Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

BOSTON, March 7.

On Monday morning, Royal Tilden, Esq. arrived in town from the Camp at Pittsfield. Publick and private letters, brought by this Gentleman, affords us the following

Interesting Intelligence.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in camp to his friend in this town.

Pittsfield, Tuesday morning, 7 o'clock, Feb. 27.

Last night, at 12 o'clock, we were informed by our friends, that the Rebels were in motion, on the edge of York state, in two divisions, one moving northward, the other southward. Immediately after we were informed their intention was to attack this post;--we made the proper arrangements for their reception, and keep reconnoitering parties in every avenue leading to this place.

Eight o'clock.--This moment we are informed, by express, that the rebels are at Stockbridge, with about 100 men, plundering the inhabitants of all the portable articles of value, all the horses and sleighs, and have made prisoners of twenty of the most respectable inhabitants.

Nine o'clock, P. M.--We have this moment sent off about 20 men in sleighs, in hopes of overtaking the Rebels, and recovering our friends and their property. I am fearful we shall be too late, unless the inhabitants should give them a check until our men come up with them. The Rebels removed from Stockbridge about 8 o'clock, and I suppose, will make for the State of York, where, at present, we have no permission to follow them. It is reported and believed that they set fire to several buildings, which were extinguished.

Wednesday 28th, 2 o'clock, A. M.--This moment we are informed, by express, that the good people of Barrington, Sheffield, &c. assembled about 70 in number, and overtook the Rebels in Sheffield. The Rebels formed and fired on our people, killed a Mr. Gleason of Stockbridge, a Mrs. Porter of Barrington, and wounded three others. The fire was returned, which killed two and wounded five, among whom was their commander. At this instant, our troops in sleighs came up; but before the men could form, the Rebels broke, and took to the woods. We made prisoners of 25 of them, retook all our friends and their property. A number more will undoubtedly be taken. We have been very much harassed since our troops left this post. The malice of the Rebels can be equalled by no order of beings but Devils.

Eleven o'clock, P. M.- We have this evening secured, under the main guard, 51 prisoners, taken by Col. Ashley, exclusive of the wounded. The additional number of the prisoners was taken out of the same party, after the action, by placing men in the roads leading to York state.

"I sincerely congratulate you on the above success."

Copy of a letter from Col. ASHLEY to the Hon. Major General LINCOLN.

Sheffield, 27th Feb. 1787.

Dear General,

I RECEIVED information this day, about eleven o'clock, A. M. that a large body of the Rebels had been plundering the town of Stockbridge, and were directing their course this way; the militia of this town were immediately collected, and as many as could be provided with arms embodied under Lieut. Goodrich.--The militia from Great-Barrington, under the command of Capt. Ingersoll, joined us about one o'clock, when our number was about eighty; with this number I conceived it not
It was thought imprudent to engage the enemy (with regard to whose numbers we had various accounts) and accordingly ordered the troops to move towards Great-Barrington, where they then were.--On our route we were informed that the Rebels had moved westerly, towards the state of New-York, by way of Younglove's tavern--I consequently ordered the troops under my command to file off by Jasper Saxton's towards Egremont, in order to get into their front, knowing that the militia from the northward were in the rear. Upon different information, that they were bending their course towards Sheffield, we immediately marched back, and met them in Sheffield near Saxton's--the Rebels began the attack, by a scattering fire from a considerable distance--the troops under my command advanced rapidly towards them, and a warm fire commenced, which continued about six minutes, when the Rebels fled in very great disorder, and in different directions. The woods and morasses bordering upon the field of action, rendered our pursuing them with success impracticable. Captain Hamlin, who commanded the Rebels, is dangerously if not mortally wounded--two of the enemy were killed, whom we have found, probably more in the woods whom we have not discovered--twenty-five of them we have taken prisoners and three wounded.--The loss on our side was two killed, one of them a prisoner with the Rebels, and probably killed, by our fire, and one wounded, a worthy young gentleman, a son of Mr. Burghard, of Great-Barrington. The spirit and firmness of the troops, many of whom discharged six rounds during the action, deserve commendation.--The northern militia arrived soon after the action, and facilitated the capture of the prisoners.

I have the pleasure to felicitate you on this fortunate issue of so alarming an incursion of the Rebels, and am, dear Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN ASHLEY, jun.

P. S. The prisoners are taken on by the militia under the command of Gen. Patterson, who arrived soon after the action.

Pittsfield, Feb. 28th, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I WAS this morning honored with the receipt of your favour, giving an account of your movements of yesterday : They were judicious and timely :--The spirit rendered on the occasion was truly military :--Your success must be important, as they will teach these deluded wretches that they cannot march unchecked by the good citizens, or spread depredations among them with impunity. Whilst I beg you to accept my thanks for your exertions, and request you to communicate them to the officers and men with you in the field, I must solicit you to mention to the friends of the deceased, that I sincerely condole with them--and to the wounded, my sympathetic concern for their misfortune, and my wishes for their speedy recovery ; tell them I remember my own wounds, and that my consolation was, they were received in the line of my duty, whilst in the service of my country. From reflections like these, they cannot fail to derive the most substantial comfort.

I am, &c.

B. LINCOLN.

Colonel Ashley.

Major Tyler who left the camp at Pittsfield on Thursday last, further informs, that 62 of Hamlin's men, among whom were a number who had taken the oath of allegiance, were on Wednesday escorted by a party of light-horse to the provost in Pittsfield : That an half hour previous to the time of action, the Rebels had paroled a part of their prisoners upon condition of their proceeding to Egremont under a small guard of four men, and that it was currently reported that those gentlemen were relieved a few hours after the action by a party of horse.

We are informed, that the Rebels, in the action with Col. Ashley, placed the prisoners, whom they took at Stockbridge, in their front, which act of savage barbarity we conclude, was the occasion of the death of Mr. Gleason, mentioned in Col. Ashley's letter.