A fortnight later, Knyphausen made a second attempt to capture the Hobart Gap and threaten Washington's main army at the Battle of Springfield. . Caldwell and the gunners tore them up, and stuffed them in barrels with the cannon balls. The Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield 1780is a fast read, but it also serves as a worthy resource about the final years of the Revolution. During the battle, the Americans were running out of wadding to load their muskets. They told inflated stories of Washingtons weakness, brewing mutinies among the soldiers, desperate conditions due to lack of provisions and waning enthusiasm of the New Jersey militia, tired of years of war. If Knyphausen wanted to make a fight of Springfield and Hobart Pass, Washington had Greene oblige. Patriot victory: Captains Richard Shreve and Edward Thomas engaged John Bacon and his Loyalist bandits (known now as "Refugees") at Cedar Bridge. The original building was the weekday meeting house for public affairs, and a house of worship on Sundays. There are three major historic sites of interest related to the events of June, 1780, which while not on the trail route, are worth visiting: Liberty Hall in Union, along with Washingtons Headquarters and Jockey Hollow, both in Morristown. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The June 78 Battle of Connecticut Farms, however, found American militia and Continentalsmostly soldiers of General William Maxwells New Jersey Brigadeto be shockingly stalwart. The village of Connecticut Farms got its name because the first settlers were from Connecticut. The UTHS headquarters is located at the historic Caldwell Parsonage and museum, the site where Hannah Caldwell was shot and killed by British troops during the Battle of Connecticut Farms in 1780. Knyphausens 6000 men were thought to be more than enough to defeat Washingtons famished and mutiny wracked army. Work was completed by 1788 in the same location as the first church, with the new building built in stone. [8] A quarter-mile (about 0.5km) further west, Colonel Elias Dayton, with a detachment of the New Jersey Continental Brigade and more militia, skirmished with the invaders before falling back to Connecticut Farms. At midnight, 5,000 troops started to land. Greenes experience in New Jersey fighting, withdrawing, and fighting again, would come in useful when he was assigned to take command of the Southern Department later in the summer. In 1760, when lawyer William Livingston was planning to build a country home, he bought 120 acres in what was then sleepy bucolic Elizabethtown, just across the river from his New York home. [2], Knyphausen's corps comprised some 6,000 men. The sites that follow are in the order they are passed along this historic trail, which stretches 9.2 miles from the Arthur Kill to Springfield. Hidden New Jersey: Exploring the last northern battles of the But the resistance they met in Springfield proved too great. Exploring the last northern battles of the Revolution: Visiting old Connecticut Farms New Jersey was the crossroads of the American Revolution, with more battles fought here than anywhere else during the battle for independence. The Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, 1780 Excellent maps are included in each chapter, helping the reader to better understand the details of the battles. Operated as Boxwood Hall State Historic Site, NJ DEP, Division of Parks and Forestry, St. Johns Parsonage The Andrew Hampton Homestead 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. Knyphausen received word from spies that General George Washington's main army at Morristown, New Jersey, had been reduced by desertion and disease to only 3,500 men and was plagued by mutinies and low morale. I lament that our force was too small to save the town from ruin. by David Price American logistics had broken down, so the Continental Congress abdicated their responsibility and told the states to supply their own troops. Any British landing force would have to make an amphibious landing in marshland, then a long approach march through hostile New Jersey countryside only to force one of the passes through the mountains just to fight a battle on the other side in constricted terrain against a dug in enemy under proven leadership. Accordingly, Knyphausen decided to withdraw. It was not to be. The days are becoming longer and more gruelling, and the Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, commanding the British garrison in New York, is determined to break through the Watchung Mountain defenses and attack Washingtons army at Morristown. Learn how Hannah Caldwell, living in Union, New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War, may have shaped the final months of the war. Furthermore, the only approach was via Newark Bay, and Morristown was screened from any landing there by the Great Swamp and Watchung Mountains. With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States coming up in 2026, a team including historians from Kean and Monmouth universities launched a new review of the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield. This is dramatic military history as seen through the prism of local historyhistory with a depth of detail, a feeling for place, people, and the impact of battle and its consequences that the story of major battles often cannot convey. The Last Invasion Historic Trail - County of Union The column eventually reconsolidated back on Galloping Hill road after its commander became concerned with the number of militia organizing on Newark