Revolutionary War — Northern Campaign-Battle of Springfield, New Jersey

1780 June 23. The Battle of Springfield, New Jersey After the Battle of Connecticut Farms, on June 7, 1780 had foiled Lieutenant General Wilhelm, Baron von Knyphausen’s expedition to attack General George Washington’s army at Morristown, New Jersey, Knyphausen and Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, British commanderin-chief, decided upon a second attempt.

Although the British were initially able to advance, they were ultimately forced to withdraw in the face of newly arriving rebel forces, resulting in a Continental victory. The last battle fought in New Jersey was the Battle of Springfield fought in Essex County, New Jersey.

Maryland, limited by her population, furnished some 20,000 men in the cause of the American revolution and was known to have furnished some of the best fighters in the war. When the province was threatened with subjugation by Lord Cornwallis, it was the Maryland Line which came to her rescue and formed under General Greene to strike a fatal blow against the British.

Quoting from the Life of General Greene by Johnson:

“There is a clannish spirit in the States of the Union which will ever dispose the writers they produce, to blasen with perculiar zeal the virtues and talents of the eminent men of their respect States. And it will probably happen, that in future times the States that have produced the ablest writers will enjoy the reputation of having produced the ablest statesmen, generals…