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

AUGUST 1775 1037
JOURNAL KEPT ON BOARD THE SOUTH CAROLINA SLOOP Commerce BY CAPTAIN
JOHN HATTER, SAILING MASTER'
1775 [Tybee Sound]
Aug. 1 Got under way, and turned through Skull Creek, and came to, at
Callaboge.
1. "Hatter's Report," Drayton, American Revolution, I.
2 Aug.
To the Honourable the Great and General Court, assembled at Watertown:
The Memorial of the Officers of the Eastern Regiment of Militia, in the County
of Lincoln, in Council met at Booth-Bay, August 2, 1775, humbly sheweth:
That in the night between the 20th and 21st of July ultimo, the Colonel of
said Regiment received information by express that a Frigate, with four Transport
Ships and three Sloops, were arrived at Long Island, in Penobscot Bay, and
taking on board fuel and provisions for General [Thomas] Gage's Army. That
the Colonel immediately dispatched orders to the proper officers to meet him at
St. George's, with a third part of each Company under his command; in consequence
of which the several Companies of each Regiment marched the next
day. That on their arrival off said place of rendezvous it was found that certain
persons, not under their command, had gone to Camden, the place of continent
nearest to said island. That fearing the effects of this incident, the body marched
after them with all possible expedition, but as soon as they reached Camden they
had certain intelligence that, by means of said persons, the enemy had already
received notice of the approach and design of the Militia, and in consequence
thereof had moved from the land out of the reach of their arms. That a council
was immediately called, in which it was judged impracticable to execute the plan
hitherto adopted against the foe thus alarmed, nor was any other way of defeating
their intentions now in the power of the Militia, but that of cutting off their
communications with the Main, preventing any ill-disposed persons from sending
them supplies, and themselves from making any secure lodgment on shore - that
as Fort Pownall stood contiguous to good navigation for Ships of any burden,
it was untenable by any force we could throw into it - as it was just at hand to
the present station of the enemy; unapproachable by us if once they shall get
possession; so situated as to command the settlements on the River and Bay; and,
with the assistance of a few men and one or two small armed vessels, capable of
distressing the inhabitants of the greatest part of the eastern country, so as to oblige
them to abandon their abodes or act the Tory to the uttermost; it was therefore
judged to be the most alluring bait, and, at the same time the easiest prey the foe
could find in these parts - and as a letter from Mr. [Edward] Winslow, who
conducts their said fleet, to the Committee of St. George's, together with a pretended
certificate from some Selectmen in Boston, intimates a design of returning
for more cargoes, it seemed highly probable that their factors would tarry at said