Had I not been prevented by Business, I should have informed you earlier of what has happen’d below.1 But having not yet seen any Account altogether true, I have taken the Liberty of sending you the following Particulars, of which I was a Spectator. On Sunday the 23d. ulto., about 11 o’Clock in the Morning, the Brune Frigate, with the two Gallies taken from us last Fall, and four Transports anchored in Peeks-Kill Bay.— At 1 PM. the 15th., 23d., 44th & 64th. Regiments, with 50 of the Train of Artillery, under the Command of Major Hutchinson, landed at Lent’s Cove, the South Side of the Bay, (under cover of the Gallies) about a Mile & a half from the Town; they immediately formed & advanced with 4 Field Pieces, to Kronk’s Hill, on the South East of the Town. Before they landed, several Boats, [fille]d with Men, rowed towards the North Landing, as if they intended [to ma]ke a Descent at that Place, with a View of Flanking us, or getting in our Rear. From the Number of Boats employed in landing the Troops, Gen. McDougall & every discerning officer were clearly of Opinion that the Enemy’s Force far exceeded ours; but the General, determined to have the fullest Evidence, before he quitted Post, and therefore waited for them in a Position, from which our Retreat was secured, till they came within Musket Shot. At this Distance, we had a full View of the Enemy who were at least treble our Force.— As they advanced they cannonaded us, by which we had one Man mortally wounded.— The Rum and Flour being destroyed and the heavy Artillery sent off(except one Iron 12 Pounder, which was left for Want of Horses,) the Gen. ordered the Troops to retire, which they did in good Order, to Barrack No. 2, about two Miles and a half from the Town, the Enemy not daring to disturb us in our Retreat. Here we took Post to Secure the Pass of the Mountains & Some Mills, containing a Quantity of Flour & Grain, belonging to the Continent. The next Day they placed a Piquet Guard, consisting of upwards 100 Men, a Mile from our Front. At 4 o’Clock in the afternoon, Lt. Col. Willett with about 70 of Gansevoort’s Regiment2 got undiscovered, to a Hill in their Front, and immediately detached Cap. Swarthout3 with a few of his Men, with Orders to attack them in Front, and make a regular Retreat, in Case the Enemy should advance. This Manouvre was intended to draw them from the Height, which they occupied, and give the other Part of the Detachment, an Opportunity of falling in upon their Rear, while Cap. Riker, of Col. Cortlandt’s Regiment,4 with 10 Men, advanced along a Creek on their left, with a View of flanking them. But Col. Willett’s Party were discovered, before this could possibly be effected, and a very smart Skirmish ensued, which lasted about 15 Minutes; the Col. apprehending that their Main Body would advance to Sustain their Piquet, ordered his Men to fix Bayonets, and rush upon the Enemy, which they perceiving fled with the greatest Precipitation. We had two Men wounded, one dangerously; the Inhabitants say the Enemy had nine killed & wounded. Their Main Body were drawn up in View of the Field, when the Skirmish happened; they appeared to be Panic struck, and immediately prepared to reimbark, which they did, the same Evening, leaving behind a large Quantity of nails & other Stores, which from the Precipitancy of their Flight they had not time to send off to their Ships. The next Morning we took Possession of the Town, and the Day following, the Ships fell down below Croton’s River— These Maroders (according to their usual Practice) plundered, and abused Some Houses & burnt several others, carried off a few Cattle, & Sheep & some light Articles from the public Stores.— Our principal Loss is in Rum, Molasses, & Flour which we destroyed, and a Quantity of Sugar burnt by the Enemy in the Commissary’s Store. The Militia on the first Alarm turned out with the greatest Alacrity, and marched to our Assistance, and if these British Heroes had staid a Day longer, we should have had the Pleasure of paying them for their Trouble. A Sufficient Number of flat bottomed Boats, & the large Scow are preserved, so that the Ferry will be carried on as formerly.

I have the Pleasure of observing to you that the Conduct of our Officers & Men on this Occasion would have done Honor to the oldest Veterans. The Spirit, Zeal, & Activity they discovered give me sufficient Reason to believe that we shall end the War the ensuing Campaign, if the Continental Regiments are properly filled.— I wish the Convention would adopt some other Mode of raising their Quota.5 It is really an Object of Importance, & till it is done, we shall have the lower Parts of the State continually exposed to the Ravages of the Enemy.

One Circumstance, however I have omitted which perhaps will astonish you. It is this. That vile, infamous, rascally, hypocritical Friend to America, Beverly Robinson6 was their principal Guide & assistant at P. Kill. I think it may be depended on, because several of the Inhabitants say they saw him on the Spot. As it is somewhat material to know the Certainty of this ma[tter] Gen. McDougall intends to make particular Inquiries about it. This Fray prevented my going to Morris Town according to Expectation. I shall tho’ without fail set out next Wednesday. This Morning I waited upon Mrs. Jay & Katy and desired them to prepare their Letters which I shall deliver in Person. I found the Family well. Little Peter has had another Cold since you Saw him; but it has left him. The Rogue looks as healthy & lively as any Child I ever saw.

The French Ship has certainly arrived at the Eastward & two at the Southward, with Arms, Ammunition, Clothing &c. A fifty Gun Ship with many Peices of artillery & twenty odd Vessels with other Necessaries under her Convoy are hourly expected in Boston.7 Pilots are already sent to bring them safely in. Yours &c.