 | CHAPTER IV. The forsaken |  |
4. CHAPTER IV.
For four pounds eight and seven-pence per man,
By England's king—a bargain, as 'tis thought.
Are we worth more? Let's prove it now we can—
For we must beat them, boys, by set of sun,
Or Mary Stark's a widow.”—It was done.
—Halleck.
“We are once again beyond the reach of the red
jackets,” said Mauns, resting on his oars, as he heard
the barges returning, “and though a polished set of
gentlemen, I am not sorry to be rid of their company.”
“I rejoice in your escape, Mauns, more than I do
in my own,” replied Jurian, “for gladly would I be in
my prison again.”
“That is strange! your prison must have been
more comfortable than mine was, or you would never
express a wish of that nature. For my part I am perfectly
satisfied where I am, and they will not catch me
among them again with my own consent.”
“And now I have had time to reflect,” said Jurian,
“my escape may be the means of saving myself.
True, I have been disappointed in what was nearest
my heart, but I may procure the means of redeeming
my honour, and as to Balcarras, another time may
occur.”
This was all unintelligible to Mauns, and was spoken
in a tone that betrayed that he was rather communing
Jurian perceived that poor Miriam had fallen into the
hands of her mother, he abandoned the hope that she
would be able to fulfil the mission she had undertaken,
but as he now had it in his own power, he felt less
chagrin at the absence of Corwin, and being obliged
to leave his honour in the hands of Balcarras. Talman
still rested on the oars, and suffered the boat to
float with the tide.
“You have overexerted yourself, sergeant,” said
Jurian; “permit me to take the oars.”
“My wound pains, sir, a little,” replied Mauns, “or
I would not give my seat up to the best boatman on
the water.”
“I am familiar with your skill,” replied Jurian, “for
many a time have we been fishing and duck-shooting
together, it is therefore useless to make a display before
me at the risk of your health; so exchange seats,
my good fellow.”
“Those were happy times, sir,” replied Mauns,
seating his tall figure in the stern of the boat, while
Jurian took charge of the oars. “Those were happy
times, indeed. There was but one man in all Tinicum
could pull an oar with me. You remember Aoki Shell;
a smart fellow was that Aoki!—he understood drawing
a seine, and was a pretty good shot at fifty yards, but
then he was wonderfully given to bragging.”
“The sheldrake he shot from the Point in the season
of '66 made a good story, and he spoke of little
else throughout the year,” replied Jurian.
“You havn't forgot the sheldrake. What a famous
story he made of it by the time he was done.”
“I remember,” replied Jurian, “the fifty yards had
extended to one hundred and fifty, and the drake had
grown to a swan. But what has become of him?”
“From that day he set up for a marksman,” continued
Mauns, “and considering the game in these
parts too small for a shot like himself, he sold his boat
started for the back settlements, with no property but
his rifle on his shoulder. He since wrote to me that
he was doing well, and was the best shot within fifty
miles of him.”
“That's the way with us all,” said Jurian, “we are
never at rest until we have the reputation of doing
something better than our neighbours, and he is a
happy man, indeed, whose ambition is fully gratified
in being the best shot in a village. Armies have been
slaughtered, and kingdoms overthrown, to attain a distinction
which, in the end, amounted to little more
than this. No one is willing to stand upon a line with
his fellows. From the monarch down to the beggar,
we scarcely meet with one who is not possessed of
some peculiar faculty for which he challenges the admiration
of mankind. The king fills his throne with
unrivalled dignity; another bestrides a horse with superior
grace; a third will hop ten feet backwards; and
the poor beggar who lives on common charity, when
every other source of pride is destroyed, will boast
that he can catch his vermin with greater skill than
another.”
Jurian now plied the oars briskly and with skill, and
as they glided along, Mauns repeatedly reminded him
that he had acquired the art under his tuition. As the
tide was in their favour it was not long before they
arrived in front of fort Mercer, upon Red Bank, at
that time under the command of colonel Green. As
they were stepping ashore, they were hailed by the
sentinel who was seen by the moonlight pacing on the
outworks of the fortification above. Jurian answered
him, and stated that they were prisoners who had just
escaped from the city and wished to gain admittance
into the fort, as they had information of importance to
communicate. In a short time a guard came from the
fort, and the prisoners, in compliance with their wishes,
recognised to the friends by several of the soldiers.
Jurian made known that the enemy had an expedition
on foot, but to what point it was directed, he was unable
to say with certainty; but they had ascertained
that the troops were forming upon the Jersey shore,
under the command of colonel Donop, and fort Mercer
was as liable to the attacked as any other strong hold,
as the British army could not have a free communication
with the fleet, as long as this place, and fort Mifflin, on
the island opposite, remained invested by the Americans.
