The New Hampshire Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28. Yesterday we received Advice from the Westward, that on the 14th Instant there was a smart Action near Fort-Duquesne, between some of our Troops and the French and their Indians.

MAJOR Grant with 800 Men marched Inst. towards Fort Duquesne, continued his March till he arrived within 8 Miles of the Fort. He marched with the greatest Caution and best Disposition imaginable so far. Then he made a Halt of 30 Hours, and sent an Officer and some Indians to reconnoitre the Enemy. The Officer lay on a Hill nigh the Fort, and saw a Number of Indians cross the Ohio in Canoes. Before he returned Major Grant began his March again. The Officer met him and informed what he had discovered. Notwithstanding which the Major proceeded within 2 Miles of the Fort, where he halted and left his Baggage under a Guard, and prepared to Attack an Encampment in the Night that was supposed to be near the outside of the Fort. They all put on white Shirts over their Cloaths, and were to attack Sword in Hand, but when they came to the Fort found none out of it. The Out Houses they set Fire to and burnt. Major Lewis with Part of the Provincials went back one Mile and a half, and posted themselves as if they intended an Ambuscade. Major Grant with the Highlanders and Part of the Provincials continued about the Fort till Morning, then shewed themselves and beat their Drums about 200 Yards from the Fort. The French shewed no Appearance till the Sun was an Hour high, when they opened the Gates, on which 1000 Indians with some French rushed out: Part of them went to surround, and the main Body attacked the Highlanders in Front. Major Lewis hearing of the Fire and no Retreat as he expected, left Capt. Bullet with 100 Men to guard the Baggage, and posted forward to the Action; where he found our People almost defeated. This Party engaged with great Resolution, but the Officers soon fell, and the Men retreated till they passed Capt. Bullet, who drew up his Men on an Advantageous Piece of Ground, and fought bravely till he was drove into the River. He escaped, but most of his Men were drowned. The Enemy pursued about 6 Miles, and killed the wounded and wearied of our Men. The Soldiers that came in brought their Arms with them, and left Major Grant alive in the Field.

A List of Officers and Soldiers, Missing, from the Action near Fort Duquesne, September 14th 1758.

Royal Americans. Lieut. Billings and Ryder, Ensigns, Roher and Jenkins. Privates 35.

Highlanders. Major Grant, Capts. H. McKiney, McDonald, and Morrow, Lieuts. Alexander McKiney, Colin Campbell, Wm. McKiney, L. McKiney and Alexander McDonald. Ensign John McDonald. Privates 131.

Virginians. Major Lewis. Lieuts. Baker and Campbell. Ensigns, Allen, Chew and Guet. Privates 61.

Carolinas. Privates 4. Maryland. Lieut. McCrea. Privates 27. Lower Counties. Privates 2. Pennsylvania: Ensign Noller. Privates 17.

Total Missing 300 Returned 540 840

Another Account of the above Action, is as follows.

We have Advice from the advanced Posts of the Army under the Command of Brigadier General Forbes, that Maj. Grant, of the Highland Regiment, marched on a reconnoitring Party the 9th Inst. from Loyal Hannon, in order to view the French Fort. and the Road leading to it; and were to be sustained by Lieut. Col. Dagworthy, of the Maryland Provincials. They left Loyal Hannon the 9th, and the 11th the advanced Post of that Place. The Evening of
On the 10th; they attempted to cut off the Indians that were without the Fort, and forced the Blockhouses open, and burnt them. On the Morning of the 14th, Major Grant sent a Company of Highlanders towards the Gates of the Fort, the rest of the party, with Major Grant, remaining on a Height at a little Distance, excepting Major Lewis with 250 Men, who remained in Ambush at 2 Miles Distance. The French seeing the Company of Highlanders advancing, rushed out of the Fort in great Numbers (French, Canadians and Indians, they having received a Reinforcement the Day before) many of the Enemy fell by the Weight of the first Fire, but they immediately dispersed, and surrounded our People. Capt. M'Donald was killed amongst the Number. The Engagement Soon became general, and Major Lewis hearing the Fire, came up from the place he lay in Ambush. The Troops maintained the Attack a long While, but were at last obliged to give Way, being overpowered with Numbers. Our Loss is computed at 270 Men, but the Enemy have lost a far greater Number, especially Indians. About 20 Officers are missing, amongst whom are Majors Grant & Lewis; it is thought the former is taken Prisoner, with other Officers, and many private Men. The Army only waits their last Convoy of Provisions, every Thing else being ready for their advancing, the Communication being secured. The Men are in high Spirits.