Near 3000 of the enemy, yesterday & the evening before, filed off to the left & were seen advancing towards King Street, & the Purchase road, from which it appears, they intent to outflank our left as well as right wing. - We had reason to apprehend an attack last night, or by day:break this morning (as was said, what they were I know not)? - Our lines were manned all night in consequence of this, & a most horrid night it was to lie in cold trenches. Uncovered as we are, *drawn* on fatigue, making redoubts, flashes (fleche's?), abbatis, & lines, & retreatting from them & the little temporary huts made for our comfort, before they were well finished, I fear will, ultimately destroy our army without fighting.
This I am sure of, that I am likely to lose more in my brigade by sickness occa sioned by extra fatigue, & want of covering, than in the course of an active campaign is ordinarily lost in the most severe actions. &c." …… "The enemy are daily increasing their army by new recruits in those parts of the country wh they have already acquired, whilst ours are daily decreasing by sickness, deaths, & desertions. &c." …. "When I wrote you a few days ago, I mention: ed the situation in wh Fort Washington was, & that 3 of the enemy's shipping had come up with design to obstruct *Beaudeth's* Ferry (?) & were, after a heavy cannon ade, driven back.
This *w* the truth, but not the whole truth. I happened to be out of the way of news that day. - Those ships came up, it seems, to enfi: lade our lines below that Fort, whilst Lord Piercy attacked them, wh he did 3 dif: ferent times, but was, as often repulsed by the Garrison of Fort Washington, who manned & defended them like heroes. &c." … "Last night Capt.