"The Action was renew.

d with a very warm Canonade"

New Jersey Officer's Diary, 21 June 1777 to 31 August 1778

John U. Rees and Bob McDonald

Private soldier wearing hunting shirt and overalls, both made of linen. Many New Jersey enlisted men
likely wore this same uniform during the 1777 and 1778 field campaigns.
(Photo courtesy of James Bevan)
I have to voice my gratitude to Bob McDonald who shared the manuscript of this diary as well as his
transcription-in-progress, way back in the dark ages. From that initial contact, we worked on
deciphering seemingly indecipherable words and phrases, clarifying various mentioned names, places,
and other references, and attempting to identify the diary author. Bob’s initial kindness resulted in a
number of collaborations since then, and a cherished, long, but too often long-distance, friendship.
Bob, you are an amateur historian in the best sense, for the love of the subject, a wonderful mentor,
and a valued comrade.

Contents

1. Identity of the Diary Author

2. Composition of Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling's Division, 1777.
3. New Jersey Field Officers.
4. New Jersey Brigade Strength returns, November and December 1777, and June 1778
5. Diary Transcription

Appendices
A. “About an hour before day we dashed through the river again …”
The October 1777 Schuylkill Expedition
B. First-Person Accounts of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth
C. Additional Articles on the New Jersey Brigade
and the Campaigns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 1777-1778
_______________

For information on clothing worn by the New Jersey troops, 1776 to 1778 , see:

"'The Great Neglect in provideing Cloathing': Uniform Colors and Clothing in the New
Jersey Brigade, from Northern New York, 1776, to the Monmouth Campaign, 1778
Contents
"The Jersey Blues:" The New Jersey Regiments, 1755-1776
"Never...Our Proper Quantity:" The New Jersey Brigade of 1777
"The Regiments Have No Uniforms or Distinguishing Colours:" Uniform Coats
and the New Jersey Brigade During 1778
“The following Articles of Cloathing …”: 1778 Nine Months Levies’ Apparel
“Only a few light things in the Spring.": Clothing the Jersey Brigade’s Long Term
Soldiers, 1778
Military Collector & Historian, two parts: vol. XLVI, no. 4. (Winter 1994), 163-170;
vol. XLVII, no. 1 (Spring 1995), 12-20. http://revwar75.com/library/rees/neglect1.htm
and http://revwar75.com/library/rees/neglect2.htm
The 3d New Jersey Regiment in 1777 was issued blue coats with red facings. We have no certain
knowledge what the other three Jersey regiments wore.
(Photo courtesy of David Niescior)
 Continental Army officer's diaries abound, but quality and content vary. The diary this article is
centered on is not remarkable for its content (many others offer considerably more details of battles
and everyday life) but for the period it covers.
From June 1777 to July 1778 the four New Jersey regiments took part in their most arduous
and eventful campaigns of the entire war, fighting in three major battles (Brandywine,
Germantown, and Monmouth), two minor battles (Short Hills and White Marsh), and numerous
smaller actions (including Staten Island, August 1777, and Coopers Ferry/Haddonfield, April
1778), besides participating in the White Marsh camp and Valley Forge winter cantonment.
Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling's Division was embodied in May 1777 and the
New Jersey brigade continued to serve under Stirling until spring 1778, when the composite
regiments were sent on detached duty to New Jersey. Operating under Brig. Gen. William
Maxwell, in conjunction with New Jersey militia, the Jersey Brigade opposed the British march
across the state in the June 1778 campaign that culminated with the Monmouth battle and British
embarkation at Sandy Hook. (For a detailed treatment of the Monmouth campaign see, John U.
Rees, "’What is this you have been about to day?’: The New Jersey Brigade at the Battle of
Monmouth” (narrative and appendices), available only on the World Wide Web,
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm.)

Identity of Diary Author. Before we proceed with the diary transcription, let us try to ascertain the
author’s identity. To begin, he could not have belonged to the 1st or 3rd New Jersey Regiments,
those two units having participated in Maj. Gen. John Sullivan’s 22 August 1777 attack on Staten
Island, at the same time the writer had marched into Pennsylvania and encamped at the Crossroads
in Bucks County. The author also recorded the date the 1st and 3rd regiments rejoined Washington’s
army in Delaware.
That leaves the 2nd and 4th New Jersey Regiments to be considered. The May 1778 diary entries
note the departure of the 3rd and 4th Regiments from Valley Forge. Since the writer was still at
Valley Forge in May, this discounts his being an officer in the 2nd Regiment as that unit had been
stationed in New Jersey since March 1778. The fact that the majority of New Jersey officers
mentioned are from the 4th Regiment underscores this contention.
It is possible the author was a subaltern in the 4th New Jersey, though I believe that he was
actually Capt. Jonathan Forman. One clue is available on this head. The diary notes in September
1777, “the 8.th the Enemy Advancing went out with a Scout of About 120 Men Under Com.d [of]
M[ajor]: [Joseph] Bloomf[iel].d.,” of the 3rd New Jersey. In his journal Joseph Bloomfield wrote of
taking out “Capts. Conway & Hollinshead, Gifford & Forman & 130 Men properly officered from
the Jersey Brigade & 24 Cavalry.” (John Conway, 1st New Jersey, wounded at Germantown, apptd.
Major 4th N.J. 29 October 1777; John Hollinshead, 2nd New Jersey; William Gifford, 3rd New
Jersey, later wounded at Monmouth, captured at Elizabethtown 25 January 1780; Jonathan Forman,
4th New Jersey.) Knowing that the author was an officer, it is probable he was one of these four
captains; given that his unit is the 4th Regiment, and the likelihood he was a captain and not an
ensign or lieutenant, we are left with the great probability that Capt. Jonathan Forman was the
writer.
Does this identity fit in with other clues in the diary? Quite simply put, yes. A brief biography of
Jonathan Forman informs us the location of the place he called home:
 Jonathan Forman, the elder son of Samuel Forman, was born at his father’s house in
Middletown Point (now Matawan), New Jersey, October 16th, 1755 … In 1796 he removed
from Middletown Point with his wife and daughter …
When he left Princeton College to join the New Jersey militia in 1775 Forman was 17 years of
age; thus when he went home during the war, it was to the house at Middletown Point. That location
fits in with his narrative of traveling home in August 1777:

9th [August 1777] Mar[ch].d to the X Roads [Crossroads] and Encamp.t | the 10.th & 11.th Continued
| 12.th myself got Liberty to go to Jersey on Comm.d After D[es]erters | 13.th Set out in the Morning
w.th Capt. Wool, being Provided with Horses, Arriv.d that day at AllenTno. [Allentown, New
Jersey] | 14.th Arriv.d home where Continued till 27.th then Set out w.th Capt. Wool to Join then the
Reg.t | 28.th Allens Tn.o | 29th C[oopers].F[erry]. | 30.th Joined the Reg.t at Brandywine

Having grown up at Middletown Point, Captain Forman’s familiarity with the locale probably led to
his being chosen to observe the British army and act as guide for several New Jersey field officers
just prior to the British embarkation from Sandy Hook.

July 02.d [1778] went home returned to English Tn.o where we lay till Thirs[day] 9.th July. The
Main Army then Mov.d to Spottswood | our Brigade being left to Observe the Motion of the
En[em].y Colo[mn] march.d that morning to Mr. Denises, myself sent of[f] to Midle Tn.o w[h]ere
the E[nem].y had Possession of the heights to get Intelligence

Sunday 12.th [July 1778] went to Midlt[ow]n with Colo: [Elias] D[ayton]. [3rd New Jersey
Regiment] [Matthias] O[gden]. [1st New Jersey] and [David] B[rearley, lieutenant colonel 4th New
Jersey] to R[e]conoitre | the En[em].y Mov.d of[f] to Sandy hook, and Embark.d

(Helen L. Fairchild, Jonathan Forman biography, from Charles Forman, Three Revolutionary Soldiers: David
Forman, (1745-1797). Jonathan Forman, (1755-1809). Thomas Marsh Forman, (1758-1845. (Cleveland, Oh,
1902), 19-22. Mark E. Lender and James Kirby Martin, eds., Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of
Joseph Bloomfield (Newark, N.J.: New Jersey Historical Society, 1982), 127.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Composition of Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling's Division, 1777. General orders, 22
May 1777, "The following arrangement is to take place for the present... The 3rd., 6th., 9th and
12th. Pennsylvania regt. and Spencers to form the third brigade from that State; and the 1st., 2nd.,
3rd. and 4th Jersey regts. to compose the Jersey brigade - These two brigades, to compose another
division, under the command of Major Genl. Lord Stirling."
General orders, 26 May 1777, "It being omitted (thro' mistake) in the Orders of the 22nd. Instant,
to mention the Brigadiers that command in Major General Lord Stirling's division, Brigadier Genl.
Conway takes command of the 3rd., 6th., 9th. and 12th Pennsylva. Regts. and Col. Spencer's
regiment, which compose his brigade. And Genl. Maxwell of the 1st., 2nd., 3rd., and 4th. Jersey
regiments, which form his brigade."

Lord Stirling's Division (total strength, 1,798)

Brig. Gen. Thomas Conway's Brigade (strength, 760)
3rd Pennsylvania, Colonel Wood (150)
6th Pennsylvania, Colonel Bicker (---)
9th Pennsylvania, Colonel Morris (193)
 12th Pennsylvania, Colonel William Cooke (231)
Spencer's Additional Regiment, Colonel Oliver Spencer (186)

Brig. Gen. William Maxwell's Brigade (strength, 1,038)

1st New Jersey, Colonel Matthias Ogden (184)
2nd New Jersey, Colonel Israel Shreve (247)
3rd New Jersey, Colonel Elias Dayton (300)
4th New Jersey, Colonel Ephraim Martin (307)

(Sources for above: General orders, 22 and 26 May 1777, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of
George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799, vol. 8 (Washington, D.C., 1933),
99-100, 129-130.
"Arrangement, & present Strength of the Army in Jersey 20 May 1777," ibid., facing page 170.)

New Jersey Field Officers. Col. Israel Shreve’s 1777 diary concludes with a list of the regimental
field officers and seniority for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regiments. Below are the Jersey
officers, most of whom continued with their regiments through summer 1778.

Rank. Colonels 1 Elias Dayton 2 Israel Shreve 3 Ephraim Martin 4 Matthias Ogden
_________________________________
Lt. Colonels 1 David Brearly 2 David Rhea 3 Francis Barber 4 Wm. Dehart
_________________________________
Majors 1 Richard Howell 2 Joseph Bloomfield 3 Joseph Morris 4 Thomad Morrel
_________________________________

Arangement & Rank of ye field Officers of the four New Jersey Regts. in Continental service
_________________________________
1st. Regt. Col. Matthias Ogden Lt. Col. Wm. Dehart Major Joseph Morris
_________________________________
2nd. Regt. Col. Israel Shreve Lt. Col. David Rhea, Major Richard Howell
_________________________________
3rd. Regt. Col. Elias Dayton Lt. Col. Francis Barber Major Joseph Bloomfield
_________________________________
4th. Regt. Ephraim Martin Lt. Col. David Brearly Major Thomas Morrel
_________________________________
 4. New Jersey Brigade Strength returns, November and December 1777, and June 1778

"A General Return of the Continental Army under ... General Washington, encamped at
White Marsh, November 10. 1777"
Maxwell's Brigade 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey
Commissioned: TOTAL
Lieut. Colonel 1 1 1 1 4
Captains 1 5 3 5 14
Lieutenants 5 15 6 11 37
Ensigns 3 7 5 3 18

Staff: TOTAL
Adjutant 1 1 1 3
Paymaster 1 1 1 3
Quartermaster 1 1 1 1 4
Surgeon 1 1 1 3
Surgeon's Mate 1 1 1 1 4

Non Commissioned: TOTAL

Serjeants 13 23 21 18 75
Drum & Fife 8 8 11 9 36

Rank & File: TOTAL

Present fit 115 142 156 137 550
for duty
Sick present 29 13 13 21 76
Sick absent 67 47 43 81 238
On command 11 18 5 15 49
On furlough 5 2 1 8
TOTAL 227 222 218 254 921

Alterations since TOTAL

last return: Dead 1 1 2
Deserted 2 4 6
Privates joined 1 1 2
(No colonels, majors or chaplains returned.)
 "A Return of the Brigades Belonging to Lord Stirlings Division Decr 23d 1777"
Brig. Gen. William Maxwell's Brigade
Privates
Drums Privates unfit
Lt. and fit for for want
Regiment Col. Capts. Subs. Sgts. Fifes duty of shoes
Col. Barbers 1 5 10 19 9 150 60 (3d New Jersey)
Col. Rhea 1 6 13 23 10 159 59 (2d New Jersey)
Col. Martin 5 10 18 8 136 19 (4th New Jersey)
Col. Hogdens 2 9 12 8 128 28 (1st New Jersey)
2 18 42 72 35 573 166
(Note: No regimental colonels or majors noted on the return as being present.)

Source for two brigade returns above: Revolutionary War Rolls, National Archives Microfilm
Publications, Record Group 93, M246 (Washington, 1980), reel 136, miscellaneous returns; reel 137,
Army Returns, 1775 to 1783.
_____________________

Summer 1778: Regimental Strength, Long-term Soldiers and Nine-Month Levies

1778: Number of Levies in the New Jersey Regiments
Total Number Levies
of Enlisted Number of in Proportion
Regiment Men * Levies to the Whole
1st Jersey 501 257 51.3%
2nd Jersey 476 218 46.0%
3rd Jersey 369 118 32.0%
4th Jersey 325 77 23.5%
Total N.J. Levies: 670 (39.7% of the whole)

New Jersey Brigade Tally for Joining from May to August 1778

(612 levies accounted for out of 670 total)

40 levies joined between 1 May to 20 May (inclusive)
533 levies joined between 21 May and 14 June
39 levies joined between 15 June to 26 August

Sources for the 1778 New Jersey levy numbers and wartime regimental strength may be found in: John U. Rees,
"`The new Leveys are coming in dayly ...': The Nine Month Draft in the Second New Jersey Regiment and
Maxwell's New Jersey Brigade” (including a study of "The Use and Effect of the Nine-Month Draft in the Other
Brigades of Washington's Army"), appendix in Rees, "’I Expect to be stationed in Jersey sometime...’: An Account
of the Services of the Second New Jersey Regiment, December 1777 to June 1778” (1994, unpublished TMs: copy
held in the collections of the David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pa.), and, Rees,
“`The pleasure of their number’: 1778, Crisis, Conscription, and Revolutionary Soldiers’
Recollections”
Part I. “’Filling the Regiments by drafts from the Militia.’: The 1778 Recruiting Acts”
http://tinyurl.com/blz2gjw
Part II. "’Fine, likely, tractable men.’: Levy Statistics and New Jersey Service Narratives”
http://tinyurl.com/cttrxe8
Part III. "He asked me if we had been discharged …”: New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York,
Maryland, and North Carolina Levy Narratives” http://tinyurl.com/cayayg5
“A General Return of the Continental Army under the Immediate Command of His Excellency
George Washington … July 4, 1778”
Commissioned Staff Rank
Officers N.C.O.’s Officers & File Total
1st New Jersey 18 29 4 345 396
2d New Jersey 16 35 4 318 373
3d New Jersey 16 33 5 240 294
4th New Jersey 12 26 3 193 234
Sick Sick On On
Present Absent Command Furlough
1st New Jersey 49 55 29 9
2d New Jersey 12 27 24 7
3d New Jersey 18 51 14 1
4th New Jersey 23 53 21 1
Joined
Taken Enlisted,
Deaths Deserted Prisoner Discharged Recruited
1st New Jersey 2 6 74
2d New Jersey 2 3 1 73
3d New Jersey 5 1 59
4th New Jersey 4 8 22
Charles H. Lesser, Sinews of Independence: Monthly Strength Reports of the Continental Army
(Chicago, Il. and London, 1976), 72-74.

