CHAP. IV. body of militia for the purpose of aiding the 1777. army in Pennsylvania. The success of these exertions, however, by no means equalled the wishes of those who made them. The militia, accustomed to judge for themselves, were of opinion that there was danger of a second invasion from New York, and that their services were more essentially necessary on their eastern frontier, than to the westward. They assembled therefore slowly and reluctantly. About five or six hundred crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia about the time the enemy had crossed the Schuylkill, and were employed in the removal of stores. As the British army approached Philadelphia, they were directed to avoid it by moving up the Frankford road; but the commanding officer having, without apprehension of danger, separated himself from his corps, was taken by a small party of the British light horse employed in scouring the country; on which the regiment dispersed, and made its way by different roads, back again to Jersey.

With much labour general Dickenson had collected two other corps amounting to nine hundred men, with whom he was about to cross the Delaware when intelligence was received of the arrival at New York of a re-enforcement from Europe. It was deemed by the government of that state indispensable to its safety, that he should remain for its defence. He

1777.

returned therefore from Trenton towards Eli- CHAP. IV. zabethtown, and the militia designed to serve in Pennsylvania, were directed to march under general Forman. About six hundred of them reached the army a few days before the battle of Germantown. Immediately after that action they were permitted to return, their impatience to do which was greatly increased by hearing that the enemy were re-enforced in New York.

The object which now principally engaged the attention of both armies was the forts on the Delaware. It was apparent that without obtaining them, general Howe would be compelled to evacuate Philadelphia, and thus abandon the great object of the campaign. His whole force would of consequence be exerted to possess them. General Washington was equally anxious to preserve them, but could not spare from his army a force entirely adequate to their defence.

The loss of the Delaware frigate, and Billingsport, greatly discouraged the seamen with whom the gallies and floating batteries were manned, and whose services were indispensable to the protection of the obstructions in the river. Believing all to be lost, an opinion increased by the intelligence received from their connexions in Philadelphia, the most alarming defection prevailed among them, and several officers as well as sailors, went over to the enemy. This desponding temper was a

CHAP. IV. good deal checked by the affair at Germantown, 1777. and by throwing a garrison of continental troops into the fort at Red Bank called fort Mercer, the defence of which had heretofore been trusted to militia, but in which colonel Greene of Rhode island, with his regiment was now placed. This fort commanded the channel between the Jersey shore and Mud island, and the American vessels lay securely under its guns, from whence they could sally out on the enemy whenever the occasion should require it. The fort at Red Bank required an additional number of men for its defence, and the militia of Jersey were relied on to furnish them. It was also important to form a body of men which should overawe and harass the rear of any detachment which might be employed in the investment of the place, and this corps too could only be supplied by New Jersey.

The present garrisons of Mud island, and Red Bank, though not sufficiently numerous, being composed of troops on whom great dependence could be placed, it was supposed that, through the aid of the obstructions in the river, and the co-operation of the marine force, they might be defended for some time against the utmost efforts of the enemy. To give to the exertions of the vessels the effect expected from them, and of which they were capable, it was necessary to supply the places of the seamen who had deserted, and for this purpose, immediate drafts were directed to be made from the con

tinental regiments of those who were fitted for CHAP. IV. that service; and general Washington also 1777. requested that some unfinished frigates and other vessels which were lying up the river might be sunk. This would prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, who might use them against the fort and fleet, and at the same time would liberate their crews, who might be employed in the American vessels which were in actual service.

These dispositions for the defence of the river being made, the next object was to render the situation of general Howe in Philadelphia as inconvenient and embarrassing as possible, by restraining his intercourse with the country, and cutting off the supplies designed for his army. With this view, the American general Measures detached about six hundred militia over the general

taken by

Washington

Schuylkill, under general Potter, with orders off supplies to watch the country between that river and Philadelphia, Chester, so as to prevent the inhabitants from going with their provisions to the market of Philadelphia, and to cut off small foraging parties of the enemy, which might be sent out to obtain supplies for the relief of those wants which began to be felt by their army. He was also ordered to give notice of any large detachment which might cross the Schuylkill, and to inform himself of the numbers and position of the force stationed at Wilmington, against which post an enterprise was meditated.

CHAP. IV. The militia of the counties on the Delaware 1777. above Philadelphia were also directed to watch the roads in that part of the country, so as to intercept those persons who were indifferent to whom their provisions were sold, provided payment was received in specie.

To render more effectual the exertions of the army to stop those who were seduced by the hope of gold and silver to aid the enemy at this critical time, congress passed a resolution, subjecting to martial law, and to death, all those who should furnish them with provisions, or certain other aids enumerated in the resolution, and who should be taken within thirty miles of any city, town, or place in Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware, which was in possession of the enemy.

These arrangements being made to cut off as much as possible all supplies from the country, general Washington reoccupied the ground from which he had marched to fight the battle of Germantown, in the hope of restraining the operations of the enemy against the forts; or, if he should fail in that object, of being enabled either again to attack them, while weakened by parties detached on that service, or to fall in with such parties, as might be found most advisable.

In the mean-time, general Howe was active in his preparations to attack fort Mifflin from the Pennsylvania shore. Some batteries were