New Jersey is called the crossroads of the American Revolution,
because it held a key geographical position at the center of the
new nation, and the armies were in or crossing it throughout the
war. It was heavily involved in the fighting, due to the troop
movements through the state, and its key geographic position
between New York City and Philadelphia.
Throughout the Revolutionary War, there were many clashes
between the Americans and British within the colony of New Jersey.
In total, there were 296 engagements that occurred within New
Jersey, more clashes than occurred in any other colony in the
Revoutionary War.
Besides being the location of several important battles, New
Jersey was also helpful in disrupting British supply units. Forts
on the Delaware River could attack British supply troops as they
sailed to Philadelphia. Men in Whaleboats crossed the Hudson and
raided New York City and Long Island, and captured shipping in the
Sandy Hook staging area outside NY harbor. Ships based in south
Jersey ports raided British shipping at sea. New Jersey also had
several ironworks that provide iron and iron products, such as
cannon, for the war effort, besides its food production. The Ford
family in Morristown ran a black powder mill that supplied needed
powder for the early war effort.
The Continental army encamped three years in New Jersey, in the
winters of 1777 at Morristown, 1778-79 at Middlebrook (near Bound
Brook), and in 1780 again at Morristown. Large parts of the
Continental forces wintered in other years in NJ.
Washington's Valley cache is located near the Middlebrook
encampment at Washington Valley Park. The Main army, consisting of
the Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania Brigades, with the
Delaware regiment, and artillery Corps, were along the base of the
Watchung Mountains.
The Virginia troops were posted just west of the gap where
Middlebrook creek flows out of the mountains, at Chimney Rock. The
Virginia position extended along today's Foothill Road. The
Maryland Brigade was posted east of the gap, past Vossler Avenue
almost to Mountain Avenue. The Pennsylvania Brigade were posted
south, at Weston, in today's Manville. Several miles north west
along the ridge, at Pluckemin. Washington had his Headquarters in
what is now Somerville.
PLEASE DO NOT MOVE, UP TURN, OR DISPLACE ROCKS. PLEASE KEEP THIS
AREA NATURAL AND UNDISTURBED.