THE SERVICES OE LIEtTT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 375 
Besides this fleet it is reported that five French ships of force have 
joined him. 
August 26th .—Yesterday the Sibella, with seven ships from Cork, 
arrived with provisions, after being* up the Delaware as far as Reedy 
Island. They then took a French ship by which they learnt that the 
British forces had evacuated Philadelphia. So negligent are the 
people at home and such rebels at heart, that they did not inform the 
little fleet of the British troops quitting Pennsylvania. 
August 29th .—It is said that the number of rebels landed on Rhode 
Island last Thursday amounted to 15,000 meo, 5000 of which were 
continental troops with about 100 light horse, the remainder were the 
militia of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Their 
artillery consisted of 15 brass cannon, the largest of which were 12-prs. 
On the preceding day they advanced within a mile and a half of the 
front of the British lines. They began to break grounds at the dis¬ 
tance of half a mile from Tammany Hill, a very commanding emin¬ 
ence well fortified, but were obliged to desist in consequence of several 
well-directed shells from our artillery on the Hill. Their plan of 
operations was to attack the lines when the French fleet returned to 
engage the batteries. The rebels are reported to have no less than 
a thousand waggons transporting provisions, etc. to their army at 
Rhode Island. 
On Saturday last, the 22nd, the French fleet put to sea from New 
Port, Rhode Island, and stood to the eastward, it is supposed to 
Boston, to repair the damages they have sustained by the late storm, 
the batteries on Rhode Island, and some of Lord Howe’s squadron. 
This day, 29th, six sail, all 74’s, of Admiral Byron’s fleet, arrived at 
the Hook. The Monmouth and two others are supposed to have 
joined Lord Howe, who is in pursuit of the French fleet. This fleet 
have had a dismal passage; they are all disabled in some part or other 
and their men are extremely sickly. Those in the worst situation are 
now at Staten Isle undergoing repairs and recruiting their people. 
August 31st .—By express from Rhode Island, we learn that the gar¬ 
rison under General Pigot was in high spirits as late as last Friday, 28th, 
and had not then lost a man, as the rebel General Sullivan and his 
army had not dared venture near enough to do any mischief. A bridge 
of boats was thrown across from the main to the Island, but it was 
supposed that the Vigilant with her 24-prs. would be sent against it. 
September 1st , 1778 .—We hear that Lord Howe, having heard of 
the precipitate departure of the French fleet from Rhode Island, des¬ 
patched the Vigilant, Sphinx and Nautilus to Newport, while he pro¬ 
ceeded in quest of Comte d’ Estaing’s fleet. By a vessel which sailed 
from Rhode Island on Friday last and arrived here on Sunday, we 
learn that the Vigilant and Sphinx were preparing to demolish the 
rebel bridge over which upwards of 20,000 of them had crossed, but 
dared as soon eat their fingers as attack our little garrison, who are 
in high spirits, and entertain a contemptible idea of these invaders. 
It is said that the dread of having their retreat cut off operates so 
powerfully upon these Yankoos, that they have begun to send back 
