The Morristown area experienced its share of revolutionary drama, including the worst winter in recorded history, an encampment with thousands of starving, near-mutinous soldiers, and an invasion by the British. What was it like in this village in wartime? Here is a chronology of some noteworthy events, including accounts by those who witnessed, firsthand, this fateful time in our nation’s history.
Tuesday,
June 6
Wednesday,
June 7
Wednesday,
June 7
Wednesday,
June 7
June
8 - 21
Middle of
June
Tuesday,
June 20
Friday,
June 23
Friday,
June 30
Summer -
November
Tuesday, June 6
Council of War at Headquarters.
The dining room of the Ford mansion was turned into a war room.
With the expected French land and sea forces on the way, Washington and his generals discuss where to attempt a joint attack on the British. A number of options are discussed.
Wednesday, June 7
British invasion of New Jersey — enemy advances to Connecticut Farms.
The Americans slowed the surprise attack using hit-and-run fighting tactics.
Enemy forces (estimated 5-6000) cross from Staten Island to Elizabethtown Point around midnight, and advance toward the gap in the Short Hills via Connecticut Farms, (now Union) New Jersey. Word of this reaches Washington in the early hours of June 7; he puts the army in motion to defend the Gap by 7 AM. Heavy equipment and stores are ordered to Pennsylvania.
“On Tuesday night the 6th inst. The enemy landed at Elizabeth-Town Point, and early on Wednesday morning advanced in force, as far as Connecticut Farms, within about two miles of Springfield. The Jersey brigade, which lay at or near Elizabeth, skirmished with them all the way up; and such of the militia as could collect , joined in opposing their progress, and fought in a manner that does them great honour, and if possible, exalts the reputation of the Jersey Militia.” Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Baskenridge, dated June 10, 1780
Wednesday, June 7
The Americans respond.
Local volunteer militia joined along with Continentals.
Washington precedes the army, and leaves the Ford Mansion for what becomes a two week campaign by the enemy. Washington reaches the Short Hills (or heights of Springfield) ten miles southeast of Morristown, by the afternoon of the 7th. But the outpost troops, supported by New Jersey militia, succeed in slowing the enemy.
In a later letter, Mrs. Ford noted “the hurry and confusion with which the Genl. left the house” Theodosia Ford to General Washington, July 21, 1780
Regarding the American stand at Connecticut Farms, Brigadier General Maxwell said: “Our parties of Continental troops and militia at the defile performed wonders…stopping the advance of the enemy near three hours.”
From Samuel Stelle Smith, Winter at Morristown 1779-80 The Darkest Hour
Wednesday, June 7
Battle of Connecticut Farms -- Mrs. Ford’s oldest son wounded in first volley.
Reverend Caldwell’s wife killed.
The fighting in and around Connecticut Farms was chaotic, with members of the militia attacking and retreating when they could.
In the musket volley exchanged overnight, a young American volunteer was hit. Major Caleb Gibbs reported “…that among the Wounded is Mr. Ford of Morristown where hd. Qurs. is kept he was in the Advance, a Volunteer with Lt. Colfax which gave the Enemy the first Charge; he received two balls thro his thigh.” This was seventeen year old Timothy Ford, the oldest of the Ford children. He would recover and enter the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in the fall.
After their stand at Connecticut Farms, the Americans retreated, passing the Presbyterian parsonage with Reverend James Caldwell’s family inside. As the fighting continued, a bullet through the window took the life of the parson’s wife, Hannah Caldwell. (Her shooting is still depicted on the local county seal (now Union County, New Jersey.) The incident became fuel for patriot propaganda.
June 8 - 21
Maneuvering by both sides.
Detail from a map of Northern New Jersey.
The two armies reposition themselves and Washington makes probing advances through Elizabethtown. Concern about a possible strike up the Hudson River, Washington shifts himself and half of his remaining forces northward, but behind the mountains from where he can respond to attacks either at Morristown or West Point. General Greene is placed in command of the forces facing the enemy.
