[Extract]

We are in great Expectation of an Attack this Day. A Spy went over I hear from Amboy some days since Returned Yesterday ー says they were to make the attack this day, in 3 places, on long Island ー at Amboy ー & North of the City from the North River Perhaps their sails being very wet from the Shower last Evening & the wind a head this morning may prevent the Attack this Day. The Army Numerous, tho' how numerous I cant learn & In high spirits. That I doubt whether we shall ever be better prepared for them than now. The Connecticut Militia are mostly arrived. Some Troops have come in from the Southward how many cant learn. ー Sickness I believe abates in the Army since the Rains ー of which there hath been great Plenty this way. But I can't tell with much Certainty.ー

3 oClock afternoon.

About one all the Militia from Connecticut paraded together 12 or 13 Regiments amounting probably to between 5 & 6000 Men - the greatest Number [of] Men under Arms that ever I saw were vie[wed] by General Washington & most of the other General Officers. The Colonels are to wait upon the Generals at 5 to receive more particular ord[ersl. Tis Reported the Enemy have landed at the sout[h]ern Extremity of long Island. I saw several fires In that part of the Island ー w[hich] tis conjectured are the Inhabitants burning their hay ー Grain &c to prevent th[e] Enemy's receiving benefit therefrom. Tis not Improbable some attack may be made on the Morrow ー The Critical Moment probably is not far of[f]. ー May God preserve us & give such sucess as shall effectually secure our dear previleges ー that we may be a free people as long as the sun & moon shall endure ー All seem to be in high spirits...