any more. Even the empty boats could scarcely make head against it. I
was going to represent this to the commodore, when I found that two of
the boats full of troops had drifted down the river before the gale. If
the poor fellows in them have escaped drowning, they will by daylight
fall into the hands of the enemy. This settled the question; the
further embarkation of the troops has been stopped, and now I must hurry
away to endeavour to get the main body back again before our manoeuvre
is discovered."

The troops remaining on the York side once more returned to the lines,
and the night passed away, as had many previous nights, both sides
keeping up a heavy cannonade with the addition of the fearful storm
which raged till long after the sun had risen on the scene of slaughter
and destruction.

The plan formed by our noble general was worthy of him, desperate as it
may appear, and would, I believe, have succeeded had not the elements
been against him. Sallying from the lines at Gloucester Point as soon
as all the army had crossed over, he intended to attack the camp of the
French cavalry, mount the infantry on their horses, and push on by rapid
marches towards the north, till he could form a junction with such
forces as Sir Henry Clinton might send out to his support. Part of the
navy and a small body of troops were to be left behind to arrange terms
for the inhabitants as well as for our poor wounded and sick men, who
could not be moved. The baggage also of course was to have been
abandoned. Had the plan succeeded, it would have been looked upon as
one of the most gallant exploits on record. Still many lives might have
been sacrificed and no adequate object obtained, so I doubt not that
events turned out for the best.

17th.--At length the storm began to abate, but great was our anxiety
lest the enemy should discover our situation and attack us. Happily
they did not come on, and by noon we were able to bring back that part
of the army which had crossed the river. Our generals held a council of
war, and it became known that the sad hour had arrived when we must sue
for terms with the enemy, or undergo all the dangers of an assault with
the certainty of being defeated at last. With feelings of sorrow and
regret we saw the flag of truce depart. We waited the result with
anxiety. Whatever were the terms proposed they were peremptorily
refused by the enemy, and our brave general determined to hold out for