Colonel Moylan to Robert Morris

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Head-Quarters, Newton, 27th December, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Above is a very rough but as just a sketch of the prisoners taken yesterday morning, as I can collect. I was unfortunately too late to share in the honours of the day, being catched in the storm, and little imagining that any attempt would have been made at such an inclement time. There were about twenty killed and wounded; amongst the latter, the Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and one Major. Our loss very inconsiderable; two or three killed, and as many wounded. Captain Washington, a fine spirited officer of Weedon' s, is amongst the latter. Six pieces of artillery, brass double-fortified three-pounders, twelve drums, four standards, and about one thousand stand of arms, were taken. If the whole plan could have been put into

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The spirited conduct of the whole that went over, which, from the best computation, did not exceed twenty-two hundred, was great. You must remember what a morning yesterday was, for men clad as ours are to march nine miles to attack an enemy provided with every necessary, and elated with a succession of advantages over our handful of men, whom they were accustomed to see retreating before them. What a change in the scene! About fifty Light-Horse, and between six and seven hundred, pushed off before our men could be posted; the remainder submitted with their arms in their hands.

Colonel Baylor can inform you of more particulars, If he stays long enough with you. He goes to Congress with the good news. Gates promised to send me the plan for the battalion of Horse. When he does, shall trouble you with it. Adieu, my dear friend; believe me, I am most truly yours, STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To Robert Morris, Esq˙, Member of Congress, at Philadelphia.