tle while
after, even the frigates could proceed no farther. But by this
time the sun had set, and darkness was coming on; consequently,
there was no possibility, for that day, of getting the troops on
shore without much confusion, if not danger. All therefore
remained quiet for the night, with this exception, that the
soldiers were removed from the large ships into such as drew
least water; which running up as high as prudence would permit,
under convoy of the gun-brigs and sloops of war, there cast
anchor.

As soon as the dawn began to appear, on the morning of the 19th,
there was a general stir throughout the fleet. A gun-brig had
already taken her station within a hundred and fifty yards of a
village called St. Benedict's, on the left bank of the river,
where it was determined that the disembarkation should be
effected. Her broadside was turned towards the shore, and her
loaded with grape and round shot, were pointed at the beach, to
cover the landing of the boats; and being moored and aft with
spring-cables, she was altogether as manageable as if she had
been under sail. The rest of the ships were several miles lower
down the stream, some of them being aground the distance of four
leagues from this point; but the boats were quickly hoisted out
from every one of them, and the river as covered in a trice with
a well-manned and warlike flotilla. The disembarkation was
conducted with the greatest regularity and dispatch. Though the
stream ran strong against them, and some of them were obliged to
row fourteen or fifteen miles backwards and forwards, so
strenuously did the sailors exert themselves, that by three
o'clock in the afternoon the whole army was landed, and occupied
a strong position about two miles above the village.

From what I have stated respecting the gun-brig, it will be seen
that all things were in readiness to meet and repel opposition,
should such be offered. Her broadside being pointed directly
towards the village, whilst it hindered the enemy from bringing
down troops in that direction, gave to our people an opportunity
of forming, and being able to meet, in good order, whatever force
might be posted to check their advance up the country. Had a few
pieces of artillery been mounted, indeed, upon the high ground,
afterwards taken possession of by us, some execution might have
been done upon the boats as they drew towards the beach; but even
that would have been trifling, because, unless