Observations
At 10 oClock the first appearance of an intended attack by the Fleet yesterday was the Commodore losing his sails & getting under weigh, the Flood [tide] was then made strong ー The General however ordered the Artillery upon the sands & the Mortar Battery to fire upon Signal.
As the Tide rose very fast it was reported to the General that the Artillery could stay no longer with safety ー The Sloops & Schooners were ordered down which got aground, reporting they had sounded & found a Bar across their head ー As therefore there was no one single thing that could go down to cover our landing, till such protection could be obtained, it was thought rash by all to attempt it, and the flat bottomed boats were ordered in a situation equally apporteé to make a diversion on Sullivans Island or a Main as occasion might require.
The Commodore having promised to send Frigates to shew themselves between the Island & Haddrels point ー the Troops were immediately passed to their different Stations, and the Artillery ordered to land on the Sands as soon as they could be placed there ー part of them being sent to the Green Island ー
At eight oClock the Genl went over to the Troops, heard that the Raft d'eau the only thing that could give us the least feeble protection was gone adrift, and anchored under the ennemys fire. the Field officers commanding the attack was such a one as he lamented to be obliged to lead Troops to, he believed it would be necessary to attempt it, & asked them whether they thought their men were steady enough to begin in the night or rather wished to wait for day
They all seemed to agree that their Men would be more steady in the day, and that they should dread night attacks with such young Troops.
The General & Lord [Charles] Cornwallis were clearly of the same opinion and all thoughts of the attack were put off till next morning ー when to the Genls great surprize he found the Commodore & Ships returned to their former Station, having left a Frigate aground.
