"The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement ..."

Surprise at Haddonfield and Cooper’s Ferry, April 1778

John U. Rees

(Previous page) 18th

century map showing the roads from Gloucester to Haddonfield, and from

there to Cooper’s Ferry. “Draft of Roads in Jersey,” ink, 41 ½ X 52 cm, Map Division, Library

of Congress.

____________________________

Introduction

This excerpted narrative commemorated the 225th anniversary of the British occupation of

Philadelphia and the Monmouth campaign and the New Jersey regiments’ role in those

events. The appended account relates the surprise attack on the 2nd

New Jersey Regiment

and New Jersey militia at Haddonfield and Coopers Ferry on the night of 4/5 April 1778.

Colonel Israel Shreve’s 2nd

Regiment was cantoned at Valley Forge with Washington’s

army until 19 March when the commander in chief ordered it to march into its home state

“either to give protection to the inhabitants upon the Delaware or to the Salt Works upon the

Coast." Particular orders were given that the regiment was "to go as light as possible and

leave some careful Officer to take care of the Baggage left in Camp." On 22 March Colonel

Shreve wrote from Burlington, New Jersey: "This Evening I Arrived with about 130 of my

Regt. with orders to join the Militia ... The Remainder of my Regt. will follow in a few

Days. I Shall here from the Governor tomorrow and then Expect to march with all

Expedition" to take up new quarters at Haddonfield, where they arrived on March 25th or

26th. On May 13th

Shreve’s regiment was joined by the 1st New Jersey near Evesham. By

the end of May the four regiments of Brigadier General William Maxwell’s Jersey brigade

were reunited at Mount Holly, New Jersey.

For a “cast of characters” and company organization see “Field Officers, Commissioned

Officers, and Staff of the 2nd

New Jersey Regiment: December 1777 to May 1779” which is

appended.

(Excerpted from, John U. Rees, "I Expect to be stationed in Jersey sometime...": An

Account of the Services of the Second New Jersey Regiment:

Part I, December 1777 to June 1778 (1994, unpublished, TMs held in the collections

of the David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pa.), contains

seventeen appendices covering various subjects including studies of the casualties

incurred by the New Jersey Brigade (1777-1779), the uniform clothing of the New Jersey

Brigade (1776-1778) and the use of the nine-month draft during 1778. Also included is a

collection of pension narratives by New Jersey Brigade enlisted men;

Part II, June 1778 to June 1779 (TMs, 2000), covers the period from the onset of the

1778 Monmouth Campaign to the unit’s departure for the 1779 expedition led by Major

General John Sullivan against the Iroquois.)

******************************

In the face of mounting British and Loyalist activity in Southern Jersey the task of Colonel

Israel Shreve's 2nd

New Jersey regiment was to keep the enemy off balance by harassing

their outposts and denying them subsistence. On 6 April General Washington had written

the colonel he hoped "Majr. [Richard] Howell may be able to effect something against the

Tories at Billingsport, who may probably be surprized by a vigilant Officer. If Cattle or

provisions of any kind can be collected in any parts of the Country within the Enemy's

reach, it ought by all means to be done."1

The attack on the works at Billingsport, "where about 150 tories had been intrenching and

fortifying themselves," proved an ill-fated affair. Israel Shreve gave his account of what

occurred to the commander in chief in a letter dated "Mount Holley April 6th 1778":

Last friday Evening a Messenger came to haddonfield from below, informing me,

the Militia [of Salem and Cumberland Counties] were imbodied to the number of

200 and Desirous to march into the Neighbourhood of Billingsport on Saturday[4

April]. To Incourage them I ordered Major Howell Down with 100 men [from the

2nd

New Jersey] to join them, there to Act as should seem Best when on the Spot.

