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GEOEGIA AND GEOKGIANS 149
separated, and I received advice from Capt. Dunbar (who lay at
Fort William with the Guard Schooner of 14 Guns and ninety men)
that a Spanish Fleet of 14 sail had attempted to come in there, but
being drove out by the Cannon of the Fort and Schooner they came in
at Cumberland Sound. I sent over Capt. Horton to land the Indians
and Troops on Cumberland. I followed myself and was attacked in
the Sound, but,with two Boats fought my way through. Lieut. Tolson,
who was to have supported me with the third and strongest boat,
quitted me in the fight and run into a River where he hid himself till
next day when he returned to St. Simon's with an account'that I was
lost but soon after found. I was arrived there before him, for which
misbehaviour I put him in arrest and ordered him to be tryed. The
Enemy in this action suffered so much that the day after they ran out
to sea and returned for St. Augustine and did not join their Fleet till
after their Grenadiers were beat by Land.
"I drew the Garrison from St. Andrews, reinforced Fort "William,
and returned to St. Simon's with the Schooner.
"Another Spanish Fleet appeared the 28th off the Barr: by God's
blessing upon several measures taken I delayed their coming in till th6
5th of July. I raised another Troop of Rangers which with the other
were of great service.
"I took Capt. Thomson's ship into the service for defence of the
Harbour. I embargoe'd all the Vessells, taking their men for the
service, and gave large gifts and promises to the Indians so that every
day we increased in numbers. I gave large rewards to men who dis
tinguished themselves irpon any service, freed the servants, brought
down the Highland Company, and Company of Boatmen, filled up as
far as we had guns. All the vessells being thus prepared on the 5th of
July with a leading Gale and Spring Tide 36 sail of Spanish vessels
run into the Harbour in line of Battle.
"We cannonaded them very hotly from the Shipping and Bat-
terys. They twice attempted to board Capt. Thomson but were
repulsed. They also attempted to board the Schooner, but were
repulsed by Capt. Dunbar with a Detachment1 of the Regiment on
board.
'' I was with the Indians, Rangers, and Batterys, and sometimes on
board the ships, and left Major Heron with the Regiment. It being
impossible for me to do my duty as General and be constantly with the
Regiment, therefore it was absolutely necessary for His Majesty's
service to have a Lieut. Colonel present, which I was fully convinced
of by this day's experience. I therefore appointed Major Heron to be
Lieut. Colonel, and hope that your Grace will move His Majesty to be
pleased to approve the same.
"The Spaniards after an obstinate Engagement of four hours, in
which they lost abundance of men, passed all out Batterys and Ship
ping and got out of shot of them towards Frederica. Our Guard Sloop
was disabled and sunk; one of our Batterys blown up, and also some
of our Men on board Capt. Thomson, upon which I called a Council of
War at the head of the Regiment where it was unanimously resolved
to march to Frederica to get there before the enemy and defend that