Eagle Off Billingsport [N.J.]
May the 10th: 1778.
Number 60.
Sir,
Upon Advice received that the Enemy had advanced four armed Gallies down the Delaware between Bordentown and Bristol, a Detachment of the Light Infantry under the Command of Major Maitland1 of the Marines, were embarked in the Flat Boats, and with the Gallies and Armed Vessels of the Fleet under the chief Command of Captain Henry,2 sent up the River in the Night of the 6th. Instant; To intercept the Enemy's Gallies and bring down or destroy such of their Frigates and other Vessels as had been withdrawn above the shoaler Passages of the River, when the Troops first took Possession of Philadelphia.
The enclosed Report of Captain Henry's judicious Conduct in the Execution of his Orders, contains all the Particulars I have to communicate to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the Subject of that material Operation. I am, with great Consideration, Sir, [&c.]
[Enclosure]
Copy.
Report from Captain Henry.
At 10 o'clock on Thursday Night the 6th. of May,3 the Hussar,4 Cornwallis,5 Ferret6 and Philadelphia7 Gallies, with the Viper8 and Pembroke armed Schooners, four Gun Boats and eighteen Flat-Boats in which the Second Battalion of Light Infantry with two Field-pieces were embarked, proceeded from Philadelphia up the River Delaware. The Wind being down the River with much Rain and the Ebb making when We had proceeded twelve Miles, We came to an Anchor and so remained 'till 5 o'Clock the next Morning. We then got under way and sailed up the River: At Noon We were abreast of White-Hill, where the Gallies, Armed Vessels and Gun-Boats were placed to cover the Landing of the Troops, which was performed without Opposition. At this place the Washington and Effingham9 Rebel Frigates (the former pierced for 32 and the latter for 28 Guns) were set on fire and consumed, together with a Brig and Sloop. The Troops then marched, took Possession of Bordentown, and destroyed a Battery of three Six-pounders. Whereupon the Gallies, Armed Vessels &ca. proceeded to that place, where they burnt two new Ships, one of which was pierced for eighteen Guns, one Privateer Sloop for ten Guns, with ten Sail of Brigs, Schooners and Sloops. Several Store-houses containing Provisions, Artillery-Stores, Camp-Equipage and some Tobacco were burnt at the same Time.—This Service being executed, the Boats proceeded up Crosswicks Creek, and set fire to the Sturdy Beggar Privateer pierced for eighteen Guns, and eight Sail of Brigs, Sloops and Schooners. The Troops were then embarked and landed on the Pensylvania Side, where they rested that Night.
At 5 on Saturday Morning the Hussar and Ferret Gallies, Gun-Boats &ca. rowed up to Biles-Island-Creek, and burnt one new Schooner pierced for fourteen Guns, one new Sloop for sixteen Guns, one old Schooner for [fourteen] Guns, one old large Sloop for sixteen Guns and two large new Ships.
The Rebel Gallies in Watson's Creek on [the] Jersey Shore being reconnoitred, were found sunk and hid at Low Water.
At Noon the Troops marched to Bristol, first burning two Sloops at the Ferry; and the Gallies, Gun-Boats and Flat-Boats proceeded down the River to embark them, which was done at 6 O'Clock in the Evening, after burning a Ship and Brig at that place. The Philadelphia Galley, Viper and Pembroke Armed Schooners with two Gun-Boats, burnt the remaining Vessels consisting of four new Ships, one new Brig and an old Schooner.
The whole Number of Vessels destroyed was forty four Sail.
At 6 o'clock on Sunday Morning the Troops arrived at Philadelphia, without losing one Man.
During this Expedition up the Delaware, some Houses were unfortunately burnt, very contrary to the Directions and Sentiments of the Officers employed on this Service.10
(signed) John Henry.