Sir

As I wrote in great hast, at Three Rivers yesterday in order to save the Express which was setting out, I had not time to give you any Particulars of the action at Three Rivers on the 8th instant, between the King's Troops and a Party of Rebel forces. I have great pleasure in congratulating you on the success of that day, which I hope will be attended, with very happy consequences. A little before three oClock in the morning, of the 8th I ー received intelligence by a Canadian Canoe, that a number of Batteaus, had cross'd the river from Nicolet, and landed a great Body of the rebels, at the Point of the lake, & were on their march towards Three rivers, I immediately sent a Boat to reconnoitre, who return'd very soon having been fir'd on by a Rebel party, about two Miles from the Ship, The Alarm being given, the 29th & 47th Regiments, landed as soon as possible from the division of Transports lying with me, off Point Batti, & I haul'd the Marten close to the shore to protect them; about 5 OClock, a large body of the rebels appear'd opposite to the Ship, at the edge of the woods, marching towards the Town; I immediately fir'd on them which oblig'd them, to take shelter in the Woods, til they had passed our line of Fire; about six oClock they attack'd the advance guard, of our Troops and appear'd to do it, with much resolution, but on receiving the fire from a line of infantry, posted to advantage, they gave way with the loss of some kill'd and wounded; they then appear'd to be forming again, but very soon went off, in hast &: confusion. As soon as they gave way I weigh'd with the arm'd Schooner, and kept firing amongst them occasionally, as they appear'd at the edge of the wood; very little wind & Calms prevented any advancing upwards, other ways I shou'd have cut off, the retreat of their Batteaus; & have taken the greatest part of them, an acquisition, that wou'd have been of great consequence, as the Army are so much in want of Boats. The killed wounded and Prisoners, I must refer you to the Generals account; I find our Loss is very inconsiderable. I wrote you in my Last, that I had taken two of their Batteaus, with Powder and provisions, I have since recovered two more, left by the rebels at Nicolet.

I am now at Anchor, with the first division of Troops, in the entrance of the Lake, & shall proceed upwards; as soon as the wind is favorable, Captn [Thomas] Pringle will follow with a second division &: Lieutt [William] Cumming with the third, so that in the narrow Channels, we may not be liable to embarras each other ー

As I am very often obliged to have prisoners and others, sent on board by the Army, I must beg the favour that you would transmit me an Order to bear Supernumeraries, whenever the service may require it.

I beg you will present my Compliments to Captn Dalrymple, & other Gentlemen at Quebec. I have the Honor to be &ca

Marten Entrance of Lake St Peter
June 11th 1776