The Newport Gazette

Copy of a letter from General Sir William Howe, to Lord George Germaine, dated Philadelphia, 25th October 1777.

My Lord,

The enemy having entrenched about eight hundred men at Red Bank, upon the Jersey shore, some little distance above Fort Island, Col. Donop, with three battalions of Hessian grenadiers, the regiment of Mirbach, and the infantry chasseurs crossed the Delaware on the 21st instant, to Cooper's ferry, opposite to this town, with directions to proceed to the attack of that post. The detachment marched a part of the way on the same day, and on the 22d in the afternoon, was before Red Bank: Col. Donop immediately made the best disposition, and led on the troops in the most gallant manner so the assault. They carried an extensive out-work, from whence the enemy were driven into an interior intrenchment, which could not be forced without ladders; being eight or nine feet high, with a parapet boarded and fraized. The detachment, in moving up, and returning from the attack, was much galled by the enemy's galleys and floating batteries. Col. Donop, and Lieut. Col. Minuisingerode, being both wounded, the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Linsingen, who, after collecting all the wounded that could be brought off, marched that night about five miles towards Cooper's ferry, and on the following morning returned with the detachment to camp. Col. Donop unfortunately had his thigh so much fractured by a musket ball, that he could not be removed, but I since understand there are some hopes of his recovery. There were several brave officers lost upon this occasion, in which the utmost ardour and courage were displayed by both officers and soldiers.

On the 23d the Augusta, in coming up the river, with some other ships of war, to engage the enemy's galleys near the fort, got aground, and by some accident taking fire in the action, was unavoidably consumed: but I do not hear there were any lives lost.

The Merlin sloop also grounded, and the other Ships being obliged to remove at a distance from the explosion of the Augusta, it became expedient to evacuate and burn her also.

These disappointments, however, will not prevent the most vigorous measures being pursued for the reduction of the fort, which will give us the passage of the river.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.

W. HOWE.