The Virginia Gazette

CHARLESTOWN (S. C.) September

Last night the Lieutenant of marines of the armed brig Bellona, came up to town with intelligence of his Excellency Count D'Estaing's fleet, consisting of 25 sail of the line, 20 frigates and 3 corvettes or sloops, being at anchor on Thursday noon, in 14 fathom water, off Tybee; on board the fleet are 5000 land forces. A frigate had been dispatched with an express to this town; it is imagined the high wind we had on Thursday night has occasioned her standing off, but as the weather is now favourable, she is hourly looked for. Pilots are now going to the Count. This great and unexpected aid cannot fail giving the highest satisfaction to every real friend of America, and affords the happy prospect of soon seeing the virtuous few of our sister state of Georgia, reinstated in their possessions, and a speedy stop being put to the ravages of our haughty invaders.

We are assured, that exclusive of draughts, the militia turn out volunteers, in all parts of the state, with such spirit and alacrity, that the ferry-men at the several rivers cannot carry the men across fast enough.

By the last accounts from Count D'Estaing's fleet, 7 British vessels had fallen into their hands, amongst them a large ship from Glasgow, with 8 Scotch merchants on board (refugees from N. Carolina and Virginia) with valuable cargoes, intended to purchase conquered estates in this state and Georgia. One of the prizes, the brig Polly from New Providence for Quebec, arrived here last Friday; and as he came in, the Amazon French frigate was seen off this bar, in chase of a ship, supposed to be the Ariel British man of war of 20 guns, which she came up with, engaged half an hour, and then carried her off.

It is said, that the King of Spain has presented 5000 pieces of good blanketing to the United States, for the use of their troops; and that part of them are already arrived at Boston.

Last Monday Captain Vardey and Lieutenant Campbell, of the 71st British regiments, were brought to town, prisoners. They were taken, with 4 privates and 10 negroes, on the 5th instant, coming through Skull Creek, in General Prevost's barge, with dispatches from the General at Savannah, to Col. Maitland at Beaufort, said to be orders to the Col. to remove his whole force to Savannah, to the defence of which all the troops at outposts had been called in.

Just as this paper had gone to press, an account came, that a body of troops of His Most Christian Majesty, our great and good ally, were landed in Georgia last Sunday night; that Major General Lincoln was approaching fast to Savannah, to cooperate with them; and that General Count Pulaski had already taken a Picket of the enemy; so that it is probable, by the close of this week, the fate of Georgia, and of General Prevost's army may be decided, in a manner very wide of the expectations of the returned refugees, and their infatuated adherents.