Agreeable to orders, the Troops detached for my Command, assembled in rear of this place on the Evening of the 5th inst., & from thence were moved on to Shiphand point, where the boats were Collected to receive them. The Evening promising a favorable Time, the Troops were upon the point of embarking when a very sudden Squall of Wind from the West, & a heavy rain came on, which prevented the execution of my Design. As we were upon a peninsula, a Guard was formed on the Isthmus, which cut off all Communication between us & the Country, intending to pursue the Enterprise the next night—The Wind continued very high at N. West thro’ the night—The Next Day & the night following it did not abate. I still hoped the Wind had been too severe to admit of any boats crossing to give Information of our intention. On the morning of the 7th I was informed that three of the Enemies armed Boats which had been sent over by Col. Thompson the Evening all arrived, were then on an Island a little to the East of us, detained by the WindAs soon as the Weather moderated a little, six of our Boats were manned, under the Orders of Capt. Brewster, to take them. The Enemy immediately embarked & stood for Long Island. Our Boats pursued them, & before they reached Long Island, Capt. Brewster with three boats came up with two of the Enemie’s, & after a severe Conflict, in which six of the Enemy were killed & about ten wounded, he Captured them. On board one of the Enemie’s Boats every man was either killed or wounded; One of their Boats escaped—Their loss is six men killed, & 1 Capt. 1 Lieut. & 13 Men prisoners—I am very sorry to add that Capt. Brewster is very dangerously wounded by a Ball thro’ his body—He had Several Men Wounded but not a Man killed.

I was still unwilling to give over the Enterprize, & on the Evening of the 7th the Wind abating I ordered the Troops to embark, knowing that if the Enemy should be apprised of my intentions I should learn their situation the moment we landed on Long Island—Some of the boats put off Shore, but the Weather again growing severe, & many of the boatmen having shamefully gone off, obligd us to return.

So long a Detention at this place, added to the Circumstance of Col. Thompsons Spy boat escaping, have rendered a further prosicution of the plan, in my opinion, improper. I have therefore this morning ordered the Troops to rejoin their respective Corps.

Among all the disappointments of my life I never experienced such severe mortification before. I feel as completely unhappy as disappointed military Ambition can make me; & it adds much to the misfortune that so important a blow could in all probability have been given the Enemy, with almost a Certainty of success.

I have been thus particular in my Report of every occurrence which has tended to render the Enterprize abortive, that Your Excellency may Judge of my Conduct, & the ultimate resolution which I have taken to lay aside the Execution of the plan for the present. I have the Honor to be, Dear General, with the greatest Regard, and Esteem, Your Excellency’s most Obedt Servt

B.T.