She blev/ up, however, while the second lieutenant, the chaplain, the gunner, and several of the crew were yet on board, most of whom perished. The Merlin was now set on fire and abandoned ; the Roebuck and the other vessels dropped down the river, and had kept up a brave defence against batteries directed by the enemy on the Pennsylvania shore. A reinforcement of \%ginia troops made the garrison between three and four hundred strong.

Floating batteries, galleys and fire-ships, commanded by Commodore Hazlewood, were stationed under the forts and about the river.

Fort Mercer had hitherto been garrisoned by militia, but Washington now replaced them, by four hundred of Gen. Vaniurn's Rhode Island

a l)t'Cliaste!!ux, vol. i. p. 206. "Doaop was rorrihly woandecl and takoii to the housL' of a Quaker iiLMf t)v. yiXwxo lie e.xpirpil tluee ilays afterwarcls. Ho was huiit-a wiMiiu tli'' ft>rr. .V low v-uM -.i'jo'hls!) u-j WL-re ilisiiiti rreil. ;iiid ^ii skiili was takeu posscssiju uf by a >ow Joiscv iiliT.T;.;id:i."-- l.o.-:5ii.t.'',i Uiat. of X. S.

THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 69 1

Continentals. Col. Christopher Greene, was put in command j a brave oniccr who had accompanied Aniold in his rough expedition to Canada, and fought valiantly under the walls of Quebec. ''The post with which you are intrusted," wTites Washington in his letter of instructions, "is of the utmost importance to America. The whole defence of the Delaware depends upon it ; and consequently all the enemy's hopes of keeping Philadelphia, and finally succeeding in the present Campaign."