The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman on board the Fleet which sail'd from Jamaica, dated Havannah July 14.

This is the 4th Day since we arriv'd, and scarcely an Hour pass'd in all this Time, but the Roar of Cannon and the Noise of Bombs have been ringing in our Ears. The Event has been very doubtful, as they made a most obstinate Resistance, and our Army is very sickly. The Morro Castle as the principal and almost only Object we are at present engag'd with, having from 5 to 9 Batteries constantly playing against it; they are often destroy'd, but as often re-built again. It is certain that if they do not surrender in 3 or 4 Days from the above Date, the English are determined to storm. A most fatal Event to many Thousands!

We did not expect to have met with any Detention here, but this Day we receiv'd Orders from the Commodore for all the Fleet to come to Anchor to Leeward of the Harbour. We shall not sail in 8 Days. The General has ordered all the Vessels in our Fleet to land all their Cotton in order to fill up the Ditch to storm the Castle, so that the Affair will be determined e'er we leave this......Our Batteries have been open 23 Days. We have lost by Sickness and kill'd 2200 Men and great Numbers are still sick.....They have almost given over the Hopes of a Reinforcement from North America. If they would now arrive, we should soon complete our Designs here.