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Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, received in London by way of Nantz: The defeat of the Provincial forces at Long-Island attributed to Lord Stirling

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EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN LONDON BY WAY OF NANTZ, DATED PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 8, 1776.

The defeat of the Provincial forces at, Long-Island was in a great measure owing to the bad conduct of Lord Stirling, who neglected sending a proper force for the defence of the heights above Flatbush, and by that means afforded General Howe an opportunity of showing his superiour generalship, in surrounding their lines, instead of attacking them in front as was expected. Only one battalion of Rangers, under the command of Colonel Trail, was left to defend the pass on the road to Jamaica Plain, where the grand attack was made. That young officer for a long time made head against the whole force of General Clinton' s body of Infantry; but as no support was sent him, after losing two thirds of his men, and being dangerously wounded himself, he made good his retreat and joined General Putnam at Brooklyn. General Sullivan, Colonel Smith, and Major Guy, behaved with great bravery.

General Washington is at King' s Bridge; the grand army under his command consists of about thirty-three thousand men˙ Lee is ordered by the Congress to make an attack upon St˙ Augustine, Every prospect of a reconciliation is at an end.

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