The New Hampshire Gazette

BOSTON, August 14.

Last Wednesday Morning arrived here Capt. Trefry in ten Days from Halifax, who advises, That the Day he sailed a Vessel arrived there as an Express from Chabenac Bay, which Place he left the Monday before, being the 24th of July: Said Vessel brought an Account, as Capt. Trefry heard, of the three Ships being burnt in Louisbourg Harbour, as inserted in our Paper by Capt. Homer; and that the other two had shut up their Ports, and the Crews retired to the Town, one of which Ships narrowly escaped being set on Fire at the Time the others were burnt: That near one half the Houses in the Town were consumed by the red hot Shot and Bombs from our Batteries, more especially from General Wolfe's: That the Citadel was demolished, and the Church, and all their new Barracks and most of the others burnt with near 300 Men, Women, and Children that were therein: That a large Breach was made at the West Gate: That the Deserters from the Enemy had informed General Amherst, that the French Governor was determined to defend the Garrison while he had 20 Men left alive: upon which Preparations were making by the Admiral to storm the Place by a general Attack. And,

On Thursday Evening Capt. Stephenson arrived here in 15 Days from Chabouac Bay, by him we have the following Letter: He advises, That the English Flag was flying on the Island Battery; and that the Day he came out the Firing ceased.

Extract of a Letter from Chabouac Bay, July 24.

"I take this Opportunity to acquaint you of our Proceedings. On Saturday last we hove a Shell on board one of the French Men of War, which blew up her Mainmast, set the Ship on Fire, and before they could haul the other Ships away, two more of them were all in Flames, which put the French in great Confusion; great Numbers of Boats were passing to and from the Ships all this while; our Batteries played on them with Grape, Shot, and killed great Numbers of them. On Sunday Morning we hove a Shell into the Citadel set it in Flames, and in two Hours it was burnt to the Ground. This Day Our Bombs have set the Town on Fire in several Places, and consumed near half the Town; the Inhabitants have quitted the Town, and are come out at the East Gate under the Walls. We have made several Breaches in the Walls, one of 40 Feet in Length, and have dismounted most of their Cannon: Deserters come in daily, and say, they should have given up the Place long before now, but were afraid of being put to the Sword by the Rangers and Highlanders, which they took to be Savages. The Island Battery is tore all to Pieces by the Light-House Battery; there is 2 Ships sunk across the Mouth of the Harbour, 1 Frigate taken, 1 made her Escape, 2 large Men of War in the Harbour, all the Merchant Ships sunk and destroyed, except Dowse's Snow and a other small Vessels. We have at this Time 20 Mortars playing on the City, Day and Night, besides great Numbers of Cannon. Our Army is in very good Health and high Spirits. We have taken 2 Spaniards from France, laden with Provisions. We expect every Hour they will give up the Place, for it is impossible for them to stand out much longer."

P. S. 25. The Night past we hove a Bomb into the new Barracks, set them on Fire, and they are still consumed, with the biggest Part of the City. This Day sent in another Spaniard from France: Last Night the Men of War's Boats went into the Harbour, took Possession of the Island Battery, took one 74 Gun Ship, and burnt the Commodore's Ship of 74 Guns, took 170 Men Prisoners, and killed and burnt as many more.

Extract of a Letter from an Officer on the Expedition against Louisbourg, dated June 24, 1758.

"We have between 20 and 30 Deserters from the French, most of whom are from a German Regiment, enlisted by Col. Fischer for the Prussian Service, and sold by him to the French four Years ago, since which Time they have been at Louisbourg, rather (as they themselves say) Slaves than Soldiers, without Pay, or scarce Provision to maintain them, but labouring at their Works like Brutes. They have longed for an English Invasion, and intended to desert in one Body, a few Days after we landed, but were betrayed, and the Principals hanged; there have been 16 Men seen hanging over the Ramparts together, Part of the Regiment; and we hear that two of them are not suffered to do Duty together, or converse with one another; they are daily coming in, and are employed as Marines on board the Men of War, they say, that since the English appeared they have met with more indulgent Treatment than ever they had before."

General Amherst appears very clear and alert in his Business, is very active and inquisitive in the Motions of the French, as well as our Proceedings against them.

Last Week Brigadier Wolfe received a Compliment, with a Pyramid of Sweetmeats, from the Governor's Lady, by a Flag of Truce sent to the Eastern Shore, by whom he returned his, with a Pine-Apple, which he happened to have.

P. S. This Moment General Amherst received a Compliment, with some fresh Butter, from the Governor's Lady, made by herself, which she sent by a Drummer that was sent into the City this Day with a Flag of Truce, but have not heard what Return he has made, or intends. This is strange Complaisance between inveterate Enemies!"