Fort Mercer (National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey)
National Park, Gloucester County · New Jersey · American Revolutionary War
History & Significance
Along with Fort Mifflin on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, Fort Mercer was designed to block the British advance on Philadelphia during the Philadelphia campaign. Polish engineer Thaddeus Kosciuszko designed and built the fort in 1777 under George Washington's command.
The earthen fortification measured about 320 yards long and 50 yards wide, mounted 14 cannons, with bastions on the landward corners, and included a separate outer redoubt to the north. The fort could accommodate 1,500 men, but only 600 were available—mostly Rhode Island Continental troops under Colonel Christopher Greene.
On October 22, 1777, approximately 1,200 Hessian troops attacked Fort Mercer but were defeated by the smaller American force. The Hessians reported 377 killed and wounded with 20 missing or captured, while Americans reported 14 killed and 27 wounded.
Although Fort Mercer ultimately fell a month later, the victory at Red Bank served as a much-needed morale boost and delayed British plans to consolidate gains in Philadelphia. The fort was abandoned when Lord Charles Cornwallis landed 2,000 British troops on November 18, 1777, and the British abandoned it on June 18, 1778. Today, the fort's site is part of Red Bank Battlefield Historical Park, which includes monuments and a museum.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Earthen fortification remains designed by Kosciuszko on the Delaware River
- Monument and museum with Revolutionary War artifacts
- Site of successful 1777 defense against Hessian forces
- Red Bank Battlefield Historical Park surroundings
Sources
- https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/fort-mercer
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Mercer
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Red_Bank
- https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/fort-mercer
- https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/national_park_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bank_Battlefield
- https://sjcsar.org/history/the-battle-of-red-bank-aka-the-battle-of-fort-mercer/