The following is sent us as a particular Account of the Movements of the Fleet in the River since Yesterday Se'nnight, and of the Actions which happened in Consequence thereof.
On Friday the 12th Inst. Capt. Wallace, with all the Vessels under his Command, consisting of 12 Sail, came up the River from Newport, and at Four o'Clock in the Afternoon landed about 250 Men on the Island of Prudence, where about 40 or 50 of our Men were stationed, under the Command of Capt. [Job] Pearce. They were soon fired upon by the Enemy, which was returned with much Spirit; but Capt. Pearce finding the Enemy greatly superior in Number, retreated, and with his Men went off the Island; he had one Man wounded and taken prisoner, and it is said several of the Enemy were killed and wounded. The Enemy about Sunset burnt seven Houses on the Island, which being discovered here, his Honor the Deputy Governor, General [William] West, Col. [William] Richmond, Col. [Nathaniel] Martin, Col. [John] Cook[e], Capt. [Matthew] Allen, and Capt. [Thomas] Wells, immediately set out to send Forces upon the Island, by Way of Warren and Bristol, from the former of which Places General West ordered 50 Men, directing them to join such as should be collected at Warwick Neck, and proceed to the Island. ー His Honor, with the General, then went to Bristol, and sent off Major Talman [Benjamin Tallman], with 80 Men in Whaleboats, who landed about the Dawn of Day. ー Capt. [William] Barton, with a few Men, had landed from Head-Quarters, but those at Warwick Neck were not able to join them for Want of Boats. About Nine o'Clock in the Morning the Enemy landed 250 Men, and attacked Lieut. Car [John Carr], who was stationed with a Guard of 40 Men to observe their motions; the Remainder of our Men, about 50 in Number, soon coming up, a smart Engagement ensued, which lasted three Hours. The Enemy several Times sent out flanking Parties, which were as often drove back to their main Body. They were at length drove to their Vessels, leaving our People in Possession of the Island, having the Night before got on board about 100 Sheep, but no Cattle are missing. ー Two of their Men were found dead after the Action, and one wounded in the Thigh; they likewise carried off a Number of Killed and Wounded, particularly an Officer, that appeared to be badly wounded, and who it is supposed had the Command. We had only three Men slightly wounded. ー Our Officers and Men behaved with the greatest Bravery, and had there been Boats at Warwick to carry over the Reinforcements from thence, it is thought the Enemy's whole Party wou'd have been killed or taken. ー Sunday Evening the Enemy burnt two Buildings on Patience Island, on Monday they cut a Quantity of Wood at Hope Island, and Yesterday it is said returned to Newport.
Yesterday Se'nnight [January 12], while the Bomb Brig lay off Prudence, the Gunner and 5 Seamen made their Escape in a Boat, and arrived safe at Bristol.
A Ship is arrived at the Eastward from London in which came Passenger Capt. Gideon Crawford, of this Town, by whom we have received a London Print of the 31st of October; the most material Articles contained therein are as follows: that the House of Commons had resolved on granting a Supply to his Majesty; that a Bill for embodying the Militia of the Kingdom had been read in the House, and ordered a second Reading; that 7 Frigates, from 28 to 36 Guns, were to be fitted out immediately for America; and that the Men of War stationed at Newfoundland, for Protection of the Fishery, instead of returning to England, were ordered to Boston.
Capt. Crawford informs that a Ship and Brig from London laden with Coal and pickled Cabbage for the ministerial Army at Boston, were carried into Newbury-Port last Monday, by an American Privateer.
