I have the pleasure to tell you that I am now much better than I was on the 28th of June; that day I was in a shocking condition in an engagement with the rebels. I shall now send you a true account just as it was. We fell down in company with the Experiment, of 50 guns, the Solebay and Active frigates of 28 guns each. As soon as we brought up to Sulivan's fort leading up to Charlestown, we then began to fire, which continued for nine hours and an half; I must say a very smart engagement. They killed us near 50 men, and dangerously wounded more, to the amount of 50 and upwards. The Experiment lost about 30 killed, and 40 and upwards wounded. The Active had only one killed (the Lieutenant) and few wounded. The Solebay had three killed and few wounded. Our worthy Capt. [John] Morris was killed by my side, and eight marines and sailors. The Captain of the Experiment had his arm shot off, but is in a fair way of recovery. The Commodore Sir Peter Parker, who I am with, is wounded; myself also in my left leg, but it is in a fair way of recovery without amputation. Had the army, which was but four miles from us, and was to have joined us, come in due time to our assistance, we might have taken Charlestown, as we silenced the fort for an hour and half. We are in a shattered condition, and are getting up jury masts to go to Halifax to repair, which will take some time, being shot through and through. During the action no slaughter-house could present so bad a sight with blood and entrails lying about, as our ship did. I suppose you will see a narrative of the action in the news-papers as soon as you have this. Gen. Lee is at Charlestown; and the army under Generals Clinton and Cornwallis is gone to the northward, as nothing can be done here, the weather being so extremely hot.

Our fleet is in a bad condition with the scurvy.