We left Halifax on the 10th June, and after a very tedious passage arrived at Sandy Hook on the 29th June.

Preparations were immediately made for landing on Long Island and taking possession of a Hill which the enemy had strongly fortified ー with judgement, as it commanded Brooklyn's Ferry and the town of New York.

As we knew there were a number of the Rebel Troops upon this Island, and that in all probability they would oppose our landing, it was thought necessary to land the army in three divisions, the first consisting of our Corps of Grenadiers, the Lt. Infantry, and First Brigade under the command of Ld. [Hugh] Percy, Gen. [James] Robertson, and Brigadier Gen. [Alexander] Leslie, with 8 pieces of cannon; the other Brigades were to land in the same order under their respective Generals.

Owing to representations made by General Robertson the plans were changed. We received order to sail on the 1st July for this Island (instead of Long Island). Sandy Hook is just 6 miles from New York, and is itself a small sandy peninsula, very low, which forms a harbour in the Jersies; in order to go to the town you must pass through a passage about a mile in breadth, formed by Long Island on the right and Staten Island on the left, on both sides very commanding ground, which we supposed they had fortified. This they call the Narrows.

On the 2nd July we passed them, convoyed by the Phoenix, Rose, and Greyhound Men of War. Fortunately we were deceived, the enemy had no cannon upon these posts; had they, we must have been annoyed most prodigiously, for the wind, not being favourable, we were three hours passing them. We were ordered to land at the Watering-place, which the Grenadiers and Lt. Infantry did without opposition, and remained the whole night under arms.

The next morning we were cantooned in the Villages, and the inhabitants received us with the greatest joy, seeing well the difference between anarchy and a regular mild government; it is supposed we shall stay here, making frequent excursions into the plains.

Our situation is by no means despicable; we are in the most beautiful Island that nature could form or art improve, we have everything we want, and six or seven deserters come every day either from Long Island or the Jersies who bring intelligence that the rebels are very discontented, but there is no believing these poor deluded wretches.

They likewise say that Carleton's army is at Fort Edward, which is only 50 miles away from New York.²

Only six Companies of the Highlanders are arrived, and from the manner they separated at sea we fear much for them; of those transports that were taken off Boston, one made resistace till Major Menzies was killed and Col. Campbell and several officers of the 71st made prisoners.

There is a report that Washington has left New York with 15,000 to go to the Southward.

General Clinton we have no certain news of; we heard that Sir Peter Parker had landed him up Charles River; if so, he will lose half his army with distempers occasioned by the severity of the heat and dust. He has positive orders to join this army, but he is fool enough to disobey and command an army when he is incapable of commanding a Troop of Horse.

The heat here is insufferable, and I fancy it is that that gives me violent pains in my stomach, which distresses me exceedingly. An active campaign will, I hope, cure me of it.