The Focus Shifts to Yorktown;  
March from New York through New Jersey

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Washington split up the American forces -- 2,500 Continentals (backed by thousands of local militia) would remain behind under General Heath to keep the British bottled up in New York City. Washington and Rochambeau led the other 2,500 American troops and all 4,000 French troops on a rapid march 450 miles to the south. The U.S. units were: the New Jersey Continentals (two regiments) the First New York Continentals Colonel Hazen's regiment (Canadians) Rhode Island Continentals under Colonel Olney Colonel Lamb's regiment of artillery (New York) Colonel Scammel's light troops (New Hampshire) Aug 19 -- The Jersey Line and Hazen's Regiment was ferried across the Hudson River from Dobbs Ferry to Sneeden's Landing, heading -- by way of Tappan and Paramus and Belleville -- for the heights of the Watchungh Mountains between Chatham and Springfield NJ. The remaining American units marched north along the Hudson. They crossed the Croton River at New Bridge, near the Van Cortlandt Manor House, and continued to Verplanck Point (16 miles via Routes 9 and 9a and Kings Ferry Road). Meanwhile Half of the French (A) returned to New Castle (Mt. Kisco) -- 16 miles via Rts 100B, 100, and 133. The other half (B) marched by way of Thornwood, Pleasantville, and Chappaqua (along the present Saw Mill River Parkway). [See The Westchester Historian, Fall 1981.]

Portion of the W3R Campsite map developed for the National Park Service 2000-2005 study of significance, feasibility and environmental impact.

Aug 21 -- The French A and B units rejoined and crossed the Croton River at Pines Bridge. They marched 3 miles via Route 133 to Dogwood Rd to Crow Hill Road and then 3 miles north on Route 118 and camped at Hunt's Tavern in Crompond (now called Yorktown Heights). [See The Westchester Historian, Fall 1981.] Several towns in this area were renamed Yorktown in 1788 in honor of the final major battle in Virginia. Aug 22 -- The French units camped at King's Ferry (now Verplank) -- 14 miles via Rts 202, Furnace Dock Road, Washington Road north, and Kings Ferry Road) [See The Westchester Historian, Fall 1981.] British General Clinton was aware of the American / French troop movement but unaware of their strategic plan until early September. Even then he thought that superior British naval power could deny the American / French forces a victory at Yorktown. Aug 24 -- Haverstraw (4 miles south of Stony Point Park) via Route 9). One French brigade camped in front of the Treason House in West Haverstraw. It took six days (Aug 20-24) to ferry all the units across the Hudson River from Westchester County at Kings Ferry (Verplank, on the east side of the Hudson River) to Stony Point, on the west side.

Portion of the W3R Campsite map developed for the National Park Service 2000-2005 study of significance, feasibility and environmental impact.

NEW JERSEY  The forces now moved along three separate routes, rejoining at Princeton. A Note about "Official" W3R Routes Aug 25 -- #1 - General Lincoln, with Scammel's Light Troops (NH), the First New York Continentals, Lamb's Artillery, and the sappers and miners moved from Kakiat (now New Hempstead) NY to Pompton to Two Bridges and then to Chatham NJ to lead the British to believe there might be an attack on Staten Island (14 miles south via Route 45 and the Garden State Parkway). On Aug 28 they marched to New Brunswick to suggest that they might be heading for Sandy Hook to support a landing of the French fleet there. [Ref. W3R Study for NY] #2 - The French troops encamped in New Antrim (now Suffern) NY (11 miles via Rt 202). A historical marker on Washington Ave., south of the intersection with Lafayette Ave., notes this area as "Rochambeau's Encampment 1781-1782". Rochambeau is said to have made his headquarters at John Suffern's New Antrim Tavern. [Ref. W3R Study for NY] #3 - The slower-moving American baggage train was guarded by a detachment from Rhode Island as they moved from Kakiat (now New Hempstead) NY to New Antrim (now Suffern) NY. [Ref. W3R Study for NY] ==> Also on this day a fleet of 14 warships under British Admiral Hood arrived at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, hoping to find and to engage the French in battle. Finding no one there, they sailed on north to New York City. Aug 26 -- The French camped at the Meeting-House in Pompton. (12 miles via Rt 202) Aug 27 -- The French camped at Whippany. (20 miles via Rts 202 and CR 511) Aug 29 -- Bullion's Tavern -- now Liberty Corner. (4 miles via CR 511) Aug 30 -- Sommerset Court House (now Millstone), 14 miles via Rt 202) ==> Also on this day Admiral de Grasse's fleet arrived at the Virginia Capes (off the Chesapeake Bay).

Portion of the W3R Campsite map developed for the National Park Service 2000-2005 study of significance, feasibility and environmental impact.

Aug 31 -- Princeton (12 miles via Rt 206) ==> Also on this day French Admiral de Barras left Newport with an eight-ship squadron carrying the siege artillery and the food that would be needed during the planned siege at Yorktown. ==> Also on this day British Admiral Hood sailed from New York City with 19 warships, seeking to prevent de Barras from getting to Virginia. Sept 1 -- Trenton (10 miles via Rt 206)

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