The New Hampshire Gazette

B O S T O N, August 2:

News from the HAVANNAH

By Capt. Joseph Gardner, who arrived at Newport, Rhode Island, last Friday from Jamaica, but last from Cape Bay, 2 Leagues to the Eastward of the Havannah, on the Island of Cuba, in 15 Days, we have the following general Account of the Operations of the British Fleet and Army against that Place, viz. That the whole Fleet arrived there from Martinico the 7th of June, and the Troops landed immediately without the loss of a Man, and in four Days took Possession of the Country round the Havannah; that they began to erect Batteries against Morro Castle, which is on the East Side going into the Harbour: that on the 1st of July our Batteries were opened and kept a constant Fire at the Castle; that the same Day, at 8 A. M. his Majesty's Ships Cambridge, of 80 Guns, Capt. Goostrey, the Dragon of 74 Guns, Capt. Harvey, and the Marlboro, of 68 Guns, Capt. Burnet run in and came to an Anchor close under the Castle, at which they kept a continual Fire till 12 o'Clock, when they were oblig'd to haul out, the Spaniards having stood to their Guns and fired very hot; the Cambridge had her Captain, Master and one of the Lieutenants kill'd, and upwards of 100 Men kill'd or wounded; the other Ships had also a great many Men kill'd and wounded; that our Batteries were still firing at Morro Castle, which they were determined to Storm in 3 Days, if it was not delivered up before that Time, our People having got their Scaling Ladders all ready for that Purpose, which if they could once accomplish, they make no Doubt but they should have the Town very soon; that there is a Spanish Admiral and several Men of War in the Harbour; and have sunk three Ships at the Mouth of it to keep our Men of War from going in,

Capt. Gardner further informs, that he sailed from Jamaica on the 25th of June, with the Fleet for Europe, consisting of about 140 Sail, under Convoy of Commodore Douglas; that when the Fleet came off the Havannah, on their Passage thro' the Gulph, Admiral Pocock ordered all the Vessels to come to an Anchor, and informed them that he should detain them 8 Days: In this Time Capt. Gardner went ashore, and from a high Hill about a Mile from the British Encampment he could discern only five Spanish Men of War in the Harbour; that the English had nine Batteries open constantly playing on Morro Castle; that he heard while ashore, that the Governor of the Havannah had sent a Flag to the British General, to inform him, that if he spared the City he would surrender upon the taking of the Castle; that although the English had an Encampment on the Back of the City and Batteries erected, yet they had not fired upon it, the Town being in their Power to destroy at any Time; that he heard there were frequent Desertions from both Sides: that it began to be sickly in our Camp; and that we had lost a great many Soldiers in kill'd and wounded since they landed.....

A young Man who came Passenger in Capt. Gardner, who was the last ashore, says also, that the Morro Castle was very much battered; and that the Spaniards supply the Fort with their Negro Slaves, they constantly keeping a Number chained to the Guns:

Captain Gardner, being in a small Vessel, slipp'd away before the 8 Days was out which the homeward bound Fleet was to be detained at the Havannah, so that he had not an Opportunity of bringing a more circumstantial Account of the Proceedings of our Forces at that Place; but we may soon expect to hear the Issue of this important Enterprize, as it was said, they were making Preparations to Storm the Castle by Land, whilst some of the Ships attack'd it by Sea, which was to be done in a Day or two after Captain Gardner sailed.