1779. The French and Americans, about 4,500 men under count d'Estaing and Gen. Lincoln, made an unsuccessful assault upon Savannah, and were compelled to retreat with considerable loss. The brave count Pulaski was mortally wounded in this affair. (Holmes says Oct. 11.)
1781. The French and Americans opened their batteries upon the British at Yorktown.
1791. Abraham J. Lansing, the original proprietor of Lansingburgh, N. Y., died, aged 72, at his seat in that town.
1803. Deluge in the island of Madeira; the city of Funchal, with all its inhabitants, was swept into the ocean, leaving the rocky basis of the island bare. But one human being escaped, which was an infant. The event is supposed to have been
occasioned by a water spout, which had burst against the side of a mountain, and discharged itself down the declivities upon the city.
1805. Battle of Guntzburg; the Austrians under prince Ferdinand, defeated by the French under Bonaparte, with the loss of 2,000 prisoners, besides killed and wounded.
1806. Battle of Schleitz in Saxony; 10,000 Prussians defeated by Bernadotte; being the recommencement of hostilities between the French and Prussians.
1809. Great storm at Boston and vicinity, by which a vast number of vessels were lost.
1812. Lieut. Elliott, of the United States navy, with 50 volunteers, attacked and carried two British vessels, the Caledonia and Detroit, on lake Erie. One of these was burnt, with a cargo valued at $200,000.
1813. British broke up their cantonments before fort George, and marched rapidly for Burlington bay.