Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

GEORGIA, (Savannah.) October 19.

A number of runaway Negroes (supposed to be upwards of 100) having sheltered themselves on Belleisle Island, about 17 or 18 miles up Savannah river, and for some time past committed robberies on the neighbouring Planters, it was found necessary to attempt to dislodge them. On Wednesday the 11th inst. a small party of militia landed and attacked them, and killed three or four; but were at last obliged to retreat for want of ammunition, having four of their number wounded. Same evening, about sunset, 15 of the Savannah Light-Infantry, and three or four others, drove in one of their out-guards; but the Negroes came down in such numbers, that it was judged advisable to retire to their boats, from which the Negroes attempted to cut them off, but were prevented by Lieut. Else, of the artillery, who commanded, with about eleven of the company, and had a field piece on board, which he discharged three times with grape shot, and it is thought either killed or wounded some of them, as a good deal of blood was afterwards seen about the place to which the shot was directed. On Friday morning, Gen. Jackson, with a party, proceeded to their camp, which they had quitted precipitately on his approach. He remained till Saturday afternoon, when he left the isl. and, having destroyed as much rough rice as would have made 25 barrels, or more, if beat out, and brought off about 60 bushels of corn, and 14 or 15 boats and canoes, from the landing. He also burnt a number of the houses and huts, and destroyed about four acres of green rice. The loss of their provisions, it is expected, will occasion them to disperse about the country, and it is hoped will be the means of most of them being soon taken up.