The same morning about 100 Enemy Tories marched out of Billingsport towards

Sweedsborough, fell in with Capt. Fizlow [possibly Joel Fithian, captain in Colonel

Enos Seeley's battalion of New Jersey State troops] with 50 [New Jersey] Militia,

who attacked them [and] kiled 5 or 6. [The militia] Drove them off with the

Greatest precipitation. By this time Major Howell got to Samtown 4 miles from

the fort, [and] hearing they were out, pushed down to the fort. Got within one mile

when the Enemy returned by a Back road. The fort being Alarmed, and the Militia

not Comeing up, the Major Returned, takeing one Waggon, and 5 Tories, our post

at Haddonfield being Exceeding week. The major got in that night leaveing Capt.

[Nathaniel] Bowman with 50 men at Woodberry.

With his forces now divided between Haddonfield, Coopers Ferry, and Woodbury,

Shreve’s position was vulnerable. At this point the British struck.

The Enemy Giting intelligence of our movement Detached 600 Light Infantry

Commanded by Col. [Robert] Abbercrombe [37th Regiment of Foot] to Gloucester

point, there Crosed. By some means [they] surround[ed] 4 Videts [mounted

sentinels], one of them Rode his horse through Newtown Creek, Gave the Alarm at

half past two Sunday morning. I Immediately Got the men under arms, the Stores

and Baggage loaded, [and] thought it most prudent to move off, haveing Good

information of their intentions and Rapid march, I ordered one horsman to

Woodberry, another to Coopers ferry [present-day Camden], where we had a Guard

of 40 men & 2 horsman, Lieuts. Stout and Hutchin of my Regt., with orders to

Collect his Guard and make his Retreat Good over Coopers Crick Bridge. Half after

three the Enemy entered the town [Haddonfield], we had left it about 10 minutes.

Upon a signal they Gave three Huzzays and immediately stove open the Doors,

wounded several Inhabitants, Burnt 2 houses belonging to Quakers, plundered the

town, and Returned by way of Coopers ferry.

Mr. Sage [possibly Miles Sage, noted to be in a militia light horseman and

wounded in an unknown action] a Volunteer Horseman that I sent to the ferry

Returned just as the Enemy had Entered. He Cut his way through them 200 yards,

then Dismounted, and [was] left for Dead, haveing Received fourteen Wounds with

Bayonets. He is yet alive. Major [William] Ellis (of [the 2nd Battalion Gloucester

County] Militia) being officer of the Day, was at the ferry. Lt. Stout prudently Got

his Guard together and Retired over the Bridge according to Orders. Major Ellis as

imprudently ordered him back to his post. The Enemy pushed Down [and] Cut of[f]

their Retreat. Lt. Stout who is a brave officer fought them a Considerable time, until

overpowered by numbers was forced to Give way, no Retreat left. Some broke

through others swam Coopers Creek and got off. The 2 horsemen Got off. Eleven

prisoners was taken among them Major Ellis, Lts. Stout & Hutchin. Stout Received

2 wounds before he surrendered, two of my Regt. was found Dead on the Ground,

one of them Bayoneted. Some were kiled in the Creek, several are yet missing, this

Guard were part Militia. The Enemy Immediately Crossed the River to the City.

Three Deserters Come in, who informs me their arms were not loaded But their

Orders was to Give no Quarters, and to plunder the town for Incouragement. These

orders was Red to them by their Col. before they Crossed. Our men being much

fateagued for two days with marching and loss of sleep. I thought Best to Retire to

this place [Mount Holly], leaving 50 men below to move from place to place And

Stop the Tory trade.

I fear if not Reignforced the Enemy will Ravage [a] Great part of the lower

Counties. A prize from Cork Now lies at or near the forks of Eg[g]harbor with 200

Barrels of Beef, 50 of pork, upwards of 2000 firkins Rose Butter, 51 pieces Linnen,

etc. This Cargo is taken for the use of the Army But not yet Removed. This port

Cannot be safe if a post is not kept at Haddonfield.

