To George Washington from Commodore John Hazelwood, 15 October 1777
From Commodore John Hazelwood
Of[f] Fort Island [Pa.] October 15. 1777
Sir,
I received your Excellencys just now.1 The Enimy have now opened three Batteries on us One from the Mouth of Schuylkill, One just before the Hospital and another opposite Fort Mifflin. That opposite the Fort has thrown several shells but has done no damage as yet. I have apply’d to Colonel Green who is willing to grant me some Men, but must return them as soon as any attack is done. The different attacks that has been made on the Enimies Shipping and their Batteries has reduc’d the Amunition very much. The Navy Board sent off Mr Manuel Eyres sometime ago for some but have not yet received it. The Day before Yesterday Mr James Wharton went off from Fort Mifflin to hurry down some more, and Yesterday Mr Albertson was dispatch’d after them to quicken their motions.2 The Enimies Ships still lay near Billingsport and I believe will not be able to get thro the Chevaux de Frize. We are now sending down two pieces of Artillery by Land to Billingsport to try to anoy their Ships from that place. I am your Excellencys most Obt Hble Servt
John Hazelwood
LS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Hazelwood, 14 October.
2. Emanuel Eyre (born c.1731), a Philadelphia shipbuilder, had been a member of the Pennsylvania Navy Board since February 1777. James Wharton (c.1732–1785), a Philadelphia ship chandler, was appointed commissary of naval stores for the Continental navy in January 1776. The third person sent for ammunition may be Thomas Albertson, who had commanded the Continental schooner Mosquito before it was captured and burned by the British in July 1777.