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in Cafe of a March to turn the Enemy's A Meflenger-arrived from Sir Harry with a Letter in Cyphers, informing rtieof hisIntention tbVttack Fort Montgomery MI Ten IJays from the Date "his Letter, which was the 10th of Sept. fljekinty lyfeffenger of many that Sir William arid him, that had reached rriy Camp fince the Beginning of Auguft. He was fent back the fame to inform Sir Harry of my Situation, the Neceffity of a Diveflion to oblige Gen. Gates to detach from his Army, and my Intention to wait favourable Events in that Pofition, if poffible, to the 12th of October. I.

In the Courfe of the Two following Days, Two Officers in Difguife, and other confidential Perfons, weredifpatched by different Routes with verbal Mefjages to the fame Effect; and I continued fortifying my Camp, and watching the Enemy, whpfe Numbers encreafed every Day. 1 thought it advifeable to dir minifli Soldier's'Ration, in order to lengthen Out the Provifions, to which lure the Army fubmitted with the utmoft Chearfalnefs, The Difficulties of a Retreat to clearty as was the ffiould the Retreat of leaving at Liberty fuch an Army as General Gates's to aft again ft Sir William llgwe. operated forcibly to determine me to abide Events as long as poffible, and I reafo'ned thus: The Expedition I commanded was evidently meant at firft to be 'hazai'Jek Circumftapces might require it mould a critical Junction of Mr. Gates's. Force with Mr.

Waih- ington decide the Eate of the War; the Failure of my Junction with Sir Harry Clinton, or the Lofs of my Retreat to Canada, could only be a partial Misforr tune, In this Situation Things continued till the when no Intelligence having been received of the expected-Co-operation, and Four or FiveDays for our limited Stay in the Camp only remained, it was judged advifeable to make a Movement to the Enemy's Left, not only to difcover whether there were, any poffible Means of forcing a Paffage ffipulditb'eneceflary to advance, or of diflodfiihg hjm for me Convenience of Retreat, out alfo to cover a Forage of the which was in the greateft Diftrefs on A'ccdont pf the Scarcity. A' Petalchment of 1500 Regular Troops, 2 Howitzers, and 6 Sjx-Ppunders, were ordered to'move, and wa 's commanded by myfelf, having with me Major General Phillips, Major General Re- idefel, and Brigadier General Frafer. The Guard of the Camp upon the Heights was left to Brigadiers General Hamilton and Speicht; the Redoubts and the Plain to Brigadier General Goll; and as the Force of the Enemy immediately in their Front con- lifted of more than double their Numhers, it was not poffible to augment the Corps that marched beyond the Numbers above ftated." I formed the Troops within Three Quarters of a Mile of the Enemy's Left; and Captain Frafer's'Rangers, with Indians and Provincials, had Orders to go by fecret Paths in the Woods to gain the Enemy's Rear, and by (hewing themfelves there to keep them in Check. The further Operations intended were prevented by a very fudden and rapid Attack of the Enemy on our Left where theBri- tifti Grenadiers were polled to Capport the Left Wing of the Line. Major Ackland at the of thgm fuftained the Attack with great Refolution; but the Enemy's great Numbers enabling.them in a few Minutes to extend the Artack along the Front of the Germans, which were immediately oh the Right of the Grenadiers, no Part of that Body could be removed to make a fe- cond "Line to the Flank the Stfefs of the Fire lay.

The Right was-at that Time it foon pbferved that the Enemy were marching a large Corps round their Flank to endeavour.cutting off their Retreat. The Light Infantry and Pact of the 24th Regiment, which were at that Pott, were therefore ordered to form a fe- cond Line, and to fecure the Return of the Troops into Camp. While this Movement was proceeding, the Enemy puflied a freih and flrong Reinforcement to renew the Action upon the Left, which, overpowered by fo great a fuperi- ority, gave way, and-the Light Infantry and 24th Regiment were obliged to make a quick Movement to fave that Point from being entirely carried, in doing which Brigadier- General Frafer was mortally wounded. The Danger to which the Lines were ex- pofed becoming at this Moment of the moft ierious Nature, Orders were given to Majors Gene'ral Philips and Reidefell to cover the Retreat, while fuch Troops as were moft ready for the Purpofe returned for the fence of them. The Troops retreated hard preffed, but in good Order.

