Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution

"The very critical stato of our Army and frequent movements of the en- " emy render it almost impossible for the General to write, himsolf, with- " out neglecting more important duties. He, therefore, directs me toan- " swer your letter of the 14th, and to say that the Captains of the galleys " from your State have misbehaved, invariably, from the first moment they " came, to the time of their departure from hence, about a week ago ; " that the accumulation of business and a hope that they would retrieve "their reputation, prevented your having an earlier information of their "behaviour. They are now under the sentence of a Court Martial for " misbehaviour, in the first attack made on the ships in the North River ; "and on every other occasion, since, have manifested such waut of " spirit and judgment as to be despised by the whole Army. . " I am, Sir, by his Excellency's command, "Your most obedient, humble servant,

"Joseph Reed, Adjutant-general."

"Never did men behave with more firm, deter- " mined spirits, than our little crews; one of our tars, "being mortally wounded, cried to his mess-mate, 'I " 'am a dying man : revenge my blood, my boys, and " 'carry me alongside my gun, that I may die there.' " We were so preserved by a gracious Providence, " that in all our galleys, which consisted of six, we " we had but two men killed and fourteen wounded, " two of which are thought dangerous. We hope to " have another touch at these Pirates, before they " leave our river, which God prosper.