all came to anchor in the old place, down the Neck. It was very soon discovered that they were in a shattered condition, had lost their topmasts, and had one ship less than when they went out. The boats were continually flying from every shore around. All were in some agitation that we knew not our destiny, it was approaching very fast. Our apprehensions tortured us, and the ten thousand lies which we heard, rendered us incapable to stand the shock. We were worn out with the fatigues of this dreadful day, but dared not take any rest, for fear we should be caught asleep; never did I so dread the night; and yet so grieve to see the morning light. But as soon as we could see the Neck I was determined to be upon the house.

Friday, August 21.

To my great astonishment, I went upon the house and no ships were to be found; where they could be gone was a matter of wonder. Soon, very soon, it was reported through the town, that they had quitted. There were various conjectures. The wise ones stood astonished. The people on the island still at work, every thing wore the face of some perplexity; the poor soldiers were worn out with constant duty, and the great and mighty men just ready to sink under their burdens. But this news gave a new face, every thing wore a different aspect. Not, let me tell you, were they afraid of a Frenchman. But that fleet of ships they knew must surrender. The day passed on with swiftness, and at night I was forced to call to my assistance, my poor scattered reason and endeavor to compose myself to sleep.

Saturday, August 22.

All is peace and quietness in the town. The first news was the provincials had moved their encampment, carried off all their artillery, stores and provisions, and gone to

the lower part of the island to secure their retreat. Gen. Piggott gave orders for the 43d and 22d regiments, and the Hessians and Auspachers to pursue them by day-light. In a few hours, a heavy firing was heard; he then gave orders for Fannings' regiment to go to their assistance and two hours after gave orders for the 38th to march directly and for Fannings' to return within the lines, and at eleven o'clock sent a light horseman to call the 38th back. All was horror and confusion. The Hessians overtook a party in the West road, near the Redwood farm; they pursued with violence, the others retreated with prudence, leaving the roads strewn with dead bodies. The East road was a scene of blood and slaughter, from cousin Almy's down to the foot of Quaker hill. All the cross roads were filled with them and they kept up a smart firing till two o'clock, and then they began to bury the dead and bring in the wounded. Oh! How many wretched families were made that day. It would have softened the most callous heart to see the cart loads of wretched men brought in, their wifes screaming at the foot of the cart, in concert with their groans. Fine youths with their arms taken off in a moment. In short it's too far beyond my power of description. The horrors of that day will never be quite out of my remembrance. I quitted company and hid myself to mourn in silence, for the wickedness of my country. Never was a heart more differently agitated than mine. Some of my good friends in the front of the battle here; and Heaven only knows how many of the other side. Instead of enquiring the news, or asking after a soul, a stupidity took hold of me. At last I shut myself from the family, to implore Heaven to protect you, and keep you from imprisonment and death. Every dejected look, and every melancholy countenance I saw, I trembled for fear they would say, your husband lies among the slain, or that he is wounded and a prisoner. Think you what a life I

live, knowing your proneness to get into danger. Sunday, August 23.

The provincials are encamped on Windmill hill, there is little or no firing from either party. More regiments are ordered out. Something great is intended, if you should not slip away too soon. Constant riding from Quaker hill. Every hour we are expecting a general battle, my whole heart is sick with melancholy stories. Every hospital is crowded with wounded men. No church, no appearance of anything but horror and distress. The country people all plundered. In the midst of all the confusion, some were going into eternity, while others were robbing the innocent farmers' houses; death and destruction were before their eyes from every quarter, until the officers heard of their doings, they directly ordered guards to every house, whose kind protection was the saving of them. And to do justice to the British, their humanity and lenity were beyond all conception, to the wounded prisoners. There was a hospital on purpose for them. Nurses were chosen amongst the inhabitants, that they might have every indulgence that their unhappy situation needed. Doctors, whose goodness, understanding and compassion ought never to be forgotten. And whenever justice is done, at the end of the war, I hope this instance will be in your records. Night coming on, every thing as I suppose will be left for daylight.

Monday, August 24.

By day-light the trampling of horses, the different sound of voices, brought to her thoughts a poor creature, who had scarcely had sleep enough to compose her distracted brain, but had brought herself willing to hear the worst. At seven o'clock a light horseman with news; they are retreated, quite gone over Howland's Ferry. At eight o'clock, a messenger; they began to decamp early in the evening

and before day, their artillery, baggage, wounded men and part of the army were over. At ten o'clock Thos. Hill came in and told me he saw you on Friday and that you desired him to let me know by day-light on Monday morning, you should be at home at breakfast, with a number of gentlemen. Oh! Mr. Almy, what a shocking disappointment to you! Can you keep up your spirits? Heaven, I hope, will support you, so positive, so assured of success, and remember in all your difficulties and trials of life, that when the All-wise disposer of human events thinks we have been sufficiently tried, then our patience in waiting will be amply repaid by a joyful meeting.

[On the fly-leaf :]

"Sukey, for your life, take care of this, let no eyes peruse it, but yours and Mr. Carr's."

THE BARKER ANCESTRY.

"They have their exits, and their entrances."

As You Like It.

COMMUNICATED BY J. O. AUSTIN, ESQ., OF PROVIDENCE,

RHODE ISLAND.

As may be seen from the title, this is not to be a genealogy in the sense of following all the branches from the first ancestor, but will take a particular line, being for the most part that of the eldest son. Collateral branches can trace to the common ancestor by following back through their own line. I judge that the chief interest of the descendants will be in their early ancestors, and degrees of relationship between the hundreds of descendants now living can be ascertained by consulting records (when duly tabulated) of births, marriages and deaths in Newport and adjacent towns. It is understood that this most important work of tabulating and printing records referred to, is about to receive the attention of one excellently qualified in every way for this very important and arduous task. It is vital that these records should be printed and if neither by the towns voluntarily, nor by the State making it mandatory on them, then it can be done only by individual effort.

The plan adopted by me, it will be seen, is to give the name with the number of the generation from the first ancestor over it, birth, marriage, death, remarks, names of children with their marriages, and the particular child in line of descent as followed here is in italics, to indicate