The Virginia Gazette

Prague, Nov. 28. N. S. The Day before Yesterday, when the Prussian Troops, the Number of which amounted to about 10,000 Men, were preparing to evacuate the Town, a Body of about 2500 Austrians entered by another Way into it, attacked the Prussians near the Bridge, and pursued them with a very brisk Fire (of which 4 or 500 Prussians took the Advantage and deserted) to the very Gate they were to go out at. Colonel Cogniazo having pushed the Enemy with too great Eagerness, got into the Midst of them with only a few of his Men about him, and had the Misfortune to be killed.

They have left us 34 Pieces of great Artillery, and 18 Mortars, having neither Horses nor Time to carry them off. They had nailed up this Artillery as well as that belonging to the Town, but a great Part of it has been refitted so as to be rendered serviceable.

Yesterday and this Day, above a Thousand Deserters have returned to the Town. For three Days before they marched out, the Enemy were employed in throwing 5000 Quintals of Powder, several Thousands of Bombs, Granadoes, and Cartridges, into the River, and broke 1200 of our Muskets. They had also dug Mines in many Places with an Intention to have blown up the Works of the Town, but they were discovered in Time, and there was but one which was sprung on the Side of the Mountain of St. Laurence, and that without much Damage.

In the Body of Austrians there were about 120 Prussian Deserters, who fell upon their old Comrades with the utmost Rage and Fury. During these Skirmishes, between 3 and 400 Lads, Brewers, Butchers, Millers, and Bakers, joined together in a Body, and having got Arms and Ammunition from the Magazine of the Town, assisted all they could in driving out the Prussians, whom they not only pelted with their Shot very severely, whilst they continued in it; but after they were marched out, having drawn up to the Ramparts some great Cannon which the Enemy had left, charged them with two or three Balls at once, and fired them upon the Prussians as long as they were in Sight.