The Cannon

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Imagine standing face to face with this cannon, its barrel once jutting from the broadside of a massive sixty-gun British warship—aimed squarely at the newly built Fort Mercer. At that time, the fort was little more than earthen mounds, sharpened timber barriers, and a modest force of Continental soldiers holding the line. One look at this formidable weapon during your tour of Red Bank, and you can almost feel its immense power and the threat it once posed. It’s a striking reminder of the raw intensity of 18th-century warfare.

Showcased are three historic cannons, each proudly mounted on its own white concrete pedestal. These relics were unearthed near the 1906 Monument in 1935 by Frank Stewart, a trailblazer in the early practice of subterranean metal detection. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Gloucester County Historical Society and Rear Admiral Ernest McNeil Eller, the cannons were identified as including two powerful 24-pounders and one British 4-pounder—believed to have been recovered from the wreck of the Augusta. The prominently displayed cannon in the foreground is a striking example of the 24-pounders, once capable of delivering devastating firepower on the battlefield.

The 24-pounder, named for the weight of the massive cannonballs it once hurled through the air, is an impressive one. A weapon of this size would have been mounted aboard the HMS Augusta during General Howe’s bold campaign to capture Philadelphia, which was then the capital of the young American nation. The Augusta and her formidable guns relentlessly bombarded Fort Mercer—until fate turned against her. The ship ran aground, was ignited by Patriot artillery, and ultimately exploded in a fiery blast that sent debris raining into the Delaware River. It was a dramatic and fiery end to one of the British fleet’s most powerful warships. If you were a resident of Philadelphia at the time of the battle, you would have felt the blast as your home's windows shook and, for some, shattered as a result of the percussive force of the explosion. 

Cast permanently into the top of this cannon is the British Royal insignia—the unmistakable mark of King George III. Though time and weather have worn it down, the emblem still reflects the craftsmanship and precision of 18th-century weapons manufacturing, as well as the far-reaching authority of the British crown. This very cannon was used during the fierce Battle of Red Bank in 1777, a clash that played a pivotal role in defending the American cause.

Cannons bearing the same royal insignia were also used decades later during the War of 1812, and several have since been recovered.

Nearby, you’ll also find an 18th-century image of the Augusta's original building plans—a remarkable glimpse into the engineering behind one of the British fleet’s most formidable warships. Together, these artifacts connect the firepower of the battlefield with the meticulous design and ambition of the King's global empire.

It was in the King’s name that Colonel von Donop sent a messenger and drummer to Fort Mercer demanding Greene’s surrender. Stating that “King George directs his rebellious subjects to lay down their arms and promised no quarter if a battle is risked,” to which one of Greene’s men replied, “we’ll see King George damned first-we want no quarter!” Despite the formidable opposition, American’s at Fort Mercer, much like the ones in Boston who expelled the British from their territory, were feeling that they could win this war. 

Viewing the left trunnion of the British cannon, a prominent “W” is stamped into the metal—an identifying mark of William Bowen, the master founder who meticulously oversaw its molding and casting. It’s a subtle yet powerful detail, linking this massive weapon to the skilled hands that forged it. This mark serves as another reminder of the paradoxical beauty found in instruments of war—where elegance in craftsmanship meets the brutal purpose of destruction.

A 3-pound cannonball is on display inside the historic Whitall House. Though small in size, it is incredibly powerful. When fired from a powder-packed cannon at high velocity, it could wreak devastating havoc in close-quarters combat, striking with deadly force and precision. Its compact form belies the immense destructive power it once held on the battlefield.