the Officers make me happy to think that although many were wounded, we have lost none. Most of the Field Officers had their horses killed. The same accident to every Horse of two Field Pieces made it impossible to move them unless men had been sacrificed. But it is enough for the Glory of Gen’l Wayne, and the Officers and Men he commanded, to have attacked the whole British Army, with a reconnoitering Party only, close to their encampment, and by this severe Skirmish hastened their Retreat over the River. Colo. Bayer of the Riflemen is a Prisoner.