CHAP. XXX.

CHAP. XXX.

Lord Howe, who had arrived in America during the last year as Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Naval Forces, was united with his brother in a civil, as well as a military commission. Exerting the conciliatory influence of the former, they proclaimed to the deluded, these tenders of forgiveness which emanated from their power. The term "guilty," however, was not understood by the Americans, who, from the era of general independance, qualified every individual action as proceeding under the sanction of a Free Government. Of course these well meant offers produced but little effect.

After many battles and skirmishes between the contending parties, in which British valour was ever conspicuous, and the resources of General Washington uniformly great, Long Island, New York, and Rhode Island, were subjected to the Royal dominion, and the Jerseys over run by our forces. They in turn, however, met with reverses, which must always be expected in war. To follow all those movements is not within my range.

General Howe having used every means of the most consummate Officer to bring the enemy to a decisive battle, was as often eluded by caution.

He accordingly aimed a blow at another quarter, and with this view embarked a very powerful force, headed by himself. This eventually proved against Philadelphia, which fell, after several conflicts of the most brilliant kind, but particularly that of Brandy-wine.

Soon after, having gained that place, the rebels moved the Delaware frigate of 32 guns, a number of gallies, gondolas, and other armed vessels, to incommode the construction of the different batteries that were carrying on for the protection of the town. That ship anchored within 500 yards, but the tide falling she grounded, when the British troops brought their field pieces against her, which compelled her to strike. Captain, now General Averne, a gallant Officer, and one of the worthiest of men, at the head of his company, immediately took possession of her. The Grenadiers of both the Marine Battalions had been incorporated with those of the Army, previous to leaving Halifax, had hitherto been united in their duties, and formed a part of that force, which, under Lord Cornwallis, entered Philadelphia.

Lord Howe, upon learning these successes, judged it proper to move his fleet and the transports, to concur in any future operations, and to give the supplies of which the Army stood in need, by means of the river Delaware. The progress of such a number of shipping through so dangerous a navigation, was highly difficult, but it was carried on under his Lordship's immediate auspices, and with superior ability as well as skill. Owing to the numerous batteries constructed by the rebels, the passage to Philadelphia could not be attempted, which obliged the whole fleet to anchor from Reedy Island to Newcastle, along the Pennsylvania shore. Independent of the most formidable works, they had sunk within the reach of their guns, machines of the strongest kind, similar to chevaux de frize, as pointing in every direction, and those headed with iron. No attempt, however, could be made to remove them, until their batteries were gained on both shores of the river.

At the urgency of Captain, now Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, who had reached the Delaware before Lord Howe, the Provincials were driven from Billing's Fort, where they were raising works, and preparing obstacles against the passage of the squadron. Captain Hammond was peculiarly active in removing every hindrance, though opposed by the enemy's Marine force.

As the supplies of the Army depended upon an intercourse with the fleet, it became incumbent to carry Mud Fort Island, properly so called, from its having been an accumulated mass of mud and sand, a flat marshy spot, near to the junction of the river Schuylkill.

It was necessary also to attack Red Bank, on the opposite shore of New Jersey, where the enemy had constructed a very strong redoubt, filled with heavy artillery.

In co-operation with a powerful fire against Mud Fort, from some guns planted on the Western, or Pennsylvania side, an attack upon it and the rebel craft was resolved on. For this service, the Augusta, of 64 guns, and Merlin sloop were allotted.

Owing to the navigation of the Channel being altered by the sunken obstacles which every where presented in deep water, both ran aground, as the bed of the river was also affected by them. This did not restrain Captain Reynolds, now Lord Ducie, from maintaining a heavy cannonade against the American works and vessels, or from successfully combating the effects of some fire-ships that approached for his destruction.

The Augusta, either from a red hot shot, or her own wadding, was, after a warm contest, in flames, which suspended every hostile effort, and turned the attention of most to their own preservation.

Amidst the awful conflagration, and an incessant discharge from the rebels, Captain Reynolds retained his intrinsic coolness. After each had consulted his own safety, and no hope remained of stifling the flames, he continued alone, alternately took off his coat, waistcoat, and stock, placed them on the gangway, and committed himself to the deep. Heaven interposed at this perilous moment, and preserved a life, which was subsequently marked by the most gallant deeds, and is still prolonged to justify the goodness of Providence, by the display of every virtue that can adorn human nature. Captain, at present Major General Barclay, of Marines, was a companion in this trying scene, and was much distinguished for his steady conduct. The Merlin was also destroyed.

This fatal attempt by sea, was alike disastrous on the part of the Army. A well-concerted and bold attack upon Red Bank, by a large Corps of Hessians, terminated in repulse and a heavy loss. Unfortunate as was the issue of both, still each department well merited a sprig of the laurel.

From the importance of the object, the views of our Commanders were renewed against these strong posts. The exertions of the Officers and Seamen of the Fleet were great, and toilsome in transporting cannon and stores to a small morassy spot, named Province Island, which would effectually disturb the enemy. Having opened fire from it, and a fair breeze springing up, a well-digested plan of naval attack was carried into effect.

Proceeding by different channels, the ships were brought against various points of Mud Fort, and other branches of defence, upon the 15th of November, when, after a long destructive cannonade, the rebels deserted it in the night. Captain Cornwallis, in the Isis, shewed much judgment and spirit upon this occasion.

A detachment from the Army having been also directed against Red Bank, the Americans hastily withdrew, after partly destroying the works, but leaving their artillery and stores. They also set fire to many of their vessels on the river.

Thus was a way, in some degree, opened for supplies to the troops in Philadelphia.

General Washington, who had followed the Royal Army, remained in its vicinity, but constantly resisted every effort in bringing him to a general action.

The unhappy issue of the expedition under Lieutenant General Burgoyne, previous to this era, threw a general damp, and accelerated the decision of France in entering the list against us. By apparent and occasional concessions, that insidious Power observed a temporizing system, until she had attained the means of following up her hostile views. So suspicious were her designs, however, that considerable armaments continued to be carried on in our ports.

During this period of national despondency, the towns of Liverpool and Manchester nobly stepped forth in aid of their Country. Each tendered 1000 men, which was accepted, and their patriotic example was diffused throughout the land.

Involved in a civil contest, the natural energies of Britain were paralyzed by the floating hopes of reconciliation, and an enfeebling compassion towards her American fellow-subjects.

An unhappy faction continued also to oppose our ill-guided councils, at this awful crisis, from which the rebels derived a fatal, but animating spirit. No true Englishman can throw an eye upon the transactions of that momentous era, without the most poignant reflections for his suffering country.

Long may the sad precedent, and its baneful results, be stamped on every heart! May the imperious obligations of fidelity to our King, and general union amidst public danger, be coeval with the age at which every Briton is taught his duties to his God!