Mountain and in the Short Hills, out in the open but just out of range. The 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time, The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret: George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon, The New Nation: The Creation of the United States in Paintings and Eyewitness Accounts, Journal of the American Revolution, Annual 2020 Now Available, The 10 Key Campaigns of the American Revolution, A Study in Sustainability: The Continental Encampment in Bucks County, December 1776, The Journal of Thomas Anderson, Delaware Regiment, Part 1, May 1780March 1781, South Carolina Provincials: Loyalists in British Service During the American Revolution, British Soldiers Wounded at Eutaw Springs, Charles Lees First Inklings of Fractious American Political Battles. Clintons reserve was too far away to be of any use forcing the pass even if he wanted to, and there seemed to be thousands of additional American militia converging on the battlefield from all over northern New Jersey. After the Battle of Connecticut Farms, on June 7, 1780, had foiled Lieutenant General Wilhelm, Baron von Knyphausen's expedition to attack General George Washington's army at Morristown, New Jersey, Knyphausen and Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, British commander . Topics. On this day in history, June 7, 1780, the British are turned back at the Battle of Connecticut Farms by the New Jersey militia. Kean Historians Lead New Research into Revolutionary War Battles With the Americans in firm possession of the high ground and the militia swarming on the Royal armys flanks", the prospects did not look good. The British are turned back at the Battle of Connecticut Farms - June 7 For even more details on many of these sites, go to: https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/elizabeth_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm, Nathaniel Bonnell Homestead & Belcher-Ogden Mansion 1045 & 1046 East Jersey Street in Elizabeth. Their goal: Morristown, to crush Gen. Washingtons army once and for all. The Presbyterian Church of Connecticut Farms has been and continues to be a strong presence in the Township of Union, and is home to a vibrant congregation. Your email address will not be published. This website contains over 1000 historical photos from our collection. Conflict simulation, peacebuilding, and development, Research from the Defence Studies Department, King's College London, The historical writing of Barry C. Jacobsen. One British soldier was captured at 6:00 AM, while an officer and 16 men of the 22nd Regiment were taken prisoner as they guarded the Elizabethtown road. But events would turn far darker come the spring. By June, 1780, the Revolutionary War had dragged on for four long years, with the vast majority of the battles and skirmishes fought in New Jersey. The June 7-8 Battle of Connecticut Farms, however, found American militia and Continentals mostly soldiers of General William Maxwell's New Jersey Brigade to be shockingly stalwart. Today, the mansion is fully furnished in eighteenth-century style, including several original pieces. The force Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen commanded achieved very little during this small foray in eastern New Jersey. The Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, 1780. By morning, Knyphausen had destroyed most of Connecticut Farms and retreated back to Elizabethtown causing Washington to call off the pursuit. Battle of Springfield - Wikipedia I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well. The hymnals were published by English clergyman Issac Watts. Confrontations occurred along the Rahway, from the bridge at Morris Avenue to Vauxhall. This is a particularly vulnerable time for Washingtons army, due to desertion and disease. Valuable resources were lost, nothing was accomplished, and Loyalist support continued to erode: Loyalists in New York, for their part, were vexed, blaming Wurmb and Knyphausen for failing to push their advantage. The Andrew Hampton Homestead St. Johns Parsonage is an invaluable reminder of an earlier time. But his neighbor is D.J. Landing on the evening of June 6th at Elizabethtown across from Staten Island, 6,000 British soldiers began to march the 25 miles to Morristown, protected behind the Watchung Mountains. By this time, George Washington had heard of the advancing British and was preparing an assault, even sending his own personal guard ahead of him, which became involved in the fight. [17], The next day, June 8, saw some minor skirmishing as the British column retraced its steps back to Elizabethtown Point. On June 6, 1780, British troops, led by Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, boarded boats on Staten Island bound for Elizabeth, New Jersey. The Battle of Connecticut Farms, was one of the last major battles between British and American forces in the northern colonies during the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Springfield was fought during the American Revolutionary War on June 23, 1780, in Union County, New Jersey. American casualties were light, while Knyphausens actions again wasted men, time, and material. Knyphausen had also been led to believe that the war-weary people of New Jersey would give little resistance to his invasion. The soldiers met resistance from regulars and militia under Colonel Elias Dayton and General Lafayette at Connecticut Farms, which included . Small Battlesoffers a fresh and important new perspective on the story of Americas early conflicts. The