The Virginia Gazette

A letter from an officer at Philip's manor, dated February 1, 1777, says, "Since our arrival here, have been in sight of the enemy every day, at Kingsbridge, and at Fort Independence. At our first coming down, we encamped about half a mile from the fort, in the open field, for five days, but were then obliged to move back, on account of a heavy snow storm, and have, since our first coming here, had several small skirmishes with the enemy, but we have not lost a single man out of our regiment. Our regiment are now on this side Fort Independence, and two regiments on the other side: This fort is about half a mile from Kingsbridge, and on the York side. We have lately been down within half a mile of the fort, with two field-pieces, &c. but could not persuade the enemy to come out and fight us. They have got almost all their troops out of York, on their lines and in the three forts, to prevent our going into the city; for the morning we got down here we threw them into great confusion, and we took a considerable quantity of their baggage, and we now possess their advance guard-houses."