Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-05-26
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

met in this city on Friday afternoon last,
and after discussion resolved to hold the
next quarterly meeting on the Red Bank
battle field on Monday, July / /, next, and
arrangements to secure speakers were re-
ferred to committees On motion of Mr..
Whitall, Historical Societies of neighboring
counties were invited to join in the meet
ing. Mr.. Whitall read an interesting
sketch Of Col Christopher Greene, COM
mander Of the garrison Of Fort Mercer on
the occasion Of this memorable battle, as
follows:
Christopher Greene, the subject Of this
sketch was the second son OF Judge Philip
Greene and was born upon his fathers es-
tate in the town of Warwick County OF
Kent, the Colony of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, May IL, 1887. He
was Of the fifth generation Of the Greene
family Of Warwick founded by John
Greene, surgeon, who came from Salisbury,
England, il 1885 to Boston in Massachu
setts, thence TO Providence and finally to
Warwick. Rhode Island. Christopher
Greene became Freeman of the Colony in
'1759. He served as Deputy, or Repre-
sentative, from bis native town in the Col
onial Legislature ID I'll and 177a. He
was elected by the Legislature in 10 Major
Of the regiment raised Id Kings ard Kent
Counties for the Army 81 0hsery yation and
proceeded to Cambridge. Mass, with his
regiment. He volunteered for the Canada
Expedition, . commanded by Colonel Bene
dict Arnold, was commissioned Lieutenant
Colonel and placed in command of the 1st
Battalion. He went through the terrible.
privations and suffering Of this expedition
in its Winter march through the wilder
ness, of what is now the State Of Maine,
serving with great distinction and took
part in the assault on the Citadel Of Quebec
on December 31st., 1775. His command
fought gallantly, penetrated the first bar
rier and attempted to scale the walls of the
second but was cut off and captured by the
British.
He was held a prisoner of war in the
Citadel of Quebec until August, 17'7'7, when
he was exchanged.
Almost Immediately after his exchange
he was commissioned Colonel Of the 1st.
Regiment, Rhode Island Continental In
fantry. In October 1777, by the. order Of
the Commander in Chief, General Wash
ington Colonel Greene was placed in COM
mand Of Fort Mercer on the Delaware
river This post was on the New Jersey
side of the river, opposite to and just be-
| low the City of Philadelphia, as it was
then, and in conjunction with Fort Miffiin
which was situated almost opposite upon a
| low island Of mud almost in the centre OF
the river, formed the gateway to the water
approach to Che city. The strategetic posi-
tion was of enormous Importance. It was
the key to the situation.
If it could be held the British army in
Philadelphia would be forced to evacuate
the city. The American forces of the gar
rison OF Fort Mercer numbered but 400,
altogether too small, but all that could be
spared at the time.
October 22nd, 1777, Fort Mercer was
attacked by Colonel, Count Donop COM
manding / 200 Hessian troops, thoroughly
disciplined and splendidly equipped. Col
onel Greene was called upon to surrender
his forces at the same time being told that
unless he did so, no quarter would be
given. I'VE shall neither ask for quarter,
nor. expect it, and shall defend the fort to
the last extremity, was the gallant reply.
The enemy Immediately opened fire and
advanced to the assault. The Americans
lay in silence until the Hessians had
j mounted the outer line Of defense and had
come into short range when they replied
with most deadly effect. The assaulting
column wavered and fell back, officers and
men alike falling under the wlthering
volleys from the inner line of the fort.
Again and again the charge was renewed
the enemy losing heavily each time. They
finally broke and retreated in confusion
having lost 400 or of their force in killed
and wounded. Count Donop, his second
in command, Lieutenant Colonel Minger-
ode and many others of his officers, either
lay dead or wounded. The former was
taken from the field of carnage and.carried
into the fort for the night, but was re-
moved to a nearby farm house the next
morning. He was tenderly cared for, but
died three days later, saying in French
with his last breath 1T is finishing noble
career early. die victim Of my ambi-
tion and Of the avarice Of my sovereign. 7
| For his gallant defense Of Fort Mercer
Colonel Greene was awarded an elegant
sword by resolution Of Congress Novem-
Der 4th, 1777
IN January. 177S. Colonel Greene was