The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from head quarters at Bergen, October 4.

To morrow we evacuate Bergen, a measure which will at first be condemned, and afterwards approved of. For my own part, I am sorry that the enemy should possess another inch of American ground; but prudence requires a farther sacrifice. The reasons of leaving this place I take to be these:

Bergen is a narrow neck, accessible on three sides by water, and exposed to a variety of attacks in different places at one and the same time. A large body of the enemy might infallibly take possession of the place whenever they pleased, unless we kept a stronger force than our numbers will allow. The post itself is not an object of their arms, and if they attacked it would be to cut off those who defended it, and secure the grain and military stores. These have been removed, and when we are gone a naked post is all they will find. No other damage will follow, except a depression of some people's spirits, who, unacquainted with places, circumstances, and the secret reasons of such relinquishments, are apt to despond, as if every thing was lost. We go to Fort Constitution as soon as we have seen the troops marched off. We shall leave a guard of observation behind us; this may prevent the enemy's discovering our removal for a day or two.