As we have just been doing, he sailed down the one bay and up into the other, but was prevented, by these fortifications of the Americans, from continuing on up the Delaware River to Philadelphia.
"Among his vessels was one called the _Roebuck_, commanded by a Captain Hammond.

That officer offered to take upon himself the task of opening a passage for their vessels through the _chevaux de frise_, if Howe would send a sufficient force to reduce the fortifications at Billingsport.
"Howe was pleased with the proposition and two regiments of troops were sent from Chester to accomplish the work.

They were successful, made a furious and unexpected assault upon the unfinished works, and the Americans spiked their cannon, set fire to the barracks, and fled; the English demolished the works on the river front, and Hammond, with some difficulty, made a passage way seven feet wide in the _chevaux de frise_, so that six of the British vessels passed through and anchored near Hog Island." "Did they immediately attack Forts Mifflin and Mercer, papa ?" asked Lulu.
"It took some little time to make the needed preparations," replied the captain.

"It was on the 21st of October that Count Donop, with twelve hundred picked Hessians, crossed the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry, and marched to the attack of Fort Mercer.

The Americans added eight miles to the extent of their march by taking up the bridge over a creek which they must cross, so compelling them to go four miles up the stream to find a ford.
"It was on the morning of the 22d that they made their appearance, fully armed for battle, on the edge of a wood within cannon shot of Fort Mercer.
"It was a great surprise to our men, for they had not heard of the approach of these troops.