October 22, 1777 - American troops win the Battle of Red Bank. Capturing Philadelphia in late September 1777, Gen. Sir William Howe soon found his supply situation reaching critical levels as Gen. George Washington moved to isolate the city. Howe's situation was made worse as Royal Navy vessels were unable to ascend the Delaware River due to Forts Mifflin and Mercer. While he directed troops to begin preparing for a bombardment of the former, which was situated on an island in the river, he ordered Col. Carl von Donop (right) to take a force of 1,200 Hessians across to New Jersey to assault the latter which was located in Red Bank and garrisoned by around 400 men. Approaching Fort Mercer on October 22, von Donop called on the fort's commander, Col. Christopher Greene, to surrender. After having his demand refused, von Donop launched simultaneous attacks on the fort from the north and south. Meeting intense resistance, both failed with heavy losses and von Donop was mortally wounded. Retreating, the Hessians re-crossed back to Pennsylvania. A morale boosting win for the Americans, the euphoria proved short-lived as British forces captured Fort Mifflin on November 16 and compelled Fort Mercer's abandonment on November 20 opening supply lines to the city.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
American Revolution: Victory at Red Bank
From AboutAmericanRevolution: American Revolution: Victory at Red Bank
October 22, 1777 - American troops win the Battle of Red Bank. Capturing Philadelphia in late September 1777, Gen. Sir William Howe soon found his supply situation reaching critical levels as Gen. George Washington moved to isolate the city. Howe's situation was made worse as Royal Navy vessels were unable to ascend the Delaware River due to Forts Mifflin and Mercer. While he directed troops to begin preparing for a bombardment of the former, which was situated on an island in the river, he ordered Col. Carl von Donop (right) to take a force of 1,200 Hessians across to New Jersey to assault the latter which was located in Red Bank and garrisoned by around 400 men. Approaching Fort Mercer on October 22, von Donop called on the fort's commander, Col. Christopher Greene, to surrender. After having his demand refused, von Donop launched simultaneous attacks on the fort from the north and south. Meeting intense resistance, both failed with heavy losses and von Donop was mortally wounded. Retreating, the Hessians re-crossed back to Pennsylvania. A morale boosting win for the Americans, the euphoria proved short-lived as British forces captured Fort Mifflin on November 16 and compelled Fort Mercer's abandonment on November 20 opening supply lines to the city.
October 22, 1777 - American troops win the Battle of Red Bank. Capturing Philadelphia in late September 1777, Gen. Sir William Howe soon found his supply situation reaching critical levels as Gen. George Washington moved to isolate the city. Howe's situation was made worse as Royal Navy vessels were unable to ascend the Delaware River due to Forts Mifflin and Mercer. While he directed troops to begin preparing for a bombardment of the former, which was situated on an island in the river, he ordered Col. Carl von Donop (right) to take a force of 1,200 Hessians across to New Jersey to assault the latter which was located in Red Bank and garrisoned by around 400 men. Approaching Fort Mercer on October 22, von Donop called on the fort's commander, Col. Christopher Greene, to surrender. After having his demand refused, von Donop launched simultaneous attacks on the fort from the north and south. Meeting intense resistance, both failed with heavy losses and von Donop was mortally wounded. Retreating, the Hessians re-crossed back to Pennsylvania. A morale boosting win for the Americans, the euphoria proved short-lived as British forces captured Fort Mifflin on November 16 and compelled Fort Mercer's abandonment on November 20 opening supply lines to the city.
