The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

HAGUE. October 1.

We have just received the following private intelligence from Paris, the contents of which are sufficient to excite the tears of every humane person.

SIR,

Paris. September 26

I here send you the melancholy relation of the disasters which happened at the siege of Gibraltar.

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On the 9th the land batteries began to play on the place; the fire was well supported and directed; and every day made some progress; there was no doubt therefore entertained, that when the floating batteries began their fire, Gibraltar must soon capitulate.

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On the 12th the eleven floating batteries took their station for attacking the place on the side next to the sea. The arrangements having been made without any obstacle, at nine in the morning the fire began from the floating batteries, which mounted altogether 193 brass cannon, and had besides above 150 other cannon, which served for ballast, and for change, in case of accidents: these cannon were all 24 pounders.

The whole firing at once, both from the land and sea, presented the most dreadful scene that can be imagined—success appeared certain on our side: but at eleven o'clock the English began firing red hot balls. One hundred and ten cannon, pouring forth an incessant shower of fiery balls, soon threw the batteries into the utmost disorder: some of the balls entered the port holes, and the fire spread every where. While the day lasted, they were able to extinguish the flames: but at six o'clock in the evening, three of the floating batteries blew up; the rest cut their cables, with an intention of retreating, but without effect, their tackle, masts and sails being at burnt; it was therefore impossible for them to draw back a single step, and the burning hail did not cease. Bars were immediately put out to save the crews.

The Prince of Nassau, who had performed prodigies of valor, and who had lost the greatest part of his men, threw himself into one of these boats, with several officers, and 152 men belonging to his battery, got into another; at the very instant when this second boat was getting away, a ball fell into the middle of the boat, which immediately sunk, and every soul that was in it perished. The next day at four in the morning, four more of the floating batteries blew up, and at eight o'clock the eleventh battery caught on fire and blew up in a minute after.

The loss of men in this action is computed to be 1500 or 2000. General Elliot saved about 200 men, and sent them back the same day.

This terrible shock has not, however, in the least discouraged the besiegers—they are now disposing matters for taking the place by assault, and the soldiers are not at all dismayed. The fire continues without intermission on the land side.

The combined fleet is in the bay of Algeziras: it will therefore be very difficult to throw any succours into the place. The English fleet comes nearer every day, and will probably arrive before the end of the month, and then we may expect to see a second slaughter.