ade this
province wch. is also defeated by a detachmt from our Regt & the
Marines on board of Captn Hawker. Our Detachmt went on board of him
here & he having a Quick passage to the River St John's wch. divides
Nova Scotia from New England & where the Rebells were going to take
post & Rebuild the old fort that was there the last War. Immediately
on Captn Hawker's Arrival there Our men under the Commd. of Ensn. Jno
McDonald & the Marines under that of a Lieut were landed & Engaged
the Enemy who were abt. a hundred Strong & after a Smart firing &
some killed & wounded on both Sides the Rebells ran with the greatest
precipitation & Confusion to their boats. Some of our light Armed
vessells pursued them & I hope before this time they are either taken
or starving in the Woods."[160]

Whatever may be said of the good behavior of the men of the second
battalion, there were three at least whom Captain McDonald describes as
"rascales." He also gives the following severe rebuke to one of the
officers:

"Halifax 16th Febry 1777
Mr. Jas. McDonald.

I am sorry to inform you that every Accot I receive from Windsor is
very unfavorable in regard to you. Your Cursed Carelessness &
slovenlyness about your own Body and your dress Nothing going on but
drinking Calybogus Schewing Tobacco & playing Cards in place of that
decentness & Cleanliness that all Gentlemen who has the least Regard
for themselves & Character must & does observe. I am afraid from your
Conduct that you will be no Credit or honor to the Memories of those
Worthies from whom you are descended & if you have no regard for them
or your self I need not expect you'll be at any pains to be of Any
Credit to me for anything I can do for you. I am about Giving you
Rank agreeable to Col. McLean's plan & on Accot. of your having bro't
more men to the Regimt. than either Mr. Fitz Gerd. or Campbell You
are to be the Second in Command at that post Lt. Fitz Ger'd. the
third & Campbell the fourth. And I hope I shall never have Occasion
to write to you in this Manner again. I beg you will begin now to
mend your hand to write & learn to keep Accots. that you may be able
to do Some thing like an officer if ever you expect to make a figure
in the Army You must Change your plan & lay yr. money out to Acquire
such Accomplishm'ts befitting an officer rather than Tobacco,
Calybogus and th