REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN ROSELLE PARK,NEW JERSEY

Galloping Hill Road Monument
Galloping Hill Rd. and Colonial Rd.
Map / Directions to the Galloping Hill Road Monument

In June 1780, the British made two unsuccessful attempts to attack George Washington's army encamped at Morristown. Their plan was to march west from Elizabeth across New Jersey through a gap in the Watchung Mountains known as Hobart Gap.  Their first attempt was on June 7, when they made it as far as Connecticut Farms (now Union township). In their second attempt on June 23, they made it as far as Springfield before being driven back. [1]

This monument marks Galloping Hill Road, which was used by British troops marching towards both the Battle of Connecticut Farms and the Battle of Springfield.  The plaque quotes Washington's praise of the New Jersey Militia at the victorious Battle of Springfield, which he wrote in his letter to Congress from his headquarters in Whippany two days after the battle: "They flew to arms universally and acted with a spirit equal to anything I have seen during the war." [2]

After the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, the strategy of British General Henry Clinton changed. No more attempts were made to invade New Jersey, and the Battle of Springfield became the last major battle fought in the North. The emphasis of the fighting shifted to the southern states, culminating in the decisive Battle of Yorktown sixteen months later on October 19, 1781.

For details about the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, see the Elizabeth to Connecticut Farms and Springfield pages of this website.

Source Notes:

1. ^ For details about the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, see the Elizabeth to Connecticut Farms and Springfield pages of this website.

2. ^ Monument was erected by the Boudinot Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, June 10, 1913.

• George Washington's "Flew to arms" quote from his letter to the President of Congress, sent from his headquarters in Whippany, June 25, 1780. Published in:
George Washington; Edited by Jared Sparks The Writings of George Washington Volume 7 (Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Metcalf; and Hilliard Gray and Co. 1835) p. 85-86
Available at Google Books Here.