I then with several others [at Poughkeepsie] formed ourselves in a company under the command of Barnardus Swartout all Vollenteers ー the times began to appear very Interesting ー the British Fleet and large army was at Staten Island ー we march'd off in high spirits till we got to the Calder-barrack near the Croton River ー there we staid but three days for derection ー we then had news that the English army was preparing to land on Long Island ー that they easy effected under the protection of Shiping ー our army was at this Time on Brooklin Hights fortifying as fast as they Could ー the Enemy advanced upon Part of our army under the com'd of Lord Stirling and General Sullivan ー they faught on the Retreat to Flatbush Hills. There the battle became Very Hot but the Enemy was too powerful ー they ex-tended their write wing so as to cut off the retreat of our detachment from the main army, which they succeeded in and they kill'd and captured many, amongst them was several officers and the Two Gen'ls ー many was Drownded in the mill Pond. This took place 28th August [sic] 1776 ー the next day the 29th, Capt. Swartout crossed with us to the Island and we was placed on the left from the Hill call'd Fort Greene to Wallabout ー the two armies close in view of each other, and for three Days the Rain fell in Torrents so that we could not Cook ー then was the first Time I was Brought to eat Raw Pork ー the last night we was on the Island myself and-Several of Volunteers was put on advanced Centres [sentries] with speshel orders how to behave should we discover the Enemy advancing ー the night was Foggy & very dark. Some circumstances made all the Centres return on the lines but myself ー my Remaining at my station was imputed to bravery. Early in the morning yet very dark we was Paraded under the Report that we was to attack the Enemy in their lines. We was Led around we new not where till I Saw the old stone Church of Brooklin ー then an officer riding by Says a groce mistake ー we was orded to wheel about and remain the lines, wich we did ー a dangerous attempt ー there we remained till some Time after ー we then formed the Rear Gard we was ordered forward, still expected to meet the Enemy till we found ourselves at the Ferry and the army all cross'd. But the Gard then under the Command of Gen'l [Thomas] Mifflin ー we then was order'd to choak up the Street with waggons and Carts to Prevent the Light Horse from Rushing Down upon us ー at this time no boats ー I prepar'd myself to Swim the River flood tide But fortunately two Battoes struck Shore ー by this Time there was but a few of us left ー we all hurred on board and Shoved off ー the Enemy Rush'd down on the Hill and Commenced a brisk fire. Fortunately no one was hurt in our Boat ー the other Boat had four woundedー²