The following is the best account we are able to ccllect, of the late Expedition of the Piratical Regular Traitors to the English Constitution, and the British Colonies, in plundering, Fisher's Gardner's, Plum and Block Islands, of Stock Provision, &c.
The Design of the Regulars, to plunder these islands, having been communicated to the Inhabitants and Proprietors by the Congress of New York, and other Intelligences, as early as Tuesday the 8th, there was Time to have taken off all the Stock; and some was actually taken off: But some Differences having arisen between the Proprietors and the Committees, concerning the Expence of the Business, before any Thing could be determined, the Ships of the Enemy appeared in Sight ー Dispatches were immediately sent to alarm and assemble the People on the Connecticut and Long-Island Shores, who, notwithstanding the utmost haste they could then make, were too late to prevent the Execution of the Fellonious Design of the Enemy; who on Friday the 11th, approached Gardner's Island, with the following Vessels and Forces, viz. 7 Transport Ships, 2 Brigs, 2 Men of War, 1 Snow of 10 Guns, 1 Armed Schooner of 17 Men and 200 Regulars, as reported by the Sailors, landed on the Island and assisted by 10 villanous Tories from South Hold, &c. took off the following Stock, &c.
By the account of Benjamin Millar, the Overseer,
|
1000 |
Sheep |
|
30 |
Hogs |
|
13 |
Geese, |
|
3 |
Calves, |
|
1000 |
lb. Cheese |
|
7 |
Tons Hay were taken off, and much Damage done to Gardens, |
Fences, Fowls, &c. When they went away, they left on the Table Half a Guinea and a Pistareen. |
Signed by Benjamin Miller. And attested.
The following Letter was left by the Commanding Officer, and gives Reason to suspect that the Expedition (as to Gardiner's Island) was preconcerted with the Proprietor, or Manager. ー The following is an exact Copy, viz.
"Sir: As we have got loaded all the Vessels, I can't come to your House, according to Promise, I send you Account of what I have got off your Island; Sheep, 823; Fat Cattle, 59; Cows, 3; Calves, 3; one of the Calves got away; The Cheese I will take Account of. ー Send me some Pigs, Fowls and Potatoes, and Ducks, and some Bread; and when you come to Boston, I will secure your Interest to you if in my power. I am very sorry it is not in my Power to come, to your House, but so good a Wind we can't stay; the Hay you must send an Account of by Capt. Lawrence. Sir, I am your's,
Abijah Willant
Aug. 11th, 1775, 12 o'clock at Night."
Besides the fore mentioned Stock from Gardiner's Island, we are informed that the same Crew of Free Booters, took from Fisher's Island 26 Fat Cattle; and about 1000 Sheep; also from Plumb Island, 14 Fat Cattle: At this last Island they had only one Prize Wood Boat and a Transport Brig. On their arrival and landing on one Side of the Island, they were fired upon by about 100 of Col. [David] Wooster's Provincials, who had landed on the other Side. But it being represented to the Commanding Officer, that the Island was nearly surrounded by a Number of the Enemy's armed Vessels who would be likely to cut off their Retreat, they fired but one Volley, which did not appear to have done any Execution, and then retired to the main Land, when the 14 Cattle were taken off.
After these Exploits, 3 more Transports appearing in Sight, on Tuesday Morning [August 8] the Rose and the Swan, Sloops of War, sailed to meet them, in order to make a Descent upon, and Plunder Block Island; the Success of which Attempt we have not yet heard.
It is the Opinion of good Judges, that only 200 Provincial Soldiers well posted on either of these Islands, would have repelled the Attack made upon it by the Regulars.