The New Hampshire Gazette

April 23. Capt. Rook, Aide de Camp to General Hodgson, arrived on Sunday about Noon, with an Account that a Detachment of the Forces landed the 8th Instant, at Port d'Audre on the Island of Belleisle, under the Command of Brigadier Carlton, and found the Shore so defended by the Batteries and Entrenchments, that after having sustained a severe Fire for some Hours, they were obliged to return on board the Transports, with the Loss of about 500 Men, killed, wounded and taken Prisoners. Major Purcell of Grey's Battalion, and Capt. Osborne of Sir Harry Erskine's are killed. Brigadier Carlton is wounded in the Thigh.

Extract of a Letter from an Officer on board the Expedition Fleet, dated off Belleisle, April 12. 1761.

On Sunday the 29th of March we sailed from Spithead, and next Day from St. Helen's. On Tuesday in the Afternoon it was known we were destined for Belleisle, and we bore away for it: From that Time 'till Sunday the Wind was against us. On Monday the Wind was fair, and at Night we sent our Cutters to make the Land; in the Morning we found ourselves within eight Leagues of it. About 12 o'Clock the whole Fleet came to an Anchor, and the Afternoon was spent in making Dispositions for landing.

By four o'Clock on Tuesday Morning the Troops were ordered to be in the flat bottomed Boats; at five they were under the Direction of those Captains who were to command the Landing. The Wind blew fresh, and it was very cold; the Troops continued in the Boats without the Ships or them moving, till 12 o'Clock. At that Time the Sandwich and another Ship made a Feint, as if going to the Citadel; while the Dragon and Achilles fell down to the outmost Part of the Island, and were followed by the Boats. The Achilles anchored within Musket shot of the place we intended to land at. We were assisted with a Bomb Vessel, and immediately began to fire; which the French only returned with one single Cannon, which was fired but seldom.

This gave us Courage, and the Boats push'd for Shore: but much too soon, as some of them were a Mile behind. No sooner were the Men got out of the three Boats which first came to Land, than the French shew'd their Heads above the Entrenchments and gave them three Fires, which did great Execution, and threw them into Confusion. About 200 of the Scotch Fusiliers were ashore with Major Purcell, when one Boat of Erskine's Grenadiers, commanded by Capt. Osborne, landed at a point and drew up undiscover'd: a few paces brought him on the high Ground. The French immediately came out, and the Captain advanced with Intrepidity to meet them. In landing he lost his Fuzee, therefore he drew his Sword, when a Shot brought him down; but he immediately got up and advanced.

He was now so close to the Enemy, that he exchanged several Thrusts with their Officers; the Men fired, and then pushed their Bayonets. The Commanders on both Sides were killed, when our Men, about 60, landed at this Place; having no Body to Head them and seeing no Succours, threw down their Arms; a few of them took to their Heels, and not being perceived they were taken into a Boat, and carried to the Ships. The Boats were now retreating as fast as possible. Our whole Loss, in killed and made prisoners, may be about 400. The Night and the next Day the Wind blew very hard, which damaged our Boats, and drove some of the Transports to Sea: Yesterday and To day it is fine and calm, and we are employed in repairing our Boats. How we are to proceed I cannot inform you, but the place is extremely well fortified.

By the French Account printed at Paris the 13th, of the Affair of Belleisle, they make the Loss of the English amount to 800 Men, killed, wounded and prisoners; and their own Loss only 10 Men killed and 60 wounded. The above happen'd the 8th Instant.