The Virginia Gazette

PROVIDENCE, July 12.

[A detachment] to this State, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Barton of this town, accompanied by Major Adams of the train, Capt. Phillips, Lieutenants Potter and Babcock, and Ensigns Stanton and Willcocks, went in five boats from Warwick Neck, with a view to take Major General Prescott, Commander in Chief of the British and foreign troops on Rhode Island, whose head quarters were then at a house about four miles from Newport. The Colonel and his party, after passing the enemy's ships and guard boats, landed about 12 at night, and with infinite address and gallantry got to Prescott's quarters undiscovered. A sentinel at the door hailed, but was immediately secured, and the party instantly breaking the doors and entering the house, took the General in bed. His Aid de Camp leaped from a window in his shirt, and attempted to escape, but taken a few rods from the house. The party soon after returned to their boats with the prisoners, and some time after they had put off, the enemy fired rockets from their several posts, as signals for an alarm, but too late, the bird had fled. The prisoners safely landed about day-break at Warwick Neck. On receiving the intelligence here, a coach was immediately sent, and the General, with his Aid de Camp, attended by Col. Barton, and some other officers, arrived in town at 12 o'clock. This bold and important enterprise must reflect the highest honour on Col. Barton and his little party. A Lieutenant Colonel of horse, with at least 70 light dragoons, took Major General Lee (betrayed by a Tory) five miles from his troops. A Lieutenant Colonel of foot, with only 38 privates and 6 officers, has taken a Chief Commander, when almost encircled by an army and navy!

See Howe's letter to the British Ministry, relative to the capture of General Lee.