Years afterwards, Major Tallmadge’s account of this expedition was written for his “Memoirs.” Another officer, one of the party, who had accompanied Brewster on several occasions, fresh from the smoke of the battle, wrote in detail to a friend an account of the expedition. As until now his account has never been published, it is here carefully copied:
“Fairfield, November 26, 1780.[55]
“My dear Friend—I am at a loss how the account stands between us respecting letters, but as it is immaterial at present if I am in debt to you, I now propose to myself the pleasure of paying it, and if it brings you in debt I am sure you will take pleasure in discharging it, however as this is a mere subject of ceremony, will quit it, and tell you a small story of a tour we have had to St. George’s Manor, on Long Island. We arrived in this town from North Castle ye 16th Instant. Major Tallmadge, Captain Edgar, myself, and 40 dismounted Dragoons. The weather and want of provisions detained us here until 21st, when we embarked on board 8 whale boats, and in a few hours landed at the Old Mans on the Island. A severe storm prevented our doing any thing until the evening of the 22d, when we began our march with the addition of about 20 men, boatmen, and at 4 o’clock in the morning of the 23d, attacked and carried Fort St. George, (on Major Wm. Smith’s Farm) in a few minutes without the loss of one man.
“It is a very pretty built strong place. The works was completed a few days before. They were completely surprised. We tarried there until about 7 o’clock, when we began the march back and on the return burned about 300 tons of forage at Coram, collected for the British Army. We arrived at our boats about 6 o’clock, and at eleven landed safe at this place, more fatigued and more pleased than I ever was in my life. In little more than twenty-four hours we marched 40 miles and crossed the sound 20 miles wide.
“The Fort is built right west from Mr. Smith’s new house, about the same distance that the old house is from the new. It is four square, about ninety feet square. The parapet from the bottom of the ditch is about 10 feet high, the ditch about 4 feet wide and 3 deep. Besides this is a strong row of Abbatis entirely around the Fort. From the N. E. corner of the Fort to ye N. W. corner of the old house to ye N. E. of the new house and from the S. W. ( ) the new house to the S. E. corner of the Fort ( ) of the fort is on the east side, and opens under cover of this strong stockade. Having fully described to you this post will just mention the mode of attack.
“When we arrived within about three quarters of a mile of the place, I was ordered to the command of 15 men to gain the front of the Fort and there lay concealed until the alarm was given from the other way, by the main body under Major Tallmadge, Captain Edgar, and Lieut. Brewster. I came very close to the Abbatis undiscovered and as soon as the alarm was given, pushed over the Abbatis ditch and parapet, with little opposition, without the loss of one man and without discharging one musket on my part, and met Lieut. Brewster just entering the gates. He came through the entry of the house, followed by the main body, except a small party which filed off and attacked at the same time the old house. The poor dogs had not time to rub their eyes, or gasp before they were obliged to cry Quarters. A musical sound. Here was a scene my friend, of war my eyes never beheld nor description cannot equal. The cries of the wounded in the agonies of death. The screeching of the women and children while the parent and friend were entreating pity and compassion, called forth every tender feeling, yet add to these the shouts of the veterans it gives a pleasing lustre to the triumphs of a soldier.
“We had one man wounded. The enemy about 7 killed and wounded. Prisoners: 1 Lt. Coln. and 1 Capt. half pay. One lieutenant and 50 rank and file. Some were paroled and we have about forty, which I move off to West Point with tomorrow. This tour will take me 7 or 8 days, soon after which I hope to see you, as it grows time for winter quarters and very probably we shall come some where in Connecticut.... You must excuse inaccuracies as I write in haste. Adieu.
“Thos. Tredwell Jackson.”
There was too much transpiring in the fall of 1780 to permit using all the intelligence in its chronological order. It is therefore necessary to return to the closing days of September to examine the rest of the correspondence. On September 27th Woodhull wrote, saying:
“Inclosed you have C. Junr’s Blank, which I trust contains all that may be known in and about 727. And have only to mention the departure of the en Dragoons from Smith Town and are now at Jericho. None but Coll. Ludloe’s Regt, is at Lloyd’s Neck, nor none except the en Dragoons eastward of Jamaica. A number of Refugees have built a Block House on Jesse Arthur’s Farm for the purpose of cutting wood on the lands of Mr. Treddle and Platt. Queens Rangers is at Jamaica. Let 725 come again 462 the 5. In the interim am yours,