“Ab.t D[ay].Brk the 4.th [October] the Front L[ight].I[nfantry]. Division began the Attack being
["Con[wa]y.s," i.e., Brig. Gen. Thomas Conway’s brigade, Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling’s
division] Colum. Surprisd and Routed the En[em].y Driv[in]g them from their baggage leaving Every thing
behind, but a heavy Fogg Join.d w.th the Smoak and some little blunders Preven[te].d their Total Defeat …”
The column firing from the fence at the left is likely the head of Conway’s Pennsylvania brigade, first in a
column of platoons, further back, in marching order. Straight down the road is a massed infantry formation,
with artillery in front, deployed in the road. Detail from “The Battle of Germnatown” by Xavier della Gatta
(1782).
 More background details from Xavier della Gatta’s “The Battle of Germantown.”

Close-up of platoon firing at the fence-line along Germantown Pike. (Royal artillery in the
foreground, and light infantry filing to the rear.)

Columns of troops marching to the left as they follow behind the platoon columns at the fence line.
While not done on the spot, della Gatta was directed by an officer (likely Richard St. George
Mansergh St. George, lieutenant in the 52d Regiment, light infantry company) who was present at
the action. One of the best views we have of Continental troops on the field of battle. (For more on
St. George see, “’Virginia Rifleman’: Artist: Richard St George Mansergh St George, 52d
Regiment of Foot, 1777,” https://www.scribd.com/doc/245356391/Brother-Jonathan-s-Images-No-9-
St-George-s-Virginia-Rifleman-Artist-Richard-St-George-Mansergh-St-George-52d-Regiment-of-
Foot-1777-Collection
Massed columns of Continental troops advancing on Germantown Pike, with two cannon deployed
on the road, and Continental regiments in marching columns to the right of the houses.

(Above and below) Two columns of Continental troops advancing, one marching from the left, the
other from the right. Two artillery pieces seem to be deployed to the right. At center, there looks to
be a wigwam/brush hut at the edge of the woods, perhaps representing the British light infantry
camp overrun by Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvanians.
The following works contain narrative and details of the 1777 and 1778 military operations in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, providing much needed context for the diary that is the focus of this
monograph. (Additional articles are included in the appendix.)

"’We ... wheeled to the Right to form the Line of Battle’: Colonel Israel Shreve's Journal, 23
November 1776 to 14 August 1777 (Including Accounts of the Action at the Short Hills)”
Contents
1. “The Enemy Came out fired several Cannon At our Pickets”: Journal Entries, 23 November 1776 to 25
June 1777
2. Composition of Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling's Division, Summer 1777
3. “Our Canister shot Did Great Execution.”: The Battle of the Short Hills: Journal Entries 26 to 28 June
1777
4. “There was a steady fire on us from out of the bushes …”: A German Officer’s View of Operations in
New Jersey, 24 to 28 June 1777
5. “A smart engagement ensued …”: A British Private’s View of the Short Hills Battle
6. "I propose leaving Colo. Daytons and Ogden's Regts. at Elizabeth Town … for the present ...”:
Movements of the 1st and 3d New Jersey Regiments, July and August 1777
7. “Crossed Delaware [River], halted At Doctor Enhams …”: Final Journal Entries, 29 July to 14 August
1777
Addenda
1. Listing of Field Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Staff of the 2d New Jersey Regiment December
1776 to December 1777
2. Company Strengths and Dispositions, Colonel Israel Shreve's 2d New Jersey Regiment December
1776 to December 1777
3. 2d New Jersey Regiment, Monthly Strength as Taken From the Muster Rolls, December 1776 to
December 1777
4. 2d New Jersey Regiment, Company Lineage, 1777 to 1779
5. “The Troops of this Army … Appear to Manoeuvre upon false principles …”: The State of
Continental Army Field Formations and Combat Maneuver, 1777
6. Composition of British Columns at the Short Hills Action, 26 June 1777; Organization of British Light
Infantry and Grenadier Battalions, Spring and Summer 1777
7. “I have sent down Lord Stirling's Division, to reinforce Genl. Maxwell …”: Summer Campaign
Letters, Gen. George Washington and Virginia Captain John Chilton, plus the role of “late
Ottendorff’s Corps,” 22 to 29 June 1777
8. “At sunrise the fire began …”: New Jersey Brigade Accounts of the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign
9. "Without Covering but the H[eaven's].C[anop].y and boughs of Trees …": 4th New Jersey Officer's
Diary, 21 June 1777 to 18 February 1778 (plus Journal of Ensign George Ewing, 3d New Jersey, 1777-1778)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/153790118/%E2%80%99We-wheeled-to-the-Right-to-form-the-Line-of-
Battle%E2%80%99-Colonel-Israel-Shreve-s-Journal-23-November-1776-to-14-August-1777-
Including-Accounts-of
“`None of you know the hardships of A soldiers life …’: Service of the Connecticut Regiments in
Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall’s Division, 1777-1778”
“I am … Packing up my baggage in order to March”: Service on the North River, and
Movement into Pennsylvania, May to September 1777
“God Grant I may Always be Preserv'd …”: The Battle of Germantown and Schuylkill Expedition,
October 1777
“So small A Garrison never attaind Greater achievments …”: Forts Mifflin and Mercer, and
Maneuvers in New Jersey, November 1777
“Nothing to cover us But ye heavens …”: The Whitemarsh Encampment and Early Days at Valley
Forge, December 1777
“This is a very Different Spirit in the Army …”: Wintering Over at Valley Forge and Spring
Training, January to June 1778
“Sixty three bullet holes were made through the colours …”: Summer Campaign and the
Battle of Monmouth, June 1778
“The Troops of the whole line will exercise and manoeuvre …”: The March to New York and the
White Plains Encampment, July to September 1778
“The Enemy are upon the eve of some general and important move.”: The Fredericksburgh Camp
and Shifting Commanders, September to October 1778
“Their countrymen would … conclude the Devil was in them …”: McDougall’s Division Takes
Post in Connecticut, October and November 1778
“Grievances … Justly complained of by your Soldiers …”: The Connecticut Line Winter Camp,
December 1778 to January 1779
http://www.scribd.com/doc/111086856/YZ-List-Connecticut-Division-1777-79-Narrative-New-
Longer and http://www.scribd.com/doc/111086939/YZ-List-Connecticut-Division-1777-79-
Bibliography-New
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Diary Transcription

Source: Anonymous Revolutionary war diary, Fellows Papers, Box 2, Department of Rare
Books and Special Collections, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester. (Diary
transcription by Bob McDonald and John U. Rees). Likely author, Jonathan Forman,
captain, 4th NJ Regiment.

(Note: The text appears as it does in the original with several exceptions. Bracketed corrections or
clarifications have been inserted and “the” substituted for “ye.” Punctuation in 18th century writing
was often quirky and the author of the diary was no exception. A vertical line ( | ) is occasionally
inserted to delineate between old and new sentences and to separate events. Finally, horizontal lines
surrounded by brackets [--] denote an unintelligible word or words.)

[1777]
[Battle of Short Hills and aftermath]
having March.d from Middlebrook to Ash Swamp, where we lay till the 26.th June [1777]
when About 8 or 10,000 of the Enemy March.d out toward Short Hills, without any Troops
to Oppose them Except Genr.l Conways Brigade, | Genr.l Maxwells, on Intelligence of their
Movement, was Ordered to Attack them, Having March.d About two Miles, met with them,
Post.d on the Heights & the Greater Part of them Ambushcaded, their Number Unknown,
till we had March.d Almost in the Center of their Ambuscade, when we began a Heavy
Fire, but Our inconsiderable Number and Many Posts to Occupy Occasioned two Regts of
the Brigade to be Detached with the Artillery to another Post, where we Renew.d the Fire
with great warmth but their Superiorites of Nos. Rushing in upon us, in a Short time
Oblig.d us to Retreat wth the loss of two Officers killed and About 60 Men kill.d & taken,
the Division was again Collected in Abo.t 3 hours at Westfield, & [in] About an hour
Marched to [blank] between the Mount.ns the Enemy Advanc.g to W[est] F[iel].d where
[we] lay till the 1.st July, then March.d to W[est]:Field (the Enemy returning to A[m]boy) |
[For a compelling account of Short Hills, read Col. Israel Shreve’s diary, above.]

“Plan de notre camp à New Brunswick le 12e. juin, notre marche le 14 à Middlebush, la
situation du camp le 15e juin, et cette du Genl. Washington à Boundbrook, le poste que le
Genl. Sulivan occupoit le 15 dans la nuit pour courir Philadelphia, se postant sur la route de
Pennington,” by Jaeger lieutenant Friedrich Adam Julius von Wangenheim.
(Rough translation, “Plan of our camp at New Brunswick 12 June [1777], our march on the
14th to Middlebush, the situation of the camp 15 June, and that of General Washington at
Boundbrook, the post that General Sullivan occupied the 15th in the night covering the road
to Philadelphia and posted on the route to Pennington.”)
Library of Congress Map Division, https://www.loc.gov/item/gm71000669/
______________________

the 2.d [July] went w.th Major [Thomas] Morrel [4th New Jersey] & Capt. And.rson
[probably John Anderson, 4th Jersey Regiment] to see the Place of Action [of] 26.th June
found the Grave of Lieut. [James] Sproul [4th New Jersey] and Places of the death of
Several m[ore] |
___________________

(Map following page: “Plan de l'affaire de Westfield [Battle of Short Hills] & du camp de Raway,”
26-27 June 1777. Friedrich Adam Julius von Wangenheim, Library of Congress Map Division,
http://www.loc.gov/item/gm71000668 )
the 4.th [July] March.d to Morris Tn.o and Encampt where we lay Some days.

the 7.th [July] was on Evidence in Tryall of some A[rtillery]. Of[ficer]. for the Loss of 2
Pieces [on] 26.th June |

the 8.th July Rec.d Marching Orders | the 11.th began our March in the Morning and
March.d Abo.t 15 Miles and Encampt near Pompton w.th the Grand Army, where we were
Detained by bad Weather till the 15.th then March to RamaPaw [Ramapo] and Encamp.t
that Evening being ab.t 11 M[i]les. the Next Morning March.d [8?] Miles to the Clove |

18.th [July] Reviewed by Ld Sterl[in]g |

19.th [July] Lt. Brakanrig [Samuel Brackenridge, 4th New Jersey] Restord to the Reg.t
w.th Consent of the Officers. Refer to Letter B: [No extant correspondence known] |

20.th [July] March.d with L.d Ster[lin]g.s Division leaving baggage at P[eek]s Kill 24 Miles,
where we lay some days. a Spy Named Dan.l Corrain was hang.d [on the] 23.d |

24.th [July] Receivd marching Orders |

25.th [July] F[riday].M[orning]. Embarked in Flatt bottomd boats at P[eeks].kill and Soon
Landed at kings Ferry and March.d to Cakaat. [Kakeat] |

26.th [July] March.d at 3 in the Morning, thro Paramus and Encampt that Night Near
Pask. [Passaic] Falls dist.t 20 M[iles]. |

27.th [July] S[unday]. March.d to E[lizabeth].Tn.o 20 M[iles]. where we lay till Abo.t 1
O.Clock the 28th then March.d Abo.t 10 Mi[les]. and Encamp.t where we lay at Ash
Swamp [on] 25th June, (the Enemy the Most of this time at Sea) |

the 29.th [July] March.d to the [Forks?] of Raringt.n [Raritan River] and Encampt at 3 in
the Morning |

30th [July] March.d Nigh Coryauls [Coryells Ferry] on the Delaware dist.d Ab.t 12 M[iles].
myself very Unwell |
the 31.st [July] Orderd on our March A[t] 10 OCk, Crossed the Delaware and Encampt at
the great Springs Ab.t 3 M[iles]. from the Ferey [Ingham Spring is still to be seen beside
Route 202, two miles south of New Hope, Pennsylvania] |

July [actually August, 1777] the 1.st March.d Ab.t 18 Miles & Encamp.t Nigh the
[Crooked] billet [modern day Hatboro, Pennsylvania] |

2.d [August] March.d thro J.Tn.o [Germantown] and Encamped at S[chuyl]:K[ill]: Falls |

3.d [August] Rec.d Intelligence of the Fleett off the Capes [of the Delaware Bay],
“Progress of the army from their landing till taking possession of Philadelphia” (28 August to 20
September 1777), map possibly done by John André (pen-and-ink and watercolor).
Library of Congress Map Division, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3791s.ar106100
the 4.th [August] [British fleet] Disappeared [from the mouth of Delaware Bay],

6.th [August] Rec.d M[archin].g Ord.rs |

7th [August] Marchd to Sandy Run,

8th. [August] S[aturday; actually Friday]. |

9th [August] Mar[ch].d to the X Roads [Crossroads, present-day Hartsville, Pennsylvania]

and Encamp.t |

the 10.th & 11.th [August] Continued |[at the Crossroads]

[On detached duty to New Jersey, seeking deserters.]

12.th [August] myself got Liberty to go to Jersey on Comm.d After D[es]erters | 13.th Set
out in the Morning w.th Capt. Wool [possibly Isaiah Wool, 2nd Continental Artillery],
being Provided with Horses, Arriv.d that day at AllenTno. [Allentown, New Jersey] | 14.th
Arriv.d home where Continued till 27.th then Set out w.th Capt. Wool to Join then the
Reg.t | 28.th Allens Tn.o | 29th [August] C[oopers].F[erry]. |

30.th [August] Joined the Reg.t at Brandywine, |

Septem[ber] 2.d the 1.st & 3.d Jersey Reg.ts [returning from participating in an attack on
Staten Island. New York] Joined the 2.d & 4.th [Jersey Regiments] our Light troops Under
Command [of] G[eneral]. Maxwell below White Clay Creek [in Delaware] Annoying the
En[em].y who landed at the head of Elk.

Abo.t the 5.th [September] we Decamp.t and marched to Red Clay Creek, Near New Port
where we lay, (fortified) till the 8.th the Enemy Advancing went out with a Scout of About
120 Men Under Com.d [of] M[ajor]: [Joseph] Bloomf[iel].d [3rd New Jersey; Bloomfield
wrote of taking out "Capts. Conway & Hollinshead, Gifford & Forman & 130 Men
properly officered from the Jersey Brigade & 24 Cavalry;" John Conway, 1st New Jersey,
wounded at Germantown, apptd. major 4th N.J. 29 October 1777; John Hollinshead, 2nd
New Jersey; William Gifford, 3rd New Jersey, later wounded at Monmouth, captured at
Elizabethtown 25 January 1780; Jonathan Forman, 4th New Jersey, probable author of
this diary] | Our Army that Night Decamping March.d to birmingham, took Possesion of
the heights on the North Side [of] B[ran]d.y Wine, the Ene.y on the South Side. [The] Scout
Arriv.d at the Brigade [on the] 9.th [September] in the Evening.

