vices.

I beg leave to present Your Excellency with the flag of the fort
by the hands of Mr. McAllister, the gentleman into whose
possession it fell.

It is needless for me to explain my reasons for the instantaneous
evacuation of the fort. Your Excellency's knowledge of the post
will suggest fully the propriety of it. The event confirms it.

Among the many unfortunate circumstances which crossed our
wishes, none was more so than the accidental absence of Colonel
Buskirk and the greatest part of his regiment. They had set out
on an expedition up the North River the very night of the attack.
A company of vigilant Hessians had taken their place in the fort,
which rendered the secrecy of approach more precarious, and, at
the same time, diminished the object of the enterprize by a
reduction of the number of the garrison. Major Sutherland
fortunately saved himself by a soldier counterfeiting his person.
This imposition was not discovered until too late.

I intended to have burned the barracks, but on finding a number
of sick soldiers and women with young children in them, humanity
forbade the execution of my intention. The key of the magazine
could not be found, nor could it be broken open in the little
time we had to spare, many attempts having been made to that
purpose by the Lieutenants McAllister and Reed. It was completely
impracticable to bring off any pieces of artillery. I consulted
Captain Bradford on the point, who confirmed me in my opinion.
The circumstance of spiking them being trivial it was omitted
altogether.

After most of the troops had retired from the works, and were (p. 036)
passed and passing the canal, a fire of musketry commenced
from a few stragglers, who had collected in an old work, on the
right of the main fort. Their fire being ineffectual, and the
object trifling, I determined not to break in upon the order of
retreat, but continued passing the defile in front. I cannot
conclude this relation without expressing my wannest thanks to
Lord Stirling, for the full patronage I received from him in
every stage of the enterprize. I must also return my thanks to
the cavalry, for their vigilant execution of the duties assigned
them.

Captain Rudolph waits on Your Excellency with these despatches. I
beg lea