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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | National Park in Gloucester County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
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Fort Mercer at Red Bank / Fort Mercer is Alerted
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By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Fort Mercer at Red Bank Marker | | |
Inscription.
[Fort Mercer at Red Bank Side]:
Late in September 1777, Philadelphia was captured by British General William Howe, with a serious disadvantage. Extensive American river defenses blocked the shipping of food and supplies to the British army and citizens of Philadelphia. A major attack was planned against the garrison at Fort Mercer. A British brigade of about 1200 Hessians under Colonel Carl Emil Ulrich Von Donop was ferried over to Coopers Ferry (now Camden) spending the night in Haddonfield.
On the morning of October 22, 1777, Colonel Von Donop and his brigade marched on Fort Mercer. Young Jonas Cattell, an apprentice blacksmith, alerted Colonel Christopher Greene that a surprise attack was imminent. Around 4 P.M., the attack began. Quickly gaining the old northern section of the fort, the Hessians faced another 10 foot wall and abatis of sharpened tree trunks and branches. The disordered Hessians tried to move forward; but the Americans gained the advantage and held the fort. Hessian casualities amounted to over 500, including the mortally wounded Von Donop; while Americans counted 14 killed and 23 wounded out of 600. Many of the wounded, including Von Donop were taken into the Whitall house where they were tended by American doctors and Ann Whitall, who had remained in her home. Colonel Von Donop died in | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Fort Mercer at Red Bank Marker | | |
another house nearby and was interred with remains of his brigade on the battlefield.
The Battle of Red Bank resulted in heavy losses to the British and was a much needed morale builder to Washington’s army, giving new hope and rallying the spirits of the soldiers. This victory coupled with the British defeat at Saratoga, New York, resulted in the French decision to enter the war against Great Britain.
[Fort Mercer is Alerted Side]:
On the night of October 21, 1777, Colonel Christopher Greene, commander of Fort Mercer, was informed that a strong enemy force had landed in New Jersey at daybreak. Young Jonas Cattell, an apprentice black-smith, ran from Haddonfield to the fort, alerting Colonel Greene that an attack was imminent. Cattell’s information gave the commander a decided edge, with preparation time to re-evaluate his position and redeploy his men to best advantage. The result was a much-needed victory for the patriots and a disastrous defeat for the Hessians.
Map A shows the route the Hessians took with placement of many 18th century roads, some of which no longer exist.
Map B interprets the Hessian route relating to today. From Coopers Ferry (now Camden) they marched over “Kings Highway”
1. The old road fell off to south of present Kings Highway crossing Little Timber Creek.
2. Marching over Irish | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Fort Mercer is Alerted Marker | | |
road (Browning Road) they reached;
3. Old Salem road, found the bridge out and turned back to 2, turning southeast they continued to;
4. A road appearing to be a continuation of Davis Road (abandoned after Clements Bridge Road was laid out in 1807), where they crossed Clements Bridge and turned west to;
5. Caufield Avenue, Deptford Avenue, and Hessian Avenue to Fort Mercer.
Erected by Red Bank Battlefield Historical Park.
Location. 39° 52.261′ N, 75° 11.383′ W. Marker is in National Park, New Jersey, in Gloucester County. Marker can be reached from Hessian Road, on the right when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is in Red Bank Battlefield. Marker is in this post office area: National Park NJ 08063, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Mercer (here, next to this marker); Brigadier General Hugh Mercer (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Christopher Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Red Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); James and Ann Whitall House (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Marvin C. Creamer (about 500 feet away); Operations on the Delaware (about 500 feet away); Whitall House (about 600 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in National Park.
More about this marker. | | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Fort Mercer is Alerted Marker | | The Delaware River and the site of Fort Mifflin can be seen in the background of this photo. | | |
The "Fort Mercer at Red Bank" side of the marker contains a map of the fortifications at Fort Mercer. The "Fort Mercer is Alerted Marker" contains two maps showing the Hessian approach to Fort Mercer prior to the October 21, 1777 assault.
Also see . . .
1. Red Bank Battlefield. Account of the action at Fort Mercer during the Revolutionary War. (Submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. Red Bank Battlefield Park and the James & Ann Whitall House, National Park, NJ. (Submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
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By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 5. Map of Fort Mercer at Red Bank | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 6. Map from Fort Mercer is Alerted Marker | | Map A acquired by B & M Division-Library of Congress | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 7. Map B from Fort Mercer is Alerted Marker | | Map B based on research by Mr. Harry Marvin, Mullica Hill, N.J. Fight for the Delaware. | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008 | |
| | | 8. Whitall House | | This house was used for a hospital after the October 22, 1777 battle. Hessian commander Col. von Donop was among those treated here. The house is a short distance south of the marker. | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 609 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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