The Newport Gazette

The following, is the Rebel Account of the Destruction of their Stores in Connecticut: Contrasted with the preceding one, it appears in its proper Lights,

NEW HAVEN, April 30.

On Friday the 25th instant, twenty six sail of the enemy's ships appeared off Norwalk islands, standing in for Cedar Point, where they anchored at 4 o'clock P.M. and soon began landing troops; by 6 o'clock they had landed two brigades, consisting of upwards of two thousand men, and marched immediately for Danbury, where they arrived the next day at 2 o'clock P.M. The handful of Continental Troops there, were obliged to evacuate the town, but in the interim secured a part of the stores, provisions, &c. The enemy on their arrival began burning and destroying the town, both houses, stores, &c. On the appearance of the enemy the country was alarmed: Early the next morning, Brig. Gen. Silliman with about four hundred (all that were collected) pursued the enemy; at Reading he was joined by Major General Wooster and Brigadier General Arnold.- The heavy rain that fell the preceding evening, retarded the march of our troops such that they did not reach Bethel (a village two miles from Danbury) till 9 o'clock night much fatigued, and their arms rendered useless by the great wet. It was thought prudent to refresh the men, and attack the enemy on their return,-- Early the next morning, (which proved rainy) the whole rose in motion
200 men remained with Gen. Wooster, and about 400 were detached under Gen. Arnold and Col. Silliman, on the road leading to Norwalk. At 9 o'clock A.M. intelligence was received that the enemy had taken the road leading to Norwalk, of which General Wooster was advised, and pursued them, with whom he came up about 11 o'clock, when a smart skirmishing ensued, in which General Wooster behaved with great intrepidity, and unfortunately received a wound by a musket ball, through his groin, which it is feared will prove mortal—Gen. Arnold, by a forced march across the country, reached Ridgefield at 11 o'clock, and being posted his small party (outnumbered by about 200 men) some distance, watched the approach of the enemy, who were soon discovered advancing in a column with 3 field pieces in front and a horse in rear, and large flank guards of near 200 men in each. At noon they began discharging their Artillery, and were soon within musket shot, when a smart action ensued between the whole, which continued about an hour, in which our men behaved with great spirit, but being overpowered by numbers, were obliged to give way, though not till the enemy were raising a small breast work thrown across the way, at which Gen. Arnold had taken post with about 200 men, the rest of our small body were posted on the flank. It was plied with great spirit; the General had his horse shot under him, when the enemy were within about 10 yards of him, but luckily received no hurt: recovering himself he drew his pistol and shot the soldier who was advancing with his fixed bayonet. He then ordered his troops to retreat through a shower of small shot and grape. In this action the enemy suffered very considerably, leaving about 20 dead and wounded on the ground, and besides a number unknown, buried.—Here we had the misfortune of losing Lieut. Col. Gold, one subaltern, and several privates killed and wounded. It was found impossible to rally our troops, and Gen. Arnold ordered a stand to be made at Saugatuck bridge, where it was expected the enemy would pass. At 4 o'clock P.M. the 23d, about 500 men were collected at Saugatuck bridge, including part of two companies of Colonel Lamb's Battalion of artillery, with three field-pieces, under command of Lieut. Col. Oswald, one field-piece with part of the artillery company from Fairfield, Continental troops, and three companies of volunteers from New Haven, with whom Gen. Arnold and Silliman took post about two miles above the bridge. Soon after the enemy appeared in sight, their rear was attacked by Col. Huntington, commanding a party of 200 men, who sent to Gen. Arnold for instructions, and for some officer to assist him. Gen. Silliman was ordered to support the enemy, leading our troops advantageously posted, made a halt, and after some scattering fire, wheeled off to the left, and forded Saugatuck river three miles above the Bridge. Gen. Arnold, observing this motion, ordered the whole to march directly for the Bridge, to attack the enemy in flank. Gen. Silliman, at the same time, to attack them in rear; the enemy, by gaining small ground, had passed the Bridge on Fairfield road, with their main body, before our troops could come at it. Gen. Silliman, finding it impossible to attack the enemy in their rear, proceeded to the Bridge: when the whole of our forces, they marched in two columns, with two field-pieces on the right, the other on the left by the enemy, when a smart skirmish of field-pieces ensued, which continued about three hours. The enemy having gained the high hill of Compo, several attempts were made to dislodge them, but without effect. The enemy landed a number of their troops to cover their embarkation, which they effected at last after a pretty severe fire, weighed anchor immediately, and stood across the sound, for Elizabeth Town, in Long Island. Our loss cannot be exactly ascertained, no return being made. It is judged to be about 60 killed and wounded. Among the former is 1 Lieut. Col. 1 Captain, 4 Subalterns, and Doctor David Arnstrong, of this town; whose death is greatly lamented by his acquaintance. Among the number wounded are, Col. John Lamb, of the artillery, Anna B. Adler; and Timothy Gorham, volunteer from New-Haven, though not mortally. The enemy's loss is judged to be more than double our number, and about 20 prisoners. The enemy, the day before they left Fairfield, were joined by ten sail, chiefly small vessels. Since the army went off, a number of disaffected persons, who is supposed intended to join them, have been taken into custody. Major-General Wooster died last Friday Night, of the Wound he received in the last Skirmish with the Enemy.