George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 8

‘Shall I send for more powder?’ asked Moultrie of Motte.

‘To be sure,’ said Motte.

And Moultrie wrote to Lee: ‘I believe we shall want more powder. At the rate we go on, I think we shall; but you can see that. Pray send us more, if you think proper.’

More vessels were seen coming up, and cannon were heard from the north-east. Clinton had promised support; not knowing what else to do, he directed the batteries on Long Island to open a cannonade; and several shells were thrown into Thomson's intrenchments, doing no damage beyond wounding one soldier. The firing was returned by Thomson with his one eighteen pounder; but, from the distance, with little effect.

At twelve o'clock the light infantry, grenadiers, and the fifteenth regiment embarked in boats, while floating batteries and armed craft got under weigh to cover the landing; but the troops never so much as once attempted to land. The detachment had hardly left Long Island before it was ordered to disembark, for it was seen that ‘the landing was impracticable, and would have been the destruction of many brave men without the least probability of success.’ The American defences were so well constructed, the approach so difficult, Thomson so vigilant, his men such skilful sharpshooters, that had the British landed, they would have been cut to pieces. ‘It was impossible,’ says Clinton, ‘to decide positively upon any plan;’ and he did nothing.