10.th [September] Packt up All Bagg[ag]e. |

Battle of Brandywine by Friedrich Adam Julius von Wangenheim.
At the top is the British position on Osborne Hill, with the “Rebels”(3d Virginia Regiment)
to the right of their line in position at Birmingham Meetinghouse.
The “Rebels” in front of the British on the left are Maj. Gen. John Sullivan’s division.
Those in the center mark Stirling’s division with Maxwell’s and Conway’s brigades.
The “Rebels” to the right are Weedon’s Virginians.
“Dilworth” is Dilworthtown, a small hamlet, still there, through which many American
troops traveled on their retreat.
Library of Congress Map Division, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3824c.ar134000
[Battle of Brandywine]
11.th [September] the En[em].y Advanced About 9 O.C[lock]. A.M. And Attactt our Light
Troops. Abo.t 1 O.C[lock]. P.M. they filed of[f] to the left, which Occasioned Our Moving
to the Rig[h]t w.th Genr.ls Sullivan, L.d Sterling & Stephens Divisions but they having
Crossed the Brandywine ford before Our Arrival, Advanced and Soon began a Warm
Action, which lasted Some time but thro some Means Our Right wing giving ground, let
them in on our flanks [ -- -- -- ] till they were Almost at Bayonet P[oin].ts but we were
forc.d to Retreat in Disorder, the En[em].y Closely Pursuing (but not without Opposition
from Some troops) till Dark, Our Army Collected the Next Morning (with the loss of About
1,200 K[illed] & T[aken], the E[nem].y['s loss] S.d to be Abo.t 1900 K. & W.) at Chester.
from thence Cross.d the Scuylkill and Encampt at the Falls [of the Schuylkill]. the Next day
Marchd and Crosd the S[chuyl].kill ab.t 3 M[iles]. from the Falls, Proceeded on the
Lancaster Road 2 D[itto] |

[Col. Elias Dayton's (commander, 3d New Jersey Regiment) account of Bandywine: “September 11,
1777, was fought the battle of Brandywine, near Chadd's Ford and Birmingham meeting house. The
cannonading began about 8 o'clocl in the morning. At the same time a party of light troops under
General Maxwell atacked a party of the enemy on the opposite side of the river. The action was warm
for some time ... but upon the enemy advancing a brigade in the rear of those already engaged, our
people gave way, though not until they had killed a considerable number of Howe's men, with little loss
on their part.
About 1 o'clock we received intelligence of the main body of the enemy having crossed the creek
about six miles above us ... and after the enemy was properly formed on our side, Generals Sullivan's,
Stirling's, and General Stephen's Divisions were ordered to march and attack them. Accordingly they
all marched immediately, and between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, formed the largest part of the
three divisions upon a hill near Birmingham meeting house. The enemy very soon advanced to attack.
I believe before Gen. Sullivan's division was formed, as they changed their ground on which they drew
up. A number of them were marching past my regiment when the first fire began, consequently I
believe never fired a gun. In half an hour at farthest, the whole of our men gave way; the enemy
pursued briskly, by which means a number of our wounded, as also some well men fell into their
hands, in the whole about four hundred, and six or eight pieces of brass cannon six-pounders. The
pursuit continued until after sun-set, when the night approaching, and also a check they got from
General Greene's division, caused the enemy to give over the pursuit.” "Papers of General Elias
Dayton," Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, vol. 3 (1848-1849), 185-186.]

[The Battle of White Horse Tavern, also known as the “Battle of the Clouds.]
the 16th Sep.t Drawn up in line for battle Near the White Horse [Tavern] on Advantagious
Ground, Out Parties Skirmishing but a heavy Rain Preventd [a] Genr.l Action
Commencing, the Ene.y & Our Troops both Retiring, we lay that Night in the heaviest and
most Pertua [perpetual] Rain I Ever knew without Covering but the H[eaven's].C[anop].y
and boughs of Trees,

[Colonel Dayton tells of the “Battle of the Clouds”: “We had continued marching and countermarching
from the 11th of September to the 4th of October, except a small skrimmage on or about the 18th of
September, near the White Horse Tavern, on the Lancaster road, between the advance parties of both
armies. We were drawn up in order of battle, expecting every moment to engage the whole of the enemy's
army. After remaining about two hours in order of battle, and it beginning to rain very hard, we were
ordered to march off the ground, which we did about 12 o'clock.
Mid-day the storm increased, and we marched the whole night through the heaviest storm almost,
that was ever known. All our cartridges were wet, and I feared the ruin of the whole army would have
been the consequence. Indeed it must have been the case, had General Howe advanced upon us in this
situation; but fortunately for us he never moved towards us, but continued his route by easy marches
towards the fords where he intended to pass the Schuylkill.” "Papers of General Elias Dayton,"
Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, vol. 3 (1848-1849), 185-186.]

the 17.th [September] began Our March. Proc.dd to R[eading]. Furnace from thence we
were Marchig up & Down the Sch[uyl]K[il]l. on the N[orth]S[ide]. to Prevent the Enemy
Crosing till toward the 20.th [September] then Fallg down on Schkl Road, within Ab.t 16
M[iles]. [of] Ph[ila]d[el]p[hia] the En[em].y hav.g Poss[ess]ion -- having the J[ersey]. & the
P[ennsylvania].M[ilitia]. Joind us |

[Battle of Germantown]
the 3.d Octo.r March.d in the Night w.th the Whole Army in Diffrent Colums to Surprize
the E[nem].y at G[erman]Tno. Ab.t D[ay].Brk the 4.th [October] the Front
L[ight].I[nfantry]. Division began the Attack being ["Con[wa]y.s," i.e., Brig. Gen. Thomas
Conway’s brigade, Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling’s division] Colum.
Surprisd and Routed the En[em].y Driv[in]g them from their baggage leaving Every thing
behind, but a heavy Fogg Join.d w.th the Smoak and some little blunders Preven[te].d their
Total Defeat, we Retiring to P.ki Omy [Perkiomen], from thence to N[orth].W[ales] from
thence to the 30 M[ile].S[tone]. on Skipback R[oad]: |

[Colonel Dayton, 3d New Jersey, continues with an account of Germantown: “From Reading we
marched and countermarched about the country until October 2d, when we encamped at Worcester,
twenty miles from Philadelphia. The evening of the third we marched off with the whole army, with
the design to attack the enemy, who lay near Germantown, about fifteen miles distant from us;
unfortunately for us the night proved very dark, which so retarded our march we did not reach the
enemy's advanced post until sunrise, whereas our design was to attack them at first dawn of day. At
sunrise the fire began: their advanced party soon gave way, our people pursued them closely to the
main body, which they immediately attacked likewise, and they soon gave way, and were pursued from
field to field with great loss on their side. We suffered considerable in advancing, by a party the enemy
had thrown into a large stone house, said to belong to Benj. Chew. At this place fell Capt. McMyer and
Ensign Hurley of Col. Ogden's regiment; Capt. Conway, Capt. Morrison, Capt. Baldwin and Lt.
Robinson, wounded, of the same regiment, together with about 20 men; of my regiment, Lt. Clark and
Ensign Bloomfield were wounded, and 18 men killed and wounded; my horse was shot under me at the
same place, within about three yards of the corner of the house. About this time came on perhaps the
thickest fog known in the memory of man, which together with the smoke, brought on almost midnight
darkness, it was not possible at one time (I believe for the space of near half an hour) to distinguish
friend from foe [at] five yards distance. This obliged all our parties to give over the pursuit, as they
were in danger of firing upon their friends, and probably did several times before the fire ceased. [the
fog of war and of nature] At this instant the enemy rallied their scattered forces and advanced upon us,
when we retreated in turn, although with very little loss. I believe every man we had either killed or
wounded met his fate full in front as he was advancing. We lost one Brigadier General [Nash], who was
shot in the thigh with a cannon ball, of which wound he died three days afterwards. Our good Major
Weatherspoon [Witherspoon] was shot dead by a cannon shot in the head as we were advancing
through the streets of Germantown.” "Papers of General Elias Dayton," Proceedings of the New Jersey
Historical Society, vol. 3 (1848-1849), 185-186.]
 “The Attack upon the Chew House” artist unknown. From the collections of Historic Cliveden,
Germantown, Philadelphia.
_____________________________

[General McDougall’s expedition over the Schuylkill, and the Whitemarsh camp and
battle]
the 27.th [actually 22nd] Octob.r Ab.t 1500 men were Detach.d over S[chuyl]:K[ill]. under
Com.dd [of] M[ajor].G[eneral]. Mc.Dug.l [McDougall] to Attack a Party of Hessians, but
they Retiring on our Approch we Returned to Camp. w[h]ere Continued till the 29.th then
March.d to white M[arsh]. where we lay till the 5.th Dec.r Joind by Part of the N[or]th.n
Army. P[aterson's]. L[earned's]. G[lover's]. & V[arnum's]. Brgds, the E[nem].y then
Advancd to Ch[est].N[u]t.H[ill]. which kept us Under Arms 3 or 4 days, the E[nem].y
Retiring to Q[ua]rtrs. we Movd to Cross [the] S[chuyl].Kl. but were met by the E[nem].y
und[er]. C[omman].d [of] Corn W[allis]. and did not Cross till the following night and
Encamp.t at the Gulf M[il]ls. |
 Topographical map of the area of the October 1777 Schuylkill Expedition.
The first crossing of these operations took place overnight on October 22/23, marching
via Barren Hill Church (Point A), down via Hart’s Lane to wat was then Rees ap Edward's
Ford (later Young’s Ford). Difficult to see from the ford’s eastern terminus is the “bare
gravelly island, or flat,” that Joseph Martin described crossing on the west side. From there,
that first night, they marched up Present-day Young’ Ford Road, an continued about three
miles before learning their quarry was not yet in the vicinity. The force then re-crossed at the
same ford and took post at Barren Hill Church.
That evening (the 23d) they crossed again, following the same route, via Point C., past
Merion Meeting (which is off-map) an additional 7.5 miles to the Blue Bell Tavern (still
existing) in Darby, and formed line-of-battle. There the commanders learned that the
enemy force they sought had made it safely into Philadelphia and decided to withdrawal.
From the Blue Bell the troops wended their way back to Merion Meeting, where they
witnessed the explosion of the H.M.S. Augusta on the Delaware River. Major General
McDougall then directed his column towards Matson’s Ford (at modern-day
Conshohocken), where they crossed to the river’s east side, and received the whiskey ration
Private Martin wrote so vividly of. (My thanks to Thomas McGuire, who shared his
knowledge of the locale, and the roads and routes taken by General McDougall’s
detachment.)
ab.t the 11.th [actually the 19th] M[arche].d Ab.t [5?] Miles and Encampt at
V[alley]:F[orge]: |

[Countering British foraging around Darby, Pennsylvania]

10th [actually 21st or 22nd] Dec.r the Division Sent on Comm.d below Radnor Returned
the last [of] Dec.r |
[For more about the December British foraging operation and American countermoves see,
“Large droves of Cattle & flocks of Sheep go dayly into [the] Enemy …”
Countering British Foraging at Darby, Pennsylvania, 22 to 28 December 1778
http://www.scribd.com/doc/240762337/Large-droves-of-Cattle-flocks-of-Sheep-go-dayly-into-the-
Enemy-Countering-British-Foraging-at-Darby-Pennsylvania-22-to-28-December-1778 ]

“Progress of the army from their landing till taking possession of Philadelphia” (28 August to 20
September 1777), map possibly done by John André (pen-and-ink and watercolor).
Valley Forge is at the top left, Darby (or “Derby”) bottom-center.
Library of Congress Map Division, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3791s.ar106100
[1778]
4.th Jan.y 78 began to build Hutts finishd ab.t the 15.th and Moved in them, where
Continued Till the 18.th Feb.y

“Valley Forge” by Keith Rocco

http://www.keithrocco.com/home.php
 Valley Forge “map” (author unknown), John Austin Stevens Papers, Newport Historical Society,
Newport, Rhode Island.
______________________________________

Ab.t the 23.d May the 3 & 4 Reg[imen].t J[ersey].B[rigade]. Ordered to Jersey, [the] 1. &
2.d [New Jersey regiments] being Allready there [the 2d Regiment had been in New Jersey
since late March; the 1st Jersey joined them on May 12 or 13] the E[nemy]. crossing from
P[hiladelphia]: to J[ersey]:, the 3 & 4.th [regiments] Arriv.d in 4d[ays]. at [Mount] Holly
from Cr[ossin]g myself then being Deta[che].t on C[ommand]. with 1 O[fficer]. & 18 Men
at the B. [perhaps bridge, possibly Sullivan's bridge across the Schuylkill at Valley Forge]
did not M[arch]. till 3d[ays]. A[fter] and J[oine].d in 3 [days] att [Mount] H[olly]: where
Continued Quiet |

the 6.th June being Alarm.d in the Night M[arch].d A[bou].t 8 M[iles]. to B[lack]H[orse].
but Returned to [Mount] H[olly]. the Same Day.

7.th 8.th 9.th [June] Quiet |

10.th [June] on Duty Rec.d Intelligenc of L.d C[orn]:W[allis's]: Return, Au.th[orized?]:

Commiss[ione]rs. of the An.y [enemy, army?] |
11.th [June] Nothing.

12.th [June] [muster?]

[Maj. Joseph Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey Regiment, noted in his journal, “On the 18th. of June
(whilst the officers of the [Jersey] Brigade & Gentn. of the Town were feasting on Turtle &
Punch &c. &c.) Information was brought that the Enemy were advancing from Haddenfield
and Moores-Town to Mount-Holly." And the following day, “19. [June] At break of day our
alarm Guns were fired. The Brigade immediately marched to the Black-Horse [present-day
Columbus] (six miles) & Halted.”
Brig. Gen. William Maxwell informed New Jersey militia general Philemon Dickinson,
from Mount Holly on the 19th, "The Enemy set off late to day from Haddonfield & is coming
on the Road to EvesHam. They got a full fire from Capt. [John] Ross [of the 3rd New Jersey]
this morning with 50 men which threw them into a great confusion. He came off some
distance & Post[ed] them to give them More in a nother place. To appearance it is now beyon
dout they are coming through this way ... I will change my position this night or to morrow
Morning if I find they come on to the black horse. On that Road I think you and the Militia
should be [mov]ing as fast a possable to form a line on their left and Provisions ought to be
Collected so that it might be handy." Mark E. Lender and James Kirby Martin, eds., Citizen
Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph Bloomfield (Newark, N.J.: New Jersey Historical
Society, 1982), 135. George Washington Papers, Presidential Papers Microfilm, (Washington,
D.C.: Library of Congress, 1961), series 4, reel 50.]

the 20.th [June] the Enemy Approach.d [Mount] H[olly]. we Retired 8 Miles to the Bl[ac]k
Horse where we continued till the 22.d Ab.t 2 O.C[lock] in the Morning Rec.d intelligence
of their being in Motion ab.t to Surround us March.d to X wicks [Crosswicks]

[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “22. [June] Monday morning when they occupied our
quarters at the Black-Horse & we moved by way of Borden Town to Crosswicks.”
Pvt. James Jordan, 2d New Jersey Regiment, 19th century pension deposition: “the British
drove us out of Mount Holly and we retreated to the Black Horse ten Miles from Mt. Holly
and there encamped … [we] went into a Quaker Meeting house for the purpose of staying all
night the whole regiment was there / about the middle of the night the British came and
surrounded the Meeting house where he and his regiment were / we retreated out of the Back
door of the Meeting house and through the grave yard to a town in New Jersey called
Crossicks four miles from the Black Horse / this retreat was performed in the night …”
Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph Bloomfield, 136.
James Jordan (W8225), National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 (2,670 reels).]

[Action at Crosswicks Creek]

undisturbed till the 23d [June] Ab.t 5 OC in the Morning they then Approaching [we] were
Paraded they Advanc.d with their Horse so as to fall on our Rear in Crossing the brige,
when our Small Parties Skirmished w.th them Some time, but we Retiring to Trenton with
a Part of the Milt.a [militia] leaving a Part behind to Defend a Pass at [ -- ] Mill w.th Cap.t
Jones Artill[er].y [probably Gibbs Jones, Roman's Independent Company of Pennsylvania
Artillery, appointed captain 1 June 1778] we Moving on with the B[rigade]. to Maid[e].n
Head [Lawrenceville, New Jersey]|

[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “23. [June] The Enemy advanced, their front overtook our
rear at Crosswicks-Bridge where a smart skirmish ensued, the 3d. Jersey Regt. covering the
retreat of the Brigade & the militia.”
Maj. John Andre, British staff officer, “23d … Near the Rising Sun the Rebels had destroyed
a bridge, which it took some time to repair. At Crosswicks a piquet of the Enemy fired at the
head of the Column, and retired to join a body on the other side of the Creek (Crosswicks
Creek) the bridge over which they hastily destroyed. Then Queen’s Rangers followed them very
soon, but they retreated with great speed after firing a few shot across the rivulet. A Captain of
Simco’s was dangerously wounded. One or two of the Enemy were found killed by grape shot
from a 3-pounder brought on a height in front of Crosswicks whilst the bridge was repairing
…” Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph Bloomfield, 136.
John Andre, Major Andre's Journal - Operations of the British Army ... June 1777 to November,
1778 (Tarrytown, N.Y., 1930; reprinted New York: New York Times and Arno Press, 1968),
74-83.]

