[Extract]
Gentlemen

The 25th March per Post, I wrote you in reply to yours of the 28th February, in which I expressed my Willingness to transact for you the business you requested of me to do with Theobald Ent, who at that time not being arriv'd here, I was fearful had fallen into the Enemys hands, or perished on the Seas ー the former misfortune it seems has been his portion, being taken by the Syren Man of Warr 15 days after he left Philadelphia, and carried Prisoner into Cape Fear, himself & 45 of his Companions that could not be prevail'd on by threats or promises to enter into the Brittish Service, were confined onboard an Hosital Ship in the River, where they suffer'd exceedingly in the want of suitable provisions, which put 18 of them to the desperate attempt of getting to Shore on a Raft they had contrived in the Night, and which they happily accomplished. ー Ert, with three others, soon after took the resolution of swimming to shore in the Dark, but he only, came safe, the others having drown'd by the way. The other 24 were afterwards put on Shore from the Ship in order to save their scanty food. three of the 46 are return'd overland to your place, and forty sett off on foot for this, most of them are come in, and Ert among them, he appear'd to be in a tatter'd State but in good Spirits. they have Join'd our Artillery Regiment, Ert is in the first Company under Command of Capt [Barnard] Beekman, who is a very good Officer....²