1777.] HISTOKV <»F DELAWARE CnUNTV. -J-Jl 



floatinj-; butteries, witliout luiviiif!; accomplished any inateiial jtart 

 of their mission; but in ;!;oinj,' down, the Augusta and Merlin ran 

 aground, owing, it is said, to some change having been caused in 

 the channel by the artificial obstructions. The unfortunate 

 situation of these vessels was not known to the Americans that 

 night, but failing to get off at Hood tide, their helpless condition 

 was fully understood early in the morning, when they were 

 furiously set upon by twelve galleys and two floating batteries, 

 under the command of Commodore llazlewood. The ]ioebuck, two 

 frigates and a galley, attempted to defend the disabled vessels, 

 but it was to little purpose, for so fierce and terrible was the fire 

 from the American fleet that the Augusta was soon in flames, 

 and blew up about noon, making so terrific an explosion that 

 great apprehensions were entertained at the Head Quarters of 

 the army — now at Skippac— for the safety of the fort, as the 

 explosion was attributed to the blowing up of the magazine. 

 The action was still continued with the other vessels, but the 

 enemy was forced to give way, first setting fire to the Merlin 

 which also exploded. It is supposed the Augusta lost loO or 

 160 men in killed and drowned; the Roebuck was driven from 

 her station, having six killed and ten wounded. The fire-ships 

 that had been prepared with so much care and expense, were 

 sent against the enemy's vessels ; but the combustibles being 

 ignited too soon, they served no valuable purpose. Two guns, 

 clothing and other plunder, were obtained from the wreck of the 

 Augusta the next day.' 



A brisk cannonade was kept up against Fort Mifflin by the 

 batteries on the Pennsylvania shore during both days, which 

 was responded to in the best manner that the condition of the 

 fort and circumstances of the garrison would permit. It was 

 commanded by Lieut. Col. Smith of Maryland. The batteries 

 on the Pennsylvania siiore had been reinforced and supplied with 

 provisions, just before these attacks on the forts and galleys. 

 Gen. Greene with a large body of men was detached to attack 

 what was supposed to be an escort of provisions, &e., for these 

 batteries. What was supposed to be an escort proved to be a 

 large detachment, which proceeded no further than Gray's Ferry ; 

 the wagons with provisions, one hundred and thirteen in num- 

 ber, in the mean time were allowed to pass unmolested, and 

 return by way of the Blue Bell. When Gen. Greene arrived at 

 the bridge he found the post evacuated and the bridge torn to 

 pieces. Some works, however, had been commenced by the 

 enemy, and some huts built, which the detachment destroyed 

 and then returned to camp.- 



Gen. Potter, who, with a body of militia, was detailed to 



1 Penna. Archives, v. 708-721. ■* lb. 7U1. 



21 



