By James McIntyre.
Point Pleasant, NJ: Winged Hussar Publishing, 2022.
ISBN 978-10950423-46-0. Illustrations. Maps. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
Pp. 344. $18.00.
In A Most Gallant Resistance: The Delaware River Campaign September-November 1777, James McIntyre examines the importance of the Delaware River operations in connection to the overall events of 1777. He argues that the events which transpired along the river in the fall and winter were as significant as the major battles that took place that year, particularly in relation to their influence on France’s involvement in the war. Additionally, the campaign provides a useful study in joint operations, especially as they were developed by the British and adopted by the Americans.
The first two chapters examine the efforts to defend Philadelphia by fortifying the Delaware River. Starting in 1771, the British began to fortify Mudd Island under the direction of Captain John Montresor, who would return in 1777 with the British Army and oversee the efforts to raise the river defenses. Montresor’s unfinished fort would become the centerpiece to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety’s efforts to defend Philadelphia at the outset of the war. Under the Committee’s supervision, a series of chevaux de frise (anti-ship obstructions) were strategically sunk to prevent British ships from navigating the river, while batteries were planned along both sides of the river to prevent their removal. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Navy was established as a riverine force to provide additional protection to the chevaux de fries and support the land batteries. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the nature of the war changed and the Continental Congress became involved in the defensive efforts.
McIntyre next puts the operational events of 1777 into perspective by examining both British and American movements leading up to the British occupation of Philadelphia. Additionally, he provides a thorough review of the opposing forces. Examining General William Howe’s reasoning for advancing against Philadelphia by sea, particularly his landing at Elkton, Maryland, instead of along the Delaware River, is critical to understanding the significance of the defensive operations by American forces. Once Howe had taken Philadelphia, securing his maritime supply route became essential to feeding not only his army, but the civilians remaining in the city. Without unfettered control of the river, Howe was forced to expend time and resource on dismantling the American river defenses instead of operating against the Continental Army.
The core of the study focuses on the operations from October to November as both sides sought to control navigation of the Delaware River. The British sought to reduce the river defenses and clear the obstacles. This included an unsuccessful assault on Fort Mercer, a critical resupply point for the American forces manning Fort Mifflin, which had become the linchpin to the American defenses. Realizing this, Howe turned his attention to reducing Fort Mifflin, as without it the American land and naval forces would be unable to prevent the British from opening the river. Eventually the British were able to force the Americans to evacuate Fort Mifflin following the largest cannonade in North America until Gettysburg. This negated Fort Mercer’s strategic importance, and led to the withdrawal of American forces there and the destruction of the Pennsylvania Navy. By the time the Americans had lost control of the Delaware, it was too late in the season for the British Army to move against Washington’s forces.
McIntyre makes excellent use of the various sources available to tell a complete history of the Delaware River defenses in the American Revolution. Additionally, he places the events into the overall context of the Revolution, both militarily and politically. Noting the relevance the events along the river played in attempts to remove Washington from command, and in influencing the French to ally themselves with the Americans. This book does an excellent job of elevating the importance of the Delaware River operations from a side story of the Philadelphia Campaign to a campaign in its own right.
Joseph-James Ahern
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
