cover them.
Assisted by the above military force, the inhabitants alone, some
seventy years old, defended the town until about 11 o'clock; and had it
not been for the spirited resistance manifested, a landing no doubt,
would have been effected. At this time Col. Randall had arrived, and
having issued orders to the militia under his command, they began to
assemble, and from the short notice given them were truly prompt and
active in appearing at the post of danger: some volunteers had also
arrived. From this additional strength, the apprehensions of the enemy's
landing, in a measure vanished. Their shells, rockets and carcasses,
having been prevented from spreading the destruction intended, they
ceased firing them about 12 o'clock. All was still from this time until
day-light. A fire of rockets and shot from the launches and barges again
commenced, which was spiritedly returned from our artillery taken from
the breast-work, in open view of the enemy and exposed to their shot, on
the end of the point, and they [were] compelled to recede. This truly
hazardous service was nobly performed. Col. Randall having been prompt
in his appearance, as were all the officers and soldiers of his
regiment, they were now organized, ready and eager to receive our
invaders. From the spirit manifested among the citizens, volunteers and
soldiers, and the judicious arrangements made of the troops assembled,
had a landing been attempted a good account would no doubt have been
given of them. We were now also assisted by numbers of volunteers. The
barges having receded from the fire of our four and eighteen-pounder on
the Point, they were taken back to the breast-work.

About 8 o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, the Brig [_Dispatch_]
hauled within half a mile of our breast-work, and opened a well directed
and animated fire. Our few guns being now well manned by citizens and
volunteers, from Stonington, New London, Mistick and Groton, they were
ready to receive her. Her fire was returned with a spirit and courage
rarely to be equalled,--and of those gallant souls who stood this
conflict, we can only say, they gloriously did their duty. Heroes having
so nobly acted, with ours, will receive the plaudit of their country.
What effect such bravery had on the enemy, will appear from the fact,
that the brig was compelled to cut her cable and retire out of reach of
our shot. Her anchor has since been taken up, with a number of fathoms
of cable. No attac