Of this colonel Green was aware, and plainly foresaw
that an attempt would shortly be made to dislodge him:
but as he knew the importance of his station, he determined
to hold out to the last extremity. A boat was
speedily launched, and the report communicated to
colonel Smith, the commander of fort Mifflin, who disposed
of his slender forces to the greatest advantage,
as he hd every reason to apprehend that in case of an
attack, a desperate and bloody conflict would ensue.
At a late hour the following day, a strong detachment
of Hessians was seen marching along the eastern bank
of the river, until they arrived in the rear of fort Mercer,
where they halted, and formed a line of battle. The
Americans witnessed the formidable array with considerable
emotion, which was not abated, when they beheld
a flag approaching, with a demand to surrender
the fort in the most peremptory terms. Colonel Green
replied—
“I shall defend the fort to the last extremity.”
“Your walls are unfinished and unmanned,” said the
officer, taking a view of the imperfect ramparts.
“The less blood will be spilt upon the occasion,”
replied Green.
“What answer shall I bear?”
“Tell your commander, if he wants the fort, he must
fight for it, and fight bravely.”
The officer with the flag turned his horse and galloped
concluded with stating that the garrison was very
small, and the outworks not half completed. This
information increased the hopes of the rugged Donop,
and in a short time the attack commenced, when the
Americans, finding their number too small to man the
outer intrenchment with effect, in consequenc of its
extent and unfinished state, after a vigorous resistance,
withdrew into the bodyof the redoubt, whichh afforded
a better covering. The Hessians perceiving the fire
from the outward battery to abate, pushed forward, and
mounted the rampart, when a joyful shout denoted that
they imagined they had obtained an almost bloodless
victroy; but a sharp discharge of musketry soon dissipated
the idea, and presented a new aspect of the affray,
for numbers reeled from the breastwork into the ditch
beneath, where they perished. Disappointment aroused
the determination of the assailants, who pressed on, to
avenge the death of their comrades. Thhe conflict every
moment became more sanguinary, and count Donop,
who was charging with great intrepidity at the head of
hhis forces, was wounded and taken prisoner, when thhe
Hessians fell back in dismay, but were soon rallied
again by colonel Mingerode, the second in command.
They marched to the charge withh unfaltering step,
and were met with equal determination by the Americans.
The rattling of musketry was now unceasing,
which was occasinally drowned in the deep thunder
of the cannon, rolling across the river, for the attack
upon fort Mifflin had also commenced with spirit. As
colonel Mingerode had received a dangerous wound,
and several of his best officers were either killed or disabled,
confusion prevailed throughout the ranks of the
Hessians, and after sustaining a loss of five hundred
men, they were obliged to retreat precipitately; in doing
which they suffered severely by the fire of the American
gallies and floating batteries.
A brisk cannonading was still kept up on the Pennsylvania
a portion of the British fleet. The shipping, in consequence
of the obstructions which the Americans had
sunk in the bed of the river, had much difficulty in
reaching the post assigned them, from which they
poured in incessant and heavy fire. The shades of
night were now rapidly approaching, and from fort
Mercer the black hulks of the ships of war were imperfectly
traced on the deep gloom that lay beyond in
the west, except at intervals, when the blaze of a
broadside, like a flash of lightning, illuminated the spot
for a moment, and then passed away, leaving the darkness
more impervious than before. The garrison at
Red Bank were anxious spectators of the scene, for
whatever mighht be the result, it was out of their power
to participate effectually in thhe engagement. Still an
occasional shot was sent booming over the water, to
proclaim to their friends the interest they felt, rather
than as a messenger of ill to the enemy.
Jurian and his companion were contemplating from
the breakstork of the fort the interesting conflict, and
though fatigued by their exertions to repulse the attack
of the yagers, still they were impatient to play a part
in the stirring scene before them.
“We came, sir, in good time to be of service,” said
Mauns. “This, now, is much better than lying idle
in the enemy's quarters.”
“Much better,” replied Jurian, without turning his
eyes from the scene of carnage.
“I should like to be among them,” continued Manus,
“for I am thinking my skill at the oar might come in
play before it is over, and I should be proud to show
them how to manage a boat on suc an occasion.”
Jurian smiled at the remark of the hhonest Swede
but made no reply, while the othher leisurely stretched
his long limbs upon the rampart, and supporting his
head upon his right hand, contemplated the battle in
silence.
“That shot was well directed,” exclaimed Jurian,
as several pieces were simulataneously discharged from
the fort on the island.
“Every grape told, I'll warrant you,” responded
Mauns.
“It is hard, sergeant, that we must lay idle with
such a scene in view.”
“Very hard, indeed, sir. If Aoko Shell were only
here with his gun, something might be done even at
this distance.”
“Look there; is not the Merlin shifting her moorings?”
“She is; she must have had a warm berth of it
where she lay.”
“And had she continued longer, Mauns, she might
have been cooled in hte water.”
