safe out of the harbour, except the Schooner Swallow, which run on the rocks, and could not be got off this tide; took all the men from on board her, except twelve, including Captain Scott, whom I ordered to follow us, as fast as possible. As soon as our fleet passed the bar, ordered the Captain of each vessel to be furnished with a copy of the following signals, which are to be hoisted on board the Schooner Broadbay, Captain James Clarkson, who is to lead the van:

1. Signal for speaking with the whole fleet: ensign at main-topmast head.

2. Signal for chasing a sail: ensign at fore-topmast head.

3. Signal for heaving to: lantern at mast head, and two guns, if head on shore; and three guns, if offshore.

4. Signal for making sail in the night: lantern at mast head, and four guns. In the day, for making sail, jack at fore-topmast head.

5. Signal for dispersing, and every vessel making the nearest harbour: ensign at main peak.

6. Signal for boarding any vessel: jack at main-topmast head, and the whole fleet to draw up in a line, as near as possible. N. B. No guns to be fired without orders.

This being done, bore away for Kennebeck, wind W. S. W.; about four o’clock, P. M., brought to and spoke with two fishing schooners, who could give us no intelligence; the weather came on thick and foggy; continued a N. N. E. course till twelve o’clock at night, when we hove to, with head off shore, off Wood Island, and at two o’clock made the signal for heaving to, with head on shore.

Wednesday, 20.—Made sail again early in the morning; weather still continues very thick and foggy, attended with rain, and at nine o’clock, A. M., arrived safe in the mouth of Arowsick, with all our fleet, except three, without the least molestation from the enemy; anchored about six hours at Eels Eddy; sent on shore for some refreshment, as many of the people were extremely sea sick on the passage; weighed anchor, and proceeded up the river as far as Georgetown, where we lay all night, when one of our fleet, viz: Captain...., overtook us.

Thursday, 21.—Weighed anchor at five, A. M.; after sailing a few miles, discovered the other two of our fleet coming through Sheepscut Creek, they having run past the mouth of Arowsick the day before; left the transports in the river, wind and tide unfavourable, and proceeded as far as Gardinerstown.

Friday, 22.—This morning arrived three of the transports; were employed the whole day in forwarding the men, provisions, batteaus, &c., to Fort Western; engaged two caulkers, some guides, and assistants; at four, P. M., arrived the Schooner Swallow, which run on the rocks off Newbury; she brings intelligence that the Houghton, Captain Somersby, with one hundred and twenty men, and the Eagle, Captain Maby, with eighty-four men, were aground fifteen miles down the river; engaged the Swallow, and a number of men, to go to their relief.

Saturday, 23.—Embarked the men, and sent them on to Fort Western, with their batteaus laden with provisions; all the vessels weighed anchor, and stood up the river, and anchored above five miles short of Fort Western, the water not permitting them to go up higher; at six, P. M., arrived at Howard’s, at Fort Western.

Sunday, 24.—Despatched Lieutenant Steel, with six men, in two birch canoes, to Chaudiere Pond, to reconnoiter, and get all the intelligence he possibly can from the Indians, who, I am informed, are hunting there; and also Lieutenant Church and seven men, with a surveyor and pilot, to take the exact courses and distances to the Dead River.

Monday, 25.—Despatched the three Companies of Riflers, with forty-five days’ provisions, under command of Captain Morgan, as an advanced party, with orders to proceed to the great carrying place, and to cut a road over to the Dead River; about three o’clock, P. M., Lieutenant Gray arrived, with a number of manifestoes and a letter from Colonel Reed.

Tuesday, 26.—The second division, consisting of three Companies, viz: Hubbard’s, Topham’s, and Thayer’s, under command of Colonel Greene, embarked; James McCormick, a private in Captain Goodrich’s Company, tried by a Court-Martial for the murder of Reuben Bishop, a Sergeant in Captain Williams’s Company, and received sentence of death, but respited till his Excellency General Washington’s pleasure be known, and ordered to Head-Quarters; a number of our men employed in bringing up provisions, &c.; wrote his Excellency General Washington, and despatched back five of the transports.

Wednesday, 27.—The third division, consisting of four Companies, viz: Hanchett’s, Ward’s, Dearborn’s, and Goodrich’s, under command of Major Meigs, embarked; sent down a number of boats to bring up all the flour from below, and sent to the Commissary to forward on all the batteaus, &c.

Thursday, 28.—Part of the fourth and last division, McCobb’s and Scott’s Companies, embarked; Captain Williams’s Company being left for batteaus, oars, paddles, &c.; sent for Colonel Enos and the Commissary to come up from Coburn’s with all the men and batteaus; ordered the sick and criminal on board the Broadbay, Captain Clarkson, with stores, &c.

Friday, 29.—Set out in a birch canoe, about noon; left Colonel Enos, with Captain Williams’s Company, to bring up the rear, with the provisions behind; our canoe proves very leaky; stopped at Vassalborough, eight miles above Fort Western, and changed her for another, and having gone about twelve miles, lodged six miles short of Fort Halifax.

Saturday, 30.—At six o’clock, A. M., crossed the Six Mile Falls, and at ten arrived at Fort Halifax, where I found Captain Dearborn’s and Goodrich’s Companies first passing the carrying place, which is about sixty rods over; course of the river, from Fort Western to Fort Halifax, N. N. E.; distance eighteen miles; at two P. M., dined at Crosier’s, and hired him, with his team, to carry our baggage over land about five miles, to avoid the ripples and quick water above the falls, which are very dangerous and difficult to pass; at five, P. M., left the landing place, and proceeded up the river about two miles, when we overtook Major Meigs and party, with whom we encamped; whole distance this day thirteen miles; course N.

Sunday, October 1.—Left our encampment early in the morning; at ten, A. M., passed the seven and fifteen mile streams; dined at one Western’s; at four, P. M., reached the Scohegan Falls, where we overtook Hubbard’s and Thayer’s Companies; after crossing the carrying place, which is about one hundred rods, launched our batteau again, and proceeded up the river about five miles, and at eight, P. M., encamped at the widow Warren’s; distance seventeen miles; course to Scohegan Falls, about N.; from the falls to where we lodged, S. W.; water quiet part of the way; quick and small falls.

Monday, 2.—After going a mile, overtook Colonel Greene, Major Bigelow, Captain Topham, and Company; about eight, A. M., passed the Bombazee Falls, and at ten arrived at Norridgewock Falls, six miles and a half from the widow Warren’s; great part of the way swift water and rapids; the land from Fort Western to this place appears, in general, very good and fertile, but is thinly inhabited; here we leave the English settlements, no inhabitants being above the falls, which, by the best estimation, are fifty miles from Fort Western; here I overtook Captain Morgan, with his division, who had just got their baggage over the carrying place, which is one mile; course N. W.

Tuesday, 3.—The Riflers proceed for the great carrying place; Topham’s, Thayer’s, and Hubbard’s Companies employed in getting over their baggage, and examining their bread, great part of which is damaged by the boat’s leaking, and the difficulty of passing the rapids, which is impossible for people unacquainted to get up the boats without shipping water; here are some small vestiges of an Indian Town, destroyed by the English about fifty years since, namely, the foundation of an old church and altar, the monument over St. Francis, the founder of the church, &c.; the whole tribe, we are told, are extinct, except two or three.

Wednesday, 4.—Carpenters employed in repairing batteaus, and the several Companies in carrying over their provisions, some of which prove unfit for use; Colonel Greene’s division proceeded forward; Major Meigs’s division arrived with Colburn.

Thursday, 5.—Companies employed as the preceding day.