The Battle of Red Bank, 1777 : How American Defenders of Fort Mercer Repelled Hessian Attacks During the Revolutionary War

The Battle of Red Bank, 1777 : How American Defenders of Fort Mercer Repelled Hessian Attacks During the Revolutionary War

The Battle of Red Bank, fought on October 22, 1777, was a critical engagement during the American Revolutionary War. It occurred along the Delaware River in New Jersey and marked a significant moment where American defenders, vastly outnumbered, successfully repelled repeated attacks by Hessian troops, who were German mercenaries fighting for the British. This battle, part of a broader campaign to control the vital Delaware River, played a crucial role in the larger struggle for Philadelphia, the American capital at the time.

 

To fully understand the significance of the Battle of Red Bank and the defense of Fort Mercer, it’s essential to explore the military context, the strategic importance of the fort, the tactics employed, and the outcomes that followed. This was a moment when the American resolve and tactical ingenuity shone brightly, giving the revolutionaries hope in what appeared to be a losing battle.

The Context: The Philadelphia Campaign of 1777

The Battle of Red Bank took place within the broader scope of the Philadelphia campaign, a major British initiative during the Revolutionary War aimed at capturing the American capital of Philadelphia. In 1777, the British forces, led by General William Howe, sought to demoralize the Americans by seizing their political and logistical center. Philadelphia was home to the Continental Congress and played a significant role in the revolutionaries' ability to communicate, plan, and coordinate their war efforts.

Earlier in 1777, Howe moved his army by sea from New York, landing in Maryland and advancing northward towards Philadelphia. In late September 1777, the British successfully captured the city after defeating George Washington’s Continental Army in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. However, holding Philadelphia came with its own set of challenges. The city relied on the Delaware River for supply lines, and the British needed to control it to keep their newly acquired prize secure.

The American forces, understanding the strategic importance of the river, had constructed a series of fortifications to block British naval access to Philadelphia. Among the most important of these were Fort Mifflin, located on Mud Island in the Delaware River, and Fort Mercer, situated across from Fort Mifflin on the New Jersey side of the river at Red Bank. These forts worked in conjunction with a series of underwater obstacles called chevaux-de-frise, designed to prevent British warships from sailing up the river.

By controlling these forts and the Delaware River, the Americans hoped to starve the British out of Philadelphia, making it impossible for them to hold the city for long. The British, in turn, recognized that they needed to neutralize these defensive positions if they were to maintain control of Philadelphia and secure their supply routes. This strategic contest over the river would lead to the Battle of Red Bank.

Fort Mercer: An Outpost on the Delaware River

Fort Mercer, located at Red Bank on the eastern side of the Delaware River, was a key component of the American defense of the river. It was named after Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, a Scottish-American officer who had died earlier in the war at the Battle of Princeton. The fort was small but strategically placed, overlooking the river and positioned to defend against naval and land-based attacks. Along with Fort Mifflin, it played a critical role in controlling river access to Philadelphia.

Though it was not a large or heavily fortified structure compared to European standards, Fort Mercer was constructed with the idea of maximizing its defensive capabilities. It had earthen walls, a wooden palisade, and artillery placed in positions to defend the river and adjacent areas. The fort was under the command of Colonel Christopher Greene, a Rhode Island officer who would prove himself a capable leader during the battle.

The garrison at Fort Mercer was small, consisting of only around 400 to 500 men, mostly from the First and Second Rhode Island Regiments. They were tasked with holding the fort and preventing British ships from passing up the river. Their position, though fortified, was precarious due to the overwhelming strength of the British and Hessian forces in the region. However, the defenders were determined, knowing that the fate of Philadelphia and the American cause rested in part on their ability to hold the line.

The British Plan: Attack on the Delaware River Forts

Following the capture of Philadelphia, British forces under General Howe understood that securing the Delaware River was essential to maintaining their occupation of the city. Howe dispatched Hessian troops under the command of Colonel Carl von Donop to assault Fort Mercer. Von Donop was a skilled and experienced officer, and the Hessians, who were German soldiers hired by the British, were known for their discipline and combat prowess.