24th [June] Ab.t 8 in the Morning March.d to [Chambers?] Tav[er].n Ab.t 4 M[iles]. from
A[llen].Tn.o where the E[nemy]. then lay, in the Afternoon Moved to Pens Ne[c]k |
Second New Jersey major Richard Howell notified General Maxwell on the 24th,

[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “24. [June] The Brigade lay this night at Maidenhead,
Wednesday near & Thursday night at Hydes-Town [Hightstown New Jersey].”
Maj. Richard Howell, 2d New Jersey, 24 June, "Finding that the Enemy were extreamly
carless I [turned] about & Detach'd my Corps in three Divisions hoping that by that means
[to] Collect a number of prisoners, Captn. Ross [3rd New Jersey] had a smart fire with the
Enemy as they were taking up the Bridge tis thought he Kill'd some of them. The success of
the other parties is as yet unknown … Capt. Ross always beheaves well & so will the other two
beyond Doubt." Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph
Bloomfield, 136. Richard Howell to William Maxwell, 24 June 1778, George Washington
Papers, Presidential Papers Microfilm, (Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1961), series
4, reel 50.]

the 25.th. [June] Ab.t 4 O.Clk in the Aftrnoon Marchd to Heights Tn.o where we were
Join.d by G[eneral]. Sc[o]tts Light Troops and the Marquis [de Lafayette] Continuing to
keep on the E[nemy's]. left.

[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “25. June. 1778. This night I lay with Capt. Voorhees
Lieuts. Wm. Pyatt & Bloomfield with 50 Contl. Soldiers & 40 Militia on Taylor’s heights
within a quarter of a Mile of Clinton’s Main-Army. Fired upon & alarmed them several
times in the night, and in the morning followed their rear. Capt. Voorhees party took 15
Prisoners & had several skirmishes with the Jagars. Took three Jagars myself Prisoners
when I was reconnitreing within sight of the Enemy’s Rear. The Jersey Brigade with the
Marquis D. la Feayette, Genl. Wayne & Scott’s chosen corps lay together this Night in
Upper-Freehold.”
Capt. John Peebles, British 42d Regiment, “Thursday 25 June. ...The Army March'd at 4
OClock this Morng. ... Genl. Kniphausen's Division came in upon our road about 3 or 4 miles
from Allens Town & moved on in our front, proceeding on the road to Monmouth Court House,
Head Qrs. at the Sign of the Sun in Upper Freehold, Knip[hausen] with the Provision train 6
miles further on-- The road generally sandy & now & then a thick wodd [sic]-- a great many
people left their houses & drove away their Cattle-- a few of the Enemys Light Horse make
their Appearance at every Camp they watch our Motions, & exchange a Shot sometimes-- the
Weather very hot.” Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph
Bloomfield, 136. Ira D. Gruber, ed., John Peebles’ American War: The Diary of a Scottish
Grenadier, 1776-1782 (Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1998), 193-194.]

26[th] [June] March.d to Robins[']s tavern the En[em].y Moving towards Monmouth |

[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “Friday 26. Marched & Lodged with the above Troops to
English Town where we were reinforced by Genl. Lee’s Division.”
Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph Bloomfield, 136.]

27.th [June] began our March Early in the Morning March.d to English Tn.o Gen.l Scott
march[in].g in the rear of the Enemy Near burnt Tav.n then moving by the left Joined us
up wth at English Tn.o where we were Joined by a part of the main Army

27 June 1778:
[Major Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey, “Saturday. 27. June. Lay on our Arms at English-Town,
waiting the motions of the Enemy.”
Pvt. Asa Woodward, 2d New Jersey, 19th century pension deposition, “… in a skirmage
the day before the Battle of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey was wounded by two
Musket Balls one of which broke his left jaw bone; the other went in at his mouth & out at
the side of his neck was bayoneted in many places & received divers wounds with swords &
cutlasses & left for dead on the field that in the evening a picket of the enemy took me a
prisoner & was sent to New York where he remained near a year in a sugar house as a
prisoner …” Lender and Martin, Citizen Soldier; The Revolutionary Journal of Joseph
Bloomfield, 136. Asa Woodward (S33954), National Archives Microfilm Publication M804
(2,670 reels).]

[Battle of Monmouth Courthouse]

the 28.th [June] Sunday. orderd to March Early in the Morning Under comm.d of Genr.l
Lee with Ab.t 5000 troops to Attack the rear of the Enemy Near Monmouth courthouse,
which being [done?] by Genr.l Scotts light troops and Genr.l Wayne we retreated to the
heights near henry Parres house [Henry Perrine, farmer and tanner, owned the plantation
which surrounded the new meeting house] where Genr.l Wasington having posted a large
reinforcement the Action was renew.d with a very warm Canonade, and Obliged the
Enemy to retreat with the loss of Field Off[ice].rs among which was Colo: Monckton P[?]
our loss 4 Field Off.rs [including] lt. Col: Bonner [of] Pa. [Rudolph Bunner, 3rd
Pennsylvania Regiment]
[Pvt. James Jordan, 2d New Jersey, 19th century pension account, “On the morning of the 28th
day of June Gen. Washington ordered Gen. Lee to go and take the Jersey Blues and one Brigade
of Marylanders commanded by Gen. Wayne and go and attack the enemy in order to bring
them back to the ground on which he wished to fight them / he belonged to the second regiment
of the New Jersey Blues ... they were led on by Maxwell to attack the left Wing of the British
and had a very severe engagement / this was probably about eight or nine OClock in the
morning [we] had no breakfast nor any thing to eat that day / the engagement was continued
for some time when a retreat was ordered and fought all the way as they retreated back towards
and past the Court House at Montmouth / After we had passed the Court House a little we were
met by Gen. Washington who came up with the Main Army riding a White Horse this petitioner
was within a yard of him and heard him address Gen. Lee by asking him ‘What is this you have
been about to day’ / This was the principal Battle he was in during the time he served ..."
Col. Israel Shreve, 2d New Jersey, sent his wife a more detailed narrative, dated Englishtown,
2 July 1778, “We are at this place with our Brigade [and] shall march tomorrow morning Down
a Little below monmoth Courthouse, the Enemy are about Embarking between middletown
point and the Hook - the battle of monmoth fought Last Sunday between the Army of the United
States of America Commanded by his Excy Gen. Washington in person and that of Great
Britain, Commanded by his Excy Sir Henry Clinton, proves more Glorious to America than at
first Supposed. … among the Enemy Loss killed are Colo Monkton Commanding the Second
Battallion Granidiers, Colo Hide first Regt Guards with several other officers, Mortally
Wounded Colo Abercrombe Commanding the Second Battallion Light Infantry with several
other officers [Col. Henry Monckton was actually the highest-ranking British officer killed in
the action], Several Has since Died of their Wounds among Our killed, Colo Bonner, Major
Dickinson Mortally wounded Capt Cook of Artillery, Wounded Colo Barber 3rd J[ersey].
R[egiment]. supposed not mortall, upon the Whole this is the Greatest Victory Gained over the
British Army since the Commencement of the war, it has timely happened and Done the
Greatest Honour to our Great and Brave General Washington who Commanded in person
What pleasant Countenances was to be seen after the Battle was over in our Army, the
Stoutest and Bravest of the Brittish Grandiers fell on the Enemys Left, on their Right the Scotch
Infantry, in the Center the kings Guards and other Chosen troops, of those men the field was
strewed premiscously [sic] now and then a Brave American with them - What was most pleasing
they had two Guides Sam Leonard and Thomas Thomson Both lived in this Neighbourhood,
and both killed in the first of the Action, Leonard was Laying Down, took with a Cannon Ball
in the Left Sholder Come out in his Belly. Our Grand Army marched this morning towards the
North River. Our Brigade is to remain in Jersey untill further Orders, Assoon as the Enemy
Are Embarked, I shall have the happiness I hope to see you at home after much fateague and
Danger Our Brigade was not Immediately Engaged But Drawn up in the Second Line, where
Cannon Ball flew plentyfully, my horse Squated, and I Cowardly Do[d]ged, which Saved my
head, however amiss of an inch is as Good as a mile, I was after the Battle much fateagued with
the heat which made me very unwell But now Am in Good health ..." James Jordan (W8225),
National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 (2,670 reels). Israel Shreve to Mary Shreve, 2
July 1778, Dreer Collection, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, "Soldiers of the Revolution",
box IV (series 52:2, vol. IV)]
(Map, this page and two following pages) Period map of Monmouth battlefield. The author has added
labels and marking for various troops positions and geographical features.
Map A. shows the west half of the battlefield, where fighting took place from just after noon until early
evening.
Map B. shows the eastern half of the battlefield, scene of the early morning to mid-day action, as well
as showing the location of Monmouth Courthouse and the position of British rearguard troops.
Map C. is a modern-day rending of the manuscript map.
Manuscript 1778 map of the Monmouth battlefield. The original was drawn by Capt. William Gray,
4th Pennsylvania Regiment, and once owned by Col. Richard Butler. Long held (likely since 1863) in
the collections of the New-York Historical Society, it lay hidden and was rediscovered in 1998.

Map A.
Map B.
 Map C.

Note: For further information on the New Jersey brigade at the Battle of Monmouth see:
1. Mark Edward Lender and Garry Wheeler Stone, Fatal Sunday: George Washington, the
Monmouth Campaign, and the Politics of Battle (Norman, Ok.: University of Oklahoma
Press, 2016)
2. John U. Rees, "’What is this you have been about to day?’: The New Jersey Brigade at
the Battle of Monmouth,” http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm
(Table of contents for "What is this you have been about to day?” may be viewed in
Appendix, Section B.)
_________________________

29.th [June] at English Tn.o

30.th [June] | July 02.d went home returned to English Tn.o where we lay till Thirs[day]
9.th July. the Main Army then Mov.d to Spottswood | our Brigade being left to Observe the
Motion of the En[em].y Colo[mn] march.d that morning to Mr. Denises, myself sent of[f] to
Midle Tn.o w[h]ere the E[nem].y had Possession of the heights to get Intelligence Col:
[Daniel] Morgan laying there with Ab.t 200 Rifle men and part of his Excellencys guards
returned the Next day.
Saturday [July] 11.th on Gu[ar].d |

Sunday 12.th [July] went to Midlt[ow]n with Colo: [Elias] D[ayton]. [3rd New Jersey
Regiment] [Matthias] O[gden]. [1st New Jersey] and [David] B[rearley], [lieutenant colonel
4th New Jersey] to R[e]conoitre | the En[em].y Mov.d of[f] to Sandy hook, and Embark.d |

the Brigade Mov.d down to V[an].M[ater's]. Mills where we lay till tuesday, the 14.th [July]
March.d Ab.t 3 O.Clock A.M. to Spotswood dis.t Ab.t 14 Miles, Joined the brigade that
ev[en]ing

the 15.th [July] Ab.t 1/2 P[ast]. 3 March.d to Bonham Tn.o Exceeding warm |

16.th [July] B[onham].Tn.o |

17.th [July] March to Raway,

18[th] [July] at R[a].W[ay]. |

19.th [July] to El.Tn.o [Elizabeth Town] took Qrtr [quarters] at M. Wd.s [probably "Mr.
____"] where continued till Mnd.y 27.th [July] when march.d w.th a detach[men].t of 50
[men] to W[ood]. Bri[d]ge & releivd C[aptain]. Giford where continued till Mond[ay]. the
2.d [actually 3rd +] of Aug.st nothing particular this week duty very hard releivd by Cap.t
[Richard] Cox [3rd New Jersey] return.d [to] E[lizabeth].T[own]. to Q[uarters]. [the] 3.d
[actually 4th of August] |

[Note: + The author evidently thought that the month of July had only 30 days; for much of
August the dates are off by one day, towards the end of the month this error was corrected.
See Mark M. Boatner III, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (New York, N.Y., 1966),
calendar, p. 156.]

4th. [actually 5 August] wednesdy. went home.

5.th [actually 6 August]

returnd | 6.th 7. [actually 8-9 August] |

8.th [actually 9 August] Sunday, at meeting.

9.th 10.th & 11.th [actually 10, 11, and 12 August] horse races |

12.th [actually 13th August] Thursd.y mov.d my Q[uarters]. to Mr. S. ["widow Smiths"*]
near the landing w.th C[aptains*]: B. & C. |

13th 14.th [actually 14 and 15 August] |

15.th [actually 16 August] Sunday hard weather |

16.th [actually 17 August] Cloudy.

17th [actually 18 August] on guard at D[eHart's*]. house rec.d Colo. lowry p.r [per,
parole?] flag w.th Cap.t Ross of the G. [Guards, Grenadiers?] and Cap.t Karty ["Carty"*]
new levies |

18.th 19th 20.th 21.st | 22.d [actually 19 to 23 August] Sunday on guard. rec[eive].d 2 flags
one from the [Staten] Island, tother from N.Y[ork] w.th L.I. L.K. and some more

[August] 24.th 25.th 26 27.th 28.th 29.th 30.th sunday, at Qrt.s [quarters] all the week till
sunday P.M. went to V.M.M.C [Methodist Church?] w.th w.th [sic] a number of L[ad]ys
and Gentlemen.

Monday [31 August] march.d for woodbrige again with w.th [sic] detac[hmen].t as before

* Entries for 11 August to 31 August were written once, crossed out, and rewritten in
altered form on the following page. Several clarifications were found in the expurgated text
for those dates. These are marked with an asterisk (*).

Hunting shirt clad soldier; side view showing wooden canteen and unpainted linen knapsack
(Photo courtesy of James Bevan)
 Appendices

A. “About an hour before day we dashed through the river again …”

The October 1777 Schuylkill Expedition
___________

New Jersey company officer’s diary, October 1777:

the 27.th [actually 22nd] Octob.r Ab.t 1500 men were Detach.d over S[chuyl]:K[ill]. under
Com.dd [of] M[ajor].G[eneral]. Mc.Dug.l [McDougall] to Attack a Party of Hessians, but
they Retiring on our Approch we Returned to Camp.

Pvt. Joseph Plumb Martin, 8th Connecticut Regiment, relates an incident on the Schuylkill expedition:

We again moved on for the camp, distant about five miles. We had not proceeded far before we
entered a lane fenced on either side with rails, in which was a … puddle. The fence was taken
down on one side of the road, to enable us to pass round the water. It was what was called a
five-rail fence, only the two upper rails of which were taken out; here was fun. We had been on
the march since we had drank the whiskey just long enough for the liquor to assume its height
of operations; our stomachs being empty the whiskey took rank hold and the poor brain fared
accordingly. When the men came to the fence, not being able, many or most of them, to keep a
regular balance between head and heels, they would pile themselves up on each side …
swearing and hallooing, some losing their arms [weapons], some their hats, some their shoes,
and some themselves. Had the enemy come upon us at this time, there would have been an
action worth recording.
___________________

Joseph Plumb Martin gave a classic account of an otherwise obscure operation during the 1777
Philadelphia campaign that echoes frustrated military plans and long-suffering soldiers throughout
the ages. Surgeon’s Mate Jonathan Todd, 7th Connecticut Regiment corroborates Martin’s account
of a frustrated expedition against the enemy that October. That affair resulted in two overnight
marches, several crossings of the Schuylkill River, and a humorous incident associated with the
doling out of a whiskey ration. First, Todd’s narrative:

Camp Church's Hill 12 Miles N.W.

