[Extract]

Very Dear Sir

In my Las^t wrote 13—dated 12 of this instant through a Mistake, I informed you that it was in Agitation to evacuate Fort Miflin. Co^l. Smith who had Commande^d until 11 instant at Evening was strong for the evacuation having declared the Fort not tenable, before he received the slight wound, which caused him to give up the comman^d—Lieu^t. Co^l Russel commanded from the 11^th unto the 14^th instant with a Spirit that did him honor—Major Thayer then took Command & forthwith sent a spirited Letter, requesting a reinforcement & expressig his surprise that persons should talk of abandoning the Fort for what then threatened—From this time the Fire was very heavy & Constant—the 15 of the Month & 6^th Day of the Canonade The East-indiaman Cut down¹ of which you must have heard with 20-24 pounders came up a Channel that was said by the Commodore² to be insufficient for her, & laid within Pistol shot of the Fort. Our Cannon being chiefly dismounted, & the Fort badly constructed—What was extraordinary she fired 2-24 pound shot into a 32 Pounder, from which she received the cheif annoyance. This Day the fire exceeded all Description from their Fleet & Batteries. Amidst the Hottest Fire Major Thayer was always calm, & was mentioned that he could & would hold the For^t only let the Galleys destroy the Indiaman—Possitive Orders were given by the Commodore for this purpose—But a Councel of war was afterward held by the Officers of the Galleys & they concluded it, most safe to return—to this Heroic conclusion I impute the the evacuation of Fort Miflin—at least its being evacuated when it was—Co^l. Green told the Commodore that if he would let him Officer & Man the Galleys the ship would be destroyed as the First principle of his Officers was to obey—But all was in vain—The Provincial Officers must not be dishonored—& the Commodore still hoped they would do something—After dark when the firing abated I accompanied Co^l. Olney to see Maj. Thayer & the situation of the For^t—it was battered very much—Thayer was most firm & unshaken still mentained that he could & would hold the Fort only let the Galleys do their Duty—Gen Varnum & Co^l. Olney after this went on board the Commodore³ & bore the reqest of the Major—When they saw after Orders & conclusions were like to fail—they urged in the warmest Manner that the Galleys might be maned & Officerd from our Garrison—But no—The Maj. then made an honorable retreat bringing off all of Consequence save a few Cannon & destroyed the Baracks &^c. It is the Opinion of Gen. Green who was a Spectator from the Pensilvania shore that there never was a more noble defence in America in this or in former Wars—His Excellency has been pleased to present his particular thanks to the Major—The evacuation of Fort Miflin rendered Fort Mercer in a manner useless—& the Fleet thought it not safe to lay below Philadelphia the 13 Galleys passed the City huging the Jersey shore & I believe some others but the Vessels of larger draught are bur^t.. . . . I am [&c.]