The Enemy having landed at General [Robert] Howe's Plantation, on Sunday Morning, between 2 and 3 o'clock, about 900 Troops, under the Command of Generals [Henry] Clinton and [Charles] Cornwallis, the Centry posted on the River Bank immediately gave the Alarm to the Guard, who had only Time to collect their Horses, and throw down the Fences to let a few Cattle out, which they drove off before the Enemy surrounded the House. On their March up the Causeway from the River, Part of the Guard kept up a Fire on them, which the Enemy returned. A few Women, who lived in the House, were treated with great Barbarity; one of which was Shot through the Hips, another stabbed with a Bayonet, and a third knocked down with the Butt of a Musket. The Enemy had two Men killed, several wounded, and a Serjeant of the 33d Regiment taken Prisoner. They proceeded on their March to Orton Mill, with a Design to surprise Major [William] Davis, who commanded a Detachment of about 90 Men, stationed at that Place. In this they failed, as the Major had received the Alarm from the Guard, and had retired, with his Baggage and two small Swivels, in very good Order, unpursued by the Enemy. They have burned the Mill, and retreated to their Vessels at the Fort. Upon the whole, the Generals have very little to boast of, they having got by this Descent, three Horses and three Cows. We have not had a man killed or wounded.
