a strong wind from the north so checked the rising of the tide that
these vessels could not be floated by the flood. Their situation,
however, was not discerned that evening, as the frigates which were
able to approach the fort, and the batteries from the Pennsylvania
shore, kept up an incessant fire on the garrison, till night put an end
to the cannonade. Early next morning it was recommenced in the hope
that, under its cover, the Augusta and the Merlin might be got off. The
Americans, on discovering their situation, sent four fire ships against
them, but without effect. Meanwhile a warm cannonade took place on both
sides, in the course of which the Augusta took fire, and it was found
impracticable to extinguish the flames. Most of the men were taken out,
the frigates withdrawn, and the Merlin set on fire, after which the
Augusta blew up, and a few of the crew were lost in her.

This repulse inspired Congress with flattering hopes for the permanent
defense of the posts on the Delaware. That body expressed its high
sense of the merits of Colonel Greene, of Rhode Island, who had
commanded in Fort Mercer; of Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, of Maryland, who
had commanded in Fort Mifflin; and of Commodore Hazlewood, who
commanded the galleys; and presented a sword to each of these officers,
as a mark of the estimation in which their services were held.

The situation of these forts was far from justifying this confidence of
their being defensible. That on Mud Island had been unskillfully
constructed and required at least 800 men fully to man the lines. The
island is about half a mile long. Fort Mifflin was placed at the lower
end, having its principal fortifications in front for the purpose of
repelling ships coming up the river. The defenses in the rear consisted
only of a ditch and palisade, protected by two blockhouses, the upper
story of one of which had been destroyed in the late cannonade. Above