to call together the militia, the answer was returned to the fleet:
"We shall defend the place to the last extremity. Should it be
destroyed, we will perish in its ruins." And, having thus defied the
enemy, the farmers and fishermen who inhabited the town set about
preparing for its defence. The one battery available for service
consisted of two eighteen-pounders and a four-pounder, mounted behind
earth breastworks. The gunners were put under the command of an old
sailor, who had been impressed into the British navy, where he served
four years. The skill he thus acquired in gunnery, he now gladly used
against his former oppressors. It was near nightfall when the British
opened fire; and they kept up a constant cannonade with round shot,
bombs, Congreve rockets, and carcasses until near midnight, without
doing the slightest damage. The bursting shells, the fiery rockets,
and the carcasses filled with flaming chemicals, fairly filled the
little wooden village with fire; but the exertions of the people
prevented the spread of the flames. The fleet ceased firing at
midnight, but there was no peace for the villagers. Militia-men were
pouring in from the country round about, laborers were at work
throwing up breastwork, carriers were dashing about in search of
ammunition, and all was activity, until, with the first gleam of
daylight, the fire of the ships was re-opened. The Americans promptly
responded, and soon two eighteen-pound shot hulled the brig
"Despatch." For an hour or two a rapid fire was kept up; then, the
powder giving out, the Americans spiked their largest gun, and,
nailing a flag to the battery flagstaff, went in search of more
ammunition. The British did not land; and the Americans, finding six
kegs of powder, took the gun to a blacksmith, who drilled out the
spike, and the action continued. So vigorous and well directed was the
fire of the Americans, that the "Despatch" was forced to slip her
cables and make off to a place of safety. That afternoon a truce was
declared, which continued until eight the next morning. By that time,
the Americans had assembled in sufficient force to defeat any landing
party the enemy could send ashore. The bombardment of the town
continued; but the aim of the British was so inconceivably poor, that,
during the three days' firing, no damage was done by their shot. A
more ludicrous fiasco could hardly be imagined, and the Americans were
quick to see the comical side of the affair.