The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from camp at Middle Brook, June 28, 1777.

"On last Sunday morning the enemy left Brunswick, apparently with an intention to embark; they gave out that they were going to Philadelphia by water, but their real design was to draw general Washington from the mountains, and force a general engagement. General Howe is sensible of the difficulty of conquering us. He probably expects no more, or but few recruits, and is desirous to put all upon a single throw. Every day will lessen his army, and strengthen ours.

Their policy, however, was not an overmatch for our prudence. Light parties harassed him, but not in such numbers as to produce any considerable action. Great part of our army, however, has left the mountains; and general lord Sterling was posted at the Short Hills, with about 1000 men. On Thursday morning, general Howe having reinforced his army with all the marines that could be spared, began his march towards us. By accounts of deserters, and others, his numbers were from 12 to 14,000. He met with lord Stirling's party early in the morning, a smart engagement ensued, and our men stood their ground manfully for a considerable time; but the amazing superiority of numbers obliged them to retreat, and the enemy having flanked them, they lost two pieces of cannon, with a number of men. No return having been yet made, the exact number of killed, &c. cannot be ascertained. General Stirling thinks there were not more than 12 killed and 1 captain, but there are 70 missing. It is a pity that this party could not have been properly reinforced, without hazarding a general battle; but their numbers, and distance from our main body, was such, that any thing more than covering the retreat of our party would have been dangerous. They continued near the place of engagement that day, and are now at Westfield. Our army is encamped in the old spot, only large bodies are posted at all the passes, and in some advantageous places below the mountains. It is suspected that the enemy would force our camp, if possible; but to attack us in the mountains is a thing devoutly to be wished, by every one that desires to see the destruction of the British army.

I must not omit to mention a little affair that happened in the late engagement. The fire growing hot, and our men beginning to retreat, a British officer singly rode up to a cannon that was playing on the enemy, and with his pistols and hanger forced every man from it, when seeing lord Stirling, he cried, "Come here, you damned rebel, and I will do for you." Lord Stirling answered by directing the fire of four marksmen upon him, which presently silenced the hardy fool, by killing him on the spot. Our men recovered the field pieces, which their want of small arms obliged them to abandon."