Fort Mifflin

 SIR, 

I was obliged to be removed to a house about 3/4 of a mile from the Red Beach and I have made arrangements to be informed of aill events occurring during my absence and also have instructed Colonel Smith and Major Fleury what work they must take charge of. In case the enemy should attack this coast, I would retire to Haddenfield via Burlington, if my sickness prevents me from entering the fort. Notwithstanding I feel great pain, being obliged to write this letter in bed, mу sufferings are only bodily and my mind is continually thinking of the best method of defending the post which has been entrusted to me. It is my opinion that it could be attacked in two
ways, either by an assault or by settling on a part of the island whence they could open a breach. It would be easier to repulse the enemy
if they made an assault than by the last method. I will not speak to you of the assault, although you are unacquainted with the fortifications of
this place, which consist of a wall on one side and wooden fortifications on the other three; the general idea, as it is given, will suffice you, I will then speak to you but of the other kind of attack, at present. Major Fleury informed me that he had sent to His Excellency a representation
of this island and of the fort: be kind enough to see him, having this letter. You will find that out one point of this island opposite Province Island at a place where the enemy has a battery which we call " the hospital battery " for I think it was meant for that. If the enemy wishes to make an attack by rule, they would only have to land at this place, for, notwithstanding it is swanpy, they could remedy this by fascines and gabions. They could then fight with us at a distance of 500 feet; and, as this side of the fort is surrounded but by wooden fortifications,
they would soon make a large breach and reduce us to a great extremity on account of the condition of this side of the fort and by bombs from the opposite side of the river, particularly as we cannot resist them but with two cannons of which, the second is unprotected from the bombardment. The idea of this attack has so struck me that it seems that if the enemy knows our position; and they must know it, if it is true that the engineer who has commenced to fortify this island, is from the enemies' side, they would attack us in this way, for notwithstanding they would lose a little more time, the attack would be more certain and it would not expose the army as much as in an assault; especially as they do not know our forces perfectly, or the works which we have at present. I leave it to your Excellency to judge if my reflections are well-founded or not, but what confirms me in my opinion is the news which was received yesterday that a large number of cars filled with fascines have passed from Philadelphia to the Schuykill, and that they were to be used in the attack on Fort Mifflin. A person who was in this place on Sunday last, told me himself that he had seen these cars and had counted about 200. Now if this news be true what is the use of all these fascines but for the attack beforenamed? 

If the enemy will post itself in this fatal place we must do everything to defeat them during the day; but particularly in the night when they will make false attacks, it will be very difficult to do this; and once stationed it will be almost impossible to force them to retreat. But I repeat and will continue to repeat, that the defense of the fort consists in preventing the enemy from landing, and it is the fleet which can prevent this, especially during the night when the cannons of the fort would not be very useful. I do not know if His Excellency will order the Commodore to join the fleet, neither do I know if it will be convenient or not; but I am sure that if the enemies' ships should protect the descent of the troops, our ships should not engage with them but should attack the boats which contain the troops; for I have been assured that it was not advisable to remove the chevaux de frise. You will be kind enough to translate the important points to His Excellency, for it is he who will weigh and judge of my remarks. 

I will not repeat that a reinforcement of 300 men and 70 artillery men at least are necessary, if we have to defend ourselves ; but as I do not know our General's intentions, I will not insist upon it. You will decide if it is not possible to prevent the enemy from sending troops against this fort or against Province Island. If they determine to remain at Philadelphia, they will try hard to take it. I have already informed you that the enemy has landed at Bottingsport with 300 soldiers. I flatter myself that His Excellency is convinced without the certifying of it by doctors, that I did not leave my post without great necessity. Be kind enough to answer me concerning this, as I would suffer in mind as well as body if I thought you doubted this. 

With profound respect to His Excellency, I am, with all my heart,
Sir Your humble servant
BARON ARENDT.

I forgot to mention that there are 40 men in the hospital not in fighting condition. 

[Addressed:]
      To Colonel Hamilton
            A. D. C. 

[Endorsed:]
      Baron Arendt
            29 Oct 1777