The people on both sides of the bay and river had heard of his approach and armed bodies of them were gathered at points where an attack might be expected.

There were still among them some of the old soldiers of the revolution, and you may be sure they were ready to do their best to repel this second invasion by their old enemy.

One of these was a bent old man of the name of Jonathan M'Nult.

He lived in Dover, and when, on the Sabbath day, the drums beat to arms, he, along with men of every denomination to the number of nearly five hundred, quickly responded to the call, took part in the drill, and spent the whole afternoon in making ball-cartridges.
"The people of all the towns of the vicinity showed the same spirit and turned out with spades and muskets, ready to take part in the throwing up of batteries and trenches, or to fight 'for their altars and their fires'-- defending wives, children, and other helpless ones.

At Wilmington they built a strong fort which they named Union.
"This spirited behavior of the Americans surprised Beresford, and for three weeks he refrained from any attempt to carry out his threat.
"During that time Governor Haslet came to Lewis and summoned the militia to its defence.