Virginia Argus

Returned to town and find about five hundred men in the place, militia from different counties, proceeding in the rear of the British fleet, watching their movements, which ships are now above Quantico Creek where some of them dropt anchor.

Col Parker has commenced his march with about 800 men—the residue will, I presume, soon follow to arrest their progress in case of an attempt to land.

The Fauquier militia expected down to night to co-operate—George Town is still in our hands. No correct information of general Winder's head quarters yet received.

Afternoon, 5 o'clock.

The enemy are opposite Occoquan at two o'clock with a fair wind, proceeding up: they must reach within striking distance of the Fort (Warburton) by the morning early. They move but slowly up and sounding as they go.

August 27.

DEAR SIR,

I received yours of the 24th—I wrote you on the 25th. giving you an account of the proceedings of the British Army in Washington, which is substantially correct, but they did not destroy Foxall's Foundry, or the Marine Barracks. It is now said, the British force was very inconsiderable; but really so many reports, are Current, it is difficult to discover the truth. It is believed Gen. Hill has arrived, it is said with 6000 men. The frigates were as high as Quantico; last night and were sounding up... They have on board from 2 to 3000 men, and were unquestionably. intended for co-operation. Whether, they will actually come up, after they hear of General Ross' departure from Washington I know not. He left Washington on Thursday evening and it is said is at Upper Marlborough again, on his return. Our apprehensions are alive with regard to the frigates. We have no military force here; our Militia are with Winder. If they come up, we have nothing to do, but to save private property if we can, and as they have a military force on board, we expect the same rigid discipline will be observed as at Washington—where but one instance of pillage happened, and the soldier was hung. The enemy's troops are of the first description, Our raw. Militia ran up on the first Rocket being fired; our artillery behaved nicely and suffered much, as did some few of the Volunteers and Militia.