My Dear Brother

I wrote you from New York by Messrs Hall and Solley of Maryland by which you've learnt the reasons of my coming to that City, since which I have been removed with my Company together with Captain [Hugh] Stephenson and his Company to this Place which is about nine miles from [New] York and one of the most Beautiful Islands you ever Saw, tho' the soil is not cultivated and Ornamented in Such an Elegant & pleasant manner as the fine Country Seats in Connecticut and Massachusits (which I believe I've mentiond in former Letters) the great heighths on this Island surrounded as well by plentifull £farms as broad and Bold Waters abounding with all kinds of fish and Cover'd in a manner with Sails, afford a Delightful prospect, but those beautiful prospects are not the only advantage of the Hills many of which are natural fortifications and very happy for us if the Report is true that the Parliamt intends Landing 25,000 of their Mercenary Troops here this spring. New York is fortified at all Quarters and I hope will be able to make an Excellent defence in Case the ffieet Shod attempt burning the City, Several redoubts are Markt out here which I suppose will be thrown up as Soon as a Sufficient Number of troops can be Stationd here at present there is not more than Sufficient for Guards.

Sunday morning (being easter Sunday) we had a little Skirmish with a Parcel of Marines that came on shore to get fresh water, the first intelligence that we recd was that five hundred were landing at the watering place about three Miles from our Quarters the alarm was given and Capt Stephenson went to collect his men who were stationd near the Spot leaving me to bring up the Rear ー the fact was the Ships wanted water and sent about 25 Men to fill their Barrells and the Savage ( a Ship of War and the James a Pilot Boat to the Phoenix) to Protect their landing the Men were Busy filling their Vessells when the front of our line came in Sight a Signal gun was fired for their retreat but not early enough [illegible] were with Stephenson in front and with a small Party gave the first fire which brot to[o] one of the boats in which they were making their Escape and ten of them were made Prisoners one of whom was carred in the tide Some were draggd out of the Water some were aboard the Boat three were killed and a number wounded the Savage kept up a brisk and almost Constant fire of Swivels Grape Shot and Musquetry but luckily none of our men were hurt. I dischargd a few Rifle Balls among the Vessels but not Certain what Effect they had after the Prisoners were made we had nothing to Contend with but the Savage which we co'd not Damage wth small arms and her Guns were a little Dangerous, She Continud firing about four hours and then stood off leaving behind One Barge Anchor Cable stores &c Twenty nine Iron bound Barrells One Standard one Muskett one Iron Pot and vartions, and committees or councils of safety of the United Colonies, to use Putnam who Commands at New York. The Genl returned his thanks to Capt Stephenson's Officers and Men under his Command for their Soldier like behaviour Captain Stephenson setts off for Virginia this afternoon & leaves me Commanding Officer of the Guard & Stationd on Lower shore and l hope the next affair of this Sort will be Conducted by Yr affectionate

Bror Otho Hd Williams Mr. Elie Williams Fredk County Maryland favor of Capt Stephenson I. Otho Holland Williams Papers, Letter Book, No. 1, MdHS. Enclosed with this letter was a briefer one of the same date to his sister, in which h,e said: "last Sunday in particular we had a little Skirmish but it was not of SQf!icient duration to try the Metta! of all our men part of the Enemy being made Prisoners and the remainder dispersed before all our party co'd get engaged and then we had nothing to do but Dodge the great guns on board the Savage a very proper name for a Ministerial Ship of War."