Dear Sir

I this Minute arrived at this Place by the Way of Fort Ann, was induced to take this Rout on acct of my Ignorance of the Situation of every Post of the continenal Army —

On the 22d inst at 4 oclk PM. I set Sail from the north End Lake Georgewith 20 Sail of Boats three of which were Armed Vizone Small Sloop mounting 8 Guns & 2 British Gun Boats having on Board the whole about 420 Men Officers included with a Determind Resolution to attack Diamond Isleland which lies within 5 Miles Fort George at the Break of Day the next Morning, but a very heavy Storm coming on prevented — I arrived at Sabbath Day point abt midnight where I tarried all night, during which time a Small Boat in the Fleet taken the Day before coming from Fort George, conducted by one Ferry lately a Sutler in our Army, I put Ferry on his Parole but in the night he found Means to escape with his Boat, and informed the Enemy of our approach, on the 23d I avanced as far as ½ Mile Isleland the Wind continuing too high for an attack I Suspen'd it untill the Morning of the 24th at 9 oclock at which Time I advanced with the 2 Armed Boats in front and the other Boats, I ordered to swing to the Right & left of the Island to Atempt a Landing if practicable, and to Support the Gun Boats in Case they Should need assistance, I was induced to make this experiment to find the Strength of the Island as also to carry it if practicable — The Enemy gave me the first fire which I returned in good Earnest, and advanced as nigh as I thought prudent, I soon found that the Enemy had been advertized of our approach and well prepared for our reception having a great number of Canon well mounted with good Breast Works, I however approached within a Small Distance giving the Enemy as hot a Fire as in my Power, untill the Sloop was hulled between wind & Water and obliged to tow her off and one of the Gun Boats so damaged as I was obliged to quit her — in this Action I had two Men Killed two Mortally wounded and Several others wounded in Such Manner as I was obliged to leave them under the Cair of Some of the Inhabitants, who I had taken Prisoners giving them a Sufficient Reward for their Services, I Run my Boats up a Bay a considerable distance and burnt them with all the Baggage that was not portable — The Enemy's Force on Diamond Island as near as can be collected are about three hundred, and about 40 at Fort George with orders if they are attacked to retreat to the Island — Genl Burgoine has about 4 Weeks Provisions with his Army and no more, he is determined to cut his Road through to Albany at all Events, for this I have the best Authority. Still I think him under a Small mistake — Most of the Horses and Cattle taken at Ty and there abouts were left in the Woods Genl Warner has sent out a Party in quest of them Am Dear Sr [&c.]

NB You may Depend on it that after the British Army were Supply with Six Weeks Provision which was two Weeks since the Communication between Lake George & Fort Edward was ordered by Genl Burgoine to be Stop'd and no passes given —

The attack on the Isleland continued with interruption 2 Hours —²