COLONEL WOODFORD TO EDMUND PENDLETON.

Great.Bridge, December 10, 1775.

SIR: I must apologize for the hurry in which I wrote you yesterday; since which nothing of moment has happened, but the abandoning of the fort by the enemy. We have taken possession of it this morning, and found therein the stores mentioned in the enclosed list, to wit: 7 guns, four of them sorry; 1 bayonet; 29 spades; 2 shovels; 6 cannon; a few shot; some bedding; a part of a hogshead of rum; two or more barrels, the contents unknown, but supposed to be rum; 2 barrels of bread; about 20 quarters of beef; half a box of candles; 4 or 5 dozen quart bottles; 4 or 5 iron pots; a few axes, and old lumber. The spikes, I find, cannot be got out of the cannon without drilling. From the vast effusion of blood on the bridge, and in the fort, from the account from the sentries, who saw many bodies carried out of the fort to be interred, and other circumstances, I conceive their loss to be much greater than I thought it yesterday, and the victory to be complete. I have received no late information from Norfolk or Princess-Ann, nor yet fixed on a plan for improving this advantage. I have despatched scouting parties, and from their intelligence I shall regulate my future operations.

Enclosed is an inventory of the arms, &c., taken yesterday, to wit: 2 silver-mounted fusils, with bayonets; 1 steel do., without bayonet; 24 well fixed muskets, with bayonets; 6 muskets, without bayonets; 28cartouch boxes and pouches; 3 silver mounted cartouch boxes; 2 cannon do.; 26 bayonet belts; 27 caps; 2 hats; one barrel with powder and cartridges; 1 silk handkerchief, with linen in it; 2 watches; cash 12s. 6d.; 1 pair gloves; 4 stocks and buckles; 1 pair silver shoe buckles; 3 pair silver knee-buckles; 2 snuff boxes; 10 knives; 1 barrel with ball and oakum; 12 coats; 12 waistcoats; 11 pair shoes; 12 pair of gaiters; 1 pair of breeches; 1 shirt; 1 pair of stockings; a parcel of old knee-buckles; a parcel of old buttons; and a black handkerchief. The arms I shall retain for the use of the army; the other articles I shall dispose of at vendue, and apply the money arising from the sale in such manner as the Convention shall be pleased to direct.

Lieutenant Batut, having an inclination to inform the King's troops of the humane treatment he has met with here, I despatched Ensign Hoomes, with a flag of truce, who returned with the enclosed answer from the commander of the fort, viz:

"Captain Leslie presents his compliments to Mr. Batut, and returns Col. Woodford his sincere thanks for his kind treatment of the prisoners. He is happy Mr. Batut's wounds are so slight; but is extremely sorry for the loss of poor Fordyce."

The unfortunate Captain Fordyce was a captain of the Grenadiers, of the Fourteenth regiment; most of the soldiers were Grenadiers of that regiment. As the Captain was a gallant and brave officer, I promised to inter him with all the military honours due to his great merits; which I hope will meet with the approbation of the honourable Convention.

About two hundred and fifty Carolina men are arrived, under the command of Col. Vail. They are composed of regulars, minute-men, militia, and volunteers, and have brought with them six cannon. I have received no certain account of Col. Howe; where he is, what number of force he commands, how armed and provided, or where or when he intends to join me.

I shall pay a due regard to the reinforcements you mention, and the establishment of the posts. I am just informed, by Lieutenant Batut, that a servant of Major Marshall, who was in the party with Colonel Scott, and deserted, informed Lord Dunmore that not more than three hundred shirt-men were here; that imprudent man caught at the bait, and despatched Captain Leslie, with all the regulars, who arrived at the fort about four in the morning.

I have enclosed the honourable Convention a general return of the forces under my command; also a list of sick and wounded. It is my wish to receive orders for what is to be done with the wounded prisoners, when able to travel. I recollect nothing more to add at present, than that I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM WOODFORD.

To Edmund Pendleton, President of the Convention.

PARLIAMENTARY POST PROHIBITED.

In Provincial Convention, Annapolis, December 11, 1775.

Resolved, That the Parliamentary Post be not permitted or suffered to travel in or pass through this Province, with any mail, packages, or letters; and the several Committees of Observation are requested and directed to see this resolution strictly observed and executed.

Resolved, That no boat or other vessel belonging to this Province, go out of this Province without a license in writing from this Convention, the Council of Safety hereafter to be appointed, or from some Committee of Observation, in which the particular place such boat or vessel shall be designed to go to, shall be expressed in all licenses granted by the Committees of Observation. And if any such boat or vessel shall be navigated beyond the limits of this Province, without such license, or if, after having obtained such license, the shipper thereof shall, without absolute and inevitable necessity, go to, or touch at any place out of this Province other than mentioned in such license, or shall carry any person or letter, of which he shall not give previous notice to such Committee, or shall bring back any person or letter, of which he shall not give previous notice to such Committee, as soon as may be after his return, such shipper, and all other persons accessory to such misbehaviour, may be punished by imprisonment; but it is understood that this Resolution is not to prohibit the crossing Potomack, although the boats or vessels employed or used, therefore, should go up the creeks, or arms of the Potomack river, making into Virginia, or to prohibit the passing and repassing at the Ferry on Pocomoke river.

CAPTAIN JOHN CONWAY TO LORD STIRLING.

Perth Amboy, December 11, 1775.

SIR: In obedience to your Lordship's commands of the 5th inst., I received of Isaac Monnel, Esq., the beds, blankets, &c., belonging to the barracks here, and tendered him a receipt for them, which, for particular reasons, he refused. I also had a sufficient number of rooms cleaned, and provided fire-wood and provision to supply my company several days, which this day marched here, and quartered in the barracks, though not without a great deal of trouble, owing to the unwillingness of them to leave Brunswick, and several other trivial reasons.

I have now in confinement three privates, sentinelc, two of them for desertion and abuse of their officers, the other, for striking a sergeant, and deserting a party on duty of fatigue. As I think it time to carry some command, and use a little severity, I beg your Lordship's permission to call a regimental court-martial to try them, as making an example of one or more of them will certainly deter others from the like.

Messrs. Powell and Rose, who accompanied me here, with their fife and drum, will wait on your Lordship with this, and will be proud of serving your Lordship, as fife and drum-major to the regiment; their business is to treat and agree with your Lordship on that matter. I therefore recommend them to your Lordship as two valuable men in that capacity, and would be glad to have them appointed on reasonable terms, which I believe they are willing to accept.

I hope your Lordship's good nature will excuse any impropriety of style, particularly the badness of the writing, as I cannot use my thumb, which I offer as a reason for not sending your Lordship a copy of my last orders.

As the barrack chimneys are very foul and dangerous, I have got a boy from York, to have them swept to-morrow morning, (such as will be now used.) There is also some repairs of glazing, carpenter's work, and mending the wood-yard fence, wanting to be done, which, if your Lordship is pleased to order, I will see executed immediately.

I have the honour of being, with great respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN CONWAY.

Lord Stirling.

P. S. I beg the favour of your Lordship's orders respecting the above matters, or any further service, as soon as may be pleased to direct; to be left at Captain Dawson', at Woodbridge, or Gershom Lotts, in Amboy.