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. New Jersey had more engagements than any other state during the war, closely followed by South Carolina.

Major actions in the state include:

· The forced Abandonment of Fort Lee, Nov. 20 th, 1776 starting the retreat of the American army across NJ to the other side of the Delaware river.

· The first battle of Trenton, Dec 26 th, 1776

· The battle of Princeton, Jan 3 rd, 1777

· The Battle of Bound Brook, April 14th, 1777

· The Battle of Short Hills, June, 1777

· River Forts defense of the lower Delaware, fall of 1777

· The battle of Monmouth, June 28 th, 1778

· The Battle of Connecticut Farms, June 6 th ,1780

· The Battle of Springfield, June 23 rd, 1780, one of the larger battles of the war, for numbers of troops involved, yet least known.

· In addition, there were hundreds, even thousands, of smaller battles, engagements, skirmishes, raids, ambushes, etc. involving regular troops, militia units and loyalist units, and many actions off the coast of sea vessels. NJ men used whaleboats to raid British shipping and territories around NYC , Long Island, and off Sandy Hook, besides the small ships used as privateers.

Washington's troops crossed NJ from NY in 1776, chased by the British after the fall of NY to the British . In late Dec, 1776 to mid Jan 1777, he in turn chased the British out of most of NJ.

FOR MORE INTERESTING FACTS: http://www.doublegv.com/ggv/NJrev.html

BACK