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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Letter from Fort Lee dated October 28, 1776, reports American forces at Fort Washington repelling a British ship with cannon fire on the Hudson River, capturing prisoners and causing enemy casualties, with minimal American losses. Troops in high spirits.
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"A ship moved up the river early in the morning above our lower lines, right opposite Fort No. 1, near old head quarters at Morris's. She began a brisk cannonade upon the shore. Col. Magaw, who commands at Fort Washington, got down an 18 pounder, and fired sixty rounds at her, 26 went through her. The gun was mostly loaded with two balls. She was annoyed considerably by two 18 pounders from the shore. The confusion and distress that appeared on board the ship exceeds all description. Without doubt she lost a great number of men. She was towed off by four boats sent from the other ships to her assistance. She slipped her cable, and left her anchor. Had the tide run flood one half hour longer, we should have sunk her. At the same time the fire from the ships began; they brought up their field-pieces, and made a disposition to attack the lines, but Col. Magaw had so happily disposed and arranged his men, as to put them out of conceit of that manoeuvre. A cannonade and fire with small arms continued almost all the day, with very little intermission; we lost one man only. Several of the enemy were killed, two or three our people took and brought off the field, and several more were left there.
The firing ceased last evening, and has not been renewed this morning.
The troops (of our army) are in high spirits, and in every engagement, since the retreat from New York, have given the enemy a drubbing."
Published by order of Congress, 31st October
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
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What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Fort Lee (Formerly Fort Constitution)
Event Date
October 28, 1776
Key Persons
Outcome
we lost one man only. several of the enemy were killed, two or three our people took and brought off the field, and several more were left there. the ship slipped her cable, and left her anchor.
Event Details
A ship moved up the river early in the morning above our lower lines, right opposite Fort No. 1, near old head quarters at Morris's. She began a brisk cannonade upon the shore. Col. Magaw, who commands at Fort Washington, got down an 18 pounder, and fired sixty rounds at her, 26 went through her. The gun was mostly loaded with two balls. She was annoyed considerably by two 18 pounders from the shore. The confusion and distress that appeared on board the ship exceeds all description. Without doubt she lost a great number of men. She was towed off by four boats sent from the other ships to her assistance. At the same time the fire from the ships began; they brought up their field-pieces, and made a disposition to attack the lines, but Col. Magaw had so happily disposed and arranged his men, as to put them out of conceit of that manoeuvre. A cannonade and fire with small arms continued almost all the day, with very little intermission. The firing ceased last evening, and has not been renewed this morning. The troops (of our army) are in high spirits, and in every engagement, since the retreat from New York, have given the enemy a drubbing.