The dark form of the vessel was now seen slowly
moving down the river, and when she had arrived beyond
the reach of the fort, the firing ceased for a brieinterval.
“She is a cripple, sergeant, and walks as it were
uponcrutches through the water.”
“Rather like a red-neck, sir, with a broken wing,”
replied Mauns. “But mark the course she is steering!
Twenty yards farther and she will be upon the bar.”
“They have bad pilots aboard for our waters, sergeant,
that is clear. But why has the firing ceased?
This calm is more awful than the rattling of artillery.”
“True, sir; I must say I like the storm better, and
wish they would finish the business without loss of
time, since it must be settled.”
Mauns had scarcely ceased speaking when the stillpess
of the nighht was again broken by thhe deep-toned
thunder of the cannon, which was succeeded by a sudden
flash of light and a tremendous explosion, which
agitated the river and shook the foundation of the fort
on the Jersey shore. Every eye was turned towards
the spot in fearful suspense, when, bursting through
that one of the vessels was enveloped in that consuming
element. As the flames gained the ascendency,
and were reflected in the water beneath, the
light was so powerful that the movements of those on
board could be distinctly seen.
“What is the meaning of this, sir?” demanded
Mauns.
“The sloop is aground, and no doubt the crew have
fired her,” replied Jurian. “Bad pilots, sergeant.
They have not fished there as often as we have.”
“I knew she must find the bar, unless she made
short tack of it,” replied Mauns, and shouted “Victory!
victory!” whle every voice in the garrison reechoed
the joyful shout. All was bustle and confusion
on board the hurning ship, and numbers threw themselves
overboard and swam to the nearest vessel,
while others let down the boats and leaping into them,
rowed for life from the scene of destruction. The
American gallies were seen moving to and fro in the
blaze, and pouring a destructive fire upon thhe fugitive
enemy.
“Do but mark thhat boat, sir,” said Mauns, who
watched with increasing interest the movements of the
different craft, “I mean that one nearest the Merlin.”
“I see the boat you mean; but why does that one
in particular attract your notice?”
“There's not a man on board, sir, who understands
the use of the oar, or she would never move through
the water in thhhat lazy fashion. Now, for my part I
dislike to see men pretend to matters they do not understand,
for they only expose themselves, Mr. Hartfield.”
“And they have exposed themselves with a vengeance,
for see, there goes a barge in pursuit of them.”
“It serves them right—Pull away, boy! steady!
There are some knowing ones, I warrant you, at the
oars in that barge, for see how lightly she moves, as
away! There, now, is a sight worth looking after.”
“They gain upon her; the boat must be captured.”
“It serves them right, sir; they should have stuck
to the Merlin, for what have men to expect from a
boat who do not know how to handle an oar?”
The Merlin was scarcely cleared before similar bustle
and confusion prevailed on board the Augusta man
of war, which was also grounded at a short distance
from the other. In a little while the deck was cleared,
with the exception of four or five seamen, who were
busily engaged before they abandoned her. The burning
sloop sent forth so strong and steady a light, that
the dancing waters shone like a sheet of liquid fire, and
reflected every object that passed over their glittering
surface. The cannonading had subsided, but still the
British were annoyed by a discharge of musketry from
the floating batteries. All the shipping, except the two
alredy mentinoed, now withdrew with the utmost expedition,
and when sufficient time had been allowed
them to sail beyond danger, the few seamen who remained
on board of the Augusta descended into a boat,
and rowing down the river, soon disappeared in the
obscurity of the night. The skill they displayed called
forth the admiration of honest Mauns in as great a degree
as the want of it in the former boat had his censure,
and in after-life, whenever he attempted a description
of the attack upon fort Mifflin, these two
boats were sure to carry off the whole interest of his
story.
A dead calm now succeeded, which was only broken
by the crackling of the spars and the roaring of the
flames as they flaunted in the night breeze. The sailors
had not forsaken the latter vessel long before a
second explosion took place, and as the smoke dispersed
the Augusta was discovered to be in flames,
which ascended the rigging with the rapidity of lightning,
to the top of the masts, and presented as imposing
from their galleys, stationed in different parts of
the river. The British had retired to a distance, and
many a proud spirit paced the deck that night with
feelings of the bitterest mortification, and repeatedly
paused to gaze at the consuming vessels, until they
wer burnt to the water's edge.
The following morning the melancholy office of
burying the dead devolved upon the garrison at fort
Mercer; and among others whom they consigned to
the dust was colonel Donop, who led on to the assault
the preceding evening: his wounds were beyond human
aid, and he died shortly after he was taken prisoner,
and was buried beyond the fort, where his tomb
is still to be seen.
Nor in sheet nor in shroud they bound him,
But he lay like a warrior taking his rest,
With his martial cloak around him.”
