304 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COTTNTY. [1777. 



5th of September, the main body of the American army had 

 remained in the vicinity of Wilmington, where some works had 

 been thrown up. On that day, the whole body was removed to 

 Newport, and occupied a position between that place and Red 

 Clay Creek, except Gen. Irwin's brigade, which remained at 

 Wilmington in charge of the works at that place. According to 

 the best information that could then be obtained, the British 

 troops Avere spread over a " considerable space of country, but in 

 a detached way, from Couch's Mills to some part of Notting- 

 ham."' 



Pursuant to a recommendation of Congress, a call was made 

 by the Executive Council, on the 6th of September, for 5,000 

 militia in addition to those already in the field. They were 

 ordered to rendezvous on the heights of Darby, " with what 

 arms they have or can procure, and otherwise equipped in the 

 best manner they may be able." These equipments, including 

 blankets, in case they were taken by the enemy or otherwise 

 unavoidably lost, were to be paid for by the State. ^ 



In order to strengthen the army. Gen. Washington had with- 

 drawn nearly all the troops from the defensive works on the 

 Delaware. The Navy Board became apprehensive " that some 

 parts of the enemy's fleet would soon attempt to invade the 

 city," and on the 5th of September communicated its plans of 

 defence to the Executive Council. Hog Island and the meadows 

 were to be laid under water ; flats and boats should be provided 

 to make a bridge from Fort Island to Province Island; ninety 

 or one hundred men should be put in the fort at Darby Creek ; 

 four pieces of cannon should be got to Billingsport ; some person 

 to be put in charge of the fort at Fort Island, and thirty men to 

 be ready to be put on Bush Island. In pursuance of these sug- 

 gestions, Col. Jehu Eyres, with two companies of militia artillery, 

 was ordered to repair to the works that have been named, where, 

 in conjunction with the commanders of the fleet, he was to exert 

 himself " to take, burn, sink or otherwise destroy the enemy's 

 ships or vessels that may attempt to invade this or the neigh- 

 bouring States." He was promised a reinforcement of militia 

 from Buck's County.^ 



Information having been communicated to the American camp 

 at Newport, that the enemy had disencumbered themselves of all 

 heavy baggage, General Washington at once determined to put 

 his army in a like condition. A requisition was made by the 

 Quartermaster-General, on the 7th of September, upon the Exec- 



' Pcnna. Archives, v. 587. 



■■' lb. 692, The Council regarded this call for militia as unnecessary, in which opi- 

 nion Gen. Armstrong concurred. lb. 598. 

 ' Penna. Archives, v. 590. 



