and defence. The whole defence of the Delaware absolutely depends upon it, and consequently all the enemy's hopes of keeping Philadelphia, and finally succeeding in the object of the present campaign. Influenced by these considerations, I doubt not your regard to the service, and your own reputation, will prompt you to every possible effort to accomplish the important end of your trust, and frustrate the intentions of the enemy."

Fort Mifflin was the first object of the enemy. Near it was a small island called Province Island. This was taken possession of by them, and batteries were begun which would command the principal work at Fort Mifflin. Colonel Smith saw his danger and endeavored to gain them. "I hope," Hamilton wrote him in Washington's name, "your future endeavors may be more successful. If they once get their batteries fairly erected, the situation of your garrison will, no doubt, become very trying; but, I dare say, they will be duly impressed with the importance of the trust committed to them." He also wrote to Colonel Greene to aid him. Greene was now called upon to exert all his valor. On the twentieth of October the enemy threw a body of troops across the Delaware. As the object obviously was either to storm or to invest Red Bank, though it was believed the hazards of an assault, as the works were strong, would induce the latter, Hamilton wrote General Forman, in the name of the commander-in-chief, requesting him, in the most earnest manner, to use his utmost exertions immediately to collect as large a body of militia as he possibly could, and hasten to its relief. "To you no arguments need be used, either to explain the importance of the object, or to stimulate your zeal for its preservation." He also wrote to Hazlewood, Greene and D'Arendt expressing the "most ar

*

* Oct. 21.

dent desire that harmony and a good understanding between the fleet and the garrisons may be mutually cultivated. On this every thing depends; nothing but disappointment and disgrace can attend the want of it. The best designs and most important pursuits have been, and ever will be, defeated by foolish differences, when they exist between those engaged in them.”

The effect of these injunctions was now brought to the test. On the day they were written, four battalions of Germans, amounting to about twelve hundred men,* commanded by Count Donop, landed on the east side of the Delaware, and moved on to Haddonfield. At three o'clock the next morning they advanced towards Red Bank, but, delayed by a necessary detour, they only arrived at noon within four miles of the fortification.

This fort was an intrenchment-the parapets of the retrenchments effectually fraised-in the centre of extensive unfinished earthen works.

The advance of the enemy was first descried on the edge of a wood to its north, nearly within cannon shot. Colonel Greene, too weak to hold the extensive outworks, retired his men within the inner intrenchment, and posted them for action. A summons to surrender was sent forward. The bearer was told the fort "would never be surrendered." Donop, who had come on, intending a deliberate attack, threw up a battery, and commenced a brisk cannonade.

A small party of Virginia troops, ordered in the emergency to reinforce Fort Mifflin, had preceded the Hessians, and reached Colonel Greene on its route. The commander, Colonel Simms, proffered his aid. At first it was accepted, but Greene, on reflection, declined diverting him from his destination. Simms, filing off through the postern

* Major Ward to Washington, Oct. 23, 1777.

He

gate of the fort, embarked in boats provided to convey him across the river.* Donop, discovering the embarkation, and not doubting that it was a part of the garrison abandoning the post, resolved on instant assault. rushed into the outworks, and finding them undefended, led his troops up to the abatis, shouting "Victoria," and waving their hats. A deadly and continued discharge of guns and small arms met the assailants in front from the fort, and in flank from a part of another looped intrenchment. The soldiers reeled, and retreated under the close, unerring fire. Their officers rallying them, were seen falling, while attempting to cut a way through the abatis. Donop, especially distinguished by his military order, by his noble figure and bearing, was mortally wounded.

Another column attacked the southern part of the work, passed the abatis, traversed the fosse, and mounted the berm. A few got over the pickets, but the fire from within drove them back. The assailants retreated in confusion, the galleys pouring a fire upon their flank. They lost one-third of their number, of the garrison only eight were killed, seven and twenty wounded.

The plan being a simultaneous attack on both the opposite forts, the enemy's fleet had been signalled to advance. The Augusta, a sixty-four, the Roebuck, a fortyfour, the Merlin of eighteen guns, and a galley, came up through the lower chevaux de frise, and were attacked by the American floating batteries and galleys. Seeing the repulse of Donop, the enemy's vessels, the next day, endeavored to fall down the river. The Augusta and Merlin grounded. An incessant fire was kept upon them, and they exploded, The firing now ceased on both sides, when the Roebuck dropped down, and passed the lower works.†

*Lee's Southern War, i. 33. + Commodore Hazlewood's Report, Oct. 26,