The "Retreat to Victory" event hosted by the Bergen County Historical Society commemorates the fighting withdrawal of Washington's forces after the fall of Fort Lee to the British in November of 1776. We were very happy to be back at New Bridge Landing for this event again and it seemed to be bigger than in years past. Despite temperatures coming near to freezing, there was a large turnout of public as well as reenactors on both sides. Additionally, George Washington and two other officers on horseback were present to oversee the Continental Army. The event ran from 11 to 4pm and had two skirmishes scheduled.
The British force was a composite company of a few groups: the 15th (Lights), 35th (Grenadiers), 43rd, 54th, and 55th Regiments along with loyalists from the 4th Battalion NJ Volunteers. Opposing us were the New Jersey Line and militias. The first engagement saw the British force stopped and turned back at the bridge over the Hackensack River. The second was witness to a more successful British push which crossed the river and drove the rebels back from both sides of the Von Steuben House. From there, the rebels were steadily driven back. In the central field near the barnyard, the 54th and 35th Grenadiers formed the left, with the 43rd and 55th in the center and 15th Light Infantry on the right.
A bottleneck was pressed heartily by both sides, with the British forming a dense but powerful force while the light infantry were sent forward to deploy to the right in the open space near the Campbell-Christie House. This allowed the main British infantry section to hammer home the attack which then came to a victorious conclusion, although Washington and the main part of his force was able to effect an escape.
Our thanks to all the wonderful volunteers and staff who made this excellent event a stunning success!
The British force was a composite company of a few groups: the 15th (Lights), 35th (Grenadiers), 43rd, 54th, and 55th Regiments along with loyalists from the 4th Battalion NJ Volunteers. Opposing us were the New Jersey Line and militias. The first engagement saw the British force stopped and turned back at the bridge over the Hackensack River. The second was witness to a more successful British push which crossed the river and drove the rebels back from both sides of the Von Steuben House. From there, the rebels were steadily driven back. In the central field near the barnyard, the 54th and 35th Grenadiers formed the left, with the 43rd and 55th in the center and 15th Light Infantry on the right.
A bottleneck was pressed heartily by both sides, with the British forming a dense but powerful force while the light infantry were sent forward to deploy to the right in the open space near the Campbell-Christie House. This allowed the main British infantry section to hammer home the attack which then came to a victorious conclusion, although Washington and the main part of his force was able to effect an escape.
Our thanks to all the wonderful volunteers and staff who made this excellent event a stunning success!
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