Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-08-03


sible, to relate some of the rifeumstan.
ces connected with the memorable attack
and noble defence OF this venerable fort,
Lord Howe, after many fiuitless at.
tempts TO penetrate through New Jersey
to Philadelphia, embarked bis army on
board of the feet, and sailed for the
Delaware. The whole feet appeared
of the Capes, but the difficulties that
would attend an attempt to carry the feet
up the river, obliged him to relinquish
his original design. and to transport his
troops to the Chesapeake; and he effec-
ted landing at the ferry on Elk river.
There they were brayely met by Wash
ington, although his army was considera-
bly, inferior in numbers and discipline,
and but badly armed and equipped The
battle of Brandywine succeeded, which
proved unfortunate to the Americans,
| and gave to the British the possession OF
Philadelphia. In this conflict, Lafev-
cite contended for the first time against
tha foes of freedom, and was wounded.
The first attention of the Commander in
Chief was directed towards preventing
the English from holding the City. 10
effect which, he endeavored to render
the passage of the river Delaware i'm
practicable. For this purpose this fort
was erected, and the circumstances
were sunk in the channel OF the river.
These works were further supported by
several galleys, together with two ffoa--
ting batteries, and some armed vessels.
Lieut. Colonel Samuel Smith had
been attached to this post, with between
two and three hundred troops, and oth-
er measures were taken for its defence.
The attention of General Howe was now
directed to the opening of free COM
munication with the fleet, and he was
active in making preparations to attack
Fort Miflline from the Pennsylvania
shore. lie erected redoubt on Pro-
vince Island, within two musket shots OF
the. block houses. A well directed fire
from our floating batteries and galleys,
compelled the garrison of the redoubt to
surrender.
Whilst our boats were bringing the
prisoners off the Island, large body of
the enemy marched into the redoubt.
A fire was kept up from Fort Miffiine
upon it, but without effect. The attack
was renewed by the hotilla, but without
success; and two attempts made by
Lieut. Col. Smith, from the fort, to
storm it, failed. The garrison was now
reduced to one hundred and fifty-six
electives. An attempt on Fort Mifflin
| by heavy cannonade was made from
the Pennsylvania shore. The ships Of
the line, the Isis and Augusta, approach
ed the fort in front and battered the
works, but night pnf an end to the con-
test. Very early next morning warm
cannonade was kept mp from the fort
upon the Augusta, which, together with
the sloop of war Merlin, had grounded.
The Augusta took fire, and it was found
impracticable to extinguish the flame;
the Merlin, which could not be removed,
being set on FIRE, together with the Au--
gusta, blew up. The situation of the
fort was still critical 1t had been
wretchedly constructed, and required
at least eight hundred men fully to man
the lines in case of an assault, The garri.
son were in continual apprehension, lest
in the night the enemy should pass over
in boats from Province Island and carry
the place by conr-demain.
New batteries bad been erected by the
enemy on Province Island, mounting
twenty four and thirty two Founders, end
two eight inch howitzers, which opened
about five hundred yards from the fort,
and kept for several days an incessans
fire. The block houses were reduced to
ruins, the palisades were beaten down,
| the guns dsmounted, the barracks in ev--
cry part so injured as TO render it inn
practicable for the troops to occupy
them. The men were under the neces-
sity of working and watching the whole
night to repair the damages of the day,
aud guard against storm, of which
they ere in continual apprehension. n
number of the garrison were killed, a.
mong whom was Captain Treat, the
Artillery officers. Colonel Smith was
wounded, which obliged him to give up
the command, and retire to Red Bank,
the defence being more obstinate than
had been expected The enemy brought
up their ships as far as the distractions
would permit, and kept up from them, as
we'll as from the batteries, a most tre.l
mendous fire. The brave garrison
still maintained their ground with the