The Little Egg Harbor Massacre Monument: The American Revolution in Southern New Jersey

In this video, we visit the monument dedicated to the event known as the Affair at Little Egg Harbor, or the Little Egg Harbor Massacre. During the American revolution in October of 1778, Loyalists, many of whom hailed from New Jersey, under the command of Major Patrick Ferguson of the British Army rowed ashore from a boat to Little Egg Harbor and attacked the American Garrison encamped there at a farmhouse. Ferguson and his detachment of tories had spent the previous weeks raiding Patriot Supply Garrisons, Iron Forges, and Mills in the vicinity in an attempt to disrupt the highly effective American Privateer coalition based at Little Egg Harbor. These Privateers harassed British Ships and commandeered from them valuable supplies for Washingtons Army. Through the winter of 1777 into 1778, these supplies had been vital to the starving Continental Army then encamped at Valley Forge. Washington had ordered General Kasimir Pulaski and his detachment of Cavalry known as "Pulaskis Legion" to aid the locally based New Jersey Patriot Militia to put an end to the activities of Ferguson and his tories. Achieving the element of surprise, Ferguson and his loyalists bayonetted many American men, some members of the Jersey Militia, and others Continental Cavalrymen, in their sleep on the night of October the 15th, 1778. Pulaski himself, encamped nearby, was alerted to the British presence by a local farmer, and attempted to rally his men and drive off the loyalists. This was done too late; the damage had already been inflicted, and over 50 men lay dead, many of whom perished in their sleep. Every year, the town of Little Egg Harbor holds a ceremony at the monument in remembrance of the event and the supreme sacrifices made by the local patriotic men on a date near or on the anniversary of its occurrence. In this video, we remember the Affair At Little Egg Harbor and the fallen American Patriots who gave their lives for the preservation of our liberties and the establishment of a Free America. Patriot Paths, exploring Americas remarkable history, forgotten and unforgotten. The Patriot Paths Channel was started in June 2020, to enhance one young mans passion for History, to promote patriotic sentiment, to educate the American Public on the incredible history of their country, and to remember the contributions of those people, ordinary and unordinary, who forged it. This channel covers primarily history in the State of New Jersey, but may feature occasional historical sights from out of state. Primary locations will include battlefields, cemeteries, historic towns, buildings, and other locations.