The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Paramus, Aug 22.

Some very late military occurrences, which you cannot be unacquainted with, gave the alarm to the enterprising genius of Major Lee, who being ordered into this country, took into contemplation an attempt on Powles Hook, a place naturally difficult of access, and highly improved by art. He busily employed himself in gaining a knowledge of the place, its situation, strength, &c. This done, he communicated the matter to his Excellency, who, surprised at the many obstacles, declined his assent to an affair so remote with danger. But on a fuller representation from the Major, whose endeavours were unremitted until the necessary intelligence was collected, having devised the mode of attack, the method of retreat, and the number of troops adequate, transmitted them accurately to the General, who was pleased to approve of the disposition, and ordered every thing requisite for a matter of so much difficulty.

A description of the place will not be improper, as it will serve to give you an idea of the many obstructions to be met with. The Hook is formed by a winding curve of North river, directly opposite New York; a wide gut intersects the tongue of land, and leaves the place of fortification an entire island: The gut in depth is so considerably increased, as to render it impassable at a little more than half flood. Interior to this, runs a line of abattis of great strength, which extends to the extreme verges of the island; till within these is a fort (except the gateway) impregnable, assisted by a chain of redoubts situate on its left, of superior strength; the whole surrounded by a marsh two miles in breadth, rendered almost impervious, by reason of a number of guts, which irregularly intersect at various points.

Three hundred Virginians, under command of Major Clark, two companies of Maryland, and M'Lean's dismounted dragoons, composed the assailants. The whole, directed by Major Lee, took their route from the New Bridge on Hackensack, attended by a number of waggons to convey the opinion of a foraging party. The timid apprehensions of a principal guide, on our nearest approach to the enemy, proved the source of numberless mistakes, which retarded the execution of the design three hours, and occasioned an alteration in the primary disposition, instead of attacking in three different places as at first intended. The body was formed into two columns, and after forcing the abattis, a separation took place by Major Clark's inclining to the right, the other column to the left, the former preceded at some distance, instantly seized the grand fort, and re-echoed the watch-word; in less than ten minutes a complete possession of the works was effected with little or no loss.

The necessity of a retreat every moment became evident; day-light approached apace, and obliged us to retire precipitately, though without confusion. Relying on the boats which were to transport us over the Hackensack, three miles distant from the scene of action, and which constituted our safety; we moved on with the prisoners, but our arrival soon convinced us of a disappointment. The dangers of the situation were manifest: The North river on the right was at many places not more than two miles distant from the party with the major part of the British army strewn along the opposite shore, obliged the exertion of every device and stratagem to obviate their intercepting a retreat of eighteen miles, which was judiciously effected, notwithstanding all their efforts to the contrary.