Philadelphia 9th Nov 1777

Honour'd Father
I Gladly Embrace Every Opportunity to inform you of our situation - have Lately heard that Lieut.
[Henry] Hill [1st Connecticut] of Say-Brook is to set off in the morning for home - have not at this
time Leisure to scrawl over more than a foot or two square of Paper - Would inform you that I have
wonderfully Endur'd the fatigues that of Late I have been requir'd to Endure - Would Give you A
General Account of our Method of Living &c. Not to discourage others from Engaging in such A
Cause as this nor that I would Murmur or Repine at my fate - but just for the Information of those that
Indulge themselves in the downy Lap of Ease during the Present Crisis & Let them know what Soldiers
do to Earn their 40s[hillings]. pr. Month - Since we Crossd the North River which is Now 2 Months
we have drawn No other Provision than Fresh Beef & Flower - Salt we draw but Little not half Enough
to season the Beef / Our Flower we Wet with Water & Roll it in dirt & Ashes to bake it in a Horrible
Manner - Sauce [i.e., green leafy vegetables] is not to be Purchased without an Exorbitant price & then
not half a supply - We scarce Tarry 2 days in A Place move so often we cant scarce get Straw to Sleep
on tho' the Weather is Cold - Notwithstanding all those hardships our soldiers do their duty
Cheerfully - A great Unanimity Prevails thr'o the Army - On the 21st. Ult were ordered to Leave
our Tents standing & to March at 6 oclock / we marched Westward to the SchuylKill which we
forded about 11 oclock P.M. & Marched about 6 Miles South towards Philadelphia (in Pursuit
of about 1500 Hessians which Lay Encampt about 2 miles from Philadelphia on the Opposite
side of SchuylKill) when we were ordered to return. we forded the River about 4 A.M. on our
Return - I suppose the Reason of our returning was that our force was not tho't
sufficient - However the Next day were ordered off again with a Large Party forded the River
again about 10 Oclock P.M. March'd all Night arriv'd at their Encampment about the dawn of
day but too Late [as] the Rogues had Fled in the Night to the City & taken up their Bridge / we
Burnt their Huts &c when we got nigh their Encampment our men were drawn up with a much
Expectation of Action as tho' it had really Begun - Never was more Calmness & firmness seen
in Troops - altho' the[y] Expectd no Quarters if they fell into the Enemy and they marched with
Undauntd resolution to attack their Lines - our Troops were drawn up on a Battallion of A mile
in Length supported by solid Colums & Field Pieces / they made a very Martial
appearance - Altho we did not accomplish the Errant we went upon We taught Brittain that we
Could Ford Rivers & march Night after Night & Endure hardships & Fatigues Equal [to] her
[own?] Troops or Mercenaries - we Return'd that day & Forded the River again about 7 oclock
PM & returnd to Camp about 10 oclock - For 2 days & 2 Nights we Marched almost constantly
Neither Eat nor Slept Except A Little Fresh Beef some had in their Packs which they Eat as they
Marched - one Pretty Material Circumstance of the SchulyKill Voyage I had Like to Omitted
whilst we were in sight of the City their seem'd A heavy Canonade below at the Fort soon after
a Terrible Explosion was heard & a Cloud of smoke arose which we soon found to Prove a 64
gun ship A Frigate of Georges Blown up by our Fireships / I would go on to describe the
SchuylKill [-- -- -- ] you may find it trifling - it is A River 40 Rods [approximately 220 yards]
wide & from 3 to 3 1/2 feet deep / the Water Runs Very Rapid - those Nights we Forded it were
by far the severest we have had this Year the Ground was froze hard & Flow Ice to be found in
some Places - how the soldiers stand it seems a Mystery / tho't I should half Froze altho' I Rode
over the River - some of the men fell down all under water as it was dark & [a] stonny
Bottom - the men forded the River with A Cheerfullness & Alacrity that would have Reflected
the Greatest Honor on the Most Veteran Troops / Thro the Divine Interposition the Wet &
Fatigues scarcely depriv'd one of us of health Which I Esteem a great Favor & Near A Miracle - I
sprained my ancle A Little Owing to the hard march but it is nigh well - my situation this Year is
Vastly different from Last - Last fall I Enjoyed the Blessings of Peace, Plenty, Safety, Ease &c [I] did
not know what it was to march in the Night - Ford Rivers - Live in the Noise of Cannon & other warlike
Instruments Go an Hungred [sic] or Eat what I call very ordinary Food [and] sleep on the Ground - we
are now Encamp't on an Hill which we have Picqueted Round - I with Pleasure Congratulate you on
the Victory obtain'd over the Colo. of the Queen's Light dragoons & hope that providence will so smile
on our Arms that I shall be Able soon to Give you some Good Account [of] Sr. Wm [Howe] / Am sure
we want nothing but men to do it for him with A Blessing on our side - was he in England situated as
He is here not A man would be left in his Army in a weeks time - the Inhabitants here are neither Whig
or Tory or any thing Else they are An Illiterate set of People very Unpolished mostly of the German
Extract, Far Below my Expectation, A Few Excepted who live nigher the Capitol which are mostly
Quakers [and] Consequently Neuter - the Country is a Miserable Barren soil, Very Little stock Except
Horses ... butter is A Dol. pr. lb. other Commodities in Proportion - I wait Impatient Now for Stevens
hope then to hear you all Enjoy Health I very much want to Get A Furlow this winter but dont much
Expect to / Hope He who rules all things will so order it that I shall return in Peace & Repose with you
all in his Goodness & Loving Kindness - the Lord hath Hitherto Preserv'd me when in danger [I] Trust
he is still able to do it - Lastly my Hearty Prayer is that A Reformation may be Conspicuous & Peace
be restord to this once happy Land - My duty with my Best Regards to Mother Love to all my Brothers
& Sisters, duty to Uncle & Aunt - Tell Martha she has yet Got A Brother Besides those at home ...
View from the eastern side of Rees ap Edward’s ford on the Schuylkill River. Maj. Gen. Alexander
McDougall’s force crossed here three times in two days, in an attempt to surprise a British detachment
in Darby.

The highlighted section of Todd’s letter above compliments Martin’s account of the same
incident, included here in its entirety:

About this time information was received at headquarters that a considerable body of British
troops were advanced and encamped on the western side of the river Schuylkill, near the lower
bridge, two or three miles from Philadelphia. Forces were immediately put in requisition to rout them
from thence. Our brigade was ordered off, with some detachments from other parts of the army. We
marched from camp just before night as light troops, light in everything, especially in eatables. We
marched to a place called Barren Hill, about twelve or fifteen miles from the city. From here, about
ten o’clock in the evening, we forded the Schuylkill where the river, including a bare gravelly island,
or flat, which we crossed, was about forty rods wide, as near as I could judge, and the water about to
the waist. It was quite a cool night, in the month of October; the water which we spattered on to our
clothes froze as we passed the river. Many of the young and small soldiers fell while in the water and
were completely drenched. We, however, got over and marched two or three miles on a dreary road,
for that part of the country, surrounded by high hills and thick woods. All of a sudden we were
ordered to halt. We were, to appearance, in an unfrequented road, cold and wet to our middles, and
half starved. We were sorry to be stopped from traveling, as exercise kept us warm in some degree.
We endeavored to kindle fires, but were ordered by the officers immediately to extinguish them,
which was done by all except one, which having been kindled in a hollow tree could not be put out. I
got so near to this that I could just see it between the men’s legs, which was all the benefit that I
derived from it.
We lay there freezing, about two hours, and then were ordered to fall in and march back again.
About an hour before day we dashed through the river again, at the same place at which we had
crossed the preceding evening, and I can assure the reader that neither the water nor weather had
become one degree warmer than it was then.
We went on the Barren Hill again, where we lay all the day, waiting, as it appeared, for
reinforcements, which arrived and joined us towards night. We drew a day’s ration of beef and flour,
what was called a pound of each. The flour, perhaps, was not far from its nominal weight, but the
beef was, as it always was in such cases, and indeed in all others in the army, not more than three
fourths of a pound, and that, at the best, half bone. … After I had satisfied my hunger, I lay down
upon the ground and slept till within about half an hour of sunset. When I awoke I was turned quite
about; I thought it was morning instead of evening. However, I was soon convinced of my error, and
the sun had the good manners to wheel about and put himself in his proper position again.
Just at dark, the reinforcements having arrived and all things being put in order, we marched again,
and about nine or ten o’clock we tried the waters of the Schuylkill once more, at the same place
where we crossed the preceding night. It was not so cold as it was then and the crossing was not so
tedious, but it was bad enough at this time.
We marched slowly the remainder of the night. At the dawn of day we found ourselves in the
neighborhood of the enemy. I mean in the neighborhood of where they had been, for when we were
about to spring the net, we discovered that the birds had flown and there was not one on the bed.
There was a British guard at a little distance from the bridge, upon the opposite side of the river.
They turned out to do us honor and sent off an express to the city to inform their friends that the
Yankees had come to pay them a visit, but they were so unmannerly as to take no notice of us. …
We had nothing to do now but to return as we came. Accordingly, we marched off slowly, hoping
the enemy would think better of it and follow us, for we were loath to return without seeing them.
However, they kept to themselves and we went on. I was hungry, tired and sleepy. About noon we
halted an hour or two, and I went a little way into the fields, where I found a black walnut tree with
plenty of nuts under it. These nuts are very nutritious, and I cracked and ate of the till I was satisfied.
We marched again. In the course of the afternoon, I somewhere procured about half a dozen
turnips, which I carried all the way to camp in my hand, so much did we value anything that we
could get to eat. About sunsetting we again waded the Schuylkill, at a ford a little higher up the river.
The river was not so wide here as at the former place, but the water was deeper … to the breast.
When we crossed it had become dark, we met the quartermasters, who had come out to meet us with
wagons and hogsheads of whiskey, thinking, perhaps, that we might take cold by being so much
exposed in the cold water … The casks were unheaded, and the quartermaster sergeants stood in the
wagons and dealt out the liquor to the platoons, each platoon halting as it came up, till served. The
intention … was to give each man a gill of liquor [pronounced “jill”; four fluid ounces, equivalent to
one-half cup or one quarter of a pint], but measuring it out by gills was tedious, so it was dealt out to
us in pint measures, with directions to divide a pint between four men. But as it was dark and the
actions of the men could not be well seen by those who served out the liquor, each one drank as
much as he pleased; some, perhaps, half a gill, some a gill, and as many as chose it drained the pint.
We again moved on for the camp, distant about five miles. We had not proceeded far before we
entered a lane fenced on either side with rails, in which was a … puddle. The fence was taken down
on one side of the road, to enable us to pass round the water. It was what was called a five-rail fence,
only the two upper rails of which were taken out; here was fun. We had been on the march since we
had drank the whiskey just long enough for the liquor to assume its height of operations; our
stomachs being empty the whiskey took rank hold and the poor brain fared accordingly. When the
men came to the fence, not being able, many or most of them, to keep a regular balance between
head and heels, they would pile themselves up on each side … swearing and hallooing, some losing
their arms [weapons], some their hats, some their shoes, and some themselves. Had the enemy come
upon us at this time, there would have been an action worth recording. But they did not, and we, that
is, such as could, arrived in camp about midnight, where “those who had remained with the stuff”
had made up some comfortable fires for our accommodation.
 Topographical map of the area of the October 1777 Schuylkill Expedition.
The first crossing of these operations took place overnight on October 22/23, marching
via Barren Hill Church (Point A), down via Hart’s Lane to wat was then Rees ap Edward's
Ford (later Young’s Ford). Difficult to see from the ford’s eastern terminus is the “bare
gravelly island, or flat,” that Joseph Martin described crossing on the west side. From there,
that first night, they marched up Present-day Young’ Ford Road, an continued about three
miles before learning their quarry was not yet in the vicinity. The force then re-crossed at the
same ford and took post at Barren Hill Church.
That evening (the 23d) they crossed again, following the same route, via Point C., past
Merion Meeting (which is off-map) an additional 7.5 miles to the Blue Bell Tavern (still
existing) in Darby, and formed line-of-battle. There the commanders learned that the
enemy force they sought had made it safely into Philadelphia and decided to withdrawal.
From the Blue Bell the troops wended their way back to Merion Meeting, where they
witnessed the explosion of the H.M.S. Augusta on the Delaware River. Major General
McDougall then directed his column towards Matson’s Ford (at modern-day
Conshohocken), where they crossed to the river’s east side, and received the whiskey ration
Private Martin wrote so vividly of. (My thanks to Thomas McGuire, who shared his
knowledge of the locale, and the roads and routes taken by General McDougall’s
detachment.)
 Considering that Martin’s narrative of the frustrated mission was written some forty-five years
after the event, it is fascinating that so many details and place names are extremely accurate when
compared with contemporary accounts. Here then are additional narratives of the operation, giving
us a more complete picture of its inception, the march and related events, and participating units.
From headquarters in Whitpain Township, General Washington wrote Pennsylvania militia
General James Potter,

Monday night, nine O'Clock, October 20, 1777.

Sir: As I understand that the Party of the Enemy, that crossed Schuylkill last night, are intended
as a covering party to a Convoy of provisions that is expected up from Chester, I am determined
to intercept them if possible upon their return. For this purpose, [Maj.] Genl. [Nathanael] Greene
will march with a party this Evening, and I desire that you will hold yourself in readiness to join
him with the Troops under your Command. If you should be above Minor Meeting House, you
will immediately fall down to that place and there wait for General Green; but if you should be
between Minor and Derby, you may wait upon your Ground, only sending an Officer to meet
Genl. Greene at Minor Meeting and to conduct him to you. You will keep scouts constantly out
upon the Road, to know whether the convoy has passed Derby upon its return, and you are to
order your parties to stop every person going towards Chester, to prevent intelligence. You will
also keep parties upon the Roads leading from the middle and from Grays Ferries, lest any more
Troops should come over.

This initial plan was disrupted, the commander-in-chief writing again the next day,

Head Quarters, October 21, 1777 … Owing to the Rain last night and the prospect, that it might
be of long continuance, the Detachment which I wrote you about was prevented marching. One is
now in motion for the same purpose. I wish you to obtain the best information you possibly can,
respecting the Convoy that went to Chester, and to find out whether it has returned. That the
object we have in view, may be facilitated, and the Detachment may not be liable to be
intercepted, You will have all the Roads leading over Schuylkill properly waylaid and secured, to
prevent the Enemy from receiving intelligence of their movement. The Road also to Province
Island should be attended to, lest they should get intelligence thro' that channel by the Tories and
disaffected. I need not suggest to you the propriety of secrecy on this occasion. You will know
that much depends upon it. If from your scouts or any other authentic advices, you find that the
Convoy has returned to Philadelphia, you will immediately send to Genl. McDougall who
commands the Detachment, that he not continue his march. He will pass Schuylkill at Reese App
Edward's Ford, or be on the Route leading to it. Should the Convoy not have returned, some
prudent, intelligent Officers from your Brigade, should be dispatched to meet the Genl. at the
Ford, that he may know how and where to form a junction with you. It will be also necessary to
procure, two or three well affected Country Gentlemen or Farmers, acquainted with the Country
to join him there, for the purpose of conducting him by the necessary Routs.
 The historic Blue Bell Tavern in Darby, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Cobb’s Creek. General
McDougall’s reinforced division formed for battle in the vicinity, before learning that the enemy
detachment the sought had already passed into the city of Philadelphia.
(Blue Bell Tavern, 7303 Woodland Avenue, Darby, Delaware County, Pa.: Intersection of
Woodland Avenue and Island Avenue/Cobbs Creek Parkway. See, Darby Creek Valley Associaton
http://www.dcva.org/page-18191

Colonel Elias Dayton, 3rd New Jersey Regiment, left this detailed description of ensuing events
and tells us that Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling’s Division of New Jersey and
Pennsylvania troops, also participated:

[Whitpain] Township, 16 miles from Philadelphia, October 22d. - At three o'clock in the afternoon we
marched with about 3000 men under the command of General McDugle, with the design to attack a
party of the enemy said to consist of two thousand men, who were supposed to be an escort for a 100
wagon loads of provisions and ammunition expected from Wilmington. We began to ford the
Schuylkill at 10 o'clock at night. After crossing it, we marched about three miles, when it was
discovered the enemy did not advance any further than Darby, at which place they halted a few hours
and returned and posted their right wing on the Schuylkill; the left up the Darby road 1 1/2 miles.
Several small works was thrown up to secure the left from being surprised.
In consequence of this intelligence, after remaining about three hours very cold and uncomfortable,
we recrossed at the same place and marched about two miles to Barren Hill Church, struck up fires in
the woods, eat some victuals, and spent the whole day in eating and sleeping, many of the men being
barefooted, and the night by far the coldest this season. I was much distressed on their account, and
they complained much of the hardship. In the evening of the 23d we were joined by a detachment of
500 men from the main army, with orders to make a second attempt upon the King's troops. We crossed
the same ford as before about 11 o'clock at night, marched about two miles to Meriam Meeting House,
and halted until after three o'clock, when the whole party was ordered to march and attack the enemy
in their posts precisely fifteen minutes after five o'clock. Gen. [William] Maxwell's Brigade was to
attack the left flank, General [Thomas] Conway the next in their front and to the left of Maxwell,
General Huntingdon next to Conway, and General Vernon [Varnum] on the enemy's right, on or very
near the Schuylkill.* In this order we marched forward and got to the place where the enemy was
expected just as the sun rose, but to our very great astonishment and mortification the enemy had in
the preceding night moved all over into Philadelphia, and broken up the bridge which they had over
the Schuylkill; and so very private were they in moving off that the inhabitants that lived within one
hundred yards of their lines knew nothing of their flight. They had begun to build two or three redoubts,
and to throw up lines of a considerable extent. They had completed a number of very good huts, built
of rails, hay and sods, which were set on fire by our people, although it was contrary to my opinion, as
both the hay and rails might have been of use to the distressed inhabitants. We were ordered with the
first and third Jersey regiments to surround the house of one Bartow on the banks of the Schuylkill. In
this house it was expected we should find a number of Hessians and Highlanders, but they had gone
the night before. At this place I had a full view of Ft. Mifflin, or Mud Island; three large ships of the
enemy lay before it; two appeared to be at anchor [actually run aground], the third frequently put about
and fired her broadsides by turns. I took particular notice of the number of shots fired at this attack,
and found they fired six a minute for six hours. During the time I was looking on, our people in the
fort seemed quite easy, and very seldom fired a single shot. The firing from the shipping began about
6 o'clock in the morning, and about 12 o'clock one of the largest ships [the Augusta] blew up. At this
time our troops were halted to refresh near Meriam Meeting House; the explosion was almost equal to
an earthquake, and from the prodigious cloud of smoke seen immediately to ascend into the air, every
one concluded a ship was destroyed. On our march, about 2 1/2 hours after the first, we heard a second
explosion, and saw the smoke ascend as at first, which we saw and [ -- ] with much satisfaction, as we
assured ourselves a second ship was destroyed.

