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I have directed only to Fire when they have a good chance.

My Intelligence inform’d me this Boat Gaurd of the Enemy
might be Attacked to advantage by a Party crossing a mile
below (where a sufficient Boat lay concealed in a cove)
I Yesterday detach’d Capt Taliaferro with 60 Men to lay
concealed in that neighbourhood, & cross in the Night
with proper Guides to conduct him to the back of the
Enemys Post, if they find a ready passage, & are well
conducted, I have the greatest expectations that they will
cutt them off between two Fires, the Officers have discretionary
Orders, as to returning, or maintaining this post on
the other side, if they find the situation & other circumstances
favourable, I shall immediately reinforce them.

We have raised a strong Breast worke upon the lower
part of the Streat joining the Causway, from which Centrys
are Posted at some old Rubbish not far from the Bridge
(which is mostly destoy’d) some blacks got over last night
& set fire to the House nighest the Bridge, five Houses
(some of them Valuable) were consumed, one of the Centinals
shott one of them down, the great light this Occation’d
would have exposed our Men too much, to attempt
saving any of the Houses, they have likewise destroy’d
all the Buildings on the other side, & I am inform’d have
done the same to many of our Friends in the Country, obliged
the People to drive in their stocks &c to Norfolk, & raised
contributions of money from such of the inhabitants
as were known to possess any [Mr. Walk?] had £800.