This Day in History: December 11

...there Situation is such (being on two Peninsula’s very strongly fortified and surrounded by Ships of War and Floating Batteries) that we cannot get to them and they do not choose to come to us. This being the case we have spent the Summer in drawing Lines of Circumvalation round them – cutting of all supplies of fresh Provisions by Land; and, latterly by water; For finding no great prospect of a visit from them, I fitted out (in behalf of the Continent) Six armed Vessels; with which we have Intersected their Provision Boats from Nova Scotia & Canada, and taken some others from G. Britain & the West Indies with Stores for the use of the Garrison...