[p365] SIR,
I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that I moved with the detachment you were pleased to entrust me with, consisting of seventy of the 17th Light Dragoons, part of the Legion Infantry and Cavalry, Queen's Rangers, Hussars, and some mounted Yagers, in all about two hundred, at half past eleven o'clock last night. The weather being remarkably bad, prevented my reaching North-castle church before four o'clock next morning, where I received confirmation of my intelligence relative to the numbers and situation of Sheldon's regiment and 100 Continental foot, but no tidings of Moylan's regiment of dragoons.

I pursued my route through Bedford to Pound-bridge without any material occurrence. In the district of the Ridge, and within 300 yards of the enemy, who were not alarmed, my guide in front mistook the road; another guide informed me of the error, and it was rectified as soon as possible.

The enemy's vidette had noticed to them, our passing their front. The whole regiment was mounted and formed behind the Meeting-house. An attack was instantly made by the advanced guard, consisting of the 17th [p366] Light Dragoons, the ground not allowing more than seven or eight in front. The enemy did not stand the charge, a general route immediately ensued. The difficulty of the country, and there being no possibility of obtaining their rear, enabled the greatest part of the regiment to escape. The pursuit continued for four miles on the Stamford and Salem roads.

The loss of men in Sheldon's Dragoons, upon inquiry and comparison of accounts, I estimate at 26 or 27 in killed, wounded, and prisoners; but their disgrace in the loss of the standard of the regiment, and of helmets, arms, and accoutrements, was great. Part of the officers and regimental baggage fell into our hands. I have hitherto omitted mentioning the militia to the amount of 120, who, together with the Continental foot, broke and dispersed at the approach of the King's troops.

The militia assembled again on eminences and in swamps, and, before we quitted the ground on which the first charge was made, they fired at great distances. We were successful in killing, wounding, and taking fifteen of them; the rest hovered almost out of sight.

The inveteracy of the inhabitants of Pound-bridge, and near Bedford, in firing from houses and out-houses, obliged me to burn some of their meeting and some of their dwelling-houses with stores. I proposed to the militia terms, that if they would not fire shots from buildings, I would not burn. They interpreted my mild proposal wrong, imputing it to fear. They persisted in firing till the torch stopped their progress; after which not a shot was fired.

With pleasure I relate to your Excellency that the loss sustained by His Majesty's troops is trifling, one hussar of the Legion killed, one wounded, one horse of Seventeenth dragoons killed; the whole of the detachment, except the above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the Legion, mounted on horses, are extremely fatigued by a march of 64 miles in 23 hours.

I have the honor to be, &c.
(signed) BANASTRE TARLETON.
Lieutenant-colonel British Legion.

[Source: The Remembrancer, 1779, pp365-6.]