BGuthrie Photos: NJ -- Red Bank Battlefield

NJ -- Red Bank Battlefield:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. RBB_161003_008.JPG: Welcome to Red Bank Battlefield! Red Bank Battlefield is a service of the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders. This is the first stop on the 41-mile Oughta See an Otter Birding & Wildlife Trail. Red Bank Battlefield is the perfect starting point for a day or more of outdoor exploration and wildlife viewing. Walk the trails and go inside to see exhibits and meet the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Pick up all three Birding & Wildlife Trails brochures, which include detailed directions for the trail below, as well as eleven other driving routes.
2. RBB_161003_014.JPG: Operations on the Delaware When the Revolution began, Congress ordered construction of river defense systems to protect Philadelphia against a sea attack. A system of cheveaux-de-fries, a series of underwater obstructions, was developed. These consisted of large coffers (boxes) made of pine logs lined with planking. Long, heavy poles with iron tipped spikes projected out of the coffers at a 45 degree angle. The coffers were floated to strategic positions in the Delaware, filled with rock and sunk just below water level to impale enemy ships sailing upstream. The Pennsylvania Council of Safety oversaw planning and construction of the fortifications, which included the cheveaux-de-fries, land batteries, and a navy to guard the river. Three sites were selected: Fort Mifflin, Fort Mercer at Red Bank and Billingsport. Row galleys were designed by Philadelphia shipwrights and formed the backbone of the Pennsylvania navy. The fifty-foot boats, with a cannon mounted in the bow, patrolled the river. On October 23, 1777, the day after the victory at Red Bank, the 64 gun British warship Augusta exploded and sank down river under heavy American attack. The similar loss of the Merlin, a sloop carrying 18 cannons, and the victory of Colonel Christopher Greene delayed the British attempt to clear the river defenses.
3. RBB_161003_026.JPG: The Medicinal Garden Red Bank Battleﬁeld "Here was a pitiable sight. About 200 were laying on straw in two large rooms, some without arms or legs and others again with their limbs crushed like mush . . . . some floated in blood and told me that some had died for lack of something to bandage their wounds with. While I was there several men died in great agony and convulsions. . . " -- Nicolas Collin, a Swedish minister from Swedesboro, 1777 Following the battle, the Whitall's home served as the field hospital for hundreds of injured Hessian soldiers. Surgeons were limited in how they could treat the injured. Amputation was common and infection expected. Doctors did not understand the importance of sanitation in surgery. Surgeons looked to nature to provide many of their treatments. This garden contains many examples of medicinal herbs available to physicians at the time. They used lamb's ear as bandages and willow bark to treat pain and fever. Ann Whitall actually refused to leave her home during the battle. While no historical documents exist, descendants of the Whitalls claim Ann treated the wounded and chastised them for their war-like ways.
4. RBB_161003_037.JPG: Welcome to Red Bank Battleﬁeld Park! Red Bank Battlefield Park is a 44-acre park administered by Gloucester County's Department of Parks and Recreation. Enjoy our scenic walking trails, beautiful views of the Delaware River, and tours of The Whitall House and Red Bank Battlefield. In 1777, Red Bank became home to Fort Mercer. The combined troops stationed here and at Fort Mifflin, on the opposite bank of the Delaware River, worked to stop British ships from sailing to Philadelphia. In October of that year, the vastly outnumbered American forces decisively defeated Hessian troops fighting for the British. Whitall House served as an American field hospital. The Red Bank Battlefield, including the Whitall House, was named a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
5. RBB_161003_050.JPG: Whitall House -- Built 1748 -- Col. Carl von Donop and his Hessians were treated here for wounds after their defeat at the siege of Red Bank, Oct. 22, 1777.
6. RBB_161003_063.JPG: This memorial is dedicated to all military veterans, militia, reservists and national guards who served our nation honorably. From the people of National Park, NJ, 1983.