I hope your Excell. will pardon me for so Often Mentioning a Reignforcement. I

fear true Representations from this Quarter has not been made, I mean to Represent

things just as they are. I should send a Return of what Militia I have But Cannot

Obtain it. They Do not Exceed 150.2

Jabesh Ashmore, a private in Captain Joseph Clunn's Artillery Company, Hunterdon

County Militia, mentioned the Coopers Ferry/Haddonfield assault in his early 19th century

pension deposition. Called out in March 1778 his company was sent to Haddonfield where

they “acted as scouts in preventing supplies going to the British in Philadelphia." They

patrolled the area "until about the first of May [actually April] 1778 when a negro spy who

had been in our camp and had been arrested by the sentinel who had charge of him and

escaped to Philadelphia and the next night came back with Five hundred of the enemy and

drove us out of Haddonfield [this action actually took place early on Sunday morning, 5

April], Col. Shreve of the standing army was there in command - We retreated to Mount

Holly. The enemy after burning and destroying much property in Haddonfield returned [to

Philadelphia]."3

John Hill map of Haddonfield. The road from Gloucester is at the bottom, and the one to

Cooper’s Ferry to the left of the town. (Library of Congress Map Collection)

Several British officers left accounts of this action. Lt. Colonel Francis Downman noted

in his diary, "April 5th, 1778 - Information being received that a body of rebels consisting of

about 300 with two field pieces [two iron cannon belonging to Captain Clunn’s New Jersey

militia artillery], were collected at Haddonfield on the Jerseys, a party of light bobs [i.e.,

British light infantry] went down the river in boats and landed at Gloucester Point, from

whence they marched to the above town, but the rebels being apprised of their danger very

prudently withdrew, except six who fired out of a house, were stormed in their castle and

bayoneted, and a rebel light horseman [who] met with the same fate. On the return of our

party they heard that about 40 of the rebels were lodged near Cooper's ferry, on which they

directed their march to that spot in such a manner as to surround them, and after a short

skirmish in which several were wounded, made 26 of them prisoners, amongst whom were a

major and two sub[altern]s [lieutenant or ensign]. Our troops received not the least injury in

their excursion."4

German Captain Friedrich von Muenchhausen added several interesting details: "April 4.

At Haddonfield in Jersey, six miles from Coopers Ferry, opposite Philadelphia, on the other

side of the Delaware, 300 rebels with two cannon have been stationed again the last few

days. At Coopers Ferry there is also a picket of 50 men, with sentries along the bank of the

Delaware. They, but especially the officers, who were given very large and good field

glasses by Washington, observe every move made on our side, and, since most of the streets

lead to the Delaware, they can also survey our streets. April 5. Last night at one o'clock, 500

light infantry were taken to the region of Billingsport in Jersey. Then, in a round about way,

they proceeded to Haddonfield, which the enemy had just left because they had received

from their patrols news of our advance. But they had been in such a hurry that they forgot to

advise their command at Coopers Ferry, most of whom fell into our hands, together with

their field glasses, whereupon the light infantry returned via Coopers Ferry this afternoon."5

Cooper’s Ferry, 1778. The road to Haddonfield exits to the right.

(Library of Congress Map Collection)

Engineer Captain John Montresor noted the weather and, except for claiming a captured

colonel, accurately listed American losses: "4th. [April 1778] Weather raw but fair. Sunday

5th. Early this morning a Detachment from our Light Infantry crosed the Delaware and

surprised a Picket of 50 Rebels between the Ferry House and Haddonfield, Killed 7 and a

Captain and took a Colonel, a Major and 2 Lieutenants and 33 privates and their arms

without sustaining any loss on our side ... This morning General Charles Lee in the Rebel

service left this city on his Parole ..."6

On April 25th Washington replied to Shreve's report:

I have received your favour of the 16th, inclosing a list of prisoners taken by the

Enemy near Coopers Ferry. The disposition which you have made of the troops

under your command, I suppose is founded on a knowledge of the Country, and

calculated to fulfill the objects of your detachment ... I congratulate those brave

Officers who you say are likely to recover in spite of their wounds.7

According to a modern accounting American forces suffered eight killed and thirty-seven

captured in the Haddonfield/Coopers Ferry affair. Surviving 2nd

New Jersey muster and pay

rolls give the following casualties:8

April 4, 1778 - 1 captured, Captain Cumming's Co.

April 5, 1778 - 6 captured, Captain Luce's Co.

2 captured, Captain Reading's Co.

