For these reasons I do not think it either prudent or safe to be sending out parties in search of the dead.

I do not hear of any officers killed at our canip but colonel Titcomb, and none wounded but myself, and Major Nichols of colonel Titcomb's. I cannot yet get certain returns of our dead and wounded; but from the best accounts I C9.n obtain, we have lost about 130 who are killed, about 60 wounded, and several missing from the morning and afternoon's engagement.

I think we may expect very shortly another and more formidable attack, and that the enemy will then come with artillery. The late colonel Williams had th^ ground cleared for building a stockaded fort. Our men are so harassed, and obliged to be so constantly upon watchful duty, that I think it would be botli unreasonable, and I fear in vain, to set them at work upon the designed fort.

I design to ord^r the New Hampshire regiment up here to reinforce us, and I hope some of the designed reinforcements will be with us in a few days. When these fresh troops arrive, I shall immediately set about building a fort.

My wound is in my thigh, is very painful. The ball is lodged, and cannot be got out; by which means I am, to my mortification, confined to my tent.

lOth

This letter was begun, and should have been dispatched yesterday; but we had two alarms, and neither time nor prudence would permit it. I hope, gentlemen, you will place the incorrectness hereof to the account of our situation. I am, gentlemen, most respectfully. Your most obedient servant,