Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/426

402 to cross over and attack it, while the fleet cannonaded it in front. Great difficulty was experienced in the outset, in getting the heavy ships of war over the bar, which could be effected only by taking out their guns. At length, on the 28th of June, the whole fleet placed themselves in line, and began a tremendous firing on the devoted fort. Three of these ships, the Sphynx, Acteon, and Syren, were ordered to take up a position to the westward, where they could enfilade the weakest part of the works, and at the same time intercept any succors that might be sent from the city. Had this manœuvre been successful, it would have been impossible for the fort to have held out; but happily for the Americans, the three vessels grounded on a shoal called the Middle Ground, two being with great difficulty got off, and one burned on the following day. This fortunate accident encouraged the spirit of these brave men to the highest pitch, although they were but recent recruits, and exposed for several hours to an incessant cannonade. Amidst a perfect hail-storm of bombs and balls, they coolly and resolutely stood to their guns, and returned the fire of their assailants, until their ammunition gave out.

The intrepid conduct of Sergeant Jasper deserves especial mention; for, when the staff of the flag under which he and his compatriots were fighting, was shot away by a ball, Jasper sprang after it to the ground, fastened it to the rammer of a cannon, mounted the parapet, and in the face of the hot fire of the enemy, deliberately hoisted it anew. Honor to the brave sergeant, and the men who stood shoulder to shoulder with him!

The steady and well-directed fire of the Americans, obliged the British ships to give up their attempt. The Bristol, a fifty gun ship, was twice in flames, and her captain was killed. Lord Campbell, the ex-governor, who served as a volunteer, was mortally wounded, and, at one time, Sir Peter Parker was the only one unhurt on deck. The troops intended to ford the channel, and attack the fort in flank, but were unable to pass over on account of the unusual depth of water, occasioned by a long prevalence of easterly winds. The flank attack by the vessels had also failed, and thus the Americans were enabled to pass over fresh ammunition and succors from the city into the fort. The engagement had lasted from eleven in the morning till nine in the evening, when the British, owing to the failure of two parts of their plan, and the unexpectedly vigorous defence of the Americans, concluded to retire from the scene of action. On the following day, the squadron set sail, to join the British forces, which had assembled in the Bay of New York.

The preliminary steps towards a declaration of independence by the whole country, had already been taken. Every day served to demonstrate the necessity of some decisive action, which should place the Americans and their cause fairly before the world. As early as the 22d of April, the Convention of North Carolina empowered their delegates in Congress, "to concur with those in the other colonies, in declaring