The New Hampshire Gazette

L O N D O N, Aug. 4.

Extract of a Letter from on board his Majesty's Ship Calcutta, February 1, 1757.

We arrived in the Ganges the 12th ult. at a happy Rendezvous of our poor Countrymen, including their Settlements. We remained there [with] Land and Sea Forces to Rights, 'till the 21st when we sailed to Hugli Fort, it being the strongest [fort] on the River; the 29th at Night we landed about four Miles from that Fortress, and marched next Morning, without halting, except what [the] Pieces occasioned, which were drawn by [Indians?] almost out of sight in Mud and Water. [That] Morning we found ourselves about two Miles [from the fort] and the same Distance from the River; about [then the] Tyger, and Salisbury came too, and began [a] Cannonade. The Reason of this forced March was to cut off the Garrison's Retreat [and] Reinforcement from Calcutta, who were then About 10 [miles?]. when we were amusing our [selves?] from the Ships, we were alarmed, and [soon] after, a Body of 2000 Horse were within [pistol] shot; our People stood the Shock, and our two Field [pieces] [hit] them, with Grape and Round-shot, which [made them] retreat, tho' they rallied several Times with [greater] [numbers?]. The Engagement lasted an Hour, and was [joined by] 1000 of our brave Seapoys [who came up] the River side, with Part of Adlercron's Reg[iment, they] left near 500 Men on the Field, with Horses [and] one Elephant. We lost but one Officer, Ensi[gn of Lord Ancram's]: Our Loss of Men [negligi]ble. At three in the Afternoon we marched [to the] River side, which covered us from the Fort, [while keep]ing a constant Fire; before Night [we] made [breaches?], while our whole Body disposed themselves [so as to be] hot for the Besieged, that their Fire did but [little harm]. At ten we stormed and took it, when [Captain?] Dugald Campbell, going on the Bastion, to [spike the guns?], and Seapoys firing from without, as [if their] own Men, was shot dead on the [spot].

Part of the Works on the south [we] spiked up the [guns] and landed for [two?] [other] forts, about two miles below [Hugli on the] first of January; but they abandoned them [on our] Approach. The Salisbury was left a Guard ship and the second we marched over Land, while the [HMS] Tyger came before Calcutta which held out for, and killed [on board the] Tyger seven or eight Men. No Notion of our being able to take it, as they [had] an elegant Mosque, and left the Company's Warehouse almost full of Goods; we are clearing away and fort[ifying] the Place with all Expedition; we have got a [post] fortified [four?] Miles Distance, where we expect an Engagement, as a Body of Moors, &c. are about twenty Miles [off]. We have taken since we came here the great City [of?] Hill, forty Miles up the River, and reduced most of it to [ashes]. When Calcutta was taken in June last by the [enemy], Lieut. Scott, the Colonel's Nephew, Buchannan of Coven, Lieut. Sampson, and a Son of Sir James John- of Westerhall, were killed.