burning of Springfield was used as cause celebrefor Patriot resistance to British savagery.. Maxwells men, reinforced by the militia, made a stand, beating back repeated assaults. He also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and then as a member of the US Senate. In a series of sharp engagements, fought hard on both sides, the Americans convinced Knyphausen to turn back. Daytons 3rd NJ Regiment was joined by the rest of the New Jersey Brigade and General William Maxwell. Listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. List of American Revolutionary War battles - Wikipedia Commanding there in the absence of British General Henry Clinton, who was on his way back from Charleston, Knyphausen hoped that a quick strike into New Jersey could deliver a staggering blow to Washingtons weakened army. Once again, though, Washingtons hardened soldiers, led by men like Colonel Israel Angell, Colonel Elias Dayton, and Major Light Horse Harry Lee, fought Clintons forces to a standstill. After realizing that further advance on Morristown would probably be met by even more resistance, Knyphausen withdrew back toward New York. The original building here opened in 1767 as a classical school known as The Academy, at which Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were students. The photos are viewable here in various sizes and downloadable. MADISON - The Madison Historical Society will present "The Battle of Connecticut Farms and the Death of Hannah Caldwell" with actor and historical interpreter Meridoc "Doc" Burkhardt at 7 p.m. on. A brief exchange of gunfire took place, and Bacon and his men were able to escape. The last of those battles occurred 231 years ago this month in Union County, including my home town of Union. Battle of Connecticut Farms | Military Wiki | Fandom Battle of Connecticut Farms in New Jersey - RevWarTalk Skirmishes and maneuvering would continue for the next two weeks until Knyphausen and the returned General Clinton made another attempt at Morristown, this time reaching Springfield, the next town beyond Connecticut Farms, but once again they were repelled by the New Jersey militia and the Continental Army at the Battle of Springfield in the last major battle of the American Revolution in the north. While few realized it at the time, these battles would ultimately lead to the American victory over the British at Yorktown the following year. Eventually expanded into the exquisite 50-room Victorian mansion you see today, the museum houses extensive collections of furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. Washingtons army was protected from attack by the Watchung Mountains, and Hobart Gap was the pass that led through them; possession of which would allow an eleven-mile advance across flat ground to hit Washington's main encampment. View Details, Copyright 2023 Westholme Publishing | All Rights Reserved, Save 25% on every book by joining our Book Club. The destruction of Connecticut Farms and Springfield solidified American resolve against the British and proved an effective recruiting tool, not to mention increased the American populations generosity towards supplying the Continental Army. Rochambeaus forces finally gave Washington the critical mass needed for a fighting force capable of defeating the British. Battle of Connecticut Farms - INFOGALACTIC As militiamen continued to pour in individually and in small groups, Maxwell assigned Brigade Major Aaron Ogden to organize them into an effective unit. Using trees and bushes for cover, the Americans held their ground for three hours until von Wurmb was reinforced by General Mathew and part of his 2nd Division. Washington knew of Clintons reserve, and had no intention of falling for the trap. Designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton, who had designed many other Carnegie libraries as well as the immigration station at Ellis Island, this library opened in 1912. TAX ID#33-0251511, American Revolution artist John Trumbull is born, James Madison proposes the Bill of Rights. TheSmall Battles series focuses on Americas military conflicts at their most intimate and revealing level. British General Henry Clinton, whose troops were snug in New York City for the harsh winter, sought to take advantage of the Continental Armys weakness. It is a prime example of adaptive reuse of a historic structure. If he resumed his advance, "he was certain to bring on a general engagement with Washington's entrenched army. 260261 for the identities of the two Hessian infantry regiments, Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, Return of the kill'd, wounded, missing and deserted since the 6th instant. British plan A two-pronged assault was planned. The June 7-8 Battle of Connecticut Farms, however, found American militia and Continentalsmostly soldiers of General William Maxwell's New Jersey Brigadeto be shockingly stalwart. About 1751, the royal Governor of New Jersey, Jonathan Belcher, relocated the center of colonial government from Burlington on the Delaware to Elizabeth. Disorganized, and bit surprised at the strength of the resistance thus far, Knyphausen impotently burned Connecticut Farms to the ground, and withdrew back to Elizabethport. In a series of sharp engagements, fought hard on both sides, the Americans convinced Knyphausen to turn back. Accordingly, Knyphausen decided to withdraw. [10] Knyphausen noted, "The Rebels, as they often did, withdrew from house to house and from wood path to wood path, resisting with all means available". Listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places