The Siege of Fort Mifflin

Philadelphia belonged to the British and General Howe. Yet the area surrounding the city, and the Delaware River which flowed past Philadelphia, was controlled by George Washington and the Continental Army. Howe desperately needed to find a way to bring food and supplies into the city. To do so, he chose to attack American-held forts along the Delaware. Fort Mifflin, the focal point of the American Defense, came under an intense bombardment. After three weeks of fighting, the British finally conquered the forts but only after a surprising American defense.