Battle of Short Hills

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The Battle of Short Hills (or the Battle of Metuchen Meetinghouse) was a conflict between a force of Americans commanded by General William Alexander ("Lord Stirling"), and an opposing British force commanded by General William Howe, that took place on July 26, 1777, at Short Hills, in New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War.^[1]

William Howe, leader of the large British force at the Battle of Short Hills

George Washington, leader of the main army of American troops

Prior to the battle the British tried to lure George Washington's army into a place where it could be conquered by the larger British army. However, the smaller American force won the battle.^[1][2]

[edit] Prelude

Before the battle, in the early days of June, General William Howe's British force of almost 17,000 withdrew from Somerset Court House at New Brunswick, to Perth Amboy,^[1] after they failed to draw Washington's central army from their post at Middlebrook Heights, the plan having been foiled by the tactics of Lord Stirling.^[2] The failure of the British ploy proved a major setback: success would have forced the small poorly-equipped American force to fight the larger British army on the flat plain of New Jersey.^[2]

Instead of falling for this trap, Washington followed the retreating British, having left his post in Middlebrook in the Watchung Mountains, as well as considering the possibility of assaulting their poorly armed rear guard. Washington harassed the British as they withdrew into Somerset and Middlesex counties, while troops under Stirling further irritated the retreating British.^[2] After withdrawing to Perth Amboy, Howe counterattacked, meaning to devastate Lord Stirling's forces, cut off Washington's retreat back to Middlebrook, and engage the Americans in a pitched battle.^[2]

[edit] The Battle

The ensuing battle between the American forces of Stirling, which numbered only about 2,200, and the British and Hessian forces of Howe, proved extremely intense, but with Stirling suffering only minor losses.^[2] However, Stirling was gradually forced backward, leading both of the armies into the Ash Swamp and Scotch Plains.^[2] Severe cannon fire forced Stirling, as determined as he was to stand against his foe, to retreat even further back, toward Westfield. However, Stirling's efforts in the Battle of Short Hills allowed his regiment to successfully reform with Washington's army and return to the post at Middlebrook.^[3] For these reasons, as well as the large amount of casualties inflicted on the British, the battle is considered an American victory.^[1] The British then were able to return safely to their post at Perth Amboy, leaving the American forces to ponder on what Howe's next action would be.^[2]

v • d • e New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War 1776 Fort Lee - Washington's crossing of the Delaware - First Trenton 1777 Second Trenton - Princeton - Millstone - Short Hills - Forage War - Bound Brook - Middlebrook encampment 1778 Monmouth - Molly Pitcher - Baylor Massacre - Little Egg Harbor massacre - Chestnut Neck 1779 Paulus Hook 1780 Connecticut Farms - Springfield 1783 U.S. Capital at Princeton

[edit] Notes