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!