These with some chc-aux-de-frise sunk in the river, and a few gallies, formed all the barrier that Washington could present against the British Navy. The strength of this barrier was soon fuit to a fiery trial. Great preparations were made to attack tlie Americans, at the same instant, both by land and water. Count Donop, with a host of Hessians, was sent over to be in readiness to attack Red Bank, while the tide of flood groaning under their enormous weight, brought up the men of war.

rt Copk-il from onglQai documuai ;a pos-Joihion of the late JoUu ^\'al•d, £-■!., of Boml SL

THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 689

The morning was still, and the heavens overcast with sad clouds -- as if TUture sympathizing with her children, was ready to droj) sliowers of celestial pity on their strifes. No sooner had the ships floated up within three cables length of the fort, than they began a most tremendous (.mhonade; while camion balls and fire-tailed bombs, like comets, fell upon it thick as hail. The gallant Smith and his myrmidons, stood the .shock to a miracle, and like men fighting under the eye of their Washington, drove the two-and-thirty pounders through them, -with such spirit atid success, that in a little time, the Augusta, a heavy 64 gun sliip took fire and blew up, the horrible balloon and many of the crew. Another ship cilled the Merhn, or Black Bird, soon got on the wing, blew up likewise and went off in thunder to join the Angusta. At the same moment Col. Donop, with his Hes-sians, made a gallant attack on the fort at Red Bank. After a few well directed fires, Greene and his men artfully retired from the out-works. The enemy, now supposing the day their own, ruslicd on in ^•ast numbers along a large opening in the fort, and within twenty steps of a masked battery of eighteen pounders, loaded with grape shot and spike nails.