GENERAL ARNOLD TO SIR HENRY CLINTON DATED 8 SPETEMBER 1781 (Continued)

quantity of powder unknown to us.  The explosion of the powder, and change of
wind soon after the stores were fired, communicated the flames to part of the
town, which was, notwithstanding every effort to prevent it, unfortunately de-
stroyed.

     Upwards of 50 pieces of Iron cannon, were destroyed in the different works
(exclusive of the guns of the ships) a particular return of which I cannot do
myself the honorto transmit to your Excellency at this time.

     A very considerable magazine of powder and barracks to contain 300 men
were found in Fort Griswold, which Captain LeMoine of the Royal Artillery had
my positive directions to destroy; an atttempt was made by him but unfortunately
failed; he had my orders to make a second attempt: the reasons why it was not
done, Captain Le Moine will have the honor to explain to Your Excellency.

     I should be wanting in justice to the Gentlemen of the Navy, did I omit to
to acknowledge that upon this expedition, I have received every possible aid from
them.  Captain Bazeley has made every exertion to assist our operations; and not
only gave up his cabin to the sick and wounded officers, but furnished them with
every assistance and refreshment that his Ship afforded.

     Lord Dalrymple will have the honor to deliver my dispatches.  I beg leave
to refer your Excellency to His Lordship for the particularss of our operations
on the New-London side. I feel myself under great obligations to him for his
exertions.

     Captain Beckwith who was extremely serviceable to me, returns with his
Lordship.  His spirited conduct in the attack of Fort Griswold does him great
honor, being one of the first Officers who entered the works.  I beg leave to
refer your Excellency to him for the particulars of our operations on that side,
and to say, I have the highest opinion of his abilities as an Officer. [PAGE 626]

     I am greatly indebted to Capt Stapleton (who acted as Major of the brigade for
his spirited conduct and assistance, in particular on the attack on Fort
Trumbull, and his endavors to preventplundering, (when the publick buildings
were burnt) and the destruction of private buildings.

     The Officers and troops in general behaved with the greatest intrepidity
and firmness.

                   I have the honor to be &c.&c -

                           BENdt ARNOLD

SOURCE:  Frederick Mackenzie, Diary of Frederick Mackenzie (Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 1930), II, 623-627.

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

Back to letters