FORT LEE, N.J.—During the weekend of Nov. 23-24, historical re-enactors and the public at large will gather at Fort Lee Historic Park to commemorate the 243rd anniversary of what has been called the “Retreat to Victory.”
Each year the commemoration of the 1776 British invasion of New Jersey and start of the Continental Army’s strategic retreat is held here, where it all began, on the weekend closest to the actual date of Nov. 20. The public is encouraged to come see reenactors demonstrating military camp life, artillery drills, musket firings, and sutlers selling their wares. The event culminates with a short “battle.”
On Nov. 20, 1776, a “rag tag” army led by General George Washington passed through Bergen County after having to evacuate the garrison at Fort Lee. Washington’s Continental Army was being pursued by British and Hessian soldiers commanded by Gen. Lord Cornwallis. New York City had just fallen to the British and Cornwallis’ Army scaled the Palisades on Nov. 19, with the intent of surprising and capturing the Continental Army.
Fortunately for the American cause, the British were spotted and Washington was notified, enabling him to order a hasty retreat from the fort.
Former Cresskill historian John Spring, writing in a publication titled “The Revolutionary War in Bergen County,” stated that the British general and his forces came ashore and began their ascent of the Palisades at what was known as Lower Closter Landing.
There they followed a “crude road” that led to what is now Cresskill, but which was known as Lower Closter at that time. It was from here that the British marched south toward Fort Lee.
A roadside marker at the corner of Madison Avenue and County Road in Cresskill commemorates the route taken by Cornwallis.
The retreat route taken by Washington’s Army, however, went through the modern day boroughs of Fort Lee, Leonia, Tenafly, Englewood, New Milford, Bergenfield, Teaneck and River Edge.
With the British at their backs the Continental Army crossed the Hackensack River at a now non-existent bridge at New Bridge (River Edge) and narrowly escaped capture. That bridge has been called by some “the bridge that saved a nation.” An 1889 iron truss swing bridge is currently located at the site, part of the historic park at New Bridge Landing.
Thomas Paine, who traveled with the army during that period would write in reference to the retreat, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
The “Retreat to Victory” weekend at Fort Lee Historic Park begins Saturday, Nov. 23 with events from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The day will include music, cooking and artillery demonstrations, along with an 11:45 a.m. parade to Monument Park. A $5 parking fee (cash only) will be in effect that day. Sunday, Nov. 24 will feature artillery demonstrations from 2–4 p.m., weather permitting.
For detailed information on the weekend’s schedule, visit njpalisades.org/calendar/retreatWeekend.html or call (201) 461-1776. Fort Lee Historic Park is on Hudson Terrace just south of the George Washington Bridge.