* Viz. (right) British line (left)

{Schuyl.} Varnum, Huntingdon, Conway, Maxwell

(left) American line (right)
Merion Friends Meeting, a wayside landmark during General McDougall’s expedition against the
British at Darby, and also where his detachment witnessed the explosion of the H.M.S. Augusta in
the Delaware River on October 23 1777.

Washington acknowledged the troops’ efforts in general orders for 24 October:

Altho' the enterprize under General McDougall proved fruitless, by reason that the enemy had
abandoned the post intended to have been attacked, yet the Commander in Chief deems his thanks
due to the officers and men, detached for that service, who two nights successively, crossed and
recrossed the Schuylkill, and to those also, under Generals Sullivan and Greene, who were
designed to facilitate General McDougall's operation, for the fortitude and chearfulness with
which they went thro' the night marches and fatigues, which occurred in the expedition.
___________________

My thanks to Thomas McGuire, who shared his knowledge of the locale, and the roads and
routes taken by General McDougall’s detachment. Interspersed in his emailed directions
are gems such as, “Part of the road between the village of Gladwyne and the river still looks
as Martin described it: high hills, wooded, very lonely,” and “I always get chills on Youngs
Ford Road down near the river--Martin described it perfectly. A lonely spot which hasn't
changed ...” My cousin and I learned the truth of Tom’s statements on our tour of the area
on both sides of the river in 2010, from Merion Meeting, to Rees ap Edwards ford, and on t
Barren Hill and the ford’s eastern landing.
Rough Directions to Sites of Interest for the October 1777 Schuylkill Expedition.
John Rees to Thomas McGuire, 4 October 2010 (email)
“I have a question perhaps you might be able to help me with. I'm interested in visiting the site of the
Schuylkill ford described by JP Martin, Elias Dayton and Dr. Todd that McDougall's and Stirling's
Divisions crossed several times in late October 1777. Dayton mentions "Meriam Meeting House" being
two miles from the east side of the ford. I assume that is Merion Meeting? Can you provide directions to
the east and west sides of that ford?”
___________

Thomas McGuire to John Rees, 5 October 2010 (email)

“That ford was called Rees ap Edward's Ford (yup...Rees!) and sometimes called Bedward's Ford. After
the Revolution it was called Young's Ford. On the Lower Merion side, it is located in modern Gladwyne,
and while the Schuylkill Expwy blocks the old road connecting to the river, if you go to River Road in
Gladwyne you can see the island which JP Martin calls a "bare, gravelly island" now covered with trees.
On the other side, the road they used to go from Barren Hill Church (St. Peter's) is called Hart Lane.
Part of the road between the village of Gladwyne and the river still looks as Martin described it: high
hills, wooded, very lonely. They would have proceeded up Youngs Ford Road, wound down to Old
Gulph Road and up to modern Montgomery Av. in Narberth to get to Merion Meeting, which still stands
at Meeting house Lane & Montgomery Av. Montg. Av. was the old Lancaster Road.”
___________

Thomas McGuire to John Rees, 9 October 2010 (email)

“If you want to follow this further, from Merion Meeting (Meeting House Lane & Montgomery Ave.)
Take Merion Road to City Line, then over Drexel Road to Upland Way. Then jog/get over to Malvern
Av. The old road is mostly obliterated but the general course of it went into Upper Darby at 69th St. You
then take 69th St. Blvd to Long Lane, follow Long lane down to Woodland Ave at the Blue Bell Tavern.
Somewhere near there was where the men formed for battle, only to find the British and Hessians gone.
They wound their way back to Merion Meeting, which is where they were when the Augusta blew up
mid-day Oct. 23. They then went back, but up to Matson's Ford, probably via Old Gulph Road. After
crossing Matson's Ford, they got the whiskey Martin describes.
I always get chills on Youngs Ford Road down near the river--Martin described it perfectly. A lonely
spot which hasn't changed ...”
___________

Thomas McGuire to John Rees, 10 November 2010 (email)

“Matson's Ford is the bridge in Conshohocken--go down Butler Pike to Fayette Street and onto the bridge.
The ford was on the north side of the bridge. The road on the west side is Matson's Ford Road.

If you are trying to folow Martin's probable path, from here you will be doing it in reverse. Continue west
on Matson's Ford Road to Old Gulph Road (traffic light, huge Calvary cemetery on left). Turn left, follow
it up to the third traffic light (2.5 mi), intersection of Old Gulph, Old Gulph, New Gulph, and Roberts
Road. Turn left and stay on Old Gulph. You'll come to a fork at Harriton Rd.,, stay right and continue on
Old Gulph. About 1.5 miles,Old Gulph will ford Mill Creek. Once out of the ford, turn left onto
Williamson Road and follow it to Youngs Ford Road in Gladwyne. Stay on Youngs Ford and that will
take you down and dead-end at Lafayette Road--Schuylkill Expwy in front. Turn right, then left, go under
the Expwy, and you'll be at the river. The island covered with trees is the bare gravelly island Martin
spoke of.”
Sources for Schuylkill Expedition

Elias Dayton, "Papers of General Elias Dayton", Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, vol. 3
(1848-1849), 185-186.

Washington to James Potter, 20 and 21 October 1777; General orders, 24 October 1777, John C. Fitzpatrick,
ed., The Writings of George Washington, vol. 9 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1934), 405-
406, 408, 422-423.

Explosion of the British frigate Augusta, 23 October 1777, John W. Jackson, The Pennsylvania Navy, 1775-
1781: The Defense of the Delaware (Rutgers, N.J., 1974), pp. 194-199.

Joseph Plumb Martin, Private Yankee Doodle: Being a Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and
Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, George F. Scheer, ed., (Boston and Toronto: Little, Brown and Company,
N.Y., 1962), 75-80.

Jonathan Todd Letters, 1777-1778, surgeon's mate, Colonel Heman Swift's 7th Connecticut Regt., born 17
May 1756, died 10 February 1819 (W2197) (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804, 2,670 reels;
reel 2395) Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, 1800–1900, Record
Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

B. First-Person Accounts of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth

September 13, 1777, Lewis Howell, surgeon, 2d New Jersey, to his father, 13 September 1777. (Lewis
Howell was the twin brother of the regiment's major, Richard Howell.)

I am happy in being able to inform you that I still exist, and am not a prisoner - a state I thought from
my situation unavoidable. On Thursday, 11th September, we were alarmed by three guns, and every
man stood to his post; about thirty minutes afterwards a firing of small arms was heard, which proved
to be a party of light troops under General Maxwell, who repulsed the advanced party in three several
attempts, killing many, with little loss. Captain Cummins in this action distinguished himself. After
this there was a continual cannonade, from a battery erected by us to defend the ford over the
Brandywine, 'till near four o'clock, when Lord Sterling's division was ordered about two miles to the
right from the first situation, to oppose Lord Cornwallis, who had crossed about that distance higher
up. We had been there but a short time when they appeared, and the heaviest firing I ever heard began,
continuing a long time, every inch of ground being disputed. Our people at last gave way, not being
supported, with the loss of very few - wounded and killed not exceeding twelve. At the same time we
were attacked on the right, another attack was made on the left, where our people fought them,
retreating in good order. Colonel Shreve in that action was wounded in the thigh, but not mortally.
Captain Stout was killed, and one sergeant. These are the only killed in our regiment. I shall inform
you of my escape from the enemy, after having been among them, with the loss of my mare, saddle
and bridle, and great coat and hat. With all my misfortunes, I think myself happy, not to be taken
prisoner. Richard is hearty and safe, though in the midst of danger.
____________________________

Surgeon’s Mate Ebenezer Elmer’ journal,

Thursday Septr. 11th 1777. Having Previously Posted ourselves on the Banks of the Brandywine River
on each side Chads ford about 7 oClock this morning Intelligence Came that the Enemy were
advancing on towards us soon after which the alarms Guns were fired. About 8 the advanced Guards
Consisting Chiefly of Hessians Hove in sight on the Eminences on the Other side when Genl. Maxwell
with his light troops advanced on towards them & began a pretty brisk fire in which tis said he killed
250. These being repulsed a Column came on to their assistance & began a sharp Canonading & our
troops retreated back & soon Came over at this time 3 batteries - ours opened on the enemy & a very
severe Canonading at Random was kept up on both side for some time & then abated a little the most
of the Enemy disappearing. The Genl. supposing he might attempt to Cross at a ford 1 1/2 miles above
dispatched Genl. Sullivens Division thither. It now from one to 3 remained pretty quiet except now &
then a few random balls. At length the Genl. got information that a body were gone up to Cross Jone's
ford 6 miles above Chad's's but the reports were so Contradictory that it was difficult to make a proper
disposition; however Sterling & Stevens Divisions were sent to join Sullivan on the right we marched
on some distance till we Came in Sight of the Enemy who had Crossed the river & were coming down
upon us; we formed abt. 4 oClock on an Eminence, the right being in ye woods, presently a large
Column Came on in front playing ye Granediers March & Now the Battle began wh[ich] proved
Excessive severe the Enemy Came on with fury our men stood firing upon them for near an hour till
they got within 6 rod of each other, when a Column of the Enemy came upon our right flank wh[ich]
Caused ym to give way wh[ich] soon extended all along ye line; we retreated & formed on ye first
ground and gave ym another fire & so continued on all ye way, but unfortunately for want of a proper
Retreat 3 or 4 of our pieces were left on ye first ground. Whilst we were engaged on the right another
body of the Enemy Came over Chad's ford & attacked Genl Waynes Division & Genl Maxwells troops,
Proctors Battery Were playing upon them, here our people likewise gave way but contended
obstinately, at length they got possession of 3 or 4 pieces of our Cannon & then our Troops retired
bringing off ye rest. Genl. Greens Divisions being a reserve were sent & part of Nash's Brigade were
sent to their assistance on ye right but it was almost night before they came up, they gave the Enemy
some smart fire & it Coming on night they retired also. We all made for Chester & were ordered to
assemble there. Capt. Stout Sergt. Armstrong & 2 Privates of our Regt. were killed on ye Ground,
Colo. Shreve & 7 wounded; only 1 mortal; - Morgan, LaFayette & Genl. Woodford -. I being excessive
tired stopped at - abt. 12 oClock just without ye town having sent on a waggon load of wounded. Die
Veneris 12th. Our men tho' fatigued were ordered on over Schuylkill. I went in pursuit of ye waggon
of wounded in wh[ich] I had thrown my Napsack & Coat, found they had left the wounded & drove
on, so I was obliged to follow ye Regt. without my Coat. We travelled on over Schuylkill & they went
up to ye falls, I into town & Staid all night - Cloudy & Cool - Die Saturni 13 Septr. 77. Went to See
Colo. Shreve at the old Ferry & after dinner to ye Regiment. Cloudy - Cool Day. In orders the Genl.
thanked those officers and Soldiers who had gallantly fought in their Countrys Cause, & if Any of their
Conduct bespoke a different treatment & their names were not pointed out to him he left them to
seriously consider how much they Injured their Country & tho' that day was something unfortunate
yet from every Information it appeared the enemies loss was vastly superior to ours & He doubted not
with the blessing of heaven wh[ich] it was every officers & Soldiers duty humbly to supplicate we
should shortly be able to totally defeat them. The Congress had ordered 30 Hogsheads of Rum to the
Army to be distributed at ye will of ye Commander in Chief. He ordered the Commissary Genl. of
Issues to deliver every officer & soldier a gill pr Day till the whole is Issued. No soldier to be out of
hearing of the Drums of their respective Parades under pain of death; nor officer as they value ye
service or dread Cashiering. By what I can learn our loss does not exceed 600 killed & missing perhaps
20 wounded & that the Enemies loss is 2000 killed and wounded - Die Solis 14 Septr. 1777. By Request
of Colo. Shreve I went to Philada. to attend him, we went on board a shallops & set sail for
Bordentown; It being very Calm we got abt. 15 miles & were obliged to drop Anchor & wait the Tide.
In Evening we weyed anchor & rowed up near Bordentown & staid. Die Lunee 15th Septr, 1777.
Weighed Anchor & stood up to White Hill a mile below Bordentown, Came up to the wharf & got ye
Colo. up to the widow Fieldings living on ye banks. She recd. it kindly. We dined & drank wine with
her till near night when she had her carriage tackled & a Negro sent to drive us. At parting she requested
I would Come & See her again before I went to Camp, wh[ich] I promised if possible, we drove on to
Thomas Curtisses Brother-in-Law to ye Colo. & staid all night, 6 miles from Bordentown. Die Martis
 16th Septr 1777. Staid here all Day wh[ich] was Cloudy & Some rain. Mr. Bowman Came here from
Camp this evening. The Army had moved over Schuylkill some Distance up ye Lancaster Road &
were going on when he left them. Die Mercurii 17th Septr 1777. Cloudy N.E. weather - staid in House
all day - wrote a letter to Jonan Bowen & Dr. Howel & Davd. Dare, & sent them bt Mr. Bowman. Die
Jovis 18th. Septr. 1777. Went to Trentown to get some dressings for ye Colo. thigh I returned. Die
Venevis 19th Septr. 1777. Clear pleasant Day.
____________________________

Col. Elias Dayton's (commander, 3d New Jersey Regiment) narrative of autumn 1777 campaign:

