BATTLE OF SHORT HILLS REVOLUTIONARY WAR MEMORIAL

ON THE 26TH OF JUNE 1777 WASHINGTON’S CONTINENTAL FORCES OF UNDER 6,000 MEN FOUGHT A RUNNING BATTLE ON THE PLAINS BELOW THE WATCHUNG MOUNTAINS WITH THE COMBINED BRITISH AND HESSIAN TROOPS NUMBERING ABOUT 12,000. OUT NUMBERED WASHINGTON ORDERED HIS ARMY TO GUARD THE FIVE MOUNTAIN GAPS. HAVING NO PROSPECT OF FORCING WASHINGTON FROM HIS MOUNTAIN STRONGHOLD, THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE WAS STIFLED. IN FRUSTRATION AND RAGE THE BRITISH PLUNDERED AND BURNED THE ENTIRE COUNTRYSIDE. THE BRITISH THEN EVACUATED THE ENTIRE STATE. THERE WAS GREAT REJOICING AS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY CELEBRATED ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE.