By Order of Congress.

South-Carolina, Charles-Town, November 12, 1775.

Gentlemen,

The actual commencement of hostilities by the British arms in this colony against the inhabitants, is an event of the highest moment to the southern part of the United Colonies on this continent: therefore, lest so important an event should be misrepresented, I am directed to inform you of the particulars of it, and of a subsequent action.

As it was found necessary to obstruct the channel of Hog-Island creek, being one approach to this town from Rebellion-Road, Capt. Tufts, commander of the colony scooner Defence, mounted with two nine-pounders, six six-pounders, and two four-pounders, having on board seventy seamen and marines, proceeded yesterday, about two in the afternoon, with four hulks, in order to sink them upon the bar of that creek, being about gunshot from the King's ships Tamer of sixteen, and the Cherokee of six guns. ー As Captain Tufts approached the place of his destination, the Tamer fired six shot at him, which Capt. Tufts, just coming to an anchor, returned with two; and the Tamer continuing the cannonade, Capt. Tufts contented himself with returning only one shot more, and then proceeded to sink the hulks. He accordingly sank three large scooner hulks, but the fourth not coming up early enough on the tide, he continued the night on his station in order to sink her also, at a proper time of tide. About a quarter after four in the morning, the Tamer and Cherokee, having warped nearer to Capt. Tufts in the night, discharged their broadsides at him, and continued the cannonade until about seven o'clock, when Capt. Tufts, having notwithstanding so heavy a fire, carried the hulk to her proper station, and having scuttled her in various places, left her sinking, and then, having no further duty to perform, he retreated. However, as the hulk being loaded with sand, was a considerable time in sinking, and as Capt. Tufts was considerably retreated, the Tamer sent an armed boat which fired the hulk, towing her into shallower water, where she shortly after sank. Capt. Tufts in his retreat, ineffectually fired a shot at this armed boat, but finding his firing would not be of any service, he very prudently refrained from such an expenditure of ammuntion. Notwithstanding so long and severe a cannonade from the Tamer and Cherokee, on board of which last Lord William Campbell has for some time past fixed his residence, Capt. Tufts received no other damage, but one shot under his counter, one in his broadside, and a third which cut his fore starboard shroud, not a man was wounded. In general the shot passed between his rigging and struck the main land; and amidst this imminent danger, the officers and men on board, although in general new in the service, displayed the greatest chearfulness, tranquility and coolness during this heavy fire. Fort Johnson discharged some twenty-six pounders at the Tamer and Cherokee, but the cannon requiring an elevation of ten degrees to reach them, rather than continue to discharge such random shot, the firing from that post was discontinued.

The inhabitants of this metropolis were in general spectators of the latter part of the cannonade. The drums beat to arms, and the militia in a body assembled under their officers, with such alertness, and so properly armed, as gave the highest pleasure and confidence to the public. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, [&c.]