In the early spring of 1776, Lord Stirling, then in command of
the American forces in this locality, took measures to put Bergen
and Paulus Hoeck in condition of defense, and to open means of
communication with the interior of the State. A fort was built at
Bergen Neck, later called Fort Delancy, to prevent the English from
coming over from Staten Island. It was located on the rising ground
now bounded by 44th and 45th streets and Avenues B and C in Bayonne,
one quarter of a mile below the canal. After it was given up by the
Americans it was held by the Tories until September, 1782. Lord
Stirling personally examined the grounds and proposed to have the
militia of Bergen, Essex, and Middlesex counties build broad, good
roads from Paulus Hoeck to Brown's Ferry on the Hackensack, and from
Wiehawken Ferry to Hackensack Ferry. Upon the arrival of Washington,
the immediate construction of works at Paulus Hoeck was ordered as "of
great importance." These were soon completed and troops from New York
and Pennsylvania stationed there, under command of General Mercer, the
veteran of Culloden and De Quesne.
On July 12th, 1776, the batteries of the new fort opened fire on the
British men of war, the Phoenix of forty guns and the Rose of twenty
guns, as they came up the Bay to New York. The fire was returned with
broadsides as they passed. That same evening Lord Howe sailed up the
harbor to New York. Troops were stationed at Paulus Hoeck and Bergen
ready to reinforce Washington. After the battle of Long Island these
orders were countermanded and the troops were stationed at Paulus
Hoeck and Bergen Neck. On the 15th of September, the British captured
New York City and again the Paulus Hoeck troops had a little skirmish
with the enemy. Occasionally Washington came over from his camp at
Harlem to reconnoiter along the Jersey shore as far as Paulus Hoeck.
Recognizing that the fort could not be held, preparations were made for
its evacuation. General Mercer removed all guns, stores and troops with
the exception of a small guard under orders to leave upon the first
appearance of the enemy. On the afternoon of September 23d, 1776, the
English ships cannonaded the fort for half an hour or more, then landed
a force. About twenty boats also came over from New York. They found
nothing but a few guns unfit for use. General Mercer and his troops
retired to Bergen with an outpost at Prior's Mill. October 5th, the
American troops left Bergen to join Washington in his retreat to the
Delaware.
For a long time Paulus Hoeck was the only British stronghold in New
Jersey. They greatly strengthened the defences built by the Americans
and made their landings at this point. At high tide boats could pass
over the marsh and even over the causeway that connected Paulus Hoeck
with the main land. An elevated foot path or board walk had been made
parallel to the road to enable people to pass at all stages of the
tide. This was still in use well into this century.
I quote Mr. Winfield's description of the fort: "It was a very strong
position with the waters of the river and coves on the north, east and
south, and on the west a marsh, with a creek running near the westerly
edge of the upland from near Montgomery street southwesterly into the
southerly cove near the foot of Van Vorst street. This creek had been
connected with the Harsimus cove by a ditch about on the line of Warren
street. Over this ditch on the line of Newark avenue was a drawbridge
with a barred gate. Thirty paces inside of the ditch and the creek was
a row of abattis extending into the river. The main works were in the
line of Sussex street extending from about St. Mathews Church easterly
to Greene street. The barracks were at the intersection of Essex and
Warren streets. From the main fort a redoubt extended southerly along
Washington street to a half moon fort on the southerly side of Essex
street. There was one fort on the north west corner of Grand and
Washington streets. Some block-houses had been constructed north of the
main works, and one of them north of the road leading to the ferry. The
burying ground was on the west of Washington street, extending from
Sussex to a short distance south of Morris street."