To the Forks
In 1778, Sir Henry Clinton in New York decided to put an end to the coastal raiding and supply artery and `clean out the nest of pirates'. His objective was to ransack the patriot privateering community at Chestnut Neck, raze the saltworks along the harbor, press on to the Forks of the Mullica where prizes were sold at auction, and destroy the Batsto ironworks.
With nine ships, 300 British regulars and 100 loyalists, Commander Henry Collins and Capt. Ferguson set sail from New York on September 30, 1778.
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Colonists Panic - Image courtesy of Clipart etc
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Encumbered by a storm which aided American intelligence, by the time the British ships were getting stuck on sandbars in Little Egg Harbor, the privateers had either set sail or moved their ships, stores and furniture to the Forks. Locals manned a small platform fort and the Continental Army mustered land defenses which included the Count Pulaski, his Calvary and several militias.
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Colonists Panic - Image courtesy of Clipart etc
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After clearing the inlet on October 5th, the British launched small galleys with as many men as they could fit and started up the Mullica. They easily passed the fort and locals scattered into the pines. At Chestnut Neck, they retook ten captured British ships which they scuttled and burned down the town and storehouses. Two of their ships ran aground and Capt. Ferguson took the opportunity to intercept incoming privateer vessels, conduct raids and burn three salt works. The British anxiously awaited a high tide to exit the inlet, while the Pulaski's troops amassed on Osborn Island.
On October 15th, the British attempted a land approach to the Forks at night, aided by a vindictive Hessian deserter and a young Quaker forced into service as a guide. The troops came ashore and brutally massacred an outpost of at least 30 of Pulaski's men before being interrupted by Pulaski himself and his Calvary. Unable to refloat the Zebra, Collins had to burn his flagship. One month later, Privateer Capt. David Stevens captured the schooner `Friends' and advertised her cargo for sale at the Forks.
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