At day break the Enemys batteries began a vigorous fire upon the Fort, and the Fleet set Sail to come up with the Tide. One of their Vessels A and two Sloops b b advanced between Hog Island, and the northern point of Tinicum, near 1000 Yards from the grand Battery.¹

The Six other Vessels and the Galley carrying a 36 pounder,² approached the Chevaux de frise at the distance of 600 Yards from the Fort, we fired upon them with red-hot bullets.

at 8 OClock their Fire began seconded by that of the Land-batteries, and a quarter of an hour after, two Sloops carrying eight pieces of 32 and 24, brought their guns to bear on the right of our battery, and after many successive broad-sides ruined our parapet, and dismounted one of our Guns, there being only two Embrasures on that side—The Musquetry of the Tops hinder'd the Canoniers from remaining on the Platform; and the Land batteries making a cross-fire with the Vessels render'd the right of the battery untenable. However Cap^t. Lee who commanded the Artillery, and Major Fleury who commanded the Infantry appointed for firing at the Tops—did not abandon this part of the right of the battery, 'till all their men were either kill'd or wounded and the Cannon broken to pieces—

Cap^t. Dickinson commanded two Guns on the left of the Battery, and Cap^t. Lees Lieutenant, the Center—

Major Thayer our Commandant was present every where—Major Thalbot commanded the infantry in the interior work—

at 11 OClock, Ammunition began to fail, and Major Thayer order'd the blue Flag to be hoisted as a Signal of distress to the Fleet—Major Fleury the Commissary and some Voluntiers ran to the Magazine, and after searching found a 32 p^dr's Cartridge and several 18 p^dr Cartridges—and the Fire was renewed—

In conformity to Major Thayers order they were lowering the Flag in order to hoist the Signal of Distress—but Cap^t. Lee and Major Fleury ran to hinder it, entreating Major Thayer rather to send off boats from the Wharf, than make a Signal which would discover our weakness to the Enemy—the Major approved and the Flag was hoisted again—The Enemy had slacken'd their Fire a moment, doubtless thinking that we were preparing to surrender—but our Cannon undeceived them—

It was one OClock—our Arnunition was exhausted—and we had only two Guns fit for use, the rest were dismounted, some even shatter'd to pieces-our Parapet was destroyed—one of the Sloops station'd towards the middle of the Fort, demolished our Bank and level'd our Palisades—a Body of Troops appeared on the opposite Shore ready to embark—our Garrison was [ ]³

The Major call'd a Council ofwar at 2 OClock, composed of Major Talbot, Major Fleury, Cap^t. Lee, Captain Dickinson & another Captain—The Result was—Supplies of Amunition or Boats.

The Enemy's Fire continued furiously and ours languidly from two Pieces of Cannon—the Wall was half demolished—The Blockhouses flew about in splinters—a Piece of Timber torn from the Blockhouse on the right, struck down Capt. Lee and Major Fleury who were standing near a Gun, the former was kill'd and the latter remain'd senseless—

Major Talbot who ran to their Assistance was wounded with two Grape Shot in the thigh and Arm—

The Fire continued till night, and Ferry boats arriving instead of a Reinforcement—The Amunition, Provisions and Arms were carried off, the Cannon spiked—the Carriages broke—the Barracks set on fire—and at half after eleven the Garrison evacuated the Fort, and at the same time the Oars of the Enemys boats were heard—bringing on Troops to attack our ruined Palisades—