This obstinacy continued for more than an hour, when the
enemy brought up some field pieces, as well as reinforcements. Finding
all resistance useless, our Regiment gradually gave way, tho' not
before Col'o Rawlings, Major Williams, Peter Hanson, Nin Tannehill,
and myself were wounded. Lt. Harrison [Footnote: Lieutenant Battaille
Harrison of Berkeley County, Va.] was the only officer of our
Regiment Killed. Hanson and Tannehill were mortally wounded. The
latter died the same night in the Fort, & Hanson died in New York a
short time after. Capt. A. Shepherd, Lieut. Daniel Cresap and myself,
with fifty men, were detailed the day before the action and placed in
the van to receive the enemy as they came up the hill.
"The Regiment was paraded in line about fifty yards in our rear, ready
to support us. Your Father of course on that day, and in the whole of
the action commanded Shepherd's Company, which performed its duty
admirably. About two o'clock P. M. the Enemy obtained complete
possession of the hill, and former battle-ground. Our troops retreated
gradually from redoubt to redoubt, contesting every inch of ground,
still making dreadful Havoc in the ranks of the enemy. We laboured
too under disadvantages, the wind blew the smoke full in our
faces. About two o'clock A. Shepherd, being the senior Captain, took
command of the Regiment, [Footnote: After Rawlings and Williams were
disabled.
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