1. In 1777, while the British occupied Philadelphia,
Washington made an effort to destroy
their shipping. He caused torpedoes to be constructed
in the form of strong kegs, and launched
in the river, hoping that the tide would float them
against the British ships, when they would explode.
But the British discovered them, and
for a time were greatly frightened. Then they
opened upon them a furious cannonade; and for
the next twenty-four hours they fired at everything
that floated in the water. Mr. Hopkinson,
the author of "Hail, Columbia," has given the
following amusing account of this battle:
2. Gallants attend, and hear a friend
Trill forth harmonious ditty;
Strange things I'll tell, which late befell
In Philadelphia city.
3. 'Twas early day, as poets say,
Just when the sun was rising,
A soldier stood on log of wood,
And saw a sight surprising.
4. As in his maze, he stood to gaze,
The truth can't be denied, sir,
He spied a score of kegs or more
Come driving down the tide, sir.
5. A sailor too, in jerkin blue,
The strange appearance viewing,
First rubbed his eyes in great surprise,
Then said, "Some mischief's brewing."
6. The soldier flew, the sailor too,
And, scared almost to death, sir
Wore out their shoes to spread the news,
And ran till out of breath, sir.
7. Now up and down, throughout the town,
Most frantic scenes were acted;
And some ran here, and others there,
Like men almost distracted.
8. Some fire cried, which some denied,
But said the earth had quaked;
And girls and boys, with hideous noise,
Ran through the streets half naked.
9. Now in a fright, Howe starts upright,
Awaked by such a clatter;
He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries,
"For God's sake, what's the matter?"
10. At his bedside he then espied
Sir Erskine at command, sir;
Upon one foot he had one boot,
And 'tother in his hand, sir.
11. "Arise! arise!" Sir Erskine cries,
"The rebels—more's the pity—
Without a boat, are all afloat,
And ranged before the city!
12. "The motley crew, on vessels new,
With Satan for their guide, sir,
Packed up in bags, or wooden kegs,
Come driving down the tide, sir.
13. "Therefore prepare for bloody war!
These kegs must all be routed;
Or surely we despised shall be,
And British valor doubted."
14. The royal band, now ready stand,
All ranged in dread array, sir;
With stomach stout, to see it out,
And make a bloody day, sir.
15. The cannons roar from shore to shore,
The small-arms loud did rattle;
Since war began, I'm sure no man
E'er saw so strange a battle.
16. The rebel dales, the rebel vales,
With rebel trees surrounded,
The distant woods, the hills and floods,
With rebel echoes sounded.
17. The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made
Of rebel stones and hoops, sir,
Could not oppose their powerful foes,
The conquering British troops, sir.
18. From morn till night, these men of might
Displayed amazing courage;
And, when the sun was fairly down,
Retired to sup their porridge.
19. Such feats did they perform that day,
Against those wicked kegs, sir,
That years to come, if they get home,
They'll make their boasts and brags, sir.