St Marys County, St Georges River, July 17th 1776
Gentlemen/
I arrived down here on the 15th Instant with about One hundred of the Militia, where I found Capt Beall with part of his Company and one Company of Colo Barnes's Battalion ー about day Break yesterday we were Visited by a Row Galley or Row Gondola Carrying 5 Swivels on each Side and a Six pounder in her head and another in her Stern, they Rowed Close along side our Centinels and not a Man to be seen & instantly began a very heavy fireing which lasted about One hour but without doing any execution, althoug their shot raked the ground on every part where the Men were stationed ー In the even[i]ng she returned again and engaged us again for upwards of two hours, and at the same time the Troops landed from the Ships on St George's Island to the amount of about 300 hundred pushed down to the point opposite to us with Swivels & Musquet[r]y and kept up a very heavy fire, from which Capt Beall was dangerously wounded in the Shoulder with a Ball (as he says) from a Riffle, which has rendered him incap[able] of Duty. ー
I shall endeavour to keep the post we are at, at present if possible, if not shall retreat to the Woods about half a Mile. ー From a report we had given us Yesterday they are Constructing another Vessel like the above and that they intend attacking us on the Potomack side ー I think from all appearances the Fleet will Continue some time if so, some Cannon and Swivels will beabsolutely necessary to dislodge the Men they have Landed on this Island. ー
With what assistance we Can give in this County, I think 500 of the Militia of the upper Battalions will be full enough to oppose the Enemy ー we have Now at different posts about 600 Men
For further particulars refer you to Mr Hopewell by return this goes Express, he also will inform you the difficulties we Labour under in getting provisions for the Men without Money to pay for it immediately. £300 I think wou'd be Sufficient ー Colo Barnes with his Battalion is on the other side of the River watching the Motions of the Enemy there Iam Gentlemen [&c.]
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