September 11, 1777, was fought the battle of Brandywine, near Chadd's Ford and Birmingham meeting
house. The cannonading began about 8 o'clocl in the morning. At the same time a party of light troops
under General Maxwell atacked a party of the enemy on the opposite side of the river. The action was
warm for some time ... but upon the enemy advancing a brigade in the rear of those already engaged,
our people gave way, though not until they had killed a considerable number of Howe's men, with little
loss on their part.
About 1 o'clock we received intelligence of the main body of the enemy having crossed the creek
about six miles above us ... and after the enemy was properly formed on our side, Generals Sullivan's,
Stirling's, and General Stephen's Divisions were ordered to march and attack them. Accordingly they
all marched immediately, and between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, formed the largest part of the
three divisions upon a hill near Birmingham meeting house. The enemy very soon advanced to attack.
I believe before Gen. Sullivan's division was formed, as they changed their ground on which they drew
up. A number of them were marching past my regiment when the first fire began, consequently I
believe never fired a gun. In half an hour at farthest, the whole of our men gave way; the enemy pursued
briskly, by which means a number of our wounded, as also some well men fell into their hands, in the
whole about four hundred, and six or eight pieces of brass cannon six-pounders. The pursuit continued
until after sun-set, when the night approaching, and also a check they got from General Greene's
division, caused the enemy to give over the pursuit.
We had continued marching and countermarching from the 11th of September to the 4th of October,
except a small skrimmage on or about the 18th of September, near the White Horse Tavern, on the
Lancaster road, between the advance parties of both armies. We were drawn up in order of battle,
expecting every moment to engage the whole of the enemy's army. After remaining about two hours
in order of battle, and it beginning to rain very hard, we were ordered to march off the ground, which
we did about 12 o'clock.
Mid-day the storm increased, and we marched the whole night through the heaviest storm almost,
that was ever known. All our cartridges were wet, and I feared the ruin of the whole army would have
been the consequence. Indeed it must have been the case, had General Howe advanced upon us in this
situation; but fortunately for us he never moved towards us, but continued his route by easy marches
towards the fords where he intended to pass the Schuylkill.
Our first halt was at, or near a place called the Yellow Springs; here our stay was very short, as we
had no ammunition. We moved off to Reading Furnace, a very strong part of the country by nature,
where I believe no army would think of pursuing. From Reading we marched and countermarched
about the country until October 2d, when we encamped at Worcester, twenty miles from Philadelphia.
The evening of the third we marched off with the whole army, with the design to attack the enemy,
who lay near Germantown, about fifteen miles distant from us; unfortunately for us the night proved
very dark, which so retarded our march we did not reach the enemy's advanced post until sunrise,
whereas our design was to attack them at first dawn of day. At sunrise the fire began: their advanced
party soon gave way, our people pursued them closely to the main body, which they immediately
attacked likewise, and they soon gave way, and were pursued from field to field with great loss on their
side. We suffered considerable in advancing, by a party the enemy had thrown into a large stone house,
said to belong to Benj. Chew. At this place fell Capt. McMyer and Ensign Hurley * of Col. Ogden's
regiment; Capt. Conway, Capt. Morrison, Capt. Baldwin and Lt. Robinson, wounded, of the same
regiment, together with about 20 men; of my regiment, Lt. Clark and Ensign Bloomfield were
wounded, and 18 men killed and wounded; my horse was shot under me at the same place, within
about three yards of the corner of the house. About this time came on perhaps the thickest fog known
in the memory of man, which together with the smoke, brought on almost midnight darkness, it was
not possible at one time (I believe for the space of near half an hour) to distinguish friend from foe [at]
five yards distance. This obliged all our parties to give over the pursuit, as they were in danger of firing
upon their friends, and probably did several times before the fire ceased. [the fog of war and of nature]
At this instant the enemy rallied their scattered forces and advanced upon us, when we retreated in
turn, although with very little loss. I believe every man we had either killed or wounded met his fate
full in front as he was advancing. We lost one Brigadier General [Nash], who was shot in the thigh
with a cannon ball, of which wound he died three days afterwards. Our good Major Weatherspoon
[Witherspoon] was shot dead by a cannon shot in the head as we were advancing through the streets
of Germantown. …
[ -- ] Township, 16 miles from Philadelphia, October 22d. - At three o'clock in the afternoon we
marched with about 3000 men under the command of General McDugle, with the design to attack a
party of the enemy said to consist of two thousand men, who were supposed to be an escort for a 100
wagon loads of provisions and ammunition expected from Wilmington. We began to ford the
Schuylkill at 10 o'clock at night. After crossing it, we marched about three miles, when it was
discovered the enemy did not advance any further than Darby, at which place they halted a few hours
and returned and posted their right wing on the Schuylkill; the left up the Darby road 1 1/2 miles.
Several small works was thrown up to secure the left from being surprised.
In consequence of this intelligence, after remaining about three hours very cold and uncomfortable,
we recrossed at the same place and marched about two miles to Barren Hill Church, struck up fires in
the woods, eat some victuals, and spent the whole day in eating and sleeping, many of the men being
barefooted, and the night by far the coldest this season. I was much distressed on their account, and
they complained much of the hardship. In the evening of the 23d we were joined by a detachment of
500 men from the main army, with orders to make a second attempt upon the King's troops. We crossed
the same ford as before about 11 o'clock at night, marched about two miles to Meriam Meeting House,
and halted until after three o'clock, when the whole party was ordered to march and attack the enemy
in their posts precisely fifteen minutes after five o'clock. Gen. Maxwell's Brigade was to attack the left
flank, General Conway the next in their front and to the left of Maxwell, General Huntingdon next to
Conway, and General Vernon [Varnum] on the enemy's right, on or very near the Schuylkill.* In this
order we marched forward and got to the place where the enemy was expected just as the sun rose, btu
to our very great astonishment and mortification the enemy had in the preceding night moved all over
into Philadelphia, and broken up the bridge which they had over the Schulykill; and so very private
were they in moving off that the inhabitants that lived within one hundred yards of their lines knew
nothing of their flight. They had begun to build two or three redoubts, and to throw up lines of a
considerable extent. They had completed a number of very good huts, built of rails, hay and sods,
which were set on fire by our people, although it was contrary to my opinion, as both the hay and rails
might have been of use to the distressed inhabitants. We were ordered with the first and third Jersey
regiments to surround the house of one Bartow on the banks of the Schuylkill. In this house it was
expected we should find a number of Hessians and Highlanders, but they had gone the night before.
At this place I had a full view of Ft. Mifflin, or Mud Island; three large ships of the enemy lay before
it; two appeared to be at anchor [actually run aground], the third frequently put about and fired her
broadsides by turns. I took particular notice of the number of shots fired at this attack, and found they
fired six a minute for six hours. During the time I was looking on, our people in the fort seemed quite
easy, and very seldom fired a single shot. The firing from the shipping began about 6 o'clock in the
morning, and about 12 o'clock one of the largest ships [the Augusta] blew up. At this time our troops
were halted to refresh near Meriam Meeting House; the explosion was almost equal to an earthquake,
and from the prodigious cloud of smoke seen immediately to ascend into the air, every one concluded
 a ship was destroyed. On our march, about 2 1/2 hours after the first, we heard a second explosion, and
saw the smoke ascend as at first, which we saw and [ -- ] with much satisfaction, as we assured
ourselves a second ship was destroyed."

* Viz. (right) British line (left)

{Schuyl.} Varnum, Huntingdon, Conway, Maxwell

(left) American line (right)

* Ensign Martin Hurley had been a private soldier in the British 44th Regiment, and deserted at Boston in 1775.
Testimony at his court martial related the circumstances of his wounding and capture at Germantown, and the
court’s verdict.

“Matthew Fitzgerald, private Soldier in the 40th Regiment of Foot, being duly sworn deposed that on
Saturday last, when the House in which the 40th Regiment was posted, was attacked he saw the prisoner
with a drawn Sword in his hand, come up with a number of rebels to the Attack; that he there saw him
wounded and fall.
Q: (by desire of the Prisoner) How could he distinguish the Prisoner in particular?
A: He saw no other with a drawn sword, and when he (the Witness) afterwards came out of the House, he
saw the prisoner laying on the ground, at the place where he had seen him drop. …
Corporal William Yates of the 40th Regiment of Foot, being duly sworn, deposed that on Saturday upon
the 17th Regt coming up to reinforce the 40th Regt, which was posted in a house, he saw the prisoner
standing in the road wounded & bleeding, and he was then dressed in a blue coat faced with red; that
having known him before, he taxed him with being a Deserter from the 44th Regiment, but this he denied,
and the Witness then took him prisoner.
Q: (by desire of the Prisoner) Is he sure that he took him?
A: Yes, he took him into Custody, and prevented some Soldiers from putting him to Death.
A Commission from the Congress, appointing the prisoner an Ensign in the Rebel Service was laid before
the Court, and acknowledged by the Prisoner to have been his Commission.
The Prisoner said that he had nothing to offer in his defence …
The Court having duly considered the evidence against the prisoner, Martin Hurley, together with what he
had to offer in his Defence, is of Opinion that he is guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, in breach of the
1st Article of the 6th Section and of the 19th Article of the 14th Section, and doth therefore adjudge him,
the said Martin Hurley, to suffer Death.”

Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, 28 June 1778

Pvt. James Jordan, 2d New Jersey, 19th century pension account (Jordan was 20 years old at the time of his
1778 service as a nine months levy. He joined the regiment June 5, 1778, and was discharged March 5, 1779.
Residence: Mendham, Height: 5'5"; 2nd Regiment Morris County Militia.)
"... after entering the service he was marched from Valley Forge to Mount Holly / the British drove us out of
Mount Holly and we retreated to the Black Horse ten Miles from Mt. Holly and there encamped / this was ...
about the first of June the next summer after he had enlisted - they went into a Quaker Meeting house for the
purpose of staying all night the whole regiment was there about the middle of the night the British came and
surrounded the Meeting house where he and his regiment were / we retreated out of the Back door of the
Meeting house and through the grave yard to a town in New Jersey called Crossicks four miles from the Black
Horse / this retreat was performed in the night / In the morning there was a command ordered to watch the
motion of the enemy to see which way they would come he was included in this command / in the morning
following they were compelled to retreat from before the enemy in a swamp / this was his command which
was ordered to watch the enemy - they were chased by the enemy light horse for three days before the command
which was separated from the regiment ... came up with the regiment / on this retreat there were three men lost
in this flanking party - On the morning of the 28th day of June Gen. Washington ordered Gen. Lee to go and
take the Jersey Blues and one Brigade of Marylanders commanded by Gen. Wayne and go and attack the enemy
in order to bring them back to the ground on which he wished to fight them / he belonged to the second regiment
of the New Jersey Blues - Maxwell was still his general ... they were led on by Maxwell to attack the left Wing
of the British and had a very severe engagement / this was probably about eight or nine OClock in the morning
[we] had no breakfast nor any thing to eat that day / the engagement was continued for some time when a retreat
was ordered and fought all the way as they retreated back towards and past the Court House at Montmouth /
After we had passed the Court House a little we were met by Gen. Washington who came up with the Main
Army riding a White Horse this petitioner was within a yard of him and heard him address Gen. Lee by asking
him "What is this you have been about to day" / This was the principal Battle he was in during the time he
served ..."

Pvt. John Ackerman, nine-month levy, 1st New Jersey, recounted details of the morning retreat of Lee's
advance detachment, "his regement on that day was ordered by the Colo to retreat which was effected by
passing through a morass in which he lost his shoes - After retreating through this morass, his regement came
to the road just as the troops under the immediate command of Gen Washington were passing - Gen Washington
halted his troops, and the retreating Regement was immediately paraded having become disordered in retreating
throug the [morass] He well recollects that Gen Washington on that occasion asked the troops if they could
fight and that they answered him with three cheers ..."

Private Nathaniel Lyon, nine-month levy, 4th New Jersey, "volunteered in the summer of 1778 for nine months
in Gen Maxwell's (or Maxfield's) brigade ... They marched to join the American forces at Mount Holly &
remained there 10 days or a fortnight until the British from Philadelphia compelled them to move. Two
regiments, of which his [the 4th New Jersey] was one, marched around through Trenton, Maidenhead, English
Town & so forward to Monmouth where he was engaged in the battle about a mile north of Monmouth Court
house. Gen. Maxwell's brigade was not much exposed during the fighting. The night of the battle the applicant
was detached to assist in burying the dead, & the morning after was ordered to Princeton in charge of the sick.
Remaining at Princeton about a week he went to join his company at Elizabethtown ..."

Col. Israel Shreve sent his wife Mary this narrative from Englishtown, New Jersey, 2 July 1778,

We are at this place with our Brigade [and] shall march tomorrow morning Down a Little below
monmoth Courthouse, the Enemy are about Embarking between middletown point and the Hook - the
battle of monmoth fought Last Sunday between the Army of the United States of America Commanded
by his Excy Gen. Washington in person and that of Great Britain, Commanded by his Excy Sir Henry
Clinton, proves more Glorious to America than at first Supposed. I here Send you an Exact list of the
killed Wounded & missing of our Army, together with that of the Enemys Dead &c, -

Battle of monmoth Sunday 28th June 1778

Enemy's Loss
Buried the next day 247 Our Loss
allow four times that according to a Return made
the number Wounded 988 to the adjutant General
 1235
their Deserted & missing Killed and
Since they Left philadelphia Died with heat 69
are at least as many more Wounded 144
1235 Missing 147
340

Such Reduces their army 2470 Our missing will more than
& mostly the flowr of one half Come in
their Army --

among the Enemy Loss killed are Colo Monkton Commanding the Second Battallion Granidiers, Colo
Hide first Regt Guards with several other officers, Mortally Wounded Colo Abercrombe Commanding
the Second Battallion Light Infantry with several other officers, Several Has since Died of their
Wounds among Our killed, Colo Bonner, Major Dickinson Mortally wounded Capt Cook of Artillery,
Wounded Colo Barber 3rd J[ersey]. R[egiment]. supposed not mortall, upon the Whole this is the
Greatest Victory Gained over the British Army since the Commencement of the war, it has timely
happened and Done the Greatest Honour to our Great and Brave General Washington who
Commanded in person
What pleasant Countenances was to be seen after the Battle was over in our Army, the Stoutest and
Bravest of the Brittish Grandiers fell on the Enemys Left, on their Right the Scotch Infantry, in the
Center the kings Guards and other Chosen troops, of those men the field was strewed premiscously
[sic] now and then a Brave American with them - What was most pleasing they had two Guides Sam
Leonard and Thomas Thomson Both lived in this Neighbourhood, and both killed in the first of the
Action, Leonard was Laying Down, took with a Cannon Ball in the Left Sholder Come out in his Belly.
Our Grand Army marched this morning towards the North River. Our Brigade is to remain in Jersey
untill further Orders, Assoon as the Enemy Are Embarked, I shall have the happiness I hope to see you
at home after much fateague and Danger Our Brigade was not Immediately Engaged But Drawn up in
the Second Line, where Cannon Ball flew plentyfully, my horse Squated, and I Cowardly Do[d]ged,
which Saved my head, however amiss of an inch is as Good as a mile, I was after the Battle much
fateagued with the heat which made me very unwell But now Am in Good health ..."6

Sources
Daniel Agnew, "A Biographical Sketch of Governor Richard Howell, of New Jersey," Pennsylvania
Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 22 (1898), 224.
Ebenezer Elmer, "Extracts from the Journal of Surgeon Ebenezer Elmer of the New Jersey Continental Line,
September 11-19, 1777," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 35 (1911), 103-107.
Revolutionary War Rolls, National Archives Microfilm Publications, Record Group 93, M246
(Washington, 1980), reel 136, miscellaneous returns; reel 137, Army Returns, 1775 to 1783.
John Ackerman (S16028); James Jordan (W8225); Nathaniel Lyon (W9510)), Index of Revolutionary War
Pension Applications in the National Archives (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1976), the
actual applications themselves and related materials may be found in National Archives Microfilm Publication
M804 (2,670 reels).
Israel Shreve to Mary Shreve, 2 July 1778, Dreer Collection, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, "Soldiers
of the Revolution", box IV (series 52:2, vol. IV).
 C. Additional Articles on the New Jersey Brigade
and the Campaigns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 1777-1778

“’Remember[ing] the Ladies’: Margaret Johnson and Elizabeth Evans, Women of the New
Jersey Brigade” http://www.scribd.com/doc/235418684/Remember-ing-the-Ladies-
Margaret-Johnson-and-Elizabeth-Evans-Women-of-the-New-Jersey-Brigade

(Brother Jonathan’s Images, No. 7)