The British plan involved a coordinated attack on both Fort Mercer and Fort Mifflin. While von Donop would lead the land assault on Fort Mercer, the British navy, led by Vice Admiral Richard Howe (the brother of General Howe), would bombard and attack Fort Mifflin. By eliminating these forts, the British could open the Delaware River for their supply ships and secure their hold on Philadelphia.

Colonel von Donop’s force consisted of approximately 2,000 Hessian soldiers, a much larger and better-equipped force compared to the American defenders at Fort Mercer. Von Donop was confident of success, expecting that the fort would fall quickly under the weight of his superior numbers and firepower. However, the terrain around the fort, the fort’s defenses, and the determination of the American defenders would prove to be formidable obstacles.

The Battle of Red Bank: October 22, 1777

On October 22, 1777, Colonel von Donop and his Hessian troops launched their attack on Fort Mercer. The Hessians approached from the land side, expecting to quickly overrun the small fort with their larger numbers. The Americans, under Colonel Christopher Greene, prepared for the assault, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

The Hessians began their attack in the afternoon, bombarding the fort with artillery before advancing in columns. The fort’s defenders, however, had carefully prepared their position. They had reinforced the fort's walls and positioned their artillery to target the advancing enemy. As the Hessians moved forward, they encountered fierce resistance from the Americans, who fired volleys of musket fire and cannons at the attackers.

Despite being outnumbered, the American defenders inflicted heavy casualties on the Hessian forces. The earthen walls of Fort Mercer absorbed much of the Hessian artillery fire, and the defensive position of the Americans allowed them to hold off the attack. The Hessians, unable to breach the fort’s defenses, were forced to withdraw after several hours of fighting.

Colonel von Donop was mortally wounded during the battle, a significant blow to the Hessian forces. His second-in-command attempted to rally the troops, but the Hessians were demoralized by the fierce American resistance and the loss of their commander. By the end of the day, the Hessians had suffered heavy losses, with around 400 soldiers killed or wounded. In contrast, the American defenders had lost only around 14 men.

The repulse of the Hessians at the Battle of Red Bank was a stunning victory for the Americans. Despite being outnumbered and facing a well-trained enemy, the defenders of Fort Mercer had held their ground and dealt a severe blow to the British and Hessian forces. The victory boosted American morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of the American fortifications along the Delaware River.

Aftermath and the Broader Impact of the Battle

The victory at Red Bank was not only a tactical success but also a significant psychological boost for the American forces. The defense of Fort Mercer delayed British attempts to open the Delaware River for their supply ships, further complicating their hold on Philadelphia. The British navy continued its efforts to take Fort Mifflin, and after several weeks of heavy bombardment, the fort eventually fell on November 16, 1777. However, the delay caused by the American defenses at Forts Mercer and Mifflin bought precious time for the Continental Army.

While the British did eventually succeed in opening the Delaware River, the cost of their victory was high. The delay weakened British operations in the region and gave General Washington’s forces time to regroup and prepare for future engagements. Furthermore, the defeat of the Hessians at Red Bank tarnished the reputation of the mercenary forces, which had previously been seen as nearly invincible.

The Battle of Red Bank also had diplomatic consequences. News of the American victory spread quickly, reaching Europe and bolstering the perception that the American cause was not hopeless. This helped solidify French support for the American Revolution, which would prove crucial in the years to come. The French would formally enter the war on the side of the Americans in 1778, providing military and financial aid that would eventually help secure American independence.

Legacy of the Battle of Red Bank

The Battle of Red Bank is remembered as a shining example of American resilience and ingenuity during the Revolutionary War. The successful defense of Fort Mercer by a small force of Continental soldiers against a larger and better-equipped Hessian army demonstrated the effectiveness of well-prepared defenses and the determination of the American forces.

Colonel Christopher Greene, the commander of Fort Mercer, became a hero for his role in the battle. His leadership and tactical decisions were crucial to the American victory, and he continued to serve with distinction throughout the remainder of the war. Fort Mercer itself would be abandoned and destroyed by the Americans after the battle to prevent it from falling into British hands, but the site remains an important historical landmark today.

The Battle of Red Bank serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for American independence and the pivotal moments that shaped the outcome of the Revolutionary War. The victory at Red Bank, though small in scale, had far-reaching consequences, contributing to the eventual success of the American cause and the birth of a new nation.

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