nd of Colonel Ball, which Lord Stirling had pushed
forward, on the first notice of our situation, to support the
retreat. The colonel moved on, and occupied a position which
effectually covered us.

Some little time after this, a body of the enemy (alluded to in
the intelligence I mentioned to have received from the officers
while in the fort) made their appearance, issuing out of the
woods on our right, and moving through the fields directly to the
road. They immediately commenced a fire upon my rear. Lieutenant
Reed threw himself, with a party, into a stone house which
commanded the road. These two officers were directed mutually to
support each other, and give time for the troops to pass the
English Neighbourhood Creek, at the liberty pole. On the enemy's
observing this disposition, they immediately retired by the same
route they had approached, and gained the woods. The
precipitation with which they retired, preventing the possibility
of Colonel Ball's falling in with them, saved the whole.

The body which moved in our rear, having excessively fatigued
themselves by the rapidity of their march, thought prudent to
halt before they came in contact with us.

Thus, Sir, was every attempt to cut off our rear completely
baffled. The troops arrived safe at the New Bridge, with all the
prisoners, about one o'clock P.M. on the nineteenth.

I should commit the highest injustice was I not to assure Your
Excellency that my endeavours were fully seconded by every
officer in his station; nor can any discrimination justly be made
but what arose from opportunity. The troops vied with each other
in patience under their many sufferings, and conducted themselves
in every vicissitude of fortune with a resolution which reflects
the highest honour on them.

During the whole action not a single musket was fired on our
side--the bayonet was our sole dependence.

Having gained the fort, such was the order of the troops, and
attention of the officers, that the soldiers were prevented from
plundering, although in the midst of every sort.

American humanity has been again signally manifested.
Self-preservation strongly dictated, on the retreat, the putting
the prisoners to death, and British cruelty fully justified it,
notwithstanding which, not a m