Camp 10 miles from Philadelphia 29th October 1777 My dearest Lucy I am unhappy that I do not hear from you post arrives after post and no letters from her I love to distraction. I have made so many conjectures upon this subject that I am weary of them and shall not give myself the trouble to write them to you - when we were on the other side of Schuylkill the letters were irregular, but on this side the post has arriv'd as punctual as in peace time. - Since my last to you which was on the 21st. the [struck: att] Enemy attempted to storm a redoubt of ours at Red bank on the Delaware a Count Donop commanded the party which consisted of 1200 or 1300 principally Hessian Grenadiers - a Colo Greene from Rhode Island with two [regts] from that place defended the redoubt - the action was severe for 40 minutes where the enemy gave way in all parts, leaving more than a 100 dead on the spot - 100 [inserted: most of them] mortaly wounded among which was Count Donop himself a man of great Consideration among the enemy - The remainder retreated with the utmost precipitation to Philadelphia with the [2] loss of more than half the party - The next morning the 23d instant 6 of the enemies ships came up the river and three of them engag'd our Gallies and battery at Fort Mifflin for 6 hours during which time there was a most infernal Cannonade - The enemy were beat back and two of their ships the Augusta a 64 Gunship & a frigate cannot learn her name ran aground & were burnt - to the great joy of the Americans - the rest retreated pretty quick and have made no advance since - The operations on the river grow more more important every moment - if the enemy do not get possesion of the river they cannot stay in Philadelphia with any ease - their convoys will be liable to be cut off & they blockaded - They must attempt to get posession of the River at any risque - and if they are again foiled - they will probably depart - The Lustre of the northern Army quite eclipses us - but we have done our last [strikeout] "Great Garrick can do no more" If the people of America makes a proper use of the advantages put into their hands and exert themselves in proportion to the magnitude of the object the next campaign will probably terminate [3] her troubles - Do you know if God spares me that I am determin'd to see you this winter at all events if it can possibly be consistent with my duty? Yes - & I think my duty will [doubly] call me to Springfield - May God bless you my dear & your babe - write me I beg you often - Billey is well and a saucy dog for not writing you - I am with the utmost purity of affection your faithful H Knox [address leaf] Novo: 1 Morristown Mrs. Lucy Knox Boston