May it please your Excellency  I herewith Send two men who deserted from the Lively Man of War this morning about 3 oClock and was taken up by our Guard at Chelsea Beach & Conducted to me by a file of men.

We have had a small brush with the Enemy to day which began about 12 oClock and ended about ¼ of One occasioned by 2 Bearges & 2 Sail Boats going upto the floating Battery that Lay near neck of Land Charlestown and bareing reather to near Malding Point  Supose Capt [Eleazer] Lindseys Company suspected they had Som Evel designe, or a mind to Reveng passd Injuries gave them a prety Smart fire which made them return down the River and with there Swivel guns & Small arms began a fire at our Chelsea soldiers who returnd the fire Briskly haveing been alarm'd by the first fireing at Malding one of the Sail Boats Came round near to the old Wreck up Winnessimit where we gave them the Best we had, and they soon made of down among the Shiping & the fireing Ceased we suffered no Damage by them  there was a great number of Balls Struck one of the Boats & beleve wounded if not killed Some of the men, Some of our men declare they saw a number drop as if they were shot dead whin a Volley was fired from our men its certain they never appeard much in sight again nothing Extraordinary has appeard Sience. I send the Observation as Usual. I am &c.

Chelsea Augt 13th 1775