Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Upham, to his Excellency
Governor Franklin, dated Fort Franklin, September 13, 1781

     Immediately on receipt of your's by Captain Camp, I made every preparation
consistent with the necessary secrecy, to furnish as many Refugees for the proposed
expedition as could be spared from the garrison.  My first care was to put a supply
of provisions on board the vessals. I talked of an expedition and proposed to go
myself, nor could I do more until the fleet appeared in sight. Major Hubill was
too unwell to go with me, I therefore left him to take charge of the fort, and 
with as much dispatch as possible, embarked one hundred Loyalists, exclusive of a
sufficient number to man the two armed sloops. With these we joined the fleet in
season to prevent the least delay. By the inclosed arrangement you will see we
had the honor to be included int he first division, and I have the pleasure to add
we were the first on shore.  We advanced on the right of the whole to height at a
small distance from the shore, where we were ordered to cover the XXXVIIIth
regiment from a wood on our right, until the second division came up.  We were 
then ordered to change our position from the right to the left at the distance 
of two hundred yards from the main body.  This alteration derive its propriety
from the circumstance of the rebels having gone over to the left, from an apprehension
of being too much crowded between our troops and the river on their right.  Thus
arranged we prroceeded to the Town of New London, constantly skirmishing with Rebels
who fled from hill to hill, and from stone fences which intersected the country at
small distances.  having reached the Southerly part of the town, the General requested
me to take possession of the hill North of the Meeting-House, where the Rebels had
collected, and which they seemed resolved to hold. We made a circle to the left,
and gained the ground in contest.  Here we had one man killed and one wounded.
This height being the out post, was left to us and the Yagers. Here we remained
exposed to a constent fire from the Rebels on the neighbouring hills, and from
fort on the Groton Side until the last was carried by the British troops.
    We took the same route in our return as in going up, equally exposed though not
so much annoyed.  Every thing required was cheerfully undertaken and spiritedly
effected by the party I had the honor to command. A small party from Vanalstine's
post joined us, which increased my command to one hundred and twenty.  They landed 
and returned with us, and behaved exceedingly well.  The armed vessals Associators
and Colonel Martin, went close into the shore and covered the landing on the New
London side.  At the request of the General I furnished boats to land forty of the
troops on the Groton side. Captains Gardner and Thomas would gladly have gone up
to the town,  but were not permitted

Royal Gazette, (New York) September 19, 1781 

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