Sullivan's Island, June 3, 1776.
To His Excellency the President.
Sir, We have seen this day, two large ships, a large top-sail schooner, and a tender. The tender has been very busy in sounding from the inlet at our advance-guard, all along to Long-Island: It seems as though they intended their descent somewhere here-about. Our fort is now enclosed: It is the opinion of every one, that we should have more men at this post; but, as I know they cannot be spared from the capital, I must make the best defence I can with what I have got; and doubt not, but that I shall give 4 or 500 men a great deal of trouble before they can dislodge me from this post.
I shall be glad you would order those boats over, which I had fitted up for this post: Capt. [John] Coppithorn has them. I am your Excellency's [&c.]
William Moultrie, Col. of the second Regiment.
1. Memoirs of the American Revolution...By William Moultrie...(New York, 1802), I, 146-47. Hereafter cited as Moultrie's Memoirs.
