Time marches backward for a weekend, George Washington's Retreat through Fort Lee, NJ

The Record ^ | 11.21.04

[Coleus]

Time marches backward for a weekend

Sunday, November 21, 2004

FORT LEE - Three dozen Revolutionary War reenactors marched past a Korean nail salon, a steakhouse and a synagogue Saturday before coming to a halt in the shadow of a 20-story apartment tower.

The borough has changed dramatically since the Continental Army began its retreat from here to Valley Forge, Pa., 228 years ago Saturday.

"Here it's very difficult, unfortunately, because there are so many distractions," said Peter Schaaphok, who is from upstate New York and is president of The Brigade of the American Revolution, one of the nation's largest reenactment groups. "But there is such a history here that cannot be denied."

The short march was part of several events scheduled this weekend at Fort Lee Historic Park to commemorate one of the more troubling times of the war.

George Washington had a temporary headquarters at what is now Anderson Avenue and Elizabeth Street in a garrison that was used to fire on British ships sailing up the Hudson River. Washington observed the fall of Fort Washington across the river to the British on Nov. 16, 1776. The British crossed the Hudson four days later, prompting a massive retreat westward. Fort Lee fell without a fight.

"This was a low point in our history," said Norman Desmarais, who drove more than three hours from Rhode Island despite the rain and cold. "It was a humbling experience, but it's important to remember those. These are really important and awesome events because we are re-creating on the location where our forefathers have been."

Along with the reenactment, Fort Lee officials dedicated a plaque at nearby Monument Park in honor of citizen soldiers, Washington's retreat and the borough's centennial.

"Now if you look at the world today, the only really true staunch ally we have in the world today is who? Great Britain," said Fort Lee Mayor Jack Alter. "I guess we can hope that history can repeat itself. That tortured area of the world, the Middle East ... I hope one day they will be friends of this country."

James Viola, commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, said too often people forget about New Jersey's role in the formation of the country.

On television and in movies, "they make jokes about this state, but let me tell you something," said the World War II Navy veteran. There was "a lot of blood shed in this state, and that's why we are a great nation."

"We have to instill in our children the great history of this nation, which is not being taught today," he said. "If you don't know about the past, you have to worry about the future."

Reenactment activities will continue today with artillery and rifle demonstrations at the park. Vendors will be on hand selling the necessities of an 18th century life, including wool blankets, linen shawls and wooden canteens.

[Coleus]

Didn't the retreat start in Manhattan to White Plains, etc.? I'm not too familiar with the whole route, I know he went through Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties.

FYI: the George Washington Bridge Connects Fort Lee, NJ with Upper Manhattan. Come see the Little Red Lighthouse

[Pharmboy]

The borough has changed dramatically since the Continental Army began its retreat from here to Valley Forge, Pa., 228 years ago Saturday.

Uhhh...I don't think so. The retreat did not end in Valley Forge; it ended when General Washington and the Continental troops took Trenton and Princeton and then overwintered in Morristown. It wasn't until the winter after that ('78-'79) that they overwintered in Valley Forge.

[XRdsRev]

The Main Continental Army (the part under Washington's personal command) wintered at

(Morristown NJ, Jan - May 1777),
(Valley Forge Pa, Dec 1777 - Jun 1778),
(Middlebrook "Bound Brook" NJ, Dec 1778 - June 1779),
(Morristown NJ, Dec 1779 - June 1780)
(West Point NY & vicinity, Dec 1780 - June 1781)
(New Windsor, West Point etc. NY, Dec 1781 - June 1782)

[XRdsRev]

The retreat route is only considered the portion of the 1776 campaign in New Jersey from the Hudson to the Delaware. That is because when the British Army landed in NJ and took Fort Lee, it began a series of marches, skirmishes etc. where the Americans were always moving backwards (often quickly backwards) and the British/Hessian Army always moving forwards in pursuit. The battles of Fort Washington & White Plains NY are not considered part of the retreat since the main American Army held their respective ground after both engagements.

There were several lines of retreat through NJ that the American Army used. Some of the towns they came through while on their retreat to the Delaware were Hackensack, Newark, New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton. The British Army followed much of the same route a few miles behind the Americans.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks for the correction on the dates.