Fort Mercer at Red Bank - National Park, NJ - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

Red Bank was the 400 acre estate of James and Ann Whitall. Built in 1748, the Whitall grounds were seized by the Patriots to built a fort ont he strategic bluffs here on the Delaware River. The house and grounds sat directly across the Delaware River from Fort Mifflin. The American's hoped that a fort on both river banks would be able to stop a naval attack. The fort built here was called Fort Mercer.

By the Fall of 1777, the British had taken Philadelphia, and Washington knew that hindering supplies to the British could be stopped by successful maritime defenses.

In October 1777, Jonas Cattell, an 18 year old Gloucester County Militiaman, was taken captive by an advancing force of 1,200 Hessians, led by Count Carl Emil Kurt von Donop, planning on attacking Fort Mercer to open the waterways for British ships to Philadelphia. Cattell and other prisoners overheard the plans. On the morning of October 22, 1777, the Hessians released the prisoners as they began their march on the fort.

Cattell knew he had to warn Colonel Christopher Greene at Fort Mercer of the impending attack. Knowing the area very well, Cattell ducked through forests, marshes and creeks to reach Greene before the Hessians. This warning was enough for Greene to prepare his Rhode Island regiment for battle.

The attack began late in the day on October 22, 1777 and lasted less than one hour. Although outnumbered 3 to 1, the American forces successfully defeated the Hessian army. The Hessians suffered 200 fatalities, including Count von Donop, while the Americans' count was 37. This was a decisive victory for the American Army.

On the site that used to be Fort Mercer, an informative sign describes the action leading up to, during, and after the Battle of Fort Mercer. It reads:

"Fort Mercer at Red Bank

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 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."

Group that erected the marker: Red Bank Battlefield Historical Park. URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 100 Hessian Avenue National Park, NJ USA 08063

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