Following on the heels of his nation-saving victories at Trenton and Princeton, George Washington led his troops to Morristown, New Jersey for winter encampment. The location was excellent defensive ground. The Watchung Mountains shielded General William Howe’s British army, posted 30 miles away in New York, from the American position.  Lookout posts along the ridge afforded the Continentals excellent vantages points to keep watch for enemy advances.  Washington used the time to re-tool and re-fit his army as he prepared for a resumption of active campaigning against the British. But enduring the winter was not easy. The army sorely lacked supplies, disease was widespread, and a resulting lack of discipline all contributed to the Continental Army’s hardships in that bitter winter of 1777.

Two years later the Continental Army returned to Morristown for the winter.  It arrived in a snowstorm on December 1, 1779 and what followed was the harshest winter in memory. More than 20 snowstorms pelted the countryside and once again a chronic lack of supplies, clothing, and adequate shelter added to the hardships endured by the soldiers.

Our tour will address these trying times for Washington and his Continentals during these critically important years in the Revolution. We will begin at the Ford Mansion, site of Washington’s Headquarters in 1779-1780. Then, we’ll visit Fort Nonsense and the Jockey Hollow Encampment area. There we will see the Pennsylvania Brigade site, Stark’s Brigade site, and the Wick House (headquarters for General Arthur St. Clair).

Upon leaving Morristown we will travel east and focus on the Battle of Springfield, the climactic battle of the last British invasion in New Jersey.  Fought on June 23, 1780, it pitted 6,000 British forces, commanded by General Knyphausen, against 2,000 Continental and militia soldiers assigned to General Nathaniel Greene. The Crown forces sought to seize Hobart Gap in the Watchung Mountains, which would allow them to capture Washington’s supplies at Morristown.

Meeting the enemy as it proceeded from Elizabethtown, Greene’s men engaged in a spirited delaying action that thwarted the British thrust. As the day progressed and the fighting intensified, the outnumbered Americans gave ground reluctantly. When ammunition and supplies were nearly exhausted Reverend James Caldwell of the First Presbyterian Church passed out hymnals to be used for artillery wadding. The parson’s wife, Hannah, had been killed in her home during the British advance as she protected her children.

We will follow the two armies as they clashed in the fields and streets around Springfield, New Jersey. Our stops there will include houses that still stand from the battle – the Cannon Ball House, the Swaim Homestead, and the Sayre House.  By the end of our tour participants will come to understand and appreciate the Battle of Springfield as “The Forgotten Victory.”

About Our Tour Leaders

Jay Jorgensen is an experienced tour guide of American Revolutionary War sites and Civil War battlefields. He is the author of many articles on the Revolution and several books on the Civil War including Gettysburg’s Bloody Wheatfield.

William M. Welsch is an experienced tour guide of American Revolutionary War sites with special expertise on New Jersey sites. He is the founding and current president of the American Revolution Round Table of Richmond, Virginia.

Sunday, November 15

8:15 AM            Bus Departs from Best Western Murray Hill Inn, New Providence, NJ

4:30 PM               Arrive Back at Best Western Murray Hill Inn

Registration Fees per Person (lodging not included):

·        Before August 15 - $145

·        Before September 15 - $155

·        Before October 15 - $165

·        After October 15 - $175

If You Must Cancel: Your registration fee will be 100% refunded within 30 days.

What is Included in your Registration:

·        the services of expert historians chosen for their knowledge and experience

·        transportation to all sites

·        Sunday lunch

·        refreshments and snacks during the tour        

·         information package 

Base Location & Lodging: Our program will be based at the Best Western Murray Hill Inn, 535 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974 (near Springfield, NJ) where we have reserved a block of sleeping rooms at the special nightly rate of $95.00 – Single or Double. To reserve a room under our block, call 908-665-9200 and identify yourself as a registrant for the American History Forum tour. A complimentary continental breakfast is offered to all hotel registrants.

Directions:

·        From: Newark: International Airport and Route 78 Westbound Take Route 78 to Exit 43 onto Diamond Hill Road. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Mountain Avenue. Turn left at third light, South Street. The hotel is on the left, after next stoplight on the corner of South Street and Central Avenue.

·        From: Route 78 Eastbound. Take Exit 44 to traffic light. Turn left onto Glenside Avenue Proceed to the next left turn under Route 78 toward New Providence, as the road becomes South Street. Continue to the second light. The hotel will be on the left side of road on the corner of South Street and Central Avenue.

·        From: New Jersey Turnpike. Take Exit 14, stay to the left through the toll. Follow signs for Route 78 - Express Westbound. Take Route 78 to Exit 43 onto Diamond Hill Road. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Mountain Avenue. Turn left at third light, South Street. The hotel is on the left, after next stoplight on the corner of South Street and Central Avenue.

·        From: Garden State Parkway. Take Exit 142 and follow the signs for Route 78 West. Those traveling from the south will make a U-turn at the Hillside-Irvington exit. Enter express lanes at first opportunity. Take Route 78 to Exit 43 onto Diamond Hill Road. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Mountain Avenue. Turn left at third light, South Street. The hotel is on the left, after next stoplight on the corner of South Street and Central Avenue.