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Revolution
Pre-Revolution
Prior to discussing the effects Fort Lee had during the American Revolution, we feel we should give you a little background on the times before this major event. Indians of the Delaware Tribe, a part of the Algonquin nation once inhabited Fort Lee. As time went
on they were driven off from acquired illnesses and the encroachment of new people upon their lands. The start of their relocation occurred in the early 1600's, when Henry Hudson first sailed into the area. Henry Hudson claimed the lands for the Dutch who became the area's first settlers. Then in 1664 the English took control of the area. The first settlement occurred in 1756 when Stephen Bourdette, who originated from French heritage, purchased 400 acres of land along the river, just north of Edgewater. Mr. Bourdette provided ferry service from this location to New York and later on during the revolution, to Fort Washington. During the Revolution Mr. Bourdette and families residing in this area were forced to vacate. Their dwellings were then used for the Continental Army in preparation for the war.
Revolution
In 1776, during the American Revolution, Fort Lee first received its name. The borough was named after General Charles Lee. At the time General Lee was directing American troops on the New York side in their battle against British forces. Prior to receiving it's
name, Fort Lee was known as Fort Constitution. The initial location of Fort Constitution was along the river on property belonging to the Bourdett family.
Fort Lee became an important factor in the colony's effort to retain control of the area. Fortifications were built high atop the Palisade Cliffs under the direction of Battalion Commander of the New Jersey State militia, Joseph Phillips. With these fortifications in place the Americans were able to direct cannon fire at British ships which traveled up the Hudson River. The Americans purposely sunk ships in the river to impede the flow of the British Navy.
The British felt that if they could split the colonies they could significantly hinder the American army. By traveling up the Hudson River they would attack Fort Washington, on the New York side just north and east of Fort Lee. With a take over of Fort Washington they could cross over to New Jersey travel south and capture Fort Lee. This would drive the American forces south towards their strong hold near Staten Island. They would then succeed in splitting the American forces.
On July 12, 1776 Admiral Richard Howe sent two British ships up river towards Fort Washington. During this time General George Washington ordered more work in developing Fort Lee. The sunken ships placed in the river channel was an idea presented to General Washington by Major Israel Putman. Major Putman felt that with the obstructions in the river and artillery fire from both forts the British would sustain major damage to their fleet.
Since King George III wanted to end the conflict as soon as possible, he sent the largest contingent of British troops ever to leave England. Over 31,000 British, Hessian and loyalist troops congregated at Staten Island and prepared for the offensive.
On September 30, 1776 Major General Nathaniel Greene became commander of Fort Constitution. The name changed to Fort Lee when General Charles Lee paid a visit to the fort. During this time Major General Greene ordered all civilians to vacate their houses so it could be used for military purposes.
On August 22, 1776 the British landed on Long Island. The American troops were forced westward into New York City. From September through October battles were fought in these areas. Then on November 16, 1776 the British made their assault on Fort Washington. With overwhelming forces they were able to take over the fort and capture 2000 American soldiers.
Since the capture of Fort Washington gave little value to maintain a presence in Fort Lee, General George Washington ordered a retreat of all troops. This retreat, consisting of approximately 3000 troops, hastened when General Cornwallis sent between 6000 to 8000 troops from Fort Washington into New Jersey in a planned attack on Fort Lee.
General Washington had ordered Major General Greene to have all food and livestock destroyed so that it could not be used by the enemy. The troops at Fort Lee leaving most everything behind, retreated west on Fort Lee Road, now Main Street into Leonia. There they headed north, on what is known today as Grand Avenue, then west through Englewood to the New Bridge crossing in Hackensack. At the same time the British troops were headed south along the same route just missing the American Army.
When the British arrived in Fort Lee they took any supplies left over and raided the area leaving it bare. The American army continued westward and planned a regrouping of their forces.
These times presented great disappointment to the American Colonies. As spoken by Thomas Paine, "These are the times that try men's souls."
On December 25, 1776 with a battered army consisting of 2400 troops, which was poorly supplied and hampered by the cold weather, General Washington crossed the Delaware River in a brave attempt to surprised the British Army in Trenton. After a difficult crossing, because of ice conditions on the river the army marched nine miles into Trenton where they surprise the British Army. This event helped change the momentum in the war.
On January 3, 1777 with assistance of Washington, the American Army conducts a surprise attack on the British at Princeton. Shortly thereafter, General Washington declares the New Jersey campaign completed. Of course the campaign continued until November 30, 1783 when America and Britain signed a peace treaty.The retreat of Fort Lee can be viewed as a pivotal event in helping the American Army by instilling overconfidence in the British Army thereby affording a surprise attack at Trenton and later Princeton.
For more information pertaining to revolutionary times and how it affected our area visit the Fort Lee Historic Park. This park provides a visitor's center and museum. The visitor's center is opened from March to December, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed in January and February. The surrounding park offers views of the Hudson River. With a little imagination one can visualize what the American Colonist might have seen and thought during those times. Even to this day some artifacts from those times are still hidden in the ground, since the rapid retreat did not give the Americans time to take their supplies. Many of these artifacts can be seen in the museum.
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