Middle of June
Martha Washington leaves the Ford Mansion.
General George Washington.
After her arrival home, Martha Washington writes her brother in law. “I suffered so much last winter by going late that I have determined to go (to the next winter camp) early in the fall before the Frost set in….we were sorry that we did not see you at the Camp – there was not much pleasure thar [sic] the distress of the army and other difficultys [sic] th’o I did not know the cause, the pore [sic] General was so unhappy that it distressed me exceedingly.” Martha Washington to Burwell Bassett, July 18, 1780. From the collection of Morristown National Historical Park
Tuesday, June 20
An Officer describes militia unity and spirit at Connecticut Farms.
Jersey militias valiantly supported the army against the British attack.
“The enemy have been greatly disappointed in this expedition. They had been told, that, should they march five thousand men into Jersey, the inhabitants of the State, so dispirited as they must be on account of our misfortune at the southward, would submit without resistance; and that the soldiery of the Continental army would desert to them on every occasion. But, thank Heaven, in this they reckoned without their host. Nothing could surpass the spirit with which the militia turned out. It was Lexington repeated… Think, my friend, of our mortification on seeing a number of the enemy, not exceeding five thousand, laying waste the pleasant fields and burning houses almost under our noses, and then retiring, without our daring to pursue. The army have never experienced any thing like it before. … But, believe me, our army – our grand army, with the illustrious Washington at head of it – did not amount to three thousand men! And, were it not for the assistance we received from the militia of this State, it would not be able to keep the field.”
Captain Samuel Shaw, 3rd Continental Artillery, Short Hills
Friday, June 23
Second British attack -- fighting at Springfield, NJ.
The outnumbered Americans once again turned back the British.
British forces advance quickly from Elizabethtown Point toward Morristown, while their troop ships sail up the Hudson. The move up the Hudson fails to draw Washington across the mountains, but Greene is hard pressed. The bridge over the Rahway River allowing access to Springfield is bravely blocked by Col. Israel Angell’s 2nd Rhode Island regiment. They hold off troops five times their number for over half an hour, retreating only after taking heavy casualties, as “superior numbers overcame obstinate bravery,” Greene would later explain. At the end of the day Greene has committed all of his brigades, but is still well positioned. In the late afternoon, the enemy burns Springfield and withdraws. In the night, they cross back to Staten Island. Washington reaches Greene that same night. On June 23, The Ford mansion is finally left by the Committee from Congress and others associated with Headquarters.
"The gallant behavior of Colonel’s Angell’s regiment on the 23d inst., at Springfield, reflects the highest honor upon the officers and men. They disputed an important pass with so obstinate a bravery that they lost upwards of forty in killed, wounded and missing, before they gave up their ground to a vast superiority of force."
General Washington to Governor William Greene of Rhode Island
Friday, June 30
Alexander Hamilton reflects on Springfield and the future.
The Battle of Springfield would be the last northern battle of the war.
“You have heard how the enemy made an incursion into the Jerseys and made an excursion out of it, how the Continental troops and Militia behaved with singular spirit, how the enemys Vessels have been dancing up and down the North River, and how they have at length thought proper to sit down quietly in New York. You have also heard how we have made a very good show with very little substance.
We have now before us a golden opportunity: We have applied to the states for means completely within their power; we have done everything that could operate on their fears and on their hopes. They have complied by halves, and if we attempt any thing, we must do it on the principle of despair; when we had it in our power to do it with a moral certainty of success, if we had properly exerted our resources. We are however still trying to rouse them, and it is still possible we may have a glorious campaign.” Alexander Hamilton to Lt. Col. John Laurens
Summer - November 1780
Conclusion and aftermath.
Today, the Jockey Hollow site serves as a reminder of this critical moment in the American Revolution.
In camp at Jockey Hollow, most of the huts are abandoned, the sick and invalid left behind are gathered at the Pennsylvania Line. During the summer, deputy QMG Joseph Lewis stops theft of materials from the huts, and they are later given to the inhabitants as compensation.
