_April_ the 5th, the Troops, which were appointed first to land, amounting to about 1400 Men, under the Command of Brigadier _Blakeney_, rendezvous'd along Side of the _Weymouth_: At about five in the Morning, the General ordered Colonel _Grant_ to move towards the Shore with the Grenadiers, who having landed[21] without Opposition, and being immediately followed by the rest of the Troops, the whole was formed in the Order for marching against the Enemy. After having waited a short time, in Expectation of the 200 _American_ Soldiers, who were by the Disposition to have joined us with the working Tools; as likewise of the Negroes, and a Party of Matrosses, designed to attend eight Pattereroes; the General ordered the Grenadiers to enter the Wood, and Brigadier _Blakeney_ to sustain them at the Head of the old Regiments. Having reach'd the End of the Defillee, with the Loss of only one Man, by the Fire of a straggling Party, they halted, and signify'd to the General, that the Enemy appeared; who immediately advanced to the Head of the Grenadiers, and passed the Defillee: Where having carefully reconnoitred the Disposition of the Enemy, he ordered The Grenadiers to march, and to dislodge them. The Enemy, (as it was afterwards reported by Deserters) consisted of about 700 Men, and were drawn up on the Strand, in such a manner, as to cover the Road leading to the City, where they seem'd determined to expect us; the Ground over which the Troops were to march, did not admit of much more than one large Plattoon in front; the _Lagoon_ lying upon the left, and a thick Copse upon our right, into which the General ordered a Party of _American_ Soldiers, to fall upon the Rear of any small Parties, which might be lodged there, to flank us upon our March. The Grenadiers moved forward with great Alacrity, and having, with very little Loss, received two Fires from the Enemy, the front Plattoon gave their Fire at about the distance of half musquet Shot, and immediately wheel'd to the Right and Left to make room for the next to advance, whence the Enemy judging that the whole Body gave way, expressed their Joy by a loud Huzza; but being soon convinced of their Mistake, by the Fire of the following Plattoons, they fell into Confusion and fled towards the City. As soon as the proper Guards were posted, and the Troops put under Cover in the best manner which was practicable, in some Houses and Sheds adjoining to _La Quinta_; a Party was sent up the Hill to reconnoitre the Convent on _La Popa_, which they entered without Opposition, and made some Prisoners; an Officer's Guard was immediately ordered to take Possession of it.