Fort Mercer was the site of one of the most one-sided battles in the American Revolution. Where Hessian grenadiers, ill equipped for an assault on the Delaware fortification , suffered hundreds of casualties trying to take the fort. In addition, two British ships trying to fire on the fort got stuck and were set fire by heated cannon balls during the fight. Only 14 deaths were suffered by the Americans. Despite this, Fort Mercer is a very 'unknown' battle in the American Revolution, partly because the action only delayed the inevitable capture of the fort, and partly because the forces were Continental Regulars, rather than (unreliable) militia who politicians pandered to post-war by giving them more credit than was due.
12 of the American casualties were apparently caused by a cannon exploding during the fight, possibly due to the use of the aforementioned heated cannonballs. It was assumed that the cannon remains were tossed into the river or the damage blew it to tiny fragments.
Well, a recent archeological dig unearthed the exploded cannon, or at least its breech. They are unable to move it at present.
Still missing: the two cannons the Hessians brought with them for the fight that were tossed into a creek during the retreat.
12 of the American casualties were apparently caused by a cannon exploding during the fight, possibly due to the use of the aforementioned heated cannonballs. It was assumed that the cannon remains were tossed into the river or the damage blew it to tiny fragments.
Well, a recent archeological dig unearthed the exploded cannon, or at least its breech. They are unable to move it at present.
Still missing: the two cannons the Hessians brought with them for the fight that were tossed into a creek during the retreat.
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1WRqFfZ
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