They were obliged to leave Six Pieces of CannOn, all theHorfes having been killed; and moft of the Artillery Men, who had behaved as ufual with the utmoft Bravery, under the Command of Major Williams, being either killed or wounded. The Troops had fcarcely entered the Camp, when it was ftormed with great the Enemy ruffling to the Lines under a fevece Fire of Grape Shot and fmall Arms. The Poft of the Light Infantry under Lord Belcarres, afiifted by fome of thz Line, who threw themfelves by Order into thofe Entrenchments, was defended withgreatSpirit; and the -Enemy, led on by General Arnold, was finally repulfed, and the General wounded; but unhappily the Entrenchments of the German Referve, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Brijmen, who killed, were carried, and although ordered to be reeawpd Enemy by oaed- ing on our" Right "and "Rear. The Nigfit put an End to the Aftion. Under theDifadvantages thus apparent in, our Situation, Army -was "orderedrioi quit the prefent Pofition during the Night, and take Port upon the Height above the Hofpital; thus, by an entire Change of Front, to reduce the Enemy to form a new Difpofition.

This Movement was effected with, great Order and without Lofs, though all. the Artillery and Camp were removed at the fame Time. The Army continued offering-Battle to the Enemy in their new Pofition the wholeDay of the 8tb. Intelligence was now received that the Enemy were marching to turn theRight, and no Means couki prevent this Meafure but retiring towards Saratoga. The Army began to move at Nine o'clock, at Nighty Major General Reidefel commanding the Van Guard, and Major General Phillips the Rear.

This Retreat, though within Mufquet Shot of the Enemy, and encumbered-with all the.Baggage of the Army, was made without Lois but a very and the Difficulties of guarding the Batteaux; which" contained all the Provifions, occa- fioned Delays, which prevented the Asmy reaching Saratoga till the Night of the9th; and the Artillery could not pafs the Fords of the Fiihkfll till the Morning of the 10th. At our Arrival near Saratoga, a Corps of the between Five and Six Hundred, were clifcovered.throwing up Intrench- ments on the Heights, but retired over a Ford of the Hudfon's River at our Approach, and joined a Body polled to oppofe our Paffage there. ft was judged proper to fend a Detainment of Artificers, under a ilrong Efeort, to repair the Bridges and open a Road to Fort Edward. The. 47th Captain- Frafer's Markfmen and Provincials, were ordered for that Service; but the Enemy appearing on theHeights of the Fifh- kill in great Force, and making a tion to pafs and give us Battle, the 47th Regiment and Frafer's "Markfmen were recalled The Provincials left to cover- the Workmen" at the firft Bridge, ran away upon a very flight Attack of a fmall Party of.

the Enemy, and left the Artificers to efcape as they could, without a Poffibility of their performing any During thefe different Movements the Batteaux with Provifions were frequently fired upon from the oppofite Side of the River; fome of them were loft, and feveral Men were killed and wounded in thofe which remained. Uti. Attacks upon the Batteaux were continued feveral were taken and retaken but their Situation being much nearer to the main Force of the Enemy than to Ours, it was found impoffible to fecure the Provifions any otherwife than by landing them and carrying them upon the Hill: This was effected under Fire, and with great Difficulty, The poffible Means further Retreat were now confidered in Councils of War compofed of the General Officers, Minutes of which will be transmitted to your Lord- lhip. i The only one that feemed at all praftica- ble was hy a Night March to gain Fort Ed-ward, with the Troops carrying fions upon their Back's; thejmpoffibility of repairfng Bridges, putting a Conveyance of Artillery and Carnages out of the Quef- tron and it was propofed to force the Ford- at Fort Edward, or the Ford above it. Before this Attempt could be returned with Jntelligence, that the Enemy were intrenched oppofite thofe Fords, and poffeffed a Camp in Force on the highGround between Fprt Edward and Fort George, with Cannon; they had alfo Parties down the whple Shore to watch pur Motions; and Pofts; fo near to us upon our own Side of the Water as muft prevent the Armymoving a fingle Milenindifcovered.

TheBulk of the Enemy's Army was hourly jomed by new Corps of Militia and Volunteers, and the Numbers together amounted to 16,000 Men. Their Pofition, which extended three Parts in four of a Circle round us, was, from the Nature of the Ground, inattackable in all Parts. In this Situation, the.Army took the belt Pofition poffible.and wajting 'till the. 13th at Night, in the-anxious Hope of Succours, from our Friends, or the next definable Expectation, an Attack from our Enemy. DuringthisTime the Men lay continually upon their Arms, and were cannonaded in every Part; even Rifle Shot Shot came into all-Parts of the.

Line, though without any confiderable Effect. At this Period an Account of the Provifions was taken, and Circumftan-r ces ftatedjn the opening of this Letter became compleat. Council of War was extended to all the Field Officers and Captains commanding Corps of the Army, and inclofed herewith enfued; a Tranfaftion which I am Aire was and which I truft in that'Situation will be efteemed honourable. After the Execution of the Treaty, General Gates drew together the Force that furrounded my Pofition, and I had the folation to have as many Witnefles as I have Men under my Command, of its amounting to the Numbers mentioned above. During the Events ftated above, an Attempt was, made againft Ticonderoga by an Army affembled under Major General who found Means to QiarcK with a confiderable Corps from Hubberton undif- covered, while another Column of his Force palTed the Mountains between Skeneiborough and Lake George; and on the.

