The Virginia Gazette

PHILADELPHIA.
June 26.

Extract of a letter from General Washington to Congress, dated head quarters, Middle Brook, June 22, 1777. 11 o'clock, P. M.

I have the honour and pleasure to inform you that the enemy evacuated Brunswick this morning, and retired to Amboy, burning many houses as they went along. Some of them, from the appearance of the flames, were considerable buildings.

From several pieces of information, and from a variety of circumstances, it was evident that a move was in agitation, and it was the general opinion that it was intended this morning. I therefore detached three brigades, under the command of Major General Greene, to fall upon their rear, and kept the main body of the army paraded upon the heights, to support them if there should be occasion. A party of Col. Morgan's regiment of light infantry attacked and drove the Hessian picket about sun-rise, and upon the appearance of General Wayne's brigade, and Morgan's regiment (who got first to the ground) opposite Brunswick, the enemy immediately crossed the bridge to the east side of the river, and threw themselves into redoubts, which they had before constructed. Our troops advanced briskly upon them, upon which they quitted the redoubts without making any opposition, and retired by the Amboy road. As all our troops, from the difference of their stations in camp, had not come up when the enemy began to move off, it was impossible to check them, as their numbers were far greater than we had any reason to expect, being, as we were informed afterwards, between four and five thousand men. Our people pursued them as far as Piscataway, but finding it impossible to overtake them, and fearing they might be led on too far from the main body, they returned to Brunswick. By information of the inhabitants, General Howe, Lord Cornwallis, and General Grant, were in the town when the alarm was first given, but they quitted it very soon after.

In the pursuit, Colonel Morgan's rifle-men exchanged several sharp fires with the enemy, which, it is imagined, did considerable execution.

I am in hopes that they afterwards fell in with General Maxwell, who was detached last night with a strong party to lie between Brunswick and Amboy, in order to interrupt any convoys or parties that might be passing; but I have yet heard nothing from him.

General Greene desires me to make mention of the conduct and bravery of General Wayne and Colonel Morgan, and of their officers and men upon this occasion, as they constantly advanced upon an enemy far superior to them in numbers, and well secured behind strong redoubts.

General Sullivan advanced from Rocky Hill to Brunswick with his division, but as he did not receive his order of march till very late at night, he did not arrive till the enemy had been gone some time.

Published by order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.

Extract of another letter from General Washington to Congress, dated camp at Quibbletown, June 25, 1777.

SIR,

When I had the honour to address you last, it was on the subject of the enemy's retreat from Brunswick to Amboy, and of the measures pursued to annoy them. At the time of writing, the information I had received respecting their loss was rather vague and uncertain; but we have reason to believe, from intelligence through various channels since, that it was pretty considerable and fell chiefly on the grenadiers and light infantry, who formed their covering party. The enclosed copy of a letter corresponds with other accounts on this head, and with the declarations of some deserters. Some of the accounts are, that officers were heard to say they had not suffered so severely since the affair at Princeton.

After the evacuation of Brunswick, I determined, with the advice of my General officers, to move the whole army the next morning to this post, where they would be nearer the enemy, and might act according to circumstances. In this I was prevented by rain, and they only moved yesterday morning.

It is much to be regretted, that an express sent off to General Maxwell on Saturday night, to inform him of General Greene's movements towards Brunswick, that he might conduct himself accordingly, did not reach him. Whether the express went designedly to the enemy, or was taken, is not known: but there is reason to believe he fell into their hands. If General Maxwell had received the order, there is no doubt but their whole rear guard would have been cut off. This the enemy confessed themselves, as we are well informed by persons in Bonam Town.

By a reconnoitering party just returned, it is reported as a matter of doubt whether any of the enemy have removed from Amboy; though it is almost certain they have transported a great deal of their baggage. I have the honour to be, &c.
G. WASHINGTON.

May it please your Excellency,

I have thought proper to trouble your Excellency with the following intelligence, received by three different ways, that the greatest part of the fleet, from New York harbour, has removed to the Watering Place and Prince's Bay, where the baggage and troops, passing from the Jerseys, are constantly embarking; that the transport at New York, cut down for a floating battery, has twenty six, twenty four, and eighteen pounders, and lies off the grand battery in the river; another which they have been fitting for the same purpose, is neglected and unfinished. General Howe arrived at New York on Sunday afternoon, the whole of which day they were employed in removing the wounded soldiers from the docks to the hospitals there, said to amount to five hundred men. Colonel Campbell of the 57th regiment of British troops garrisons New York, with the assistance of the inhabitants, fifty of whom are obliged to do duty every day. I am, &c.

Published by order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMSON,
Secretary.