The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-07-20
FORT MrEFTTN.

TALON OF artillery proceeded 10 Fort Nllillh
for the purpose ct celebrating the anniver
sary of American Independence. The corps
sat down to a sumptuous entertainment, and
when the regular toasts were drunk, MAJOR
Robert Cooper. being called on for a toast,
rose, and after an eloquent alluson to the
occasion upon which the company had been
convened, prooe 'ded in these terms:
"Ihe defence Of the place which to-day
is the field OF our festivitg stands consplcu-
Gus among the events Of TIE revolution. The
garrison which then occapied it in arms,
brave1 the fury Of the British army, and the
prowess of theirnavy, for weeks; such was
their devotion to their country; aud it is to
the same spirit that glowed in the breast of
Fort Miffllns defenders, and which anima-
ted the whole train bf Columba's heroes
throughout the arduons war, that we are in
tlebted for the achievement of our independ-
ence. 1t was the spirit of liberty Permit
me, as briefly as possible. to relate some Of
the circumstances connected with the mem
orable attack ana noble defence of this ven
cradle fort
Lord How, after manv fruitless attempts
to penetrate through New Jersey to Phla-
delphia, embarked his army on board OF the
feet, and sailed for the Delaware. The
whole fleet appeared off 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 trans
port his troops to the Chesapeake, and he
effected landing at the ferry OH Elk river.
There they were bravely met by Washing
ton, although his army was considerably IN
ferior in numbers and discipline, and but
badly armed and equipped The battle of
Brandywine succeeded, which proved un-
fortunate to the Americans, and gave to the
British the possession OF Philadelphia. In
this conflict, Lafayette contended for the
FIRST time against the foes of Freedom and
was wounded The first attention. OF the
command r-in.chief was directed towards
preventing the English from holding the
citv 70 effect which, he endeavored to
render the passage Of the river Delaware
impracticable. For this purpose, this fort
was erected, and the Chevaux de frizes
were sunk in the channel Of the river.
These works were further supported by Sc
yeral galleys. together with two floating bat
teries and some armed vessels
1t. Col. Samuel Smith had been attach
ed to this post with between two and three
hundred troops, and other measures were
taken for its defence. The attention of Gc-
neral Howe was now directed to the open
ing Of free communication with the fleet
and lie was active in making preparations to
attack Fort Mifiiin from the PENNSYLVANIA
shore. He erected redoubt on Province
Island within two musket shots of the block
houses. A we'll directed fire from our float
ing batteries and gaieys, compelled the gar
rison of the 'redoubt to surrender.
Whilst our boats were bringing the pris-
oners of the island, large body of the enc
my marched into the rcloubt A fire was
kept up from Fort Mfflin upon it, but with
out effect The attack was renewed BY the
hotilla, but without success; and two at.
tempts made by 1t. Col. Smith from the fort
to storm it, failed. The garrison was now
reduced to one hundred and fifty-six effect
ives. An attempt on Fort Miiflin, by hea
Wy cannonade was made from the Pennsyl-
yania shore. The ships Of the line Isis and
Augusta approached the fort in front, and
battered the wori.s, but night put an end to
the contest. Very early next morning a
warm cannonGde was kept up from the fort
upon the Augusta, which, together with the
sloop of war Merlin, had grounded. The
Augusta took fire, and 1t was found imprac-
ticable to extinguish the flames; the Merlin
which could not be removed, being set on
fire, together with the Augusta blew up
The situation of the fort was still critical
1t had been wretchedly constructed, and re-
CURED at least eight hundred men fully te
man the lines in case of an assault. The
garrison were in continual apprehension
est in the night the enemy should pass ovel
in boats from Province Island and carry tAt
place by coup-de-mam.
New batteries had been erected by thu
enemy on Province island mounting twenty
four and thirty-two Founders, and two eigh
inch howitzers, which opened about fv
hundred yards from the fort, and kept fo
several days an incessant fire. The bocl
houses, were reduced to ruins, the palisade
were beaten down, the guns disrnounted, tn
barracks in every part so injured as to rem
der it impracticable for the troops to occup
them. The men were under the necesst
Of working and watching the whole night t
repair the damages of the day, and guard a
gainst storm, of which they were in cor
tinual apprehension. A number of the gal
rison were killed, among whom was capai
Treat the artillery officer. Col. Smith va
wounded, which obliged him to give up tn
command, and retire to Red Bank, the dt
fence being more obstinate than had bee
expected. The enemy brought up the
ships as tar as the distractions would pei
init, and kept up from them, as we'll as froi
the batteries, most tremendous fire. TIL
brave garrison still maintained their groun
with the most unshaken hrmness. The lr
of battle ship Vigilaat and sloop of wa
were brought up the inner channel, betwee
Mud and Province island, and having take
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