[Extract]

I gave you a short sketch of our affairs and situation to the 25^th inst. The repulse at Red Bank, and the destruction of a Sixty-four gun ship and frigate,¹ in their attempt on Mud Island Fort, you must have been particularly acquainted with long before this reaches you. Though I have seen many who were witnesses of the whole, I cannot yet satisfy myself whether the ships were destroyed by the fire ships sent down, or red hot balls, but am rather of opinion it was the latter. The enemy had been successful enough to raise the lower chevaux de frise. The gallantry of our brave fellows in the fort has been emulated by the row galleys. Every mouth is open in their praise; and I can as­sure you, from the best intelligence, that they will come in for a full share of the hon­our acquired in the defence of the river. I am well informed none of them lay further than half a mile from the enemy, and many much nearer. The sixty-four gun ship, to get clear of a fire ship, was obliged to part with her stern spring, by which means she grounded, with her stern exposed to the dreadful fire of the fort and gallys, which raked her fore and aft. We cannot ascertain the enemy's loss, in that attack, but as there was a boat alongside when she blew up, we may be sure all the hands were not taken off. Many must have been killed during the engagement, and probably more while they were burning, as the galleys kept up an incessant fire of grape-shot on the burning ships and boats which came to their relief....The communication with their shipping has hitherto been kept from the mouth of Bow Creek, (which divides Car­penter's Island from Tinicum,) on the bank, which they have repaired, and so by the Blue Bell. But whether they will think this longer practicable, I very much doubt.

On Saturday I was in Chester, off which lay the Eagle and Somerset men-of-war, some frigates and transports, about forty in number. None of their  people  are  per­mitted to come on shore. Wilmington is perfectly evacuated; but their sailors come on shore unarmed at New castle in considerable numbers.... I am [&c.]