The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from general Schuyler to general Washington.

SARATOGA, July 7, 1777.

Dear Sir,

Soon after I had despatched the letter which I did myself the honour to address to your excellency from Stillwater, I met with col. Hay, deputy quartermaster general, who was at Ticonderoga. He informs me, that on Saturday it had been agreed upon to retreat from Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. That between 2 and 3 o'clock on Sunday morning, general St. Clair, with the rest of the general officers and the army, marched out of the lines at Mount Independence. That col. Long, with about 600 men, embarked on board our few vessels, and in batteaus. That just before they arrived at Skenesborough they were overtaken by the enemy's vessels, in which we lost all our ammunition.

The troops under col. Long are arrived at Fort Anne. Where general St. Clair is with the main body, I have not yet learned. Col. Hay imagined he would come by the way of Skenesborough; if so, he will fall in with the enemy, who have taken possession there. Capt. Deatignore, who is just arrived here, confirms col. Hay's account, except as to general St. Clair, whom he understood was to march to No. 4. This is not likely. I have despatched an officer to meet general St. Clair, and requested that he should march by the shortest route to Fort Edward. As I have related the above from memory, I may have omitted some, and misapprehended other circumstances. It is impossible to say what post we shall take; it depends on the route the enemy mean to pursue.