Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

1146 AMERICAN THEATRE
[Extract] Oyster Ponds, August 14, 1775
Sir, Your favour of the 10th instant, with three hundred pounds of powder,
per Captain Griffin, I received; and now acquaint your Honour that last Friday
morning [August 111 a large sloop of war and twelve transports sailed round Plumb
Island. After they had got through the gut, I sent one hundred and twenty men in
three boats, which were all the boats we then had, to said island, if possible to get off
the stock, with orders to return immediately upon the first appearance of the
enemy's attempting to bring away any of their shipping between the island and
Oyster Pond Point, lest their retreat might be cut off, it being impassible to support
them without boats. Before the last boat had got over, the sloop of war was
observed to be returning, and wind and tide favouring her, our boats were obliged
to put back again, the hindmost of which had several cannon fired at her, but at
so great a distance they did no damage. A cutter came within fifteen or twenty
rods of our last, but discovering there were armed men in the boat, stopped their
pursuit. Our soldiers in the boat, and some others on the beach, then fired at
them, but I fancy to little effect, as our boat was obliged to make all sail possible
to keep out of the reach of the cannon from the ship of war, which was close behind
them. The sloop of war then came to anchor between the point and the island
and that night took from the island nine cattle, and then joined the fleet, which
came to very early on Saturday morning, and I suppose have gone to Boston.
I have since taken from Plumb Island their cattle and sheep, and the
inhabitants have engaged to thrash out their grain and convey it from the island
as soon as possible. I shall to-morrow go to Gardiner's Island, and make such dispositions
as shall appear most conducive to the common good. I expect by Thursday
to be able to embark for New York.
1. Force, comp., American Archives, 4th, 111, 134. The original has not been located. See
Nathaniel Shaw, Jr's comment upon Wooster's conduct, this same date.
New York Gazette, MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1775
New York, August 14.
On Tuesday last [August 81 a second Express arrived in Town from Long-
Island, and informs us, that thirteen Men of War and Transports were lying at
Anchor in Oyster Pond Bay, near Gardiner's Island, but had not landed any of
their Men at 4 o'clock on Monday Afternoon, when the Express came away.
MINUTES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY
[Philadelphia] August 14th [I7751
Resolved, That the list of Medicines recommended by the Physicians of the
Hospital, that may be had in this place, be approved of, and that Mr. Bass
furnish them for the use of the 600 Men to be employed on board the Armed
Boats, and that Mr. Bass put up said Medicines in convenient Boxes, and keep
them in his possession till further orders.
1. Pa. Col. Rec., X, 304, 305.