Baltimore Jany. 30, 1777
Dear Sir,
Altho our Army in the Jersies, since the 24th of December has consisted chiefly of Militia and tho their numbers have not been and are not equal to that of the enemy, yet we have been in a continual series of success. Their forage and Foragers have been every where destroyed and beaten, and they are actually confined at present to the hills of Brunswick, and extremely distressed there The inclosed papers will shew you how active, brave, and successful our people have lately been, and I have the best grounded hope, that if the Militia do not leave the General before the regular recruits get up, we shall be able to give a very good account of the enemy before this winter Campaign is over. We have an account from our Committee at Phila. of an engagement between Gen. Sullivans detatchment of the Army near Brunswick, and a strong party of the enemy. The issue not certain, but they say, a person from Brunswick relates that the enemies light horse come from the Field of Battle in great confusion calling for a reenforcement. We are in constant expectation of good news both from Brunswick and N. York.
I am your affectionate & obedient,
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver's copy, American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.
1 A British squadron under the direction of Commodore William Hotham captured several American vessels in Chesapeake Bay during the last ten days of January. See Morgan, Naval Documents, 7:964, 1004, 1019, 1033 - 34, 1047, 1054.