The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, July 25.

Extract of a letter from General Schuyler to General Washington.

DEAR SIR,

SARATOGA, July 7, 1777.

Soon after I had dispatched the letter which I did myself the honour to address to your Excellency from Stillwater, I met with Lieutenant Colonel Hay, deputy quarter-master general, who was at Ticonderoga.

He informs me that on Saturday it had been agreed upon to retreat from Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence. That between two and three o'clock on Sunday morning, General St. Clair, with the rest of the general officers and the army, marched out of the lines at Mount Independence; that Col. Long, with about six hundred men, embarked on board our few vessels, and in batteaux; that just before they arrived at Skenesborough they were overtaken by the enemy's vessels, in which we lost all our ammunition.

The troops under Col. Long are arrived at Fort Ann. Where General St. Clair is with the main body I have not yet learnt. Colonel Hay imagined he would come by the way of Skenesborough; if so, he will fall in with the enemy, who have taken possession there. Captain Dantignore, who is just arrived here, confirms Col. Hay's account, except as to General St. Clair, who he understood was to march to No. 4; this is not likely. I have dispatched an officer to meet General St. Clair, and requested that he should march by the shortest route to Fort Edward. As I have related the above from memory, I may have omitted some, and misapprehended other circumstances. It is impossible to say what post we shall take; it depends on the route the enemy mean to pursue.

Published by order of Congress.

CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.