3

no kind of Furniture to the Cannon, he says they have Accts
from Gent'n, from Philada. that our Troops are in possession of
Bunker Hill, but with a considerable loss, that a Vessell
informs, 50 or 60 sail was seen within these few Days off
Newbern, supposed to be Transports with Troops. Colo. Jarvis
with 12 men arrived here last night from the above party

I am just inform'd that Batchellers Mill Dam upon Deep
Creek is gone, so that our Waggons cannot pass without a
Bridge, this is 10 miles from here on the Road to Suffolk,
& wheather it was destroy'd by the Tories, or went by accident
is uncertain, the people inform my messenger that Ld Dunmore
has promised to send a party there in a few Days to take
post. I have dispatch'd two Horse men to inquire into the
Truth of this matter, & reconnoiter the Water Courses &c
& an officer & 25 men March Immediately to repair the
Damages, & take post there, this Country between this
& Suffolk is so exposed to several Water courses, that
there will be an absolute necessity to Establish two or three
posts upon the Road, as the Inhabitants are all Tories.
& when the Fort over the Bridge is reduced, a strong party must
gaurd this Important pass. all these reasons induce me
to advise what I recommended yesterday. some 4 lb. shott
with 3 or 4 the best Mounted cannon of that size (with swabbers,
Ram Rods &c) I would likewise advise to follow with the
Greatest Expedition. The want of that necessary article for the
Soldiery, Shoes, begins to be sevearly felt by some, & will
shortly be so by the Whole, unless a speedy supply arrives.