The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA: September 22.

Various have been the reports circulating through this city, relative to the movements of the enemy. All that can be depended on are, that a body of 2000 men, with light artillery, &c. &c. were embarked on board about 80 transports at New York, and were lying last Sunday in the Narrows ready for sailing, delayed as was supposed merely to know the issue of Admiral Graves's attempt on the fleet of our royal ally in the Chesapeake. This was announced to them on Wednesday last by the return of the English Fleet, with the loss of the Ruby man of war of 64 guns, and the Roebuck of 44 guns, taken by Count de Grasse, and the Terrible of 74 guns, which after the engagement sunk at sea, they being able only to save her stores and men; four other ships are also greatly disabled.

Extract of a letter dated West Point, twenty miles from York, Sept. 10, 1781.

"The French and American troops have joined and are between York and Williamsburg. No doubt Cornwallis will fight hard as he is making the greatest exertions to defend himself--he will soon loose all his cavalry,--they are greatly reduced already, and the whole almost unfit for service."

Extract of a letter from an officer of note dated Hartford, or Bush Town, south side Chesapeake, Sept. 14, 1781.

"The last division of our army is within 24 miles of this place, on their route to join the Marquis de la Fayette: part of the regiment of artillery, and New York troops have already joined; the first division of the French will join in a few days.

News is arrived this evening, that Cornwallis has sent out all the women, children and negroes, belonging to his army: That the French and English Fleets came to an engagement off Chesapeake on Wednesday last; they fought six hours, and renewed the action next morning: the French ride triumphant, and have sent in one 74 and two or three frigates, taken from the English in the action."

FISH-KILL, September 27.

Extract of a letter from Head Quarters, at the Continental Village, near Peek's Kill, Sept. 24.

"The following is the principal intelligence we are at present possessed of:

Extract of a letter from an officer in the Southern army, dated Elk, Sept. 12.

"Yesterday our grand fleet of nearly 100 vessels sailed from Plumb Point, four miles below Elk, having on board French grenadiers, chasseurs, infantry of the Duke's legion, American light corps, 2d New Jersey regiment, Colonel Lamb's corps of sappers and miners, artificers of every kind, apparatus, and stores necessary for a long siege.

This joyful day the rear division, with which Gen. Lincoln embarked, consisting of Hazen's, Shee's, and first New Jersey, sails. The remaining part of both armies have marched to Baltimore, where they are to wait the return of vessels which carry troops from hence, or use such as can be procured by other means."

It is said this day, the Marquis de la Fayette has written to Mr. Lee of Baltimore, that Lord Cornwallis had offered to surrender upon the same terms that Burgoyne did, and were rejected. His negroes have the small pox raging amongst them violently. He has changed his position at York Town to Gloucester, which is directly across the river, and said to be more eligible."

Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, Sept 19th, 1781.

"By express which arrived here yesterday at noon, we learn, that the commander of the French Fleet which lay at Rhode Island received orders from Count de Grasse to join him, and on his way fell in with a British 74, two frigates & seven transports, with 1500 men on board. he took and bro't them safe to the head of the Elk:

It is publicly reported in New York, that they lost seven ships in the late engagements with the French."

BOSTON, October 4:

By a gentleman who came to town yesterday from Newport, we learn. That a vessel arrived there last Monday from Egg Harbour, the Master of which inform'd, that before he sail'd from that place, a gentleman of character arrived there from Philadelphia, and inform'd, that on the 25th ult. Congress received an official account by express from Virginia, of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and all his army. That before he sail'd he saw 7 large ships, which he took to be men of war pass by Egg Harbour, standing for Sandy Hook, which appeared to be in a very shattered condition.

Much has been said by the Britons and their Partizans, against the national character of the French. They cannot, however, perswade us not to credit our senses. We have found the character of this nation directly the opposite of what our enemies have affected to represent it. We have found in France not only a faithful, but a most generous ally. In the aid they have sent us in Specie, in warlike stores, and in land and sea forces, they have gone far beyond what their engagements with us encouraged us to expect, and have astonished the world. It is a fact to be depended on, that His Most Christian Majesty has 10,000 land forces, and 35,000 men in the fleet, that are at this moment employed for the succour of the United States. The manner in which this decisive superiority of force was sent us, has been so sure, and so unexpected by the enemy, as to demonstrate the measures of the Court of France, to be as politick as they are just and generous.

His Most Christian Majesty having been fit, to establish a independent consulship for the four Eastern States, the Honorable Monsieur de la Tombe, Consul General of the same, arrived in this town from Philadelphia on Friday last, with his Vice Consul, to enter upon that important office.

Copy of a letter from Daniel Lyman, Esq Aid de camp to General Heath, to Lord Stirling, dated Head Quarters, Peck's Kill, September 25, 1781.

I have the Honor to inform your Lordship that good Intelligence has this moment's arrived directly from New York, informing of the Action between the French and English Fleets and the Victory of the former: with the following particulars of the British Fleet, viz.

Two Ships of 74 Guns sunk.

Three ditto ran ashore.

Four or five taken.

Five or six missing.

The remainder of the Fleet arriv'd at New York, the Admiral's ship is so disabled that he did not venture in her himself. The Information further adds that Cornwallis is certainly taken. I am your Lordship's

DANIEL

LYMAN