Morning of the 18 th of September, a fudden and general made up at Mount rndependehce. Tfiir jSea QBicei: commanding the armed Sloop, ftationed.to. defend the. Carrying Place, as alfo'fome of the Officers cominanding af the Ports, at the Sugar-Hill, and at the Portage, were furprifed, and a confiderable Part of four Companies'of the 53d Regiment, were made Houfe commanded by, Lieutehan.rT.ord of the 53d Regiment was' the only Poft on that Side that had Time to jiiake ufe of their Arms, and they madeji-f Drave Defence'till Cannon taken from the. furprifed VefTel was brought againft them.

After ftating and lamenting fo fatal a Want of Vigilance, I. have to inform your Lordihip of the fatisfactory Events which followed. The Enemy having twice Bri-' gadier General Powell, and received fuch Anfwers as became a Gallant Officer en- trufted with fo important a Poft; and having tried during the Courfe of four Days feveral Attacks, and being repulfed in all, retreated without having done any confiderable Damage. Brigadier General Powell, frons whofe Report to me I extract this Relation, gives great Commendations to the Regiment of Prince Frederick, and the other Troops ftationed at Mount Independence. The Brigadier alfo mentions with great Applaufe the Behaviour of Captain Taylor, of.

the 2ift'Regimenf, Who wasaccidently there oh his. Road to the Army from the Hofpital, and Lieutenant Beecroff, of the 24th Regi-' ment, who, with the Artificers in Arms, defended an important Battery. On the 24th of Sept. the Enemy, enabled by the Capture of the Gun Boats and teaux, which they had made after the prize of the Sloop to embark upon Lake George, attacked Diamond Ifland in two Divifions. Captain Aubrey and two Companies of the 47th Regiment had been polled at that Ifland from the Time, the Army paffed the.

Hudfon's River, as a better Situation for the Security of the. Stores it the South End of Lake George than Fort George, which is on the Continent, and not tenable againft Artillery andNumbersi The Enemy were repulfed by Captain Aubrey with greatLofs, and purfued by the Gun Boats under his Command to the Eaft Shore, where. two of their principal Veflels were re -taken, together with' all the Cannon; they hadjuft Time to fef fire to the other Batteaux, and retreated over the Mountains. I beg Leave to refer your Lordihip for further Particulars to my Aid de Camp Lord Peterfham; and I humbly take Oc- cafion to recommend to his Majefty's Notice that Nohleman, as one endued with Qualities to do important Services to his Country in every Station to which his Birth may lead. In this late Campaign in particular his Behaviour has been fuch as to entitle him to the fulleft Applaufe, and I am confident his Merit will be thought a.fufficient Ground for Preferment, tho' deprived of the Eclat arid Sort of Claim which generally attends the Delivery of fortunate Difpatchei.

I have only to add, my Lord, a general Report of the killed and wounded. I do not give it as correct; the Hurry of the Time, and the Separation of the Corps, having rendered it impoffible to make it fo. The Britiffi Officers have bled profufely and moft honourably; all who have fallen were Valuable, but the extenfive Merits which the Publick and Private Character Brigadier General Frafer wfll long remain upon the Memory of this Army, and make his Lofs a Subject of particular Ret ret. Thofe who remain unwounded have een equally forward and the General Officers, from the Mode of Fighting, have been more expofed than in other Services. Among the Reft I have had my Efcapes.

It depends upon the Sentence bis Majefty Ihafcl pafs upon my Conduct; upon the Judgment of my Profeffion, and of the impartial and refpeftable Parts of my Country, whether I am to efteem them Bleffings or Misfortunes. I have the Honor to be, J. BURGOYNE. P. S.

The above is an exact Duplicate of the Difpatch by Lord Peterfham. Captain Craig, of the 47th Regiment, who has the Charge of it, is an.Oflicer of great Merit; and is particularly.worthy of Notice for having ferved with unabated Zeal and Activity through this laborious Campaign, notwitbftandtng a Wound his Arm, which he received at Hubberton. No, OtBober IetJtenant -GenerallBurgbynejs deuroars of fending a Field-Officer, with a Mef fage to Gates, upon a.Mat ter of high Moment both'Annies'. He. requefts to be informed at what Hour.Gen.

Gates will receive him To-morrow Morning. Mahr-General Gates. ANSWER. MAJOR-General-Gates will receive a Field Officer frorruLieuterwnt-General Bu r- goyne at the advanced; Poft'of the Army of the United States; at Ten o'Clock To-morrow Morning, from whence he will: be conducted to Head Quarters. Camp at Saratoga, 9 o'Clock, P.M.

