THE SERVICES OE LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 169 
of his army laid down their arms. Should this be true, I think we to 
the north are in a ticklish situation, and our prospect here!! is not the 
most pleasing. Our army is in want of provisions. We have no 
possessions but three or four miles round Philadelphia which is drained 
of everything. The rebels have cut off our communication to Chester 
by placing themselves in its neighbourhood. We now get our pro¬ 
visions with great risk, as the boats in their way from' 1 the shipping 
have to pass the fort on Mud Island and their vessels, and the work 
can only be done at night. The successes the rebels have met with 
will give them good spirits and I make no doubt will be the cause of 
a great many joining their army. If the river is not made passable the 
consequences may be bad ; something must be done and that soon, 
for the longer we delay the stronger they will be. Lord Cornwallis 
and General Grant were over at the island to-day. I hope with inten¬ 
tion to plan something for our good. The army will either be obliged 
to leave this place, or starve if our ships do not soon get up. Major 
Yatass and Captain Blackmore have been tried by a general court 
martial for their behaviour on the 11 th instant on Province Island. 
The Major commanded the whole, the Captain commanded on the 
battery and scandalously suffered 60 or 70 rebel militia to take 50 
English soldiers and two officers belonging to the 10th regiment and 
grenadiers. It seems he would not suffer his men to fire, and absolutely 
hoisted a white handkerchief as a signal of submission. The decision of 
the court is not yet known. This is one of the most disgraceful events 
that has attended us. Donald Maclean, a matross in the artillery, who 
was that day in the battery has received the thanks of General Howe 
in publick orders, and ten guineas for his behaviour and conduct. 
Maclean repeatedly pulled down the captain’s white handkerchief, and 
the captain at length exclaimed, “ Will nobody, will no grenadier, blow 
that artilleryman’s brains out ? ” The Major aud Captain were per¬ 
mitted to sell out. 
October 27th fMondayJ .—This afternoon about 3 o’clock I went 
down to Province Island and relieved Captain Scott. 1 It rained when 
I went and continued without intermission till Wednesday following 
and was exceedingly cold. The island is entirely under water and so 
deep in many places that the relief could not pass, consequently 
many were obliged to remain in this dreadful situation for 48 hours, 
without any cover, without any fire, and above their knees iu water on 
the platform. This is at present the situation of Province Island, and 
it is expected that the trifling batteries on this island (notwithstand¬ 
ing all the improvements) are to silence a much superior fire better 
situated on Mud Island. 
October 29th .—This afternoon with great difficulty and no small 
danger of being drowned, I waded from the island to the town. It is said 
a battery of some 24 pounderk is going to be made on the island, and 
also a floating battery or two and nothing will be attempted till these 
1 Kane’s List No. 274.—Captain A. J. Scott died in Newfoundland, September 1779. 
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