our loss, and of putting our affairs in a more flourishing condition.
Our army has now had the rest and refreshment it stood in need of, and
our soldiers are in very good spirits."

Philadelphia being lost Washington sought to make its occupation
inconvenient and insecure by rendering it inaccessible to the British
fleet. With this design works had been erected on a low, marshy island
in the Delaware, near the junction of the Schuylkill, which, from the
nature of its soil, was called Mud Island. On the opposite shore of
Jersey, at Red Bank, a fort had also been constructed which was
defended with heavy artillery. In the deep channel between, or under
cover of these batteries, several ranges of _chevaux-de-frise_ had been
sunk. These were so strong and heavy as to be destructive of any ship
which might strike against them, and were sunk in such a depth of water
as rendered it equally difficult to weigh them or cut them through; no
attempt to raise them, or to open the channel in any manner, could be
successful until the command of the shores on both sides should be
obtained.

Other ranges of _chevaux-de-frise_ had been sunk about three miles
lower down the river, and some considerable works were in progress at
Billingsport on the Jersey side, which were in such forwardness as to
be provided with artillery. These works were further supported by
several galleys mounting heavy cannon, together with two floating
batteries, a number of armed vessels, and some fire ships.

The present relative situation of the armies gave a decisive importance
to these works. Cutting off the communication of Howe with his
brother's fleet, they prevented his receiving supplies by water. While
the American vessels in the river above Fort Mifflin, the name given to