[Extract]

Upon the 11th Oct. we embarked on board the flat-bottomed boats at 7 ocl. in the evening, and at about daybreak the next morning we proceeded through Hell-Gate (a place so called from a considerable chute which renders the passage very dangerous) to Throg's neck, where we landed without opposition.

The rebels, observing our motion, destroyed a bridge and causeway which joined this neck to part of the continent called West Chester, and flung up entrenchments further to impede our march. It being thought improper to force their pass we encamped; one boat of artillery and a few lives were lost in the passage.

On the 17th we again eml:>arked and landed near Rochelle upon the con;. tinent; the rebels not expecting us, we proceeded near 3 miles unmolested, until the Lt. Infantry coming to the great road which leads from New York to New England they had a slight brush, in which Col. [Thomas] Musgrave, three officers and a few men were wounded. . . .

(I forgot to mention that General Kniphausen with 3,000 Hessians had been sent to invest Fort Washington, which fort is about a mile from Kingsbridge upon York Island.) On the 12th we marched in two Lines towards Kingsbridge, and after two days' march we encamp'd with our right at Morrisania and our left upon the River fronting White Plains. A general attack on the Fort was ordered on the 15th, the dispositions being as follows — Gen. Kniphausen to advance and ascend the Hill, Lord Percy to attack the lines in front, the Guards, Lt. Infantry one [sic our] Corps and 42nd Regt. to cross Harlem River, and land in two different places. Fortunately for us the Americans behaved as dastardly as usual, and after a little opposition to the Hessians and Highlanders they ran to the protection of their Post, which not being able to contain them, they surrendered at discretion.

About 3,000 prisoners lay down their arms; thus did we gain possession of a Fort which I wou'd have engaged with 800 men to maintain against 10,000. The post in itself was weak, but the ascent to it was difficult beyond description; they had, more over, 6 months' provisions and stores.

In this affair the British lost 100 killed and wounded, and the Hes.sians 300 ...

Six thousand are embarked for an expedition under the command of General Clinton and Lord Percy; I likewise go, with the command of the Grenadiers, we imagine to Rhode Island. I am on board a miserable transport with 30 officers, therefore you must excuse the incorrectness; it is rather severe after sharing in every active part of this campaign immediately to undertake a Winter one.