Operated by the Union Township Historical Society, Cannon Ball House 126 Morris Avenue in Springfield. [7] The resulting confusion cost the British column valuable time. Privacy Statement OPRA Requests Employee Intranet, https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/elizabeth_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm, Hand-cut post-and-beam construction with unusual Flemish bond brick style, the result of expansions made by its first three owners. In early June, 1780, Hessian General Baron Wilhelm von Knyphausen took the cream of Clintons army and crossed from Staten Island to bring Washington to battle. Starting from Elizabethtown Point, one column would advance along the Galloping Hill Road, straight through Connecticut Farms and Springfield, while another column would take the Vauxhall Road north of Springfield along the southern edge of Short Hills. The Battle of Connecticut Farms, June 7, 1780 Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church and Cemetery 888 Stuyvesant Ave. The Cannon Ball House, now home to the Springfield Historical Society, is one of only four houses in Springfield not destroyed that day. Clinton, fresh from his victory in the South, tried . The resulting confusion cost the British column valuable time. On June 7, as the sun rose, about 60 New Jersey militiamen under Ensign Moses Ogden fought a rearguard action to try to delay the British advance in an orchard near Governor Livingstons mansion. During that time, Belcher strongly supported the creation of a school that would become Princeton University. Hed be the bait. In a series of sharp engagements, fought hard on both sides, the Americans convinced Knyphausen to turn back. June 7, 1780 at Connecticut Farms (now Union Township), New Jersey. Knyphausen waited until winter was over and began a major campaign with the intent of destroying Washingtons camp with its 3500 men. Union, township (town), Union county, northeastern New Jersey, U.S., on the Elizabeth River, 5 miles (8 km) northwest of the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Descendants resided here at Liberty Hall until 1995. The Battle of Connecticut Farms took place in June of 1780 and was part of Washington's defense of the second British invasion into New Jersey. Although he was obsessed with recapturing New York City, he was worried about the position of the French fleet and whether he could count on French General Rochambeaus support. Knyphausen met them at the small hamlet of Connecticut Farms just outside Springfield. Gunpowder and a lead ball would be wrapped in paper and then rammed down the barrel, with paper wadding holding everything tightly in place. It is one of New Jerseys original 36 Carnegie libraries. Battle of Connecticut Farms American Revolutionary War [13], During the capture of Connecticut Farms, a stray bullet killed a civilian named Ball. . Listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, Take a trip through time with Boxwood Halls 250-year history, New Jerseys most historic burial ground, with more than 2,100 gravesites spanning four centuries, including those of Jonathan Dickinson (founder of Princeton University), the Fighting Parson, Rev. American soldiers under the combined command of Gen. Nathanael Greene, Lighthorse Harry Lee and Jedediah Huntington next proceeded to an engagement at the Battle of Springfield on June 23 against Knyphausen, the Jger corps, and Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoes Queens Rangers. Edward G. Lengels narrative on the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield in June 1780 effectively shows how, despite a lack of men and supplies, the Continental Army and New Jersey militiamen under the command of Generals George Washington and Nathanael Greene were able to hold off the better trained and armed British, Hessian, and Loyalist troops under the command of General Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. But perhaps the more startling aspect of this latest plunder was that the raid was led by Cornelius Hetfield, a Staten Island Tory originally from Elizabethtown, whose father was an Elder of the church. Once onJune 7th and then again on June 23rd, the British move on the Americans fromStaten Island and the vicinity of Elizabethtown resulting in the Battle of ConnecticutFarms and the Battle of Springfield. Word spread quickly through the countryside and the militia gathered at Connecticut Farms. Location. In order to reach the camp, Knyphausen had to get to a pass in the mountains that led through to Morristown. The conflicts were fought in June 1780 near what is now Kean's Union campus. The Last Invasion History Trail marks the events of June, 1780. They had to crush Washington once and for all and the only way to do it was to capture to his encampment in Morristown. During a raid on January 25, 1780, the First Presbyterian Church was burned, a fairly standard tactic for the British forces. The Battles for Connecticut Farms and Springfield, 1780, by distinguished historian Edward G. Lengel, chronicles these two important battles that marked a turning of the tide in the Revolutionary War. During the occupation, a number of civilians were killed, including the wife of Continental Army chaplain and Presbyterian minister James Caldwell, while she sat in her home. Washingtons army was protected from attack by the Watchung Mountains, and Hobart Gap was the pass that led through them; possession of which would allow an 11 mile advance across flat ground to hit Washington's main encampment.