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The vigilance of my guards has occasioned the enemy to abandon their lines at Portsmouth. This, and some fire-rafts I was preparing, has likewise occasioned the fleet to go off. They have thrown over their salt, burnt the most indifferent of their small craft, and are all now below Craney-Island, except four ships, which are opposite the distillery, but underway likewise. One of the Fourteenth Regiment and five sailors have deserted; they inform me they have the small-pox. I have given very particular orders to avoid this evil, if it be true. They all concur in the same story,
Letter from Colonel Woodford to General Lewis: The enemy have abandoned their lines at Portsmouth
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and likewise that the fleet is bound for Cape-Fear; but I doubt whether my Lord does not intend a secret expedition to some other part of the Colony. I received the enclosed letter, and a list of prisoners , from Lord Dunmore, and have sent orders to the guard at Portsmouth to destroy the enemy' s works.