Isis off Billingspt. 25 Octr. 1777
My Lord
Upon receiving your Lordships Commands from Captn. Hammond, the Roebuck & Isis, dropt below the Cheveaux de frieze Yesterday Evening the Liverpool & Pearl remain'd as high up as your Lordship saw them yesterday, but it being foggy this Morning & hearing a fireing from those Ships, I sent the Boats to their Assistance and directed them to fall down so as to remain just above the Cheveaux de frieze, which I understood from Captn. Hammond to be your Lordships intentions. The Rebels here had many men upon the wrecks1 this Evening but from the Size of their Boats, I do not apprehend, they have got any thing of Consequence out of them, the Liverpool is endeavouring to remove some more of the Cheveaux de frieze—
The Marines Captn. Owen2 required from the Ships here are ready on board the Isis & roebuck every assistance will be given that the Commanding Officer can wish for I have the honor to be [&c.]
Wm. Cornwallis
The Isis having only one Cutter belonging to her—I have taken the liberty of Detaining the Cutter late Belonging to the Augusta
LB, NHi, William Cornwallis Papers, Letter Book, 64-65.
1. The wrecks of H.M.S. Augusta and H.M. sloop Merlin.
2. Capt. Edward Owen, Royal Marines. Owen was placed in charge of the marine detachment that reoccupied Billingsport on 31 Oct.