[Extract]

...On my arrival at Bordentown, I was made Commissary for the seamen of the late fleet, and with Captain Robinson,¹ had the conducting of the famous battle of the Kegs, after which Captain Barry and myself, in two barges, passed Philadelphia through the ice, where we captured a British schooner of eight guns,² and two ships,³ one of six guns, after a running fight of three hours. Those vessels we were obliged to destroy, being shortly after pursued by two frigates.⁴ In those barges we cruised until the middle of April, preventing any communication from the country with the enemy by water, and was greatly accessary in the preservation of General Wayne and his party, with near one thousand head of cattle, which he had collected in the Jersies near Salem. The enemy having intelligence of Gen. Wayne, landed near 1500 men in the Jersies; in consequence of which, Gen. Wayne consulted Captain J. Barry and myself, being then at Salem. It was judged necessary to fire all the forage on the Jersey side of the river, which would naturally draw the enemy that way, whilst he (General Wayne) by heading the creeks, might march around to the back of them. This plan was put in immediate execution, and effected to our wish; the enemy making their appearance, as we had nearly fin- ished our work.⁵ Gen. Wayne having saved all his stock, returned, collected the Militia, and galled their retreat.⁶ After laying up the barges, we went to Senepuxent on business. . . .