The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from an intelligent Gentleman in the neighbourhood of Morristown, dated June 9.

"Although extremely fatigued, I catch a moment to inform you that I have just returned from Elizabeth-town where I have been reconnoitering the enemy's situation and strength.

To give you any tolerable idea of their ravages and cruelty is beyond my descriptive abilities. They came out in force on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and landed in Elizabeth before day. Most observers differ in the account of their numbers, from my own observations, I suppose them about 5000, with 17 pieces of artillery, and every preparative for a lengthy march.

They advanced to Connecticut farms, about five miles distance, very early in the morning of Wednesday, and although they observed great discipline and decorum in Elizabethtown, yet at the farms, every step was marked with wanton cruelty and causeless devastation. They set fire to, and entirely destroyed the Presbyterian church and fourteen dwelling-houses and barns, so that there are (I think) but two dwelling-houses remaining in that fertile settlement, But alas Sir, this is only one part of the horrid scene.

The enemy being opposed by a regiment of Col. Dayton's and such militia, as could be suddenly collected, made a slow advance, till they came to a bridge at the entrance of Springfield, where the militia had an old iron 4 pound field piece, which they used to such purpose, that the enemy were drove back for some considerable distance. Being thus encouraged, Col. Dayton's regiment, and the militia together, pressed upon them, and killed and wounded many of them; the general estimate is about 100. As our people were reinforced they gained firmness, and at night the enemy had secured no farther than Connecticut farms. In the night, having received an express from General Clinton in South Carolina, they immediately began a retreat, and by 10 o'clock on Thursday, they had gained Elizabethtown point, from whence they sent off all their waggons, a part of their artillery and some of their cavalry; previous to this, Lord Stirling with General Hand's brigade and the militia, was detached close on their rear, and between Elizabethtown and the point had a very severe skirmish, some loss on both sides.

Never did troops behave better than ours. The militia behaved beyond any thing that could have been expected. The continental officers gave them the greatest credit. It is said the enemy had been persuaded, that after the taking of Charlestown, the militia would all submit, and the continental troops desert. It seems as if the militia had known these suggestions. Never did they so universally turn out on such short notice, and never with better spirit. I left this morning, at least 2000 of them below the mountains, and more flocking down continually. Col. Dayton deserves the greatest credit, as does all his officers, who behaved unexceptionably.

The enemy were all day yesterday manoeuvering to bring on a general engagement, and General Washington trying to draw them from their strong position on the point, where it was impossible to attack them to advantage. Both have failed, and General Washington hath drawn back the main body of the army above Springfield to refresh them, as they were exceedingly fatigued with two days and two nights lying on their arms. Every thing has been carried on with great propriety and we are in hopes their gentry will be obliged to retire, notwithstanding their sanguine expectations. General Knyphausen it is said, brought over his carriage, expecting to have considerable use for it. There is a brigade left to watch the motions at Elizabethtown, with a number of the militia. They are in such force, that I am clear of opinion, they intend to penetrate the country, and from some hints that have dropped, they have Pennsylvania in their eye, if they can beat General Washington."