84 Journal and Correspondence

to us yesterday we are informed the mate or midshipman of
the Roe Buck was killed in the action. By the best informa-
tion the Enemy have not more than 50 Regulars of the 14^th
Regiment, about 150 Tories and 100 negroes that bare arms:
all of whom are landed every morning and embarked in the
evening under cover of the Fleet, which continues in the
mouth of St. Mary's River opposite the lower end of St.
George's Island. Our strength at present is about 400 Militia
exclusive of the Independant and Captⁿ Forrest's company.
I made bold immediately on my arrival (the strength of the
Enemy being much magnified) to order to our assistance
three full companies of Militia from Col Hawkins Battalion, to
be selected from the interior part of the County, which I
expect will arrive about to morrow evening, when, I shall dis-
charge an equal number of the most necessitous of those now
on duty. The Fleet (which at first consisted of eighty sail) is
now reduced to little more than half that number, many of the
Tenders and Square Rigged vessels having gone to Virginia
opposite the mouth of Potowmack where a pretty constant
Cannonade has been kept up ever since I have been here.
We are told by the Deserters (two more of which have come
over since I began to write) that the fleet intend only to wood
and water on the Island, burn all, or most of their small craft
and proceed to Sea. Had we a few great guns at a place
called Cherry Fields Point, well planted and served, we might
annoy the Fleet so as to oblige them to quit their Station.
Cap^t Forrest's Company has relieved an equal number of the
militia who readily parted with their arms, such as they were.
I shall as often as any thing of consequence happens com-
municate it to you with the utmost dispatch, 'til when I am
your most obedient Serv^t
Jno. Dent.

C. S. J.

Saturday 20 July 1776.

Council met. Present the same members as on yesterday.
Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to
Patrick Burk twenty three Shillings and nine pence for
Cartage.
That the said Treasurer pay to James Hodges three pounds
fifteen Shillings for Expresses.
Ordered That the Commissary of Stores deliver to Capⁿ
James Hindman as much Osnaburgs as will make Spatter-
dashes for his Company: Also some Cutteau Knives and
Cartridges to fill his Cartouch Boxes.
Ordered that Isaac Harris deliver the public Arms in his
Possession to Capt. James Disney to be used by said Disney's