Marching through New Jersey  

Latest changes: 2009-07-16: regroup by state / 2010-09-15: rewrite somewhat /

NOTE: These W3R campsite-and-trail maps were developed
during the 2000-2005 National Park Service study of significance,
feasibility, and environmental impact.
The orientation is tilted; north is about 45-degrees left of straight up.


The northern New Jersey portion of the W3R campsite map.

A Note about "Official" W3R Routes

===== NEW JERSEY ===== 

W3R-NJ member Carol W. Greene has written a well-illustrated 21-page article on the march through New Jersey.

The allied forces now moved along several separate, nearly parallel routes, rejoining at Princeton. The French marched west of the Watchung Mountains so as to be more protected from British spies and raiding parties. One Continental division moved along the Hudson River, Newark Bay, and Arthur Kill, building French bake ovens to deceive the British into thinking that the French army and navy would soon be there to attack New York City. A second Continental division moved farther inland as a screening force for the French army.

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 -- The French camped at Bullion's Tavern -- now Liberty Corner. (4 miles via CR 511)

Aug 30 -- The French camped at 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).


The southern New Jersey portion of the W3R campsite map.

Aug 31 -- The French camped at Princeton (12 miles via Rt 206). The Continental troops had passed through this town several days earlier so as not to overload the campsite and provisioning capabilities of the area.
==> 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 -- The French camped at Trenton (10 miles via Rt 206). Much of the Continental went south from here on row-barges with cannon and other supplies. From here all the allied forces went to Philadelphia.



© W3R-US 2010 (www.w3r-us.org); Managing Editor: