[London] 22 Augt 1776
My dear Lord
I hoped to have been able to send your Lordship a more pleasing account of our Southern Expedition than is contained in the inclosed precis It is well however the Troops have not suffered by the climate which I dreaded more than the fire of the Rebels, tho' that has done no small execution onboard the Ships. Not a Man on the Quarter Deck of Sir Parker's Ship at the beginning of the attack, that was not either killed or wounded before the end of it. The worst consequence of this failure will be the shewing the Rebels where their strength lies and how they may foil us again in the winter tho' our strength be greater. They were seen to hang up a man upon a Tree behind the Fort, before they could prevail on a Party to return to the Guns. We have no Account or even guess at their loss. All our hopes are now fixed on Genral Howe, a cheque at New York would undoe us all, God Grant he may wait for his reinforcement before he attempts any thing, and then I think they will not wait for him. I am ever Your Lordships [&c.]
Will: Knox
1. PRO, Dartmouth Manuscripts, NCDAH Transcript.