Sir, I have just Opportunity to inform you, that Yesterday at 1 o'clock, P.M. the Gallies attacked the Phoenix and Rose off Tarry-Town. The Lady Washington fired the first Gun on our Side, in answer to one received from the Phoenix; this first shot from us, entered the Phoenix. The Washington Galley, on board of which the Commodore's Flag was hoisted, then came up within Grape-Shot of the Ships, and singly sustained their whole Fire for above a Quarter of an Hour before any other of our Vessels took a Shot from her (the Tide wasting them more than the Pilots expected, to the Eastern Shore, and the Lady Washington falling back to take her Station in the Line according to Orders.) The Spitfire advanced in a Line with the Washington, and with her behaved well. We had as hot a fire as perhaps ever was known for an Hour and an Half. The Washington, on which I was on board during the whole Engagement, had the Ledgings of her bow Guns knocked away, which prevented our working them, and was otherways considerably damaged, being thirteen Times hulled, "had three Shot in her Waist, many of her Oars carried away, &c. The Lady Washington, after hulling the Phoenix six Times, had her bow and only Gun, a Thirty-two Pounder, on which we placed much Dependence, split seven Inches, and her Gun Tackles and Britchings carried away. The Spitfire was hulled several Times, and received one Shot between Wind and Water, which not being quickly discovered, occasioned her making much Water. The rest of the Gallies received considerable Damage in their Rigging, Sails and Spars. Under these Circumstances, our Commodore, Colonel Tupper, thought it prudent to give the signal for our little Fleet to withdraw, after manfully fighting a much superior Force, for two Hours. ー Never did Men behave with more firm determined Spirit than our little crews; one of our Tars being mortally wounded, cried to his Messmates, "I am a dying Man, revenge my Blood, my Boys, and carry me along Side my Gun, that I may die there." ー We were so preserved by a Gracious Providence, that in all our Gallies (which consisted of Six), we had but two Men killed and Fourteen wounded; two of which are thought dangerous. ー We hope to have [an]other touch at these Pirates before they leave our River, which God prosper.

P.S. The following are the Particulars of the Gallies, with their killed and wounded:
The Washington, cap. Hill, 4 wounded.
Whiting, M'Clave, 1 killed, 4 wounded.
Spitfire, Grimes, 1 Killed, 3 wounded.
Crane, Tincker, 1 wounded.
On board a whale boat 2 wounded.