Ship Montgomery before Fort Mifflin October 15th. 1777
Last night I received the inclosed Letter.1—The Commodore2 plac'd the Galleys in proper places to prevent a Storm, and the night being very Foggy no attempt was made. The night before last they throw'd up a Battery before the Hospital3 on Province Island. This morning at nine OClock the Fog clear'd away, and they began firing from the Battery at the mouth of Schuylkill,4 the one before the Hospital and from the one opposite Fort Mifflin.5 They have as yet fir'd but few shot, but we suppose they will continue and increase their fire. Every thing will be done to defend the Fort that is possible. Colonel Smith was on board just now, and he not having time desir'd me to send off this information to your Excellency. I am [&c.]
Wm: Bradford
L, DLC, George Washington Papers, Series 4. Addressed: "To/His Excellency/George Washington Esqr./at/Head Quarters." Docketed: "15th: October 1777/ from/Colo. Bradford."
1. Joseph Ellis and Robert Harris to William Bradford, 14 Oct. 1777, ibid. This letter relayed intelligence that five hundred British soldiers were on their way from Germantown, Pa., to reinforce enemy troops on Province Island. According to Ellis and Harris it was the enemy's intention to take Fort Mifflin by storm.
2. John Hazelwood.
3. This hospital was also called the Pest House.
4. Webb's Ferry.
5. The middle battery, Carpenters Island.
