The Virginia Gazette

HARTFORD, August 3.

Extract of a letter from an officer of distinction at Bennington, dated July 18.

On Tuesday the 13th instant Major Wright Hopkins, who then commanded that post, sent a scout commanded by Lieutenant Michael Dunning, down the lake to the north end thereof, to reconnoitre the lake and woods adjacent, and (if possible) to make any discoveries of the enemy, and report to the commanding officer. The next day Major Hopkins, several of his officers and soldiers, with some Ladies, set sail (for their pleasure) in a boat, with a view to meet the scout, and return with them to the garrison. The Major met with the scout a little north of the Fourteen mile island, so called, and on his return found the wind strong a head, and night nearly approaching, which occasioned them to land on the island, draw up their boats, and turning one of them over, made a convenient shelter for the whole to sleep under, which the Major thought he might safely do with his party, as the scout had made no discoveries of any enemy. In this secure condition they were surprised at break of day while asleep, and fired on by a detachment of the enemy, consisting of a number of Indians and Tories. In this fire the Major, a sergeant, a corporal, three privates and two women were killed. Capt. Gideon Brownson, Captain Smith, Lieutenant Michael Dunning (who commanded the scout) a sergeant, three privates, and a little boy were taken prisoners; wounded and left on the island, one private, who was scalped, and left for dead; a Mr. Scott, who had both thighs broke, and a little boy shot through his leg. Neither pleasure boat nor scout returning, a party was sent on Friday in quest of them, and on Saturday morning found the dead and wounded on the island, the latter they brought off.