7. RBB_161003_068.JPG: The Aftermath Red Bank Battleﬁeld "Ye English soldiers came . . . They took two mares from me . . . and while the army was passing they came in and took our bread, pie, milk, cheese, meat dishes, cups, spoons, and then took shirts, sheets, blankets, coverleds, stodking, breeches. . . . " -- Job Whitall, Nov 21, 1777 "The Forts at Province Island and Red Bank have been defended with a Magnanimity, which will give our Country a Reputation in Europe." -- John Adams to Abigail Adams The once lush Whitall farm lay in ruins following the battle. Decimated orchards, unmarked graves, and blood-stained floors remained stark reminders of the price of war. In November, Fort Mifflin fell to the British and the Americans abandoned Fort Mercer. British forces lay waste to what was left of the fort and pillaged the Whitall home for supplies. It would not be until the spring of 1778 that the Whitall family could begin rebuilding their business and their lives. Despite the ultimate abandonment of Fort Mercer, the victory at Red Bank was significant for two reasons: 1) It allowed Washington's forces the necessary time to establish camp at Valley Forge; 2) The victory persuaded the French to enter the war on the side of the Americans. James Whitall never forgave the Americans for their actions on his property. He petitioned the New Jersey legislature for reimbursement – reimbursement which never came.
8. RBB_161003_086.JPG: The Naval Engagement Red Bank Battleﬁeld While the battle raged at Fort Mercer, American and British naval forces engaged in intense fire on the Delaware River. Earlier in the fall of 1777, American forces had sunk chevaux de fries (racks of wooden, spiked spears) in the Delaware River, which proved difficult for British ships to navigate. During the conflict, two British ships caught fire after running aground: the Augusta and the Merlin. The Agusta exploded the next day – a blast so loud it was heard as far north as Germantown in Philadelphia. The park displays multiple cannons and a portion of chevaux de fris recovered from the Delaware River. "[She] suddenly took fire at the stern, and in a moment She was in a blas�, & soon after blew up, with a thundering noise. . . " -- Jeremiah Greenman, 1777
9. RBB_161003_100.JPG: Brigadier General Hugh Mercer Soldier – Patriot – Physician for whom Fort Mercer was named in the spring of 1777 Born 1725, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Died Jan. 12, 1777, Princeton, N.J. Presented October 25, 1970 to the County of Gloucester by members and friends of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia of which General Mercer became a member in 1757. Carl Lindborg Artist • Sculptor
10. RBB_161003_102.JPG: General Mercer leading troops in surprise attack on Hessians at Trenton, Dec. 25, 1776.
11. RBB_161003_105.JPG: Lindborg
12. RBB_161003_107.JPG: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." -- Thomas Paine
13. RBB_161003_109.JPG: Blowing up of British frigate Augusta off Fort Mercer, Oct. 23, 1777
14. RBB_161003_115.JPG: General Mercer refusing to surrender, mortally wounded at Princeton, Jan. 3, 1777.
15. RBB_161003_118.JPG: "The ground of Liberty must be gained by inches." -- Thomas Jefferson
16. RBB_161003_120.JPG: Hessian attack on Fort Mercer Oct. 22, 1777. Col. Greene in command of victorious defenders.
17. RBB_161003_127.JPG: Fort Mercer Red Bank Battleﬁeld "The post with which you are entrusted is of the utmost importance to America . . . The whole defense of the Delaware absolutely depends upon it . . . " -- General George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, October 9, 1777 As early as the spring of 1777, American forces approached James Whitall to purchase his property for the construction of a fort. The high bluffs of the Whitall property provided a strategic location for controlling access to the river. The Whitalls refused to sell their property. Their Quaker faith prevented them from choosing sides in the war. This did not stop the American forces from seizing the Whitall's property. The Whitalls watched helplessly as soldiers ransacked their farm, taking cattle and supplies from their home. Their vast fruit orchards became the building materials for the newly constructed Fort Mercer, named after the Battle of Princeton hero, Hugh Mercer. The earthen fort became part of their river defense system which included Fort Billingsport to the south and Fort Mifflin located directly across the river. Together, the three forts worked to keep supplies from getting to the British who had occupied Philadelphia in the fall of 1777.