2 captured, Captain Hollinshead's Co.

3 captured, Captain Cummings' Co.

1 captured, Captain Bowman's Co.

3 captured, Captain Phillips' Co.

4 captured, Captain Sparks' Co.

4 captured and 2 killed, Captain Helms' Co.

Total - 25 captured and 2 killed

Remaining losses were incurred by militia forces. Second New Jersey Lieutenants

Abraham Stout and John Hutchin (or Hutchins) were among those captured, as was Major

William Ellis of the 2nd Battalion, Gloucester County militia. Ellis was exchanged on 26

December 26, 1780.9

Haddonfield, New Jersey, 4/4/78

Cumming's Co.

Shadrick Kinsey, captured, exchanged 8/10/78

Cooper's Ferry, New Jersey, 4/5/78

Reading's Co.

Abraham Stout, 1st lieutenant, captured

John Walker, sgt., captured, exchanged July 1778

Sparks' Co.

John Hutchen, 1st lieutenant, captured

Thomas Brown, Jr., captured, exchanged 7/17/78

Eli Gladhill, captured, exchanged 7/17/78

William Williams, captured, exchanged 7/17/78

Hollinshead's Co.

John Robinson, cpl., captured, exchanged 7/17/78

John Clemons, captured, exchanged 7/17/78

Phillips' Co.

William Jobes, cpl., captured, exchanged 8/30/78

John Loyons, captured, returned 7/17/78

William Price, captured, returned 7/17/78

Helms' Co.

Henry Burke, captured, exchanged 7/17/78

Aaron Camble, captured

Richard Caseby, captured, exchanged 7/17/78

John Hickey, captured

John Morrison, killed

Philip Murphy, killed

Bowman's Co.

Joseph Jones, captured, exchanged 7/1/78

Luse's Co.

Abraham Gallaher, captured, exchanged 7/16/78

Andrew Downey, captured, returned 7/16/78

Joseph Fox, captured, returned 7/16/78

Henry Van Wey, captured, exchanged 7/16/78

Isaac Willis, captured, exchanged 7/16/78

Richard Palmer, captured, returned 10/20/78

Cumming's Co.

William Lye, captured, returned July 1778

Richard Long, captured, returned July 1778

William Wright, captured, returned July 1778

Continental soldier wearing a military cocked hat, regimental coat, breeches, and carrying

a blanket sling (tumpline) in lieu of a knapsack. Illustration by George C. Woodbridge,

from George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution (Texarkana, TX,

1991).

British light infantry private, 1777. Though this clothing was meant for warmer weather, it is

possible the “light bobs” that attacked the posts at Cooper’s Ferry and Haddonfield wore

similar clothing.

Sources

1. Washington to Israel Shreve, 6 April 1778, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of

George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799, 11 (Washington,

D.C., GPO, 1934), 222-223.

2. Shreve to Washington, 6 April 1778, George Washington Papers, Presidential Papers

Microfilm, (Washington, D.C., 1961), series 4, roll 48. Francis B. Lee, ed., Archives of the

State of New Jersey - Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New

Jersey, 2nd series, vol. II (Trenton, 1903), Extracts From American Newspapers, 1778,

148-149.

3. Jabesh Ashmore pension, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land-Warrant

Application Files, National Archives Microfilm Publication M804.

4. F.A. Whinyates, (Colonel), ed., The Services of Lieut.-Colonel Francis Downman, R.A. in

France, North America, and the West Indies, Between the Years 1758 and 1784 (Woolwich,

1898; first printed in the Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution), 58.

5. Ernst Kipping and Samuel Stelle Smith, At General Howe's Side 1776-1778 (Monmouth

Beach: Phillip Freneau Press, 1974), 50.

6. G.D. Scull, ed., "Journals of Captain John Montresor," Collections of the New-York

Historical Society, volume XIV (1881) (New York, 1882) 480 484.

