The Virginia Gazette

On the 23d of last month, there were lying off Fort Johnston, and Brunswick, in Cape Fear river, the Scorpion of 24 guns, with Governor Martin on board, the Raven of 18 guns, the Cruizer sloop of 10 guns, three or four small armed vessels, a few transports with about 400 land forces, and some prizes, making in the whole 20 odd sail of vessels; and more troops were hourly expected, with General Clinton, who it was said was then on the coast.

The ships of war and transports, now in the river, have on board a vast quantity of warlike stores and military apparatus, which were to have been put into the hands of the insurgents.

Capt. Collett, in the General Gage armed vessel (some time commander of Fort Johnston, and well known to be a pert audacious little scoundrel) has lately committed divers acts of piracy and robbery. Amongst others, he set fire to the elegant house of Col. Dry, formerly one of his majesty's council, and collector of the customs for the port of Brunswick, for no other crime than his being a friend to his country; destroying therein all the valuable furniture, liquors, &c. The house of William Hooper, Esqr. one of the continental delegates, about three miles below Wilmington, likewise shared the same fate, with two pilots houses near Fort Johnston.

The town of Brunswick is totally deserted, and the enemy frequently land in small parties, to pillage and carry-off negroes; but had the misfortune, in one of their excursions, to lose eight of their gang. Mr. Quince had 18 slaves lately stolen from him.

The principal inhabitants have left Wilmington, and retired into the country; and it is now occupied by the provincial troops, who are making the necessary dispositions to defend it, by throwing up intrenchments along the river, both in and below the town. The brave Col. Caswell was on his march there, with his victorious little army; and troops were coming in daily from all quarters, so that it was expected at least 5000 men would rendezvous there in a very short time.

At Edenton, advice had been received of the return of the continental fleet from Providence, at Bull's island, in South Carolina, with about 200 pieces of cannon of different sizes, a great quantity of ball, and other military stores; and that they were hourly expected in Cape Fear river, to attack the enemy, which seems to be the more probable, as, a few days after Mr. Goddard left Cape Fear, a great firing had been heard in the river, which was supposed to be our fleet actually engaged with the enemy.