20^th July. Thick heavy weather. Some rain. Very warm. Wind W. 

The 38^th Reg^t marched from Newport this morning, and encamped on Windmill hill, a short distance from the right of the 22^d;¹ and fronting Howland's ferry. 

The two Battalions of Anspach² embarked at 9 o'Clock in flat boats, and encamped on that part of Connonicut called Beaver's tail. 

I think this is a most dangerous position. The reason for placing them there is to possess the Island, and cover the Batteries at Fox-hill, (which fires on the Narragansett passage) and the Dumplins; (which fires on the entrance of the harbour). But if the French fleet appears, and succeeds in their attempt to come into the harbour, (which the battery on the Dumplins cannot prevent), we shall inevitably lose those two Battalions; as the withdrawing them from Connonicut, after the Enemy has forced an entrance, will be impracticable. We should not therefore risk the loss of so material a part of our force. It would be much preferable to sacrifice a small detachment, sufficient for working the Guns and the defence of the Batteries.