midnight
Sixty men , without a moment 's delay , ran on and surrounded the farm before the inmates had time to drive away any of the stock , or , indeed , had perceived our approach . We soon collected everything eatable on which we could lay hands , and were in our boats and away again before any force had time to assemble from the neighbourhood to attack us . Such was the system of warfare which I believe General Arnold recommended and encouraged -- the most galling and injurious to the unhappy colonists . We got on board our ships by midnight , with provisions sufficient to supply all the ships ' companies for a couple of days . The Rattlesnake , a ship pierced for fourteen guns , but mounting ten three-pounders and six swivels , had been captured at Portsmouth , and the next morning I received orders to take command of her , to fit her for sea , and to hold myself in readiness to proceed with charge of all the rest of the prizes to New York . The army was at this period employed in throwing up works for the defence of Portsmouth , and in making excursions into the surrounding country to crush , it was said in the despatches , any embers of rebellion which might yet be smouldering there . As I have before remarked , the way taken to produce the desired result was anything but effectual .