7. Washington to Israel Shreve, 25 April 1778, Fitzpatrick, WGW, 11 (1934), 308.

8. Howard H. Peckham, The Toll of Independence - Engagements & Battle Casualties of the

American Revolution (Chicago, 1974), 49; Second New Jersey muster, pay, field, staff and

commissioned officers rolls, 1778, Revolutionary War Rolls, reel 57 to reel 60.

9. William S. Stryker, Jerseymen in the Revolutionary War; Official Register of the Officers

and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War (Trenton, N.J., 1911), 364.

“Be pleased to fill up the vacancy with the eldest Captain in the line …”

Field Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Staff of the 2nd

New Jersey Regiment

December 1777 to May 1779

John U. Rees

(Copyright 1994, 2005)

Continental Army regimental and company command structures were changeable

entities, dependent upon officer promotions, dismissals, resignations, sickness, and

casualties. This study shows variations in the officers and staff of one regiment in

Brigadier General William Maxwell’s Jersey Brigade through two active campaigns and

two winter camps, providing some appreciation of command, control, and personnel

difficulties for similar lower level organizations.

The 2nd

New Jersey Regiment was authorized in autumn 1775, and recruited that

winter with one-year enlistments expiring at the end of 1776. The regiment then

reenlisted and reorganized in winter and spring of 1777. William Maxwell, the colonel in

1776, was appointed brigadier general of New Jersey troops, and Israel Shreve, the 1776

lieutenant colonel, was made the 2nd

Regiment’s colonel. During 1777 officer casualties,

resignations, and promotions further changed the command structure. Officers were

moved from company to company; for instance William Helms was promoted from

lieutenant in Luce’s Company to captain of Maxwell’s Company after that officer’s

December 1777 resignation. Helms’ commanded former Maxwell’s company until

February 1779 when he took command of Luce’s Company upon Captain Luce’s

resignation. Helms’ former company then became the Lieutenant Colonel’s Company

commanded by 1st Lieutenant Samuel Naglee. Through all those changes, plus the

addition of enlisted recruits, levies, and transfers, a core of enlisted personnel and junior

company officers remained relatively static.

Beginning in May 1778 large numbers of nine-month levies from the New Jersey

militia began to join the Jersey Continental regiments. With the expiration of those short-

term enlistments in February 1779 the number of New Jersey regiments was reduced

from four to three. The 4th

New Jersey was disbanded and its officers and men distributed

to the remaining regiments. At the same time a ninth company was added to regimental

organization to allow for the newly authorized light infantry companies.

Contents

1. Field officers

2. Staff officers

3. Warrant officers

4. Company officers and organization, December 1777 to January 1779 (Inclusive)

5. Company officers and organization, February to May 1779

6. Company lineage, 1777 to 1779

7. Continuity of company command through May 1779

8. Sources

(See also: "He Come Out with us this time As a Volunteer ...":Soldiers Serving Without

Pay in the Second New Jersey Regiment, 1777-1780;

http://revwar75.com/library/rees/volunteer.htm)

Date of

Field Officers Commission (etc.) Colonel - Israel Shreve 11/28/76

July 1778, sick absent

October 15, 1778, on furlough

March 1779, on furlough

Lieutenant Colonel - David Rhea 11/28/76, resigned 11/78

William DeHart commissioned 1/1/77

appointed to 2nd

New Jersey, 2/79

Major - Richard Howell 11/28/76, resigned 4/7/79

July 1778, sick absent

Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. 1778, on command at Monmouth

January 1779, on furlough 20 days

February, March 1779, on command at Spanktown

John Ross commissioned 1/1/77, appointed to 2nd

New Jersey, 5/79

Ross served as brigade inspector from October 1779 to November 1780; he retired January 1781.

Staff

Adjutant - Luther Halsey 1/1/77

December 1778, on furlough 10 days

Quartermaster - Benajah Osmon 1/1/77

August 1778, on command at Phila.

Derick Lane 4/3/79

Paymaster - John Peck 4/1/77

July 1778, sick absent

November 1778, on furlough 30 days

December 1778, on furlough 4 days

Surgeon - Lewis Howell 1/1/77 [?]

died of sickness 7/5/78

Ebenezer Elmer 7/5/78

November 1778, on furlough 20 days

Surgeon's Mate - Ebenezer Elmer appointed April 1777

Moses Elmer 8/21/78

December 1778, on furlow 10 days

March 1779, sick absent

Volunteer - George Walker, acting as an officer, "with reputation, without pay."

