Battle of Short Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Short Hills |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||
 Map drawn by the Hessian officer Friedrich Adam Julius von Wangenheim showing the battle positions |
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| Belligerents | |||||
 United States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||
 Lord Stirling |
 John Vaughan |
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| Strength | |||||
| 2,500 | 11,000 | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| Killed and wounded unknown 70 captured |
5 killed 30 wounded |
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The Battle of Short Hills was a fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on June 26, 1777, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and Edison, New Jersey. The American forces were led by Lord Stirling. The British forces were led by Lieutenant General William Howe.
Even though it's called "Short Hills," no fighting actually took place in the modern-day area of Short Hills.
In June 1777, General Howe tried to trick George Washington's army. He wanted Washington to leave his strong defensive spot in the Watchung Mountains. Washington did not fall for the trick. Howe then marched his army back to Amboy.
Washington's troops, including Lord Stirling's group, followed the British. Washington then moved his main army out of the hills. Howe saw this as a chance to attack. On June 26, he sent two groups of soldiers to cut off Washington. These British troops fought with Lord Stirling's men.
Stirling's smaller force had to retreat. But his actions gave Washington enough time to move his main army back to safety in the hills. This battle is seen as a win for the Americans. It helped Washington avoid a bigger fight on open ground.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
The War in New Jersey
In March 1776, British forces left Boston. This happened after George Washington set up cannons on high ground. Later, General Howe captured New York City. Washington's army had to retreat across New Jersey.
At the end of 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware River. He won a big victory at the Battle of Trenton. This helped Americans take back most of New Jersey. Both armies then stayed in their winter camps. They had small fights during the winter of 1777.
Howe's Plan for Philadelphia
General Howe spent the winter planning to capture Philadelphia. Philadelphia was where the American Congress met. Howe kept his plans secret. Washington wasn't sure where Howe would attack.
On May 29, Washington moved most of his army. They went from Morristown to a strong spot at Middlebrook. This spot was in the Watchung Mountains. From there, Washington could watch British movements. He could also stop them from reaching Philadelphia.
Naming the Battle
This battle has a few names. It is often called "Short Hills." But the main fighting happened in Edison and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Some historians call it "Flat Hills" or "Metuchen Meeting House." One British history book calls it "Westfield."
Leading Up to the Fight
Howe's Movements
On June 9, Howe began moving his troops. They went from Staten Island to Perth Amboy. On June 11, almost his whole army moved along the Raritan River. They went to New Brunswick. Washington thought Howe was not heading for Philadelphia. He called up local soldiers in southern New Jersey.
On June 14, Howe's army marched again. They went to Somerset Court House (now Millstone). Howe stayed there for five days. He hoped to make Washington fight on open land. Washington refused to leave the hills. On June 19, Howe marched back to Perth Amboy. He left New Brunswick completely by June 22.
Washington's Response
Washington did not fall for Howe's trap. He followed the British as they retreated. Washington moved his army from Middlebrook to Quibbletown. He sent a strong group of soldiers forward. This group was led by Brigadier General William Alexander, or "Lord Stirling."
Stirling's group went to the Scotch Plains area. Their job was to protect Washington's left side. They also bothered the British. Stirling's command had about 2,500 soldiers. These included troops from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They also had Daniel Morgan's expert riflemen.
Howe's Surprise Attack
Howe decided to use Washington's move to his advantage. He launched a sudden attack on Lord Stirling's position. Howe wanted to crush Stirling's forces. He also wanted to cut off Washington's escape route. He hoped to force a big battle on open ground.
At 1:00 AM on June 26, Howe marched two groups of troops out of Perth Amboy. One group was led by Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. It included German soldiers called jägers and grenadiers. It also had British dragoons and other units.
The second group was led by Major General John Vaughan. General Howe was with this group. It also had German jäger companies and British light infantry.
The Battle Unfolds
General Cornwallis's group marched towards Woodbridge. Vaughan's group marched towards Bonhamton. As they moved, they met Stirling's guards. A running fight began. The Americans shot at the British from the bushes as they fell back.
The retreating Americans led both armies into the Ash Swamp and Scotch Plains areas. Stirling set up a defensive position there. But heavy cannon fire and the large number of British soldiers forced Stirling to retreat. He moved further back, towards Westfield.
The British stopped chasing them there. It was very hot that day. Stirling was able to retreat in good order. He went back to the American post at Middlebrook. A messenger had warned Washington about Howe's approach. This made Washington quickly move to a safer spot in the hills.
Later that day, Howe looked at Washington's lines. He decided they were too strong to attack. Stirling's resistance gave Washington time to escape. Because of this, the battle is seen as a strategic victory for the Americans. The British spent the night at Westfield. Then they went back to Perth Amboy. By June 30, they had left New Jersey completely.
Stories from the Battle
A local story from Westfield tells about "Aunt Betty" Frazee. She was baking bread for the Americans. General Cornwallis arrived and asked for a loaf of bread. She offered it, saying, "I give this not in love but in fear." Cornwallis politely refused. He said, "Not a man of my command shall touch a single loaf."
Who Was Lost
A British officer wrote down their losses. The British and German soldiers had 5 killed and 30 wounded. Only one officer was lost, Captain John Finch. He was leading the attack. He even challenged Lord Stirling. Stirling told four of his best shooters to aim at Finch. Finch was wounded and died three days later.
We don't know the exact number of American losses. The British said 100 Americans were killed or wounded. Both sides agreed that the Americans lost three cannons. Also, 70 American soldiers were captured.
Stirling's advance guard, Ottendorf's Corps, was hit hardest. Out of 80 men, 32 were killed or captured. Colonel Israel Shreve wrote that Maxwell's Brigade had "12 killed and about 20 wounded and as many taken prisoners." Two officers from the 2nd New Jersey Regiment were lost. Captain Ephraim Anderson was killed. Captain James Lawrie was captured.
What Remains Today
A part of the battlefield is now a historic site. It covers about 300 acres in Edison Township. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This area includes parts of the Plainfield Country Club. Edison's Oak Tree Pond Park is used for reenactments of the battle.
Images for kids
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Lieutenant General William Howe, commander of the British army.
