214 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
meet with any interruption in removing the impediments in the river. 
I was relieved this afternoon and went to town. A report prevails 
that the rebels have quitted Red Bank and intend destroying a num¬ 
ber of their vessels. Wrote to Colonel James by Captain Layard. 
November 20th. —This morning about 1 o'clock we were roused out 
of our beds. Some deserters from the rebel galleys had informed the 
General that all the galleys intended to be up at town about daylight 
to set fire to our frigate, the Delaware , and to cannonade the town. 
In a little time we were prepared to receive them, having manned and 
got our guns ready, but they did not come. 
November 21st. —The rebels have abandoned Red Bank, have left 
18 pieces of cannon, and blown up the magazine that contained a great 
quantity of powder. A vast quantity of shot and other stores were 
found in their works. Lord Cornwallis's army took possession and 
we are now destroying it. Mud Island is also to be destroyed and 
the cannon and stores brought to town. This evening the rebels set 
fire to their whole fleet, except the galleys which, under cover of a 
dark night stole past the town and went up the river. A brig and 
sloop attempted to pass, but they were prevented by our batteries 
and the frigate and ran aground just opposite the town, they were set fire 
to, and after burning a considerable time blew up. The loss of this 
fleet of 30 or 40 vessels, some of them considerable size, must be a 
heavy blow to them, as almost all of them had a great quantity of 
powder, guns, and stores on board. The explosion of some of these 
was so immense that the whole town was shook as with an earthquake. 
By the taking of Red Bank and Mud Island and the extinction of the 
fleet, the river is now entirely free, and our vessels are coming up to 
town every tide. The chevaux-de-frise will be instantly removed and 
in a few days our men-of-war will be before the town. General Pat- 
tison and John Williamson's 1 company are landed and are at Red Bank 
with the army. Our redoubts and lines round the city are finished 
and are very strong, so much so, that we need not be under the least 
apprehension of Mr. Washington's attack, though he threatens hard 
and some of his ragamuffins are firing at our pickets every foggy 
morning, but are always driven back with loss. 
November 22nd. —The artillery are ordered to be in the redoubts 
every morning before daylight. Three hundred rebels made their ap¬ 
pearance in front of our lines and attacked the outguards, but were 
driven off with the loss of seven killed and some wounded; not a man 
of ours was hurt. 
November 23rd. —Our ships are coming up very fast and things re¬ 
main pretty quiet ; a little skirmishing indeed every morning between 
our pickets and the rebels. 
November 24th. —Lord Cornwallis's army have destroyed the works 
at Red Bank, and are expected in town to-morrow or the next day. It 
is rumoured an attack will take place on Mr. Washington in a few 
days. Ammunition for all the field artillery is ordered to be put into 
•* 
Marie’s List, No. 219, 
