[Extract]
No 40.
My Lord,

In my Letters of 5th and 8th of May numbers 38. and 39. I had the honour to mention to your Lordship the intended Invasion of this Province by the Rebels, and the preparations made for their reception and to repel them.

I have now the honour to inform your Lordship, that an advanced Body of Rebel Horsemen under the command of a Colonel [John] Baker crossed Saint Mary River on the 10th May proceeding towards Saint John River. The 15th a skirmish happened, several Rebels, were wounded, two of them left on an Island on Nassau dangerously; on our part an Indian killed, who the Rebels scalped, cutting off all his Features, and mangled his Body, which greatly exasperated the savages. The 16th at one in the morning a Detachment of the Kings Troops passed Saint John River with the Rangers and Indians; intentionally to cut off this rebel Corps, that had marched into a neck of Land between trout Creek, and a branch of Nassau River. The 17th after great fatigue and a very long march, they came up with, attacked and totally defeated the Rebels, those who were saved by the most precipitate flight were pursued, and drove over Saint Mary River, and were seen by some of our Scouts, who had concealed themselves in a thicket on the other side of Saintilla [Satilla] River who counted them and they informed me there were only forty two Rebels of this Corps returned.

The rebel main Body under the command, my Lord, of Colonels [Samuel] Elbert, [John] Stirk and [John] White, with the Galleys and other vessels commanded by Commodore Oliver Bowen, were arrived at Saint Mary River, and had passed up to Amelia Narrows which they could not get through, expecting to be joined by the Corps of Horsemen.

My intentions were that Captain Mowbray with the Rebecca and all the armed Ships and Vessels should sail into Saint Marys, while the Troops marched by the main scouring the Island in their march, and by a well concerted attack I was certain of giving the Rebels a total overthrow. To, wards this object the Rebecca and Hawke armed Ships were ordered to fall down Saint John river, and to anchor without the Bar; the Meredith, and the smaller armed Vessels to be ready to go out to join them on the first notice. A storm of Wind, my Lord, forced the Rebecca and the Hawke to Sea, the former fell in with and engaged a rebel Brigantine of sixteen Guns, and crouded with men, and after a brisk running Fight maintained by the Rebels, the Rebeccasilenced their fire for eight minutes and was bearing down upon the Brigantine to Board, when they renew'd their fire, an unlucky shot carried away the Sloop Topmast and rent the mainsail, which gave the Brigantine the advantage in sailing and an opportunity of flight. The Sloop engaged to leeward and the Brigantines Decks were much exposed to the fire from the Sloop two men were seen to fall killed from the Tops into the Sea, and many must have been killed and nine wounded. In this affair Captain Mowbray's spirited conduct deserves uncommon applause, in­ deed, my Lord, his zeal, activity, and unwearied industry, on all the different parts of service, in Choking up Creeks, assisting in erecting Batteries, and cooperating on all occasions of service, with the greatest assiduity for the good of the King's service, cannot be too much commended. Lieutenant Findley of the 60th Regiment and a detachment of this Garrison on Board the Rebecca, behaved with great resolution and courage, and it is to their behaviour Captain Mowbray ascribes his superiority over the Brigantine. The Rebecca returned in a too shattered condition to proceed to Saint Marys and before she could be repaired to pursue the intended operations, the rebels had time to retire, after they had attempted to cut a passage through Amelia Narrows.

Two Captains and nine Privates of the Rebels were made Prisoners.

I have the honour to be &c.

St Augustine 16th June 1777