We left Cape-Fear on the 27th of May, and anchored the same evening off the bar. The camp was struck at the same time, and the troops embarked the same evening on board the several transports. All our motions were so languid and so innervate, that it was the 9th of June before the Bristol and Pigot passed the bar of Charlestown; the Bristol in passing struck, which alarmed us all exceedingly; but, as it wanted two hours of high water, she soon floated again. The Prince of Piedmont, a victualling ship, was totally lost on the north breakers of the bar. General Clinton and Lord Cornwallis were both on board when she struck; but as the weather was very fine, they were not in the least danger. By our delays we gave the people every opportunity they could have wished for, to extend their lines, &c.: they were not idle ー every hour gave us astonishing proofs of their industry. As we anchored at one league distance from Sullivan's Island, we could see all that was going on with the help of our glasses. The fort on this Island is exceedingly strong (or rather the battery;) it is built of palm trees and earth, and on it are mounted eighteen of the lower deck guns of the Foudroyant: I never could distinguish more than seventeen; others imagined they could see nineteen ー however, that is immaterial.

The signal for attacking was made by Sir Peter Parker on the 27th of June; but the wind coming suddenly to the northward, the ships were obliged again to anchor. The troops have been encamped on Long-Island since the 15th, and it was intended that General Clinton should pass the neck that divides Long-Island from Sullivan's Island, and attack by land while Sir Peter attacked by sea. General Lee had made such a disposition of masked batteries, troops, &c., that it is the opinion of all the officers of the Army whom I have heard mention this circumstance, that if our troops had attacked, they must have been cut off; but this assertion does not satisfy the Navy, for they certainly expected great assistance from the Army. Excuse this necessary digression. On the morning of the 28th, the wind proved favourable; it was a clear fine day, but very sultry; the Thunder, bomb, began the attack at half past eleven, by throwing shells while the ships were advancing. The ships that advanced to attack the battery were the Bristol and Experiment, two fifty-gun ships; the Solebay, Active, Acteon, and Syren, of twenty-eight guns; the Sphinx, of twenty, and the Friendship, an armed ship of twenty-eight guns. With this force what might not have been expected? Unfortunately the bomb was placed at such a distance that she was not of the least service. This Colonel James, the principal engineer, immediately perceived; to remedy which inconvenience, an additional quantity of powder was added to each mortar: the consequences were, the breaking down the beds, and totally disabling her for the rest of the day. The Bristol and Experiment had suffered most incredibly: the former very early had the spring of her cable shot away ー of course she lay end on to the battery, and was raked for and aft; she lost upwards of one hundred men killed and wounded. Captain Morris, who commanded her, lost his arm; the worthy man, however, died a week after on board the Pigot. Perhaps an instance of such slaughter cannot be produced; twice the quarter-deck was cleared of every person except Sir Peter, and he was slightly wounded; she had nine thirty-two pound shot in her mainmast, which is so much damaged as to be obliged to be shortened; the mizzen had seven thirty-two-pound shot, and was obliged, being much shattered, to be entirely cut away. It is impossible to pretend to describe what our shipping have suffered. Captain Scott, of the Experiment, lost his right arm, and the ship suffered exceedingly; she had much the same number killed and wounded as the Bristol. Our situation was rendered very disagreeable by the Acteon, Syren and Sphinx, running foul of each other, and getting on shore on the middle ground. The Sphinx disengaged herself by cutting away her bowsprit; and, as it was not yet flood-tide, the Sphinx and Syren fortunately warped off. The Acteon was burnt next morning by Captain [Christopher] Atkins, to prevent her falling into the hands of the Provincials, as fine a new frigate as I ever saw. Our ships, after laying nine hours before the battery, were obliged to retire with great loss. The Provincials reserved their fire until the shipping were advanced within point blank shot; their artillery was surprisingly well served, it is said, under the command of a Mr. Masson and DeBrahm; it was slow, but decisive indeed; they were very cool, and took great care not to fire except their guns were exceedingly well directed. Butthere was a time when the battery appeared to be silenced for more than an hour; the Navy say, had the troops been ready to land at this time, they could have taken possession. How that is I will not pretend to say. I willrather suppose it; but the fire became exceedingly severe when it was renewed again, and did amazing execution after the battery had been supposed to have been silenced. This will not be believed when it is first reported in England. I can scarcely believe what I myself saw on that day ー a day to me one of the most distressing of my life. The Navy, on this occasion, have behaved with their usual coolness and intrepidity; one would have imagined that no battery could have resisted their incessant fire.