S^r:

I have been absent from this Place for some Time up to Burlington,  Borden Town & Trenton, after necessaries for the Fleet, and to hurry the Commissaries¹ in this Duty—Last Monday Evening² was returning, but when I got within two Miles of Coopers Ferry, I was informed the Enemy had just landed a Number of Troops, which obliged me to return; by which I lost, by all Accounts, one of the finest Sights ever saw in these Parts. My absence prevented me sending your Excellency an Account of the Action, but Shall mention something of it now.

The 22^d. Instant about 4 o'Clock the Enemy to the Number of about 1500 appeared before the Fort at Red Bank and immediately began a most furious Cannonade, for about 15 Minutes, when they rushed on with great Resolution to Storm the Fort, and got into the upper Part of the Old Works which were not finished, and gave three Cheers, thinking all was their Own, but were received so warmly that they were glad to get out. They endeavoured to force thro' the abbettes [abatis] that were before the Fort, and some even got over the Ditch and were killed within the Pickets—After about 40 Min­utes Action they took to their Heels and ran off with great Precipitation. The Enemy had about 100 killed on the Field, among which were one Lieut. Colonel and four Cap­tains. They left about 80 wounded, among which were Count Denope their Comman­der, who lays at Red Bank with his Thigh Broke; and his Brigade Major wounded in three Places³—Near 30 of their Wounded are since Dead—We had in the Fort at Red Bank Two Regiments of Rhode Island Troops under the Command of Col. Green con­ sisting of about 600 Men & Officers. We are informed the Enemy carried over to Philadel­phia not less than 300 Wounded. The Inhabitants that saw the Enemy march Down say, they had 14 pieces of Cannon with them & returned with Six. If this should be the Case they must have thrown them into Timber Creek, as we have taken none—

The next Day the 23^d: the Augusta of 64 Guns, the Roebuck of 44. Two Frigates and the Merlin of 18 Guns came up as near as they dare to the upper Chevaux de Frize, when a most furious Engagement ensued between the Gallys & Floating Bat­tery, with the Enemys Ships, the Fire was so incessant, that by all Accounts, the Ele­ments seemed to be in Flames. About 12 o'Clock the Augusta Blew up, whether by Accident or from our Shot is unknow, having taken Fire some Time before. Here presented a glorious Sight before she blew, She laying Broadside too aground, and the Flames issuing thro every Port she had. The Action Still continued with the other Ships, and at Three oClock the Merlin took Fire & Blew up also, being aground, and then the Fire soon ceased. Thus ended two glorious Days—Yesterday the Commodore ordered five Galleys down to the Wrecks. Two Frigates that lay near them immedi­ately weighed and went down as low as the lower Chevaux de Frize—Many of the Boats went on board and I had the Pleasure of being on board of Part of a 64 Gun Ship—Most of her Guns are in the Wreck and We brought off two of her 24 Pounders, and this Day are preparing to get the rest, if the Ships do not come too near us­ The smaller Ships Guns are also easily to be got, I think they are Nine Pounders, which make me think she is a 20 Gun Ship and not the Merlin—The People on board the Augusta must have gone off with great Precipitation, as we have among the Rub­bish found great number of Cloaths, part of their Books &c. &c. that they seem to have taken nothing with them but what they had on—

Three of the Fire Brigs and one Fire Ship were sent down on the Enemy, but their Shot flew so thick around them and indeed cut their rigging so much, that the Crews got frightned and set them on Fire so soon, that they were burnt in vain—The last Action reduced our Ammunition very low; but this Day we have recieved a Sup­ply of near 1400 Cartridges—One Waggon load was lost coming over Timber Creek with the Ammunition on it—I am [&c.]