himself at the head of the main body: in this order the Americans advanced. Colonel M'Girth, who was well acquainted with the country, and understood the position of the Americans, had advised colonel Provost of the advantages of plac ing a party in ambush, at the same place which had been selected by colonel White for the like purpose, and to advance the party above noticed, with intention to draw White from his works, and if practicable, to decoy him into the ambuscade.. When the Americans approached the ground which they intended to occupy; general Scriven accompanied by his aid-de-camp lieutenant Glascock, inclined to the right to examine the ground, and colonel White made his dispositions for action. The British and Americans arrived on the ground, and were spreading their snares for each other about the same time. A firing commenced. General Scriven had advanced but a short distance, when he fell in with a party of the enemy; and unfortunately for himself and for his country, he received a mortal wound, of which he died the ensuing day. Major Baker, who commanded the left flank, pressed the enemy with such vigour, that they gave way for a short time, but they were soon re-enforced and returned to the contest. As colonel Provost was crossing the road, a shot from one of the field pieces passed through the neck of his horse and he fell. Major Roman supposed that the commanding-officer of the enemy was killed, advanced quickly with the field

pieces to take advantage of the confusion which ensued; and major James Jackson called out victory, supposing that the enemy was retreating: but Provost was soon re-mounted, and advanced in force. Colonel White finding himself engaged by a great superiority of numbers, and having no prospect of a re-enforcement, thought it prudent to secure himself and his troops, by a retreat to the meeting-house: he kept out small parties to annoy the front and flanks of the enemy, and broke down the bridges as he retired. When he had regained his position, at the meeting-house, he was informed that the enemies force consisted of five hundred men. A retreat was indispensable, and knowing that the enemy would press upon his rear, he determined to oppose stratagem to numbers; he prepared a letter, as though it had been written to himself, by colonel Elbert, directing him to retreat, in order to draw the British as far as possible; and informing him, that a large body of cavalry had crossed over Ogechee river, with orders to gain the rear of the enemy, by which their whole force would be captured.. This letter was dropped in such way, as to ensure its getting to colonel Provost's hand, and to attach to it the strongest evidences of genuineness. It was found, handed to Provost, occasioned a variety of conjecture, and excited some alarm: it was believed to have been so far effectual, as to deter the enemy from advancing more than six or seven miles. M'Girth had been or.

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dered with a party to reconnoitre Sunbury, and ascertain whether lieutenant-colonel Fuser had arrived; but he returned without having gained the wished for intelligence. When colonel Elbert received colonel White's letter, at Savannah, he forwarded it to general Howe, at Zubley's ferry, and marched with two hundred men to the river Ogechee, where with the assistance of Mr. Savage's negroes, he constructed a temporary breast work by the time White had accomplished his retreat to that place. The day after the action, near Medway, captain Phillips and a lieutenant were killed in an attempt to bring off a British sentinel.

Colonel Elbert sent a flag to colonel Provost by major John Habersham, requesting permission to furnish general Scriven with such medical aid as his situation might require; supposing that he had fallen into the hands of the enemy. He was also instructed to propose some general arrangements, to secure the country against pillage and conflagration. Doctors Braidie and Alexander were permitted to attend general Scriven; but on their arrival his wounds were found to be mortal, and that any exertions made by them would be adding a useless increase of pain, to what he already experienced, for the few hours he had to live. Colonel Provost refused making any stipulations for the security of the country; observing that the people had voluntarily brought on their impending fate, by a rebellion against their sove

reign. He enquired of major Habersham, and begged leave to put him upon his honour in giv. ing an answer, whether any British transports had appeared off the coast of Georgia. Habersham at once discovered the policy of giving a correct answer to the question in the negative.

Upon hearing that no re-enforcements of Bri tish troops had arrived off the coast of Georgia, he retreated early the next morning toward St. Augustine. On his return, Medway meetinghouse, and almost every dwelling-house in the country were left in smoaking ruins. Rice barns and rice in the stack, shared the same fate. Plate, bedding, wearing apparel, and other articles which could be carried off, were taken by the enemy.

Head winds had prevented colonel Fuser's arrival at Sunbury, as soon as he had expected, and colonel Provost had retreated before he enter ed the harbour. On the 1st of December, Fuser anchored off Colonel's Island with several small vessels laden with battering cannon, light artillery, and mortars, with five hundred men. After making the necessary preparations to attack the fort by land and water, he demanded a surrender, accompanied by declarations that he would not spare a man to relate the consequences of a refusal.

Lieutenant colonel John M'Intosh, who had the command, thought it best to exhibit a bold front, though his works would not have been tenable for an hour. He determined on opposition to the last extremity, expecting immediate relief

from Savannah, and knowing that Provost had retreated; he answered the summons in four words, "Come and take it!" There are strong grounds for the belief that this spirited and laconic answer discouraged Fuser from making the assault; which from the weak and defenceless condition of the works and garrison, must have fallen into his hands without much loss. Fuser had detached parties into the country to forage and ascertain the position of Provost. His ear was soon saluted with the unwelcome intelligence of Provost's retreat, and the advance of troops from Savannah. He was puzzled to comprehend the causes of the former, while the latter excited alarm. Hearing nothing respecting the arrival of the expected re-enforcements from the north, and supposing that Provost had been opposed by a superior force, he thought it prudent to follow his example. Accordingly he raised the siege, reembarked, and returned to St. John's river, where he met with Provost, each charging the other with misconduct, to which the failure of the expedi tion was attributed. It appears that it was not well understood, when these two officers left St. Augustine, which of them was to have the command in case of a junction, or probably they were not expected to unite before they had joined the re-enforcements from New-York.

General Howe collected his force and march. ed to Sunbury, and as was his custom, pointed out the defenceless condition of the works, with