The Virginia Gazette

An authentic list of the naval and military force in the province of Nova Scotia, August 13th, 1776, collected from the best authorities in said province.

In the harbour of Halifax, the Milford and Liverpool frigates, of 28 guns, the brig Hope, of 12 guns, the new sloop of war fitting out, called the Albany (late the Rittenhouse belonging to Philadelphia) to carry 16 guns, Mowatt to be commander.

Aug. 16. Since writing this list, the Milford and Liverpool frigates sailed, and the 17th the brig Hope will sail for Louisbourg.

In the town of Halifax two battalions of marines, the whole 800 rank and file, near 300 invalids, 12 artillery men, one company of the 14th regiment, 47 rank and file; one company of the royal Highland emigrants, 39 rank and file; six brass field-pieces, six and three pounders.

Fortifications in the town and suburbs: a 5-sided redoubt about 100 paces west of the dockyard; a redoubt on a hill, called Pedley's Hill, about one mile and a half N. W. of the dockyard; a redoubt, six siles, about 300 paces S. W. of the dockyard; a small breast-work on a hill called Still House Hill, about 40 paces N. of the dockyard, small block-houses to be built in each of the above redoubts; a block-house 20 by 30 feet at the N. W. corner of the dockyard, and another of the same dimensions at the S.W. corner; a small block-house 25 feet by 8 each side of the dock yard gate.

The foregoing works had no cannon mounted August 16th.

A large square breast work for cannon (almost finished) on the top of Citadel Hill, mounting twelve 24 pounders, three each way, viz. N. E. S. W. the eastern side fronts the harbour; a block-house, 40 feet by 60, erecting in said works.

In the county of King's County--part of the royal Highland emigrants, consisting of 237 rank and file.

In the county of Cumberland, the regiment of Royal Fencible Americans, commanded by Col. Gorham, consisting of 272 rank and file (when the last accounts came away) but frequent desertions lessen their number.

The dockyard is situate upon low land, a mile N. by W. of the middle of the town of Halifax, surrounded by a strong wall, 10 feet high, but is not strong enough to resist the force of a three pound ball.