Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-07-26


attack: the assault; the repulse; !;
the retreat and routes taken by the
defeated troops; the losses in killed,
wounded and prisoners; some Incl
dents before and after the battle.
IRead before the Gloucester County Histori
cal Society at Red Bank July 10, 1906. by wal
lace McGeorge, NJ. D., OF Camden
After the Battle Of the Brandywine,
September II, 1777, and the occupation of
Philadelphia by the British army under
General Howe, in order to supply his army,
ii became imperative for General Howe to
open the Delaware river for navigation TO
Philadelphia. To accomplish this it was
necessary to capture or destroy the fortifi-
cations at Billingsport, Fort Miflin on
Mud Island and Fort Mercer on the Jersey
shore near Red Bank.
The capture OF Fort Mercer was assigned
to Count Carl Emil Kurt Won Donop, one
Of the most distinguished Of the Hessian
officers, who had taken an active part with
his regiment in the battle of Germantown,
and who was eager for an opportunity to
display his ability as leader. Howe re-
rarded him as an intelligent and bold SOL
dier. and assigned him the three Grenadier
battalionsi of Won Minnigerode, Won Lin
singen and Won Lengerke, Mirbach's regi-
ment (which had been ordered up from
Wilmington) consisting Of four light COM
panies Of chasseurs, including Wangen-
heim's, dozen cavalrymen, some artillery
and two English howitzers.n (a)
Donsp recognized the heavy task entrust-
ed to him, and asked in gain for more ar
tillery. but Howe said that if Donop could
uIaat take the fort, the British would.
bp was angry at this reply and sent
word that the Germans had courage
b anything, and to his associates he
sEither that win Be Fort Donop or +
( shall Be dead fa)
On Tuesday, October 81, TIT, Count
Donop with his troops started for Red
Bank. To avoid molestation by the Yam
>kee vessels in the river, who occupied the
Delaware from Kaighn's Point southwark
y TO Red Bank, it was necessary to cross the
Delaware at Cooper's Point and take the
road leading from that place to Haddon-
field. At that time there were two ferries
from Philadelphia to Cooper's Ferries as
Camden was then called, one from Market
street to Cooper street, and the other from
Vine street. Philadelphia, to Main street,
SCamden. AS the river shore between the
two ferries was held by English, Scotch
and Hessian regiments, it was safe for the
|mBritish hirelings to be ferried over the
iver at this point.
When the troops, artillery, horses and
baggage had been ferried over they marched
through Main and Cooper streets, Camden,
to Pine street, (now called North Sixth
street and from thence over the road lead
ing to Haddonfeld. At that time this
road was in some places not much better
than bride path, and was not made q
turnpike 9 1892. They arrived at Had
on6eld il & Sagening and the soldiers
iyouacked in ths sds beyond the village
aar the mill pond. Count Donop selected
hn Gill's house for his headquarters, and
those families that entertained an officer
re- secure against piIlage By the Hessians,
ny Of the inhabitants quickly opened
zsir doors to receive the Hessian officers.
lbA Judge Clements says In John Gill's