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

Back to NY section | Continue to PA section

Washington split up the American forces. General Heath and some 2,500 Continentals (backed by thousands of local militia) would remain behind to deter the British in New York City from raiding the area. Washington led the other 2,500 American troops on a rapid march 450 miles to the south. The U.S. units were: Colonel Scammel's light troops (New Hampshire) the First New York Continentals Rhode Island Continentals under Colonel Olney Colonel Lamb's regiment of artillery (New York) the New Jersey Continentals (two regiments) Colonel Hazen's regiment (Canadians) Rochambeau led the roughly 5,000 French troops on a parallel route farther inland. At the same time (Aug 17) Rochambeau wrote to Choisy in Newport, commanding him and all able troops (430) to embark for Jamestown VA with Adm. Barrass and the siege cannon. The only French troops now remaining in Newport were 100 invalids. Aug 18 (perhaps) -- The Jersey Line and Hazen's Regiment were 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 Watchung Mountains between Chatham and Springfield NJ. Aug 19 -- The remaining Continental units left their camps and assembled ("paraded" was the term used in 1781) in Dobbs Ferry, with Scammel's light infantry in the van (at the front). As they came down Ashford Ave (present-day name) and reached Broadway, Col. Scammel led the line of march to the right (away from New York City), to the surprise of the men, who were expecting a march to attack New York City. For most of these regiments this corner was the start of the march to Yorktown. They marched north along the Hudson River, 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). At the same time half of the French units (A) returned to North 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. NOTE: These maps are tilted; north is about 45-degrees left of straight up.

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. NOTE: These maps are tilted; north is about 45-degrees left of straight up.

NEW JERSEY  The forces now moved along three separate routes, rejoining at Princeton. A Note about "Official" W3R Routes The W3R-NJ has posted (as a PDF file) a large-scale map of a network of fifteen W3R trails in New Jersey and a more extensive discussion of the various routes than is given below. W3R-NJ member Carol W. Greene has written a well-illustrated 21-page article on the march through New Jersey. 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. NOTE: These maps are tilted; north is about 45-degrees left of straight up.

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)

Top of Page