GENERAL ARNOLD TO SIR HENRY CLINTON DATED 8 SPETEMBER 1781 (Continued)
than I had formed any idea of from the information I had before recieved. I
observed at the same tome that the men who had escaped from Fort Trumbull, had
crossed in boats and thrown themselves into Fort Griswold, and a favorable wind
springing up about this time, the Enemy's ships were escaping up the River, not-
withstanding the fire from Fort Trumbull and a Six pounder I had with me. I
immediately dispatched a boat with an Officer to Lieut Colo Eyre to counternand
my first order to Attack the fort, but the Officer arrived a few minutes too
late. Lieut Colo Eyre had sent Capt Beckwith witha flag of truce to demand
the surrender of the fort, which was peremptorily refused and the attack had
commenced. After a most obstinate [PAGE 624] defence of nearly 40 minutes the
Fort was carried by the superior bravery and perseverance of the Asssailants.
The attack was judicious and spirited, and reflects the highest honor on the
Officers and troops who seemed to vie with each other in being the first in
danger. The troops approched on three sides of the work, which was a Square
with flanks, and made a lodgement in the ditch, and, under a heavy fire which
they kept up on the works, effected a second lodgement on the fraizing, which
was attended with great difficulty, as only a few pickets could be forced out
or broke, in a place, and was so high that the Soldier could not ascend without
assisting each other. Here the coolness and bravery of the troops were very
conspicuous, as the first who ascended the fraize, were obliged to Silence a 9
pounder which enfiladed the place on which they stood, until a sufficient body
had collected to enter the work, which was done with fixed bayonets thro' the
Embrazures, where they were opposed with great obstinacy by the Garrison with
long spears. On the accasion I have to regret the loss of Major Montgomery,
who was killed by a Spear in entering the Enemy's works; also of Ensign Whillock
of the 40th, who was killed in the attack. Three other Officers of the same
Regiment were wounded. Lieut Colo Eyre, and three other Officers of the 54th
Regiment were also wounded, but I have the satisfaction to inform your Excell-
ency that they are all in a fair way to recover.
Lieut Colo Eyre, who behaved with great gallantry, having received his
wound near the work, * Major Montgormery being killed soon after, the Command
devolved on Major Bromfield, whose behavior on this accasion does him great honor.
Lieut Colo Buskirk with the New Jersey Volunteers and Artillery, being the
2nd debarkation, came up soon after the work was carried, having been retarted
by the roughness of the Country. I am much obliged to this Gentleman for his
exertions, altho' the Artillery did not arrive in time.
I have enclosed a return of the killed and wounded, by which Your Excellency
will observe that our loss, tho' very considerable, is very short of the Enemy's,
who lost most of their Officers, among whom was their Commander Colonel Ledyard.
85 men were found dead in Fort Griswold, and 60 wounded, most of them mortally.
Their loss on the opposite side must have been considerable but cannot be ascer-
tained. I believe we have about Seventy prisoners, besides the wounded, who
were left paroled. [Page 625]
Ten or twelve or the Enemy's ships were burnt; among them, three or four
armed vessels, and one loaded with Naval Stores. An immense quantity of Euro-
pean and West India goods were found in the stores, among the former the Cargo
of the Hannah, Captain Watson, from London, lately captured by the Enemy, the
whole of which was burnt, with the stores, which proved to contain a large
British Report 1 | British Report 2, page 1 | British Report 2, page 2 | British Report 2, page 3 | British Report 2, page 4 | British Report 3
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