Wounded in the side at the Battle of Monmouth.

Appointed ensign as of 9/12/78

Warrant Officers (With Date of Commission, etc.)

Serjeant Major - William Barr, 1/1/77

August 1778, sick present

Quarter Master

Serjeant - George McDonald, 1/1/77

August 1778, sick present

Drum Major - William Burtless, 1/1/77

January 1779, furlough 25 days

Company Organization

December 1777 to January 1779 (Inclusive)

(Note: Parenthesized abbreviations for each company denote the captain’s name; these

abbreviations are used in other sections of the 1778-79 2nd

New Jersey history.)

Company Officers (With Date of Commission, etc.)

1st Company (Ho)

Captain - John Hollinshead, 1/1/77

August 1778, on furlough

1st Lieutenant - Samuel Hendry, 1/1/77

transferred to 8th Company, October 1778

2nd

Lieutenant - Derick Lane, 11/8/77

promoted to 1st Lieut., Luce's company 1/1/78

2nd

Company (Cu)

Captain - John Noble Cummings 1/1/77

January 1778, on furlough

June 1778, on command

July 1778, on furlough

August 1778, on command at Monmouth

September 1778, on command

November 1778, on furlough 10 days

1st Lieutenant - Nathaniel Jenkins 1/1/78

January 1778, on furlough

December 1778, on furlough 90 days

January 1779, sick absent, on furlough for 59 days

2nd

Lieutenant - Samuel Shute 9/11/77

January 1778. on furlough

June 1778, on command

November 1778, on furlough 12 days

December 1778, on command at Salem after deserters

3rd

Company (Lu)

Captain - Henry Luce, 1/1/77, resigned 2/18/79

July 1778, on command

October 1778, on command

December 1778, on furlough 30 days

January 1779, sick absent

1st Lieutenant - William Helms promoted to captain 12/77

Derick Lane, 11/8/77

September 1778, on furlough

2nd

Lieutenant - John Shreve 9/10/77

July 1778, on guard

August 1778, on furlough 6 days

September 1778, on furlough

October 1778, on furlough

January 1779, on command at Elizabeth Town

4th Company (Re)

Captain - Samuel Reading, 1/1/77

1st Lieutenant - Abraham Stout, 1/1/78,

prisoner 4/5/78

2nd

Lieutenant - Jonathan Rhea 4/1/78

August 1778, on command at Monmouth

January 1779, sick present

5th Company (Bo) (formerly Lawrie's Company)

Captain - Nathaniel Bowman, 9/11/77

August 1778, on command at Newark

October 1778, on command at Newark

1st Lieutenant - Aaron Lane, 7/10/77, cashiered 8/25/78

January, June & July 1778, on command

2nd

Lieutenant - John Hutchins, promoted 1/1/78 to 1st Lieut., Capt. Sparks Co.

Ensign - Jonathan Rhea

6th Company (Ph)

Captain - Jonathan Phillips, 12/1/77

January 1778, on command

February to November 1778 on command at Princeton

1st Lieutenant - Abraham Appleton, 1/1/78

2nd

Lieutenant - vacant

7th Company (He)

Captain - James Maxwell, resigned 12/1/77

William Helms, 12/1/77

December 1778, on furlough 18 days

January 1779, furlough 15 days

1st Lieutenant - Samuel Naglee 12/1/77

November 1778, on command at Second River

December 1778, ditto

2nd

Lieutenant - George Ross, resigned 12/18/77

James Paul, 7/1/77

May 1778, on command

October 1778, command at Newark

January 1779, on command at Second River

8th Company (Sp)

Captain - James Dillon, resigned 12/1/77

John Sparks, 1/1/78, resigned 8/31/78

June 1778, on furlough

Samuel Hendry, captain-lieutenant as of 10/78

1st Lieutenant - George Reynolds, resigned 1/3/78

John Hutchen, 12/1/77

January 1778, on furlough

April 5, 1778, captured by the enemy

2nd

Lieutenant - Francis Declos, 1/1/77, cashiered 10/27/78

June and August 1778, on command at Newark

Company Organization, February to May 1779

Company Officers (With Date of Commission (etc.)

