The Virginia Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, August 30.

We hear, that since the enemy have landed at the Elk, the number of prisoners and deserters from them amount to about 60. Yesterday several were brought to this city. Very disagreeable and distressing, as the number of sick is considerable.

By the accounts of deserters from the enemy, their situation must be having increased greatly since they landed, and they are so closely observed by the militia, that they dare not venture out far to procure fresh provisions. That numbers of seamen as well as soldiers are determined to desert the first opportunity; the latter in particular are greatly dissatisfied, on account of their bad provisions, for which even the best part of their pay is stopped, as they do not receive more than twopence halfpenny a day, and when that happens to be paid them, it is not in their power to purchase any vegetables, which the poor fellows are now more desirous of than ever they were of liquor. And that soon after their landing they lost near thirty horses, having turned them into a corn field, where the creatures eat to such excess that they expired before the English farriers could discover their disorder, and administer any thing to their relief.