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CHAP. IV. capture of the Delaware frigate, the largest 1777. then in the river above fort Mifflin.

Sept. 27.

Sept. 28.

The day after lord Cornwallis had entered Philadelphia, three batteries were commenced for the purpose of acting against any American shipping which might appear before the town. Before their completion they were attacked by two frigates, assisted by several gallies, and gondolas. The Delaware, being left by the tide while engaged with the battery, grounded and was obliged to strike: soon after which, the smaller frigate and the other vessels retired under the guns of the fort. This circumstance was rendered material by its giving the enemy the entire command of the ferry, and consequently free access to the Jersey shore, while it intercepted the communication between the forks below, and Trenton, from whence garrisons were to have been supplied with military

stores.

All the re-enforcements which had been expected, except the state regiment and militia from Virginia, were now arrived. They consisted of about nine hundred continental troops from Peck's-Kill under general M'Dougal, about six hundred militia from Jersey under general Forman; (general Dickenson having been detained by the apprehension of a second invasion from New York,) and about eleven hundred from Maryland under general Smallwood. All the detached parties being called

Sept. 30.

in, the present strength of the army in rank CHAP. IV. and file, fit for duty, amounted to eight thou- 1777. sand continental troops, and three thousand militia. With this force it was determined to approach the enemy, encamp within about twelve miles of them, and seize the first favourable moment to attack them. In consequence of this determination, the army took a position on the Skippack road, about twenty miles from Philadelphia, and sixteen from Germantown. This is a long village stretching on both sides the great road to the northward, which forms a continued street nearly two miles in length. The line of encampment of the British army crossed this village at right angles somewhat to the south of the centre; the left wing extending on the west, from the town to the Schuylkill. That wing was covered in front and flank, by the mounted and dismounted German chasseurs. A battalion of light infantry and the queen's American rangers were in the front of the right; and the 40th regiment with another battalion of infantry, were posted at the head of the village. Lord Cornwallis with four regiments of grenadiers was in Philadelphia.

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The object, to which the attention of general Howe was now most particularly directed, was the security of his late acquisition, by remov

• Annual Register.

CHAP. IV. ing the obstructions in the river, and thereby 1777. opening a free communication with the fleet. A

Sept. 29.

few ships of war were already in the Delaware, lying off Chester, and captain Hammond, who commanded one of them, represented that the possession of the fort at Billingsport, which was feebly garrisoned, would enable him to raise the lower line of obstructions, so as to allow a passage for the fleet up the river to the fort on Mud island.

Colonel Stirling with two regiments was detached to take possession of the fort at Billingsport, which he accomplished without opposition. On his approach, the garrison, which was entirely of militia, having spiked their artillery and set fire to the barracks, withdrew without firing a gun. This service being effected and the works facing the water entirely destroyed, so that the attempts to cut away and weigh up the obstructions to the passage of vessels up the river could no longer be impeded by the fire from the fort, colonel Stirling returned to October 3. Chester, from whence he was directed to escort a large convoy of provisions to Philadelphia. Entertaining some apprehensions for the safety of this convoy, another regiment was detached from Germantown to Philadelphia in order to proceed next day to Chester, and join colonel Stirling."

P Annual Register.... Stedman.

This division of the force of the enemy did CHAP. IV. not pass unobserved. It appeared to Washing- 1777. ton to furnish a fair opportunity, which he determined promptly to seize, of giving sir William Howe a blow, which, if successful to its utmost extent, might, in his present state of separation from the fleet, ruin his army, and very possibly decide the fate of the war.

It was proposed, if practicable, to surprise the camp at Germantown, and to attack both wings in front and rear at the same instant.

The divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Conway's brigade, were to march down the main road, and entering the town by the way of Chesnut hill, to attack the left wing; while general Armstrong with the Pennsylvania militia was to fall down the Manatawny* road, by Vandeering's† mill, and turning the left flank to attack in the rear.

The divisions of Greene and Stephen, flanked by M'Dougal's brigade, were to take a circuit by the way of the Limekiln road, and entering the town at the market-house, attack their right wing.

The militia of Maryland and Jersey, under generals Smallwood and Forman, were to march down the old York road, and turning their right to fall upon its rear.

* Better known as the Ridge road.

VOL. III.

† Now Robinson's.

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CHAP. IV.

The division of lord Stirling, and the brigades 1777. of Nash, and Maxwell, were to form a corps

October 4.

attacked at

de reserve.

Parties of cavalry were silently to scour the roads to prevent observation, and to keep up the communication between the heads of the different columns.

The necessary arrangements being made, the army moved from its ground about seven Royal army o'clock in the afternoon. About sunrise the Germantown next morning the advance of the column* led by Sullivan, which was drawn from Conway's brigade, encountered and drove in a picket, placed at Mount Airy, or mr. Allen's house.

The main body followed close upon them, and engaging the light infantry, and the 40th regiment, posted at the head of the village, soon forced them to give way leaving all their baggage behind them. Though closely pursued lieutenant colonel Musgrave found means to throw himself with six companies of the 40th regiment into a large stone house, belonging to mr. Chew, directly in the way of the Americans, from which they were very severely galled by a heavy and constant fire of musketry kept up from the doors and windows. Some ineffectual attempts were made to storm this house, in which great loss was sustained; after which, the brigade engaged with colonel Mus

* The commander in chief accompanied this column.

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