Major Joseph Bloomfield, 3d New Jersey Regiment (John U. Rees)
Artist: Charles Willson Peale
Year: 1777
Collection: Private
(Including New Jersey marked buttons, 1776 and “The Blues offered again to fight …”:
Contemporary Use of the Term “Jersey Blues” and “Jersey Grays”)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/179477933/Brother-Jonathan%E2%80%99s-Images-No-7-
Major-Joseph-Bloomfield-3d-New-Jersey-Regiment-Artist-Charles-Willson-Peale-Year-
1777-Collection-Privatel

“`None of you know the hardships of A soldiers life …’: Service of the Connecticut Regiments
in Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall’s Division, 1777-1778”
“I am … Packing up my baggage in order to March”: Service on the North River, and
Movement into Pennsylvania, May to September 1777
“God Grant I may Always be Preserv'd …”: The Battle of Germantown and Schuylkill Expedition,
October 1777
“So small A Garrison never attaind Greater achievments …”: Forts Mifflin and Mercer, and
Maneuvers in New Jersey, November 1777
“Nothing to cover us But ye heavens …”: The Whitemarsh Encampment and Early Days at Valley
Forge, December 1777
“This is a very Different Spirit in the Army …”: Wintering Over at Valley Forge and Spring
Training, January to June 1778
“Sixty three bullet holes were made through the colours …”: Summer Campaign and the
Battle of Monmouth, June 1778
“The Troops of the whole line will exercise and manoeuvre …”: The March to New York and the
White Plains Encampment, July to September 1778
“The Enemy are upon the eve of some general and important move.”: The Fredericksburgh Camp
and Shifting Commanders, September to October 1778
“Their countrymen would … conclude the Devil was in them …”: McDougall’s Division Takes
Post in Connecticut, October and November 1778
“Grievances … Justly complained of by your Soldiers …”: The Connecticut Line Winter Camp,
December 1778 to January 1779
http://www.scribd.com/doc/111086856/YZ-List-Connecticut-Division-1777-79-Narrative-New-
Longer and http://www.scribd.com/doc/111086939/YZ-List-Connecticut-Division-1777-79-
Bibliography-New
"’We ... wheeled to the Right to form the Line of Battle’: Colonel Israel Shreve's Journal, 23
November 1776 to 14 August 1777 (Including Accounts of the Action at the Short Hills)”
Contents
8. “The Enemy Came out fired several Cannon At our Pickets”: Journal Entries, 23 November 1776 to 25
June 1777
9. Composition of Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling's Division, Summer 1777
10. “Our Canister shot Did Great Execution.”: The Battle of the Short Hills: Journal Entries 26 to 28 June
1777
11. “There was a steady fire on us from out of the bushes …”: A German Officer’s View of Operations in
New Jersey, 24 to 28 June 1777
12. “A smart engagement ensued …”: A British Private’s View of the Short Hills Battle
13. "I propose leaving Colo. Daytons and Ogden's Regts. at Elizabeth Town … for the present ...”:
Movements of the 1st and 3d New Jersey Regiments, July and August 1777
14. “Crossed Delaware [River], halted At Doctor Enhams …”: Final Journal Entries, 29 July to 14 August
1777
Addenda
9. Listing of Field Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Staff of the 2d New Jersey Regiment December
1776 to December 1777
10. Company Strengths and Dispositions, Colonel Israel Shreve's 2d New Jersey Regiment December
1776 to December 1777
11. 2d New Jersey Regiment, Monthly Strength as Taken From the Muster Rolls, December 1776 to
December 1777
12. 2d New Jersey Regiment, Company Lineage, 1777 to 1779
13. “The Troops of this Army … Appear to Manoeuvre upon false principles …”: The State of
Continental Army Field Formations and Combat Maneuver, 1777
14. Composition of British Columns at the Short Hills Action, 26 June 1777; Organization of British Light
Infantry and Grenadier Battalions, Spring and Summer 1777
15. “I have sent down Lord Stirling's Division, to reinforce Genl. Maxwell …”: Summer Campaign
Letters, Gen. George Washington and Virginia Captain John Chilton, plus the role of “late
Ottendorff’s Corps,” 22 to 29 June 1777
16. “At sunrise the fire began …”: New Jersey Brigade Accounts of the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign
9. "Without Covering but the H[eaven's].C[anop].y and boughs of Trees …": 4th New Jersey Officer's
Diary, 21 June 1777 to 18 February 1778 (plus Journal of Ensign George Ewing, 3d New Jersey, 1777-1778)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/153790118/%E2%80%99We-wheeled-to-the-Right-to-form-the-Line-of-
Battle%E2%80%99-Colonel-Israel-Shreve-s-Journal-23-November-1776-to-14-August-1777-
Including-Accounts-of

“Large droves of Cattle & flocks of Sheep go dayly into [the] Enemy …”
Countering British Foraging at Darby, Pennsylvania, 22 to 28 December 1778
http://www.scribd.com/doc/240762337/Large-droves-of-Cattle-flocks-of-Sheep-go-dayly-into-the-
Enemy-Countering-British-Foraging-at-Darby-Pennsylvania-22-to-28-December-1778

"’The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement ...’: Surprise at Haddonfield and Cooper’s
Ferry, April 1778”
http://www.scribd.com/doc/131104556/The-Enemy-Giting-intelligence-of-our-movement-
Surprise-at-Haddonfield-April-1778
“’Reach Coryels ferry. Encamp on the Pennsylvania side.’: The March from Valley Forge
to Monmouth Courthouse, 18 to 28 June 1778”
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133301501/“Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-
Pennsylvania-side-”-The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-
June-1778
Endnotes:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133293312/Endnotes-“Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-
Pennsylvania-side-”-The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-
June-1778
Contents
1. “We struck our tents and loaded our baggage.”: Leaving Valley Forge
2. Progress, June 18, 1778.
3. Progress, June 19, 1778.
4. “Crost the dilliware pushed on about 5 milds …”: June 20, 1778: Progress and a River Crossing
5. “4 Wagons & Horses, and 1000 Men at a Try.”: The Mechanics of Ferrying an Army
6. “Halt on the first strong ground after passing the Delaware ...”: June 20th River Crossing
7. “The number of boats … will render the passage of the troops very expeditious.”:
June 21st Ferry Operation
8. “The Troops are passing the River … and are mostly over.”: June 22d Crossing
9. “The Army will march off …”: June 22d and 23d, Camp at Amwell Meeting
10. “Just after we halted we sent out a large detachment …”: Camp and Council: Hopewell
Township, 23 to 24 June
11. “Giving the Enemy a stroke is a very desireable event …”: Advancing to Englishtown,
24 to 28 June
a. Progress, June 25, 1778.
b. Progress, June 26, 1778.
c. Progress, June 27, 1778.
d. Forward to Battle, June 28, 1778.
12. “Our advanced Corps … took post in the evening on the Monmouth Road …”:
Movements of Continental Detachments Followng the British, 24 to 28 June 1778
a. The Advance Force: Scott’s, Wayne’s, Lafayette’s, and Lee’s Detachments.
b. Daily Movements of Detachments Later Incorporated into Lee’s Advanced Corps.
13. Echoes of 1778, Three Years After.
Addendum
1. Driving Directions, Continental Army Route from Valley Forge to Englishtown
2. Day by Day Recap of Route
3. The Road to Hopewell.
4. The Bungtown Road Controversy.
5. Weather During the Monmouth Campaign
6. Selected Accounts of the March from Valley Forge to Englishtown
a. Fifteen-year-old Sally Wister
b. Surgeon Samuel Adams, 3rd Continental Artillery
c. Henry Dearborn, lt. colonel, 3rd New Hampshire Regiment
d. Captain Paul Brigham, 8th Connecticut Regiment
e. Sergeant Ebenezer Wild, 1st Massachusetts Regiment
f. Sgt. Jeremiah Greenman, 2d Rhode Island Regiment
g. Dr. James McHenry, assistant secretary to General Washington
7. List of Related works by the author on military material culture and the
Continental Army
Endnotes contain:
1. Army General and Brigade Orders, June 1778.
a. Orders Regulating the Army on the March from Valley Forge.
b. Orders Issued During the Movement from Valley Forge to Englishtown.
2. Division and Brigade Composition for Washington’s Main Army to 22 June 1778
3. Washington’s army vehicle allotment for the march to Coryell’s Ferry,
4. Wheeled Transportation (a primer on the vehicles and artillery on the road to
Monmouth, including twenty-one illustrations)
5. Division and Brigade Composition for Washington’s Main Army after 22 June 1778

“`The pleasure of their number’: 1778, Crisis, Conscription, and Revolutionary Soldiers’
Recollections”
Part I. “’Filling the Regiments by drafts from the Militia.’: The 1778 Recruiting Acts”
http://tinyurl.com/blz2gjw
Part II. "’Fine, likely, tractable men.’: Levy Statistics and New Jersey Service Narratives”
http://tinyurl.com/cttrxe8
Part III. "He asked me if we had been discharged …”: New Jersey, Massachusetts, New
York, Maryland, and North Carolina Levy Narratives” http://tinyurl.com/cayayg5
ALHFAM Bulletin, vol. XXXIII, no. 3 (Fall 2003), 23-34; no. 4 (Winter 2004),
23-34; vol. XXXIV, no. 1 (Spring 2004), 19-28.

“`What is this you have been about to day?’: The New Jersey Brigade at the Battle of
Monmouth,” http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthToc.htm
Narrative
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/Monmouth.htm#1
1. Introduction
2. "In readiness to march at a moment's warning ...": Pre-Battle Dispositions and Plans
3. "To get up with the enemy": Major General Charles Lee's Force Sets Off
4. "I found the whole of the troops upon my right retreating ...": Morning Confrontation at
Monmouth Courthouse
5. "The day was so excessively hot ...": Lee’s Retreat
6. “They answered him with three cheers ...”: Washington Recovers the Day
7. “The Action was Exceedingly warm and well Maintained …”: Infantry Fighting at the
Point of Woods, Hedge-row, and Parsonage
8. "The finest musick, I Ever heared.": Afternoon Artillery Duel, and Cilley’s Attack on the
42nd Regiment
9. “Detached to assist in burying the dead …”: Battle’s Aftermath
10. “The March has proved salutory to the troops.”: Post-Battle: The Continental Army Moves North
11.“A very irregular & ill managed Embarkation.”: Post-Battle British March to Sandy Hook
12. "The defective constitution of our army ...": Casting Blame for the Morning Debacle
13. Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778: Event Synopsis
Appendices
A. “Beware of being Burgoyned.”: Marching Toward Monmouth, Delaware River to Freehold, 18
to 27 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthA.htm
B. “The whole army moved towards the Delaware …”: Continental Army March from Valley
Forge to Englishtown, N.J., 18 to 27 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthB.htm
C. “General Lee being detached with the advanced Corps …”: Composition of Charles Lee’s
Force
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthC.htm
D. “Our Division formed a line on the eminence …”:Washington’s Main Army Order of Battle,
28 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthD.htm
E. “A large Number of troops …”: Continental and British Army Field Returns, 28 June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthE.htm
F.“I resolved nevertheless to attack them …”: American Monmouth Battle Accounts
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthF.htm
G. “Charge, Grenadiers, never heed forming”: British Accounts of the Monmouth Battle
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthG.htm
H. "More Glorious to America than at first Supposed ...": New Jersey Officers Describe the Battle of
Monmouth
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthH.htm
I. "They answered him with three cheers ...": New Jersey Common Soldiers' Pension Depositions
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthI.htm
J. “A very smart cannonading ensued from both sides.”: Maxwell’s Jersey Brigade Artillery and
the Afternoon Cannonade at Monmouth
https://www.scribd.com/doc/139365107/A-very-smart-cannonading-ensued-from-both-sides-Continental-
Artillery-at-Monmouth-Courthouse-28-June-1778
K. “Jun 29th, Buried the Dead …”: Casualties in the Battle of Monmouth
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthK.htm
L. “We are informed by several persons …“: Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthL.htm
M. “That damned blue Regiment …”: Continental Army Clothing during the Monmouth
Campaign
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthM.htm
N. “General Wayne's detachment is almost starving.”: Provisioning Washington’s Army on the
March, June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthN.htm
O. “The canopy of heaven for our tent”: Soldiers' Shelter on Campaign, June 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthO.htm
P. “Be pleased to fill up the vacancy with the eldest Captain in the line …”: Field Officers, Commissioned
Officers, and Staff of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment December 1777 to May 1779
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthP.htm
Q. “Exceeding Hot & water is scarce …”: Monmouth Campaign Weather, 15 June to 7 July, 1778
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/monmouth/MonmouthQ.pdf

“’A very smart cannonading ensued from both sides.’: Continental Artillery at Monmouth
Courthouse, 28 June 1778”
Appendices
1. Col. Richard Butler’s 1778 Map of the Monmouth Battle (drawn by William Gray)
2. “The Company was sent to Eastown with the pieces taken at Saratoga …”: Brig. Gen. William
Maxwell’s Jersey Brigade Artillery at Monmouth.
3. Recreations of late 18th Century Cannons, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons
4. Period Images of English Cannon and Ammunition/Powder Wagons
5. Images of German (mostly Hessian) Artillery, Limbers, and Ammunition Wagons during the
Period of the War for American Independence
https://www.scribd.com/doc/139365107/A-very-smart-cannonading-ensued-from-both-
sides-Continental-Artillery-at-Monmouth-Courthouse-28-June-1778

"`He Come Out with us this time As a Volunteer': Soldiers Serving Without Pay in the
Second New Jersey Regiment, 1777-1780," Military Collector & Historian, vol.
XLV, no. 4 (Winter 1993), 154-55.
http://revwar75.com/library/rees/volunteer.htm
"’I Expect to be stationed in Jersey sometime...’: An Account of the Services of the Second
New Jersey Regiment”:
Part I. December 1777 to June 1778 (1994, unpublished, copy held in the collections of the
David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pa.), contains seventeen
appendices covering various subjects including studies of the casualties incurred by the
New Jersey Brigade (1777-1779), the uniform clothing of the New Jersey Brigade (1776-
1778), the use of the nine-month draft in 1778, and names of all the officers and enlisted
men of the regiment. Also included is a collection of pension narratives of the common
soldiers of the New Jersey Brigade:
Section A.
https://www.scribd.com/document/347859920/I-Expect-to-be-stationed-in-Jersey-sometime-A-Narrative-
History-of-Second-New-Jersey-Regiment-December-1777-to-June-1779-Section-A
1. The March to Winter Quarters: 13 December to 25 December 1777
2. General Orders, 20 December to 25 December 1777
3. Countering the "depredations of the Enemy": 23 December to 28 December 1777
4. The Valley Forge Camp in the Waning Days of 1777
A. General Orders: 25 December to 31 December 1777
B. "I fancy we may ... Content ourselves in these Wigwams ...": 1 January to 19 March 1778
5. Valley Forge in the First Months of 1778
A. General Orders, 1 January to 19 March 1778
6. "I Expect to be stationed in Jersey sometime ...": 22 March to 1 April 1778
Section B.
7. General Orders of the Army, 20 March to 28 March 1778
8. "The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement ...": 4 April to 30 May 1778
9. General Orders of the Army, 8 April to 6 May 1778
10. Reinforcements and Alarms: The Actions of Brigadier General William Maxwell and
the Remainder of the Jersey Brigade, May 7 to May 24, 1778
11. The Institution of Nine Month Enlistments from the New Jersey Militia, February to June 1778
12. Procuring Arms and Equipment for the Regiment, March to June 1778
Section C.
13. Clothing the Men in the Spring of 1778
14. The Jersey Brigade is Reunited, May 28 to June 19, 1778
Appendices (partial list)
1. Company Strengths and Dispositions, December 1777 to May 1779
(including tables of casualties, deserters, etc.)
2. Monthly Regimental Strength as Taken from the Muster Rolls, December 1777 to May 1779
3. Listing of Field Officers, Company Officers, and Staff, December 1777 to May 1779
4. Company Organization, December 1777 to May 1779
A. Lineage of Companies, 1777 to 1779
B. Continuity of Company Command Through May 1779
5. Proportion of Men from 2nd N.J. of 1776 Who Reenlisted in 2nd N.J. of 1777
6. A Listing of Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 2nd N.J. of 1778