The . . . expedition of Captain [John] Robinson² was formed in consequence of intelligence given that the Rebels had between two & three hundred whale boats in a Wood on the Banks of German Town River. He had all the Marines of the Squadron and the following Boats Vizt 3 from the Somerset, 3 from the Boyne, 3 from the Preston and the Scorpions Pinnace. The whole well armed and provided with every thing necessary to set fire to the Whale Boats, rendezvoused on board the Spitfire arm'd Sloop at 10 at Night, and from thence proceeded down the Harbour, it proved a very dark Night. Our Cannon at Boston Lines and Charles Town Camp were fired and many Shells thrown into Roxborough, in order to deceive the Rebels into an expectation a little before Day Light, and thereby to draw both their Attenion and Troops from the place where Capain Robinson was to land and destroy the Whale Boats. The Channel of the River was intricate, but the Boats had two Pilots among them, and the firing from Boston and Roxborough increased with the Darkness. The Pilots however, whether from being Brothers and Americans, or from ruminating on their fate should they be taken, or from any other cause, were observed to be much alarmed, and upon approaching the Shore could give no clear directions. Every method to inspire them with Courage was in vain tried. Rewards or Threatenings were alike ineffectual; they continued in a manner petrified; And as the expedition depended on their Skill, Integrity and Spirit, it was from necessity laid aside on account of this sudden alteration in them, none other of the crew being found sufficiently acquainted with the River, or the Country, to conduct the Armaments, or that knew exactly the Spot where the Boats were concealed. And although it would have required little time to burn the whole, yet it was thought unadvisable to risque so many men and boats in a River totally unknown to all, as a Discovery must have been fatal therefore just at Daybreak Captain Robinson, finding nothing could be done, determined to return. However this determination was scarcely taken, when he was alarmed with a firing at the Lighthouse, and he instantly rowed towards it with his whole Force, being then within a mile or two; so that it is difficult to account for the rebels success against Lieut Coulthurst's party in any other manner than the Admiral hath done. [It] seems the Rebels had that morning attacked the Lighthouse Guard and carried off the entire Party Prisoners; the Marine Officer who was killed, and two wounded Marines, excepted . . . if there had been the good conduct and Resolution exerted which might have been expected from [so] strong a Party [unfinished].