The Battle of Cooch's Bridge-Newark, DE
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 38.462 W 075° 43.941
18S E 437160 N 4388172
On 3 September 1777, approximately 800 Americans forming the “Special Corps” of Brigadier General William Maxwell engaged several thousand Hessian and Anspack “Jagers” (light infantry) and British light infantry in the vicinity of Cooch’s Bridge.
Waymark Code: WM11AQN
Location: Delaware, United States
Date Posted: 09/17/2019
Views: 1
The text on this historical sign is: The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge
On 3 September 1777, approximately 800 Americans forming the “Special Corps” of Brigadier General William Maxwell engaged several thousand Hessian and Anspack “Jagers” (light infantry) and British light infantry in the vicinity of Cooch’s Bridge. Maxwell’ newly formed corps was composed of Continentals from New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as volunteers from neighboring Pennsylvania and militia from New Castle County. Men composing Maxwell’s corps were supposed to be marksman, and many were armed with rifles.
For one week, under orders from General George Washington to “provide every possibly annoyance”, Maxwell corps had harassed and scouted the Crown Forces army. Commanded by General William Howe, the 17,000 man Crown Forces army had landed at the Head of Elk in late August intent on advancing to capture the American capital, Philadelphia.
Advancing along the Glasgow-to-Newark road at about 9 o’clock in the morning, the Crown Forces advanced guard marched into a well-prepared ambush. Elements of Maxwell’s Corps opened fire on the Hessian Jagers from concealed positions along the road. Maxwell’s orders were engage the enemy, force them to deploy, fall back to another defensive position and delay the enemy again.
After the initial surprise, the rifle-armed jagers rallied and overran the first American position in hand-to-hand fighting. A second American line was encountered, stalling the Crown Forces advance. Howe reinforced the jagers with two British light infantry battalions and ordered these troops to out flank the American position. The advance to the right led to a swampy area-today’s Sunset Lake-effectively removing one light infantry battalion from the action. The drive to the left towards Iron Hill was more successful in outflanking the Americans, forcing them to withdraw. Eventually Maxwell’s troops were forced to cross the Christina Creek at Cooch’s Bridge, when Crown Forces artillery came into play, and Howe ordered a charge. Outnumbered, outgunned, disorganized, and low on ammunition, the Americans withdraw towards Christiana, ending the battle.
Casualties on both sides ranged 30 to 40 dead and wounded. British pioneers buried at least 24 Americans on the field in unmarked graves. Among the American officers engaged in the battle were John Marshall (future United States Chief Justice), Thomas Duff of Newport, Delaware, Alexander Martin (later Governor of North Carolina), and Francis Gurney (founder of Dickinson College).
Following the battle the Crown Forces occupied the area from Rittenhouse Park and Iron Hill to Aiken’s Tavern (Glasgow), General Cornwallis established his headquarters at the Cooch House. The Crown Forces encamped in the area for five days and on 8 September marched north through Newark. On 11 September 1777, the two armies met again at the Battle of Brandywine. The local grist mills of Thomas Cooch and Andrew Fisher were used to provide flour to the Crown’s troops, and the Cooch mill was destroyed when the Crown Forces departed.
Sometimes known as the Battle of Iron Hill by American participants, the battle was the opening engagement in the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777.
Researched by Wade P. Catts, RPA
Group that erected the marker: Pencader Heritage Area Association
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Dayetts Mill Road
at intersection with Old Baltimore Pike
Newark, DE USA
19702
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.