Colonel Shreve's Company (formerly Sparks')

Samuel Hendry, captain-lieutenant 11/30/76

on command at Spanktown, 2/79 and 3/79

John Shreve, 2nd lieutenant, 7/10/77

on furlough at Elizabethtown, 2/79

Lieutenant Colonel's Company (formerly Helm's)

Samuel Naglee, 1st lieutenant, 11/30/76

on command at Spanktown, 3/79

Jonathan Rhea, 2nd

lieutenant, 4/1/78

Major Howell's Company (newly raised)

(Major Ross's as of May 1779)

Able Weyman, lieutenant, 11/1/77

on command at Spanktown, 2/79

Joseph Buck, ensign, 2/1/79

on furlough 2/79

4th Company

John Hollinshead, captain, 11/30/76

on furlough February and March 1779

Luther Halsey, 1st lieutenant, 11/9/77

John Peck, 2nd

lieutenant, 11/10/77

5th Company

John N. Cummings, captain, 11/30/76

on command at Trenton April and May 1779

Nathaniel Jenkins, 1st lieutenant, 1/1/77

on furlough 2/79, sick absent 3/79,

died 4/27/79

Samuel Shute, 2nd

lieutenant, 9/11/77

6th Company

Samuel Reading, captain, 1/1/77

on furlough 2/79

Abraham Stout, 1st lieutenant, 1/12/78

captured 4/5/78

George Walker, ensign, 9/12/78

7th Company

Nathaniel Bowman, captain, 9/11/77

Samuel Conn, 1st lieutenant, 11/12/77

James Paul, 2nd

lieutenant, 12/1/77

captured 4/3/79

8th Company

Jonathan Phillips, captain, 12/1/77

Abraham Appelton, 1st lieutenant, 1/1/78

9th Company

Henry Luse, captain, 1/1/77

resigned 2/18/79

William Helms, captain, 12/1/77

Derick Lane, 1st lieutenant, 11/8/77

Benajah Osmun, 2nd

lieutenant, 11/12/78

Company Lineage, 2nd

New Jersey Regiment, 1777 to 1779

The seniority of captains and their companies in 1777 was probably as follows:

(Source: Israel Shreve letter, Burlington City, N.J., 30 December 1786, Revolutionary War Rolls,

National Archives Microfilm Publications, Record Group 93, M246 (Washington, 1980), reel 57,

section 23.)

1. John Hollinshead's Companys

2. John Cummings' Company

3. James Dillon's Company, Dillon resigned December 1, 1777.

4. James Maxwell's Company, Maxwell resigned December 1, 1777.

5. James Lawrie's Company, Lawrie died in captivity of wounds received at the Battle of

the Short Hills, June 26, 1777.

6. Ephraim Andersons Company, Anderson was killed at the Battle of the Short Hills,

June 26, 1777.

7. Henry Luse's Company

8. Thomas Yard's Company, Yard resigned in December 1777.

9. Joseph Stout's Company, Stout was killed at the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777.

On June 26, 1777 Captain Ephraim Anderson was killed at the Battle of the Short Hills in New

Jersey. In August 1777 the enlisted men of his company were dispersed among four other

companies of the regiment: 1 sergeant and 2 privates joined Cummings' company; 1 sergeant, 2

corporals and 8 privates joined Hollinshead's company; 1 sergeant, 1 corporal and 2 privates

joined Lawrie's company; 2 privates joined Luce's company; and 1 corporal joined Dillon's Co..

Continuity of Company Command Through May 1779

Captain Hollinshead commanded the same company from January 1777 to May 1779

Captain Cummings commanded the same company from January 1777 to May 1779.

Captain Dillon's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Sparks' (as of January 1778);

the company then became Colonel Shreve's Company (as of February 1779).

