James Barron to the Commanding Officer at Williamsburg, [18 April 1781]
James Barron to the Commanding Officer at Williamsburg
Blunt point Wedesday Evening [18 April 1781]
Sir
The Vesells which ware bound up Jas. River are now at Anchore off the mouth of Peggen [Pagan] creek, Consisting of five Ships two Brigs two Schooners and three Sloopes with thirty flatt Bottomed boats a Stearn the fowey 24 Gun Ship in Burwills Bay and a Brig at Anchore. What their intentions are I know not, but it may be proble they intend up in the night to Supprise Williamsburg. Was their intention to Land at Smithfield Should have thought they would done it Some hours past, as they Anchored there at one OClock to day, two Sloops and a Schooner are horsmen.
I am Sir with great respect your most Humble Servt.,
Jas. Barron
Capt. Kellys Company are at this place without any other assistance and begs the reliefs may not be detaind. J B
RC (Vi); addressed as in caption here used; endorsed: “James Baron’s Lre. April 20th 1781.” The endorsement is in the hand of one of the clerks of the Council, indicating that the letter was forwarded by James Innes, commanding officer at Williamsburg, presumably in one of his letters of 19 Apr.; the date in the endorsement is certainly that of receipt, though the letter is printed in , ii, 56, under date of 20 Apr.; at 7 P.M. on the 18th Muhlenberg reported to Steuben that the fleet is come too opposite the Mouth of Pagan Creek” (NHi).