1

Norfolk 5th Jany. 1776
Sir.

I had the pleasure of seeing your commandr
to Col. Howe by Col. Travis, but am uneasey at having
no answer to ours of the 1st & 2d Inst giving an acct. of the
cannonade & fire at this place, we have our men as
well posted as the nature of things will admitt of, but
think they will be much exposed should the Enemy begin
another. this we Hourly expect as they have moved their
ships so as to take our present Barracks this the interest
made by the distruction of the Houses (by which we were
cover'd before) nine tenths of the Town within the lines
[paper damage] consumed, the Fire now out - in consequence of
[paper damage] night had two parties
[paper damage] up the wells & distro [destroy?] [paper damage]
of the Compy at New Distillery (which we had [paper damage]
the other night before we recd. yours, they affected the
purpose they were sent upon & gave notice to [Chisum?}
& the other inhabitants in that quarter to remove this day
with all their affects, as from these people remaining
there the Enemy get supply'd. Maj. Epps commanded
this Detachment & had the good fortune to loose nicer a
man tho a Heavy Cannonade & Fire of Musquettry were
kept up by [paper damage] that lay a Breast of that
place, they [paper damage]
it seems th [paper damage]
the other [paper damage]