Extract

Since my last, we have sent a party of 100 men, under the command of col. [Edward] Stevens, of the minute battalion, over the river, who fell in last night, about 12 o'clock, with a guard of about 30 men, chiefly negroes. They got close up to the sentinel undiscovered; the sentinel challenged, and was not answered, upon which he fired. Our people, being too eager, began the fire immediately, without orders, and kept it up very hot for near 15 minutes. We killed one, burnt another in the house, and took two prisoners (all blacks) with 4 exceeding fine muskets, and defeated the guard. There is hardly an hour in the day, but we exchange a few shot. I am &ca.