In the course of the day, Jurian and his companion
left fort Mercer, crossed to the Pennsylvania shore,
and pursued their course towards the main body of the
army, under the command of Washington.
The British commanders were not discouraged by
the unfavourable result of these attempts, for such was
the importance of opening the navigation of the Delaware,
that they resolved to leave no means unassayed
to accomplish it. Accordingly, the garrisons were
almost daily annoyed, until the morning of the 15th of
November, when the whole British fire was directed
towards fort Mifflin, from their land batteies on Province
island, and their shipping in the river. The small
garrison of three hundred men sustained the shock with
intrepidity for several hours, but towards the middle of
the day, the works were battered down, and the ditches
filled with their ruins; their situation now became critical,
and officers and men expected their fate in the
but as the Americans perceived the English were
taking measures for storming the body of the fortress
the following morning, and being sensible that in the
present state of things it was indefensible, they removed
their military stores, fired the barracks, and crossed
the river to Red Bank at twelve o'clock at night, and
the next day the British took possession of the smoking
ruins.
It still remained to dislodge the soldiers of Congress
from Red Bank, before the obstructions of the Delaware
could be entirely removed. This operation was
of absolute necessity; for although occasional vessels
brought scanty supplies of provisions to Philadelphia,
from the country about Chester, where the inhabitants
were well affected towards the royal cause, yet the
scarcity in the city became daily more distressing; and
it was difficult to procure firewood on any terms.
On the night of the 18th of November, lord Cornwallis
marched with a considerable force, and the next
day crossed the Delaware on his way to Red Bank.
Upon the news of their approach, some continental
generals were appointed to give colonel Green, who
commanded the garrison, their opinion as to the expediency
of waiting the attack. They favoured an evacuation,
and wished that he would join them. He answered—“I
shall follow your directions, either to evacuate
or defend the fort. I know what we have done when
the works were not half completed; and now they are
finished, I am not afraid of the event.” But the direction
was to evacuate, which was complied with, though
with manifest reluctance; and the British shortly after
dismantled the fort, and demolished all the works.
The American shipping having now lost all protection,
several of the galleys and other armed vessels took
the advantage of a favourable night, kept close in with
the Jersey shore, passed the batteries of Philadelphia,
and escaped to places of security higher up the river.
precaution to prevent the escape of a considerable number,
which being completely environed, were abandoned
by their crews and fired. The British, having secured
the command of the river, laboured to clear it of all the
impediments with which the Americans had obstructed
the channel.
About the middle of December, after making a general
forage on the western side of the Schuylkill, sir
William Howe determined to retire to winter quarters
at Philadelphia; and Washington, who had fruitlessly
endeavoured to tempt him to an attack, while encamped
on Chesnut Hill, felt the necessity of providing immediate
winter quarters for his suffering, and almost disheartened
troops. He accordingly commenced his
march towards Valley Forge. The season was inclement,
and the soldiers were so ill clothed, that some
were seen to drop down dead with cold, while others,
without shoes and stockings, had their feet cut by the
frozen ground, and left their tracks in blood, from
White Marsh to Valley Forge. After the most painful
efforts, the troops reached their destined quarters on
the 19th of December.
This was the most critical period of the revolution.
The American soldiers were worn down with fatigue and
suffering,—without sufficient food, and nearly naked in
the depth of winter;—disheartened by a campaign
rather unsuccessful, and encouraged in their discontent
by certain officers, who, envious of the commander-in-chief,
in order to tarnish his glory and effect his removal,
readily attributed to him all the privations the soldiery
were doomed to undergo. The victories of the
northern army were enlarged upon, and invidious comparisons
were drawn between Gates and Washington,
to the disadvantage of the latter. He was openly
charged with incapacity, and these slanders were not
confined to private individuals, but were repeated by
men in office, and from the several state legislatures
machinations was to induce Washington to retire in
disgust from the head of the army, and thus make room
for the promotion of Gates to the exalted station. Pennsylvania
was chagrined at the loss of her capital, and
on the report that Washington was moving into winter
quarters, the assembly addressed a remonstrance to
Congress, severely censuring the measure, and plainly
expressing their dissatisfaction at the mode in which the
war had been conducted. Such was the state of public
feeling, when Washington was struggling to keep the
remnant of his exhausted army together, knowing that
the liberties of the country depended upon the event.
The soldiers were too ill clothed to admit of being exposed
to the inclemency of that season, under mere
tents; and when it was proposed that a sufficient number
of huts should be built of logs and mortar, in which
they would find more effectual shelter, some treated the
idea as ridiculous, and few thought it practicable; they
however immediately set about constructing their habitations,
which were erected upon the plan of a regular
city. All was in active motion; some cut down trees,
while others fashioned them, and in a short time all the
barracks were completed, and the soldiers comfortably
lodged.
| CHAPTER IV. The forsaken | |