The New Hampshire Gazette

By the Courier who arrived last Thursday from Albany, we learn, That Lieut. Fletcher with 10 Men, and one Hopkins Serjeant Major of the Rangers, with 7 Men, went from Crown Point on a Scout, and had got within a little Way of St. John's, when they separated, after agreeing where to meet at a certain Time; but a Party of the Enemy being out discovered Fletcher and his Men, surrounded them, and took them all Prisoners:--That Hopkins's Party, discovering the Enemy they all separated; however, after some Hours Hopkins with four others got together, when they discovered the Enemy's Encampment on an Island about 8 Miles this Side St. John's. where they saw their Motions, and observed three Men coming down to the Water, who were going to Fish, and no sooner had they began, than Hopkins with his Men run into the Water about Breast high, and brought them off, notwithstanding their hallowing, which alarmed the Enemy, who were seen to be very numerous on the Ramparts, they being within Gun Shot; but the Enemy did not fire for fear of killing their own Men: --These Prisoners say, That the French are 4000 strong on this Island, have 100 Pieces of Cannon there well planted. where they design to make a Stand; they also informed of Lieut. Fletcher and his Party being taken, who gave Intelligence of him, and that a Party was out in order to Way lay him, but luckily he did not leave his Whale Boats where he determined to meet Fletcher. and by that Means escaped; for he scarcely put off before the Enemy appeared and fired upon him, but did no Damage; One of the Men that separated had got to Crown-Point, the other two are missing :And that the Enemy had launched a large Man of War, in order to attack our Vessels of Force on the Lake.