(Copy.)

My Lord

Sir Henry Clinton having thought it advisable to make a Diversion at this Junc­ture up the North River, and the necessary Arrangements being made in conse­quence; The Flat Boats and Batteaux on the 3^d: Instant proceeded to Spikendevil Creek in three Divisions under the Captains Pownoll,¹ Jordan² and Stanhope;³ Cap­tain Pownoll having the Direction of the whole.

A Body of about 1100 Troops were embarked in them that Evening, and the same Night proceeded to Tarry Town, where they landed at Day-Break, and occu­pied the Heights adjoining; a second Division, nearly of that Number, marched out at the same Time from King's Bridge, and formed a Junction by Land, with those who passed by Water.

The Squadron under Captain Ommanney had moved up the day before to re­ceive them: The smaller part of it, namely the Gallies and Armed Vessels⁴ (as they might be to act separately) I thought it advisable upon this Occasion to make a dis­tinct Command; and could not place them better than under the Direction of Sir James Wallace, whose Knowledge of the River, as well as Captain Ommanney's we fully experienced the Advantage of.

The third Division of Troops were embarked in Transports, and on the 4^th. in the Morning left New York under Convoy of the Preston, and in the course of the same Tide arrived off Tarry Town.

The General Embarkation was that Night made and the Wind being still favor­able, the whole, preceded by the Squadron under Sir James Wallace as an advanced Guard, reached Verplanks Point at Noon the Day following, and those in the Flat Boats landed, with the Appearance only of an Opposition; Sir James Wallace was im­mediately dispatched higher up the River to cut off the Enemy's Communication by Peeks Kill Ferry.

The 6^th: at Day-Break the general Debarkation took place, and all the Troops ex­cept about 400, who were left to secure Verplank's Neck, were soon landed at Stoney Point upon the opposite Shore from whence they had about twelve Miles to march through a mountainous and rugged Road, to Fort Clinton and Montgomery.

The Ships and Transports then moved higher up, and anchored opposite Peeks Kill Landing.

In the Afternoon the advanced Squadron and the two Frigates⁵ got under Sail and opened Fort Montgomery, with a View only to make an Appearance and thereby to cause a Diversion in favour of the Attack which we observed had now begun. Sir James [by] the help of his Oars got near enough in with the Gallies to throw some Shot into the Fort. The Cannonading and Fire of Musketry continued until Night, when by a most spirited Exertion, a general and vigorous Assault was made, and the two important Forts of Clinton and Montgomery fell by Storm to His Majesty's Arms: on which I have the Honor to congratulate your Lordship most sincerely. The Rebel Frigates are both burnt,⁶ with a Galley;⁷ and a Sloop of Ten Guns⁸ is taken.

The Loss on the Enemy's Side is not yet exactly known, but they are supposed  to have had about one hundred killed, and two hundred and fifty taken Prisoners. The greatest Loss on the Side of the King's Troops, are about forty killed, among whom are some valuable Officers, namely Lieutenant Colonel Campbell,⁹ Major Sill, Major Grant and Captain Stewart, and about one hundred and fifty wounded.

A Summons signed by Sir Henry Clinton and myself, was the next day sent up to Fort Constitution by a Flag of Truce; which, being fired at, returned, and deter­mined the General immediately to correct the Insult by an Attack. An Embarkation was accordingly made on the Morning of the 8^th., and  proceeded up the River for that purpose, under Cover of the Gallies.

We found upon our Arrival, the Fort had been abandoned in great Confusion; their Barracks burnt, but all their Artillery left. The whole number of Cannon taken in the three Forts amount to Sixty seven, with a large Quantity of Provisions, Am­munition and Stores of all kinds to a very considerable Amount. I have directed such part of the Chain and Boom as cannot be saved, to be destroyed. The Construction of both give strong proofs of Labour, Industry and Skill.

Sir James Wallace with his flying Squadron is gone still higher up the River, and if he passes the Chevaux de Frize at Pollipous Island,¹⁰ he may do essential Service, as there can be nothing to give him any Interruption.

When it is considered that this Attack was made after a most fatiguing March over Precipices, and through Roads almost impenetrable, which made it impossible for the Troops to avail themselves of the Use of Cannon, so necessary for such a pur­pose And the little Assistance they could therein promise themselves from the Ships, the Access through the Highlands to the Forts rendering the Approach to them so precarious; it redounds the more to the Credit of an Enterprize, which was formed and executed with equal Judgment, Valour and Success.

The Captains, Officers and Men under my Command, have been so strenuously zealous in their Exertions upon this Occasion, that every Testimony is due from me in Approbation of their Conduct during this Service of Fatigue, of which Captain Pownall has had his Share, and is well able to inform your Lordship of every particular.

Since I had the Honour of writing to your Lordship by the Zebra, the Unicorn, Galatea, Brune and Cerberus arrived, but are all of them in great want of Repairs and Stores. The fifty-gun Ship's people having been employed in the Flat-Boats, will ac­count to your Lordship for their not joining you so soon as you might have expected; but if the General remains any Time here, I shall relieve the Bristol's Flat-Boat men by some of the Frigates, that she may be at Liberty to proceed with the next Express.

I have directed Captain Onslow¹¹ to carry on the current Duty at York until my Return, and am to acquaint You that I have appointed M^r. George Stewart, Surgeon's second Mate of the Preston, to act as Surgeon of the Eephant [Elephant], 'till your Lord­ship's pleasure be known. I have the Honor to be [&c.]

P.S. I have the farther pleasure to acquaint your Lordship, that General Tryon is just returned from Continental Village,¹² where he has destroyed Barracks for 1500 Men, with Stores to a considerable Amount.