Kościuszko arrived in America in July or August 1776. However, we do not know the exact date. The war was already on. The Declaration of Independence has been announced. However, the course of war events was not very favorable for the rebellious colonists.

Kościuszko was commissioned to build fortifications on the Deleware River. He was supposed to develop such a defense system to make it difficult or even impossible for English ships to move on the river, and above all to prevent an attack on the then capital of the United States, Philadelphia.

The river flows from the Catskill Mountains and, heading south, flows in a wide, funnel-shaped mouth into the Atlantic. The estuary begins near Trenton and is approximately 240 km long, ending at the mouth between Capes May (north) and Henlopen (south). In the lower, widest part of the estuary is called Delaware Bay. The length of the entire river is 580 km. The basin covers about 35 thousand. km². The river flows through the four states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware (Wikipedia).

Kościuszko did not hesitate and developed a plan for the defense system. At that time, it was a very modern and innovative project. It included the construction of anti-landing barrages, coastal batteries and multi-row palisades. The stockades were to prevent enemy ships from moving on the river.

Congress was impressed with the Pole’s work, and on October 18 he was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army.

Kosciuszko’s next task was to build a defense system at Red Bank, also on the Deleware River, but on the New Jersey side.

Author: Karol Kwiatkowski