Riverkeeper 'Retreats to Victory'
By Hugh M. Carola
On Saturday, November 17, 2001, Hackensack Riverkeeper took part in the commemoration of what is arguably the most significant event in the history of Bergen County – the retreat of the Continental Army in November of 1776.
THE HISTORY
After being soundly defeated in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, General George Washington led his troops in an orderly evacuation of New York and retreated across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Once across, the Americans literally climbed the face of the Palisades in the vicinity of present-day Fort Lee in an attempt to evade the pursuing British forces. Marching westward through the farms and woodlands of Bergen County, they approached the Hackensack River. As they got closer, the Americans split into two groups with the bulk of the army making for New Bridge Landing and the fastest way across the River. It was the story of the second group that we commemorated.
In the1700s, it was possible for wives and even children of soldiers to travel with the armies during long campaigns. (The phrase "camp follower" did not receive its negative connotation until the Civil War.) With the British hot on the heels of the retreating Americans, it was decided that the army could make better time if the women and children as well as the sick and wounded left the main column and headed south to the confluence of Overpeck Creek and the Hackensack River. There on banks of the River at modern-day Ridgefield Park, a vessel known as the "little ferry" was engaged, along with every other available boat and canoe, to bring the Americans to safety.
Once ashore at the town that is now named Little Ferry, those weary and suffering Americans were able make their way west to reunite with the Continental Army near the Passaic River. From there they marched west and south to what history remembers as Washington's Crossing of the Delaware. After resting and regrouping in Pennsylvania, the Americans re-crossed the Delaware River and defeated the British in at the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Day of 1776. The long march from New York to Trenton truly was a "Retreat to Victory."
THE COMMEMORATION
The 225th Anniversary of Washington's Retreat was commemorated in the sister communities of Ridgefield Park and Little Ferry at 10:30 a.m. on November 17 as flags were unfurls, bells were rung and muskets were fired. The weather was perfect. Local re-enactors paddled a flotilla of seventeen canoes (including seven boats of the Hackensack Riverkeeper Canoe Project) from the Ridgefield Park Heliport across the Hackensack River to the True World Marina in Little Ferry. Piloted by Captain Bill Sheehan, the "Robert H. Boyle," Hackensack Riverkeeper's flagship, played the role of the little ferry and brought the colors of the Continental Army and twenty re-enactors across the River to join in the celebration.
The day was planned by the Little Ferry Historical Society and longtime Hackensack Riverkeeper supporters Bernie Sobielewski (who spent the day dressed as a member of Gen. Washington's staff) and Steve Royka (who played the part of a wounded patriot). Riverkeeper staffer Jared Eudell and volunteer Lisa Ryan brought seven Hackensack Riverkeeper canoes to the event and took part in the crossing along with members of the Ridgefield Park-based Wanda Canoe Club who paddled down to the event from their town's dock. Yours truly dealt with logistics.
Once across the River in Little Ferry, a ceremony took place that featured a re-enactor playing the part of Thomas Jefferson and a joint proclamation by Ridgefield Park Mayor George Fosdick and Mayor Thomas Quirico of Little Ferry. When the ceremony was concluded, the re-enactors (joined by scores of others) marched through Little Ferry to Washington School on Liberty Street where additional activities were planned. It was a fitting end to a fine morning's remembrance.
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Dear Bill: The Patriots have been evacuated safely to the Little Ferry Shore! We continue on The Retreat to Victory! Thanks to you, and to all in your organization for your wonderful participation and support. Still more people now know not only a little bit more about history but a great deal more about what a fine resource we have in the waters which border our Village on three sides. We commend and thank you and look forward to still more opportunities to work together. Yours truly, Mayor George Fosdick Village of Ridgefield Park |