Battle of Short Hills

Battle of Short Hills. Fought on June 26, 1777, this engagement was a key clash during the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War. British forces under Sir William Howe sought to draw the Continental Army commanded by George Washington into a decisive battle in New Jersey. Although the British achieved their tactical objective, the American army successfully withdrew to a stronger defensive position in the Watchung Mountains.

Background

Following the Battle of Princeton in early 1777, the Continental Army established a fortified camp at Middlebrook encampment in the Watchung Mountains. From this position, George Washington could monitor movements of the British army, which was headquartered in New Brunswick. In mid-June, Sir William Howe attempted to lure Washington onto open ground by feigning a march toward the Delaware River, potentially threatening Philadelphia. When this failed, Howe changed strategy and ordered a large-scale advance toward the American mountain defenses. The British plan involved a two-pronged movement with columns led by Howe and Lord Cornwallis converging on the area around Scotch Plains.

Battle

On the morning of June 26, the British columns advanced from the vicinity of New Brunswick and Perth Amboy. American outposts, including troops from the New Jersey Brigade under William Maxwell, detected the movement and engaged in skirmishing to delay the enemy. The main American force on the scene was a division commanded by William Alexander, Lord Stirling, which took up positions along the hills near Oak Tree Road. Fierce fighting occurred around the farms of Moses Shotwell and Isaac Smalley, with significant action at Ash Swamp and near the Metuchen meeting house. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Stirling’s men, which included regiments from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina, resisted stubbornly before conducting an orderly retreat toward the main army’s camp at Middlebrook encampment.

Aftermath

The British secured the field but failed in their strategic aim of destroying a significant portion of the Continental Army or forcing a general engagement. American casualties were approximately equal to British losses, each around seventy men. George Washington refused to be drawn from his strong mountain defenses, and Howe subsequently abandoned the operation in New Jersey. Within weeks, the British army began moving its forces by sea for a new campaign aimed directly at Philadelphia, leading to the Battle of Brandywine and the eventual capture of that city. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of Washington’s defensive strategy and the resilience of his subordinate commanders like Stirling.

Legacy

Though a minor tactical victory for the British, the Battle of Short Hills is remembered as a successful American delaying action that protected the main army. It highlighted the strategic importance of the Watchung Mountains as a natural fortress. The engagement is commemorated locally in Union County, with historical markers and preserved land within the Ash Brook Reservation. The battle also features in studies of the Philadelphia campaign, illustrating the cat-and-mouse warfare between Howe and Washington during the summer of 1777. It underscored the growing professionalism of the Continental forces in executing strategic retreats under pressure.

Order of battle

**American forces:** Commanded by Major General Lord Stirling. Included the New Jersey Brigade under Brigadier General William Maxwell, comprising the 1st New Jersey Regiment, 2nd New Jersey Regiment, 3rd New Jersey Regiment, and 4th New Jersey Regiment. Also present were detachments from Continental Army regiments including the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, and the North Carolina Brigade. Artillery support was provided by a detachment from the Continental Artillery. **British forces:** The overall command of General Sir William Howe. The primary assault column was led by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis, consisting of elite units such as the British Grenadiers, British Light Infantry, and the Brigade of Guards. Supporting forces included regiments of Hessian jägers and line infantry, alongside provincial units like the Queen's Rangers. The column under Howe’s direct command included additional British line regiments and artillery.

Category:1777 in New Jersey Category:Battles of the American Revolutionary War in New Jersey Category:Conflicts in 1777 Category:June 1777 events