The Virginia Gazette

FISH KILL, June 29.

Last week about 50 sail of great and small vessels appeared in the north river, nearly opposite Col. Philips's; from hence it was concluded that Sir Harry intended to attack West Point; in consequence of which the militia in this county was called out, who appeared at their respective places of rendezvous with great alertness. We have since heard that most of the vessels have fallen down the river. It is thought this manoeuvre was made in order to facilitate the burning plan in New Jersey. Though they burnt the small town of Springfield, they paid dearly for it, having lost in killed and wounded, by the best accounts we can collect, from 500 to 700 men.

Extract of a letter from Westchester county, June 27.

"I returned from over the river to day, it was confidently told me, that Sir Harry Clinton was at East Chester, that most of the British army were meeting that way, that an incursion into Connecticut, generally supposed, and that great part of the fleet was ordered up the Sound.

I was this morning opposite the fleet at Philips's, it consisted of one sloop of war, an armed snow, eleven square rigged transports and twenty small vessels; the other part of the fleet were making the best of their way to New York. A number of the enemy are at Philips's, their picket guard extends two miles, near Abraham Vandercurt's."

The tories, who pretend to know the designs of Sir Harry, say, that he does not mean to attack the fort at West Point, but whilst the militia are drawn off from below the mountains, he intends to sweep away all the cattle to be found in Westchester, and the lower parts of Dutchess counties.