October 29, 1779.
My Dear Sir:
I have nothing new since my last; only a report aboard the Navy at the
Hook, purporting two naval actions, the one in the English Channel
between the grand fleets: the second in the West Indies: in the former
the British were worsted; the Ardent, man-of-war, Admiral Gambier,
sunk, and the fleet drove into two different ports where they were
blocked up; in the latter the French were much damaged, and four of
their capital ships taken.
Lt. Col. Simcoe has made lately a very extraordinary tour to
Middlebrook: he burnt the boats, magazine of forage, court-house,
meeting-house, took two officers at Mr. Vanhorn’s, and lost himself
near Brunswick. The party got safe to South Amboy. I send you a letter
from head quarters.
Adieu.
Yours affectionately,
Henry Lee.
Col. Hamilton.