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Battlefield | State/County Park
Battle of Springfield
Site of one of the last contested battles of the Revolution's northern theater that protected Washington's encampment at Morristown.
New Jersey
June 23, 1780
Tucked in the New Jersey town of Millburn lies the lesser known Revolutionary battlefield of Springfield where, on June 23, 1780, Patriot forces under Nathanael Greene thwarted a second attempt to attack George Washington's encampment at Morristown.
A part of the Battles of Connecticut Farms & Springfield, this "forgotten" engagement pitched Major General Nathanael Greene and his 1,500 troops against 6,000 troops under the command of Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Despite Greene having to give up the town of Springfield amidst the fighting, the noble efforts of countless New Jersey militiamen dissuaded further British attacks, provoking fear that they would be stalled and out-flanked by Washington's main army.
During this, the Presbyterian reverend James Caldwell directly engaged in the battle, providing Watt's hymnals, which pages were used for wadding to shoot and defend. His wife was shot and murdered 16 days prior by a Red Coat. The British press called him the "Rebel High Priest" in loathing campaigns smearing him in the Royal Gazette. Just up Main street is the center of Millburn township, which was part of Springfield then, and Reverend Caldwell's supply depot held a D.Q.M.G. location for the soldiers and militia.
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