The Army moved
between 3 and 4 this morning. The weather extremely fine which dried the roads,
which would have been otherwise impassible, the medium 12 Pounders proved to be
most difficult to pass through the Sloughs. Two houses got on Fire after
quitting the Quarters but appeared to me to have been done on purpose. About 9
o'clock this morning our Army arrived at the Town of Elk consisting of about 40
well built brick and stone houses, our march hither about 7 miles. Very few
shots exchanged this day with the Enemy. One thousand men under a Colonel
Paterson and the Philadelphia Light Horse fled from this Town on our approach,
part to Gray's hill 24 miles beyond the Town, which the rebels likewise
quitted, as we reached the summit we could observe them but not within Cannon
shot. Several of our men very irregular in pursuit of fresh provisions, so as
to fall in the Enemy's hands. The rebels broke up the bridge at the End of the
Town which we soon repaired, in the mean time great part of the Army forded the
Creek in about 3 feet water on a gravelly bottom. We took three or four
prisoners. Part of the small craft with provisions, camp equipage, baggage and
Stores reached the head of Elk this evening from the Fleet at Elk Ferry. Very
heavy dews fell after sunset. The Roads upon the whole this day may be said to
be good. 23 of our Troops, 3 of which Hessians missing, supposed to be taken by
the Enemy plundering. The rebels were so precipitate this day as to leave some
of their Store houses full, consisting of molasses, Indian Corn, Tobacco,
Pitch, Tar and some Cordage and Flour. The Cattle was drove off excepting a
few. Found fifteen of the rebel sloops and Schooners at Elk.
SOURCE: G. D. Scull,
Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 443
