The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from the postmaster at Upper Marlborough, dated Sunday morning, September 21, 1777.

"By Mr. Robert Johnson of Port Royal, who came to town late last night from Baltimore, and who came from Pennsylvania with Mess. Lansdale and Smith from camp, who left it at Yellow Springs, on the Lancaster road, last Thursday, I am informed that General Washington with his troops had crossed the Schuylkill, and marched to that place in order to attack General Howe, who was near the White Horse, on the Lancaster road. General Wayne's division had got round Howe, and with his rear. The troops were drawn up in order of battle on Tuesday, and the vanguards were engaged; but the heavy rains prevented a general action. General Putnam, with two thousand men from Peek's Kill, and four thousand Jersey militia, were on the point of joining General Washington; and two thousand Maryland militia, under General Smallwood, were also within twelve miles, and supposed before now to be joined."

The rainy weather only prevented a general engagement; our troops without tents or baggage, as well as the enemy. The Philadelphia militia have turned out to a man. Howe's troops have plundered all before them, to the utter astonishment and ruin of their friends the Quakers. Mr. Johnson further says, it was currently reported that Burgoyne had been chased to the lakes, which he had recrossed, and that our people were in possession of Ticonderoga. This waits for confirmation. At this critical time, I thought it might prove agreeable to you to have the intelligence stirring here, as there is no post that passes.