October 1777. Lieutenant-General NO. II, Mafjr Kingfipn Mejfage to tAajor-General GateSj 14, A FTER having fought yOu twice, Lieut. General Burgoyne rfas waited fome Days, in his prefent Pofition, determined tq try a third Cohflkt againft anjcForce yon critild bring to Attack him. He is apprifed of the SuperiofityOf your Numbers, and tne Dilpofition of your Troops impede his.

Supplies, and render his Retreat a Scene of Carnage bh Ko(h Sides. Tn he is- impeii Humanity, and thinks himfelf juftified by eftablifhed Principles and Precedents of State, and of to fnare brave Men upon honorable Terms; Should Major General Gates be inclined to "tVeat jipoh that Tdeaj Getier wbuld propofe a Ceffatipn of Arms durinV the Time neceflary to communipate hiinary Terms by which, i he, and his Army, mean to abide. III. Major General Gates's Propofafs B6rgojne 1 I. AL Bbrgoyne's Army being: VJ exceedingly reduced by repeated Defeats, by Defertion, Sick.nefs, their vifions exhaufted, their Military Tents and Baggage takers or deftroyeo; their Retreat cut off, and their they can only be allowed fitrrSB- der PfifoQers of Wfir, Lieutenant GeneraL Burgoyne'S Army, however reduced, will never admit that their Retreat is cut off, While they have Arms in.their H.

The Officers and Soldiers may keep the Baggage belonging to them. The nerals of the United States never dviduals- to be pillaged. III. The Troops under his Excellencjr General Bu'rgoyne will be conducted hy the moft cdnVerfierit Route to New England, marchrrrg bjreafy Marches, and fcrfficiehtljr provided for by.the Way. Anfnver.

This Article is ahfwered by General Bnrgoyne's firft Propofal, which is here annexed. IV. The Officers will be admitted on Parole; may wear their Side and will be treated with the Liberality 'cuftomapy-ia Europe, fo long as they, by proper our, continue to deferveit; but thofe who are apprehended having broke their Parole, as fome Britilh Officers have done, pect to be cjofe confined. Anfvser. There being no Office? in this Army under, or capable of being under, the Defcription of this Article needs no Anfwer.

V. AH Public Store's, Artillery, Carriages, Horfes, i muft be delivered to Commilfaries ed to receive them. Anfnver. All Public.Stores may be deii- vered, Arms exceptedi VI. Thefe Terms being agreed- to, andT figned, the Troops under his Excellency Gen.

Burgoyne's Comniand may be. drawn up in their Encampments, where they will be ordered to ground their and may thereupon be marched to the'River Side, be pafi'ed oyer in their Way towards Bennington. Anfiver. This Article inadmiffible in any Sooner than this Army will, confent tp ground-their Arms In their; En- catnpment, they- will oh the determined to take no Quarter. V3I of Arms to continue till Snn-fet, to receive General -Burgoyne's (Signed) Horatio Camp at Saratoga, 03.

14, 1777. No. IV. AJOR Kingfton met the-Adjutant- General of Major General Gates 's Army, October the 14th, at SuB and delivered the following Meffage If General Gates does not mean to recede, fromthe 6th Article, the Treaty ends at once. The Army will to a Man proceed to any Act of rather than fubmit to that Article.

The Ceffation of Armsends this Evening. i I No. V. 'Lieutenaxt-Gertira! Burgoyne's Propofals, together nuith Major Genertii Gatefs Anfmaers. HE annexed Anfwers being given fo General Gates's Propofais, iremains for Lieutenant General Burgoyne, jand the Army under his Command, toftate the following preliminary Articles on thehr Part.

The Troops to march out of their Camp with the Honours of and the Artillery of the Intrejiehrnents, which will- be left as hereafter may be regulated. I. The Troops march, out of their. Canip with the Honours of War, and the Artillery of thelntrerichrnehts, to the Verge of theRiver where the old Fort flood, where their Arms and Artillery muft he left. II." A free Paffage to be granted Jtothtt Army to Great Britain, iipon Condition of not ferving again in North America during the prefent Conteft; and a proper Port be afligned for the Entry of TranfpoVts receive the Troops whenever General Howet fliallfo order.

II. Agreed to for the Port of Rofton. HI. any, Cartel take Place, by which this Army or any Part of it may be exchanged, the foregoing Article to Devoid as Tar as fuch Exchange fball be made. IIL Agreed.

IV. AH Officers to retain their other" Cattle; and no gage to be molefted or fearched, the Lieutenant General giving his Honour, that there are no Public St.oresfecreted therein. Major General Gates will of Courfe take the ne- ceffafy Meafures for the Security of this Article. IV. Agreed.

V. Upon the March the Officers are not to be feparated from their Men; and-in Quarters the Officers (hall be lodged according to are not to be hindered from affernbling their Men for Roll Calling, and other neceffary Purpores or Regularity..