18. RBB_161003_140.JPG: Dedicated to Frank H. Stewart by the citizens of Gloucester County as an expression of their gratitude and esteem for his high character, leadership and patriotism in giving so generously and devoting so much of his rare ability toward perpetuating the historical heritage of old Gloucester County organized 1686. Dedicated October 19, 1941
19. RBB_161003_151.JPG: Gloucester County Commission on Women Honors women who have made a difference in Gloucester County
20. RBB_161003_170.JPG: The Battle of Red Bank Red Bank Battleﬁeld "Fire low men, they have a broad belt just above their hips – aim at that." -- Colonel Christopher Greene, October 22, 1777 On October 22, Colonel Carl von Donop advanced 1,200 Hessians on Fort Mercer. Dramatically outnumbered, American forces held the fort with 100 soldiers. They did, however, possess a distinct advantage. The previous day, a young American soldier named Jonas Cattell had overheard Hessian soldiers in Haddonfield discussing their plans to assault the fort. Cattell, a local hunter known for his knowledge of the South Jersey backwoods, ran ten miles to alert Greene's men. The Americans were extremely well prepared, despite their lack of men and inflicted heavy losses on the Hessians. It's estimated that 400 Hessians, including von Donop, died during the battle. Most of the dead were buried on the Whitall property, including von Donop.
21. RBB_161003_176.JPG: The Flag that flies above is a reproduction of the Flag of Fort Mercer This flag was the lanyard at the Battle of Red Bank in 1777. There is no known reason the flag was designed in reverse of Old Glory. This flag was donated and maintained by members of: The Ancient Order of Hiberians The Commodore John Barry Division 1 Gloucester County, New Jersey
22. RBB_161003_187.JPG: This cannon was presented by the John W. Hannold Family from the British frigate Augusta Oct. 23, 1977 Installed by the Gloucester County Historical Society
23. RBB_161003_198.JPG: Colonel Count Carl von Donop of Hesse Cassel mortally wounded in the assault of Fort Mercer died as he himself avowed a victim of his own ambition and the avarice of his prince October 28, 1777
24. RBB_161003_201.JPG: Upon this spot on October 22, 1777 Colonel Christopher Greene of the First Rhode Island Continentals with four hundred officers and men of the First and Second Rhode Island regiments successfully defended Fort Mercer against an assault of two thousand Hessians in the British service. The attacking force was disastrously defeated with the loss of its commander Count von Donop thirty-six officers and nearly six hundred men. The American loss was thirty-seven.
25. RBB_161003_203.JPG: Colonel Christopher Greene of Rhode Island, defender of Fort Mercer, a continental soldier from the beginning of the Revolution who fought for his principles and died for his country. Was killed in combat with Delancey's Tory Light Horse near Pines Bridge Westchester County, New York may 14, 1781.
26. RBB_161003_206.JPG: This monument to commemorate a signal success of defensive arms by the patriot forces of the Revolution was erected in pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of New Jersey passed March 30, 1905.
27. RBB_161003_209.JPG: African American Soldiers Red Bank Battleﬁeld In 1819, Prince Bent, "a man of collour," signed a sworn affidavit that he served with Dick Potter (another "man of collour") in Colonel Christopher Greene's Rhode Island regiment and that the two had fought together at Red Bank. Bent, a former slave, had been born in Africa in 1760 and served with Potter, a freeman, throughout the Revolutionary War. The Rhode Island Regiment is frequently referred to as the "Black Regiment" because in 1778, Rhode Island officially authorized the recruitment of African American soldiers, but we know from muster records that as early as 1777, African Americans already served with Colonel Greene. These muster rolls reveal a fascinating group of men including former slaves, Native Americans, and freemen who fought together to defend the Delaware River. This diverse lot, including Dick Potter and Prince Bent, helped to inflict one of the heaviest losses on the Hessians in the Revolution. Richard Potter did serve in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy. " . . . this indigent application . . . is now very meanly clad, so much so as to appear indecent and has no means of subsistence . . . . an early disposition of his case . . . will be the only remedy that can rescue him from Public or private Charity." -- Pension application, 1822, of Richard [Dick] Potter, veteran of the Battle of Red Bank
28. RBB_161003_221.JPG: The Soldiers Red Bank Battleﬁeld "This day was especially sad for me. I lost five of my oldest friends . . . . As long as I have served, I have not yet left a battlefield in such deep sorrow." -- Captain Johann Edward Ewald, Hessian soldier The Battle of Red Bank pitted the American forces of the First and Second Rhode Island Regiments against German soldiers known as "Hessians." England's King George hired German soldiers to fight for the British when he could not fill the ranks with enough British soldiers. About 30,000 Hessians fought in the Revolution. The Hessians were not volunteers. They were conscripted. The Continental Congress actually offered 50 acres to any Hessian who deserted. If caught though, they could face execution. The American forces included the First Rhode Island Regiment led by Colonel Christopher Greene and Second Rhode Island Regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel Israel Angell. Following the Battle of Red Bank both Greene and Angell campaigned to allow African American troops in their regiments. The Rhode Island Regiment became the first unit to allow African American soldiers. Colonel Greene died in 1781 at the hands of Loyalists. He died fighting alongside African American troops. His body was mutilated possibly because of his advocacy for African American soldiers.
