Number 13.
Sir

The General thinking fit to move with a large Part of the Army to the Right of the Rebel Forces, who were preparing to establish themselves for the Winter on the Heights above King's bridge as well as on the North part of York Island, the Embarkation of the Troops in the Flat-Boats and small Vessels provided, was made from Kep's Bay in the Night of the 11th of last Month; under the Direction of Commodore Hotham with the Captains of the Ships from which the Boats were manned, as in the former Instances. And the Troops were landed in the Morning on the Peninsula of Frog's Neck in the Sound, about ten Miles Eastward from New York, without Opposition.

A thick Fog prevailing when the Boats entered the dangerous passage through Hell-Gate, every ill consequence was to be apprehended. But it fortunately happened, that no other Injury was sustained, besides the oversetting of an ArtilJeryBoat, by which Accident two Field-Pieces and three Men were lost.

It had been some time before resolved, in order to prevent the Enemy from receiving Supplies by the North River, to send a Detachment of Ships above their Works at Jeffery's Hook on York Island and the opposite Shore of Jersey; between which they had been lately making fresh Attempts to block the Channel. Captain Parker in the Phoenix was again chosen for this Service with the Roebuck and Tartar. The Wind did not permit the Ships to pa5s the Enemy's Works until the ninth. By the Accounts I have a few Days since received from Captain Parker, I find the Ships had suffered much in their Masts and Rigging. The loss of Men, as in the enclosed Return, was less considerable. Of four of the Enemy's Callies chased from their Stations behind the Line of sunken Frames and Vessels placed to obstruct the Passage of the River, two were taken; One mounting a Thirty-two Pounder with Swivels, the other two Nine-Pounders and two four-pounders. The two remaining Gallies with some small Vessels being favored by the Tide and Weather, escaped the Ships in shoal Water, where they had sufficient Protection from the Shore, which was in the Enemy's possession.

The General judging it necessary to make a second Movement with the Troops he conducted, further to the Eastward of Frog's Neck; the Light Infantry, Grenadiers and other Corps of the first Embarkation, were again taken into the Flat Boats, and landed the 18th on Pell's Neck, separated from Frog's Neck by Hutchinson's River. The rest of the Army which had only that narrow Stream to pass, were conveyed over with the Artillery and Baggage a few Hours after. And the second Division of the Hessians that came under Convoy of the Diamond the nineteenth, were carried up in the Flat-Boats, and landed the 23d on Myers Neck, the post of Communication with the Fleet last established, nearer to New Rochelle.

This Position of the Army requiring further Provision to be made for keeping the Intercourse open by Water with York Island, the Rose and Senegal were added to the Frigates and small Armed Vessels before stationed in the Sound for that Purpose.

It is incumbent on me to represent to their Lordships on this Occasion, and I cannot too pointedly express, the unabating Perseverance and Alacrity with which the several Classes of Officers and Seamen of the Ships of War and Transports, have supported a long Attendance and unusual degree of Fatigue consequent of these different Movements of the Army. Captain [Charles] Phipps and the Detachment of Seamen under his Command, who were further appointed to assist in the Service of the Artillery upon an Emergency, have acquired much Credit by their spirited Conducton that Duty.

The Enemy retreating on every Occasion as the Army advanced, were forced from the White Plains (where they seemed prepared to make some stand) into the North Castle District. And have finally retired with the greatest Part of their Forces behind the Croton River. Whereby the Communication was opened from York Island with the Continent, by Kingsbridge.

On the 16th instant the General directed an Attack to be made on their Lines adjacent to Fort Washington, a regular Work, constructed upon the high Grounds above Jeffery's Hook. It was appointed to be carried on from the Side of NewYork, of Kingsbridge; And by two separate Embarkations from the Continent, across the last River. Thirty Flat Boats were ordered up to Kingsbridge by the North River the Night of the 14th under the Direction of Captain [Thomas] Wilkinson, (who has distinguished himself very much in the different Parts of this and the subsequent Operation) assisted by Captain [Andrew Pye] Molloy. The Batteaux, mostly manned from Transports, were commanded by Lieutenant Botham of the Brune, Lieutenant Loggie of the Mercury, and the Agent Lieutenant Henry.

The Troops embarked in the Boats had a considerable Fire to sustain from the Enemy in their passage across the East River, and at their Landing. But having surmounted every Obstacle, under the further Disadvantage of a very steep ascent to gain the Flank of the Enemy's Line; And the other Attacks succeeding at the same time, the Fort was completely invested in the Evening. The Rebels, in number about two thousand seven hundred, were thereupon induced to surrender Prisoners of War. And several Pieces of Cannon with a considerable Proportion of Military Stores, were taken in the Fort and Out-Works.

Captain Wilkinson's Presence being deemed most material with the FlatBoats, the Pearl was left under the Direction of the first Lieutenant Scot, to be placed for covering the March of the Hessian Troops, and to flank the Enemy's Lines on the Side of the North River: In which Service his Behavior was much approved. The same Commendation is due to the Officers and Seamen in the Boats. Only one of the last was killed and five wounded; the Loss of Men at the Landing having happened chiefly amongst the Troops.

Twenty more Flat-Boats which were sent up the North River under Captain Phipps, passed the Enemy's Posts undiscovered in the Night of the 18th. And a Detachment from the Army commanded by Lord Cornwallis, being landed on the Jersey shore the 20th in the Morning above the Enemy's Redoubts opposite to Jeffery's Hook, and unperceived by the Rebels for some time; They soon became possessed of the Redoubts without Loss. Some few of the Enemy were killed, and about Seventy taken, with many pieces of Artillery and a large Quantity of Ammunition and Stores.

The sudden Effect of these two unexpected Attacks, seems to have made great Impression upon them.

In my Report to their Lordships upon these several Transactions, particular Notice is due to the Ability testified in the Direction and Conduct of many difficult and very fatiguing Services, which Captain Ferguson of the Brune was charged with, preparatory to and in the Progress of the various Movements of the Army, from the time of the first Descent on York Island to this Period. Lieutenant Botham of the same Ship, and the Agents Lieutenants Knowles and Henry (the last more especially) having had a considerable Share in the Arrangement as well as Execution of such Services, are likewise entitled to a particular Distinction on this Occasion. And the unwearied Spirit of the Seamen, from the Transports as well as Ships of War, in dragging the Artillery up the difficult Heights for sustaining the Infantry on their Landings, can never be exceeded.

The General, desirous to take Advantage of every Opportunity for prosecuting his intended Operations whilst the Season would admit, had some time since applied to have Transports for ten thousand Men, with an adequate Naval Force, prepared for a separate Service. The Command thereof, under the Circumstances of Lord Shuldham's Application to return to England, has devolved on the Commodore Sir Peter Parker, who will have the Ships of War and Transports under his Direction as in the Account annexed.

I have thought it necessary for the speedy Conveyance of the General's Dispatches on the present Occasion, to appoint the Tamar for that purpose; Having had the Sloop cleaned and refitted here for her Passage to Europe, in the best Manner that the Materials to be provided in our present Circumstances would permit, Captain [Christopher] Mason is directed to the . . . . . port he can first most conveniently gain in England; and to wait to receive their Lordships Commands for his further Proceedings. I am, with great Consideration, Sir, [&c.]

[Endorsed] R 30 Decr (2 Inclosures).