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 toColonel Christopher Greene,October 9, 1777As 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.

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Show me all markers in:  National Park, NJ  |  Gloucester County  |  08063  |  New Jersey  |  United States of America

Fort Mercer at Red Bank / Fort Mercer is Alerted
Fort Mercer
Brigadier General Hugh Mercer
The Battle of Red Bank
Flag of Fort Mercer Historical
Archaeology at Red Bank Historical
The Naval Engagement
African American Soldiers
Colonel Christopher Greene
The Soldiers

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