細節
[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. ROGERS, Robert, 1st Lieutenant, 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Autograph letter signed to his brother, "Fort Mercer Red Bank," [NJ], 25 October 1777. 2½ pages, small 4to, old tape repairs on verso of second leaf, light browning.
A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH ATTACK ON FORT MERCER
A vivid account of the British attack on Fort Mercer in the fall of 1777 by an officer of the fort's American garrison. After the British captured the city of Philadelphia on September 26, they endeavored to reduce two forts along the Delaware River, Forts Mercer and Mifflin, which blocked their navy from bringing necessary supplies to the occupying army. Fort Mifflin, on the Pennsylvania bank of the river, was unassailable by land, but Mercer, on the Jersey bank, was vulnerable to infantry attack. Colonel Carl Von Donop was detached with 2,000 Hessians to take the fort and its 500-man garrison, but his October 22nd assault was repulsed with heavy losses.
Here, Lieutenant Rogers of the 1st Rhode Island, a primarily black regiment, reports the battle to his brother in great detail: "...arriv'd here the 11th of October...on the 21st of October we had intelligence of a body of Hessian Mercenaries crossing the Delaware at Coopers ferry in order to attack us...The Hessian Butchers advanc'd up near the fort under cover of the Woods & busied themselves in making fascines till five oclock, when Major Stewart an English officer & the Hessian Brigade Major came with a flag which Col. Olney went out to receive. The Conversation that pass'd was to the following purpose; 'Who commands this fort? A[nswer]: Greene. Where is the Commanding Officer? my business is with him; A. I know your business, it is concerning the Surrender of the fort, I have orders from the Commanding Officer on any terms whatever Flag. Your blood will be upon your heads. A. We expect no Mercy from you nor ask none'...Immediately upon the Return of the flags, they began with a most severe Cannonade from several field pieces & 2 Howitts & came out of the woods huzzaing & advanc'd up to the fort with great Bravery, the action lasted forty minutes without the least cessation, our loss was in the Garrison 15 killed & 17 wounded, 4 of the wounded since dead, Captn Shaw of Newport among the slain. They retreated as fast as they advanc'd, they acknowledg'd on their retreat thro' the Country that their loss was between 4 & 500 Kill'd & Wounded. We found next Morning 80 dead on the spot, 90 odd wounded, they die daily of their Wounds, among the wounded were Col Commandant Dunnop a Hessian baron, the Hessian Brigade Major & one Lieutnt...Hope the next visit they make us to give them a much warmer reception, as the Garrison is in a much better posture of defence than it was when attack'd." Rogers also acknowledges the victory at Saratoga: "this is nearly a finishing stroke to their bloodthirsty intentions of laying waste this still happy land."
Despite the successful defense of the fort in, the fall of Fort Mifflin after a severe bombardment made the continued occupation of Fort Mercer impossible, and the garrison abandoned the position on the night of November 20.
A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH ATTACK ON FORT MERCER
A vivid account of the British attack on Fort Mercer in the fall of 1777 by an officer of the fort's American garrison. After the British captured the city of Philadelphia on September 26, they endeavored to reduce two forts along the Delaware River, Forts Mercer and Mifflin, which blocked their navy from bringing necessary supplies to the occupying army. Fort Mifflin, on the Pennsylvania bank of the river, was unassailable by land, but Mercer, on the Jersey bank, was vulnerable to infantry attack. Colonel Carl Von Donop was detached with 2,000 Hessians to take the fort and its 500-man garrison, but his October 22nd assault was repulsed with heavy losses.
Here, Lieutenant Rogers of the 1st Rhode Island, a primarily black regiment, reports the battle to his brother in great detail: "...arriv'd here the 11
Despite the successful defense of the fort in, the fall of Fort Mifflin after a severe bombardment made the continued occupation of Fort Mercer impossible, and the garrison abandoned the position on the night of November 20.
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