Captain Maxwell's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Helms' (as of December 1778);

the company then became Lieutenant Colonel DeHart's Company (as of February 1779).

Captain Lawrie's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Bowman's (as of September

1777). This company was designated light infantry as of June 1779.

Captain Luce's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Helms' (as of February 1779).

Captain Yard's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Phillips (as of December 1777).

Captain Stout's company (as of January 1777) became Captain Reading's (as of December 1777).

A ninth company, Major Howell's, was added in February 1779. This company became Major

Ross's in May 1779.

Sources for Second New Jersey Officers and Staff

1. Second New Jersey Regiment muster and pay rolls of field, staff and commissioned

officers, 1777, 1778 and 1779; company muster and pay rolls, 1777 to 1779,

Revolutionary War Rolls, National Archives Microfilm Publications, Record Group 93,

M246 (Washington, 1980), reels 57 to 60 (hereafter cited as Revolutionary War Rolls,

Natl. Archives).

2. Israel Shreve to Dr. Bodo Otto, "Turkey Gap Sunday 29th. June 1777"; Shreve noted

that after the Short Hills battle "... the Inhabitants Buried 12 of ours they tell us; Among

them Capt. E[phraim]. Anderson of my Regt. ...," Israel Shreve Papers, Buxton

Collection, Louisiana Tech, University.

3. William S. Stryker, The Battle of Monmouth (Princeton, N.J., 1927), 290.

4. Israel Shreve letter, Burlington City, N.J., 30 December 1786 regarding funds used for

recruiting the 2nd Jersey Regiment in 1777: "... At the Battle of Brandywine, Stout was

killed, I was badly wounded so as not to be able to do duty untill Jan. 1778. During my

absence from the Regt. Dillon, Maxwell, and Yard resigned and were gone so that six of

the nine Captains were quite out of my power. In November 1778 at Elizabeth Town I

drew money to recruit Nine months men whose times were nearly out. Here Hollinshead,

Cummings and Luse produced their enlistments and settled up with me to that time."

Revolutionary War Rolls, Natl. Archives, reel 57, section 23.

5. "Promotions to be made in the 2d. New Jersey Regt. Commandd By Coll. Shrieve -

James Paul a Volunteer & wounded at sho[r]t hills was promised by his Excellency a

Commisn. Dated 1st July 1777.

Lieut. Saml. Reading to be a pointed Capt. in the room of Capt. Lawry Deceasd 10th.

July in New York shortly after the battle of Short Hills.

Aaron Lane to be a first Lieut. on Capt. Lawry's Dec[ease].

John Shrieve to be 2d. Lieut. at Capt. Lawry's Deceas

Nathaniel Boman to be Capt. in the room of Capt. Stout Deceased the 11th Sept. 1777.

George Reynolds to be a first Lieut. at Capt. Stouts Deceas

Samuel Shute to be 2d. Lieut. at Capt. Stouts Deceas

Given in Camp at Towaminsing Township the 12th Day of Oct. 1777 Wm.

Maxwell B.G.” Revolutionary War Rolls, Natl. Archives, reel 57, section 21-3, p. 14.

6. George Washington to the Board of War, 15 April 1779: "Sir: Inclosed you have the

Commission of Major Howell of the 2d. New Jersey Regt. who resigned the 7th

instant.

Be pleased to fill up the vacancy with the eldest Captain in the line and send forward the

Commission. The Captain Lieutenant of the Regiment from which the Captain is taken to

succeed Major Howell will be entitled to a Company, be pleased also to make out and

send a Commission for him, one for the Officer succeeding to the Capt. Lieutenancy and

one for the Ensign to be promoted to a Lieutenancy, in consequence of the above." John

C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript

Sources 1745-1799 (39 volumes), vol. 14, (Washington: Government Printing Office,

1936), 392.

7. For John Ross’s appointment as brigade inspector and duties of that position, see, General

orders, 9 June 1777, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the

Original Manuscript Sources 1745–1799 (39 volumes); vol. 15 (Washington: Government

Printing Office, DC, 1936), 129-131.