Major Hamilton commanded a battalion which took possession of a fort immediately opposite our right and on the bank of York river. I carried the standard of our regiment on this occasion. On entering the fort, Baron Steuben, who accompanied us, took the standard from me and planted it himself. Grounded their arms and returned to town. Glad to be relieved from this disagreeable station.
Negroes lie about, sick and dying, in every stage of the small pox.
Never was in so filthy a place-some handsome houses, but prodigiously shattered. Vast heaps of shot and shells lying about in every quarter, which came from our works. The shells did not burst, as was expected. Returns of British soldiers, prisoners six thousand, and seamen about one thousand. A portion furnished each officer to the amount of sixty dollars.