29. RBB_161003_229.JPG: The Casualties Red Bank Battlefield As the battle for Fort Mercer was concluding on October 22, 1777, the sun was setting and the wind was blowing so hart from the north, it held out the tide water of the Delaware River. Hessian Lt. Colonel Wurmb ordered the Jager Corp to the edge of the woods to cover the retreat. These were marksmen with rifled guns who would shoot any American that showed himself. Two American sergeants, George Babcock and John Gould saw that the battle had been a great victory. They prematurely mounted the rampart to celebrate and were mortally wounded by the enemy's last discharge. They were two of only 14 killed and 21 wounded Americans reported to George Washington on the 23rd of October. The Hessian casualties were 151 killed and 266 wounded. As time passed the death totals would increase and wounded totals decrease.
30. RBB_161003_249.JPG: This monument was erected on the 22 Oct 1829 to transmit positively a grateful remembrance of the patriotism & gallantry of Lieut Colonel Christopher Greene who with 400 men defeated the Hessian army of 2000 troops then in the British Service at Red Bank on the 22nd Oct. 1777. Among the wounded was found their commander Count Donop who died of his wounds and whose body is interred near the spot where he fell.
31. RBB_161003_257.JPG: A number of the New Jersey & Pennsylvania Volunteers being desirous to perpetuate the memory of the distinguished Officers & Soldiers who fought and bled in the Glorious struggle for American Independence have erected this monument on the 22 day of Oct A.D. 1829.
32. RBB_161003_278.JPG: 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.
33. RBB_161003_324.JPG: You do not have to enter the building to catch the Pokemon!!! You can do it from outside the building!
Wikipedia Description: Red Bank Battlefield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Red Bank Battlefield is located along the Delaware River in National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. It was the location of the Battle of Red Bank in the American Revolutionary War on October 22, 1777. Fort Mercer and its sister, Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania, defended the river and prevented the British from using it for transportation. The forts successfully delayed the British, but in the end, they were both destroyed or abandoned.

Today the site of the Battle of Red Bank is a part of the Gloucester County Parks system called Red Bank Battlefield Park.

James and Ann Whitall House

The central feature of the park is the James and Ann Whitall House. This structure, a brick and stone house just outside the works of Fort Mercer, served as a hospital for some of the men wounded in the fighting. The house suffered damage during the battle. Ann Cooper Whitall had remained in the house during the fighting and tended to the wounded, earning her the epithet "Heroine of Red Bank."

Park features

Although much of the battlefield has eroded into the Delaware River, some portions of Fort Mercer (named after Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, killed at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.) remain. The prominent historical feature of the park is the remains of the ditch which surrounded the now-gone earthworks. Around these works and along the riverbank are several period cannons, including four raised from the wreck of the British man-of-war, HMS Augusta, and a British sloop, Merlin. The three American cannons facing the Whitall House were found in 1935 buried on the site. Nearer to the Whitall House, a preserved section of the chevaux-de-frise river defenses of the Fort Mercer and Fort Mifflin system is displayed, along with various cannonballs recovered from the battlefield. Several monuments honor the combatants, including a memorial to the fallen Hessian leader, whose remains were buried on the grounds, and a 75-foot (23 m)-tall monument.
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