Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/510

478 was mortally wounded; the second in command also was disabled; and, after a desperate conflict and severe loss, the assailants were compelled to retreat under a fire similar to that which had met them in their advance. Count Donop was made prisoner, and soon died of his wounds.

The affair did not terminate here. That part of the fleet which co-operated in the attack was equally unfortunate. The Augusta, Roebuck, Liverpool, Pearl, and Merlin, vessels of war, had passed through an opening in the lower line of chevaux-de-frise; and, on the commencement of Count Donop's attack, moved up the river with the flowing tide. But the artificial obstructions had altered the course of the channel, and raised sand banks where none existed before. Hence, the Augusta and Merlin grounded a little below the second row of chevaux-de-frise. At the return of the tide, every exertion was made to get them off, but in vain. In the morning, the Americans perceiving their condition, began to fire upon them, and sent fire-ships against them. The Augusta caught fire; and, the flames spreading rapidly, it was with the utmost difficulty that the crew were got out of her. The second lieutenant, chaplain, gunner, and some seamen, perished in the flames; but the greater part of the crew was saved. The Merlin was abandoned and destroyed..

Notwithstanding these misfortunes, the operations requisite for reducing the forts on the river, were carried on with great activity. Batteries were erected on the Pennsylvania bank, opposite Mud Island but from the difficulty of constructing works on marshy ground, and of transporting heavy artillery through swamps, much time was consumed before they could be got ready to act with effect. The British also took possession of Province Island; and, although it was almost wholly overflowed, erected works upon it.

On the 15th of November, everything was ready for a grand attack on Fort Mifflin. The Vigilant armed ship and a hulk, both mounted with heavy cannon, passed up the strait between Hog and Province Islands and the Pennsylvania bank, in order to take their station opposite the weakest part of the fort. The Isis, Somerset, Roebuck, and several frigates, sailed up the main channel, as far as the second line of chevaux-de-frise would permit them, and placed themselves in front of the work.

The little garrison of Fort Mifflin, not exceeding three hundred men, had greatly exerted themselves in opposing and retarding the operations of the British fleet and army against them; and in this desperate crisis, their courage did not forsake them. A terrible cannonade against Fort Mifflin was begun and carried on by the British batteries and shipping ; and was answered by the fort, by the American galleys and floating batteries on the river, and by their works on the Jersey bank In the course of the day, the fort was in a great measure demolished, and many of the guns dismounted. The garrison, finding their post no longer tenable, retired, by means of their shipping, during the night. Two days afterwards, the post at Redbank was