On Tuesday the 23rd of July last, we, the subscribers, set off from this place with intention to see the enemy's ships, which we were informed were proceeding up Patowmack, and arrived opposite them at Sandy-Point, in Maryland, about half an hour past 6 o'clock in the evening, where we found a body of militia stationed, who informed us there were more men a little lower down the river, to whom we immediately went, and were by them told that col. [William] Harrison, with a detachment of 25 men, was gone down to prevent the enemy's taking off capt. [Robert] Conway's boats, by means of a gondola and armed schooner, which had left the ships for that purpose, as was conceived. We saw the Roebuck under way turning down, and firing now and then across the field, between the detachment and main body, and heard other great guns, which we supposed were from the gondola and armed schooner. We returned to the main body where we immediately heard a brisk firing of small arms and swivels, which was thought to be an engagement betwixt the detachment and the enemy. We think about sixteen cannon were fired in the whole. The men appeared to be all drawn up ready with their arms, and during the firing seemed in good spirits, and we heard several of them ask if they might not to go to the assistance of the detachment. We saw, nor discovered, nothing like cowardice; but on the contrary, a willing spirit seemed generally to prevail.

Sworn before me, William Ramsay, J.P.

(Copy.)