[Extract]

a Deseter came to our Guards last Night, a Corporal, and a sensible Fellow ー says 200 Marines & two light Companies are embarked on Board some Transports & orders were expected to have all the Grenadiers join them supposed to be destined fo Virginia ー that there has been no Arrivals since the Chatham which brought Admiral Shuldham ー says General Howe was very angry at the Conduct of his Troops at Charlestown when the Houses were burnt by our People ー that 18 Regiments of Foot & 2 Battalions of Marines make the whole of their Force ー that they have 3 lb Pork p Man p Week 5 oz Butter & 1 Gill Oil ー &c. ー that they expect more Troops but not till Spring ー