American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-08-01
DEFENCE OF FORT MIFFLlN.

ON the 4th OF July, the Philadelphia Battalion OF
Artillery proceeded to Fort Mif'D, for the purpose
of celebrating the Anniversary OF American ihde
pendence. The corps sat down to sumP'uous en-
er,aDment, and when the regular ,oas.s were o.u"s
Major Robert Cooper, being called on Tor toast
rose, and after an eloquent aluson to the occasion
upon which the company had been convened, pro-
ceeded, in these terms:
"The defence Of the place which to day is the
field Of our fesvi,y, stands conspicuous among the
events of the Revolution. The garrison which then
occupied il in arms, bravcd the fury OF the British
army, and the proves Of their navy, for weeks
such was their devotion to their country and It is
to the same spirit which glowed IN the breast OF
Fort Mifflin's defenders, and which animated the
whole train of CoIumba's heroes throughout the
arduous war; that we are indebted for the achievement
of our Independence. II was the spirit OF Liberty.
Permit me, as briefly as possible, to relate some OF
the circumstances connected with the memorable
attack and noble defence Of this venerable fort.
Lord Howe. after many Grui,less attempts to pen
citrate Though New Jersey to Philadelphia, embark
ed his army on board OF the feet, and sailed Tor 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 renquish
his original design and to transport his troops 10 the
& Chesapeake; and he effected landing al the fer
~ on Elk river. There they were bravey met BY
| Washington, although his army was considerably
interior in numbers and discipline, and but badly
armed and equipped. The battle OF 3randywlne
SUE cseded, which proved unfortunate to the Amerl
cans, and gave the British the possession OF fh-
adelphia In this conflict, Lafayette commended Tor
The first time against The foes Of freedom, and was
wounded. The first attention Of the Commander
IN Chief was directed towards preventing the En-
glish from holding the City. To effect vhich, he
endesvored to render the passage OF the river Della
ware imp aciicablc. For this purpose this Tort was
erected and the chevaux dc rizes were sunk IN the
channel Of the river. These works were further
supported by several galleys, together with Two float
ing batteries, and some armed vessels
Lieut.. Colonel Samuel Smith had been attached
TO this post, with between two and three hundred
troops and other were taken Tor Its defence
The attention Of General Howe was now directed to
he opening of free communication with the fleet,
and he active in making preparations TO attack
Fort Mifhn from The Pennsylvania shore lie erect
ed redoubi on Province Island, within two muske,
shots Of the block houses. A well directed fire from
our floating batteries and galeys, compelled the gar
rison oil the redoubt to surrender,
Whilst our boats were bringing the prisoners oil
he Island, large body Of the enemy marched into
he redoubt A fire was kept up from Fort Mliln
upon it but wi;hou, effect. The attack was renew
, ed by the houa, but without success and two at
emp,s made by Lieut. Col Smith, from the fort, tt
storm ts Jailed. The garrison was now reduced tt
one hundred and hIty.six electives. An attempt or
, Fort Mfin by heavy cannonade was made iron
The Pennsy lyanis shore The ships OF the line, the
Isis and Augusta, approached the fort in front ant
battered the works, but night put end to the
t-st. Very early next morning warm cannonads
i, was kept up from the tort upon the Augusta, which
, gether with the sloop OF war Merlin, had ground
ed. The Augusta took fire, and il found i'm
practicable to exlinguish the fame the Merlin
4 which could not be removed, being set on fire. to-
gether with the Augusta, blew up. The situation
of the Fort still critical. l, had been wretched
ly constructed and required at least eight hundred
men fully 10 the lines in case of an assault
, The garrison were in continual appre hcnsion, les
! in the night the enemy should pass over in boat
from Province Island and carry the place by coup
de main.
New batteries had been erected by the enemy oil
Province Island, mounting twenty four and thirty
, TWO Founders, and two eight inch howiizers which
opened about five hundred yards from the fort, am
KEEP, for several days an incessant fire. The block
houses we're reduced to ruins, the palisades wer,
beaten down, the guns dismouned, the barracks
i IN every part SO in ured 10 render it impractical
ble Tor the troops 10 occupy them. The men were on
der the necessity OF working and watching the whole
: night to repair the damages OF the day, and guart
against storm, o. which they in continual an
prehenson. number OF the garrison were killed
among whom was Captain Treat the Artillery of
tcer Colonel Smith was wounded, which Obliged
p him to give up the command and retire TO Re,
. Bank, the defence being more obstinate than ha,
!, oeen expected The enemy brought up their ship
tar as the distractions would permit and kept u,
from them, well from the batteries, most ire
. mendous fire. The brave garrison still mantaine,
their ground with the most mistaken iirmness -
/. The lne OF battle ship Vigant, and sloop OF war
n were brought up the inner channel, between Mt,
and Province Island, and having taken station
within one hundred yards Of the works, kept up
most destructive cannonade, and musketry from he
round top killed every man that appeared on tn
platforms. The fort was now no longer tenable -
The works were ali in ruins, and Afforded no nrotnc