ia. Large supplies for the
army were deposited in them; and the state government had established
at Gosport a marine yard, where ships of war and other vessels were
building, for which naval stores were collected to a very great
amount. The destruction of these vessels and stores, constituted the
principal object of General Matthews.

On the morning of the tenth, the fleet entered Elizabeth river, and
the troops were landed about three miles below the fort, without
opposition. Foreseeing that the works would be attacked the next
morning on the land side, the garrison evacuated the fort in the
night, and took refuge in a deep and extensive swamp, called the
Dismal, which could not be penetrated without difficulty, even by
single persons.

The whole sea-board, on the south side of James' river, being now in
possession of General Matthews, he fixed his head quarters at
Portsmouth, whence small parties were detached to Norfolk, Gosport,
Kemps' landing, and Suffolk, where military and naval stores to a
great amount, and several vessels richly laden, fell into his hands.

This invasion was of short duration. General Matthews, after
destroying the magazines which had been collected in the small towns
near the coast, and the vessels in the rivers, was ordered by Sir
Henry Clinton to return to New York, where he arrived towards the last
of May.

The Admiral and General were both so impressed with the importance of
Portsmouth as a permanent station, that they united in representing to
the Commander-in-chief the advantages to be derived from keeping
possession of it. But, in the opinion of Sir Henry Clinton, the army
did not at that time admit of so many subdivisions; and, with a view
to more interesting objects, Portsmouth was evacuated.

CHAPTER V.

Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from
General Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick
destroys an Indian settlement.... Expedition against the
Indians meditated.... Fort Fayette surrendered to the
British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... General Wayne storms
Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... Powles Hook
surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot....
Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah....
Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege
raised.... Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain
offers her mediation to the belligerents.... Declare