THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWJNHAN, R.A, 217 
January 4th , 1778. —It is only now that we have thought or at least 
done anything about laying in wood. A good large detachment is 
every day employed in cutting wood and bringing it to town. They 
bring it from the other side the floating bridge that is made over the 
Shuylkill between the 10th and 11th redoubts. Skirmishing every day 
between our light horse and the rebel horse. They lost a major and 
several officers killed, and 13 taken prisoners yesterday. 
February 2nd. —Many deserters came in to-day. A colonel belong¬ 
ing to their army was seized by some of the cavalry people and brought 
a prisoner to town. The river is now entirely free from ice, and the 
weather is very fine. 
February 6th. —Thirteen sergeants and a corporal of the rebel ar¬ 
tillery came in to-day. An officer and many others deserted to us 
yesterday. 
February 23rd. —The two regiments of dragoons made a long march 
into the country, and returned with 130 head of cattle and a number 
of prisoners. 
February 24th—In the night about 11 o'clock the two battalions 
of light bobs embarked in flat boats, went down the river, and landed 
at Billing's Port on the Jersey shore. It seems the General has re¬ 
ceived information of the rebel General Wane with a body of men 
under him being there or near collecting cattle etc. for the rebel army. 
February 25th. —This night about 12 o'clock the 42nd regiment 
embarked in boats and crossed over to the Jerseys opposite the town. 
We imagine the intention is to make a junction with the light infan¬ 
try and most likely by this manoeuvre they may surround Mr. Wane 
and his cattle. It is reported with great confidence that the people of 
the Jerseys, finding themselves so torn to pieces with exorbitant fines 
and penalties laid on them by congress, have sent to assure General 
Howe that if he will send them some troops to support them, they will 
unanimously take up arms against their lawless masters. Should this 
be true it will be one of the most favourable circumstances that can 
attend us. 
February 27th. —The light infantry returned without doing anything. 
March 1st , 1778. —The 42nd returned after destroying 12 or 14 of 
the rebel vessels, and brought in some prisoners without any loss. 
General Wane made an attack on them in the evening, but they drove 
him off in an instant and pursued him a great way, but he ran too fast. 
The snow set in very severely and continued till the 6th with hard 
frost. 
March 6th. —This morning the 1st light infantry and a party of 
dragoons marched from town beyond Chesnut Hill, surprised a party 
of the rebels and returned in the morning without loss, bringing 20 or 
30 prisoners. 
March 12th.— A number of ships and small craft went down the 
river to-day with the 17th, 27tb, and 46th regiments, supposed for 
forage. Ten or twelve ships from Bhode Island came up town to-day 
with forage, very opportunely. The rebels have got at Wilmington 
Creek several galleys and other vessels with which they annoy ours 
