Fort Mercer - Red Bank, 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.

On the morning of October 22, 1777, Colonel Christopher Greene at Fort Mercer was warned of the impending attack, giving enough time 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 where Fort Mercer once stood, is a simple stone monument with a plaque recognizing General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, whose engineering skills designed this strong defense. The plaque reads:

"Fort Mercer
Red Bank, New Jersey

General Thaddeus Kosciuszko contributed his engineering skills to the fortification of the Delaware River during the American Revolution which prevented the British Navy from entering Philadelphia in the fall of 1777.

This was the second engineering assignment General Kosciuszko received from the Continental Congress.

Designated a Kosciuszko Military Engineering site by THE COPERNICUS SOCIETY OF AMERICA under the authority of a Concurrent Resolution of The U.S. Congress – S. Con. Res. 44. Passed April 1978."

Group that erected the marker: THE COPERNICUS SOCIETY OF AMERICA 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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