[Extract]
Dear General

Col. Webb’s falling into the Enemy's Hands the 10^th. Ins^t. you have doubtless before this been made acquainted with

The Descent on Long Island was design^d to destroy the Timber & Boards prepard at y^e. East End of y^e. Island for Barracks in New York, to destroy the Fleet there from Rhode Island for Wood. Attack a Reg^t. Station^d. about Eight Miles Eastward of Jamaica & remove or destroy whatever Public Stores Should be found on the Island, for this Purpose Col. Meigs¹ was to have landed at Hempstead Harbour to attack the Regiment near Jamaica, Col. Webb near Huntington to Sustain Meigs & aford such Aid to the Division Eastward as should be Wanted & destroy whatever was collected in that Part of y^e County of Suffolk for the Use of the Enemy, the Eastermost Division with which I was landed at a Place cal^d. Hockaback,² about forty Miles from the East End of y^e. Island with Design to destroy y^e. Fleet Timber Boards &^c. Col. Meigs who was to have cros^d. from Sawpitts through the Roughness of y^e. Water was unable to pass over in his Boats; the other Two Divisions Sail'd from Norwalk the Ev'ning of y^e. 9^th. Ins^t. with fair Prospects but Unfortunately the Arm^d Sloop³ in which Col. Webb was on y^e. 10^th. in Morning fell in with the Falcon Sloop of War in her Passage from New York to Newport, & was forc^d. on Shore at so great Distance from the Beach as renderd their Escape so hazardous as most of them fell into the Hands of the Enemy.

Upon the Inquiry I have been able to make, I believe they were more Unfortunate than guilty of any criminal Neglect, and the falling in with that Ship was perfectly accidental, as None were Station^d. within many Miles of that Place: The Eastern Division landed Safely, The Fleet (except the Swan & Harlem Sloops of War & four other Vessells) had Saild: One Sloop had taken in her Cargoe of Timber & Boards the other three had taken None but being light hal^d. into the Bay under cover of y^e. Arm^d. Vessels, the Loaded Sloop we took & we destroy^d. all the Timber & Boards prepard for New York & a large Quantity of Wood Cut for another Fleet expected from Newport. Cp^t. Hart⁴ with about forty Men was so fortunate as find Cap^t. Ascough's Boats within about Twenty Yards of the Shore; and on their Refusal to Surrender gave them several well directed Shots which did great Execution; Cap^t. Ascough, of the Swan having his Thigh broken Two other Officers badly Wounded Eight kild & about the Same Number wounded whose Rank are unknown; this we have from One of the Inhabitants on Board the Swan when the Boats came along Side. The Ships kept a Constant Fire but without Execution immediately on this the Ships weigh^d Anchor & Saild for Newport

The Troops except those taken with Col. Webb are Safely landed on the Main again with about Twenty prisoners taken there

Col. Webb is now out on his Parole to endeavor an Exchange for L^t. Col. Campbell⁵ of y^e. 71^st. Reg^t. & to return in Two Months unless this is effected or he is otherwise exchang^d.. if there is no Special Reason to prevent the Exchange of Col. Campbell I would beg your Excellency's Permission to send in Col. Campbell, but if any objection arises against his Exchange Col. Lawrence taken at Staten Island or any other of like Rank will I suppose Answer his Parole if Sent in Season. . . . I Am dear Gen^l. with Esteem