The Virginia Gazette

Inverness, Dec. 30. Our Force at present is about 1700 Highlanders, and three Companies more of 100 each are expected. Of the Troops assembled, even Companies are between this and Spey, the rest are at Inverness.

Edinburgh, Jan. 9 This Day at Noon we had an Account, that the Rebels got into the Town of Stirling Yesterday at Four, the Inhabitants opening their Gates, as the Town was not defensible. The Militia Officers, with all the Arms, went into the Castle. Their Men, by small Parcels, all made their Escape. We are assured that Major General Blakeney is very well provided with Men and Provisions. The Rebels have but two Cannon of 12 Pounders, which with great Labour they brought round by the Frith; one Eighteen Pounder, which they have been unsuccessfully trying to pass over at Alloway on Floats, is still there. Yesterday General Hawley sent up some Boats armed, and a small Vessel with Cannon mann'd with 300 Men, under the Command of Colonel Leighton, to destroy all their Machines: There is yet no Report from him.

Edinburgh, Jan. 10. Barrel's and Poulteney's Regiments came in here this Day, so that we have now twelve Battalions. Sempill's and Campbell's are now upon the Road; and Cobham's Dragoons are to be this Day at Dunbar. Dispositions are making to march the Day after To morrow towards the Rebels with 3 or 4000 Men, which are to take Post at Linlithgow, Borrowstoun, and Queen's Ferry, and will be able, as it is hoped, to drive away Lord Kilmarnock from Falkirk. As soon as the Train of Artillery is ready, it is proposed to march to Stirling.

Edinburgh, Jan. 10. By Express from Stirling there is Advice, that immediately after the Rebels enter'd the Town, they sent off three Pieces of Cannon, Four Pounders to the Hill of Airth, to prevent his Majesty's Ships getting further up the River, and to cover the Passage of their heavy Cannon now lying near Alloway. All Yesterday two Men of War continued firing upon them whilst they were mounting their Cannon, and beat them off from that Place, so that last Night the Rebels were obliged to remove their Cannon about a Mile further up this Side the River, and proposed to mount them this Day. Yesterday the Pretender's Son reviewed the Troops at Falkirk, which amounted to the Number of 1800 Men, and return'd immediately afterwards to Stirling.

Since the above Account we have receiv'd the following Advices, viz. That two Skiffs, that lay aground at Airth, had been burnt by the Vessels sent from hence, notwithstanding a Battery of Cannon which the Rebels had erected there; some of their Men were killed and wounded before they marched off with their Cannon, which they fired frequently, but did no Damage. On Thursday they were erecting a Battery with those Cannon at Elphingstone, which our Vessels designed to attack, and to proceed if possible to Alloway. It is apprehended that they have got six Cannon there, and above 300 Men, and about 200 at Elphingstone.