The Commodore made the Signal for the Attack of the Fort of 19 Guns, 32 Poundrs on Sullivans Island, the Active lead the Van, the Bristol, Experiment, and Solebay came up next & began the Attack with great Bravery at ½ past 10 in the Morning
The Sphinx, Actaen, & Syren, were intend'd to pass under cover of the rest, & to rake the Fort likewise, then to attack another of Six, 18 Prs, Situat'd on a place call'd Mount Pleasant on the Main, but had the Misfortune to run ashore on the Middle Ground, through the unskilfulness of the Pilots, the Sphinx, & Syren, got clear off, the former was oblig'd to cut away her Bowspreet to get clear of the Actaen, who Stuck fast, much expos'd to the Enemy's Shot, laying end on; to them so that she could not bring any of her Guns to Bear on them, About 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Fort was Silenc'd til ¼ past 4, at which time the Rebbels were seen by General Lee; to run from their Quarters, he being Situat'd on Mount Pleasant to observe the Action, on which he Fir'd on his own People, and Forc'd them to their quarters again, and sent over to Sullivans Island a Reinforcement of 500 Men (as we are informd since by Deserters who are coming Dayly) when the[y]open'd the Fort again & Fir'd very Briskly, until about 10 at Night, at which time our Ships were so Disabl'd, that the Commodore thought it most prudent to draw them off, leaving the Actaen stil onshore,
