1729. Birthday of Moses Mendelsohn, a learned Jew of Berlin. He was of obscure origin, and became a merchant; but quitted commerce for literature, and acquired great reputation.
1764. John Philip Rameau, a French musician, died. His writings on music procured him the title of the Newton of the science.
1776. Washington, with the remains of his army, entered Philadelphia, after his disastrous defeat at Brandywine. The same night a party of the British made an excursion to Wilmington, took the governor of Delaware out of his bed, and captured a shallop richly laden with public and private property, and the public records.
1784. The Spanish fleet under Don Barcelo, bombarded Algiers. The Spaniards fired 600 bombs, 144 balls and 260 grenades. The Algerines fired 202 bombs, and 1,164 balls. Great damage was done to the city.
1804. The American squadron captured near Tripoli, two vessels laden with wheat for that city.
1806. Edward Thurlow, an eminent English nobleman, died. He possessed a vigorous and active mind, added to close application, which gave him a high rank among the professional men of that day.
1812. Fort Wayne relieved by the troops under general Harrison. The Indians raised the siege with great precipitation.
1813. Edmund Randolph died; whose history is blended with that of his country.
1814. Battle of fort McHenry, near Baltimore. The British, 8,000 men, under general Ross, were arrested in their march upon Baltimore, and general Ross was killed. The fort was bombarded incessantly 25 hours. Total American loss in killed and wounded 173; British official loss 290.
1819. Gebbaral Lebrecht, prince von Blucher, a celebrated Prussian field-marshal, died. He had been 45 years in the army, and for his celerity in the field, was called Marshal Forwards.