ed no pains in preparing for the worst that
might come.

On August 20, Nathan Hale wrote the following letter to his brother
Enoch--the last letter that he ever wrote, so far as we know, to reach
its destination. It shows that his heart was absorbed in the duties of
the conflict he was sharing, and it also shows how wholly he was
leaving the ultimate issue to a higher power.

NEW YORK, August 20, 1776.

DEAR BROTHER.

I have only time for a hasty letter. Our situation this fortnight
or more has been such as scarce to admit of writing. We have daily
expected an action--by which means, if any one was going and we had
letters written, orders were so strict for our tarrying in camp
that we could rarely get leave to go and deliver them. For about 6
or 8 days the enemy have been expected hourly, whenever the wind
and tide in the least favored. We keep a particular lookout for
them this morning. The place and manner of our attack time must
determine. The event we leave to Heaven. Thanks to God! We have had
time for completing our works and receiving our reinforcements. The
Militia of Connecticut ordered this way are mostly arrived. Col.
Ward's Regiment has got in. Troops from the southward are daily
coming. We hope under God to give account of the enemy whenever
they choose to make the last appeal.

Last Friday night, two of our fire vessels (a Sloop and Schooner)
made an attempt upon the shipping up the river. The night was too
dark, the wind too slack for the attempt. The Schooner which was
intended for one of the Ships had got by before she discovered
them; but as Providence would have it, she run athwart a
bomb-catch, which she quickly burned. The Sloop by the light of the
former discovered the _Ph[oe]nix_--but rather too late--however she
made shift to grapple her, but the wind not proving sufficient to
bring her close alongside, or drive the flames immediately on
board, the _Ph[oe]nix_ after much difficulty got her clear by
cutting her own rigging. Sergt. Fosdick, who commanded the above
sloop, and four of his hands were of my company, the remaining two
were of this Regt. The Genl. has been pleased to reward their
bravery with forty Dollars each, except the last man that quitted
the fire-sloop who had fifty. Those on board the Schooner received
the same.