[Extract]
[October] 23 this day will be remember'd by many; the 2500 Hessions who cross'd the River the day before yesterday, were last Night driven back 2 or 3 times, in endeavouring to Storm the fort on Red Bank, 200 slain and great Numbers wounded, the fireing this Morning seem'd to be incesant, from the Battry, the Gondelows, and the Augustia Man of War, of 64 Guns, she took fire, and after burning near 2 hours, blew up, the loss of this fine Vessel is accounted for in different ways—some say she took fire by accident, others, that, it was occasion'd by Red hot Bullets from Mud-Island Battry—another English Vessel1 somewhat smaller, it is said is also burnt, Many of the Inhabitance of this City, are very much Affected, by the present situation and appearance of things, while those on the other side the question are flush'd, and in Spirits—old [H]unt [Count] De Nope,2 is said to be among the slain—it was between 11 and 12, near Noon, when the Augustia blew up, many were not sensable of any Shock, others were, it was very plain to most who were at Meeting,3 as this is fifth Day—and appear'd to some like an Earth Quake....